Fig. 1

a Mean and 95% CI scores of general health (GH) ranging from 1 (worst) to 5 (best). (Originally scored from 1 (excellent) to 5 (poor), but in line with the SF-36 scoring algorithm, the item was reversed so higher scores reflect better perceived general health). b Psychological distress (SCL-5) ranging from 1 (best) to 5 (worst) and, c Overall quality of life (QoL) ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best) stratified by university clusters (n = 5). University A: Oslo Metropolitan University, B: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, C: University of Agder, D: Norwegian University of Sciences and Technology, E: University of Stavanger. Dashed lines in the respective figures represent the age and gender adjusted reference data scores