Høgskolen i Østfold

Key Highlights

• Public, institutionally accredited Norwegian university college
• Established on 1 August 1994 through the consolidation of five colleges
• Operates principal campuses in Halden and Fredrikstad
• Continues under the name Høgskolen i Østfold in the 2026 state funding letter

Student Life & Environment

Student life is shared between Halden and Fredrikstad rather than centred on one campus. The Student Welfare Organisation in Østfold, SiØ, provides housing, dining, health support, student advice and support for cultural and social activity. Its facilities include campus diners and cafés, while advice services cover study-life concerns, health, finances and access to appropriate support. SiØ accepts housing applications throughout the year. Applicants can request a private unit, accommodation for a couple or a private room in a shared unit, subject to availability. Autumn contracts begin to be allocated in May and January-start allocations begin around mid-November. Applications remain active for 60 days and must be reactivated if housing is still required. Students should apply early because an application does not itself guarantee a room. At Remmen in Halden, student housing is about 100 metres from the university-college campus. The complex includes shared units and self-contained options, as well as common spaces. SiØ also operates housing close to the Fredrikstad campus. The 2026 induction calendar shows welcome activities, mentor-group meetings and campus events in both cities, giving new students structured opportunities to meet classmates and local organisations. Available services and events may differ by campus, so students should consult the relevant location’s calendar and housing information.

Location & Surroundings

The Halden campus is at Remmen, outside Halden’s central urban area in southeastern Norway. SiØ describes Remmen student housing as roughly 2.5 kilometres from the city centre and about 100 metres from the university-college campus. Bus connections operate from the college area and nearby main road. Students living centrally should account for the campus journey when comparing accommodation, while residents at Remmen have very short access to teaching facilities. Halden is only one half of the institution’s geography. The other principal campus is in Fredrikstad, with nearby SiØ accommodation at Bjølstad. The academic division between the cities means that location should be evaluated programme by programme: a student in information technology or teacher education may have a different base from someone studying engineering, health or performing arts. The two-campus arrangement also affects access to specialised facilities, placements, events and student organisations. Applicants should verify whether any elective courses, practical components or shared activities require travel between locations. The institution resolved to retain its existing Halden and Fredrikstad locations in its longer-term campus planning, and current 2026 student activities continue to be advertised at both campuses.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Høgskolen i Østfold is a public institution, but the amount payable depends on citizenship, residence status, programme and possible exemption. Under Norway’s 2026 higher-education policy, institutions must still charge genuine tuition to degree students from outside the EEA and Switzerland unless an exemption applies, although the proposed legal change allows institutions more flexibility in setting the amount. Exchange students, doctoral candidates and certain other groups may be exempt under national rules. No clear institution-wide Høgskolen i Østfold tuition schedule for 2026/2027 was found, so applicants should obtain a written programme-specific figure before budgeting or accepting an offer. Housing is a separate expense. SiØ publishes a dedicated 2026/2027 housing price list and offers shared rooms, studios and couple accommodation in Halden and Fredrikstad. Applications are possible year-round, but allocation depends on availability. Students should also budget for food, transport, books, personal expenses and any compulsory semester or welfare charges shown during registration. Norway’s general cost of living can be substantial, and visa applicants may face separate proof-of-funds requirements. Career preparation varies by subject. Professional and applied programmes may incorporate placements, practice or project work, but these features must be confirmed in the individual curriculum. SiØ directs students to regional career guidance offering help with identifying skills, preparing applications and CVs, job-search courses and interview practice. No verified institution-wide graduate salary, employment rate or named-employer outcome was located, so career decisions should rely on programme content, placement design and current Norwegian professional-recognition requirements rather than unsupported outcome claims.