Strong results in Universum Student Survey 2025

Students place KONGSBERG at the top

We are thrilled to announce a 2nd place in Engineering and 3rd in IT in this year’s Universum student rankings. KONGSBERG was also recognised as the top climber in both Economics and Humanities – confirming a solid position across academic disciplines.

  • Text:Amanda Chapman-Stavn & Njål Frilseth

    Photo:Sigrun Myhrvold

Each year, the Universum student survey captures the career preferences of thousands of students across Norway. It offers a clear picture of what future professionals look for in an employer – and which organisations are seen as the most attractive.

KONGSBERG has maintained a strong presence in the Universum rankings for several years. This year’s results reflect further progress, with two top three placements – in Engineering and IT – and significant gains in both Economics and Humanities.

This strong position is no coincidence. Behind the results lies long-term, targeted work to position the company as an attractive employer for a wide range of students. 

“What makes this especially meaningful is that it comes directly from students – from future colleagues,” says Anne Gro Kjørstad, Manager HR Services at KONGSBERG. “The fact that they recognise us across more disciplines than before shows that our employer branding efforts are reaching the right people. We’re proud to be seen, not just for what we do, but for the opportunities we offer.”

A result of long-term effort

To remain competitive in the Universum rankings, relevance matters just as much as visibility. In an increasingly competitive job market, where several major technology companies are targeting the same graduate talent, standing out takes strategic focus over time.

“KONGSBERG is growing and attracting and retaining the right talent is key. In today’s market environment, we’re not the only ones looking to attract smart, ambitious graduates – many large tech companies are competing for the same people,” says Ronny Lie, Group Chief Communication Officer at KONGSBERG. “That’s why being acknowledged by students in this way carries real weight. It tells us that our workplace and products are attractive and that our long-term offer and branding is considered among the best in class – not just in reaching people, but in building real trust and interest over time.”

Conducted between January and April 2025, this year’s Universum survey gathered responses from 10,837 students across 24 universities and colleges. Covering a wide range of fields – from engineering and IT to economics, law, humanities and health – the results provide a representative view of career preferences and employer attractiveness in higher education. 

"I am proud of this recognition—and of the people who make it possible," says Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG. “Today’s students seek a purpose—they want to contribute to something bigger than themselves, solve critical challenges, and make a meaningful impact. At KONGSBERG, they find that opportunity. Protecting people and the planet is at the core of what we do, and attracting the right talent is key to realizing that purpose. That’s why we value the recognition received in the Universum student survey,” says Håøy.

The growing interest is clearly reflected in the company’s summer internship programme:

"It is worth mentioning that we received over 2,800 applications for KONGSBERG’s 2025 summer internship—the highest number to date," says Håøy. "It’s inspiring to see such strong interest, which reflects the recognition we’ve received in the Universum student survey.”

The City of Kongsberg is attracting the engineers of the future

Several leading technology companies in the Kongsberg region achieved high rankings in this year’s Universum student survey. Alongside KONGSBERG, both Kongsberg Automotive and GKN Aerospace Norway were recognized for their strong appeal to students and graduates. Their ability to attract top talent highlights the region’s strong appeal to students and graduates. Together, these companies contribute to a dynamic environment, further solidifying Kongsberg’s position as Norway’s technology capital.

"This is a well-deserved recognition for our companies. The fact that so many Kongsberg-based businesses are seen as attractive employers is a clear sign that Team Kongsberg is doing a lot of things right—together. As the host municipality, we are proud of our business community and the solid employment opportunities it provides," said Kongsberg Mayor Line Spiten in a joint press release with the three companies.

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