Universities in Norway

A small quaint Scandinavian country with a high-quality education system, Norway is not only famous for its tourist destinations but is also among the top study destinations in Europe. If you aim to pursue a global degree at affordable costs, Norway is the country you must explore. Public universities in Norway do not charge any tuition fees, even for international students. Amongst the best Scandinavian countries to study abroad, the picturesque country is home to many top-ranked universities offering internationally recognized academic programs and renowned for teaching and academic excellence! This blog provides a complete guide on universities in Norway, their popular programs and more!

Why Study in Norway?

• High-quality education – Norwegian colleges are an outstanding study location due to their vast selection of high-quality courses and flexibility. You will also benefit from the relaxed atmosphere of Norwegian universities and colleges, where teachers are approachable and sessions are generally held in small groups. In many circumstances, students might benefit from participating in intriguing research initiatives directed by professors.
• Critical thinking is encouraged – Students at the graduate level are expected and encouraged to examine both their teachers’ teaching and existing theories in their study field. In the Norwegian classroom, critical thinking and the capacity to approach a topic in many ways are prized abilities.
• Time to specialise – Most Master’s programmes provided by Norwegian institutions last more than two years. This permits students to focus on their thesis for an entire year, giving them the opportunity to delve deeper into their topic of study.
• Study in English – English is used to teach a variety of degree programmes and courses. Non-native English speakers will notice that their English abilities improve while studying in Norway, while native English speakers will not be bored. A high degree of English proficiency in the general population makes it simple to study and live in Norway.

Best Universities in Norway According to International Rankings

Universities	Times Higher Education Ranking (2022)	Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking (2022)	Top Universities Ranking (2023)	U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2022)
University of Oslo	119	67	101	89
University of Bergen	201	301	207	199
UIT the Arctic University of Norway	351	501	454	475
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)	401	101	352	266
University of Stavanger	401	–	–	1049
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)	601	801	–	736
NHH Norwegian School of Economics	–	901	–	–
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences	–	901	–	–
University of South-Eastern Norway	–	–	–	1016

Best Universities in Norway

The following sections elaborate more on the major universities in Norway and their prominent features:

University of Oslo

More than two centuries old, the University of Oslo is the oldest institution of higher education and research in Norway. Ranked #1 in Norway and 101th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the university houses eight faculties along with three museums, namely the Natural History Museum, the Viking Ship Museum and the Historical Museum. The university does not charge any tuition fees, students are only required to pay a semester registration fee for their chosen course. Some of the popular subjects of study amongst international students include Law, Economics, Statistics, Geography and Medicine.

University of Bergen

Ranking at #207 in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the University of Bergen is amongst the top universities in Norway. The university encompasses numerous departments broadly classified under seven faculties, namely, the faculty of Fine Arts, Music and Design, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Psychology and the Faculty of Social Sciences. As a globally recognised research university, the institution is renowned for its PhD courses as doctoral scholars also get to take part in extensive research thus learning and earning at the same time. 

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is a public research university spread over three campuses in Trondheim (main campus), Gjøvik and Ålesund respectively. Offering around 3,500 bachelor’s and master’s degrees to students around the world, this academic institution featured at the 352nd position in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Having 55 departments under nine faculties, it offers many specialised areas of study under research programs like health, oceans, sustainability and energy. Other than offering an array of specializations in the areas of Technology and the Natural Sciences, the NTNU also offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD courses in the areas of Social Sciences, Humanities, Medicine and Health Sciences, Economics, Architecture, Educational Sciences, Entrepreneurship and Arts.

UIT The Arctic University of Norway

Located at the edge of the striking Arctic region, UIT The Arctic University of Norway is the third-largest university in Norway and the northernmost university in the world. Having featured at the 454th position according to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the university offers courses over a range of subject areas including Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Economics, Education and Humanities, Science and Technology, Social Work, Law, Sports, Tourism and Fine Arts. Rapidly moving towards an internationalisation strategy, the university aims to be at the international forefront in the areas of Technology, Sustainable Use of Resources, Health, Welfare and Quality of Life, Energy, Climate, Society and Environment and Community Development and Democratisation.

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Spread across two campuses, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences is the second oldest university in Norway, and the only university to offer courses in Veterinary Medicine. Formerly known as the Norwegian College of Agriculture, the university offers 64 academic programs spread across seven faculties, namely, the Faculty of Biosciences, the School of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, the Faculty of Landscape and Society, the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The university offers interdisciplinary study programmes and research opportunities, with a view to generating innovations in the areas of health, environmental protection, food, climate and the sustainable use of natural resources.

NHH Norwegian School of Economics

Situated in Bergen, the Norwegian School of Economics is one of the leading business schools IN Europe and a sought-after choice for students planning to pursue a degree in business administration at a university in Norway. The institute has six departments, i.e. the Department of Accounting, Auditing and Law, the Department of Business and Management Science, the Department of Economics, the Department of Finance, the Department of Professional and Intercultural Communication and the Department of Strategy and Management, along with seventeen research centres.

Eligibility Requirements

The common basic prerequisite for admission to Norwegian universities is the completion of advanced secondary education, which is comparable to passing the exam at the end of Norwegian high school. In addition, students from several nations must have completed at least one year of university-level education.

Applicants for Masters programmes often have a three-year undergraduate/degree bachelor’s or its equivalent. The degree must comprise courses equivalent to at least one and a half years of full-time study in a subject relevant to the programme applied for.

All applications for English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Norway are handled by the institutions themselves. This means that academic and linguistic requirements may differ between universities and even within the same university.

English Proficiency Requirements

For courses where English is the language of instruction, all applicants should expect to document their language skills in accordance with the institutions’ standards. Be aware that various colleges may require different English examinations and scores.

Norwegian language proficiency is essential and must be documented for courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian.

These formal English tests are accepted by universities:

• PTE
• TOEFL
• C1 Advanced
• IELTS

Cost of Studying in Norway

Mentioned below are the tuition fees and cost of living in Norway

Tuition Fees in Norway for International Students

Most public universities in Norway do not charge tuition. This applies to undergraduate degree programmes, Master’s programmes, and PhD programmes, as well as students from all nations, whether or not they are EU/EEA members.

There is only one mandatory cost, which ranges between EUR 30 (INR 2500) and EUR 60 (INR 5000) per semester.

Tuition fees are charged at private universities and range from:

Bachelor’s	7000-9000 EUR	INR 5.91L-7.60L
Master’s	9000-19,000 EUR	INR 7.60L – 16L

Costs of Living in Norway for International Students

Attending university in Norway entails living expenses such as housing, books and other study materials, food, and utilities. Although monthly living expenditures can be higher than in other European countries, they are still among the lowest for a Nordic country. Furthermore, the Norwegian standard of living and quality of life is very good.

In Norway, you may expect to pay between 800 and 1,400 EUR per month on average. In large cities, expenses can be significantly greater. Here are some of the living expenses you might anticipate paying in cities such as:

• 1200 – 2,000 EUR in Oslo
• 1100-1800 EUR in Bergen
• 1,000 – 1,600 EUR for Tromso and Trondheim

FAQs

Hope this blog was helpful in providing an overview of some of the best universities in Norway you must consider. Aiming to study in Norway? Our Leverage Edu are here to guide you in choosing the best course and university as well as sorting out the admission process of your chosen academic institution and gearing up to send a winning application! Sign up for a free study abroad consultation with us today!