Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet, HVL) is a Norwegian state-funded university formed in 2017, operating five campuses across Western Norway and delivering bachelor's, master's, and professional programs in health sciences, teacher education, business, and social sciences.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersBergen, Norway
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Western Norway University of Applied Sciences does
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet, HVL) is a Norwegian state-funded university of applied sciences established in 2017 through the merger of three regional university colleges — Bergen University College (Høgskolen i Bergen), Sogn og Fjordane University College (Høgskolen i Sogn og Fjordane), and Stord-Haugesund University College (Høgskolen i Sør-Rogaland). It operates across five campuses in Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal, and Stord, serving domestic and international students through bachelor's, master's, and professional education programs in Health and Social Sciences, Teacher Education/Culture/Sports, and Business Sciences (Handelshøgskulen HVL), with practice placement partnerships across industry and the public sector.
Its core technology infrastructure runs on Microsoft Azure via Optimizely DXP for the main website, with Canvas LMS for learning management, Panopto for lecture recording, WISEflow for examinations, Zoom for synchronous delivery, and the Mime chatbot for 24/7 student queries. Campus navigation is supported by the Mazemap mobile app on iOS and Android. Compliance infrastructure includes PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0 electronic invoicing, Microsoft OAuth/OIDC authentication, and published accessibility statements across digital platforms. Research output is anchored by EU-funded projects including the HVL-led CIVIC STAGE consortium spanning 11 countries.
HVL's revenue model is government appropriation rather than commercial sales: as a public institution under the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, it receives state funding allocations and does not charge tuition to Norwegian or EU students. Some professional and continuing education programs may carry fees. The go-to-market motion is primarily top-of-funnel awareness generation through social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat), content marketing via hvl.no, paid remarketing via Viva Media on Google and Facebook, and physical service desks (Servicetorget) at each campus operating weekdays 8:00–15:00. Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed in the input.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Legal name
- Høgskulen på Vestlandet
- Website
- https://hvl.no
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet, HVL) is a Norwegian state-funded university formed in 2017, operating five campuses across Western Norway and delivering bachelor's, master's, and professional programs in health sciences, teacher education, business, and social sciences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)
Keywords
Where Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bergen
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet, HVL) is a public university that delivers higher education study programs, applied research, and practice placements across five campuses in Bergen, Sogndal, Stord, Haugesund, and Førde. Programs span bachelor's and master's degrees plus professional education in health and social sciences, teacher education, culture and sports, and business sciences. Operations are supported by digital learning platforms (Canvas LMS, Panopto, WISEflow, Mime chatbot) and physical service desks at each campus.
Product overview
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet, HVL) is a public university with five campuses offering higher education across Bergen, Sogndal, Haugesund, Stord, and Førde. The institution provides study programs in health sciences, social sciences, teacher education, culture, and sports, supported by research activities and practice placement partnerships with external organizations. The digital infrastructure includes Canvas LMS for learning management, Panopto for video lectures, WISEflow for examinations, and the Mime chatbot for student support, alongside physical campuses with libraries, study areas, and service desks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Study Programs Higher education study programs offered across five campuses in Bergen, Sogndal, Haugesund, Stord, and Førde, covering disciplines including health sciences, social sciences, teacher education, culture, and sports, leading to bachelor's and master's degrees.
- Research Applied research activities conducted across multiple disciplines, including EU-funded projects such as CIVIC STAGE on democratic citizenship education involving 3,200 young people across 11 countries.
- Practice Placements Internship programs for students in health/social studies, teacher education/culture/sports, and social sciences, with partnerships across multiple sectors to provide practical training.
Companies that use Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration17 records
Feature3 records
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CIVIC STAGE Consortium (11 Countries)coreHVL leads an EU-funded research project called CIVIC STAGE aimed at strengthening democratic citizenship among young people. The project involves 3200 young participants across 11 countries and develops new teaching methods that can influence curricula throughout Europe.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Volda University College: Smaller Norwegian university college in Møre og Romsdal with overlapping media, teacher education, and health programs. Partial competitor for regional students.
- Norwegian School of Economics (NHH): Specialized Norwegian business school; HVL's Handelshøgskulen competes directly with NHH for business students and faculty in Western Norway.
Regional players
- University of Gothenburg: Swedish public university with similar applied sciences portfolio. Relevant cross-border peer for EU research collaboration and Nordic student mobility.
Direct peers
- University of Bergen (UiB): Largest traditional university also based in Bergen, Norway. Directly competes with HVL for students, faculty, and research funding in the same Western Norway catchment area.
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): Norway's largest university of applied sciences and technology, with similar applied sciences mandate and multi-campus structure. Competes nationally for STEM students and EU research funding.
- University of Stavanger (UiS): Public Norwegian university with applied sciences profile, overlapping program offerings in health, teacher education, and business. Competes for Western Norway students and faculty.
- Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet): Norway's largest university of applied sciences, formed from a similar college merger. Comparable applied sciences portfolio and multi-campus structure.
- Nord University: Multi-campus Norwegian university with comparable applied sciences offerings across northern Norway. Similar governance and funding model under the Ministry of Education.
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway: Multi-campus public Norwegian university offering applied and professional programs. Competes for similar government funding allocations and research grants.
- Høgskolen i Innlandet (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences): Multi-campus Norwegian university of applied sciences with similar program mix and regional access mandate. Direct structural and operational peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences social profiles
Digital presenceWestern Norway University of Applied Sciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
What does Western Norway University of Applied Sciences do?
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet, HVL) is a public university that delivers higher education study programs, applied research, and practice placements across five campuses in Bergen, Sogndal, Stord, Haugesund, and Førde. Programs span bachelor's and master's degrees plus professional education in health and social sciences, teacher education, culture and sports, and business sciences. Operations are supported by digital learning platforms (Canvas LMS, Panopto, WISEflow, Mime chatbot) and physical service desks at each campus.
Is Western Norway University of Applied Sciences a public or private company?
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Western Norway University of Applied Sciences founded?
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences was founded in 2017. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Western Norway University of Applied Sciences based?
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is headquartered in Bergen, Norway, in the Europe region.
Who are Western Norway University of Applied Sciences's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Volda University College and Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). University of Gothenburg is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are University of Bergen (UiB), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Stavanger (UiS), Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), Nord University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway and Høgskolen i Innlandet (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences).
Does Western Norway University of Applied Sciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
What industry is Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in?
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHALAB, Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension), with a secondary code of EDAIAAAJ, Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.