Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Bergen, Norway Public Website

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Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, commonly known as HVL, is a public, professionally oriented institution operating across Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal and Stord. It was formed in 2017 through the merger of three university colleges. Official figures report 16,855 students in autumn 2025, with approximately two-thirds based in Bergen. HVL offers education through three faculties spanning education, arts and sport; health and social sciences; and technology, environmental and social sciences. Its portfolio includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees, five PhD programmes and continuing education. Teaching and research emphasize links with professions, industry and public services. International applicants should examine language and campus details carefully: undergraduate degrees are generally taught in Norwegian, while HVL offers a more limited selection of English-taught master’s programmes, PhD opportunities and exchange courses.

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Key Highlights

Public state university college operating across five campuses in western Norway
16,855 students recorded in autumn 2025, including 11,080 in Bergen
Established in 2017 through the merger of three university colleges
Profession- and workforce-oriented teaching linked to industry and public services

Student Life & Environment

Student experience differs across HVL’s five campuses, making campus selection an important part of programme choice. Bergen is the largest location and provides the broadest urban setting. Its Kronstad campus occupies a modern complex built in and around former railway halls and is served directly by Bergen’s light-rail network. Smaller campuses may offer closer-knit study environments, while Sogndal is especially associated with outdoor recreation and access to fjords and mountains. Students can participate in campus organizations and elected representation. The Western Norway Student Council includes representatives from all five campuses, giving the multi-campus student body a formal channel in institutional decision-making. New students also encounter buddy activities, campus introductions and student-organization events; Bergen’s 2026 start-of-study programme ran from 10 to 16 August. HVL provides free study and career guidance, including help with education plans, examinations, exchange, CVs and job applications. Student welfare services in Bergen are delivered through Sammen and include housing, sports facilities, psychological and social counselling, and other health-related support. Full-semester exchange students in Bergen can receive a housing guarantee when they follow HVL’s process and apply by the stated deadline. Full-degree students do not receive that guarantee and should apply early.

Location & Surroundings

Although the database record identifies Bergen, HVL is a multi-campus institution with locations in Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal and Stord. Bergen is by far the largest, enrolling 11,080 of the institution’s 16,855 students in autumn 2025. Its main Kronstad campus lies south of the city centre in a redeveloped railway complex. Bergen offers a combination of city amenities and access to Norway’s western coastline and mountain landscape. The campus has its own Bybanen light-rail stop, and both light-rail lines connect Kronstad with the city centre. Line 1 continues to Bergen Airport and also serves the Fantoft student-housing area, simplifying travel for students without a car. The other campuses provide distinct regional settings. Sogndal is a compact fjord community with outdoor recreation nearby; Haugesund and Stord serve coastal and maritime regions; and Førde is a smaller inland-western centre. Since programmes are not uniformly offered at every campus, applicants should base location decisions on the programme listing rather than assuming study will take place in Bergen.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Fee liability depends strongly on citizenship and programme. HVL states that students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must generally pay tuition unless an exemption applies. Its latest published schedule is for 2025/2026, not 2026/2027, so those figures should be treated as historical guidance rather than confirmed current prices. The listed annual categories ranged from NOK 130,000 to NOK 500,000, with named 2025/2026 English-taught programmes priced at NOK 180,000 or NOK 260,000. Maritime Operations, the Erasmus Mundus Theatre SPACEs programme, exchange students from partner institutions and PhD students were among the stated exempt groups. HVL says it offers no scholarships and cannot arrange student funding. Applicants should obtain the applicable 2026/2027 amount from their admission documentation before making a financial commitment. Housing is separate from tuition. In Bergen, full-degree students could apply for Sammen housing by 15 April under the latest published guidance, but without a housing guarantee. Full-semester exchange students had guarantee deadlines of 15 May for autumn and 1 November for spring when following HVL’s designated process. Rent and living costs were not stated on the selected current university pages, so students should use Sammen’s live listings and budget for food, transport, insurance and residence-permit requirements. HVL’s career value is primarily tied to applied professional education and employer collaboration. Free career guidance includes CV and application review and discussion of further study and employment options. Outcomes such as salaries or placement rates are not published in the selected sources and should not be inferred.