History of the Department of Geography

The Department of Geography is one of the departments within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Bergen (UiB). Until December 2004, it operated as a joint department of the University of Bergen and the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).

Felt
Field courses have always been an important part of the teaching and learning. Photo: Institutt for geografi

The first academic position in geography at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) was established in 1936 in the field of economic geography. As early as 1937, however, teaching assistants were also employed to teach physical geography. By the early 1950s, a small department with three permanent staff members had emerged. In 1964, geography was established as an independent discipline at the University of Bergen (UiB), and by 1969 the joint Department of Geography had an academic staff of thirteen.

Geography in Bergen

  • 1936: The Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) was established in Bergen. Geography was included as a subject from the outset. Axel Sømme was appointed Acting Associate Professor (Docent) of Commercial Geography.
  • 1936–1963: Bergen Museum/University of Bergen and NHH were co-located at Nygårdshøyden.
  • 1948: The University of Bergen was formally inaugurated.
  • 1963: A cooperation agreement was signed between UiB and NHH to establish a joint Department of Geography. The department was to be located at NHH.
  • 1963: NHH moved to Breiviken.
  • 1964: Tore Sund became the first Professor of Geography at UiB. Geography was established as an academic discipline at the University of Bergen, and the first students were admitted.
  • 1969: The joint department had an academic staff of thirteen.
  • 1960s: Undergraduate and graduate degree programmes in geography were established at the University of Bergen.
  • 1970: The first two students completed the final examination for the Cand. Philol. degree (Major in Geography), and the first doctoral degree was awarded.
  • 1973: The Department of Geography moved into the Pavilion building at NHH.
  • 1992: The department relocated to premises in the Merino Wool Mill building at NHH.
  • 2004: The University of Bergen section of the Department of Geography moved from the Norwegian School of Economics to the Faculty of Social Sciences Building in Fosswinckels gate.
  • 2004: The System Dynamics Group became part of the Department of Geography.

Completed Master's and Doctoral Degrees

Last updated: 04.09.2026