This article is based on three surveys among two student populations at the University of Bergen; freshmen in autumn 1986; sophomores in 1988, and postgraduates in spring 1987. The objective is to describe the general characteristics and life of medical students compared with other students. The article takes up crucial topics such as transition from upper secondary school to university, time spent on studying and on paid work, financial status, living standard, self-esteem, self-perception, grades, gender and social background.