University of Oslo

Eva Thaler, SS 2025

Studying in Oslo was simultaneously one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in my life. I learned a lot throughout my stay: for my studies, about myself, for myself, and about cultures. I am very happy that I chose the University of Oslo (and that it chose me), not only because the university has a clear webpage and provides you with important information via email, which makes the organization process easy, but also because Oslo was all I could have hoped it to be and more.

All Erasmus students are granted a student room in Oslo if you apply for a room via SIO. I lived in Kringsjå, and I got a room that was affordable and tidy. The greatest advantage of living in Kringsjå was the lake nearby. I walked around it every day because it made me feel unwavering and mentally strong in a time when everything is new, sometimes unsteady and adventurous. Such a huge adventure can be simultaneously great but also sometimes a bit demanding - especially when you are a creature of habit, such as I am. (Enjoyable) habits can give one a lot of strength and security, I figured out.

A (perhaps irrelevant) piece of advice in between: only buy what is necessary if you are staying one semester abroad. Keep in mind that you have to leave the things in Oslo that don't fit in your luggage. I advise being creative when you furnish your room [e.g., who needs a real toothbrush cup if there are paper cups available?]. Moreover, there are a lot of second-hand shops in Oslo which I warmly recommend for empty student-purses. Oslo is quite expensive, especially concerning food and alcohol. I almost starved the first few days because I did not want to spend so much money on food. At some point I discovered the on-campus restaurants, which offer affordable food. I also recommend attending the Knutepunkt events whenever possible for you because you get free entry to a lot of important sights in Oslo. Needless to say, the more money you have aside, the easier and less stressful the semester in Oslo will be. However, with a few tricks, people with fewer means to an end can have a good time in Oslo, too. Just be creative!

I attended the last courses of my master's program in Oslo. I can only recommend the University of Oslo if you are in a late circle in your studies because the university offers a variety of interesting courses for master's students. The university courses I picked were incredibly interesting and rewarding. The difficulty of the courses was adequate, and the courses were similarly structured as those in Innsbruck. Structure-wise, the only difference I noticed was that one needs to pass an obligatory qualifying paper as mid-term assessment. A well thought-out qualifying paper is very helpful because it minimizes the workload at the end of the semester when other things are in your head, such as, for instance, planning your move-out and flight back home. Not having to plan what you write about in your research paper keeps away a lot of stress in times of stress. What I figured out too late was that one can attend a Norwegian course worth 10 ECTS at the university. If I were able to repeat my semester abroad, I would attend this course!

In general, I especially recommend Oslo to athletes and also to those who want to become one. If you see so many people doing sports, it can become contagious. Oslo is also a city that offers the best of both worlds: big city life that is only a stone's throw away from beautiful and pristine nature. Those who value big city life, nature, and sports are right on the mark in Oslo, I can promise.

My favourite spots in Oslo: 

Bygdøya/Huk 

Sognsvann

Deichmann Bjørvika

Erasmus Semester at the University of Oslo – Spring 2024 (January-June)

Tobias Unterhofer, SS 2024

I spent my Erasmus semester at the University of Oslo during the Spring of 2024. There are a few things prospective students should know, so I’ve broken this report into several categories.

Preparation:

The application process might seem daunting when you hear about it from students who have already studied abroad, but don’t be alarmed. As long as you attend all the meetings and webinars and keep an eye on your OLAT (online learning platform), it will be manageable. Take it step by step, and if you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact the Erasmus coordinators at UIBK—they’re very helpful.

Housing:

Once you're accepted by the University of Oslo, they will keep you updated on the next steps. One of the most important tasks is securing accommodation, and here’s where the website SiO becomes invaluable. As an international student, you get priority and are almost guaranteed a room. SiO manages most of the student housing in Oslo, and it’s your best bet for finding a place. The prices are also more reasonable than you might expect for Scandinavia—I paid €410-430 per month at Ullevål Student Village, which is quite affordable, even compared to Innsbruck. (SiO homepage: SiO Housing).

Most students live in Kringsjå Student Village, located at the edge of the city near a beautiful lake and forests. I’d recommend it, especially because there’s a metro station right in front of the village, making travel easy.

If you prefer to be closer to the university, I’d recommend Ullevål, which is also the cheapest option. Sogn is a nice middle ground between these two, located next to the stadium. However, this advice only applies if you’re studying at the main campus.

University:

I was pleasantly surprised by how courses are structured in Oslo. I’m studying English and American Studies, and I’m used to receiving 2.5 or 5 credits per course in Innsbruck. However, in Oslo, most courses are worth 10 credits, meaning you only need to take three courses to complete the required 30 credits for the semester.

While the courses were more demanding in terms of homework and weekly preparation, they were manageable. The exams were also not overly difficult—if you stay engaged during the semester, good grades are achievable. Two of my seminars ended with a 3-day take-home exam, where we received an essay question on Monday and had until Thursday to submit a 7-9 page essay with 4-5 secondary sources. Essentially, you have three days to write a paper. My other course required a 5,000-word seminar paper, which was similar to what I was used to in Innsbruck.

There are gyms at various university locations. You don’t need to be a gym buff to find the €24 monthly subscription useful, as it allows you to participate in various sports (football, floorball, tennis, etc.), and you can even rent equipment like tents and skis.

Social Life:

Moving to a new city and university can be challenging, especially when you don’t know anyone. It’s important to attend as many welcome week activities as possible to meet people and start forming friendships. Be open-minded and step out of your comfort zone. Once you make friends—whether through your courses, accommodation, or the welcome events—you’ll have a great time in Oslo.

The city offers a variety of experiences. You can enjoy outdoor sports like cross-country skiing and sledding, or explore the trendy and modern vibe of neighborhoods like Grünerløkka. Oslo’s location by the fjord, with its surrounding hills and forests, makes for a stunning backdrop no matter where you are in the city.

Although alcohol is expensive, student pubs often host events like pub quizzes or themed nights. Beer costs around €5 for 0.5 liters, which is relatively affordable by local standards.

When I first set foot on Norwegian soil in mid-January, the temperature was a freezing –25°C. Make sure to pack wool socks, winter shoes, gloves, and a good winter jacket! Also, the ground gets incredibly slippery, as the streets are frozen from January well into late February, so walk with caution.

All in all, those five months up north were the most interesting and fun time of my life. 10/10, would highly recommend it to anyone!