Exchange students: Before arrival

Go directly to:

• Housing options
• Arrange insurance
• Study permit/Visa
• Register with the Police
• Letter of Admission
• Information for students with special needs
• Information for Erasmus+ students
• Getting here and around
• Facebook and WhatsApp groups
• SiO Health services
• Frequently Asked Questions

Housing options

Kristiana has a limited number of reserved housing units for incoming exchange students at "The Student Welfare Organisation of Oslo and Akershus" (SiO).

In the event of more applicants than reserved housing units, the units will be assigned based on the following criteria:

• if you need a visa to the EU/EEA,
• citizenship, and
• distance (in kilometers) from your home institution to Oslo.

We encourage you to apply for housing at SiO regardless of whether you end up on the list of reserved housing units or not. There may be instances where students withdraw, and you could move up the waiting list.

To qualify for the reserved housing units, you must apply before June 1st for students starting in the autumn semester, and November 1st for students starting their exchange in the spring semester. All contracts start from either August 1st or January 1st. Please note that couples' units are not prioritized.

SiO will begin assigning housing after the application deadline, and regardless of how early you applied, you will not receive an offer before this time. We recommend applying for student housing as soon as possible after receiving your admission letter and accepting the offer sent by SiO to avoid long waiting times. When you receive an offer for student accommodation, you will receive an email referring to a contract on your My Page. This contract must be signed and uploaded within the deadline stated in the offer. Failure to do so will result in the offer being given to the next person on the waiting list. Additionally, remember to pay your deposit on time. Please note that you will only receive one offer from SiO, and if you reject the first contract, you will not receive a new one. You can see your application status and offers on your page at SiO. Please also check your spam folder. For further information, please refer to the application guide for student housing and the move-in process.

• Application guide for student housing 
• Move into your housing 
• Move out of your housing

If you have any questions regarding housing, housing applications, or response times, please directly contact SiO.

Arrange insurance

Having valid health insurance is mandatory when entering Norway. EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens. You must have valid health insurance documentation covering any costs you may incur during your stay in Norway. This can be in the form of either a European Health Insurance Card, which entitles you to the same treatment as Norwegian citizens, or private insurance that covers the duration of your stay in Norway. Please note that you will need private insurance or travel insurance to cover dental care or damage to your belongings, as well as liability insurance to cover injuries or damage caused to other people's belongings or property.

Study permit/Visa

Please apply for a study permit accordingly

Note that Kristiania's Organization number is written at the bottom of your admission letter as a VAT number.

Register with the Police

As an EU/EEA citizen or a non-EU/EEA citizen, you must register with the police upon your arrival. You will receive more information at the Orientation meeting.

Letter of Admission

You will need your Admission letter to apply for a visa and housing. It can be found in the application portal, where you uploaded your supporting documents. 

Information for students with special needs

If you have a disability or special needs that make studying more difficult, you may be eligible for adaptations. If you have multiple issues that require adaptation, please contact us at the Department for Student Welfare as soon as possible. Together, we can find the right solutions for you.

To be granted adaptations, you must submit documentation from a doctor/consultant regarding your special needs or disability. The documentation must be in English or another Scandinavian language. You can also apply for Special Examination arrangements. For your application to be processed, you must submit supporting documents from a specialist or medical doctor. 

→ Read more about everyday adaptions

Information for Erasmus+ students

Kristiania utilizes Erasmus without Papers (EWP) and can receive digital Learning Agreements through the portal. Institutions that do not use EWP can send Learning Agreements to the email international@kristiania.no, and we will sign them manually. Kristiania's Erasmus + code is N OSLO 58

Getting here and around

The easiest way to reach Oslo from abroad is by plane. Oslo has two airports, where Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) is the main airport and the closest one with numerous departures of public transportation to the city center. Oslo Torp Sandefjord (TRF) is located 1.5 hours outside of Oslo by train or bus and is served by several low-cost airlines, although it has fewer daily departures to Oslo city center. You can also reach Oslo by train to Oslo Central Station or by overnight ferry from Copenhagen, Fredrikshavn, or Kiel.

Traveling in Oslo

The city is easily accessible on foot, and you can walk from one side of downtown to the other in approximately an hour. Kristiania's campuses are located in central downtown, close to the Central Train Station (stops Oslo S and Jernbanetorget). Oslo's public transportation system is well-developed, and you can reach almost anywhere by bus, tram, metro, train, or ferry boat. The transportation company is called Ruter, and there is one app for purchasing tickets and planning your travels. With your Kristiania student ID card, you can buy tickets with student discounts.

Oslo also offers city bikes that you can pick up and drop off in central Oslo for up to 60 minutes each time. There are different plans available, from single rides to a 365-day pass. During the winter, the bikes have studded tires, so you don't have to worry about slippery conditions.

Oslo municipality has made a website full of relevant information and tips for newly arrived international students. All of the information might not be relevant, but it's a good resource

Facebook and WhatsApp groups

Before the semester starts the International Office will invite you to a closed Facebook group, where you can ask questions and get to know your fellow incoming exchange student. We will also invite you to the semester’s WhatsApp Group. 

SiO Health services

The Student Welfare Organization in Oslo’s (SiO) services are available also for exchange students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kristiania also has a FAQ for new students. Some of these questions do not apply to you as an exchange student, but they will help you a long way.

Please review the information above, and if you have any further questions or need clarification, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to welcoming you to Oslo.