Description
The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognized research university in Norway. There are seven faculties at UiB and close to 18,500 students at the university. Around 2,000 of these are international students.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – Exchange
Minimum GPA – 2.85
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Junior or Senior class standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Semester – early August to mid-December
Spring Semester – early January to mid-June
- students must miss both winter and spring quarters at UCSC to participate in this session
Academic Year – early August to mid-June
Partner Program deadline dates
Cost
Location
City & University
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway as well as the administrative and educational center of western Norway. It is a small city by international standards, but Bergen maintains a vibrancy with personality and charm.
Accommodations
Exchange students have the benefit of guaranteed housing when attending the University of Bergen (UiB) for one semester or longer, as long as they apply by the deadlines. Learn more about UiB housing.
You are responsible for applying for, securing, and paying for accommodations directly to the housing provider. Visit the host university website for actual costs.
Student Support
The International Centre at UiB provides a range of services and support for exchange students. Additionally, UiB provides international exchange students opportunities to successfully integrate into the culture, society, and student life.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
Learn more about support services at UiB.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As a University of Bergen exchange student, you will enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students for a semester or full academic year.
Course Search
Visit the University of Bergen course list to find courses taught in English.
- Some courses are restricted. For restricted courses you must meet the course prerequisites and obtain UiB faculty approval to enroll. The relevant faculty/department will consider whether you can be accepted to restricted courses during the application process, or if you can be granted admission later.
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad as defined by your host institution:
- Average course load is 30 ECTS per semester. Most courses are 10-15 ECTS each.
As a UCSC student, you must also continue to meet UCSC Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 UCSC quarter credits per quarter. At Bergen, you are required to ensure you meet this requirement by enrolling in the equivalent of at least 12 quarter credits for fall semester and at least 24 quarter credits for spring semester after conversion (see below).
Credit Conversion
The University of Bergen uses ECTS credits. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 5 ECTS credits = 4 quarter credits at UCSC
- 10 ECTS credits = 8 quarter credits at UCSC
- 15 ECTS credits = 12 quarter credits at UCSC
- 20 ECTS credits = 15 quarter credits at UCSC
Academic Restrictions
Some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, such as prerequisites. Review course information provided by the university partner to understand any course limitations and/or restrictions prior to official course enrollment abroad.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ.