NHH (Norwegian School of Economics)

NHH (Norwegian School of Economics)
Name	Norwegian School of Economics
Native name	Norges Handelshøyskole
Established	1936
Type	Public
City	Bergen
Country	Norway

NHH (Norwegian School of Economics) is a leading institution for business and economics education located in Bergen, Norway. Founded in 1936, it serves as a center for teaching and research in fields connected to commerce and finance and engages with national and international partners. The school maintains strong ties with institutions across Europe and North America and contributes to policy and industry debates via faculty and alumni networks.

History

The institution was established in 1936 amid developments in Norwegian higher education linked to figures and institutions such as Johan Nygaardsvold, University of Oslo, Norges Bank, Bergen Municipality, and Stortinget. Early decades involved collaboration with scholars from Stockholm School of Economics, London School of Economics, Harvard University, University of Copenhagen, and University of Gothenburg. During World War II the wartime context intersected with events involving German occupation of Norway, Vidkun Quisling, Allied invasion planning, and postwar reconstruction shaped links to OECD, Marshall Plan, and United Nations initiatives. The Cold War period brought comparative policy work with institutions such as IMF, World Bank, European Commission, and OECD Development Centre. In the late 20th century reforms paralleled activities at Bocconi University, HEC Paris, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Free University of Berlin, and Stockholm School of Economics Riga. Recent decades saw strategic alliances with University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, MIT, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Melbourne, National University of Singapore, INSEAD, ESADE, IE Business School, and London Business School.

Campus and Facilities

The Bergen campus sits near landmarks such as Nygårdsparken, University of Bergen, Bergenhus Fortress, Bryggen, and Fløyen. Facilities include lecture halls and study spaces used alongside services from Bergen Public Library, Science Park Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen City Hall, and regional partners like Vestland County Municipality. Research infrastructure connects to consortia including Nordic Council of Ministers, Scandinavian Airline Systems, Equinor, Telenor, DNB ASA, and PwC. Student amenities collaborate with organizations such as Bergen Student Society, Norges idrettsforbund, Student Welfare Organisation in Bergen, and local cultural venues like Den Nationale Scene, Bergen International Festival, and KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes.

Academic Programs

Program offerings reflect traditions found at Copenhagen Business School, BI Norwegian Business School, Aalto University School of Business, University of St. Gallen, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tilburg University, KU Leuven, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The curriculum spans undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and executive courses influenced by methodologies from Paul Samuelson, John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Amartya Sen. Degree tracks engage subjects linked to Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureates and connect with professional standards like those of CFA Institute, PRME, European Quality Improvement System, and EQUIS. Exchange programs and double degrees operate with partners including HEC Montréal, IE Business School, ESADE Business School, University of St Andrews, Trinity College Dublin, University of Edinburgh, LMU Munich, KU Leuven, University of Zurich, University of Geneva, and Università Bocconi.

Research and Centers

Research centers collaborate with international networks such as NBER, CEPR, IZA Institute of Labor Economics, CEMFI, CEPR, Centre for Economic Policy Research, and regional bodies like Nordic Centre for Taxation, Nordic Centre of Excellence, and Scandinavian Accounting Research Network. The school hosts thematic centers aligned with work by institutes such as Frisch Centre, Chr. Michelsen Institute, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and European Corporate Governance Institute. Publication outlets and series connect to journals represented by American Economic Association, European Economic Association, Academy of Management, Journal of Finance, Journal of Political Economy, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Review of Economic Studies, and Journal of Economic Literature.

Governance and Administration

Governance structures reflect models seen at University of Bergen, University of Oslo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Stockholm University, and University of Copenhagen. Boards and senates engage stakeholders from Norwegian Ministry of Research and Higher Education, Norges Bank, Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, and international advisory councils with members drawn from World Bank Group, European Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank, OECD, and leading corporations such as Equinor, Statkraft, Yara International, Aker ASA, and Kongsberg Gruppen. Administrative leadership exchanges with rectors and deans who have collaborated with peers at London School of Economics, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, and Columbia Business School.

Student Life and Organizations

Student organizations mirror those at Bergen Student Society, Studentparlamentet i Bergen, Studentsamskipnaden, Noregs Mållag, Det Norske Studentersamfund, and European counterparts like AIESEC, ESN, BEST, and Model United Nations. Clubs and associations include finance and investment groups that interact with Oslo Børs, NASDAQ, Bloomberg, Morningstar, and consulting societies linked to McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, Accenture, and Deloitte. Cultural activities coordinate with Bergen International Festival, KODE Art Museums, Bergen Youth Theatre, and athletic teams competing regionally with SK Brann, Bergen Ishockeyklubb, and national competitions under Norges idrettsforbund.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

Alumni and faculty have held positions at institutions and organizations such as Norges Bank, Ministry of Finance (Norway), Storting, OECD, World Bank, IMF, European Central Bank, Equinor, DNB ASA, Telenor, Aker ASA, Yara International, and universities like Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Stanford University, MIT, and University of Chicago. Individuals include policymakers, executives, and academics associated with awards and honours such as the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, Order of St. Olav, Order of the Dannebrog, and membership in academies like Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, and British Academy.

Category:Higher education in Norway