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Arrival Day
Arrival Day is Tuesday 5 January 2027
On this day, you will be met by student volunteers who coordinate pick up from Kjevik airport and Kristiansand train station/ferry terminal. The volunteers coordinate key pick-up to your SiA housing and transportation to your accommodation in Kristiansand and Grimstad.
To assist you the best way possible, it is very important that you register when you plan to arrive in the Arrival Form
Early Arrival
Your housing contract starts on 5 January. If you arrive before this date, you must arrange private housing. If you arrive before 5 January, you are responsible for key pick‑up and transportation to your accommodation.
Late Arrival
The recommended arrival date is 5 January. We strongly encourage you to arrive on this date. If you arrive later, you will need to arrange key collection and organize transportation to your accommodation yourself. You must also contact your faculty regarding any missed information or lectures.
Orientation Day
Orientation Day is Wednesday 6 January 2027.
During Orientation Day you will get to know your fellow international students and receive useful information you need to know to get the most of your experience at UiA and in Norway.
Orientation Programme Kristiansand
Orientation Day in Kristiansand will take place in: TBC.
Please note that the programme is subject to change
09:00 Campus tour
The ESN Buddies will take their groups on a campus tour and get to know each other
10:00 Pick up for students who ordered a cash card
10:00 Registration Open
11:00 A welcome from us
List of speakers: Rector Sunniva Whittaker, The Student Organisation in Agder (STA), Erasmus Student Network (ESN) UiA
11:30 Student Resources
Information from International Office
Information from SiA Housing
Information about useful student services (the writing lounge, digital tools, SiA health)
13:00 Food and Friends
Light lunch and meet your buddy group
14:00 Norwegian Survival 101
Introduction to the social and practical skills you need to survive (and thrive) in Norway
Orientation Programme Grimstad
Orientation Day in Grimstad will take place in: TBC
Please note that the programme is subject to change
10:30 Registration Open
11:00 A welcome from us
List of speakers: A representative from the University of Agder, The Student Organisation in Agder (STA), Erasmus Student Network (ESN) UiA
11:30 Student Resources
Information from Student Services
Information from SiA Housing
Information from International Office
Information about upcoming events (the writing lounge, digital tools)
13:00 Food and Friends
Light lunch
14:00 Norwegian Survival 101 Part 2
Introduction to the social and practical skills you need to survive (and thrive) in Norway
15:00 Campus tour
The ESN will take the students on a campus tour and get to know each other
Welcome Weekend
The first weekend is dedicated to get to know your city and local surroundings, as well as your fellow international students.
Welcome to Kristiansand
A Welcome from the Town
Time: TBC
Place: Kristiansand Town Hall
The Mayor of Kristiansand welcomes students on behalf of Kristiansand Municipality
City Tour with ESN
Time: TBC
Exchange students and master students will join their ESN buddy groups for a tour of the city.
Buddy Program
Your buddy will inform you about the buddy activities happening the first week
Welcome to Grimstad
A Welcome from the Town
Time: TBC
Place: Grimstad Town Hall
The Mayor of Grimstad welcomes students on behalf of Grimstad Municipality
Historic city walk
Following the welcome meeting at the city hall, students will meet at the Main Square (outside the hotel) for the Historic city walk with their buddy groups.
Buddy Programme
Your buddy will inform you about the buddy activities happening the first week
Semester Start for your study programme
For exchange students
Please note that not all faculties have their own introductory meetings.
Faculty of Humanities and Education
See information on the faculty website
Faculty of Social Science and IT and Information Systems
Faculty of Social Sciences would like to invite exchange students taking courses in the faculty to a short information session on: TBC
Exchange students who need to change courses, or who would like to meet an academic advisor at the faculty, can attend a drop-in session after the info meeting on: TBC
Contact person in the Faculty of Social Sciences
Jannik Stølen Timenes, International Coordinator
Jannik.s.timenes@uia.no
Faculty of Engineering and Science
Faculty of Engineering and Science would like to welcome all new exchange students taking courses at our faculty.
Exchange students who need to change courses can contact the faculty advisor by email or stop by her office C4 021.
Contact person in the Engineering and Science
Kristi Barcus-Sævareid, Advisor
kristi.l.barcus-savareid@uia.no
Faculty of Fine Arts
Faculty of Fine Arts invites Music, Theatre and Visual Arts students to “Meet the Faculty of Fine Arts and a Guided Tour”.
More information about first‑week meetings for exchange students is available on the faculty´s web pages.
Faculty of Health and Sport Science
No current information
School of Business and Law
See information on the faculty website
Mandatory sessions for international students
'Study methods' and 'How to avoid plagiarism'
Campus Kristiansand:
Time: TBC
Campus Grimstad:
Time: TBC
This session will provide tips and tricks for how to Study Smart, what resources available for students and important information about plagiarism. International Students come from many different backgrounds of referencing styles and traditions of writing academic texts. This session will focus on the UiA standard of academic writing, references and how to avoid plagiarism.
Registration with the Police
The time of the police appointments will be sent out to students
EU/EEA + Swiss nationals: TBC (exact date and time for your slot will be sent by email after semester start)
Non-EU nationals: TBC (exact date and time for your slot will be sent by email after semester start)
Nordic nationals do not have to register with the police.
All international students (except Nordic citizens) staying in Norway for more than three months must register with the Police. The appointment is mandatory for your immigration process.
Non-EU Students:
These appointments are only for students who already have a residence permit (not for submitting applications).
You must bring:
Your passport
Your residence permit decision letter (UDI)
Your full address (including apartment/unit number)
EU/EEA Students:
You must complete your registration on udi.no before the appointment.
You must bring:
Your passport or national ID card + copy of personal details page
Acceptance Letter
EHIC or private health insurance
Self-declaration of sufficient funds
The International Office will organise the time of the appointments. You do not need to book an appointment yourself.
Tuberculosis screening
Kristiansand:
Date: TBC
Place: Vaccination Office, Tordenskjolds gate 65, Kristiansand
Grimstad:
Date: TBC
Place: UiA Grimstad
You will receive your time slot by email
Students coming from countries with a high occurrence of tuberculosis are obliged to undergo tuberculosis testing if they intend to stay for more than three months in Norway.