Overview
The University of Bergen is located in Norway’s second largest city. Bergen is known as the fjord capital of Norway due to its location between the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord. The city is also nicknamed the “the city between the seven mountains.” UNESCO recognizes Bergen’s wharf– a key site in the 14th century Hanseatic League’s trading empire–as a UNESCO world heritage site. The fish market dates from 1276 and today the waterfront houses a museum, shops, galleries and restaurants. The KODE museum of art, design and music downtown is one of the largest of its type in the Nordic countries. The city is also proud of its standing as Norway’s capital of street art and its status as a UNESCO center for gastronomy.
Academics
Find classes here: University of Bergen classes
The University of Bergen is the second oldest university in Norway; is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world, and has 16,000 students. The university is one of the most international institutions in Norway. The campus is mostly near the city center, but the Faculty of Fine Art and Design is located a short distance away. The languages of study are Norwegian and English. Masters programs are taught in English and bachelors programs for degree seeking students are in Norwegian. For exchange students, there is a roster of English language classes available. Students can also take Norwegian language courses. Topics available include: Fine Art (Painting and Drawing, Sculpture and Installation), Ceramics and Clay, Time-Based Art and Performance, New Media, Textiles, Printmaking, and Photography, Music, and Design. Students’ academic performance is assessed as either pass or fail and does not include a grading scale. Credits are awarded as a total sum based on the courses completed during the semester.
Housing
Student housing is available through an organization called Sammen: Sammen also runs student cafeterias, gyms, health centers, counseling services and childcare for students who have children.
Dates
Fall semester is mid-August through mid-December. Spring semester is early January through mid-June. Exchanges are available only during the spring semester.
Cost
Students pay Willamette tuition and can use their usual funding. Additional scholarships for study abroad are available for this program. Students are responsible for the costs of their own room and board.