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Contents3 The University of agder – Introduction4 research and Development6 International Cooperation8 Study Programmes in English10 Faculty of Engineering and Science12 Faculty of Fine arts14 Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences16 Faculty of Humanities and Education18 Faculty of Social Sciences20 School of Business and Law22 Teacher Education Unit 24 Norway and Southern Norway – Sørlandet26 Kristiansand 30 Grimstad 34 Facilities

The University of agder (Uia) is situated on the southern tip of Norway and is located at two campuses, in Kristiansand and in Grimstad.

The university has 11 000 students and 1100 faculty and staff members. It is one of the youngest universities in Norway, but its history goes back to 1839. It is a public university with state-of-the-art buildings on both campuses. research is the foundation of all teaching activities at Uia and covers a wide variety of disciplines.

The university represents a driving force for societal and regional development. University of agder has close contact with industry, organisations and cultural institutions. we are an internationally oriented university in a region exposed to strong international competition.

Core values of the University of agder are transparency, trust, integrity, generosity and collaboration. They are reflected in a flat organisational structure, which encourages students, lecturers and researchers to interact and inspire each other.

“agder” means “on the edge” and it matches the twin counties of Vest-agder and aust-agder in the southern part of the country. as a young university, Uia aims to be on the cutting edge of innovation, education and research.

The University of agder offers 14 PhD specializations, 33 master’s programmes and 44 bachelor’s programmes. Shorter study programmes, as well as lifelong learning courses, are also available.

There are six faculties and one teacher education unit: > Faculty of Engineering and Science> Faculty of Fine arts> Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences> Faculty of Humanities and Education > Faculty of Social Sciences> School of Business and Law

> Teacher Education Unit The University of agder is big enough to offer variety and challenge, yet small enough for students and faculty to make their mark.

UNIVErSITy oF aGDErKristiansand • GrimstadPost box 422, No-4604 Kristiansand, NorwayPhone: + 47 38 14 10 00 E-mail: post@uia.no

www.uia.no July 2014

Photos: olav Breen and Iris Engen Skadal Jon-Petter Thorsen (p. 1, 7, 21, 25), Sondre Holvik (p. 23), anders Martinsen (p. 31) and NoV (p. 25).

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reseArCh And deveLoPMentongoing research forms a basis for all teaching activity at the university. The academic staff are organised in research groups, and the research projects cover a variety of topics and disciplines, ranging from microfinance to marine ecology and from local dialect evolution in linguistics to electronic patient journal systems in eHealth. The most visible research areas are associated with the university’s PhD specializations.

our research is mostly funded by block grants from the government. Two important sources for external funding of research are the research Council of Norway and EU’s Horizon 2020. other funding sources for research activities include other EU and EEa research programmes, regional funds, ministries and directorates, private organisations, and industrial partners.

a central ambition of the University of agder is to energize the continual development of the public and private sectors of the region. researchers from the university and its partner institutions are involved in a wide range of research and development projects in regional and urban management, in kindergartens and schools, in the

municipal health care system, and in joint projects with researchers from Sørlandet Hospital. The university also cooperates with cultural institutions, and contributes to projects with regional and national institutions, for instance with Kilden Performing arts Centre in Kristiansand.

The region of agder has leading international companies in world niche markets. Four major sectors have formed nationally and internationally significant clusters within their fields: oil and gas technology (NoDE), material production and metal processing (EyDE), information and communication technologies (DIGIN) and culture and recreation industries (USUS). There is also an emerging industrial cluster in renewable energy focused on offshore wind and photovoltaic energy. researchers from the university and students at all levels take part in r&D projects with these industries and institutions.

Uia is part owner of a technological research institute, Teknova, and agder research, an interdisciplinary social science research institute.

>>>The joint research project with Sørlandet Hospital on tick and tick-borne diseases is an example of the university’s external cooperation.

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internAtionAL CooPerAtionLocated on the southern edge of Norway, facing outward to the sea and the rest of the world, the region’s international connections have been very important for centuries. It is therefore natural that internationalisation is a driving force for the University of agder.

In addition to international research collaboration, the university cooperates with more than 180 partner institutions through student, faculty and staff exchanges. Each year, Uia welcomes about 250 students from abroad and sends about 350 Norwegian students to universities all over the world. Students from 34 countries are represented in our student body. In 2013, the university was awarded the Hr in Excellence logo by the European Commission for its systematic work with researcher mobility.

University of agder has fulfilled the requirements of the Bologna Process by adopting the Bologna degree structure, implementing the European Credit Transfer and accumulation System (ECTS), and by using a

comprehensive quality assurance system. Uia was the first higher education institution in Norway to receive both the ECTS and Diploma Supplement labels from the European Commission.

The ECTS label is awarded to European universities and university colleges which organise their student exchanges in accordance with a set of quality assured requirements and present their complete course catalogues in English. our catalogue is online: www.uia.no/en/studies

The Diploma Supplement label is earned by institutions that issue a Diploma Supplement (DS) to all graduates, based on a set of formal requirements and a set model developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCo/CEPES.

Internationalisation is reflected in student life on campus, in meetings with international students and professors, and it is integrated into most courses and programmes.

>>>Each year, University of agder welcomes about 250 students from abroad and sends about 350 Norwegian students to destinations all over the world.

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Uia offers 14 PhD specializations, 33 master’s programmes and 44 bachelor’s programmes. The language of instruction of most programmes is Norwegian, but Uia also offers programmes in English.

PHd sPeCiaLiZation in:

> applied Mathematics> Education> Information and Communication Technology> Information Systems> International Management > Health Science> Literature > Linguistics> Mathematics Education> Mechatronics> Popular Music Performance> Public administration> religion, Ethics, Society and History> renewable Energy

taugHt in engLisH master´s proGrammes in:> Business administration, International Management (MSc)> Business administration, Financial Economics (MSc)> Development Management> English > Information and Communication Technology > Marine Ecology (a joint master’s programme)> Mechatronics> Multimedia and Educational Technology> Classical Music Performance> Popular Music Performance > Music Management > religion, Ethics and Society> renewable Energy > Mathematics Education (also a joint Nordic master’s programme) > Executive Master’s Programme of Business administration (MBa) (part time)

one-semester proGrammes (30 ects)> European Integration, summer school (EISS) (master level)> outdoor Education> Comparative Educational Studies> NorSEC – Norwegian Society, Education and Culture> Course Package in Humanities and Education

sUmmer scHooL:> European Integration: History, Institutions and Policies of European Integration (10 ECTS)> European Integration: Current Issues in the European Union (10 ECTS) > Norwegian language, literature and culture: Two weeks summer course (in Norwegian) for foreign students studying Norwegian in their home countries.

more coUrses For eXcHanGe stUdents in:> Social Sciences (welfare studies, Political Science, Development studies)> Business administration> Information Systems> English > History> religion> Mathematics> Engineering> Music Performance> Sport > Education

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an updated overview is available at: www.uia.no/en/studies

academic caLendar: autumn semester: Mid august till mid December. Spring semester: First week of January till mid June.

The Faculty of Engineering and Science has about 240 academic and administrative staff members and approximately 2000 students.

the faculty is organised into four departments: > Department of Natural Sciences> Department of Mathematical Sciences> Department of Engineering Sciences> Department of Information and Communication Technology

in addition there are three research centres:> Centre for research, Innovation and Coordination of Mathematics Teaching (MatrIC) – awarded the status as a Norwegian Centre of Excellence in Education> Centre for Integrated Emergency Management (CIEM) > Center for Coastal research (CCr)

Uia is also a partner in NorCowE, a research centre for environmental friendly energy for offshore wind energy.

The faculty offers study programmes in Biology, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Biomedical Laboratory Science, Multimedia Technology and Design, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechatronics, renewable Energy, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Industrial Economics and Technology Management, and ICT.

The faculty cooperates extensively both on research and education with high-profiled international technology companies in the region. Most of the bachelor’s and master’s theses are written in cooperation with local industry and the public sector. University of agder is a pioneer in mechatronics with the only master’s and PhD programme in this field in Norway. The campus in Grimstad continues to develop and expand in close cooperation with industrial partners.

The faculty offers PhD specializations in: ICT, Mechatronics, renewable Energy, applied Mathematics and Mathematics Education. There is strong emphasis on research in all departments. They are organised in research groups in mechatronics, renewable energy and electrical power, aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, industrial economy and management, multimedia, mobile communications, information systems, systems and security, functional ecology, biotechnology, natural science in teacher education, pure mathematics and mathematics education.

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>>>Students at all levels take part in projects with the technology industry. Many of them begin their careers in these industries after graduation. Here, new employees – all graduated from University of agder – get an introduction to the oil rig simulator in one of the international companies.

The Faculty of Fine arts has about 90 academic and administrative staff, and approximately 500 students.

the faculty is organised into three departments: > Department of Popular Music> Department of Classical Music and Music Education> Department of Visual arts and Drama

The faculty offers programmes in Popular Music, Classical Music, Music Education, Fine arts, arts and Crafts and Drama Education. In addition to providing education, the faculty stresses the importance of creative artistic work. Shorter programmes and courses are also offered as elective subjects in the university’s teacher education programmes. In addition to the master’s programmes in Music Performance, the faculty offers master’s degrees in Fine arts and Music Management and a PhD programme in Popular Music Performance.

research activities at the Faculty of Fine arts are connected to artistic performance, and the faculty’s academic staff is uniquely qualified with both artistic and academic skills. artistic performance is the key focus area for many staff members; others have strong expertise in didactics and education. Main focus areas are: popular performing music and contextual studies within the arts – art in Context. The faculty cooperates with all the established music, theatre and visual art institutions in the agder region. The faculty’s agreement with Kilden Performing arts Centre in Kristiansand is unique. we are also involved in national institutions and in collaborative research through international networks and organisations.

Students and staff have access to a brand new concert hall, rehearsal rooms and music studios, and to modern and well-equipped workshops and production facilities for arts and crafts, and theatre production.

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>>>Music students performing a concert outside the restaurants at the Fish Market (’Fiskebrygga’) in Kristiansand.

The Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences has 150 academic and administrative staff members and 1800 students.

the faculty is organised into three departments: > Department of Public Health, Sport and Nutrition > Department of Health and Nursing Science > Department of Psychosocial Health

in addition there are two centres:> Centre for eHealth and Health Care Technology> Centre for Caring research – Southern Norway Through teaching, research and dissemination the faculty endeavours to promote health, nutrition, physical activity, care and quality of life from a health promotion perspective. The faculty provides health personnel, teachers and other educators with useful knowledge, skills and attitudes.

The faculty offers bachelor’s programmes in Nursing, Social Education, Physical Education and Sport Science, Public Health Promotion and Nutrition Science. In addition, students can choose one-year programmes in Sport/Physical Education. we also offer one semester international programme in outdoor Education.

Master’s programmes include Sport Science, Community Mental Health work, Health Science,

Specialist Nursing (intensive, pediatric, anesthesiology and operation), Public Health Promotion and Health Informatics. The faculty offers a PhD programme in Health Science and also a wide choice of continuing education programmes in health and social care subjects.

Several of the programmes involve different forms of practical placements, varying from short observational practice, practical courses and laboratory practice, to supervised clinical placements in various areas of the public health system.

Students and staff have access to state-of-the-art facilities, with laboratories and training units on both campuses. There is also a clinical nursing simulation laboratory and an e-Health lab on the campus in Grimstad.

Public health and healthcare-related technologies are important strategic focus areas for the faculty. The faculty cooperates closely with various sports organisations, the school sector and health and social services in the agder region.

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>>>Exercise testing at the lab – a high tech facility for teaching and research.

The Faculty of Humanities and Education has about 180 academic and administrative staff members and approximately 1700 students.

the faculty is organised into four departments: > Department of Foreign Languages and Translation> Department of Nordic and Media Studies> Department of Education> Department of religion, Philosophy and History

in addition there are two centres:> Centre for Gender Equality> Centre for Norwegian Studies abroad (SNU)

The faculty offers study programmes in language and literature within the following languages: Norwegian, English, French, German, and Spanish. In addition the faculty offers study programmes in Education, Special Needs Education, religion, History, Translation, Communication, Philosophy, School Library Studies and Literature, Film and Theatre. Most of the topics are offered both at bachelor’s and master’s level. The faculty is highly involved in the university’s teacher education programmes. The faculty also offers courses in Latin and Classical Greek.

Through offering these study programmes, the faculty aims to promote students’ understanding of humans and society in the past and present,

strengthen their capacity for self-examination, and contribute to their development of critical and value-oriented thought and action.

The faculty has four PhD specializations: Literature, Linguistics, Education, plus an integrated PhD specialization in religion, ethics, society and history.

The research and development activities at the faculty cover a wide range of topics related to the disciplines that each department represents, as well as research connected to teacher education. The faculty’s staff members currently belong to 22 different research groups, of which many are interdisciplinary. we also have one of Uia’s selected top research areas, Multimodality and Cultural Change (MULTIKUL), in addition to many individual projects and several large ongoing regional, national and international research projects.

we emphasize international research cooperation and student exchange, internationalisation at home, teaching Norwegian abroad, and multi-cultural curriculum development. For international students, the faculty offers a master’s programme in Norwegian language and literature and single courses, for instance the two weeks summer school for foreign students studying Norwegian in their home countries.

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>>>Students preparing for their exams while enjoying the spring’s first warming sun.

The Faculty of Social Sciences has approximately 90 academic and administrative staff members and 1500 students.

the faculty is organised into four departments: > Department of Information Systems> Department of Global Development and Planning > Department of Political Science and Management > Department of Sociology and Social work

in addition there are four centres:> Centre for Enterprise Systems> Centre for eGovernment> Centre for European Studies > Praxis-Sør – an arena for practice development through collaboration between practitioners, users and researchers in child welfare, social work and welfare services in the region.

The faculty is a partner in the Centre for Integrated Emergency Management (CIEM) and the Centre for eHealth and Health Care Technology.

we educate highly competent candidates at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels in the fields of development studies, information systems, political science, public administration, management, social change and planning, social work, and sociology.

The faculty offers PhD specializations in Information Systems and Public administration.

Key research areas include ICT development and implementation, EU integration and governance, innovation and development in welfare services, global development, and urban and regional planning.

The Faculty of Social Sciences offers a range of exchange programs for students and staff at universities across the world. For more than 20 years international students and Norwegian students have attended the European Integration Summer School at Uia. In this programme they examine the the European integration process from the ‘outside’, and gain a new and rewarding perspective.

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>>>Team-working students at Campus Kristiansand.

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sChooL of BUsiness And LAwThe School of Business and Law has about 80 academic and administrative staff members and approximately 1700 students.

it is organised into four departments:> Department of Economics and Finance> Department of Management> Department of working Life and Innovation > Department of Law

in addition there are four centres:> Centre for advanced Studies in regional Innovation Strategies (rIS)> Centre for Entrepreneurship > Centre for real Estate > The Norwegian Centre for Microfinance research

The School of Business and Law offers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes, and gives future professionals and executives a solid background for working in business, international management, technology management, accounting and auditing, tourism and product development and law.

Depending on the chosen educational level and concentration, candidates obtain a high level of theoretical competence in economics, finance, management, strategy, innovation, accounting, marketing, organisational theory, Hr, social science methods, or laws and regulations.

MSc in Business administration has two specializations entirely taught in English: International Management and Financial Economics. The Executive MBa will also be offered in English. In addition, the school offers a variety of courses in English for incoming exchange students each semester. The PhD specialization in International Management is in English and recruits internationally.

The school’s international profile is reflected in instruction and research cooperation as well as all other activities. a wide range of exchange programmes is available for Uia students and staff at universities abroad.

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>>>Hard-working business students attending a lecture in Managerial accounting.

Teacher education has the longest history of any programme at the University of agder, reachingback to 1839.

The Teacher Education Unit is organized as an interdisciplinary matrix with activities in both Kristiansand and Grimstad. Five faculties are responsible for the actual delivery of the courses and subjects which form part of the programmes. The Dean of the Teacher Education Unit is the academic and administrative head of thedifferent teacher education programmes, with academic coordinators for each studyprogramme.

about 1600 students are enrolled in: > Pre-school Teacher Education > Differentiated Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education: • Primary 1–7th grade • Lower Secondary 5–10th grade > Upper Secondary Teacher Education 8–13th grade > Postgraduate Certificate in Education > Specialist Education in Music or Drama (through Faculty of Fine arts)

The Teacher Education Unit has close cooperation with 180 schools and preschools in the agder region for student placement. In addition, it encourages its teaching students to experience either placement for teaching practice or a whole semester abroad as part of their teacher education programme.

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>>>Provoking curiosity and inspiring the young generation with experiments are exciting and important elements in the learning process. School practice is a central part of teacher education.

Norway is known for its high standard of living, oil and fish exports and its spectacular natural beauty. From the great wilderness of the mountains to the sunny coastline of the south, nature lovers enjoy breathtaking scenery, clean air and quiet idylls. But don’t let the natural beauty fool you. Norway is also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.

Equality is an important value for Norwegians, and the welfare system covers basically free health care services, free schools and universities and affordable day-care for all children between 1 and 6 years old. The inhabitants have access to social security, pensions and unemployment benefits. Norway is also recognized for gender equality. It is common for families to have dual careers, and both sexes combine paid work and childcare. Paid parental leave for one year (including a quota of 10 weeks for the father) gives outstanding conditions for bearing and rearing children. The attractive mixture of the traditional and the new is in evidence in the southernmost region of the country, called Sørlandet, where the small homesteads of the inner

valleys elegantly co-exist side by side with the advanced technologies of the offshore drilling industry. with hundreds of years of experience in international trade and shipping, agder has a solid track record of being one of the most innovative and internationally-oriented parts of Norway.

The region represents the climatically mildest and sunniest part of the country. Sørlandet is the top holiday resort for Norwegians and welcomes thousands of tourists every year. while Norwegians themselves are enticed by the beautiful coastline, with its small islands and summer sunshine, foreign tourists have discovered other parts of agder. The mountains and the unique lowland wooded hills of inland agder draw many foreign hikers, trekkers and campers. while known for its beautiful summer attractions, agder is well situated for winter tourism as well. High-standard ski resorts and cross-country facilities can be found nearby, and during wintertime snow can almost always be found just a short drive from campus.

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>>>The region ’Sørlandet’ is the the top summer holiday resort for Norwegians.

Kristiansand is a fast growing, modern city with a long history of trade. The city has 86 000 inhabitants and is the business, administrative and cultural capital of Southern Norway.

Kristiansand grew into a major shipping port during the 18th century and is today an important regional transportation hub. Kristiansand is a modern city with a cosmopolitan history. Many Norwegians enjoy their summer holidays in this part of Norway, and tourism is an important part of the economy.

Flourishing businesses with innovative technology around Kristiansand attract engineers and professionals from around the world. Some of the largest companies are energy-based, supplying the oil and gas industry, global metal markets, and the growing renewable energy sector, particularly the solar power industry.

Kristiansand is also known for its cultural life and festivals. Kilden Performing arts Centre is located on the waterfront in Kristiansand and is the largest investment in a culture building in Norway since the opera House in oslo.

The Kristiansand region has a national reputation for offering high quality of life for children and teenagers. The municipality is investing heavily in day-care centres, public schools, culture and sport centres. International education for children is available at the international school from 1st to 10th grade. It is also possible to achieve an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) at upper secondary level. In Kristiansand, your children will walk or ride their bikes to school every day with hundreds of others, and you will not need to fear for their safety.

Surrounded by picturesque scenery – from tiny rocky islands in the fjords to snow-covered mountains inland – the region can offer a rich variety of recreational activities. 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.

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

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>>>Kilden Performing arts Centre hosts all types of cultural activities, including rock and pop concerts and stand-up comedy. It houses the region’s theatre company, opera company and symphony orchestra.

>>> The campus in Kristiansand is within

walking distance of the city centre.

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Small, white wooden houses, narrow cobbled streets, tiny cafes and bakeries are scattered around the centre of idyllic Grimstad. ask any one of the 20,000 inhabitants in Grimstad to describe their town, and they will probably tell you about the beautiful coastline covered with islands, skerries and small tucked away beaches. Then the natives usually go on to proudly declare Grimstad’s record of most sunny days in Norway. They might even adhere to the town council marketing strategy and call Grimstad the ‘Town of Poets’.

In all honestly, few poets now occupy the small, white wooden houses, but Grimstad has a proud history. a titan of 19th century theatre, Henrik Ibsen, started writing plays while an apprentice in Grimstad. Knut Hamsun resided in Grimstad for the better part of his life, maintaining the beautiful farm ‘Nørholmen’.

Grimstad is traditionally a maritime town. In addition to the shipping industry, Grimstad is a centre for offshore activities and technology. The campus is co-located with Grimstad’s Technology Park

which is home to many innovative small businesses, particularly telecom and technology companies. an international school from 1st to 10th grade and International Baccalaureate at upper secondary level are established in arendal, 20 minutes from Grimstad.

The campus buildings were completed in 2010. The facilities are top-notch, and include a simulated hospital and smart house where the Centre for eHealth is developing ways to exploit technology to help care for the elderly and disabled. The view from campus is breath-taking.

The campus represents a unique model in Norway as it was developed in cooperation with one of Grimstad’s most prominent entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Grimstad continues to develop and grow, with plans to expand the campus even further in close cooperation with industrial and local partners. a motion laboratory is recently established in cooperation with the Norwegian Centre of offshore wind Energy, and external companies and research institutions are invited to use the facilities for experiments.

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>>>Grimstad is a small, idyllic town with a knowledge based working life.

>>> The campus in Grimstad was built in

cooperation with local enterprise and is a symbol of innovation in the region.

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fACiLitiesModern design on consolidated campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad provides an excellent environment for learning.

The Kristiansand campus buildings are enclosed by park grounds and have a sleek, contemporary design. The campus is close to recreational areas and not far from the city centre. The sport facilities are very good, with a training centre on campus and a lot of outdoor options. The university has a large art collection, including the largest San Francisco Beat art collection outside the USa.

The top-notch facilities at Campus Grimstad include a media production studio, a simulated hospital, advanced laboratories and a smart house for technology testing. Classroom and auditorium facilities on both campuses are designed for use by large and small groups of students, resulting in a versatile environment and an intimate study atmosphere.

Both campuses have attractive day-care centres for children of students and university staff. Student housing is of high quality and many of the buildings are on or close to the campuses. The cafeteria is ranked as the most popular student cafeteria in the nation year after year.

The library has an extensive collection of books and includes a wide selection of digital information resources and databases. The library system provides access to the holdings of most of the other academic libraries in Norway, including approximately 300 000 book volumes on-site and access to 18 500 periodical journals. The computer service desk is open 12 hours a day and both students and staff receive excellent help.

Both campuses are within walking distance of the city centres, yet only meters away from both beaches and forests for running, climbing, biking, hiking, swimming and other activities.

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>>>Students on both campuses are enjoying modern facilities.

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