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Student Accommodation


Bergen offers a wide range of accommodation, and the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB) offers a large number of accommodation units for students especially. 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.

Fantoft student hostel

Fantoft student hostel Foto: M. Røsvik

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 

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*, 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)

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.

*See How do I apply for more information about the reservation code.

How do I apply

The application period:

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

Important!

  • 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.

Exchange students

  • Submit your application for admission to the University of Bergen
  • Apply for housing directly to the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB)
    Use the reservation code given to you in the application receipt.
  • Follow the application manual on "How to apply for student accommodation"

Self-financed master's degree students

  • Submit your application for admission to the University of Bergen
  • Apply for housing directly to the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB)
    A reservation code will be sent directly to students admitted to the University of Bergen
  • Follow the application manual on "How to apply for student accommodation"

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)

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.

Last updated 31.5.2013

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