Study in Erasmus in Bergen: the complete guide

Why come to Bergen instead of elsewhere? What are the possibilities available to make the most of his Erasmus experience in Bergen? They tell you everything!

Located southwest of the country, Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Classified to UNESCO’s heritage, it is also the gateway to the fjords. Bergen is also a strong academic place. Students represent 10% of the population, making it a particularly dynamic and vibrant city.

Would you like to go to Erasmus in Bergen? Follow the guide!

Which universities have twinning with Bergen universities?

There are more a hundred exchange agreements between Norwegian universities and French universities. The main universities involved in the Erasmus exchange in Bergen are:

• All universities in Lyonincluding the Catholic University,
• Caen Normandie,
• Bordeaux,
• Grenoble Joseph Fournier andIEP,
• Paris Nanterre,
• Paris Descartes and Paris Nanterre,
• Cergy Pontoise,
• Rennes.

What are the predilection materials to be studied in Bergen?

The vast majority of trade is concluded for the department right . Indeed, the University of Bergen offers a range of international courses that are quite interesting.

Then come the scientific material, with the medicine and biomedicine , psychology , biosciences and Natural sciences . The University of Bergen is also recognized worldwide for the excellence of its program and its research on marine issues and climate .

Finally, the economy and management are also relevant choices: School of Economics and Business Administration of Norway in Bergen and BI Norwegian Business School are schools World fame .

What is the amount of the Erasmus Scholarship and how to get it?

The maximum amount of the Erasmus Scholarship in Norway is 300€ per month, cumulative with the CROUS scholarship, international mobility assistance and regional aids.

To achieve this, you must meet the following criteria: to be enrolled in a higher education institution, to have completed your first year of study and to leave between 3 months and 1 year in a partner university of yours.

The scholarship application is made directly to your home institution, serving international relations. Careful, requests are made between 6 months and 1 year in advance , if you wish to benefit from the program, a single word of order: an-ti-ci-per!

Good to know: to go, you can also benefit from the regional council and your commune. These are scholarships for international mobility assistance, which can reach up to 400€ per month. Learn about their coordinates on the Public Service website .

How do I find a rental or accommodation in Bergen?

The student housing in Bergen is expensive. We have to count between 400€ and 500€ for a room. Four options are available to you to stay at less cost:

• SIB residences: CROUS equivalent. Most foreign students in Bergen are sent to the Fantoft residence or possibly Alrek. They are well served by public transport.
• Hybel.no: classified sites to view future apartments online, to chat with owners or future roommates online. The site secures your transaction by proposing the creation and digital signature of your lease.
• Finn.no: the local equivalent of the Bon Coin.
• Facebook groups Norwegian students, including this one dedicated to students from the University of Bergen (UIB).

Good to know: the ground floor corresponds to the 1st floor in Norway! In addition, the time you search for accommodation can be wise to book a room in a room youth hostel for your first weeks of stay.

How to learn Norwegian before arriving in Bergen?

Most courses for Erasmus students in Bergen are available in English . The minimum level required is usually B2 . However, nothing prevents you from following course in Norwegian !

To help you understand and progress, you can sign up for introductory course and Norwegian language , provided by the University of Bergen and validating 7.5 ECTS.

Moreover, to study in Erasmus in Bergen it is imperative to have a certified level of English B2 . It is therefore necessary to pass competitions such as TOEFL or TOEIC to have a certificate that authenticates your level of English.

Do we need travel insurance to study in Bergen?

No. The European health insurance card also works in Norway. It allows you to access and benefit from care services according to the legislation in force in the country. You will not have to advance medical expenses, or will be refunded upon your return to France on presentation of the CEAM.

Good to know: traffic rules are not the same in the Svalbard, an archipelago between Norway and the polar circle, as in the rest of the country. If you intend to go there, know that the territory is not part of the Schengen area. You must therefore be equipped with passport and possibly insurance to stay in the country of polar bears.

Do we need a local bank account?

Norway being not located in the euro area , it may be interesting to open a local bank account to limit costs in transactions. Especially since the majority of payments are made by card.

If you choose to open a bank account in Bergen, you must have at least your identity card and a proof of domicile. Teach yourself to your bank in France, some have agreements or online banking services, like Boursorama for the General Society, which could greatly facilitate your steps.

Another solution, negotiate with your bank any payment and withdrawal fees abroad, at least the time of your Erasmus in Bergen.

How to use local transport?

Skyss is the company that provides all public transport in Bergen and throughout the Hordaland region. You will find a bus and tram network, which serves the city and its surroundings. The student transport card costs about 50€ per month.

Several local features are to be taken into account:

• The tickets are automatically validated when buying: do not buy your ticket back at the same time as going.
• There is no no line planat best you will find the 3 main stops.
• The ticket price is increased 15 Kr (1,50€) if you buy it directly from the driver.
• The night service on Friday and Saturday nights imposes the purchase of a night ticket at the unique cost of 80 Kr (8€).
• In the city center, it is faster to move on foot only in transport.

The easiest way to move, buy your tickets and spot you is to use the site or application Skyss .

What is the cost of living in Bergen?

Norway is a country expensive , and Bergen does not escape the rule. Especially since the country is not in the euro zone. The exchange rate varies continuously, but it is generally summarized as follows: 1€ = 10 NOK (Norwegian tour)

The average budget of an Erasmus student in Bergen is 1 000€ by month, as follows:

• 50€ for the transport card,
• between 500€ and 600€ for rent,
• at least 150€ for food.

This will require the addition of school books, outings, unforeseen travel. To give you an idea of cost of living , here are some average prices :

• A meal at the restaurant U : 7€ and 11€
• A kebab: 6€
• A beer: 10€
• A place of cinema: 15€
• An entrance to the museum: 10€
• A consultation with the doctor: 15€ and 20€

There is also a need to provide for the housing bond, on average, in the amount of 500€ .

How is student life in Bergen?

Bergen is a very dynamic and young city. There are many student associations that offer all kinds of sports and cultural activities. L’ ESN Bergen (Exchange Erasmus Student Network) organizes a hike at the beginning of each quarter to which all new Erasmus students in Bergen are invited. You can also participate in the Buddy Program, a program that allows you to be accompanied by a Norwegian student referring to a semester.

Nightlife focuses mainly on Fridays and Saturday nights , Norwegian students get out in the week. In return, it is not uncommon for them to go to binge-drinking. It is also common to say that it is easier to approach a Norwegian when he drank!

How is local gastronomy?

Fish and seafood are in the spotlight in Bergen, as in all Norway. Don't leave the city without having made a tour of the fish market and tasted salmon or shrimp! On meat, it is mainly game, presented in the form of balls or sausages. The finnebiff, or reindeer stew, is of course a must!

As in many Nordic countries, breakfast is a hearty TRÈS. It is a real full meal, based on cereals, bread, yogurt, salmon, fruits and charcuterie. The luncheon meal is mainly summed up at smørrebrød , rye bread sliced with charcuterie, cheese or fish.

The city has many bars and restaurants, but prices are often out of reach from student budgets. It is best to shop in Kiwi or Rema 1000, local supermarkets, and cook yourself. Enjoy it to initiate Norwegian cuisine and learn how to cook a real fårikål or delicious lefse .

Good to know: The Norwegians dine early, very early, between 5pm and 6pm.

What are the neighborhoods to get out?

The city centre is the preferred location for student outings in Bergen. The historic districts of Bryggen and Fisketorget gather many places to celebrate. So that your evenings don't completely ruin your budget, head to the student places in Bergen like the Kvarteret nightclub or the Hulen underground discotheque.

The city also has many festivals and concerts, but still there the prices are high: count to a minimum 80€ for the entrance of a festival.

Other tips for future students in Bergen

During your Erasmus stay in Bergen, enjoy the city and its surroundings. In Norway, access to nature is a right, which means that you can walk around and camp around everywhere. And it’s free!

Bergen is the gateway to the fjords, and the city is surrounded by seven mountains. Nature is omnipresent and majestic, even in the rain! Moreover, a Norwegian saying that there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. Also enjoy your Erasmus stay in Bergen to discover Scandinavia. The Denmark , Sweden and Finland are close, and the price of flights to get there, much more accessible than at the start of France.