Norway’s higher education landscape includes public and private institutions. Private providers range from specialized universities and university colleges to institutions with individually accredited programs. Norway is highly regarded as a destination for international students seeking a high-quality education, regardless of their nationality.
Norwegian higher education is governed by national legislation, while the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) accredits and supervises institutions and programs. Private institutions in Norway often specialize in fields such as business, theology, health sciences, early childhood education, music, and architecture. You can learn more about the Norwegian education system before choosing a program.
Norway has a relatively high cost of living, but it remains a popular destination for international students pursuing higher education. To help prospective students compare their options, this article provides an overview of seven private higher education institutions and selected programs.
Top Private Universities in Norway
Norway is home to several respected private higher education institutions. The institutions below are presented as an editorial overview rather than an official ranking, and their accreditation categories, program offerings, and tuition policies differ.
1. BI Norwegian Business School
BI Norwegian Business School was founded in 1943 and is a private specialized university with campuses in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger. It is one of Norway’s main providers of business education and offers programs in areas such as finance, marketing, strategy, data science, law, and sustainable business.
BI first received EQUIS accreditation in 1999 and remains EQUIS-accredited. It is also accredited by AACSB and AMBA, giving it the three accreditations commonly known as the “Triple Crown.” The institution offers bachelor’s, master’s, executive, and doctoral education.
One of its programs is the Master in Business, a two-year degree that develops quantitative, analytical, and strategic skills. Students select one of seven majors, including finance, marketing, economics, strategy, logistics and supply chain management, people and business development, or accounting and business control.
2. NLA University College
NLA University College is a private Christian university college with more than 50 years of history. It has campuses in Bergen, Oslo, and Kristiansand, as well as study centers in Trondheim and Stavanger.
NLA is accredited as a university college by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education. It offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in fields including teacher education, pedagogy, intercultural studies, theology, religion and philosophy, journalism and communication, music, and business administration. It does not currently award doctoral degrees.
Its Master in Global Journalism is a two-year, full-time, English-taught program in Kristiansand worth 120 credits. The curriculum examines global journalism, media ethics, research methods, and the relationship between media, democracy, development, and international affairs. Students also complete a master’s thesis.
3. VID Specialized University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Locations: Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger, Norway, with additional study opportunities in Tromsø, Sandvika, and Sandnessjøen | Medium of Instruction: English, Norwegian
VID Specialized University was established in 2016 through the merger of several colleges whose histories extend back to 1843. With nearly 6,000 students, VID describes itself as one of Norway’s largest private specialized universities.
VID offers approximately 60 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its principal subject areas include health, social sciences, community studies, management, diaconia, and theology.
International students can apply for the Master in Community Development and Social Innovation, an English-taught, two-year program worth 120 ECTS credits. It is offered in Oslo and Stavanger and examines community development, social sustainability, intercultural interaction, leadership, and social innovation. Students choose from three specializations: Diakonia and Leadership in Christian Social Practice, Value-Based Leadership and Social Innovation, or Migration and Intercultural Relations.
4. MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society
MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society is a private specialized university in Oslo. Founded in 1907 as the Faculty of Theology, it adopted its current name in 2018. Its teaching and research focus on theology, religion, and social sciences, particularly the relationship between religion and society.
MF offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its graduates pursue careers in areas such as education, research, religious organizations, public administration, and civil society.
Its Doctoral Degree Programme is a three-year Ph.D. worth 180 credits. Research fields include biblical studies, church history, systematic and practical theology, ethics, diaconia, religious education, religious studies, sociology and psychology of religion, and other social-science disciplines.
5. Queen Maud University College
- Admissions
- Locations: Trondheim, with selected part-time study in Kristiansund, Norway | Medium of Instruction: Norwegian, with selected international courses in English
Queen Maud University College was established in 1947 and is an accredited private university college specializing in early childhood education. It is the only higher education institution in Norway whose main task is educating kindergarten teachers. It offers bachelor’s and master’s programs as well as further and continuing education in early childhood education and care.
Among its principal programs is the Bachelor’s Degree in Kindergarten Teacher Education. The full-time degree lasts three years, while part-time study normally takes four years. The program combines academic coursework with professional practice and prepares students for pedagogical and leadership responsibilities in kindergartens and other early childhood settings.
6. Barratt Due Institute of Music
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Location: Oslo, Norway | Medium of Instruction: Norwegian, English; language requirements vary by program
Barratt Due Institute of Music was established in Oslo in 1927 and specializes in classical music education and performance. Its educational activities extend from programs for children and young musicians to higher education for aspiring professional performers.
At the higher education level, Barratt Due offers a Bachelor in Music Performance, a Master in Music Performance in collaboration with the Norwegian Academy of Music, and extended studies that include practical pedagogical education.
The institute’s Bachelor in Music Performance is a full-time, four-year program worth 240 ECTS credits. It is a profession- and performance-oriented classical music degree for instrumentalists and vocalists, with an emphasis on the student’s principal instrument, artistic development, ensemble work, and preparation for a professional career.
7. Bergen School of Architecture
- Admissions
- Location: Bergen, Norway | Medium of Instruction: Norwegian in the first year; English is used in upper-level and exchange studies
Bergen School of Architecture, commonly known as BAS, was established as a private foundation in 1986. It was created as an alternative to Norway’s two existing state architecture programs and is known for an educational approach influenced by the Open Form tradition.
BAS was accredited by NOKUT as a university college in 2024. It currently offers one accredited degree program: the Master in Architecture.
The Master in Architecture is an integrated, five-year program worth 300 credits. Applicants who have completed a relevant bachelor’s-level architecture education may apply for admission to the final two years, which comprise 120 credits. The program covers architectural design, theory, construction, art, and practice.
Norway has a regulated higher education system that includes several private institutions with distinctive academic profiles. Accreditation category, program availability, language of instruction, tuition, and admission requirements vary, so applicants should verify current information directly with each institution before applying.
We hope this article on the best private universities in Norway was helpful. For available courses in Europe, visit our Available Courses for International Students and Study in Norway!
