doris
Find Schools Events My shortlist My account Ask doris
Parent Guide Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
B

Bergen Katedralskole

Norway, Bergen

Shortlist
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in Norwegian, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1153
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP)
Taught languages Norwegian, English, French, Spanish, German, Latin
Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Bergen Katedralskole, located in Bergen's city centre, is among Norway's oldest schools, founded in 1153. The main site at Kong Oscars gate 36 houses the studiespesialiserende program and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, along with introductory courses for minority-language pupils. The school operates three divisions: the main campus, the Center for Adult Education at Kalfarveien 2, and Avdeling Kyrre at Lars Hilles gate 20B. The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course for students aged 16 to 19, taught in English, offered in the final years of the Norwegian upper secondary programme, with a Pre-IB track for Norwegian-speaking students to become familiar with IB terminology and structure. Admissions cover residents of Vestland, with entry at the end of Vg1 or directly from MYP5 via Vigo. The school has undergone renovations in 1992 and again in 2016–2017, supporting facilities for academics and student life. Notable traditions include Kattenrevyen, a student-run megashow, and a broad range of clubs, language and cultural activities, and international day partnerships.

www.bergenkatedralskole.vgs.no

Kong Oscars gate 36, 5017 Bergen, Norway

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Bergen Katedralskole has instruction in Norwegian, English.

Location
Three campuses lie in Bergen city center. The main campus is at Kong Oscars gate 36, offering studiespesialiserende, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and introductory courses for minority-language speakers. Voksenopplæringa is at Kalfarveien 2, and Avdeling Kyrre is at Lars Hilles gate 20B. Postal address Postboks 414 Marken, 5832 Bergen.

Stages
Upper secondary (VG1–VG3). Offers studiespesialiserende (General Studies), the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and introductory courses for minority-language speakers.

Additional learning support
Accommodation for students with special education needs; Elevtjenesten (counseling services); two school nurses.

Country affiliation
Norway

Bus service
Located in Bergen city center; travel by bus uses Skyss 30-day youth passes for local transport.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Application fees

- There is no application fee charged by the school for admission to its publicly funded upper-secondary programmes. Public upper-secondary education in Norway is provided free of charge.

Tuition fees (by year group / per term / per year)

- Regular day students (Vg1–Vg3) do not pay tuition fees or term fees; the school's instruction in the public upper-secondary system is free of tuition.

- There are no periodic tuition invoices for standard full-time students; no per-term or per-year tuition amounts apply to the ordinary three‑year upper‑secondary programme.

Assessment / International Baccalaureate (IB) exam fees

- For IB subject registration (including retake registrations) the assessment/subject fee is approximately NOK 1,500 per subject. Invoices for these subject registrations are issued as soon as the school receives the registration. The subject registration fee applies even if the student does not achieve the Diploma or fails the retake. Late registrations incur both the subject fee and a late subject fee per subject. Registration deadlines and late‑registration windows are set by the school (the school's normal registration deadline is 10 November; limited late registration may be accepted with additional fees).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- IB subject registration invoices: issued immediately after the registration has been received; late registrations (after the main deadline) are accepted only in a defined late window and carry additional late fees. Payment is required according to the invoice terms supplied with the invoice.

- Textbook and learning‑material billing: textbooks and required printed/digital learning materials are provided on loan; if books are not returned at the end of course participation or are returned damaged/with writing, the school issues reminders and will send an invoice for replacement/compensation; unresolved claims may be forwarded to debt collection. Timing of any invoicing follows school administration practice (invoices or reminders are sent after non‑return or damage is registered).

- Student PC / equipment: if a student chooses to obtain a county‑arranged student PC, that scheme is billed by the county; such equipment invoices from the county are typically issued on an annual schedule (commonly in November) and follow the county's payment terms. The school facilitates access to the county PC scheme for eligible students.

Boarding / accommodation fees

- Boarding or school‑run residential accommodation is not offered as part of the school's programmes; there are no school boarding fees. The school operates as a day school in Bergen city centre.

Other costs or fees (uniforms, trips, materials, extras)

- No mandatory uniform or uniform fee is charged by the school for regular programmes.

- Costs that the school may invoice the student for include compensation for lost or damaged loaned textbooks and charges linked to optional, non‑compulsory activities where the pupil or family has chosen to participate (the free‑education principle requires that activities integral to instruction must not be charged to students). Standard consumables for personal use (for example pens, notebooks) are normally paid by the student/parent.

Refund information

- IB subject registration fees are applied per subject and the school makes clear that the subject registration fee is payable regardless of whether the Diploma is achieved; this indicates the subject registration fee is not contingent on passing. Refunds for IB subject registrations are not described as automatic; invoices are issued on receipt of registration.

- Replacement or compensation invoices for unreturned or damaged textbooks are issued; once an outstanding charge has been forwarded to collection, the debt must be paid according to the collection process.

Fee payment options

- Invoices for IB subject registrations, textbook replacement, equipment or other school‑administered charges are issued by the school or by the county administration; payment is processed according to the invoice. Common payment channels used by Norwegian county schools and the county PC scheme include electronic invoice (eFaktura), Vipps and standard bank/paper invoice methods. Expect the invoice to include specific payment instructions and deadline.

Summary—Practical points for parents

- No application fee and no tuition or per‑term tuition charges for ordinary Vg1–Vg3 students (public, state‑funded provision).
- IB and other exam/assessment registrations carry subject fees (approximately NOK 1,500 per IB subject for the retake/registration service referenced by the school); invoices are issued on registration and late registration carries extra fees.
- Textbooks are loaned free while enrolled; charges are invoiced for unreturned or damaged books and may be forwarded to collection.
- The school does not provide boarding; any accommodation costs would be arranged privately and are not school fees.
Academics

Bergen Katedralskole teaches IB (DP).

Curriculum
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year course for students aged 16 to 19, taught in English. It is offered in the last two years of the Norwegian upper secondary programme (Vg2 and Vg3). A Pre-IB program exists for Norwegian-speaking students considering the IB Diploma Programme; it follows the Norwegian state curriculum but is taught in English to familiarize students with IB terminology and structure. The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subject groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, The Sciences, Mathematics, and The Art, taken across both years, plus the core. The programme aims to equip students with the academic skills needed for university study and lifelong learning, and IB diploma holders are sought-after for studies at Norwegian and international universities. Admissions indicate that the Diploma Programme is available to residents of Vestland; students can apply at the end of Vg1 or directly from MYP5 through Vigo.

Higher Education Progression
IB diploma holders are sought-after for studies at Norwegian and international universities; the Diploma Programme is designed to equip students with the academic skills needed for university study, further education and their chosen profession.

Gifted and Talented
A Pre-IB program exists for Norwegian-speaking students considering the IB Diploma Programme; teaching is in English and the program follows the Norwegian curriculum to prepare students for IB. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered alongside Studiespesialisering, providing pathways for advanced study.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. The deadline for admissions is March 1. It remains possible to apply after this date, but priority will be given to applications received before the deadline. Bergen Katedralskole has the following general admission policy for the IB Diploma Programme. 2. Admission depends on several criteria. Applicants must have a valid Norwegian residence permit and a registered address in Vestland county; applicants in the process of moving to Vestland with their parents may receive a conditional offer based on documentation provided, if otherwise qualified. Availability of places and subjects is a factor in admission. 3. A satisfactory level of English is required to follow the programme. Mathematics at VG1 or equivalent must be grade 4 or better; English at VG1 or equivalent must be grade 5 or better. Applicants must have an average grade of 4.5 from Norwegian VG1. 4. For entry into the Diploma Programme, IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) 5 requires grades of 6+ in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 5+ in English or Norwegian Language A, and an overall average of 5.5 (IB scale). The MYP Personal Project must be completed. Students are expected to have completed at least two consecutive years in the MYP before entry. 5. A minimum of ten years of schooling is required. Applicants with other educational backgrounds will be assessed individually to establish equivalence with VG1 STUSP; documentation translated into English may be required. The applicant may be asked to sit additional entrance exams and interviews if a foreign certificate presents difficulties in determining ability. 6. Transfer Students: Students taking the first year of the IBDP at another IB-school can apply to complete their diploma at Bergen Katedralskole. Each student is considered on an individual basis, subject to space and compatibility of subject choices. Contact is encouraged before starting the IBDP or early in the first year. 7. IB-Exam fees: The school is a Norwegian public school and has no tuition fees. There is, however, an administrative IB-cost of NOK 10,000 per student per school year (paid in two parts). 8. Apply: Applications are through Vigo (try this first if you have a Norwegian ID-number). An application form to the IBDP is available for students unable to apply through Vigo.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Norway View all schools in Bergen View all schools in Norway IB curriculum schools in Norway Open days & tours in Bergen What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools
doris
linked-in-logo facebook-logo instagram-logo
About
Parent Guide
Transparency Charter
Privacy Notice Terms of Use Cookies Notice Cookie Preferences
© 2026 doris Worldwide Ltd. All rights reserved.