General information for students
Diakonhjemmet University College (http://www.diakonhjemmeths.no/web/)Practical information for mobile students
Residence permit
Students from the EU countries who are going to stay in Norway for more than three months must apply for a residence permit from the Police. You must submit this application within one week after you have arrived in Norway. To avoid problems at the border, it is recommended that you bring documentation that confirms your admission to Diakonhjemmet University College. Students from the EU who plan to stay in the country less than three months and students from the other Nordic countries do not need a residence permit.
If you are from a Nordic country or one of the EU countries, bring a certified copy of your letter of admission, a (certified) copy of an ID card (if necessary, a copy of the first page of your passport) and two passport photos. Students from the EU must also bring along an E111 national insurance form. After about 3 months, you will receive an EEA ID card that will be your residence permit. This card will be sent to your address in Norway.
If you are not from a Nordic country or one of the EU countries, you do not need to bring the national insurance form when you apply for a residence permit, but you must bring your letter of admission (or a certified copy) and two passport photos. In addition, you must also bring a (certified) copy of your birth certificate, a (certified) copy of your passport (every page in your passport), and you must document your financial ability to support yourself with at least NOK 8,000 per month (for 2005) during your period of study.
EEA students: when you receive the EEA ID card (your residence permit) you must go to the National Registry (NR), and bring your passport and your residence permit. If you are staying for more than 6 months, you must also fill in the form, Notification to the National Registry (NR) of Move to Norway from Abroad.
Other students: After you have been to the police and received the residence permit stamp in your passport, you must go directly to the NR, bringing your passport. If you are staying for more than 6 months, you must also fill in the form, Notification to the National Registry (NR) of Move to Norway from Abroad. Students whose complete date of birth, i.e. day, month and year, does not appear in the passport must bring along a copy of their letter from the Directorate of Immigration granting a residence permit. This will be your proof of your date of birth.
Nordic students and other students staying less than 6 months in Norway
If you plan to open a bank account in Norway, the bank will give you a D-number, which is a special number designed for persons who are not entitled to a Norwegian ID-number.
If you are a student in Oslo, you may apply for a residence permit by going in person to the following address:
Oslo Police District
Foreign Section
Storgata 33B
Tel.: (+47) 22 34 21 00
It is advisable to arrive when the office opens, no later than 8:15 a.m. That's when the queue is the shortest. Remember to take a queue ticket and wait till your number is called.
If you are a student in Rogaland, go to the following address:
SANDNES POLITISTASJON
Box 8, 4304 Sandnes
Visiting adress: Elvegt. 25, Sandnes
National ID number
Does not apply to Nordic students and other students staying less than 6 months in Norway
A Norwegian ID number is an 11 digit number consisting of your date of birth plus a 5 digit personal number. The number is required for opening a bank account and applying for a loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Quota Students). It is therefore important that you follow the procedure below and inform the international office as at Diakonhjemmet University College as soon as you receive this number. Note that it might take a fair amount of time from when you apply till the number is issued.
The National Registry (NR) is situated at the following addresses:
For Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo, Norway:
Oslo Tax Office and Population Registry
Hagegt. 22, Tøyen
0653 Oslo, Norway,
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
For Diakonhjemmet University College, Rogaland County, Norway:
| Sandnes likningskontor og folkeregister Hoveveien 30, 4306 Sandnes Tlf. 815 81 734 Fax 51 66 30 26 Epost: sandnes.lk@skatteetaten.no |
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| Åpningstid: Man - fre: kl 09.00 - 14.30 |
Arrival
It is recommended that you have some Norwegian currency when you arrive. If you arrive by air, you will need Norwegian currency for transportation between the airport and the campus. If you arrive on a weekend when banks and post offices are closed, it will make things easier for you if you don't have to think about exchanging money. Of course, you can also use traveller's cheques and international credit cards.
The following is a brief explanation how to get to Diakonhjemmet on public transportation from the nearest international transport hub.
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Rogaland County |
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Oslo |
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Air |
Arrival Stavanger Airport |
Air |
Arrival in Oslo, GardemoenAirport. |
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Bus |
From Stavanger Lufthavn to Sandnes (or Stavanger) |
Train |
From Gardemoen to the National Theatre Station |
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Train or bus |
(If via Stavanger to Sandnes) |
Under-ground |
From the National Theatre to Frøen |
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Time: |
Direct to Sandes 35 min |
Time: |
About 1 hour |
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The public transportation companies that serve these stretches provide schedules at: |
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For schedules between GardemoenAirport and Oslo, cf. http://www.flytoget.no/ For schedules for local bus and tram traffic in Oslo, cf. http://www.trafikanten.no/. |
When you travel to Diakonhjemmet University College Oslo, it is about 500 m walking distance from the Frøen underground stop to the school.
Post office, bank
Banks in Norway are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Regular opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Post offices are closed on Sundays. Regular opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Post offices and most banks have Internet services for their customers.
Public transportation
The public transportation network is well developed in Oslo, but not equally well developed in Jæren where the university college's Rogaland campus is located. In Oslo, there are trains, underground, buses and trams with frequent departures. In Jæren there are trains and buses, but departures are less frequent. It may therefore be wise to arrange some other means of transportation in the event of a longer stay in Jæren.
Living expenses, financing and room and board
Many foreign students will find Norway an expensive place to live. Financial support is only available to students who participate in certain programmes such as the Quota Scheme funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Students from certain institutions may receive support from their home institutions through bilateral agreements associated with the ERASMUS/NORPLUS programmes. Otherwise, it is expected that students be able to finance their own stay.
Diakonhjemmet University College has committed itself to the Erasmus Student Charter for students who take part in an exchange through the Erasmus programmes. This entails that fees will not be charged to the students. Other students must pay an obligatory term fee and tuition fees when they are required. Cf. the university college's web site for updated information.
Students under 30 with validation that they have paid their obligatory term fee will be given discounts on most public transportation.
Foreign students may work up to 20 hours a week without applying for a work permit if you are from one of the EEA countries. If you come from outside the EEA, you have to apply for a part-time work permit and document a specific job offer and permit from Diakonhjemmet University College to work in addition to your studies. In order to obtain a work permit and open a bank account in Norway, you must have a personal ID number (National ID number). Cf. the section on National ID number.
Room and board
Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo has 116 single rooms for students, which are all located on the university college's campus. It is easy to get to know other students when you live in one of Diakonhjemmet University College's rooms because you share a kitchen and bathroom with 9-11 other students. You yourself will be responsible there for your own housekeeping, and you will prepare your own food in a shared kitchen. There is a basement storage room for each room, and you will have access to a common laundry room with a dryer drum. The rooms are located in park-like surroundings only a two minute walk from the university college and about a ten minute walk to Majorstuen, which is one of Oslo's public transportation hubs.
If requested, the International Office at Diakonhjemmet University College may assist students in exchange programmes in finding a room. When you apply for an exchange programme, you should therefore indicate whether you need housing. Other foreign students and domestic students must request an application form at Diakonhjemmet's housing office or apply through the Internet. Rooms are allotted throughout the year, but it helps to apply well in advance of the start of the school year.
Rent including electricity for a furnished 10 square metre room in 2005 is NOK 2450 per month. Internet access costs an additional NOK 280 per month. There is a NOK 500 initial charge (2005-prices). There is no deposit on the room, but you must pay your first month's rent when you receive the key to the room.
It is recommended that you arrive on a weekday while the housing office is open. Opening hours are Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. If it is not possible for you to arrive on a weekday, you must make these arrangements beforehand or find alternative accommodation yourself. The following youth hostel is recommended for short stays:
Oslo Vandrerhjem Haraldsheim
Haraldsheimv. 4, 0587 Oslo, Norway,
Tel.: (+47) 22 22 29 65
http://www.haraldsheim.oslo.no/
Diakonhjemmet University College, Rogaland does not rent any rooms to students.
Medical assistance and insurance
Most domestic students are, besides being covered through the National Insurance schemes, covered by Diakonhjemmet University College's insurance scheme through KNIF. Terms and areas of coverage can be looked up on the college's internet site.
Foreign students who are planning to study in Norway for more than one year and who have a valid residence permit, will be covered by the National Insurance schemes. That means that you may use the public health services for the same prices that Norwegian citizens pay.
Students from outside the EEA:
If you are going to be in Norway from 3 to 12 months, you should apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. This gives you access to health services in accordance with the provisions of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. The form must be submitted to the social security office in the municipality and/or urban district to which you belong. If you have accommodations at Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo, your social security office will be:
Frogner trygdekontor (Social Security Office)
Sommerrogata 1,
0312 Oslo, Norway
Opening hours are Mon-Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and to 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays. The phone number is: (+47) 810 20 601
If you reside in Sandes municipality in Rogaland County, your social security office is:
NAV Sandnes
Gravarsveien 30-32,
4306 Sandnes
Åpningstider er man-fre fra 09.00 - 15:00
Telefonnummer er: 51 68 19 00
Fax: 51 68 19 01
Students from within the EEA:
You must submit a filled-out form (E-128/E-111) available from your social security office. If you do not have this form, you must document that you are covered by health insurance for your entire stay in Norway. Please Note! Students from the Nordic countries, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who are already covered by special mutual agreements with Norway, do not need social security coverage from their native country.
Dental health is not covered by the National Insurance, nor will such expenses be refunded by Diavelferd (the student welfare organisation). Foreign students are therefore advised to purchase travel insurance that covers dental care before they arrive in Norway. The National Insurance does not cover any illness that is incurred before your arrival in Norway. Foreign students are strongly advised to insure valuables (camera, clothing, stereo, pc's, etc.) against theft. If you do not have this kind of insurance, you can purchase it in Norway.
Welfare services
Diakonhjemmet University College welfare services at campus Oslo: students may make use of the schemes that are offered at the school's student welfare organisation, Diavelferd.
Diavelferd offers the following services:
- Refund of user fees to doctors
- The mental health service
- Sports programmes
- Kindergarten services
At Campus Rogaland the College and the students are members of Studentsamskibnaden i Stavanger (a welfare organisation for all studentes in the Stavanger/Sandnes area.
Student chaplain and student deacon
Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo has its own student chaplain and student deacon. The student deacon is the contact person for the student welfare organisation's welfare schemes and can be reached at tel. (+ 47) 22 45 19 28 . The student chaplain is responsible, among other things, for Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo's religious services and daily devotions and can be reached at tel. (+ 47) 22 45 19 15 .
The student chaplain and student deacon have a duty of confidentiality and are available to the individual student for conversation and pastoral care. The student deacon is in touch with various interest groups at the university college.
Each autumn, the student deacon and the student chaplain arrange a trip in collaboration with students. This is an important social programme where the students get to know each other and experience things together. Outdoor experiences and activities are important on these trips.
Disabled students
The school can currently admit students who have various physical disabilities. Work is constantly underway to optimise the conditions for accessibility for all students. Inquire at the school for more information.
Student Services Office
Opening hours at the main Student Services office at Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo are Mon.-Fri. 08:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For the first three weeks after the start of the school year, it is open from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Student Services can provide assistance with regard to your student ID card, student loan and parking permit, purchase of compendia, student post, lost and found items, submission of examination papers, grade transcripts and certificates, certification of copies and student insurance.
Study facilities
Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo has a well-equipped library and two computer rooms. In addition, there are two reading rooms. Diakonhjemmet University College, Rogaland has a library, a reading room and a computer room. At both places, they make use of an electronic learning platform and e-learning systems. All students are given an e-mail address and their own storage location on the student server. All new students are offered a course in the use of the electronic tools that the university college employs, and individual agreements can be made with regard to other instruction.
Sports facilities
In collaboration with the University of Oslo, Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo has an extremely good offer with regard to training and athletic activities. Three different places in the city offer students a training studio, an indoor swimming pool and various group training programmes at a subsidised price (football, handball, etc.). The school also has its own gymnasium.
Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo has an athletic club (D.I.L.), which amounts to an informal social programme for those who think it is fun to be a little athletic. They have some equipment at their disposal and initiate activities in the gymnasium or outdoors on the athletic fields. There is a climbing room (bouldering room) and a training room (strength training equipment) in the gymnasium.
Opportunities for recreational activities
Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo has a small music room, which includes a full set of drums and a PA system, among other things. There are also many instruments at the school (e.g. piano, grand piano and pipe organ).
Every semester a big party is held for students and staff at the school. Efforts are made to provide good entertainment, from both visiting artists and in-house entertainers (a student revue and a student band). Students and faculty collaborate on this party, which helps promote fellowship and a pleasant social environment at the school.
In general, recreational activities and entertainment are expensive in Norway. In addition to discounts on public transportation, your student ID card also entitles you in some cases to discounts on opera tickets, museum tickets, etc.
Student Welfare Organisation
All students at Diakonhjemmet University College, Oslo are affiliated with the student welfare organisation, Diavelferd, and pay a fixed amount for its services each semester.
The contact person for Diavelferd is the student deacon at the university college, tel. (+ 47) 22 45 19 28 .
Language course
Diakonhjemmet University College does not offer its own language courses for foreign students. However, the University of Oslo offers a good programme of language instruction through its summer school. For further information, cf. http://www.uio.no/iss/. Quota students will automatically be offered one year of language instruction before they commence their ordinary studies.
The following institutions offer a one-year Norwegian course that will help you attain a sufficient level of Norwegian proficiency:
Høgskolen i Telemark (Telemark University College, Hallvard Eikas plass, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway)
Tel.: (+47) 35 57 50 00
Fax: (+47) 35 57 50 01
Internet: http://www.hit.no
Høgskolen i Volda (Volda University College, P.O. Box 500, 6101 Volda, Norway)
Tel.: (+47) 70 07 50 00
Fax: (+47) 70 07 50 51
Internet: http://www.hivolda.no
18 folk high schools. The Information Office for Christian Folk High Schools, Grensen 9a, 0159 Oslo, Norway will provide you with information about the extent to which the individual courses will qualify you for "The Bergen Test". "The Bergen Test" is a language requirement that foreign students must meet in order to be qualified for admission to Norwegian universities and university colleges.
Tel.: (+47) 22 39 64 50
Fax: (+47) 22 39 64 51
Internet: http://www.ikf.no
Foreign students may apply to the University of Oslo (www.uio.no) for admission to their Norwegian Language Classes, levels I-III, which run for one academic year.
Foreign students may also sign up for Norwegian Language Courses at Rosenhof Adult Education Centre, Dynekilgt. 10, 0569 Oslo, Norway. They have courses in Norwegian as a foreign language.
Useful information about Norway
General information about studying in Norway is available at the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT): http://www.nokut.no/sw335.asp
General information about travelling to/in and living in Norway: http://www.norway.info/
General information about the public sector in Norway: http://www.norway.no/
Tourist information for all of Norway: http://www.visitnorway.com/templates/NTRFrontPage.aspx?id=82341
Tourist information at Oslo Central Station, Oslo Promotion, Jernbanetorget 1, 0150 Oslo, Norway, tel. (+47) 23 11 78 80
Tourist information at Oslo City Hall, Fridtjof Nansens plass 5, 0160 Oslo, Norway, tel. (+47) 24 14 77 00
