New measures at the start of studies

The work of planning the start of studies is underway throughout the organization. In addition to the start of the study programmes, the buddy scheme and welcome ceremonies, a lot of new and exciting things are happening for the start of the programme in the autumn of 2026.

"The learning environment at OsloMet is showing signs of improvement, but we are by no means finished with the work of creating a better everyday life for our students. The start of the semester is a short gap in the time where we have the chance to connect our students - on the subject, on student life, on campus and on each other. We must make even better use of this gap, and if we are to achieve that, we are dependent on the academic communities, the administration and the student volunteers working together to receive our students," says Silje Fekjær, Vice Rector for Education.

Here are some of the measures to give new students an even better welcome at OsloMet.

Changes in the guidelines for time planning at the start of the programme

For several years, OsloMet has experienced a declining desire to be a buddy and feedback that it is difficult to combine the buddy role with the start of the semester. Therefore, the rector has now decided on a revision of the guidelines for time planning that apply to the study start week (week 33).

"The buddy scheme is important for OsloMet, and the cornerstone is the students who are buddies and sit on the buddy boards. If we do not give our students time to be buddies and support the buddy boards, the scheme will collapse. Therefore, we had to take action to ensure that we actually have buddies to welcome our new students. I understand that this requires changes for many of the study programmes, and that it can be difficult to achieve at short notice. But achieving a functioning buddy scheme is important for the whole of OsloMet: We want satisfied students who feel a connection to our university and complete their studies, so we also have to take measures that show that we are serious about prioritising the start of studies and the buddy scheme," Silje Fekjær continues.

The guidelines are:

• Buddies must be given valid absence to participate in the buddy scheme during the study start week.
• There will be no mandatory coursework requirements during the study start week.
• For second- and third-year students, teaching will generally not be scheduled after 2.15 p.m. in the week of study start.
• For nursing, special arrangements are opened due to necessary teaching before practice.

Study start festival

The Student Parliament's Executive Committee has also gained approval for a new measure at the start of the semester. The Executive Committee will arrange a study start festival, a new tradition for students at OsloMet.

"The festival will bring together students across faculties, strengthen campus affiliation and build a common identity for the entire university. We want students to feel from day one that they are part of a large community. OsloMet needs an arena that creates enthusiasm, pride and unity," says leader of the Student Parliament Victoria Skogsletten Dalen.

The festival will take place on both campuses, Pilestredet and Kjeller, and will have events under the auspices of student associations, concerts, barbecues on the roof terrace, etc.

On-campus welcome ceremonies

The start of studies is in 2026 on Tuesday August 11th, in week 33. This year, as last year, there will be welcome ceremonies on both campuses, both Kjeller and Pilestredet. There was a good atmosphere and good feedback on having welcome ceremonies in this way last year, and therefore we will continue to do so in 2026.

This year, we gather the two welcome ceremonies in Pilestredet for a ceremony. There will therefore be a welcome ceremony on each campus. The welcome ceremony at Kjeller is at 11.00 and in Pilestredet at 14.30.