Housing in Oslo can be challenging at times, as there are thousands of new students every year beginning their studies at one of the universities in town. It is important to begin looking for housing as soon as you have received admission from NIH. We also highly recommend using our housing guarantee offer.
Student Welfare Organization in Oslo (SiO)
NIH housing priority list
NIH reserves a limited number of housing units provided by SiO for our exchange students. If you wish to be on the NIH priority list for SIO housing you have to pay a non-refundable fee of NOK 1500. This fee is payable directly to NIH. The number of units is limited, and is distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
All students who have received an offer of admission to NIH will get detailed information on how to register for the housing priority list, by email.
You must apply for a "single, furnished" room type through SiO after you have paid the NIH housing priority fee.
You can apply for housing with SiO, the student welfare organization in Oslo. SiO have many housing units in Oslo and the surrounding areas, but we strongly recommend you to apply for Kringsjå or Sogn Student Villages (in that order), as they are the closest to NIH. In fact, Kringsjå student village is located less than 50 meters from campus.
You apply online through the SiO website, where you will also find more information on the different housing options, rules and regulations. You must apply for "Single room, furnished".
Housing application deadline
For the fall semester: May 25
For the spring semester: October 25
Students will be notified by SiO after the housing application deadline if they are awarded housing.
Housing contracts
Housing contracts for exchange students are normally issued for the entire semester, from August 1 to December 31, and January 1 to July 31.
You have to follow the deadlines to reply regarding the housing offer given by SiO and to sign your contract. All of this can be done electronically via "My pages" (more information will be given from SiO).
If you for some reason want to move out before your contract expires, you need to give SIO notice two months ahead of time.
How to get there
The reception for Kringsjå and Sogn student villages is located at Domus Athletica. You can reach it using metro lines 4 and 5 (metro stop "Forskningsparken" or "Ullevål Stadion"). The staff at the reception will give you directions to your housing.
Make sure to check out the move-in instructions before you arrive, in case there are changes in where to pick up your keys, etc. We strongly recommend that you plan your arrival to Oslo within opening hours of SiO.
To get to Kringsjå you take the T-bane line 5 westbound towards "Sognsvann". Kringsjå is the second to last stop. When you get off the T-bane at Kringsjå, cross the road and walk down the stairs.
Nice to know
All units have wired internet connection, which is included in the rent. Remember to bring a WLAN- cable you can use in your dorm room. If you wish to have wireless internet you have to get a wireless router yourself.
Please note that curtains, pillows, sheets, blankets, reading lamps and kitchen utensils are not provided. We recommend going to IKEA, where you can get what you need at reasonable prices.
ALL questions regarding housing must be directed to SiO, not NIH.
Other student housing providers
Anker Studentbolig
- https://ankerstudentbolig.no/
- Have approximately 1700 units in Oslo (single, couple, family units)
- Various locations around the city
Diagonale studentboliger
- https://thoneiendom.no/bolig-til-leie/diagonale-studentboliger/
- Have approximately 300 units (single, and for couples).
- Located right next to the Opera building in the city center
Heimstaden
- https://heimstaden.com/no/student/
- Located in Nydalen
Campus Living
- https://www.campus-living.no/en
- Located at Bislett, Carl Berner and Grünerløkka
Private housing market
(you may need to use Google translate on these sites)
Hybel.no
- https://hybel.no/
- Possible to see ads landlords have posted (single room in an apartment, entire apartment, house, etc)
- you can also post your own ad for landlords to see that you are searching for a place
Finn.no
- Look for housing
- Largest online market place in Norway, which also includes housing
Tips if you are renting from the private market
- Check out the location on Google maps, and how to get to NIH with public transportation
- Always sign a contract/lease with the landlord
- Never sign the contract/lease before you have seen the place (via Zoom, etc. Have a meeting with the landlord, where they can also show you the place)
- Make sure the contract has a specific start and end date, and also states what is included in the rent
- If your contract has a termination notice period, make sure it is no longer than three month
- Deposit should never to be paid directly to the landlord’s bank account. It should be place into a deposit account, where that both parties must agree upon if funds are to be taken out. The landlord must pay the fee to open this account.