The University of Agder (UiA) is a young and dynamic university situated on the southern tip of Norway. We are one of the most modern universities in Norway and offer high-quality study programmes with an international focus. Agder has two campuses, Kristiansand and Grimstad which are an hour away by train. Both campuses are within walking distance of the city centres, yet only meters away from both beaches and forests for running, climbing, biking, hiking, swimming and other activities

At Agder, students are prepared for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership through faculties dedicated to teaching and co-creation of knowledge. Agder seeks to be an open and inclusive university that is characterized by a culture of cooperation and aims to be on the cutting edge of innovation, education and research.

The School of Business and Law at UiA is accredited by the AACSB, one of only two accredited business schools in Norway.

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) offers a buddy program for all exchange students commending at Agder and often organises weekend trips.

Kristiansand

Kristiansand is a fast growing, modern city and the fifth largest in Norway. It is the regional capital of business, administration and culture. The city is a summer tourist destination with the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Parks attracting a large volume of visitors.

Grimstad

Grimstad is an idyllic city with small, white wooden houses, narrow cobbled streets, tiny cafes and bakeries scattered around the city centre. Grimstad is located only 40 minutes by car from Kristiansand. Campus Grimstad has 3 500 students and is co-located with Grimstad’s Technology Park which is home to many innovative small businesses, particularly telecommunication and technology companies.

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northwestern Europe located in the Scandinavian Peninsula. The country shares a long eastern border with Sweden, and is also bordered by Finland, Russia and Denmark. Norway has an extensive coastline, which influences the climate with surprisingly mild, though still cold, weather.

Norway has a population of 5.4 million people, with a density of 14 people per square kilometre. However the total area of the country includes many islands and the archipelago of Svalbard, skewing how the population density appears. The official languages are Norwegian and Sámi, but English, French, and German are very common alongside other Scandinavian languages. Norway is one of the happiest countries in the world, scoring high in freedom, health, income, and safety parameters. As with other Scandinavian countries, Norway has “allemannsrett” or “the everyman’s right”, a law that allows everyone access to and passage through all uncultivated land in the countryside. The country is most famous for its fjords, midnight sun and the Northern lights, which offer a fantastic outdoor lifestyle. In summer, the sun hardly sets in Norway due to its high latitude and the locals embrace it with midnight concerts, marathons and hikes. In the depths of winter, the days are very short with little or no natural daylight. People take this time to enjoy each other's company indoors over cosy social evenings. With a fairly large expanse of land and the freedom to wander, Norway offers up its unspoilt countryside for you to enjoy. You could observe polar bears in Svalbard (from a safe distance) as well as herds of reindeer or even a passing whale, go skiing in the Lyngen Alps located in the Arctic Circle and visit the famous Malhaugen Park in Lillehammer for a glimpse into life in Norway during the 18th century. Most Norwegians speak exceptional English, and the great public transport makes travelling within this country and to the rest of Europe very accessible.

Did you know?

Norway introduced salmon sushi to Japan. Sushi is very much home grown Japanese food, however salmon was never used until suggested by a Norwegian delegation in the 1980s.

Norway is home to Hell! With a population of just over 1000 Norwegians, the small village of Hell is within walking distance of Trondheim’s international airport and has its own train station.

All students must meet standard exchange selection criteria and any host institutions restrictions.

Courses offered at the Kristiansand campus:

• business & management
• social sciences
• education
• information systems
• humanities
• biology
• mathematics
• sports

Courses offered at the Grimstad campus:

• engineering
• ICT

• UniSA academic transcript
• Passport
• Letter of motivation (approx. 300 words) for "Outdoor Education" programme only 
• Music students: Recording of a performance with your main instrument (sound file). Please send the files to int-office@uia.no. Remember to mark the files with your full name. In the e-mail, please write your full name and which courses you are applying for. Please include your name and the type of document in the title (i.e.Paul_Smith_Transcript_of_Records.pdf).

Credits are measured by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the following applies:

• 18 units = 30 ECTS
• 13.5 units = 22.5 ECTS

It can sometimes be difficult to make up exactly 22.5 units (not all courses will be worth exactly 7.5 ECTS), but you should be able to get very close. Make sure you check with your Program Director if you don’t have exactly 22.5 ECTS

UniSA students are not required to provide evidence of English proficiency.

Find courses at Agder

University of Agder does not offer airport pick up from Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik. You will need to make your own way to the campus.

However, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) does organise a pick-up service for new international students at the beginning of each semester from the central bus station in Kristiansand and transportation to your accommodation. You will need to confirm availability of this service with ESN or a representative from the International Education Office. The Erasmus buddy will let you know where the meeting point is before your arrival.

More information on how to get to the campus can be found here.

Student accommodation in Kristiansand and Grimstad is offered by The Student Association of Agder (SiA). As an international student at UiA you are guaranteed a single or shared room in one of the student houses located on or near campus. They are all within walking distance to the city centre, as well as to nature and to the sea. The rooms are fully furnished and are offered at student friendly prices. Internet, electricity and operating services are included in the rent.

More information on accommodation can be found here.

As an exchange partner with the University of South Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees to University of Agder, instead you will pay tuition as you would normally at UniSA. Travel and living expenses are at your own cost. The table below gives an indication of costs you will incur:

More information can be found here.

UniSA offers a generous travel grant of up to $2500 for a full semester exchange. You may also be eligible to receive an OS-HELP loan of up to $8000. For more information please see funding and scholarships website.

UniSA offers travel insurance as part of your exchange for up to 270 days (can be extended up to 365 days). For more information please see travel insurance website.  
 
Please click here to read the travel insurance policy. 
 
A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here. 
 
If you have any further questions about travel insurance, please contact the UniSA Insurance Office on 08 8302 1678. 

Exchange students should be covered by insurance from their home countries in order to be reimbursed when obtaining services from the Norwegian National Health Scheme. However, as a student in Norway you may also apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme on arrival in Norway. More information about the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

More information on insurance can at University of Agder can be found here.