General questions
Important deadlines
How do I sign up for courses?
You need to sign up for courses yourself. Remember to enrol within the first deadline to maximise your chances of getting a place on a course. If you have problems enrolling for a course, notify the study administration.
- See Deadlines for registering for courses
- See Programme structure for courses related to your study program.
After you've been admitted to a course
Make sure that:
- If the course has a group/seminar class, make sure you are registered for this. Log in to StudentWeb, go to Active courses and select the course. Check that a group is specified under «Teaching».
- You are added to Devilry in the course. Log in to https://devilry.ifi.uio.no/ and see that the course code appears. Inside the course folder, you must also check that the Submission folders for the compulsory assignments also appear.
- You submit and get approved for all compulsory assignments that may have had a deadline before you were registered. Late registration does not give an exemption from submissions. If you are registered after a deadline, it is your responsibility to contact the student administration to arrange a new deadline for the bonds you have missed.
- Read through the information and messages posted on the course page. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the information given to the students on the course before you signed up. Check the course page/Canvas and stay updated.
If you have missed something on the list, get in touch as soon as possible at studieinfo@ifi.uio.no.
Can I change group session?
If there is free space on a course, it is normally possible to change groups in StudentWeb. This is only possible after you have been admitted to the teaching in the course and before 1st February/September.
Otherwise, talk to your group teacher.
How do I sign up for individual courses at IFI?
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Starting 18 January 2022 at 9 am, you can apply for individual courses at the Department of informatics (IFI). Not all courses are available to students who are not admitted to a programme at IFI. Many courses have no or few places available, especially with the current restrictions to ensure infection control.
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First-come, first-served principle applies, and you get an answer right away. If you do not get access to the course, it is full.
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If the course is full, available spots may sometimes be available later on. In that case, you must pay attention in Studentweb and try again.
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See how to sign up to take individual courses at the University of Oslo.
Is attendance at lectures compulsory?
Usually, attendance is compulsory on all courses at the “1000” level at the Department of Informatics (IFI), i.e. first-year bachelor’s level courses. However, Autumn 2022 there is not compulsory attendance for 1000-courses, but higher level courses might have. Please refer to the course pages for mandatory activities. Regardless, we strongly recommend that you attend the first lecture in all your courses, as important information about the course will be provided.
Students taking individual courses can follow lectures, once they have been admitted to the course.
About compulsory assignments (obliger)
You must be enrolled for teaching in a course in order to be able to submit compulsory assignments through the Devilry submission system.
Read more about compulsory assignments and other written assignments at the Department of Informatics (IFI).
Read more about Guidelines on written assignments, such as deadlines, corrections, etc.
If you missed the deadline for a compulsory assignment, send an e-mail to studieinfo@ifi.uio.no or call 22 85 24 10.
Former higher education that you want recognized as part of your degree?
Bachelor student
You can apply to have courses taken at external institutions recognised and incorporated as part of your bachelor’s degree.
If you have any questions about courses you have taken at other institutions, contact the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Study Information Office: studieinfo@mn.uio.no, or visit the Office in the Vilhelm Bjerknes building.
Exams
What will the exams be like during the pandemic?
Changes may be made to how the exam will be conducted. More detailed information will be published as messages on the individual course and semester page for each course.
I am re-sitting an examination to try to improve my grade.
If you have submitted all the compulsory assignments, and they have all been approved, you can re-sit an examination without having to do the compulsory assignments again. All you need to do is sign up for the examination in the course. Click on the link to the guidelines on compulsory assignments above. If you want to resubmit the compulsory assignments, you will have to sign up for both teaching and the examination.
I am signing up for the examination only.
If you are only going to re-sit an examination, you only need to sign up for the examination (i.e. not teaching as well).
Master student:
If you have taken master's courses previously and want courses incorporated in your master's degree, you apply by sending an e-mail to studieinfo@ifi.uio.no.
Sick on examination day?
Click on the link to see the University’s guidelines for students who are unwell on an examination day.
Leave of absence, part-time studies and illness
How do I apply for a leave of absence or to study part-time?
You can apply for a leave of absence from your studies or to study part-time if you have had a child, have to do your compulsory military service, or are ill for a prolonged period.
If you have been admitted to a study programme and are unable to start due to, for example, compulsory military service, you can apply for a deferral (i.e. postpone when you start studying). Please note that getting a regular job is not a good enough reason to be granted a deferral.
Submit your application accompanied by all the relevant documentation by 1 September in the autumn semester or 1 February in the spring semester to studieinfo@ifi.uio.no or by post to: Pb. 1080 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo.
Read more about how to apply for postponement of compulsory military or civil service (Norwegian only).
Especially for master's students
If you want to apply for part-time studies, meaning slower progression in your master's studies than 30 ECTs a semester, you must include an application at the end of your application for study plan agreement. If you have already turned in your study plan agreement, you may use the following web-form for changing your study plan agreement.
You may request up to 50 percent part-time. For application of more than 50 percent part-time, you need to attach valid documentation.
What documentation do I need to provide if I am ill?
If you are applying for leave of absence or reduced progress in your studies, you must get a letter from your doctor stating that you are incapable of studying.
This must be addressed to the University of Oslo or the Department of Informatics, indicate the duration of the period of incapacitation (from and to date), and indicate the percentage of sick leave from studying. You do not need to tell us about the diagnosis.
Different rules apply to illness in connection with examinations.
Especially for master’s students at IFI
Which master’s courses should I choose in the first semester?
The vast majority of new master’s students need help choosing courses in their first semester. During the master’s week, which is compulsory for new students, you will meet representatives of the research groups associated with your study programme and get help choosing courses.
What will my master’s thesis be about?
You choose the topic of your master’s thesis yourself. All the different research groups will hold information meetings on possible topics for master’s theses in September and October. Working on one of these topics will give you the opportunity to be part of a larger research project. List of available master’s thesis topics. You can also contact the head of one of the research groups or a teacher yourself, if you want a little more guidance on what kind of topic to choose.
Information about master's studies at IFI
Find more information about masters studies at this website for master’s students at IFI.
IT related questions
Are you having problems with your computer or software?
If you are having difficulties getting started with the programs that are going to be used for courses or are wondering what you need to install or do to get started with your IT studies, check out the IT support service’s webpage (Norwegian only) or ask at Reception by the main entrance.
Do I need my own laptop?
Yes. From autumn 2020, the University of Oslo assumes that all students have a laptop and internet access.
COVID-19 has necessitated extensive digitalisation of the University’s programmes. Students therefore now need to have access to a laptop and the internet in order to be able to follow the teaching and take exams. The University of Oslo has introduced a requirement that all students must have their own laptop.
Advice and recommendations on buying a laptop
There are no special requirements concerning the type of computer or hardware you need, but you can read some advice and recommendations here: Advice from USIT in connection with buying a computer (Norwegian only).
In addition, the Department of Informatics (IFI) has developed its own internal recommendations, which may be useful for students on programmes at IFI: IFI’s advice in connection with buying a computer (Norwegian only).
Starter kit for new students – get started on your own computer
IT operations have created an overview of programs that first-year students at the Department of Informatics (IFI) need. See the IFI starter kit (Norwegian only).
Where can I study at Ole Johan Dahls house?
Reserving reading room places and colloquium rooms
Read more about other available rooms (Norwegian only).
Use of working spaces in the hallway at the third floor
The spaces in the hallway on the 3rd floor can be used freely, as long as the infection control rules are complied with.