SiB's Housing Reception

The Student Welfare Organisation (SiB) is responsible for student accommodation, and SiB's Housing Reception for all student hostels is situated at the university campus in the city centre, at the Student Centre (campus map index no. 14).

If you have been assigned a room at one of the student hostels, you must check in at the Housing Reception to pick up your room key after arrival.

Opening hours

It is important that you plan your arrival according to the Housing Reception's opening hours:

Address:

Student Centre
Parkveien 1
5007 Bergen

Arrival After SiB's Opening Hours

If you arrive outside the Housing Reception's opening hours, you will have to arrange for private accommodation in a hotel or hostel for the first night(s).

Internet Access

Access Internet before the Semester Starts

Many new students are eager to go online once they have arrived in Bergen to notify their friends and family at home that they arrived safely, and to access useful information about Bergen and UiB.

If you have your own lap top, you can use the wireless internet at Club Fantoft, the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen), or at one of the many cafés in the city centre which offers free wireless internet. At the public library next to the bus station you can also use one of their stationary computers to access the internet.

Internet Access

UiB is a participating institution in the Eduroam network, which means that if you use Eduroam at your home university, you will also have internet access through Eduroam when you arrive on campus in Bergen.

To access computers on campus and wireless internet at the student hostels, you must have a user account at UiB. To open a user account you must have your personal UiB codes, that are available in your personal welcome information envelope. This will be handed to you on day 1 of the Introductory Programme.

After you have opened your user account, you must allow one day for the internet access to be activated at your student hostel.

Arrival Before Semester Startup

Tourist Activities

If you arrive early, we recommend that you enjoy yourself and spend your time visiting some of Bergen's many tourist attractions and get to know the city.

Not Possible to Register

It will not be possible to register as a student before the Introductory Programme starts. When you participate in the Introductory Programme, the International Help Desk will provide you with your personal welcome information envelope and guide you through all the necessary formalities. The Help Desk is situated next to the SiB Housing Reception at the Student Centre.

Confirmation of Arrival

Exchange students may need to have a Confirmation of Arrival form signed. Please visit your Faculty Information Centre. We can only confirm your arrival on the day you visit our office or on the official start date of the semester.

Arrival After Semester Startup

Contact the International Help Desk

If you arrive in Bergen after the Introductory Programme and after the semester has started, please contact the International Help Desk next to the SiB Housing Reception at the Student Centre as soon as possible to get your personal welcome information envelope and assistance with the necessary registrations.

If you arrive after 31 August, when the International Help Desk has closed, please contact us by e-mail (exchange-students@uib.no) to make an individual appointment.

The Semester startup brochure will also provide you with practical and compulsory information relevant to all new international students, as well as our website about Compulsory Formalities for new students.

Notify SiB

If you are staying at one of the student hostels, you must notify SiB of your arrival date if you plan to arrive three weeks or more after your tenancy agreement starts at bolig@sib.no, otherwise they may cancel your tenancy agreement.

Public Transportation in Bergen

Tickets for Buses and the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen)

Upon arrival most students will use public transport to get to their student hostel or other accommodation. Single tickets for buses and Bybanen can be purchased beforehand on one of the ticket machines (only coins or credit cards accepted) or in certain shops in town (e.g. 7-eleven, Deli de Luca, Narvesen).

A single ticket costs NOK 31 (as of February 2014). It is also possible to buy a single ticket on the buses, but then it will cost NOK 41 (as of February 2014).

There are two different bus companies that will take you from the airport to the city centre, Flybussen SAS and FlybussBergen. These buses have different prices and arrangements than the city buses and Bybanen.

Skyss Travel card

Many students will need to use buses or Bybanen on a daily basis while in Bergen. As a student you will get 40% discount on the Periodic Travel card, which is a 7, 30 or 180 days travel card which entitles you to unlimitid travel on city buses and Bybanen. The Student Periodic Travel card can be ordered on Day 1 of the Introductory Programme, at Skyss' Customer Centres in town or at skyss.no.

When using the Skyss travel card, always remember to bring your ID card and documentation of student status (e.g. your Letter of Acceptance or semester card) for inspections.

Maps and Directions

How to get there:

• Airport buses: Flybussen SAS and FlybussBergen
• From the train and bus station to the SiB Housing Reception (and UiB's International Help Desk) (pdf)
• Transportation between Airport - Fantoft - City centre (pdf)
• From Byparken (Bybanen) to Det Akademiske Kvarter (pdf)
• From Byparken (Bybanen) to Sydneshaugen school (pdf)
• Campus map (pdf)
• City of Bergen