Studying at university in Norway

How Norwegian higher education is organized

Norway has universities, specialized university institutions and university colleges, almost all of them public. A bachelor's degree is worth 180 ECTS credits and takes three years; master's degrees usually take two more. Some professional programs, such as medicine, psychology and teacher education, are integrated programs of five or six years.

Classes are generally small, relationships with teaching staff are informal, and students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. Grades run from A to F, with E as the lowest pass.

How to apply and when

There are two main routes, and the program page tells you which applies:

• Samordna opptak: the national coordinated admission service for most Norwegian-taught bachelor's programs. You rank up to ten programs in one application. For applicants with secondary education from non-Nordic countries, Samordna opptak gives 15 April as the application deadline, 1 July as the date by which all requirements must be met and documented, and 20 July as the date offers are published. Some applicant groups have other deadlines, so check which one applies to you.
• Direct application to the institution: most applicants from outside the EU and EEA who want English-taught programs apply through the university's own portal, with deadlines set by each institution well before an August start, to leave time for the study permit. Nord University, for example, takes applications from non-EU/EEA/EFTA applicants from 1 November to 1 December.

Because the dates and routes vary by program and applicant group, check the 2027 deadlines on the program page and on Samordna opptak in autumn 2026.

Entry requirements for North American graduates

Norway sets national general entry requirements for applicants with foreign education. The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) publishes a list of requirements per country, which universities apply. A North American high school diploma alone is often not enough. For US applicants, for example, Nord University lists a high school diploma (or GED) plus three AP exams with a score of at least 3, or plus one year of academic university or college study. The IB Diploma is accepted under its own conditions.

Many programs also have specific requirements, especially mathematics and physics for engineering and science programs. For Norwegian-taught programs, you must also document Norwegian at the required level.

Use the HK-dir country list for Canada or the United States to see what your diploma needs, then confirm on the program page. If your plan depends on AP exams, choose them by grade 11.

Canada has its own entry on the list, so Canadian applicants should read it rather than assume the US rules apply. If you have already started at a Canadian or US college or university, completed credits may be the simplest way to meet the requirement, so keep official transcripts.

Costs and funding

Until 2023, Norwegian public institutions did not charge tuition to anyone. From the autumn 2023 intake, students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees at public universities and university colleges. This includes Canadian and US citizens without an EU or EEA passport. Exchange students and some other groups are exempt. Each institution sets its own fees per program and publishes them on its website.

All students pay a small semester fee to the student welfare organization. Norway is expensive, particularly for rent and food, and the study permit requires a set annual amount for living costs (see below). Scholarships for non-EU bachelor's students are limited; check each institution.

Language of instruction

Most bachelor's programs are taught in Norwegian, so the choice of English-taught bachelor's programs is limited, while English is common at master's level. Norwegian-taught programs require proof of Norwegian, for example through an approved test at the right level. English-taught programs require proof of English; national rules exempt applicants who completed secondary education in certain English-speaking countries, including Canada and the US, though the institution confirms this.

To strengthen academic English before you go, try the Bridge academic English flashcards.

Study permit

Students from outside the EU and EEA need a residence permit for studies from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). You apply online after admission and attend an appointment to submit documents. You must show that you have enough money for one year of living costs. UDI currently lists NOK 170,368 a year (NOK 15,488 a month) for students at universities and university colleges, an amount it updates regularly. If you must pay tuition, you also need money to cover it, and you need a place to live. Many students meet the funds requirement by depositing money into an account at the university.

Check the current amount and steps on the UDI studies page. This guide is not immigration advice.

Student welfare and working while you study

Every public institution is linked to a student welfare organization, such as SiO in Oslo or Sammen in Bergen, which runs student housing, health and counselling services, cafeterias and sports facilities. The semester fee you pay goes to this organization. International students are often prioritized for student housing if they apply by the stated date, so do not miss it.

According to UDI, a study permit allows part-time work of up to 20 hours a week during studies and full-time work during holidays, but not before the permit is granted. Jobs that require no Norwegian are limited outside the largest cities, so do not plan your budget around income from work. Many students take a free or low-cost Norwegian course through their institution, which helps with both jobs and everyday life.

Academic life is informal, with first names used for teaching staff and frequent group work. Exams are often a single school exam or a home exam at the end of the semester, so steady work through the term matters.

Practical tips

1. Read the HK-dir requirements for your country and plan AP exams or college study if needed.
2. Shortlist English-taught programs and note each deadline, which may fall in December.
3. Gather transcripts and proof of English in autumn of grade 12.
4. After admission, pay any required deposit and apply to UDI straight away.
5. Apply for student housing early; the student welfare organizations run most student housing.

Small classes mean you will speak up and work in groups. The study skills for university flashcards and high school to university help with the change. Compare Norway with Sweden, Denmark and Finland on the universities hub.