Student Accommodation

International students intending to stay for a minimum of one semester are guaranteed a single room at one of SiB's student hostels under certain conditions.

Created 19.11.2009 - 09.16
Last updated 17.02.2014 - 16.39

The student hostels are run by the Student Welfare Organisation in Bergen (SiB).

 

For those of you who will need to obtain a residence permit, please be aware that you must make housing arrangements prior to your arrival in Bergen. However, we strongly recommend that all students make arrangements prior to arrival as it is not easy to find housing in Bergen in July and August.

 

Who may apply

Apply with the reservation code

The following students are guaranteed a single room in a student hostel, provided that you apply for a room within the application period, using a reservation code issued by UiB*, and intend to stay for a minimum of one semester:

  • Exchange students
  • Self-financed master's degree students
  • Quota students
  • Others: students in other collaboration programmes with a minimum duration of 1 semester

*The reservation code is issued to the student when applying for admission to the University of Bergen. See "How do I apply" for more information about the reservation code.

Apply without the reservation code

If you are not in one of the categories above, you are not guaranteed a room, but you may still apply to SiB as an ordinary student.

If you are in one of the categories above, but you missed the application deadline or you are staying in Bergen for less than 3 months, you must also apply to SiB as an ordinary student.

How do I apply

Students applying with the reservation code must apply within these deadlines:

  • Autumn semester: 1 April-15 May
  • Spring semester: 1 October-1 November

To apply for housing with the reservation code, go to SIB's website International Students with a housing guarantee.

Please note that:

If you apply before or after these dates or if you do not use the reservation code, you will lose the housing guarantee.

When you apply with the reservation code, a one year contract (from 1 August or 1 January) is automatically generated. Remember to terminate your contract 2 months before departure.

You cannot register your own arrival and departure dates when you use the reservation code. If you do so you will lose your housing guarantee.

 

Additional information to the different student categories:

Exchange students

  • Submit your application for admission to the University of Bergen
  • Apply for housingdirectly to the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB)
    Use the reservation code sent directly to you in an e-mail after you applied for admission to the Universtiy of Bergen.

Self-financed master's degree students

  • Submit your application for admission to the University of Bergen
  • Apply for housingdirectly to the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB)
    A reservation code will be sent directly to students admitted to the University of Bergen

Quota students

Student accommodation will be arranged for students admitted to the Quota Scheme by the University of Bergen. More information regarding the accommodation process will be given to admitted students with the Letter of Acceptance.

Others

The faculty/department where you are granted admission will inform you of the application procedures.

Application process

Application Period

Spring: 1 October to 1 November
Autumn: 1 April to 15 May

  • Students register and apply online
  • Students can alter their application until the deadline 1 November/15 May

Offer of Room

Spring: 1 November to 7 November
Autumn: 15 May to 25 May

  • SiB processes the applications for housing, and will allocate the rooms according to availability
  • Students may not alter their application after the deadline 1 November/15 May as this means you will lose your housing guarantee.
  • SiB sends information to all students who are offered a room at a student hostel by e-mail
  • If you have not received an offer by this date, please contact SiB directly at bolig@sib.no and forward your “Confirmation on request from Boligtorget”

Acceptance of the Offer

Within 5 days after receiving the Tenancy Agreement

  • Students must log on to 'My Page' to find their Tenancy Agreement, and follow all instructions given by SiB within the deadline

 Deposit

Spring: by 1 December
Autumn: by 15 June

  • Students must pay the deposit within the given deadline otherwise their reservation will be cancelled.

Cancellations

Spring: by 15 December
Autumn: by 15 July

  • Students who cancel their reservation of student accommodation before 15 December/15 July, will have their deposit returned

Arriving late?

After semester start

  • Students who will be arriving three weeks or more after their Tenancy Agreement has commenced, must notify SiB at bolig@sib.no to ensure their reservation is not cancelled (as according to §4 in the Tenancy Agreement)

Leaving Bergen between semesters

Please note that you cannot terminate your contract between two semesters. If you do so, you will not be guaranteed a new contract on your return. If you leave for field work, you must be away for at least three months in order to qualify for a new contract. Field work must be documented.

Private Accommodation

If you intend to find accommodation in the private market, there are several websites that may be useful, like finn.no and hybel.no among others. However, you should be aware that most of these will be in Norwegian.

BergenStudenten

BergenStudenten offers advice and assistance to all new students about private accommodation in Bergen. BergenStudenten can also assist with viewings on your behalf and their services are free of charge.

 

 

In order to get access to your room, you must go to the reception desk at the Student Centre to collect your key. Please check the opening hours of SIB's housing reception when planning your arrival to Bergen.

Please note: duvets, pillows, bed linen and towels are not included and must be supplied by the student.

Fantoft student hostel

Photo: 
M. Røsvik
Relevant links: 
SiB Housing Web Site
Opening Hours SiB Housing Reception