Orientation Programme

Welcome programme for all new international students starting their studies at UiA

Nye studenter foran inngangen til univeristetet
Photo: Lisa Mari Bynes

Arrival Day

Arrival Day is Thursday 8 August

On this day, you will be met by student volunteers who coordinate pick up from Kjevik airport and Kristiansand train station/ferry terminal. The volunteers coordinate key pick-up to your SiA housing and transportation to your accommodation in Kristiansand and Grimstad.

To assist you the best way possible, it is very important that you register when you plan to arrive in the Arrival Form

Please note that if you arrive any other day, you must coordinate key pick
up and transportation to your accommodation yourself.

Orientation Day

Orientation Day is Friday 9 August

During Orientation Day you will get to know your fellow international students and receive useful information you need to know to get the most of your experience at UiA and in Norway. 

Orientation Programme Kristiansand

Orientation Day Kristiansand is in Room B1 018 right by the main entrance 

Please note that the programme is subject to change 

10:00: Registration Open

11:00: A welcome from us 
List of speakers: Rector Sunniva Whittaker, The Student Organisation in Agder (STA), Erasmus Student Network (ESN) UiA

11:30: Student Resources 
Information from International Office
Information from SiA Housing
Information about useful student services (the writing lounge, digital tools, SiA health)

13:00: Food and Friends
Light lunch and meet your buddy group 

14:00 Norwegian Survival 101
Introduction to the social and practical skills you need to survive (and thrive) in Norway

15:00: Campus tour 
The ESN Buddies will take their groups on a campus tour and get to know each other 

Orientation Programme Grimstad

Orientation Day Grimstad is in Room C2 041

Please note that the programme is subject to change 

11:00: A welcome from us 
List of speakers: A representative from the University of Agder, The Student Organisation in Agder (STA), Erasmus Student Network (ESN) UiA

11:30: Student Resources 
Information from SiA Housing
Information from International Office
Information from student services
Information about upcoming events (the writing lounge, digital tools)

13:00: Food and Friends
Light lunch and meet your buddy group 

14:00 Norwegian Survival 101 Part 2
Introduction to the social and practical skills you need to survive (and thrive) in Norway

15:00: Campus tour 
The ESN will take the students on a campus tour and get to know each other 

Welcome Weekend

The first weekend is dedicated to get to know your city and local surroundings, as well as your fellow international students. 

Welcome to Kristiansand

A Welcome from the City

Time: Saturday 10 August at 12:00
Place: Kristiansand City Hall

The deputy Mayor of Kristiansand welcomes students on behalf of Kristiansand Municipality

City Tour with ESN

Exchange students and master students will join their ESN buddy groups for a tour of the city. 

Bachelor students will have the city tour the following week with their UiA buddy group. 

First Year Student Mixer 

Who: International students starting an international bachelor degree at UiA
(Bachelor in English, Bachelor in Global Development Studies, Bachelor in Classical Music, Bachelor in Academic E-sport) 

When: Saturday 10 August

Buddy Program 

Your buddy will inform you about the buddy activities happening the first week

Welcome to Grimstad

A Welcome from the City

Time: Saturday 10 August at 11:00
Place: Grimstad Town Hall

The Mayor of Grimstad welcomes students on behalf of Grimstad Municipality 

Historic city walk

Following the welcome meeting at the city hall, students will meet at the Main Square (outside the hotel) for the Historic city walk with their buddy groups. 

Buddy Program 

Your buddy will inform you about the buddy activities happening the first week

Semester Start for your study programme 

For exchange students

Links to information meetings at the faculties are coming soon. Please note that not all faculties have their own information meetings.

Faculty of Humanities and Education

Faculty of Social Science and IT and Information Systems

Faculty of Engineering and Science

Faculty of Fine Arts

Faculty of Health and Sport Science

School of Business and Law

For full-degree students

For most of the studies, there is a mandatory introduction meeting on Monday 12 August.

See the semester start for your study program

Mandatory Sessions for international students

How to avoid Plagiarism

Date and time is coming soon 

International Students come from many different backgrounds of referencing styles and traditions of writing academic texts. This session will focus on the UiA standard of academic writing, references and how to avoid plagiarism.

Registration with the Police

The time of the police appointments are coming soon 

All international students (except Nordic citizens) staying in Norway for more than three months must register with the Police. The appointment is mandatory for your immigration process.

The International Office will organise the time of the appointments. You do not need to book an appointment yourself.

Tuberculosis Screening

Global Lounge Kristiansand

Monday 26 August 9-12 and Wednesday 28 August 9-12. 

You will receive your time slot by email

Students coming from countries with a high occurrence of tuberculosis are obliged to undergo tuberculosis testing if they intend to stay for more than three months in Norway. 

You will first have an appointment with a nurse in Global Lounge Campus Kristiansand, followed by a private appointment for x-ray/blood sample at the hospital at a later time. 

Published Apr. 20, 2024 - Last modified July 1, 2024