Høgskolen i Molde – vitenskapelig høgskole i logistikk

About Høgskolen i Molde – vitenskapelig høgskole i logistikk

HiMolde is an independent, state-funded higher-education institution rather than a department of another university. NOKUT classifies it as an accredited specialized university, a Norwegian institutional category with academic authority in its accredited field. The institution was formed in 1994 when Møre og Romsdal District College in Molde merged with the local nursing college. It received specialized-university status in logistics in 2010 after developing master’s and doctoral education. Logistics remains its distinguishing academic focus, but the institution is multidisciplinary. Its official reporting describes education spanning logistics, economics, business administration, management, information technology, sport, social sciences, and health and social care. Teaching takes place in Molde and Kristiansund, so applicants should confirm the study location attached to their particular programme rather than assuming every course is based at the main Molde campus. The institution is operating and recruiting in 2026. Current programme listings include international, English-taught master’s degrees, while 2026 applicant reporting also shows active recruitment across bachelor’s, master’s, and continuing-education offerings. HiMolde’s smaller scale and specialized identity may appeal to students seeking closer contact with a defined academic environment. It is less suitable for applicants expecting the breadth, urban setting, or extensive English-language undergraduate portfolio of a large comprehensive university. Norwegian-language ability is important for much of the wider programme catalogue and for fuller participation in local professional life.

Admissions routes depend on programme level, language, nationality, and prior education. Applicants to Norwegian-taught undergraduate programmes generally use the national admissions framework where the programme directs them to do so, while international master’s applicants follow HiMolde’s programme-specific process. Applicants should use the 2026/2027 programme page and application portal instructions rather than relying on archived forms or previous-year deadlines. For the English-taught MSc in Logistics, the current national programme listing states that applicants need qualifying prior higher education and must meet the programme’s academic requirements. The degree is open to Norwegian and international applicants, but eligibility does not guarantee admission. Other international master’s programmes can have different subject prerequisites, documentation rules, or selection criteria. English-language evidence may be required unless an applicant qualifies for an exemption; the accepted tests, minimum results, validity periods, and country-specific documentation rules must be verified on the current official application page. Doctoral admission is a separate research process. Official programme documentation for the PhD in Logistics describes the need for relevant master’s-level preparation, a strong academic record, a research plan, a course plan, appropriate supervision, and financial support. International applicants may also need a Norwegian study permit and proof of funds. Because deadlines and document procedures can vary by applicant group, candidates should identify their exact programme and citizenship category before preparing an application.

HiMolde awards degrees at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. Its specialist identity is built around logistics, with related work drawing on operations research, economics, business administration, management, information technology, mathematics, statistics, and transport studies. The broader portfolio also includes health and social sciences, sport, social sciences, and business-oriented subjects. Applicants should consult the current programme page for the exact teaching language, campus, structure, and professional requirements of each degree. For international applicants, the clearest English-taught options are at master’s level. Norway’s official Study in Norway catalogue currently lists HiMolde programmes including the MSc in Logistics, Master in AI and Health Care Operation Management, MSc in Sustainable Energy Logistics, and MSc in Sustainable Transport and Urban Mobility. The MSc in Logistics is a two-year, 120-ECTS programme comprising taught coursework and a 30-ECTS master’s thesis. Its interdisciplinary content addresses the movement of products, services, and information and uses both managerial and quantitative approaches. Doctoral education is an important part of the institution’s degree-granting role. Official material documents a PhD in Logistics, while institutional reporting also identifies doctoral education in health and social sciences. PhD admission is separate from ordinary bachelor’s and master’s recruitment and normally depends on relevant advanced qualifications, a viable research project, supervision, and secured funding. Prospective students should not infer that every disciplinary area offers a complete bachelor-to-doctorate pathway. Programme availability, language, and admission cycles must be checked individually for 2026/2027.

Key Highlights

• Public, state-funded Norwegian higher-education institution
• Accredited as a specialized university in logistics
• Established in 1994 through a merger of two Molde colleges
• Operates study locations in Molde and Kristiansund

Student Life & Environment

Student life is shared between the institution and Studentsamskipnaden i Molde, the local student welfare organisation. SiMolde provides services that include student housing and other welfare support. Its 2026 anniversary information reports 418 housing units across three locations in Molde. Availability is not guaranteed, so students should apply early and compare the contract, furnishing, utilities, distance, and rental period with private-market alternatives. Student participation includes subject-based groups, outdoor activities, student representation, social events, and a student bar. A campus association event documented groups for IT students, outdoor recreation, student democracy, and other interests. The outdoor group has organised hiking, skiing, and climbing, reflecting the region’s geography. Information from the student representative body is made available in Norwegian and English, which can help international students enter campus activities even when their academic programme is internationally oriented. The smaller environment can make organised participation especially important. International and Norwegian students may arrive through different programmes and social networks, so joining orientation activities, associations, or outdoor events is a practical way to build connections. Welfare services and association schedules can change during the year; students should use current HiMolde and SiMolde channels for health support, housing applications, event calendars, and accessibility arrangements.

Location & Surroundings

The principal study location is Molde, on Norway’s western coast in Møre og Romsdal. The city sits between fjord and mountain landscapes, giving students access to hiking, climbing, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Molde also has football, theatre, literary events, and the Molde International Jazz Festival. These features offer a different experience from studying in Oslo, Bergen, or another large city: the environment is smaller and closely connected to the surrounding region, but the range and frequency of metropolitan services are more limited. HiMolde also teaches in Kristiansund. Applicants must check the location stated for their programme because campus assignment affects housing, commuting, placements, and daily routines. A Molde housing application should not be assumed to cover a Kristiansund-based course. Norway’s west-coast climate can be wet and changeable, and students planning frequent outdoor activity should budget for suitable clothing and equipment. International students should also consider travel connections and the cost of trips within Norway when planning their annual budget. For students who value access to nature and a compact community, Molde can be attractive; those prioritising a large-city labour market or nightlife should weigh the trade-off carefully.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Costs depend strongly on citizenship and programme. Norway’s official 2026/2027 guidance estimates student living costs at NOK 15,488 per month or NOK 170,368 per year, excluding possible tuition, transport, insurance, and visa expenses. It also notes a semester fee of approximately NOK 1,000 per semester nationally. SiMolde’s own historical overview records a NOK 600 semester fee in 2026, so students should rely on the amount shown in their current registration invoice and clarify what any additional charges cover. Students from outside the EEA and Switzerland taking a full degree may be liable for tuition unless an exemption applies. Norwegian law still requires institutions to charge this group, although 2026 legislation gives institutions greater flexibility over the amount. HiMolde’s exact 2026/2027 programme fee was not located in a directly accessible official source during research, so affected applicants should obtain written confirmation before accepting an offer. Housing is another major expense; SiMolde operates student residences, but applicants should not assume a room is guaranteed. Career preparation varies by field. Logistics study combines managerial, technological, and quantitative methods relevant to supply chains, transport, operations, energy systems, and public services. Health, social-care, IT, sport, and business degrees lead toward different occupational settings, and regulated professions may require Norwegian proficiency or additional authorization. No verified institution-wide salary or placement rate was found, so applicants should assess programme learning outcomes, internships or placements, thesis partnerships, language expectations, and recent graduate destinations rather than relying on unsupported employment claims.