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University of Oslo Pre-Arrival Autumn 2013 Guide Welcome!

The is among Europe’s leading universities, and the oldest and largest in . We take great pride in upholding our traditions in academic excellence and research driven learning. As a at our institution, this will be part of your academic experience.

Academic excellence is impossible without the input of in- ternational and researchers. The University of Oslo is proud to cooperate with the finest institutions across the world. Among our many study programmes taught in English there are attractive possibilities for international students on all levels.

Studying in Oslo, the beautiful capital city of Norway, you will be able to explore both the rich cultural life a capital can offer and the great outdoors surrounding our city.

You will belong to an active and vibrant student body which has a say on how the university is run. Our democratic vision Ole Petter Ottersen. and Director of the University includes students as well as staff. Gunn-Elin Aa. Bjørneboe

Knowledge is the key to making a difference and contributing to a better life for all. In fact, knowledge changes everything. By contributing to our international campus you will help us on our path to new knowledge. We therefore hope to welcome you as a new at the University of Oslo!

02 University of Oslo Table of contents Oslo - the unique choice ...... 5

To do before arrival in Norway ...... 6

The first weeks...... 7

Procedures to complete during the first weeks...... 8

Housing ...... 9

Norwegian Language courses ...... 11

Facts about Norway ...... 13

The International Student Advisors ...... 13

University of Oslo 03 University of Oslo

The University of Oslo (UiO) is the highest ranked higher International students are found at all of the eight faculties; education institution in Norway and one of the highest ranked Theology, Law, Medicine, , Mathematics and Natu- universities in Scandinavia. Our main campus at is ral Sciences, Dentistry, Social Sciences, and Education. 12 minutes by metro from central Oslo. We pride ourselves on having a highly qualified and dedicated Each year around 1,700 new international students join the teaching staff. Our record for graduate employment is very University of Oslo. In total, around 10% of the almost 27,000 good, and you will find former UiO students in many leading strong student population are international students. positions.

04 University of Oslo OSLO - the unique choice Oslo is a bustling city, and no other Scandinavian city hosts as area around the Opera House is in full bloom and will eventu- many concerts as the Norwegian capital. From up-and-coming ally become the harbour seaside Oslo deserves. artists to the superstars of the world, they all visit Oslo when In your leisure time, you may check out a flea market or two, travelling around Europe. or visit one of the many galleries or museums around the city. The Norwegian music scene itself is very vibrant and lively, Most have free entrance. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is also and many of the music bars offer concerts from local bands a great way to take time out from your studies. most days of the week. The closeness to nature is one of many things that makes Oslo has become much more international in the last 10-15 Oslo unique. From the cafés in central Oslo it is only a 15 years. Trendy cafés, restaurants with cuisines from around the minute ride by metro before you are in the beautiful forest world to satisfy every taste, bars and pubs, and modern cin- area that surrounds Oslo. ema facilities are among the many things that the Norwegian If you prefer the sea and the fjord, you can use your monthly capital offers. travel card and take one of the many ferries that go to the The new Opera House has islands in the Oslo fjord. already won several awards Oslo has about 600,000 inhabitants and is host to 60,000 for its bold iceberg shape students altogether. It is a great student city with several col- architecture, and is a hugely leges in addition to the University of Oslo. A good transporta- attractive place to visit, even tion system takes you to most places where you want to go, just for a stroll. The and the student card will give you a discount on fares.

History ...

The University of Oslo dates back to 1811 when it was founded by royal decree by King Frederick VI, the King Oslo Opera House of and Norway. The Royal Frederick University opened in 1813 with a student body of 17 and a teaching staff of 6. Despite modest beginnings, the establishment of a Nor- wegian university was one of the most significant steps in Cannons at Hovedøya the building of the Norwegian nation, as the country at that time was still under Danish rule.

University of Oslo 05 To do before arrival in Norway

Go to SøknadsWeb and accept your place. Read the admission e-mail carefully.

Request housing if needed at www.sio.no. Application dead- line for housing is 1 June. Remember to return the housing contract fully signed and to pay the deposit.

Apply for a Residence permit and Visa if needed. Contact the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate for further ques- tions regarding this.

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration www.udi.no may also assist you with questions in this regard.

06 University of Oslo The first weeks

Monday 12 August Friday 16 August Sunday 1 September Meet your Buddy Group Buddy group activities and the Coffee Last day to pay the semester fee and Collect your Welcome Packet between Hour in the afternoon. register for courses. 10:00 and 15:00 in ‘Knutepunktet’ - the International Student Reception. Monday 19 August http://www.uio.no/english/studies/ Welcome Ceremony Special Events information meeting. new-student/

Tuesday 13 August Tuesday 20 August/ Wednesday Arriving late for the semester regis- Group Orientation Meeting 21 August tration and the start of your courses Activities with your Buddy group. EU-students can submit documentation may result in losing your place of required for registration with the Police. study. Wednesday 14 August More information will be given upon courses -Informa- arrival. If you cannot collect your Welcome tion meeting. Packet on Monday 12 August, it can Group Orientation meetings. Friday 23 August be collected at ‘Knutepunktet’ , Lucy Information Meeting about part-time Smith’s Hus during regular opening Thursday 15 August work with the tax office and the Career hours (Monday - Friday between 10:00 Information meetings at the faculties and Center. and 15:00). registration help sessions.

University of Oslo 07 Procedures to complete during the first weeks Semester Registration the semester fee, will find the semester as to whether your coverage applies to Registration for courses and examina- card in the Welcome Packet provided Norway, and for your entire stay. tions takes place at the very beginning that you have registered The Interna- of each semester. Exchange students tional Education Office as your address. Registration with the Police for can register online before the start of the Non-EU/EEA citizens semester (from 4th June). Registration You MUST register your Norwegian ad- All Non-EU/EEA students must report to is done online in the StudentWeb: dress in the StudentWeb once this has the Police within 7 days after arrival. https://studweb.uio.no been confirmed by your landlord. If you are staying for more than 90 days, All students must register and pay the Registration with the Police for you need a residence permit. This you semester fee (if applicable) by 1 Sep- EU/EEA-citizens should apply for from your home country tember. You will receive more informa- You must register with the Police if stay- as soon as possible, following the tion after arrival. ing in Norway for more than 3 months. instructions in the Welcome Letter. The Please register online: Norwegian Directorate of Immigration If you do not have a Norwegian address www.selfservice.udi.no. will not process the application before it by the time you register online, you On the 20 and 21 August, the Interna- is complete. MUST put this address in the address tional Education Office will collect the field in order to have your semester card required documents and bring them to Health Insurance for Non-EU/ printed: the Police for you. Remember to bring EEA-citizens copies of your passport and a valid You automatically become insured c/o The University of Oslo European Health Insurance card which under the National Insurance Scheme Office covers the entire stay. More information ("Folketrygden") if you have a residence P.O. Box 1081, Blindern will be given upon arrival. permit for 12 months or more, N-0317 Oslo For students staying for 6-12 months, Norway Health insurance for EU/EEA- membership in the National Insurance citizens Scheme is voluntarily, but highly reco- Semester Fee and Students from EU/EEA countries must mended. Semester Card have health insurance coverage from All students, except for Erasmus/ their home country. The European Students staying 3-6 months must apply Nordplus and most bilateral exchange Health Insurance card documents that for a D-number and students, must pay a semester and copy you are entitled to necessary medical membership in the National Insurance fee of NOK 680. The invoice which must treatment during your stay in Norway. Scheme at your local NAV Office (Wel- be used is in your Welcome Packet. If you have private health insurance, fare Office) Exchange students exempt from paying please check with your insurance office Students staying LESS than 3 months must have private health insurance.

The National Insurance Scheme entitles you to social security coverage with regard to health services.

The National Insurance Scheme does not come into effect before you have registered at the university, and is not valid after you have completed your studies. Further, it does not cover you during any travel abroad in the course of the semester. These periods must be covered by a pri- vate insurance policy. Furthermore, the National Insurance Scheme does not include dental care or comprise illness contracted before arrival in Norway.

More info about this in the orientation meetings

08 University of Oslo Housing Snowboarding in Oslo The Foundation for Student Life in Oslo Getting to student and (SiO) has around 7700 residences: rooms and offers a wide variety of rea- The SiO Student Reception at Kring- sonably priced accommodation. sjå is the reception for Student House and the Student Villages Fjell- Opening Hours In a very competitive private hous- birkeland and Kringsjå.Take the metro ing market, it is great privilege to offer (t-bane) #3 west-bound to Kringsjå SiO Centre at Blindern Campus, guaranteed housing in single rooms for Station. Cross the main road and walk SiO Reception at Kringsjå student all our international students. down the stairs to the Kiwi grocery village and SiO Centre at St Olavs Do not forget to apply for housing before store. Take a right at the store. The gate 32 (downtown Oslo): the announced deadline. No family Reception is in the first building on your rooms are part of the housing guarantee. left. Monday - Friday 09.00 - 17.00

All the receptions are closed during Please read carefully the information The SiO Centre at Blindern is the recep- the weekends. Arrival outside opening regarding housing on our web pages tion for Sogn Student Village and sev- hours is not recommended. http://www.uio.no/english/studies/ eral more. Take the metro (t-bane) #3, new-student/housing/ #4 or #5 westbound to Blindern station and walk up the hill towards the univer- All units have internet connection which sity campus. The Reception is located is included in the rent. Connection to on the ground floor inside the Akademi- internet will not be activated before the ka bookshop in Kristian Ottosens Hus. online semester registration is complete.

Curtains, pillows, sheets, blankets, read- Your keys ... ing lamps and kitchen utensils are not Please check www.sio.no/bolig to locate which SiO service center you provided. will have to collect your keys at. For further information and to apply for Arrival outside opening hours is not recommended. In case you arrive after accommodation, please go the SiO- opening hours, you will need to find alternative accommodation. You may Student Housing web pages at contact the SiO by e-mail [email protected] preferably, or by telephone www.sio.no/bolig (+47) 22 18 83 35, and see if you can arrange for your keys to be delivered by one of their caretakers.

University of Oslo 09 Erasmus Student Network (ESN)

Erasmus Student Network Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a non-profit international student organization. Our mission is to represent international students, and thus provide opportunities for cultural understanding and self-devel- opment under the principle of Students Helping Students. A Pick-Up Service will be organized on Friday 9 August only, Work load More info is found here: http://www.uio.esn.no/ The work load for full time studies is 30 credit points per semester. The Norwegian education system emphasizes to a large degree independent study and individual planning. You are responsible for your own Buddy System progress and the teaching staff trusts that you follow the course plan yourself. However, some lectures may The Buddy System is a scheme offered to all new students at the Univer- be mandatory to attend. More information about this sity of Oslo. The function of the Buddy System is to help new students to will be given by your faculty establish both a social and an academic network. and department. We contribute in making the start of the semester a fun and exciting ex- perience, especially for new students. You will meet your Buddy Group on Monday 12 August. More info will be provided in your Welcome Packet.

10 University of Oslo Norwegian language courses

A 60 hour (NORINT0114) and an 84 hour (NORINT0110) You will find information about the Placement test and infor- beginenrs Norwegian language course is available to most mation about the Norwegian courses in general, here: exchange students. Erasmus-students are advised to take www.uio.no/norwegiancourse NORINT 0114. Studentweb is open for registration for the Norwegian Lan- Students with prior knowledge of the Norwegian language guage courses between 4 June and 15 August (midnight). should take a placement test to see if they qualify to join Admission to Norwegian language courses will be announced more advanced Norwegian classes. on 18 August in the StudentWeb.

Student Facilities at the University of Oslo Student Counseling The Foundation for Student Life in Oslo and Akershus (SiO) is an independent organisation at the university dedicated to making life easier for students. In addi- and Student Health tion to providing student housing and running several cafeterias and cafes on campus, they offer a range of Services on-campus services. The social counselors assist students in practical as well as personal problems. Whether you need assist- ance or guidance with matters concerning public serv- ices, economy, or you just need someone to talk to dur- ing your academic stay in Norway you can contact the Student Counseling Office located at Blindern Campus. The Student Health Services are also located on Blindern Campus. The professional staff can provide general medical services, dental care, vaccinations and psychological/psychiatric therapy.

University of Oslo 11 Student Sports Facilities SiO Student Sports has four sports centres on and around If you choose to participate in the Oslo Students Sport’c Club campus, as well as in the city center. (OSI) as well, you may take part in a wide range of activities such as wind surfing, mountain hiking, dance, climbing, and They offer a wide range of activities such as swimming, tennis even soccer in one of the lower leagues. and different group training classes. In addition Student Sports offers personal training, physiotherapy and health profile. Membership is being paid per semester and the costs varies between the different groups. More information can be found Access to the sports centers are available for student prices on http://www.osi.no/ and more information can be found on http://www.sio.no/ sports

Other on- and off-Campus Facilities

Religious facilities: On the ground floor of the Frederikke As a student you’ll also have access to several libraries, com- Building there is a student chapel - ‘Frederikke Chapel’. The puter rooms, the campus bookstore, and be able to attend the chapel is open all day. There is also a prayer room for Mus- many activities arranged by different student organisations, lims right next to the chapel. like the yearly StudiO festival (Autumn only) and concerts, lectures and other arrangements held at the residence of the Student Cabins: As a student at UiO you can rent a cabin in Norwegian Students ‘ Society, called . Nordmarka, the forest that encircles Oslo.

12 University of Oslo Facts about Norway

Geography of state and the Prime Minister is the Norway, the sun is actually not visible for Norway is long and narrow. The rugged head of government. Power is sepa- some months. coastline, broken by huge majestic rated between the legislative, executive Temperatures range from 25-30 C to fjords and thousands of islands, stretch- and judicial branches of government, minus 15-20 C with all four seasons es 2,500 kilometres. Including fjords and as defined by the Constitution, which (summer, autumn, winter, spring) taking islands, Norway has a total coastline of serves as the country’s supreme legal turns during a year. 83,000 kilometers. document (source Wikipedia). Check the weather here: www.yr.no or www.pent.no Government and Politics Climate According to the Constitution of Norway, Norway is sometimes refered to as the Language which was adopted on 17 May 1814 and Land of the Midnight Sun. This is true The main language is Norwegian, which inspired by the Declara- for the areas north of the Arctic Circle in belongs to the North Germanic branch tion of Independence of 1776 and the May-June. However, the rest of Norway of the Germanic language group. French revolution of 1798, Norway is a will have up to 20 hours daylight per day Most Norwegians have a very good un- unitary constitutional monarchy with a in the summer season. derstanding of English, and you will also parliamentary system of government, In contrast, daylight hours are very short find many speaking a bit of Spanish, wherein the King of Norway is the head in the winter, and in the far north of French or German, as well.

The International Student Advisors

Bilateral, Erasmus, EEA , USAC and Nordlys/Nordplus students may contact any of the international student advisors

Student Assistants: Tine Tång Engvik Thea Ullhaug

E-mail: [email protected]

(l-r) Nirmala Eidsgaard, Michele Nysæter, Karl Norli, Lynn Josephson , Thea Ullhaug Leisure time Tine Tång Engvik (photo: Kaja Voigt) The International Education Office hosts the popular Special Events The staff at the International Educa- Staff: programme: http://www.uio.no/ tion Office renders advisory, non- english/student-life/events/ academic services for international Mr Karl Norli, special-events/ students and offers excellent student Team Coordinator support services all through your Advisor for Master’s Degree - and Guest Visit us on Facebook: stay at the university. Students Special Events co-ordinator https://www.facebook.com/ groups/536854323031854/?notif_ Inquiries regarding academic mat- t=group_r2j ters must be directed to your faculty or Ms Lynn Josephson, department http://www.uio.no/english/ Advisor for NOMA, EURASIA, Erasmus You may also find a list of different about/organisation/ Mundus, Fulbright and The New Norway Students student societies by checking this web page: www.uio.no/english/ Questions regarding housing should be Ms Michele Nysæter, student-life/societies/ directed to the Foundation for Student Advisor for Quota Students Life in Oslo and Akershus www.sio.no Activities and attractions in Oslo may easily be found at the Visit The Counselling services for Students Ms Nirmala Eidsgård Oslo web page: www.visitoslo. with special needs can be reached at Advisor for Bachelor’s Degree Students com/en/ [email protected]

University of Oslo 13 T-bane Metro T-bane Metro Kun mandag–fredag 07–19 Monday–Friday 07–19 only Gulleråsen: Stopp bare i pilretningen Gulleråsen: Stop in direction of arrow only Forbindelser Connections Tog 1 Railway Utgave 2012-12 © Truls Lange Civitas 2010–12 Lange Civitas 2012-12 © Truls Utgave Frognerseteren Bussterminal, region- eller fjernbusser 5 Bus terminal, regional or long distance services Vestli Lillevann 12 Trikkelinje line 361 Rommen Voksenlia 20 Høyfrekvent bybusslinje High frequency city bus line 63 Romsås 62 6 30 301 Andre utvalgte busslinjer 31 Other selected bus lines Sognsvann Kringsjå Ammerud Skådalen Østhorn Rødtvet Gulleråsen 34 23 Tåsen Ringen Gråkammen Berg 4 6 Nydalen Storo Sinsen Ellingsrudåsen 23 Risløkka 23 21 2 1 11 12 13 Økern 37 3 31 Ellingsrudåsen 23 23 56 301 Ullevål stadion Storo 401 65 Frøen Forskningsparken 17 18 Carl Berners plass 17 20 21 31 Blindern EkraveienRøa HovseterHolmenMakrellbekkenSmestadBorgen Ensjø Tøyen 69 76 Majorstuen Munch-museet 32 23 Lijordet Stortinget 2321 Ullernåsen 37 Høyenhall Østerås 11 20 Åsjordet 12 Skøyenåsen 19 Grønland 5 Bjørnsletta 20 23 Brattlikollen Østerås 13 Jar Nationaltheatret 13 11 11 31 Jernbanetorget (Oslo S) Ringstabekk 19 17 12 37 Bøler 31 18 13 54 142 143 54 17 34 Bogerud 30 18 Munkelia Gjønnes 32 Sentrum 19 Under ombygging, City centre Bergkrystallen 71 Kolsås 2014 2 Under reconstruction, 4 3 Kolsås 2014 Gjønnes Kolsås Bergkrystallen Mortensrud

Carl Berners plass T17 20 21 31 T1 11 31 T2 12 37 11 4 036 University of Oslo T9 13 54 12 2A 17 ++ 19 18 20 + M4 M6 19 Lørenskog Stovner M4 M6 M4 M6 M4 M6 Kolsås o Osl of 29

DOMUS THEOLOGICA ersi ty 30 Univ

JOHN COLLETTS PLASS (TRIKKESL¯YFA)

Map: Gazette/UiO © 1999/Updated 03.2011 © 1999/Updated Gazette/UiO Map: 42 PRESTEGÅRDSVEIEN SOGNSVEIEN BLINDERNVEIEN

NRK 16 18

ULLEVÅL STADIUM STATION ULLEVÅL STADIUM

NIELS HENRIK ABELSVEI

HALVOR BLINDERENS HALVOR PLASS

ULLEVÅL STADIUM 10 19 14 36 9

11 21 MOLTKE MOES VEI MOES MOLTKE 15

SOGNSVEIEN 13 27 5 8 F 25 2 3 7 4

SEM S®LANDS VEI

VESTGRENSA STUDENTVESTGRENSA VILLAGE 28

DOMUS ATHLETICA 6 24

20 1 23

PS PROBLEMVEIEN RING 3 RING GA10

TO SOGN,TO KRINGSJÅ & FJELLBIRKELAND STUDENT VILLAGES

FORSKNINGSPARKEN STATION GA02 26 23 GA01 GA37 RESEARCH PARK

INFORMATICS BUILDING GA04 APALVEIEN DOMUS ODONTOLOGICA GA11

TO CHATEAU NEUF CHATEAU TO & MAJORSTUEN STATION DOMUS MEDICA GA19

BLINDERN STATION i 1 3 3 3 3 2 2

PS SOGNSVANNBANEN GA10 GA09 HARALD SCHJELDERUPS BUILDING

International Student International Union/Student Parliament 28 Summer School Internat. 16 Kiosk & Pub Restaurant SiO Student Service Centre 2 Student Counselling 3 OfficeStudent Chaplain’s 3 Rooms 2 Prayer International Student International Reception Perfumery (chapel/mosalla) Student Health Service Student Housing Office 2 Student Kindergartens 2 Office SERVICES Blindern Athletica Book Store Service Centre Career 4 Domus Athletica 3 (cafeteria) Frederikke GA10 Office & Post Grocery 3 Hair Dresser 3 Student Parking Student Information Student Information with maps Infoboards Physics Physics Geology Pharmacy Chemistry Lucy Smith P. A. Munch A. P. BUILDINGS ZEB Building Harriet Holter Treschow Niels Domus Medica (Research Park) (Research Sverdrup Georg Blindernveien 11 Blindernveien Domus Athletica Domus Athletica Bjerknes Vilhelm Gaustadalleen 25 Forskningsparken Forskningsparken Blindern Athletica Blindern Athletica Domus Theologica Domus (University Library) (University Frederikkeplassen (square) (square) Frederikkeplassen Buildings Informatics

1 2 (Student Serv.) 3 (café/cafeteria/shops) Frederikke 4 5 14 6 (Norwegian) Wergeland Henrik 7 8 13 15 16 18 Auditorium 19 (biology) 20 Morgenstierne Georg 21 Eng (education) Helga 9/10 9/10 11 A and B Eilert Sundt, 23 24 25 26 (astrophysics) Rosseland Svein 27 30 28 (Student Parliament/ Eika Villa 29 Student Union) International 36 Stadion) (Ullevål 70 Sognsveien 42 F Auditorium Frisch Ragnar GA01 GA37 GA02 GA02 GA04 GA09 Domus Odontologica Schjelderup (psych.) Harald GA10 GA11 The University of Oslo – Blindern and Gaustad Campus The University

University of Oslo 03 Public Holidays design: enne media Easter (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday) 1 May (Labour Day) 17 May (Constitution Day) Ascension Day Whit Sunday and Whit Monday Christmas (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day)

Cost of Living You will need approximately 9,440 NOK per month to provide for basic expenses depending on your lifestyle.

Norwegian Law How much is ..? Litre of milk ...... ca 15 NOK Take note that possesion of cannabis, hashis, khat etc Monthly travel card ...... ca 380 NOK as well as narcotics is illegal in Norway. Driving under the A cup of coffee in a cafè ...... ca 25 NOK influence of alcohol or illegal substances is also illegal. Dinner at a budget restaurant, Norwegian law prohibits smoking inside all public buildings (main meal only) ...... ca 130 NOK (underground-stations, buses, cafès, pubs, restaurants, Dinner at campus ...... ca 55 NOK cinemas and so forth). Movie ticket ...... ca 90 NOK Juice (1 litre)...... ca 20NOK Bread ...... ca 25 NOK Frozen pizza ...... ca 45 NOK

Visiting address:

‘Knutepunktet’ Lucy Smiths hus (ground floor) Campus Blindern Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-15:00

Postal address:

International Education Office The University of Oslo PO Box 1081 Blindern NO-0317 Oslo Norway

E-mail address: [email protected] (please write your student category in the subject field)

The International Education Office is looking forward to meeting you in Oslo!