Norway is one of the most beautiful countries located in Northern Europe. A modern country that is surrounded by rich natural resources and exquisite sceneries. Not only that, Norway is considered to be one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. The cost of living is generally high, as this may hold; international students must not be discouraged. This does not typically mean that students who can continue higher education are only financially capable. The government supports many universities and institutions, and they do not charge tuition fees to domestic and EU/EEA/Swiss students. Many private-owned institutions also offer numerous scholarships. The options are endless. The country provides way too much more than expected compared to other countries. They even offer a broad spectrum of degree programs entirely taught in English.
We have compiled a list of some of Norway’s best English-taught universities and institutions offering programs at all levels and different fields of study. This list will help you narrow down your options in searching for the best school and degree programs of your current interest.
Top English-taught Universities in Norway for International Students
1. UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, is known to be among the best English-taught universities in Norway. Fun fact: it is also the most northern university in the world. The university is gravely concerned about the environmental issues in the Northern region and it has created degree programs specializing in such matters. This is a perfect place to study for aspiring students interested in pursuing such education as they will get a close-up range of what they are learning. This will provide them with first-hand experience on matters relating to the pressing issues in Arctic Norway.
International students interested in the area of study interrelated to the Arctic North can take up one of the two English-taught degree programs offered at the university. These academic programs are Arctic Adventure Tourism and Northern Studies. Completion of the program will award students with a Bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, master’s programs vary from traditional programs such as Biology, Tourism Studies, Electrical Engineering, English Literature, and Fine Arts to more highly concentrated and distinct academic programs, namely Public Health, Technology and safety in High North, Nordic Urban Planning, and Governance & Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas. As for researchers, Ph.D. programs conducted in English with a duration of 3 years are offered in Engineering Science, Law Studies, Natural Science, Science, Social Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Nautical Operations.
2. Nord University
Nord University is a relatively new institution that was established in 2016. With its increasing number of students, the university has focused on making solid connections to the topmost figures and industries of the region to strengthen its ties and give support to the university in delivering only first-class education. The institution has also been fully committed to incorporating relevant field-specific courses into its academic programs.
With the need to attract international students to its campus, the institution has formed English-taught degree programs in different areas of study. There are six study programs currently offered at the bachelor’s level. These are Circumpolar Nordic Studies, Biology, English, Film & TV Production, Games and Entertainment Technology, and 3D Art, Animation and VFX. All programs are required to complete 180 ECTS in three years, full-time. Moreover, the university has four study programs for degree holders interested in continuing their master’s. These degree programs are in Business, Biosciences, Global Management, and Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources. Lastly, professionals wishing to obtain a doctoral degree in Aquatic Biosciences, Business, Science of Professions, and Sociology must have the following entry requirements to be eligible: a master’s degree with an exemplary grade, financial stability, an approved research description, and a detailed timeline of their research.
3. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
For students who want to get an education in the field of Life Sciences, an excellent choice to obtain a degree is in the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Its study programs are carefully selected, and several of these programs are conducted in English specially intended for international students who would like to acquire a degree on its campus.
NMBU is among the best English-taught universities in Norway. Currently, the only bachelor’s program offered in the university is International Environment and Development Studies. Acquiring a degree in this three-year program will give students eligibility to several master’s programs offered by the university. Graduate study programs at master’s and doctoral levels provide numerous highly focused programs in the area of study of Life Sciences. Academic programs such as Agroecology, Animal Science, Ecology, Genome Science, Plant Science, and Radioecology are just some programs that are taught in English.
4. University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is an excellent English-taught university in Norway. It is one of the country’s most reputable universities, too. There are several reasons why this globally recognized university is the prime choice among international students. Almost certainly, the top two apparent reasons are: first, the institution does not charge tuition fees to all their students (and yes, that includes international students), and secondly, the high-quality education the institution provides generates high-performing graduates meaning students who have graduated in the university can quickly secure a job as the employability rate is relatively high compared to other institutions. These factors are just some of the advantages students will appreciate during and upon completion while taking a degree in the university.
The university accepts international students continuing a degree at the graduate level. UiB offers a wide range of English-taught master’s programs in different fields such as Humanities and Aesthetic Studies. Medicine, Natural Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Psychology, and Fine Arts, Music and Design. Prospective students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can view the complete master’s programs here, while students from other countries can check the list here. These master’s programs offered are practically the same and are typically completed in two years; however, students from EU/EEA member states who have a high proficiency in the Norwegian language are eligible to apply for programs taught in Norwegian.
5. University of Agder
One of the benefits of getting higher education at the University of Agder is that students will form strong connections with their lecturers and instructors. Although the university has stated that applying an “open door” policy to all its departments is not compulsory, this student-lecturer relationship is put into practice effortlessly even without formal implementation. Having this kind of relationship will have a positive impact on students as this will help them during their formation years in the university.
An excellent way to attract international students to enroll in one of their programs is to offer study programs instructed in English. Academic E-sports, Classical Music Performance, English, and Global Development Studies are four in-demand bachelor’s programs currently offered at the university. Meanwhile, a broad spectrum of academic programs is offered at master’s and doctorate levels. Approximately fifteen master’s programs, one master’s program in partnership with Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Indonesia, and fifteen research programs at the Ph.D. level.
We hope that you found this article on the best English-taught universities in Norway informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe and Study in Norway pages!
