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Become a student in Kristiansand

Why study in Kristiansand?

Kristiansand is a fast growing, modern city and is the biggest city in Southern Norway. It is the regional capital of business, administration and culture, and has 92 000 inhabitants. With an innovative industry, good infrastructure, top-notch sports venues and an active festival and fine arts community, few places in Norway can compare to Kristiansand. 

Get to know your study town

Kristiansand has the advantages of a big city – without the big city stress.

Get to know Campus Kristiansand

Students Lotte and Tobias give us a tour of the facilities and show their favourite places and activities on campus.

What do the students say?

Pooja Joshi
From India
"Norway offers a very diverse, student-friendly, and at the same time very competitive education environment.
UiA offers amazing student-oriented activities at the beginning of the study start. These activities help students make friends and develop a feeling of collaborative work."
Victor Silvestrin-Racine
From Canada
"I don’t think there is another city of 100,000 inhabitants with this quality of life and with that many international connections. Moreover, the Kilden Theatre and the Odderøya island are sights that should not be missed."
Pooja Joshi
From India
"Norway offers a very diverse, student-friendly, and at the same time very competitive education environment.
UiA offers amazing student-oriented activities at the beginning of the study start. These activities help students make friends and develop a feeling of collaborative work."
Victor Silvestrin-Racine
From Canada
"I don’t think there is another city of 100,000 inhabitants with this quality of life and with that many international connections. Moreover, the Kilden Theatre and the Odderøya island are sights that should not be missed."

3D campus tour

Vilhelm Krag Hall in Kristiansand

Situated in the main building, the hall is meeting point for students and staff, where events, such as fairs and exhibitions, are held throughout the year. The library, UiA Help, the Global Lounge, and the largest auditoriums can be accessed from here. From Vrimlehallen it is a short way to the pub and concert stage Østsia, the student cafeteria and the bookstore. See on map.

The library in Kristiansand

In the library you will find a lot more than just books. There are magazines, newspapers, movies and reading spots with and without screen and keyboard. This is also where you will find the general help desk at the university - UiA Help. See on map

The Teaching Lab

In The Teaching Lab, students explore new ways of teaching. One can combine the use of up-to-date digital technology with physical materials such as paper and crayons - or choose to use only one of the tools. Only imagination sets the limit. See on map.

Henrik Ibsen auditorium

With over 400 seats, Henrik Ibsen's is the largest auditorium at UiA. The hall is fully equipped, and in addition to lectures is used for larger public events such as debate programs for national television. See on map.

Multimedia room

The multimedia room is a fully equipped TV studio for advanced technical recordings. UiA also has other smaller and less complex studios where, for example, lecturers can record material to use in teaching. 

Sigurd Køhn's house (K building)

The first floor has three large rooms built for sound: Sal 1 is a concert hall for all music studies: classical, music pedagogy and rhythmic. Sal 2 is a concert hall, teaching room and rehearsal room for performers and for jam sessions. Sal 3 is a specially designed sound studio with 3D acoustics for teaching and practice. See on map.

Rehearsal and jam rooms (K building)

In the rehearsal and jam rooms, both students and staff can perform freely and as loud as they want. The rooms are built with special wall panels. The rehearsal rooms are equipped with amplifiers for bass and guitar, vocals / PA, drum kits and piano / keyboards. See on map.

Kirsten Flagstad house (G building)

On the first floor of the G building there are different rooms where students of Arts & Crafts of the Faculty of Fine Arts can learn and practice within their field. See on map.

Get to know the campuses, the cities and Southern Norway

Browse through the photos of the places and locate them on the map

I nærheten

Aerial photo of Campus Kristiansand

Aerial photo of Campus Kristiansand

Campus Kristiansand has approximately 9 500 students. The buildings are surrounded by greenery and have a sleek, contemporary design. The campus is close to recreational areas and in walking distance of the city centre. The sporting facilities are very good, with a fitness centre on campus and a lot of outdoor options. 

Find your way on campus

Spicheren is the largest and most complete fitness centre in Southern Norway and it is situated on campus. It has over 2400 m² of sports halls, a workout studio, a swimming pool, a climbing wall, several rooms for group training, among others. Spicheren is open to everyone; approximately half of the members are external. 

The student cafeteria is a natural meeting place for students and staff at UiA. It is run by the Student Welfare Organisation in Agder (SiA), and has been elected several times as Norway's best student canteen.

SiA Food & Beverage

The lawn is a green and open space in the middle of Campus Kristiansand, ideal for relaxing and studying in the summertime. Many student activities take place here, such as the student festival at the beginning of the academic year (autumn semester). 

Vrimlehallen. Photo: Jon Petter Thorsen/Aptum

Vrimlehallen. Photo: Jon Petter Thorsen/Aptum

Situated in the main building, the hall is meeting point for students and staff, where events, such as fairs and exhibitions, are held throughout the year. The library, UiA Help, the Global Lounge, and the largest auditoriums can be accessed from here. From "Vrimlehallen" it is a short way to the pub and concert stage Østsia, the student cafeteria and the bookstore.

> Virtual tour of Vilhelm Krag Hall

The Library. Photo: Jon Petter Thorsen

The Library. Photo: Jon Petter Thorsen

In the library you will find a lot more than just books. There are magazines, newspapers, movies and reading spots with and without screen and keyboard. This is also where you will find the general help desk at the university - UiA Help.

> Virtual tour of the library

Located on campus, the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden is a part of the University of Agder. At the museum you will be able to learn about the natural history of the region from the ice age until the present day. The botanical garden features plants and flowers from all over the world, as well as a rose garden that dates back to 1850. 

SiA runs the student cafeterias, bookshops, student pubs Bluebox (Grimstad) and Østsia (Kristiansand), nurseries, and the training centre Spicheren in Kristiansand. 

 SiA also offers services in health (SiA Health) and student housing (SiA Housing). 

> Learn more: SiA's webpage

STA represents the rights, interests and needs of students. STA is also responsible for all of the organised student associations and activities. Get involved in student politics!

> Learn more: STA's webpage

Sørlandet kunnskapspark (Southern Norway's Knowledge Centre) is located on Campus Kristiansand. This is where you will find the School of Business and Law at UiA.

Situated on campus and close to hiking areas. 

Located in the city centre, next to the river Otra and hiking areas.

Located on campus.

Located in Lund, between the campus and the city centre. 

Located on Lund, between campus and the city centre.

Located in Lund, between the campus and the city centre.

Kristiansand is a fast growing, modern city and is the biggest city in Southern Norway. It is the regional capital of business, administration and culture, and has 92 000 inhabitants. With an innovative industry, good infrastructure, top-notch sports venues and an active festival and fine arts community, few places in Norway can compare to Kristiansand. 

> Visit Kristiansand

Jegersberg is a large forest close to the campus and to town, with lakes and marked trails. It is a great place to immerse yourself in nature all year round, on foot, by bike or on skis. 

Kilden is a theater and concert hall on the island of Odderøya, in Kristiansand. It is the main cultural arena on the south coast and the country’s second largest building for the Arts, following the Oslo Opera. Here you can experience concerts, theater plays and a considerable variety of shows throughout all year around.

Kvadraturen is the city centre of Kristiansand. Grab a coffee in Torvet, take a stroll around Posebyen and shop in Markensgate. 

Palmesus. Photo: Maria van Schoor

Beach party in Bystranda, Palmesus. Photo: Maria van Schoor

Bystranda is a Blue Flag beach with fine sand in the southeastern part of the city. This is where the music festival Palmesus, Scandinavia's largest beach party, takes place every year in July. 

Baneheia has many trails and lakes to explore. It is a great place to unwind whether the weather is warm or it is snowing. You can access Baneheia from many places in the city centre. 

Elisabeth Høibo (c) Visit Sørlandet

Ravnedalen has an outdoor stage where many events and concerts take place in the summertime. Café Generalen has some of the best burgers in Norway. Walk to Ravnedalen by following the trails in Baneheia.

Photo: Maria van Schoor

Odderøya is an island right outside the city centre that you can access on foot. It has cozy cafés, art galleries, and hiking trails. Many concerts take place here, which makes it popular among music lovers. Many people also choose Odderøya as a sunbathing and swimming spot in the summer. 

Jorunn Jensen (c) Visit Sørlandet

Bragdøya is an island right outside Kristiansand with public recreation facilities and popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts. You can reach the island by boat, "Bragdøyabåten", from Lumber, Vågsbygd, all year. 

> Learn more about Bragdøya

Victoria Nevland(c)Visit Sørlandet 

Fiskebrygga is a charming area with colourful buildings and a lively atmosphere by the sea. It has a fish market and many outdoor restaurants, where you can try local specialities such as mussels and shrimps. Every Tuesday in the summer months there are live concerts and boats gather around the canal to watch the show. Kilden and Odderøya are just a few minutes walk away.

Southern Norway is known for its many skerries and islands surrounded by clear waters and beautiful nature. You can access them by boat or by renting a kayak.

> Learn more about these and other activities in nature 

Sørlandssenteret

The area where you can find Norway’s biggest shopping centre, Sørlandssenteret, as well as IKEA and Dyreparken - Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park. 

Gwen Weustink(c)Unsplash

Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park is Norway's most frequently visited attraction. Animals have wide open spaces in which to roam. Dyreparken is not just a zoo; it is also a theme and entertainment park. 

> Learn more about Dyreparken

Heidi Sørvig (c) Visit Sørlandet

Lillesand is a small town by the sea located between Kristiansand and Grimstad. It is a popular summer destination that attracts visitors from all over the country. It is a 20-minute drive from Grimstad and 30 minutes from Kristiansand.

> Visit Lillesand

 During the winter, Sandrip, in Vennesla, is a great place to try cross-country skiing. Sandrip is a 30-minute drive from Kristiansand. It is also perfect for walking trips all year round. 

Arendal is a coastal town with plenty of urban and nature areas to explore. While you are there, talk a stroll in the narrow streets of Tyholmen, the old town centre with wooden houses from the 17th century. 

Arendal is 20 minutes away from Grimstad and about an hour's drive from Kristiansand. 

> Learn more about Arendal

Under Lindesnes is the world's largest and Europe's first underwater restaurant. It was awarded a Michelin star in the 2020 edition. 

The drive from Kristiansand to Under Lindesnes is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, and just under two hours from Grimstad.

Mandal is known for its sandy beaches, white wooden houses, live concerts, and the yearly shellfish festival - "Skalldyrfestivalen". 

You can reach Mandal directly by bus from Kristiansand in 45 minutes. From Grimstad it is about an hour's drive.

> Learn more about Mandal

Interested in outdoor adventures? Head to Evje to try river rafting, go karting, climbing, biking, trekking, among other activities. 

Evje is located in Setesdal valley and it is an hour's drive from Kristiansand, and approximately one hour and 20 minutes from Grimstad.

> About Evje

Photo: Visit Sørlandet © Trond Stegarud

Located in the northern part of the Setesdal valley, the village Hovden is mainly known for its mountains and downhill skiing opportunities, with thirty four pistes and nine lifts. It is also a great place for hiking in the summer months. 

Hovden is three hours away from Kristiansand and three and a half from Grimstad. 

Elisabeth Høibo © Visit Sørlandet

The new building of the public library in Vennesla was completed in 2011 and has won several architectural prizes. 

Vennesla is 20 minutes away from Kristiansand, and 50 minutes from Grimstad.

Learn more about Vennesla Library and Culture House