The University of Stavanger is a modern, public research university on Norway’s southwest coast. Granted university status in 2005, UiS builds on decades of professional education and applied research in the region. The main campus at Ullandhaug sits next to Innovation Park Stavanger and the new Stavanger University Hospital (SUS), with a dedicated performing arts campus at Bjergsted. UiS is known for strengths in energy and offshore technology, risk and societal safety, computer science, health sciences, education and learning sciences, business and hospitality, and the performing arts—all in a vibrant coastal region where fjords and beaches meet Norway’s energy industry.
Quick facts
At-a-glance information about the University of Stavanger
Type
Public, research‑intensive university
Location
Stavanger, Norway — main campus at Ullandhaug (adjacent to Innovation Park Stavanger and the new SUS hospital); performing arts campus at Bjergsted; close to the regional energy cluster at Forus and Stavanger Airport Sola.
Faculties and units
Faculty of Science & Technology; Faculty of Health Sciences; Faculty of Social Sciences (incl. UiS Business School and the Norwegian School of Hotel Management); Faculty of Arts & Education; Faculty of Performing Arts; Museum of Archaeology.
Language of instruction
Bachelor’s primarily in Norwegian; a range of master’s and most PhD programs in English; many English‑taught courses.
Academic strengths
Energy & offshore technology; renewable energy & offshore wind; risk & societal safety; computer science, data & AI; health & prehospital care; education & learning environment; business, finance & innovation; hospitality & tourism; performing arts.
Student support
Comprehensive services via SiS (Studentsamskipnaden i Stavanger): housing, health, gyms, cafés, counseling, and careers.
Reputation
Strong industry partnerships in Norway’s energy capital; recognized research in risk and resilience, healthcare, and education; vibrant arts and hospitality environments.
Why choose UiS
Energy capital connections: Study in the heart of Norway’s energy region with close links to companies and suppliers across oil, gas, and the growing offshore wind sector.
Hands‑on, real‑world learning: Access labs, living labs and test sites, research vessels and field courses; placements in hospitals, schools, and companies turn theory into practice.
Interdisciplinary problem‑solving: UiS bridges engineering, social sciences, health, and business to tackle safety, sustainability, and digital transformation.
Student welfare and community:SiS provides housing and wellbeing services; the student parliament StOr and student house Folken power a lively campus culture.
Coast, fjords, and beaches: Hike Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), surf the Jæren beaches, or kayak local fjords—outdoor life is minutes from campus.
Academics and programs
Bachelor’s degrees (Norwegian)
Most bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian across engineering, computer science, natural sciences, health, education, social sciences, business, hospitality and tourism, and the arts. International applicants with documented Norwegian proficiency have many options; select English‑taught courses are available.
Master’s degrees (English, 2 years / 120 ECTS)
Energy & offshore: Petroleum/Energy Engineering, Offshore Technology, Marine/Structural Engineering, Renewable Energy (offerings vary by year)
Risk & safety: Risk Management and Societal Safety
Business & economics: MSc in Business Administration (e.g., finance, economics, strategy/innovation)
Hospitality & tourism: Programs in hospitality/service leadership and tourism (through the Norwegian School of Hotel Management)
Health & life sciences: Selected programs in health, public health and prehospital critical care
Performing arts: Music performance and related programs (selected offerings)
Note: Program portfolios are updated regularly; always check UiS’s official pages for the current English‑taught options.
PhD education (English‑friendly)
Fully research‑based doctoral education with paid research fellow (employee) positions advertised year‑round. Strong supervision and collaboration with industry, hospitals, municipalities, and cultural institutions.
Teaching and learning
Research‑led and project‑based learning with extensive use of labs, studios, simulations, case work, field courses, and internships. Emphasis on critical thinking, methods, and innovation.
Facilities
Engineering and energy labs, drilling and well technology facilities, robotics/automation labs, simulation centers for health and safety, studios and concert halls at Bjergsted, modern libraries and learning spaces, and close cooperation with Innovation Park Stavanger and Stavanger University Hospital.
Research and innovation
Energy transition: Research on petroleum subsurface, wells, operations and low‑carbon solutions including offshore wind and energy systems.
Risk & societal safety: Internationally recognized groups in risk management, safety and emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure, and resilience.
Health & care: Patient safety, resilience in healthcare, prehospital critical care, and digital health in collaboration with hospitals and municipalities.
Education & learning: National centers in reading and learning environments; early childhood and school research that shapes educational practice.
Business & innovation: Innovation and entrepreneurship, industrial asset management, and regional development in partnership with industry.
Centres & collaboration: Research centres and groups such as those in resilience in healthcare, industrial asset management (CIAM), early childhood (e.g., FILIORUM), and innovation research; collaboration with NORCE and regional partners.
Entrepreneurship ecosystem: Access incubators and commercialization support through Validé and the Innovation Park; student startups benefit from mentoring, hackathons, and industry projects.
Student life and support
Orientation & community: Faculty welcomes, international meetups, and fadderuke (buddy week) help you settle in and make friends fast.
Housing & welfare (SiS): Student housing across Stavanger; health and mental‑health services; SiS Sports Center gym; affordable cafés; counseling and career services.
Student organizations: Join academic societies, StOr (student parliament), sports and outdoor clubs, music and theatre, tech and entrepreneurship groups.
Libraries & study spaces: Quiet reading rooms, group rooms, extended hours, and digital collections across the University Library.
Culture & venues: The student house Folken hosts concerts and events; the city’s Konserthus, art museums, and festivals are close by.
Museum of Archaeology: UiS’s museum offers exhibitions, labs, and outreach linking research and culture.
International students
Language options: Complete an entire master’s or PhD in English. Norwegian language courses are available (offerings vary by semester and program).
Admissions:
Bachelor’s degrees generally require documented Norwegian proficiency.
English‑taught master’s programs require a relevant bachelor’s and proof of English (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL). Country‑specific requirements may apply.
Application windows for international master’s typically open in late autumn for studies starting the following August; EU/EEA applicants may have later deadlines.
Tuition and fees:
Public universities in Norway remain tuition‑free for EU/EEA citizens (a small semester fee applies).
Non‑EU/EEA students are required to pay tuition; amounts vary by program. Limited scholarships or external funding schemes may be available for select programs.
Visas and permits: Students from outside the EU/EEA typically need a study permit and must document sufficient funding per UDI guidelines. A part‑time work permit (up to 20 hours/week) during semesters is commonly included.
Cost of living: Stavanger offers high quality of life and efficient public transport. Costs are relatively high; student housing, subsidized gyms and cafés, and transport discounts help manage expenses.
Always confirm program details, tuition regulations, and application deadlines on UiS’s official pages before applying.
Life in Stavanger
Energy hub by the sea: Norway’s energy capital with opportunities for internships and part‑time work across engineering, digitalization, health, hospitality, and creative industries.
Nature next door: Day trips to Preikestolen and Kjerag, coastal trails, fjords, and the beaches of Jæren for surfing and sunsets.
Culture & food: Street art, museums, and annual festivals like Gladmat (food) and MaiJazz; cozy cafés and fresh seafood.
Getting around: Bike‑friendly city with frequent buses (Kolumbus) linking campus, the center, and the airport.
Notable achievements and alumni
UiS researchers have advanced practice in risk and resilience, healthcare quality and safety, energy and offshore operations, and education and learning environments. Alumni lead in energy and maritime industries, technology companies, education, hospitality, public administration, and the arts in Norway and beyond.
How to get started
Explore programs: Identify English‑taught master’s or PhD opportunities that fit your interests.
Check requirements: Review program‑specific academic and language criteria plus any country‑specific documentation rules.
Track deadlines: International master’s applications commonly open in autumn for the next academic year—confirm exact dates on UiS’s official pages.
Plan finances: Understand tuition (if applicable), living costs, and scholarship options; prepare proof of funding for immigration.
Secure housing early: Apply for SiS student housing as soon as you’re eligible.
Prepare to thrive: Join pre‑arrival webinars, brush up on Norwegian basics, and connect with student groups before arrival.
Closing
At the University of Stavanger, you’ll join a friendly, practice‑oriented research community in a coastal city where innovation and outdoor life go hand in hand. A great place to build a career in energy, technology, health, education, business, and the arts.
University of Stavanger (UiS)
The University of Stavanger is a modern, public research university on Norway’s
southwest coast.
Granted university status in 2005, UiS builds on decades of professional education
and applied research
in the region. The main campus at Ullandhaug sits next to Innovation Park
Stavanger and the new
Stavanger University Hospital (SUS), with a dedicated performing arts campus at
Bjergsted.
UiS is known for strengths in energy and offshore technology, risk and
societal safety, computer science,
health sciences, education and learning sciences, business
and hospitality, and the performing arts—all in a
vibrant coastal region where fjords and beaches meet Norway’s energy industry.
Quick facts
Park Stavanger and the new SUS hospital);
performing arts campus at Bjergsted; close to the regional energy
cluster at Forus and Stavanger Airport Sola.
Sciences (incl. UiS Business School and the Norwegian School of
Hotel Management);
Faculty of Arts & Education; Faculty of Performing Arts; Museum of
Archaeology.
PhD programs in English; many English‑taught courses.
societal safety; computer science, data & AI; health & prehospital care;
education & learning environment; business, finance & innovation; hospitality
& tourism; performing arts.
housing, health, gyms, cafés, counseling, and careers.
risk and resilience, healthcare, and
education; vibrant arts and hospitality environments.
Why choose UiS
close links to companies and suppliers across oil, gas, and the growing offshore
wind sector.
research vessels and field courses; placements in hospitals, schools, and companies turn theory
into practice.
health, and business to tackle safety, sustainability, and digital transformation.
wellbeing services; the student parliament StOr and student house
Folken power a lively campus culture.
surf the Jæren beaches, or kayak local fjords—outdoor life is minutes from
campus.
Academics and programs
Bachelor’s degrees (Norwegian)
Most bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian across engineering, computer science, natural
sciences, health,
education, social sciences, business, hospitality and tourism, and the arts. International
applicants with documented
Norwegian proficiency have many options; select English‑taught courses are
available.
Master’s degrees (English, 2 years / 120 ECTS)
Marine/Structural Engineering, Renewable Energy (offerings vary by year)
software‑oriented programs
economics, strategy/innovation)
tourism (through the Norwegian School of Hotel Management)
prehospital critical care
Note: Program portfolios are updated regularly; always check UiS’s official pages for
the current English‑taught options.
PhD education (English‑friendly)
Fully research‑based doctoral education with paid research fellow (employee)
positions advertised year‑round.
Strong supervision and collaboration with industry, hospitals, municipalities, and cultural
institutions.
Teaching and learning
Research‑led and project‑based learning with extensive use of labs, studios, simulations, case work,
field courses,
and internships. Emphasis on critical thinking, methods, and
innovation.
Facilities
Engineering and energy labs, drilling and well technology facilities, robotics/automation labs,
simulation centers for
health and safety, studios and concert halls at Bjergsted, modern libraries and
learning spaces, and close
cooperation with Innovation Park Stavanger and Stavanger University
Hospital.
Research and innovation
low‑carbon solutions including offshore wind and energy
systems.
management, safety and emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure, and
resilience.
critical care, and digital health in collaboration with hospitals and municipalities.
environments; early childhood and school research that shapes educational practice.
management, and regional development in partnership with industry.
resilience in healthcare, industrial asset management (CIAM),
early childhood (e.g., FILIORUM), and innovation research; collaboration with
NORCE and regional partners.
through Validé and the Innovation Park; student startups
benefit from mentoring, hackathons, and industry projects.
Student life and support
fadderuke (buddy week) help you settle in and make friends fast.
mental‑health services; SiS Sports Center gym; affordable cafés; counseling and
career services.
parliament), sports and outdoor clubs, music and theatre, tech and entrepreneurship groups.
and digital collections across the University Library.
and events; the city’s Konserthus, art museums, and festivals are close by.
linking research and culture.
International students
PhD in English. Norwegian language courses are available (offerings vary by
semester and program).
English (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL). Country‑specific requirements may apply.
autumn for studies starting the following August; EU/EEA applicants may
have later deadlines.
(a small semester fee applies).
program. Limited scholarships or external funding schemes may be
available for select programs.
study permit and must document sufficient funding per UDI
guidelines. A part‑time work permit (up to 20 hours/week) during semesters is
commonly included.
transport. Costs are relatively high; student housing, subsidized gyms and cafés, and transport
discounts help manage expenses.
Always confirm program details, tuition regulations, and application deadlines on UiS’s
official pages before applying.
Life in Stavanger
internships and part‑time work across engineering, digitalization, health, hospitality, and
creative industries.
Kjerag, coastal trails, fjords, and the beaches of Jæren for
surfing and sunsets.
Gladmat (food) and MaiJazz; cozy cafés and fresh seafood.
(Kolumbus) linking campus, the center, and the airport.
Notable achievements and alumni
UiS researchers have advanced practice in risk and resilience, healthcare
quality and safety, energy and offshore operations,
and education and learning environments. Alumni lead in energy and maritime
industries, technology companies, education,
hospitality, public administration, and the arts in Norway and beyond.
How to get started
fit your interests.
any country‑specific documentation rules.
for the next academic year—confirm exact dates on UiS’s official pages.
scholarship options; prepare proof of funding for immigration.
you’re eligible.
connect with student groups before arrival.
Closing
At the University of Stavanger, you’ll join a friendly, practice‑oriented research
community in a coastal city
where innovation and outdoor life go hand in hand. A great place to build a career in energy,
technology, health,
education, business, and the arts.