The resolution to establish an institution for higher education and research based on a model of the German Handelshochschule was carried out by Norway’s parliament, the Storting, in 1917. The Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH) was founded in 1936. The decision to establish the school in Bergen was based on Bergen’s long-standing traditions within trade and the Government’s policy that institutions of higher education should be located in different parts of the country. At the time, Norway had just the one university, the University of Oslo, as well as the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH) in Trondheim.
When the school was established, the academic staff consisted of less than ten persons, and sixty students were enrolled each year. The siviløkonom degree course (the equivalent of a Master of Science in Business) was a two-year course and, starting in 1938, a one-year additional course was offered to candidates who wanted to become teachers. In 1946 the siviløkonom degree course was extended to three years.
In 1963 the School moved to new premises, an event which in many ways marked the transition to a new period characterized by a rapid increase in the number of students as well as teachers. In 1975 the siviløkonom degree course was extended to a four-year programme. Several advanced courses were established and many members of the academic staff chose to spend time at educational institutions abroad as part of their training. During this period, close relations with international research environments were also established. The international activities at the school have increased considerably and the international focus has become stronger over the years. During the last few years, great emphasis has been placed on i.a. exchange arrangements for students, and the school also forms part of the prestigious international networks CEMS (Community of European Management Schools) and PIM (Program in International Management).
Today, NHH comprises over 2,800 full time students and a total staff of over 330, and the school co-operates closely with the foundations Administrative Research Institute at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (AFF) and Foundation for Research in Economics and Business Administration (SNF). Together, NHH and its associated foundations constitute a major academic and organisational entity with more than 470 employees.
Last updated: 2006-08-15. Contact: Webmaster
