State educational institutions in Norway are not permitted to take out insurance on behalf of their students. Therefore, UiB does not offer its own insurance scheme for students. The state acts as a so‑called self-insurer.
If students want coverage similar to that provided to university employees, they must take out their own travel and personal injury insurance. In some cases, students may also be covered under their parents’ insurance policies.
Insurance under the National Insurance Act
Students at UiB are, in principle, covered for occupational injuries under the National Insurance Scheme cf. § 13-10 (Norwegian). (external link) This means that students have the same rights as employees with regard to occupational injury coverage, provided that the legal conditions are met.
According to § 13-3, an occupational injury is defined as "personal injury, illness or death caused by an occupational accident". In practice, the injury must have occurred suddenly and unexpectedly, and as the result of an unforeseen event.
To be covered, the injury must have occurred while the student was:
- in a teaching situation
- at the teaching location
- during teaching time
The teaching location is the place where the teaching actually takes place. Independent study in reading rooms is treated as teaching for this purpose. At universities, the definition of teaching time is somewhat flexible, as many academic activities occur outside standard working hours.
Coverage under the National Insurance Scheme also applies to excursions, fieldwork, and similar activities outside the university premises, as long as they are organised by the university. It also includes injuries resulting from accidents that occur while travelling between the teaching location and a practice placement in connection with practical training.
NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) determines whether an injury is approved under the National Insurance Scheme. Students must apply to NAV themselves.
If you have lived abroad for an extended period, you may lose your membership in the National Insurance Scheme.
- Read more about occupational injury insurance and how to apply. (external link)
- Read more about membership in the National Insurance Scheme (external link).
Various insurance arrangements
Students in practical training
The Occupational Injury Insurance Scheme (Norwegian) does not in principle apply to students. However, if students are in practical training, benefits may nevertheless be paid under the Occupational Injury Insurance Scheme in addition to benefits under the National Insurance Scheme, subject to certain conditions.
When the student is in practical training, they may be considered as employees under the Occupational Injury Insurance Scheme §2 if they "perform work or carry out duties in the employer's service". This requires that three conditions are met:
- the student must have performed work
- for an employer
- during working hours
Students in practical training are not required to have performed work of the same quality as a permanent employee at the same workplace. If the conditions are met, this may result in students receiving a larger insurance payout than they would have received under the National Insurance Scheme.
Students studying or doing fieldwork abroad
Students studying or traveling for fieldwork abroad, must have travel insurance. Students should therefore check whether they have insurance that will cover any injury, loss, and return home in case of illness during their stay abroad.
It is the students' responsibility to ensure that they have travel insurance before they travel.
Read more about UiB's advice on health, safety, and insurance for outgoing students.
Insurance for international students
International students are not automatically covered by the National Insurance Scheme's benefits, as one must stay in Norway for a certain period before becoming a member of the National Insurance Scheme. International students must contact the local social insurance office for more information.
Read more about the regulations for international students in Norway.
Compensation under general tort law
The university is also liable for damages under general tort law principles. This means that the university may be held responsible for injuries caused by negligence on the part of its employees, or for damages resulting from defects in technical equipment and similar circumstances.
Students do not have full insurance coverage through UiB. If you want the same insurance coverage as UiB employees, you should take out travel insurance and personal injury insurance.