New International Students

New international students, please be aware:
Answers and services mentioned in the other categories of this FAQ may not be available or relevant for you until you have finished the Introductory Programme (or semester registration if you arrive after this).

I have arrived before semester startup, what should I do?
You should get settled in your new home, relax for a bit and explore the city. It is not possible to complete any practical formalities before day 1 of the Introductory Programme, so just enjoy Bergen and get ready for the Introductory Programme where you will get all the information you need.

Where can I access the Internet before the Introductory Programme?

• 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. If you use Eduroam at your home university, you can also access wireless internet on campus. You can also use one of the stationary computers at the public library next to the bus station to access Internet.

•  If you have a Norwegian mobile number, you can access the Internet by using “uib-guest”. You have to enter your Norwegian mobile number, and a password will be sent to you.

• 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.

When can I register for the semester and open a user account?
You can register and open a user account from day 1 of the Introductory Programme. You will be guided through the process and other formalities in the programme, so attend all the events.

I have questions about the semester fee, student ID card, UiB user account, and other UiB formalities, who can I ask?
Read the rest of the FAQ and check out our website for new students.

Most (hopefully all) of your questions will be addressed during the Introductory Programme. On day 1 you will receive a lot of practical information in the Opening Session, and if you still have questions student advisors from the faculties and staff from the Division of Student Affairs will be available and ready to assist you in the stand area for the rest of the day.

If you have urgent questions, contact your Faculty Information Centre or the Semester Startup Help Desk (open during semester startup only) at the Student Centre (campus map index no. 14).

I’m an exchange student. Where can I get my confirmation of arrival and/or Learning agreement signed?
You can have your confirmation of arrival signed on day 1 of the Introductory Programme by your faculty or the International Admission Team in the stand area.

If you need to have it signed before or after this, please visit the information centre at your faculty. 

Find more information about arrival/departure forms and Learning Agreements on our web pages.

I want to change one or more of my courses, what should I do?
Participate in the Introductory Programme. Staff from all the faculties will be available for questions regarding choice of courses and more from day 1 in the programme. Please consult the study advisor at your department/faculty after this.

What are the opening hours of the Semester Startup Help Desk?
Please refer to the information webpage of the Semester Startup Help Desk.

Information and Counselling

Where is the UiB campus?
The University of Bergen campus is spread across the city centre and neighbouring areas.

Where is the Information Centre?
Each faculty has its own Faculty Information Centre. Several administrative services are also available online at UiB and Me. For general campus guidance and assistance in using online services, please visit the Semester Startup Help Desk during semester startup.

I need counselling or guidance. Where can I go?
There are several guidance- and counselling services available for students. They are run (amongst others) by UiB, SiB and volunteer student organisations.

• Issues related to your study: Student advisors at your faculty
• Student life, financial matters, alcohol related advice: SiB Counselling
• Physical and mental health: SiB Health
• Jobs and career: SiB Career Centre
• Students with special needs: Division of Student Affairs
• Students’ interests: The Student Parliament
• Legal aid: Jussformidlingen (volunteer students)
• Personal financial advice: Økonomiformidlingen (volunteer students)

Printing, Transcript of Records and Diplomas

I need to print something. Where can I do this on campus?
A large number of network printers are available in reading rooms and libraries throughout the university. You can use them by logging in to any UiB computer and printing to Pullprint. You can also connect your computer to UiB print services at home online using VPN.

How do I add money my student card so that I can use print services?
You can add money to your student card with cash online or you can buy a Spend On card. Read more on the pages for PayPrint. 

What is the difference between a Transcript of Records and a Diploma?
A Transcript of Records is a complete overview of all exams that you have passed at UiB. A Diploma is a proof of a degree that you have attained and will only contain the exams included in your degree.

How can I get a Transcript of Records?
At UiB and Me you will find a link to all our online services, including how to order a Transcript of Records.

How many Transcripts of Records can I order?
You can order as many transcripts as you want from StudentWeb, but there is one limitation: When you have ordered a Transcript of Records, it will take 7 days before you can order a new one. If you need more than one at once, you have to get certified copies.

How can I get a certified copy?
If you need certified copies, you must contact a copy shop, for instance Kopibutikken in Christies gate. Students at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences can visit their Faculty Information Centre to make certified copies.

How do I order a Diploma?
Your Diploma will only be produced once. If your faculty does not produce Diplomas automatically after your degree programme is finished, you can order one online.

Classes and Registration

Are classes mandatory?
Some classes in some programmes are mandatory, but this varies. To find out more, please contact your Faculty Information Centre.

When can I register for the semester?
StudentWeb opens for Semester registrations from Monday week 25 for registration for the autumn semester and Monday week 50 for registration for the spring semester. However, in your first semester at UiB you cannot register earlier than day 1 of the Introductory Programme. When you register you sign up for classes and exams etc..

When is the semester registration deadline?
The deadline to register for the semester, ie. confirm the education plan, sign up for exams and classes on StudentWeb and pay the semester fee (if applicable), is 1 September in the autumn semester and 1 February in the spring semester.

Some courses may have earlier deadlines, like the Norwegian language courses and many courses at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. More information will be provided on day 1 of the Introductory Programme.

Tuition and Student Welfare

I thought tuition was free in Norway, why the semester fee?
The public institutions of higher education in Norway do not charge tuition fees, but students pay a semester fee to the local student welfare organisation, in Bergen this is SiB.

What kind of welfare services am I entitled to as a student at UiB?
A range of welfare services are offered to members of the Student Welfare Organisation in Bergen (SiB).

Can I pay the semester fee in cash?
No. The semester fee must be paid through a bank or in a post office.

I did not pay the semester fee within the deadline. What can I do?
If you did not pay the semester fee and confirmed your education plan on StudentWeb within the deadline, you will lose your student status at UiB. Contact your Faculty Information Centre as soon as possible.

I paid the semester fee, but the payment has not been registered on StudentWeb. Why is that? If you used the wrong KID-number, this will normally be detected after a while as long as you paid to the correct bank account number. If the problem persists, you should contact the Division of Student Affairs according to certain procedures.

Student ID

How can I prove that I'm a student?
To prove that you are a student you must download UiB's digital Student ID App. Alternatively you can carry a student card with a valid semester sticker that you order on StudentWeb. You must be able to prove that you are a student to get student discounts.

How can I prove that I am a student before I have either downloaded the app or received a student ID card with a semester sticker?
If you are a new student you can use these combinations of documentation to prove that you are a student:

1. Valid ID card (eg. passport) together with your Letter of Acceptance from UiB

2. Student card together with your Letter of Acceptance from UiB

3. Valid ID card (eg. passport) together with your semester receipt from UiB

4. Student ID App (if the app does not show your photo you must also show additonal picture ID)

5. Student card with a valid semester sticker

After the semester registration deadline only alternative 3, 4 and 5 will be valid as student ID.

If you were a student in the previous semester, you can use the student card together with your old semester sticker (or semester card) until the deadline for the semester registration.

What is the difference between the Student ID App, student card, the semester receipt, the semester card and the semester sticker?
The student card has a photo of the student and personal information, is valid as a student identity card and also has several other usages.

The Student ID App functions as a semester receipt and student ID and you can download it when you have completed the semester registration and paid the semester fee (if applicable).

The semester receipt is the A4 sheet with the perforated semester card and the semester sticker. This will only be sent to your semester address if you opt for it when you register for the semester. Note that the Student ID App is sufficient as a student ID.

The student card must have the semester sticker affixed as proof of validity in the current semester if you choose this option to prove your student ID.

I have lost or not received my semester receipt. Where can I get a new one?
At UiB and Me you will find a link to all our online services, including how to order a new semester receipt.

I did not select to receive a semester receipt by post when I registered on StudentWeb, but now I need one.
At UiB and Me you will find a link to all our online services, including how to order a new semester receipt.

I have lost my student card. How do I get a new one?
Contact the Card Centre regarding lost or defect student cards.