Bergen

Study Master's Degrees in Bergen, Hordaland, Norway

Bergen at a glance

Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, located in Hordaland, in the west region of the country. Because Bergen is surrounded by mountains, it is also known as the city of seven mountains. In fact, in the Old Norse language, Bergen actually means 'the meadow among the mountains'. However, some of the suburbs of Bergen are located on islands and the city was declared the gateway to the world-famous fjords of Norway Apply for a study abroad degree in Bergen and you are guaranteed to attain top education, since some of the local universities have received several awards excellence for research and teaching. Outside classes, Bergen offers an abundance of pleasant activities for leisure time. From outdoor sports to lovely shopping areas and cultural venues, including Bryggen – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bergen is great city for students.

Studying

Studying in Bergen

In Bergen, you can apply to two major universities and other higher educational institutions, one specialized in meteorology programmes, an arts academy and a naval academy as well.

Local universities are ranked among the best institutions in the world according to The Times Higher Education and are internationally recognized for their cutting edge research work. Bergen universities help students develop advanced skills required for the chosen field of study and challenge them to broaden their intellectual horizons.

Apply for a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree and specialise in fields like meteorology, social sciences, art, law, medicine, humanities, mathematics, marketing, economics, finance, business, and more. You can find courses for exchange students, attend summer school programmes or even enroll at several online degrees.

Within universities in Bergen, international students can take Norwegian language classes, and you can enjoy a rich and diverse student life.

Career

Career opportunities in Bergen

The local economy of Bergen is diverse and well-developed, having aquaculture, shipping, petroleum industry, marine research, education, media, tourism and finance as the most thriving sectors.

Some of the top employers of Bergen are Rolls-Royce, IBM, PwC, Ernst & Young, Capgemini, General Electric, Nokia, Siemens, Groupon, ABB, Adecco.

International students can partake internship opportunities, especially since universities have close collaborations with local companies.

Life

Bergen city life

Surrounded by mountains, with a nice port and even lovely beaches, Bergen has a special charm that captivates all travelers who wander around here. Buildings have an architecture that is influenced by a variety of styles, from classicism and Art Nouveau and yet, Bergen is also the street art capital of Norway.

Notable attractions in Bergen include:

  • Bryggens Museum
  • Bergenhus Fortress
  • Bergen Aquarium
  • Bryggen neighbourhood – UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Bergen Cathedral
  • Market Square
  • Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
  • Rosenkrantz Tower and the Royal Residence

In Bergen, you can enjoy a swim at one of the beaches close to Bergen city center in the summer season. If you love shopping, Bergen has plenty to offer from small and charming stores in the city centre to modern shopping centres around Torgallmenningen.

If you’d like to grab a piece of culture, attend a music concert at Grieg Hall, the city's main cultural venue, home of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Relax with your peers in the countless pubs and bars and taste the amazing seafood in the local restaurants. If you’re into sports, you can always watch matches of the local football and ice hockey teams. Outdoor sports are very common in Bergen, so you can engage in hiking, trekking, cycling or even water sports.

Don’t miss some of the local events like the annual Bergen International Festival or the Bergen International Film Festival.

International atmosphere in Bergen

Bergen is quite a multicultural city, as immigrants represent around 15% of the city's population. Most minorities come from Poland, Iraq, Lithuania, Vietnam, Germany, Sweden, and the UK.

Several multinational companies have a local office in Bergen and the city is interested in continuing to acquire foreign investments. As one of Europe’s busiest ports, Bergen is one of the country’s most internationally oriented regions.

Weather Bergen

Bergen has a mild winter climate for a Nordic city, but with a lot of precipitation, mostly rainfalls. Snow may occur but it is usually very light. The daily temperatures during winter are 4 – 5 °C (39 – 40 °F), while in the summer, the average is 20 °C (65 °F). You should also expect a rainy weather throughout all seasons.

Costs

Accommodation costs in Bergen

Students choose from the following accommodation options:

1. Campus housing – rates start from 225 EUR and can lead to around 315 EUR/month for a single room; prices could get higher depending on facilities

2. Rent or share an apartment – prices for rent range between 250 and 700 EUR/month for one person.

Living costs in Bergen

Living costs in Bergen are a little pricey since students usually spend between 950 and 1,050 EUR/month, most times, not including the housing expenses. Food bills from the local supermarkets would cost you around 350 EUR/month, while the pass for the public transportation is 60 EUR/month. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs 17 EUR.

Universities in Bergen

NHH is one of the leading business schools in Europe, and the Financial Times has ranked the MSc in Economics and Business Administration programme at NHH the best master’s programme of its kind in Norway

See 9 Masters

"Shaping people and business for an international, digital and sustainable future". At BI Norwegian Business School, students, academics, and business professionals co-create a more sustainable future. This is our mission.We are a leading European Business School - ranked by the Financial Times as the #1 business school in Norway and in the top 40 in Europe. 

See 23 Masters

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is one of the largest educational institutions in the country, with about 17,000 students.

See 3 Masters

The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university. Academic diversity and high quality are fundamental for us. UiB is the most cited university in Norway.

See 33 Masters

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