Breathtaking surroundings with beautiful fjords, mountains, and long, white beaches. As a former European Capital of Culture, Stavanger also boasts an impressive assortment of museums and cultural events.

Read more about Stavanger at Visit Norway

In August and September, a mandatory orientation programme is held for all international newcomers in Sandnes and Stavanger. The programme is 1-2 lectures a week for the first term.

The orientation has been designed to help international students settle into life both at VID and in Norway, and it consists of sessions concerning both academic and practical issues (registration, obtaining a student card, exams, tutorials, social events, the town, the region, the health system, residence permits, et cetera).

Students at VID in Stavanger may apply for housing from The Student Welfare Service: SiS.

SiS housing is owned and operated by the Student Welfare Organisation in Stavanger (SiS), and international students are given priority for a single room in the student dormitories. VID has an agreement with SIS, and every year can provide some rooms for our international students.

Students who receive a VID scholarship will automatically receive a room at the SiS dormitory.

The price is approximately NOK 4500 per month. The rooms are fully furnished, and most of them have a free broadband Internet connection.

Please note that;

• Contracts usually cover one or two full semesters, and full semesters only (5 months). It is normally not possible to terminate a contract during the first semester.
• The contract is between the student and the Student Welfare organization, not between student and VID. VID facilitates the possibility of a contract through the agreement with SIS by reserving a room when the declaration has been signed on the students wish.
• There are no family flats available to international students. International students will be offered a single room with common kitchen and shared bathroom.
• International students cannot change their room with another person in the dorms, nor change dorms without the approval of SiS Housing. This is due to security reasons.
• A change in the study plan, date of arrival, or date of departure must be immediately reported without delay.
• Accommodation is not covered by the school. You must cover all expenses regarding housing at your own costs. The contract will be between you and the Student Welfare Service (SIS) and not with VID.
• Reception Opening Hours at SiS Housing: Monday–Friday 08:30–15:30

Opening hours

When living in Norway, you might notice that our opening hours differ from what you are used to in other countries. This is due to governmental restrictions.

Supermarkets

• Monday-Friday: 07:00–23:00
• Saturday: 08:00–21:00
• Sunday: Closed, only special Sunday stores are open (Bunnpris and Matkroken)

Malls

• Monday-Friday: 09:00–21:00
• Saturday: 09:00–18:00
• Sunday: Closed
• Outdoor cafes and restaurants will be open on Sundays

During your student life at VID, you may need to talk to a professional counsellor. SiS offers help from a social worker, two psychotherapists, and a nurse. The service is free of charge, and should you want an appointment, you will be guaranteed one within two weeks.

The SiS nurse offers counselling in reproductive health matters and can provide you with contraceptive advice, information about sexually transmitted diseases, as well as prescriptions for the contraceptive pill. There is a self-testing station for Chlamydia on campus. The nurse's office is located in the Kitty Kielland building, where you can drop by for more information or counselling.

Students consulting a medical doctor, dentist, or physiotherapist or paying for special medicines can get 40% of their expenses refunded by SiS on the condition that they bring the original receipts. For further information, call +47 51 83 33 00.

Go to our own page Healthcare to read more about health and well-being.

SiS runs a sport centre, which offers full-size handball court, climbing wall, bouldering wall, strength/fitness area of 600 m2, two aerobic halls with a total area of 400 m2, spinning hall of 100 m2, two squash halls, multi-purpose rooms for different student activities, offices for the student athletic organisations, and meeting rooms. The website offers information in English.

The opening hours are the following (subject to change):

• Monday–Thursday 06:30–22:00
• Friday 06:30–21:00
• Saturday 10:00–18:00
• Sunday 12:00–20:00

SiS Sport Centre is located on the campus of University of Stavanger, at Ullandhaug.

Extracurricular activities can be of great importance for academic results. SiS cooperates with VID to create a stimulating learning environment and gives financial support to various student unions, clubs, and associations. Support may also be granted for new activities taken by students.