The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is the world's northernmost higher education institution. It is located in Longyearbyen at 78º N. UNIS offers high-quality courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels in Arctic Biology, Arctic Geology, Arctic Geophysics, and Arctic Technology.
UNIS is a share-holding company owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. UNIS was established in 1993 to provide university-level education in Arctic studies, carry out high-quality research, and contribute to Svalbard's development as an international research platform. UNIS's geographical position gives it a unique advantage, enabling students and faculty to use nature as a laboratory, arena for observation and data collection.
In 2016, UNIS had 759 students from 43 countries attending one or more courses. The student body consists of approximately 50% national and 50% international students, and English is the UNIS's official language. There are no tuition fees, and there is student accommodation in Nybyen (3 km from campus) and Sjøskrenten (100 meters from campus).
UNIS faculty comprises 50% Norwegians and 50% international staff and consists of ca. 10 full professors, 13 associate professors, 36 professors II, and about 160 guest lecturers who specialize in Arctic issues. UNIS researchers collaborate with Norwegian and foreign research institutions and are actively involved in a large number of joint research projects.
Five Norwegian universities Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø and Ås, are represented on our Board of Directors. UNIS works closely with the mainland universities, and the UNIS courses are intended to complement the mainland universities' teaching.
UNIS is the Svalbard Science Centre's core institution, an international Arctic center of expertise in research and education. It also incorporates other professional and scientific institutions in Svalbard, such as The Norwegian Polar Institute, EISCAT, and Svalbard Science Forum.
UNIS engages in field-based research and education over much of Svalbard throughout the year. Thus, UNIS will conduct field-based teaching and research to minimize Svalbard's fragile environment. We shall have a thorough understanding of how our activity may negatively impact the environment and how we can avert the impacts. All persons at UNIS shall have the necessary training to use the tools and aids that will prevent harmful impacts during their fieldwork.
UNIS has a working environment committee whose main task is to ensure an entirely satisfactory UNIS working environment. The committee participates in planning the safety and environment work and follows up closely questions relating to the safety, health, and welfare of UNIS employees.
UNIS emphasizes that HSE matters enormously. Whether you are an incoming student or researcher planning to come to Svalbard, you can find useful information below in the different PDF presentations highlighting the challenges you will meet in the Svalbard environment. Please have a look at them to prepare yourself for your Svalbard stay. Note that these presentations give a general overview of risk factors you will encounter in Svalbard.
UNIS shall be a leading organization for health, safety, and the environment. We will work to prevent injuries or accidents associated with our activities. We shall minimize any possible negative impacts on the environment and ensure a working environment that is safe, stimulating, and rewarding.
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