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Practical information - International students

Practical information - International students

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Welcome to The Oslo School of Architecture and Design. When moving to a new country, a million questions arise. This section will help you prepare for and make the most of your stay in Oslo, whether you are seeking a Master's degree, or are here as an exchange or guest student for a semester or two. Here you'll find the information you need to begin your first semester with us. 

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We can't wait to have you here! Send us an email.


Before arrival

Pre-arrival guide

We are looking forward to having you at AHO! Before you arriving in Norway, make sure you complete the steps listed bellow after receiving your application:

Study Permit - Students with citizenship from outside EU/EEA
Application for Study Permit:
You should apply for your Study Permit as soon as you have received the offer of admission from AHO. The process can take up to eight weeks.

Please visit UDI’s website for information regarding the application process. Go to Want to apply and follow all steps carefully.    

Study permit checklist: UDI.no
 
Letter of Admission is the letter you recieved from AHO when offered a place of study.
Proof of Housing is stated in your letter of admission
Proof of Finance: You are required to transfer one year's living expences to a Norwegian deposit account in order to secure your Study Permit. In addition a full one year tuition fee must be paid before you can apply for your Study Permit. Proof of payment must be included in your Study Permit application.

You will be invoiced by SiO for the amount you need to transfer to your Residence Permit Deposit Account. The invoice will include bank account details for the transfer of Living Expences.

 
SiO will issue a confirmation letter upon transfer. This may take up to 10 working days. Use this receipt for your UDI Study Permit application.

About Tuition Fees:
All students from outside of EU/EEA/EFTA must pay Tuition Fee to AHO. For the 2023-2024 Academic year the Tuition Fee is set to 363 550 NOK. 

Details for payment will be sent by e-mail to you from the Admissions Office. 

AHO will issue a confirmation letter after payment. This may take up to 10 working days. Use this receipt for your UDI Study Permit application.

In case of withdrawal:
If you wish to withdraw the offer, this must be done within June 1st, by sending an e-mail to admission@aho.no.

In case of special circumstances, the withdrawal deadline may be extended to August 1st. (I.e. If you do not recieve Study Permit from the UDI).

Documentation must be provided before AHO refunds the tuition fee.
Please contact the Admissions Office on admission@aho.no if this applies to you. 

About Living Expences:
The amount you will be required to deposit is one year of living expenses. For the 2023-2024 Academic year  128 887 NOK must be transferred to the SiO (The Student Welfare Organization of Oslo) Recidence Permit Deposit Account.
 
Please register as a SiO user here. After you have registered, go to My Page - Residence Permit Deposit Account and follow instructions.
Study Permit - EU/EEA citizens

​You do not need a study permit to study in Norway. However, as a new student you must register online at selfservice.udi.no and register with the police on arrival.

You may register an application online before leaving your home country, however, you must wait to book an appointment with the police until after arrival in Oslo.

You can start your studies and stay in Norway, even if you have not been able to meet with the police.

EU/EEA citizens Proof of Finance 
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) requires you to declare that you have sufficient funds to live in Norway for one year / semester (depending on the length of you stay).

Nordic citizens registration scheme:
*Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are exempt from the registration scheme. However, you must follow the same procedure as the students from EU/EEA to obtain a permanent ID number/National Identity Number. Please visit: www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/national-registry/moving/to-Norway/

Please read more about Norwegian ID under On arrival below.

Tuition fee

There is no tuition fee for applicants from EU/EEA or Switzerland, exchange students or existing students at AHO.  
In January 2023, the Norwegian Government introduced mandatory tuition fees for all students with citizenship outside of EU/EEA/EFTA. 

The tuition fee at AHO is set to 363 550 NOK per academic year. (Autumn + Spring). 

Please find more information under Study Permit - Students with citizenship from outside EU/EEA above in this page, or find more general information here:
More information about costs and living 

Housing

All students admitted to AHO are eligible for accommodation through the Student Union in Oslo (SiO).

International students under the age of 35, including exchange students are guaranteed housing when applying by the deadline 1 June / 1 November. Apply for student housing through SiO here.

When asked to fill in your Norwegian ID-number, enter your date of birth.
Student villages close to AHO Campus include:

Grünerløkka Student House St. Hanshaugen Student Village


It is possible to apply for private housing in Oslo if desirable, for example through Hybel.no and Finn.no.
However, the SIO housing is better organized and less expensive, hence AHO recommends all international students to apply for student housing through SiO. 

  • Pilestredet Student House
  • Pilestredet Park Student House
  • Sofienberg Student House
  • Rodeløkka Student House
  • Iladalen Student House
  • Kansleren Student House
  • Carl Berner Student House
  • Bjølsen Student Village
Course registration

Each semester the course registration opens near the end of the previous semester. The courses are presented in November and May, and changes to former course plans may occur. After formalities regarding your admission are in place, you will recieve more information about course registration approx. one week before the registration deadline.

Norwegian bank account

In order to open a bank account in a Norwegian bank you will need a Norwegian ID-number. Please note that the application process for this is usually minimum 8 weeks. 
 
Norwegian banks have advanced solutions for online banking so you can administrate your accounts, pay bills, and transfer money online. 
 
Foreign credit cards are widely accepted in Norway and cash machines are easily available, so you don’t have to worry about having cash. 

Health services and insurance

Health services in Norway are of high standards. SIO (The Student Welfare Organisation) provides General Practitioner (GP) to all students (provided semester fee is paid).

Health insurance for students from outside the EU/EEA 
All students from countries outside the EU/EEA should have private or public health insurance to cover their stay in Norway or until they have become a member of the National insurance Scheme. Students staying in Norway for more than 3 months can become members of the National Insurance Scheme.
 
We strongly recommend travel insurance in addition. 
 
If the duration of your stay in Norway is more than one year, you will automatically become a member of the National Insurance Scheme when you register as a resident in Norway with the National Registry (Skatt Øst). 
 
Health insurance for students from EU/EEA  
Students from EU/EEA must bring either the European Health Insurance Card or documentation of private health insurance. If you have private health insurance, please clarify with your insurance office whether your coverage applies to Norway.

Students staying in Norway for more than 3 months can become members of the National Insurance Scheme

We strongly recommend travel insurance in addition.

Bring your original Diploma

All applicants admitted to AHO for a full-time masters, must present their original diploma with transcript of records from undergraduate studies for inspection upon arrival at AHO. Please wait for further instructions from the Admission Office.

Prepare for the Norwegian Climate

The winter season in Oslo lasts from late October til late March, with temperatures ranging from -15C to 5C. (5F to 41F). In summer from June - August, the average temperatures range from 11C to 25C (50F to 77F).
 
In order to dress for the different climate you may experience during your time in Norway we recommend that you bring the following: 

Raincoat/Wind resisting jacket  Winter boots (water resistance)  Winter jacket/coat  Clothes containing wool  Long underwear  Sweaters  Scarf, hat, mittens, and warm socks.

On arrival

Welcome to AHO!

We have gathered some information and a few pieces of advice for when you arrive in Oslo and studying at AHO.

ID number - Students with citizenship from outside EU/EEA

If you are a student from a country outside of the EU/EEA area, you will register for the National Registry at the same time as you meet with the police to order a residence permit card.  

  • The police will notify the Tax Administration (Skatt Øst) on your behalf. 
  • The Tax Administration will send you a letter with a Norwegian identification number. You will receive an national identity number or D number (temporary ID number).  
  • If you are staying more than 6 months and have received an D number, you may register a move to Norway in order to receive a national identity number. 


Staying for 1 semester (less than 6 months)

  • Students staying only 1 semester are not entitled to a National ID number, and do not have to contact the National Registry. 


Important: You must notify the police if you have changed your address, so that the correct residence address is registered in the National Registry. The letter with your D-number will be sent to the address you gave to the police. 

Register the Norwegian ID number at AHO

The national ID number will be sent to you by regular mail. Subsequently, you should register you national ID number in AHO's system by filling out the online form "Updating your name or Norwegian ID number".

Tax deduction card
If you plan to work while studying in Norway you need to apply for a tax deduction card, and meet with the Tax Administration (Skatt Øst).

For more information, please see the Tax Administration's website on how foreign citizens apply for tax cards.

ID number - EU/EEA citizens

Students staying for more than six months must register in the National Registry. If you are living in Oslo, you must register and book an appointment at The Service Center for Foreign Workers (Skatt Øst). Skatt øst is located in Schweigaardsgate 17.

You must bring:

  • Police registration certificate
  • Passport
  • Tenancy contract
  • Admission letter


At the Service Center you must fill in the form Notfication of move to Norway from abroad.

Register the Norwegian ID number at AHO

The national ID number will be sent to you by regular mail. Subsequently, you should register you national ID number in AHO's system by filling out the online form "Updating your name or Norwegian ID number".

Tax deduction card
If you plan to work while studying in Norway you need to apply for a tax deduction card, and meet with the Tax Administration (Skatt Øst).

For more information, please see the Tax Administration's website on how foreign citizens apply for tax cards.

Orientation meeting and Buddy Weekend

The first Friday of each semester there is an Orientation Meeting for all new students. This is mandatory. After the meeting our new students are greeted by their Buddies, Toghether they do social activities for the rest of the weekend.

The Buddy system is a Norwegian tradition for all schools from Primary to University, where new students are connected with older students. The Buddy functions as a go-to for matters concerning your student life. We strongly recommend that you participate! 

Opening hours and contact at AHO

See opening hours here

Contact AHO

Do you have practical questions regarding student housing, residence permit, insurance etc?
AHO International Office is here to accommodate your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us on
International-office@aho.no

If your questions are directly related to your study program, please contact your study advisor.

The Academic Services
The Academic Services is located on the 2nd floor and assists students with enquires about study programmes, rules and regulations, and other student related matters.

If you have questions related to being an international student, please contact AHO’s International coordinator. For questions about to your study programme, please contact the designated study advisor via the Info desk.

The Info desk in the reception area can assist you with different practical matters.
Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Phone number: +47 22 99 70 00
infosenter@aho.no

Read more about the academic services and our staff here

Map of campus

First floor / Ground floor 

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 Second floor / First floor

aho 2. etasje

Third floor / Second floor

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Student ID Card/Identification

Student Identification consists of your personal Student ID Card and the Student ID App.

The Student ID Card serves as an access card to Campus, for photo copying, and for purchasing materials in the workshops. This card is personal, and you are responsible for keeping your pin code safe. If you lose your student card, a new card can be purchased at the Information Desk.  

Download the student ID App to your phone to get dicounts on public transportation and assorted shops, etc.
You must have registered and paid the semester fee in order for the student ID to be valid. 
If you would like to receive a semester card in paper format, you order this at the reception.

Workshop Courses

Each semester obligatory Workshop courses are offered at AHO. You will be allocated a group based on your Studio Course. You must take part in three Workshops; wood, metal, and plastic.
After which you are granted a Workshop Diploma and are allowed access to the Workshops unsupervised. 

Transportation in and to Oslo 

Oslo Airport Gardermoen is located approx. 50 km from the city centre. There are several ways to get to and from the airport. We recommend to choose between the Airport Express Train (flytoget.no), Airport Bus (flybussen.no) or local trains (vy.no).

In Oslo all public transportation is part of the same ticket system operated by Ruter. Ruter’s tickets are valid for buses, trams, subways, ferries, and local trains. You can buy tickets with the Ruter App.

Norwegian Language Courses

In partnership with Folkeuniversitetet AHO offers Norwegian Language courses to our International Students. Please await information.

Work in Norway
On the City of Oslo's website they have gathered all the necessary information about how to find a job in Oslo. Here you can find job listings and ads, information about contracts, taxes and emplyee rights.

Vistit the City of Oslo's website about jobs here.

Student life

Student welfare

AHO is proud of our Student Welfare Team. We offer a wide range of services to provide social platforms, activities and help during your everyday student life.

SiO – The Oslo Student Welfare Association

Accordion content 2. AHO is part of the organisation SiO, which aims to enhance the learning environment by improving the social, cultural, and material conditions of the student community. Students pay a small fee each semester for which a range of services is provided. This fee is included in your semester fee.  
 
Student housing 
SiO has thousansd of student housing units around Oslo, for singles, couples or families. Visit SiO’s online housing catalogue and choose the right profile to see your options. You will find information about our housing units, location and what is included in the rent, as well as possibility to compare housing units. 
 
SiO Athletica 
SiO offers gym memberships for a reasonable price. We have several fitness centers around Oslo with the nearest one at Vulkan, next door to AHO. Our gyms offer services like swimming pool, group sessions and personal training. 
 
Counselling 
Many students have challenges that grow to dominate their mind in a way that makes it difficult to study. Having someone to talk to can be helpful and relieving. At SiO Counselling we provide professional counsellors that respect confidentiality and have extensive experience in helping students. Free of charge. 
 
Health care 

SiO Health provides the students with a wide and versatile health service. Through our services the students can access doctors (GPs), dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, a public health nurse, vaccination service, physical therapists, and social workers. 
 
More information: sio.no 

SAHO – The Student Council at AHO

SAHO is the student organisation at AHO. We are an organisation of students for students.
 
Through its representatives SAHO takes part in shaping and improving the everyday life of AHO's students, both professional and social. By joining SAHO you will get the opportunity to improve the educational foundation across the AHO, as well as the physical environment such as canteen, workshops, printing room ect. As a member you will get an improved understanding of how AHO works and how to change things for the better.
 
SAHO's two goals:

Ensure high quality at all our study programs and to strengthen the students voices in important discussions about all aspects of our education. Continue improve the social and professional community at AHO.

Student board postions for foreign students: 

International representative
(1 assignment) 
As International Student Representative in SAHO you will have the opportunity to work hand in hand with the International Office in order to address questions and issues that affect the international students. International student representative is the connection between SAHO, International students and the International office. It will be of advantage if you are an international student yourself, even though it is not a requirement.

Social committee
(at least 1 international representant)

Access the SAHO main page here
Follow SAHO on Facebook


Follow AHO on social media:
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