🌧️ Student Bergen: Sammen, fadder week and English UiB
🏠 Accommodation and sports through Sammen
Sammen is a student organisation (samskipnad) responsible for student housing, sports and health in Bergen.
● Accommodation: dormitories in different areas of the city, with priority given to first-year and international students. The queue is formed in advance, so it is best to submit your application 4–6 months in advance.
● Sports: Sammen membership includes gyms, swimming pools, group training and even a climbing wall. The cost is lower than at private fitness centres.
● Health: Sammen Health offers psychological support and medical consultations.
📌 Tip: when moving in, check the condition of the room and document any defects with photos/videos.
🎉 Fadder week at HVL and UiB
Fadderuken in Bergen takes place in August and lasts about a week. This is a "buddy week" when senior students help newcomers adapt.
What to expect:
● Social activities: concerts, parties, games on campus.
● Integration: getting to know the city and the university through tours and lectures.
● Alternative formats: cultural walks, quizzes, and alcohol-free meetings.
📌 If you are an introvert or do not like noisy parties, choose daytime activities — for example, campus tours or board games.
📚 English requirements at UiB
The University of Bergen (UiB) has fairly high language standards:
● IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.5 in each component),
● TOEFL iBT 90+,
● Duolingo is generally not accepted.
👉 For comparison: HVL and NHH often require IELTS 6.0 and TOEFL iBT 80+.
☔ Life hacks for rainy weather
Bergen is known as the "city of rain" (averaging 200+ rainy days per year).
● Buy a good raincoat and waterproof shoes.
● Umbrellas are rarely used because the wind breaks them.
● Dormitories often have drying rooms — a must-have in winter.
● Plan "quiet days" for studying in the library when there is a storm outside.
📄 English requirements at UiB
- IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
- TOEFL iBT: 90+
- Duolingo: usually not accepted
⚠️ Always check the updated requirements on your programme’s webpage.
Student life in Bergen is an amazing adventure! Sammen is the perfect place to find housing, sports and health issues. Fadder Week is the perfect opportunity to make friends and settle in quickly. If you have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, you'll be all set to start your master's degree at UiB.
📌 Tip: apply for accommodation in advance and buy a good raincoat — it will be your main "survival tool" in Bergen!
FAQ
The queue is formed on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to first-year students and international students.
Gyms, swimming pools, group classes, a climbing wall and discounts on sporting events.
It is better to buy a raincoat. Umbrellas often break because of the wind.
