As a new international student, there are some things you need to remember:
All international students must cover all costs during the study period in Norway, such as accommodation, food, books, residence permit, and travel to and from Norway. There is no tuition fee.
To apply for a Study Permit (see below) for educational purposes in Norway, students from Non-EU/EEA countries must document that they have access to NOK 126 357 for the first academic year (10 months). Once you have accepted the offer of admission you will receive information on how to transfer money to the University of Agder deposit account. This deposit is meant to finance your living costs in Norway. It will take some time before you get access to your money after arrival. Please make sure you have access to sufficient funds or a credit card/ATM card. Check with your home bank that the card is valid in Norway.
Please be aware that when you apply to renew your visa, you will have to document proof of funding for the following year. Read more at the UDI webpage.
Once you have accepted the offer and transfered the deposit you will receive a statement of deposit. Then you will need to apply for a Study Permit (visa) for studying in Norway. This must be done from your home country as soon as possible. Most applicants can apply electronically at https://selfservice.udi.no. For more information please visit: www.udi.no
For 2021 the fee for Study Permit is 4900 NOK.
Membership in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NAV) is normally automatic granted for students staying for more than 12 months, provided you are a student with a current residence permit. This entitles you to medical care under the Norwegian National Health Scheme. Expenses related to dental care and illnesses contracted before arrival in Norway are not covered.
All students from EU/EEA countries must bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their own home countries. This entitles students to medical care under the Norwegian National Health Scheme.
It is the students responsibility to make insurance arrangements (third party liability) for any accident, injury, loss or damage to persons or property resulting from, or in any way connected with, the study period in Norway.
We recommend that all international students have travel insurance during their stay in Norway.
You will find information about student housing at the Student Welfare Organizations webpage (SiA).
Once you have accepted the offer of admission you will receive details about how to apply to student housing.
Your housing contract will be from 12 August 2021 until 15 June 2022.
For all questions regarding student housing contact sia@sia.no
In order to find private accommodation in Kristiansand and Grimstad, students can browse through different websites. The two main ones are hybel.no and finn.no. These two websites are in Norwegian but can be translated with a translator extension or tool.
Students might also receive housing options on their respective UiA Facebook group.
Although rent may vary considerably from one option to another, the average prices can range between NOK 3900 to NOK 5000. Please note that certain rooms might not be furnished entirely, so it’s best to check beforehand.
Other things to take into consideration are potential deposits, proximity to the university campus and proximity to the city centre.
In order to obtain your residence permit, you need to register with the police and meet at the local police office in Kristiansand.
UiA will book an appointment with the police where you will have to meet at the local police office in Kristiansand.
Make sure you bring along copies of following documents as shown in the checklist from UDI (originals must also be presented):
The police will order your residence card when you have registered with them. A residence card is a plastic card that proves that you have been granted a residence permit in Norway.
UiA will book an appointment with the police where you will have to meet at the local police office in Kristiansand.
Make sure you have completed the online registration form before you go to your appointment bring along the following documents:
The police will issue a registration certificate, a document that confirms that the police have registered you as an EU/EEA national living in Norway.
It will take at least ten working days from your appointment with the police until you receive the card/certificate in the mail. Please ensure you are registered with the correct address when you are at the police and that your letterbox is clearly marked.
After you have been to the police to order your residence card, the police will notify the Norwegian Tax Administration that you have been granted a residence permit. You will then receive a letter from the Tax Administration with your national identity number or your D-number.
You must go to the Tax Administration Office (Skatteetaten) in Kristiansand or Grimstad after registering with the police to report that you are relocating to Norway.
You will need to fill in the form "Notification of relocation to Norway from abroad". Please see Norwegian Tax Administration website for the form and for information on what documents you need to bring. When your relocation has been correctly reported, you will automatically receive a National ID number within 2-3 weeks.
Students from countries with high occurrence of tuberculosis are required to undergo an obligatory health check upon arrival as part of the visa process. An email will be sent to those students who requires a health check with details of your appointment with the Health Centre.
You will receive an SMS with your username and password. If you don't receive the SMS within semester start, you can contact the International Office at int-office@uia.no.
With this username and password you will gain access to, among other things Innsia, Canvas and Studentweb.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, you must scan the QR codes when you enter auditoriums, classrooms and group rooms at UiA.
Download the app NOA - notice of attendance and register with your name and mobile number. You will only need to register once. Scan the QR code with the app whenever you are on campus.
You need to pay your Semester fee within 1 September for the autumn semester and 1 February for the spring semester, in order to keep your UiA study permit at UiA. The Semester fee is NOK 740 per semester. As soon as you receive your username by SMS from UiA, you can access your Studentweb account, create a password and download your Semester fee invoice. You can download the app/get your semester card and receive your student ID-card.
Semester fee payment can be done in several ways:
There is currently no way to pay your Semester fee by cash, credit or debit card. If you cannot download your invoice, please contact UiA Help, and they can assist or direct you.
Register for classes and exams on the StudentWeb as soon as possible and before the deadlines (1 September for the autumn semester and 1 February for the spring semester).
Register your home address and Norwegian address on the StudentWeb
Download the semester card app to access your semester card after registration on the StudentWeb. Read more about the digital semester card here.
Create a student card in the photo booths on campus, and pick up the card at the UiA Help; remember to bring an ID and your semester card (app). You will not receive a student ID card until you pay the semester fee.
Canvas is the e-learning management system used at UiA.
Log on to Canvas and check that you have access to all the right courses.
Check your UiA e-mail address and Canvas at least once a week for important information.
You are required to present the original documents of your diplomas and transcripts upon arrival to the Admissions office. You will receive more information on this during semester start.
As a UiA student, you have free access to a variety of useful tools, and should familiarise yourself with some programmes and apps you need to use in your studies:
Responsible for this page: webredaksjonen@uia.no
The wireless network at UiA is called "eduroam". Here you connect with your UiA username and password.
The username must be entered in this way: username@uia.no.
During the study start you will also find an open network called "semesterstart" which you can connect to without a username and password.
This network is only available for 2 weeks.