Posted by Norway is among the top 10 safest regions in the world for students, which is one and there are several reasons why we will be providing you with a list of the 25 best universities in Norway for international students.
29 universities in Norway, the University of Oslo, and the University of Bergen are the top-performing schools in Norway. Before we get into it, let’s look at reasons one should study in Norway.
Table of Contents
Why Study in Norway?
There are many reasons you should study in Norway, including:
- Active student life: Norway offers a rich, active, and social student life, with opportunities for part-time jobs, student associations, and social interaction. The informal campus atmosphere encourages critical thinking and integration, making it an ideal destination for international students.
- Rich culture
- Outdoor life and nature: Norwegians enjoy spending time outdoors, participating in hiking, skiing, and outdoor sports. The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are a sight to behold, making studying in Norway a more enjoyable experience.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Universities in Norway for International Students
Selecting the best universities in Norway for international students involves considering various criteria to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
Here are key criteria to use when assessing and ranking these institutions:
- Academic Reputation: The reputation of a university is a strong indicator of the quality of education it provides.
- Program Offerings
- Internationalization Efforts
- Campus Facilities
- Accreditation: Accreditation from relevant veterinary organizations is essential to ensure that a school meets the required standards for veterinary education.
List of the Best Universities in Norway for International Students
Below is a list of the best universities in Norway for international students:
- University of Oslo
- University of Bergen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences
- University of Stavanger
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- University of South-Eastern Norway
- Oslo Metropolitan University
- University of Agder
- University Centre in Svalbard
- BI Norwegian Business School
- NHH Norwegian School of Economics
- Ostfold University College
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Nord University
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Volda University College
- Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics
- Oslo School of Architecture and Design
- Norwegian Academy of Music
- MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
- Kristiania University College
- Oslo National Academy of the Arts
- Sámi University of Applied Sciences.
25 Best Universities in Norway for International Students
1. University of Oslo
- Founded: 1811
- Location: Oslo, Norway
The University of Oslo is a public research university located in Oslo, Norway. It is the highest-ranked and oldest university in Norway, consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, and is one of the leading universities in Northern Europe.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, medicine, dentistry, and more.
The University of Oslo is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
The university is also a member of the European University Association (EUA), the International Association of Universities (IAU), and the League of European Research Universities (LERU).
2. University of Bergen
- Founded: 1946
- Location: Bergen, Norway
The University of Bergen is a public research university located in Bergen, Norway. It is one of the top public universities in Bergen, Norway, and is ranked #=281 in QS World University Rankings 2024.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields such as natural and social sciences, psychology, the arts, law, dentistry, medicine, and health care.
Regarding financial aid, the university provides scholarships to help students fund their master’s program.
3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Founded: 1996
- Location: Trondheim, Norway
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is a public research university located in Trondheim, Norway. It is one of the largest universities in Norway with over 40,000 students.
NTNU is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
As for financial aid, NTNU does not offer any stipends, scholarships, or loans. However, there are some funding opportunities available from third parties that apply to certain students at NTNU.
4. UiT the Arctic University of Norway
- Founded: 1968
- Location: Tromsø, Norway
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a public research university located in Northern Norway with campuses in various towns in the region: Tromsø, Narvik, Harstad, Alta, Hammerfest, Kirkenes, Mo I Rana, Bodø, Bardufoss, and Svalbard.
The university has about 12,000 students, 10% of whom are international students.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is officially accredited by the Ministry of Education Norway.
5. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
- Founded: 1859
- Location: Ås, Norway
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is a public research university located in Ås, Norway.
NMBU offers a wide range of study programs in various fields such as agriculture, forestry, environmental studies, earth sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, arts, design, architecture, applied sciences, and professions.
NMBU is ranked 601 globally and offers 17 master’s programs taught in English. The university has 884 academic staff and 6,185 students, out of which 1,175 are international students.
NMBU provides financial aid programs to its students. The scholarships can be provided by the university or independent providers. The university provides merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Independent providers offer scholarships such as the Anglo-Norse Society Scholarship, BeArt-Presets Academic Scholarship Program, and ACES Scholarships.
6. University of Stavanger
- Founded: 2005
- Location: Stavanger, Norway
The University of Stavanger is a public research university located in Stavanger, Norway. It was established in 2005 and has since grown to become one of the leading universities in Norway.
The university is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) and is recognized by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
The University of Stavanger provides financial aid to students in the form of scholarships. However, the university does not offer any other scholarships apart from the ones provided by the Norwegian government.
7. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Founded: 1839
- Location: Bergen, Norway
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is a public university located in Bergen, Norway. It provides professional education in health and social sciences, engineering, economic and administrative science, music, and teaching.
HVL is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT). Accreditation could affect student support provided by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.
HVL offers financial aid to its students in the form of scholarships and grants. The university provides scholarships to international students who are required to pay tuition fees. The scholarship covers the tuition fee for one academic year.
8. University of South-Eastern Norway
- Founded: 2018
- Locations: The campuses are located in Bø, Drammen, Horten, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Ringerike, and Rauland.
The University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) is a public university located in Norway. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study, including engineering, business, health sciences, and social sciences.
The university is accredited by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and has recently obtained EFMD Programme Accreditation for its School of Business.
As for financial aid, the university provides scholarships, fellowships, and grants to international students for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
9. Oslo Metropolitan University
- Founded: 2018
- Location: Oslo and Kjeller, Norway
Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) is a public university located in Oslo and Akershus in Norway. It was established in 2018 as a result of the merger of many former vocational colleges in the Greater Oslo Region.
OsloMet offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
The university is officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Norway.
10. University of Agder
- Founded: 2007
- Location: Kristiansand and Grimstad, Norway
The University of Agder is a public university located in the southernmost part of Norway, in the cities of Kristiansand and Grimstad. The school’s mission is to “co-create knowledge by applying international, innovative, and responsible perspectives”.
The University of Agder School of Business and Law is accredited by AACSB, having met the highest quality standards for business programs globally.
11. University Centre in Svalbard
- Founded: 1993
- Location: Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is a Norwegian state-owned limited company that offers higher education in the Arctic. It was established in 1993 and is located in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
UNIS is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
UNIS offers scholarships to international students every year to help them with their studies. The scholarships are available for students who are citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland.
The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel expenses, and living expenses. UNIS also provides information on other funding opportunities, such as Erasmus+ or NORPART scholarships.
12. BI Norwegian Business School
- Founded: 1943
- Location: Oslo, Norway
BI Norwegian Business School is a private business school located in Norway.
It is the first Norwegian business school to receive the three most prestigious international accreditations, namely EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. These accreditations are awarded by the world’s leading and most respected accreditation bodies, and they ensure that BI Norwegian Business School fulfills its high requirements at all times.
The school has been extensively assessed on its programs and student environment, the quality of its staff, its international engagement, and its ability to continually maintain and improve the high standard necessary.
13. NHH Norwegian School of Economics
- Founded: 1936
- Location: Bergen, Norway
NHH Norwegian School of Economics is a triple-accredited business school located in Bergen, Norway. It is accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
The school offers a range of full-time study programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in business administration, economics, and finance.
NHH offers scholarships to international students based on academic merit.
14. Ostfold University College
- Founded: 1994
- Location: Viken county, Norway
Ostfold University College is a public-private partnership university located in Halden, Norway. It offers a range of programs in fields such as Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Political Science, Law, Philosophy, Engineering, Psychology, Medicine, Environmental Science, and Business.
The university has an acceptance rate of 24%.
Ostfold University College has financial aid programs and on-campus housing.
15. Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Founded: 2017
- Location: Innlandet, Norway
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN University) is a public university located in Norway. It has six campuses and offers flexible educational programs at all levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
INN University is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
INN University provides various scholarships to its students, both need-based and merit-based. The merit-based scholarship does not depend on the financial condition of the students and is available to both transfer and general students.
16. Nord University
- Founded: 2016
- Location: Bodø, Nordland, Norway
Nord University is a public university located in Bodø, Norway.
The university offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
Nord University is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
17. Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Founded: 1968
- Location: Sognsvann, Oslo, Norway
The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) is a scientific university with a national responsibility for research and education within the field of sports sciences. It is legally recognized and/or accredited by Kunnskapsdepartementet, Norge.
The school does not offer any scholarships or grants to international students. However, students can apply for financial aid from their home country or other external sources. The estimated budget for one semester is around NOK 10,000 per month on a modest budget.
18. Volda University College
- Founded: 1994
- Location: Volda, Møre og Romsdal county, Norway
Volda University College is a public university college located in Volda, Norway. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields such as arts, media, and social sciences.
The university is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
As an exchange/study abroad student from Volda University College, you may receive financial support through some scholarship programs.
19. Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics
- Founded: 1956
- Location: Molde and Kristiansund, Norway
Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics is a Norwegian university located in the town of Molde in Molde Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The university offers higher education in business administration, logistics, information technology, and health sciences.
The university is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
Molde University College offers scholarships to international students who are applying for a master’s degree program. The scholarship covers the tuition fee for the first year of study.
20. Oslo School of Architecture and Design
- Founded: 1945
- Location: Maridalsveien 29, Oslo, Oslo, 0175, Norway
The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) is a leading international scientific institution that offers education in architecture, design, landscape architecture, and urbanism.
AHO is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT). The school is also a member of the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).
AHO provides financial aid to its students in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans.
The school offers a range of scholarships to international students, including the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, which provides financial support to students from Norway and other countries.
21. Norwegian Academy of Music
- Founded: 1973
- Location: Oslo, Norway
The Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) is a university-level music conservatory located in Oslo, Norway. It is the largest music academy in Norway and offers the country’s highest level of music education.
The Academy offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and is a specialized university (vitenskapelig høgskole). It is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
The Academy offers scholarships to students who are not citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. The scholarships cover tuition fees and living expenses.
22. MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
- Founded: 1907
- Location: Oslo, Norway
MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society is a specialized university located in Oslo, Norway. It offers academic studies in Christianity and religion for use in school and society.
The university is accredited and recognized by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
The university provides scholarships to students who meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and other factors.
23. Kristiania University College
- Founded: 1914
- Location: Oslo, Bergen, and online
Kristiania University College is a private university college in Norway that was established in 1914. It has approximately 19,000 students and offers a variety of study programs in communication, management, marketing, finance, innovation, technology, art, design, and media.
Kristiania University College is accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
24. Oslo National Academy of the Arts
- Founded: 1996
- Location: Fossveien 24, Oslo, Oslo, 0551
The Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO) is a public university college in Oslo, Norway, that provides education in visual arts, design, and performing arts.
It is one of two public institutes of higher learning in Norway that teaches in visual arts and design, the other being the Bergen National Academy of the Arts in Bergen.
KHiO is accredited as a specialized university college by NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education), an independent expert body under the Ministry of Education and Research.
KHiO offers scholarships to students who are not citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. The scholarship covers the tuition fee for the first year of study.
25. Sámi University of Applied Sciences
- Founded: 1989
- Location: Kautokeino, Finnmark county, Norway
The Sámi University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) is a public university college located in Guovdageaidnu/Kautokeino, Norway. It offers education in the fields of indigenous studies, teacher education, and reindeer husbandry, among others.
It was established in 1989 and has about 200 students and 110 faculty, technical and administrative staff. The university offers a variety of courses and degrees, ranging from traditional Sámi handicrafts to journalism.
FAQs
Can international students work part-time in Norway while studying?
Yes, international students in Norway are usually allowed to work part-time during their studies.
Are there scholarships available for international students in Norway?
Yes, Norway offers various scholarships and financial aid options for international students. You can find information on scholarships and how to apply in the article.
Is knowledge of the Norwegian language required for international students?
Many programs in Norway are offered in English, and language proficiency in English is often sufficient.
Are there support services for international students in Norway?
Norwegian universities have dedicated support services, including orientation programs, career services, and counseling to assist international students in adapting to their new environment.
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Conclusion
Also, Norway provides opportunities for international students to extend their stay after completing their studies, either for work or pursuing advanced degrees.
We’ve come to the end of this article.
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