History
HVL was formed through a merger between Bergen University College, Sogn og Fjordane University College and Stord/Haugesund University College on January 1 2017.
Education
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences offers Master’s degree programmes in Climate Change Management, Fire Safety, Healthy Ageing and Rehabilitation, Maritime Operations, and Software Engineering.
- Students at undergraduate and postgraduate level have access to high quality exchange opportunities abroad and staff-mobility is encouraged.
Research
We develop new knowledge that contributes to solving the challenges of society from a sustainable perspective. Our professional and working life-oriented profile govern the knowledge and expertise we develop.
To ensure greater quality and relevance, our research activities take place in a regional, national and international research community and involve students and partners.
Common academic priority areas:
- Responsible innovation
- Sustainable development
- Bildung
- Public health
- Profession and working life orientation
- Safety
- Technology
Housing services
About 30.000 students from over 110 countries make Bergen an international student city. Surrounded by 7 mountains and seated near the fjords, Bergen is one of the most picturesque cities in Norway.
Library services
HVL's library is an academic, public library that offers support for research, teaching and public dissemination of scholarly work.
Medical services
The medical staff will assist you with questions regarding contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, abortion, and sexuality and sexual relationships only. All counselling, prescription of contraceptives and testing is confidential and free of charge.
Campus life
- Campus Haugesund
- Campus Stord
- Campus Bergen
- Campus Førde
- Campus Sogndal
Sports facilities
In the sports hall Sognahallen you may climb "The Wall", one of Norway's best indoor climbing walls. If you like swimming, you can go for a swim in the public swimming pool.
Student clubs
- Samfunnet
- Student Scuba club
- Haugesund Students’ Sports Association
- StudKick
- The NITO Students (Engineering students)
- MAST (Maritime students)
- International Students’ Union (ISU Haugesund)
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Overview
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 23% Norway
Top 25% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
959
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 80 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1082 | 1039 | 959 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2025 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2025 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 801 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Norway Country
Bergen City
#2 Branch Campus
Norway Country
Haugesund City
#3 Branch Campus
Norway Country
Sogndal City
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Student Reviews & Awards
3.6
Based on 12 reviews
- 5 Star 2 Reviews
- 4 Star 5 Reviews
- 3 Star 4 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
Why Study at a Norwegian University
• World-class education in an innovative environment • Excellence, innovation, and global learning • A leading hub for research and innovation • Quality education in a forward-thinking society • Shaping future leaders through innovation
grateful
very nice Process in versity nice tution great place wealther Good
Practical Study Program
Høgskulen på Vestlandet offers a well-rounded bioingeniørutdanning with a strong focus on practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The hands-on lab experiences and clinical placements are standout features that prepare students effectively for the workforce. The faculty is supportive, and the curriculum is relevant to current industry standards. However, there is room for improvement in the availability of elective courses and interdisciplinary collaboration. Overall, it has been an enriching and engaging educational journey that I would recommend to aspiring bioengineers.
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