4 Best Public Universities in Bergen for International Students

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Bergen is one of the cities in Norway you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Bergen can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

There are 5 universities you can find in Bergen, and 4 of them are public universities. Although your choices might seem few, you’ll take less time looking over them and making your final choice.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Bergen, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 Bergen School of Architecture Bergen, Norway
2 University of Bergen Bergen, Norway
3 Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen, Norway
4 NHH Norwegian School of Economics Bergen, Norway

Public Universities in Bergen

1. Bergen School of Architecture

  • Bergen School of Architecture Page
  • The Bergen School of Architecture (BAS) was established in 1986 as a private foundation. The institution’s emphasis on an Open Form promotes community engagement and inclusive design. BAS places significant focus on innovative materials, historical contexts, and regional building traditions, and integrates sustainability into its curriculum. Additionally, BAS offers bachelor’s programs in Norwegian and English-taught master’s programs.

    2. University of Bergen

  • University of Bergen Page
  • The University of Bergen is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Norway, consistently ranking among the top 1% of universities in the world. It offers research-intensive programs and is acknowledged as the leading university in the field of natural sciences. Throughout the years, the university has won several awards for its high-quality education and valuable research.

    3. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

  • Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Page
  • Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, a public institution, specializes in the sciences, humanities, engineering, teacher education, sports, economics, and management. It is known shortly as HVL, the acronym of its Norwegian name: Høgskulen pÃ¥ Vestlandet. A large institution comprising five campuses (Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal, and Stord), these locations may have been previously independent colleges whose merging resulted in HVL. Thousands of students choose from various programs every year, including a selected number of English-taught courses.

    4. NHH Norwegian School of Economics

  • NHH Norwegian School of Economics Page
  • The NHH Norwegian School of Economics, or simply NHH, is one of the state-funded universities in Norway. It was the first business school in the country, with a history dating back to 1936. At present, the university has around 3,500 students, 8% of which are from outside Norway.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Bergen?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Bergen can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Bergen charge up to 373,600 NOK for bachelor’s and 373,600 NOK for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Bergen. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.