The case in summary Many students like to apply for a study place in just one city in order to have more time to find a place to live. Siri Munthe Olsen (19) is one of these students, and she says that several people she knows have done the same. Leader Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak of the Norwegian Student Organization expresses concern about the major stress factor the housing situation poses for students before the start of their studies. Several student associations confirm that there are many students who are in the housing queue. Dag Hovdhaugen, division director for approval and admission in the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, says that they cannot answer the students earlier than 20 July due to waiting for grades and diplomas. Hovdenak in the Norwegian Student Organisation, urges the educational institutions and associations to provide good and reasonable alternatives for those who have not got a handle on the start of their studies. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – It becomes difficult when you only have three weeks to find a place to live, at least if you have applied to many different places. Everything is very uncertain until the answer from Samordna comes, says Siri Munthe Olsen (19). This week, over 142,000 students received answers from Samordna admissions. This starts the housing hunt for many, before the start of studies in August. Siri Munthe Olsen has gained a head start. She did not apply for studies outside Oslo. She says that several people she knows have chosen to only search in one city, precisely to avoid having to wait with the house hunt until the answer comes from Samordna. – I thought that if I didn’t get into the first election in Oslo, I would suddenly have to move around to find a place to live in Bergen. It became easier to just apply in Oslo. She preferred political science, something they offer in many cities. But to secure housing, Siri Munthe Olsen only applied in Oslo, where she is now on a waiting list. Photo: Oda Flaten Solder What is most important? City of study or what course are you going to study? The study city, of course. Study! Both. Show result Start of studies in a dormitory Leader Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak of the Norwegian Student Organization says the question of where to live is a major stress factor in the time before starting studies. – I think it’s an incredible shame that the bad economy and an unpredictable housing market means that I possibly prioritize what I actually want to study. Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak, head of the Norwegian Student Organization. Photo: Skjalg Bøhmer Vold / NSO She is concerned about the long waiting lists for student accommodation in several places in the country. – There are many people who have to start their studies in a dormitory, and I don’t think that is a pleasant start to their studies, she says. In Bergen, the Students’ Union in Western Norway was out in good time to set up dormitories in the canteen and meeting rooms in student residences. Just before the reply from Samordna came, they had a record-long housing queue of 3,430 students. At Fantoft student residences in Bergen, the staff canteen and several meeting rooms will be converted into dormitories before the start of studies. Photo: Brynjar Mangor Myrtveit Osgjerd / news And while some still have vacant apartments, several student associations in the biggest cities confirm that there are many who are in the housing queue with them. Simon Skjelvik Brandseth The Student Union in Oslo (SiO) 6,964 students are on the waiting list for accommodation for the start of studies as of 15 July this year. This is slightly below the record number of 7,078 at the same time last year. Offers dormitories in August, so that students without accommodation can come to Oslo, go on tours and get the start of your studies with you. Have new student housing this year, and even more will be ready during the autumn. Stine Bækkelien / news The Student Association in Gjøvik, Ålesund and Trondheim (Sit) does not have a waiting list, but around 1,000 who want to be notified when housing becomes available. Experience that it works out for everyone before the start of studies, but most have to find private housing. Offers cheaper accommodation in hotels and hostels for those without a home. This arrangement has become less and less used in recent years. Josef Benoni Ness Tveit Studentsamskipnaden i Stavanger (SiS) About 743 students in the housing queue as of 15 July this year. This is one of the highest they have had, mainly because a record number of students have extended their contracts on student housing. Set up emergency accommodation in a common area if the number is still is high at the end of July. Those who are then on the waiting list will be notified. Sofie Retterstøl Olaisen Norway’s arctic student association (Samskipnaden) 1212 housing applicants 17.07, 1098 of these in Tromsø. Many already own housing, but it’s good to stand in line for student housing, write the association. Collaborates, among other things, with camping town that offers special prices on available cabins and houses at start of studies. In addition, Samskipnaden offers mid-term housing in its own housing area in Tromsø, where students can live while they are looking for their own housing. Jorunn Hatling Students’ association in Ås (SiÅs) 493 applicants in queue as of 12.07. this year. Don’t have any available residences for the autumn semester now, but predict circulation when people confirm or decline offers for study places. Had record-long queues in August last year, with around 470 in the queue. Have had a dormitory for the last 15 years with a capacity for around 40 people . It will be used from the beginning of August, they write. Several of the samskipnads point out that the queues are going to change after the students have received study offers at the end of July, with some falling out of the queue and some coming in. Tips for students looking for accommodation: The Student Association Council has the following tips for those looking for accommodation or standing in a queue at a student association: Do not unsubscribe from the waiting list: Experience from previous years is that there are changes in the application for student accommodation when students are offered a study place. Continue to be on the waiting list or apply for student housing if you haven’t done so yet! New residences are coming soon: Some associations have new student residences that will be ready for a little while in the autumn, including in Oslo, so if you have the opportunity to build somewhere else in the meantime, that is also an option. Set up several options: Set up several accommodation options when applying for student accommodation. Some of the residences are more popular than others, but it is often possible to apply for a transfer later. Ask friends and acquaintances: In addition to traditional rental channels, use the network among family and friends. Maybe someone has a dorm or room to rent. The more places you try, the better chance you have of finding your own home. Source: Student Association Council Waiting for the grades Dag Hovdhaugen is divisional director for approval and admissions in the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. – In terms of finding a place to live and such, it is clearly an advantage that the students get answers as early as possible, says Dag Hovdhaugen. Photo: Gøril Furu / news He says that much earlier than 20 July they will not be able to answer those who are waiting. – We have to wait for grades and diplomas from the secondary school to come to us. When the prospective students submit their application in mid-April, it is still a long time before they have completed the exams and received all the grades on which they will be assessed. – In order for this to be the same for everyone, it is important that we wait until all grades are in. In 2027, a new recording system will be in place, which may be more efficient than today’s, says Hovdhaugen. – Then we might be able to save a few days, but that does not change the fact that we have to wait until the grades have been received by us. The shovel in the ground and money on the books If the answer cannot come sooner, there are other measures that could make house hunting easier, believes Hovdenak of the Norwegian Student Organisation. She wants more student housing and a stronger economy for the students. – If we had had a more robust student economy, the rental market would not have been as restricted to students as it is now. She encourages the educational institutions and associations to provide good and reasonable alternatives for those who have not got a head start by the start of their studies. – To ensure a worthy start to their studies, it is absolutely essential that students can focus on being a student from the start, rather than standing in the housing queue. Published 19.07.2024, at 16.32 Updated 19.07.2024, at 19.22
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Siri Munthe Olsen (19) prioritized the city over studies to find a place to live – news Vestland
