Norwegian School of Economics

Norwegian School of Economics
Name	Norwegian School of Economics
Established	1936
Type	Public business school
Rector	Øystein Thøgersen
City	Bergen
Country	Norway
Affiliations	CEMS, PIM, EQUIS, AMBA
Website	www.nhh.no

Norwegian School of Economics. It is a leading public business school located in Bergen, Norway. Founded in 1936, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions for economics and business administration education in the Nordic countries. The school is consistently ranked among the top business schools in Europe and holds the "triple crown" of international accreditations from EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB.

History

The institution was established in 1936 following a significant donation from the shipping magnate Kristian Gerhard Jebsen. Its founding was part of a broader national effort to strengthen higher education in commercial subjects, supported by figures like Arnold Ræstad. The school's first rector was Ingvar Wedervang, who played a pivotal role in shaping its early academic profile. For decades, it operated from buildings in the city center before moving to its current, purpose-built campus at Sandviken in 1983. Major milestones include the launch of its Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration program and its doctoral studies. The school has expanded its international partnerships significantly, joining alliances like the CEMS and the Partnership in International Management (PIM) network.

Academics

The school offers a comprehensive range of programs, including a five-year integrated Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration (siviløkonom), standalone master's degrees, and a PhD program. Key areas of study include finance, strategy, marketing, and energy economics. It maintains a strong focus on combining theoretical rigor with practical application, often through collaborations with major Norwegian industries. The school is a member of the prestigious CEMS alliance, offering a joint CEMS Master's in International Management. All programs are taught in English at the master's and doctoral levels, attracting a diverse student body from across Norway and internationally. The academic structure is divided into departments such as the Department of Business and Management Science and the Department of Economics.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is situated in the Sandviken district of Bergen, overlooking the Byfjorden. The modern campus was designed by architect Kjell Lund and features the iconic glass-and-concrete "Aula" building, which houses lecture halls and administrative offices. A major expansion, the "NHH 2025" project, added new buildings like the "Bergen Center for Finance and Economics" to house research centers. Facilities include the NHH Library, one of Scandinavia's largest business libraries, advanced trading rooms with Bloomberg Terminal access, and the Norwegian School of Economics' Centre for Applied Research (CAR). The campus also provides student housing, sports facilities, and several cafes and study areas.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include former Prime Minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Governor of the Central Bank of Norway Øystein Olsen, and corporate leaders like Idar Kreutzer of Storebrand and Svein Rennemo of Equinor. In academia, notable graduates include economist Kalle Moene and Finn E. Kydland, who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2004. Prominent faculty members have included Karl Borch, a pioneer in financial economics, and Victor D. Norman, a former government minister and rector. Other notable figures associated with the school are economist Agnar Sandmo and former Norges Bank governor Svein Gjedrem.

Research and centers

Research is organized through specialized centers, including the Centre for Applied Research (CAR), the Bergen Center for Finance and Economics (BCFE), and the Norwegian Centre for Taxation (NoCT). The school has particular research strengths in energy economics, marine resource management, and behavioral economics. It collaborates extensively with institutions like the University of Bergen, the Christian Michelsen Institute, and international networks such as the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). The research directly informs public policy in Norway and contributes to global academic discourse through publications in top-tier journals.

Rankings and reputation

The school is perennially ranked as the top business school in Norway and among the leading institutions in Northern Europe. It consistently places within the top 50 globally in specialized fields like finance and business education in rankings by the Financial Times. Its Master of Science in Finance program is highly regarded internationally. The triple accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB places it within an elite global group of business schools. Its reputation for producing graduates for top positions in Norwegian industry, the public sector, and academia is well-established, with strong recruitment ties to major firms like DNB ASA, Equinor, and Aker Solutions.

Category:Universities and colleges in Norway Category:Business schools in Europe Category:Educational institutions established in 1936