Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in Northern Europe. It is a modern, high-income country known for its rich natural resources and striking scenery. While the cost of living is high, international students should not be discouraged. Public universities and university colleges in Norway are funded by the government, and students from Norway, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland are generally exempt from tuition fees at public higher education institutions. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition fees, unless they qualify for an exemption. Students can also explore scholarships in Norway, although scholarship availability varies by institution and program. Norway also offers many English-taught study options, especially at the master’s level.
We have compiled a list of some of Norway’s best English-taught universities and institutions offering programs at different levels and in different fields of study. This list will help you narrow down your options as you search for the best school and degree program for your current interests.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Norway
| University | Undergraduate English-taught options | Graduate English-taught options |
|---|
| UiT – The Arctic University of Norway | UiT does not currently offer a complete bachelor’s degree taught in English. It offers the one-year programs Arctic Nature Guide and Norwegian Language and Society for Foreign Students. | Around 27 English-taught master’s programs are available in fields such as peace and conflict transformation, public health, physics, psychology, technology and safety, linguistics, and visual anthropology. Ph.D. opportunities are available across engineering, health sciences, law, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and nautical operations. |
| Nord University | English-taught bachelor’s options include Biology, Joint Bachelor Degree in Animal Science, Film and TV Production, Games and Entertainment Technology, and CG Art and Animation. | English-taught master’s options include Business, Biosciences, Sustainable Leadership and Arctic Perspectives, and Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources. Ph.D. programs include Biosciences, Business, Sociology, and Science of Professions. |
| Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) | NMBU offers one English-taught bachelor’s program: International Environment and Development Studies. | English-taught master’s programs cover areas such as economics, sustainability, global development, international relations, environmental studies, animal science, aquaculture, ecology, food systems, data science, nuclear and environmental sciences, and landscape architecture. The university also offers eight Ph.D. programs across its major academic fields. |
| University of Bergen | The university does not currently list a complete bachelor’s degree taught in English for international applicants. | English-taught master’s programs are available in humanities and aesthetic studies, medicine, natural sciences and technical subjects, social sciences and psychology, and fine art, music and design. Doctoral opportunities are also available, but applicants should verify the language and conditions of the individual Ph.D. position. |
| University of Agder | English-taught bachelor’s options include Academic Esports, Classical Music Performance, English, and Global Development Studies. | English-taught master’s options include Classical Music Performance, Coastal Ecology, Cybersecurity Engineering, Cybersecurity Management, English, Global Development, Crisis and Change, Management and Business Development, Multimedia and Game Technologies, and Popular Music. Ph.D. opportunities depend on the available research area and funded position. |
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) | NTNU’s complete English-taught degree options are concentrated at the graduate level; no complete English-taught bachelor’s degree is identified in this article. | English-taught master’s programs include Biology and Sustainability, Biotechnology, Cyber Security, Electric Power Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Informatics, Information Security, International Business and Marketing, Marine Technology, Materials Science, Mathematical Sciences, Mechatronics, Molecular Medicine, and Neuroscience. Ph.D. programs are available across NTNU’s faculties. |
| University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) | No complete English-taught bachelor’s degree is identified in this article. | English-taught master’s programs include Electrical Power Engineering, IT and Automation, Innovation and Technology Management, Human Rights and Multiculturalism, Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, Smart Systems Integrated Solutions, and Sustainability Management. Doctoral programs are available across humanities, education, ecology, management, nautical operations, health, society, and technology, although the language varies by program or position. |
1. UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, is one of Norway’s notable English-taught universities. It is also the northernmost university in the world. Because of its Arctic location, the university has a strong focus on Arctic-related global issues, including climate change, environmental threats, Indigenous issues, and sustainable development in the High North. This makes UiT a strong option for students interested in Arctic studies and northern-region research.
UiT currently does not offer bachelor’s programs taught in English. Instead, international applicants can choose from two one-year English-taught programs: Arctic Nature Guide and Norwegian Language and Society for Foreign Students. UiT also offers around 27 English-taught master’s programs, including fields such as peace and conflict transformation, philosophy, photonics and nanotechnology, physics, psychology, public health, technology and safety, theoretical linguistics, and visual and multimodal anthropology. For researchers, three-year Ph.D. programs are listed in areas such as Engineering Science, Health Sciences, Law Studies, Natural Science, Science, Social Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Nautical Operations.
2. Nord University
Nord University is a young institution established on January 1, 2016, through the merger of the University of Nordland, Nesna University College, and Nord-Trøndelag University College. The university emphasizes relevant education and research, with focus areas including blue and green growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, welfare, health, and education.
Nord University offers several English-taught programs at the bachelor’s level. Current options include Biology, the Joint Bachelor Degree in Animal Science, Film and TV Production, Games and Entertainment Technology, and CG Art and Animation. Most full bachelor’s programs are 180 ECTS and are completed in three years of full-time study. At the master’s level, English-taught options include Business, Biosciences, Sustainable Leadership and Arctic Perspectives, and Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources. Doctoral study is available through programs such as Biosciences, Business, Sociology, and Science of Professions; admission normally requires a relevant master’s degree, a strong academic record, a research project, and documented funding for the three-year doctoral period.
3. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
For students who want to study life sciences and sustainability-related fields, an excellent choice is the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Its study programs are carefully selected, and several are conducted in English for international students who would like to earn a degree on campus.
NMBU is among the best English-taught universities in Norway. The university currently offers one English-taught bachelor’s program: International Environment and Development Studies. NMBU also offers many English-taught master’s programs. Current examples include Applied Economics and Sustainability, Economics and Environmental Governance, Global Development Studies, Global Economy and Politics, International Relations, International Environmental Studies, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Aquatic Food Production, Ecology, Plant Sciences, Sustainable Food Systems, Data Science, Nuclear and Environmental Sciences, and Landscape Architecture for Global Sustainability. At the doctoral level, NMBU lists eight Ph.D. programs, including Biosciences, Economics and Business, Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, International Environment and Development Studies, Life and Food Sciences, Science and Technology, Society, Development and Planning, and Veterinary Science.
4. University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is a reputable public research university in Norway and a strong choice for English-taught graduate study. Students from Norway, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland are generally exempt from tuition fees at Norwegian public institutions, but students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees at UiB unless they qualify for an exemption. UiB does not offer scholarships to cover tuition fees.
The university accepts international students mainly at the graduate level for English-taught degree programs. For the 2026/2027 academic year, UiB lists multiple English-taught master’s programs for applicants outside the EU/EEA in Humanities and Aesthetic Studies, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Technical Subjects, Social Sciences and Psychology, and Fine Art, Music and Design. Most of these master’s programs last two years, with the second year generally focused on the master’s thesis. Students who wish to study programs taught in Norwegian must meet the university’s relevant Norwegian-language requirements.
5. University of Agder
One benefit of getting higher education at the University of Agder is that students can form strong connections with their lecturers and instructors. UiA highlights an open-door culture that promotes access to friendly lecturers. This type of student-lecturer relationship can positively affect students during their formative years at the university.
UiA’s English-taught bachelor’s options include Academic Esports, Classical Music Performance, English, and Global Development Studies. These bachelor’s programs are generally three-year, 180 ECTS programs. The university also offers a broad selection of English-taught master’s programs, including areas such as Classical Music Performance, Coastal Ecology, Cybersecurity Engineering, Cybersecurity Management, English, Global Development, Crisis and Change, Management and Business Development, Multimedia and Game Technologies, and Popular Music. Doctoral study is available through UiA’s Ph.D. programs, and prospective students should check the current Ph.D. program pages and vacancies for available research areas and funding.
6. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, commonly known as NTNU, is Norway’s largest university. Its headquarters are in Trondheim, with additional campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund. Although NTNU is especially recognized for science and technology, it also offers education and research in subjects such as business, economics, medicine, health sciences, humanities, social sciences, architecture, education, and the arts.
NTNU’s complete English-taught degree options are concentrated at the graduate level. For the 2026–2027 academic year, its international master’s programs include Biology and Sustainability, Biotechnology, Digital Infrastructure and Cyber Security, Electric Power Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Informatics, Information Security, International Business and Marketing, Marine Technology, Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Mechatronics and Automation, Molecular Medicine, and Neuroscience.
Most international master’s programs require two years of full-time study and 120 ECTS credits, although joint Nordic and Erasmus Mundus programs may involve study at partner universities. NTNU also offers Ph.D. programs across its faculties. Doctoral education normally lasts three years of full-time study, while some funded positions include a fourth year devoted to teaching or other required duties. Applicants usually need a relevant master’s degree, a strong academic record, and confirmed funding.
What Current Students / Alumni of Norwegian University of Science and Technology Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Tayyab Tahir
Master’s in Marine and Maritime Intelligent Robotics | All of his classes in the joint master’s program were conducted in English. Lectures, exams, assignments, and group projects were all in English, including during his second year at NTNU. | He said Norwegian was not necessary academically because the program was fully in English. |
Abhimanyu Bhowmik
Master’s in Marine and Maritime Intelligent Robotics | All of his studies were conducted in English in both France and Norway, so the language of instruction did not change when he moved to NTNU. | He encountered no general language barrier in Norway because Norwegians commonly spoke English. He also took an introductory Norwegian course, but it did not count toward his degree credits. |
Rashed Sayem
Master’s in Hydrogen Systems and Enabling Technologies | He studied hydrogen safety at NTNU but does not separately state the language used in those classes. | He reported essentially no everyday language barrier in Norway because almost everyone he encountered could speak English. |
Anagha Anilkumar
Master’s in Health Management in Aquaculture | She reported no academic language problems during her NTNU studies and said Norwegian students and academic staff were highly proficient in English. Her NTNU work included self-directed learning, group projects, presentations, and research. | Norwegian classes were available but were non-credit and not mandatory. She said Norwegian becomes more useful for social life and is highly advisable for students hoping to continue in Norway academically or professionally. |
7. University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway, commonly known as USN, is a public university with campuses in Bø, Drammen, Hønefoss, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Rauland, and Vestfold. The university emphasizes profession- and industry-oriented education, with many programs combining academic study with practical applications and cooperation with employers.
USN offers several complete master’s programs taught in English. Current options include Electrical Power Engineering, IT and Automation, Innovation and Technology Management, Human Rights and Multiculturalism, Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, Smart Systems Integrated Solutions, and Sustainability Management. Most full-time master’s programs take two years and consist of 120 ECTS credits, although some programs are offered part-time or have additional eligibility restrictions.
Doctoral study is available in Humanities, Cultural and Educational Sciences; Ecology; Management; Nautical Operations; Person, Health and Society; and Technology. A Ph.D. is normally structured as three years of full-time study or four years when the position includes required teaching or other duties. English is used in several doctoral programs and research environments, but applicants should check the language and admission conditions for the individual program or funded Ph.D. position.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of South-Eastern Norway Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Muhammad Hassaan
Master’s in Smart Systems Integrated Solutions | The language of instruction throughout his joint master’s program, including his studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway, was English. He said this meant he faced no academic language barriers. | English was also widely spoken in Norway and was sufficient for his daily communication. He took an introductory local-language course as part of the program to help with cultural adaptation and everyday communication. |
We hope that you found this article on the best English-taught universities in Norway informative and helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
