Norway is an excellent choice of country for higher education in many ways: high-quality education, beautiful nature, high standards of living, diverse student life, and, most importantly, the number of public universities with no tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss students and many scholarship options for students from other countries.
Student life in Norway means living in a safe and welcoming social environment, enjoying breathtaking landscapes and Northern lights, having access to research facilities, improving language skills, and many more. International students can choose from a variety of degree programs, yet the most prominent programs popular among domestic and overseas students include fields such as sustainability studies, technology, social sciences, engineering, medicine, management, and more. If you want to obtain a brand-new perspective on academics and research while enjoying the Nordic lifestyle, read this article to find the seven best public universities in Norway.
Can International Students Enroll in Public Universities in Norway?
Yes, in fact, Norway has a high number of international students as most public universities have no-tuition fee policies for EU/EEA/Swiss students and scholarship options for non-EU residents, and the majority of the study programs at Norwegian universities are taught in English.
Two major public universities in Norway with a diversity of student nationalities are the University of Oslo and the University of Bergen, both of which have been well-renowned in global university rankings for their academic excellence and advanced research opportunities. Norwegian public universities provide generous scholarship opportunities for students from all parts of the world.
Top Public Universities in Norway for International Students
Norway hosts many public universities with global recognition, and below, we state the top seven of the most privileged public universities in the country for international students.
1. University of Oslo
The University of Oslo was founded in 1812 and was the only university in Norway until 1946. Today, it is a world-class university recognized for its excellence in academics and innovative approach towards research. It is considered the largest research institution in Norway, operating under the faculties of theology, law, medicine, humanities, mathematics and natural sciences, dentistry, social sciences, and education.
There are about 800 English-taught programs at the University of Oslo in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The international student ratio is 16%, and the majority of the students are from outside of Oslo. The university is associated with five Nobel prizes, including Odd Hassel, Ragnar Frisch, and Ivar Giæver.
2. University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is a well-established public university with the foundation year of 1946 and is considered the second-oldest university in Norway. It is highly regarded for its programs in law, medicine, marine sciences, and climate research and is recognized as the most cited university in the country for its advanced research.
The University of Bergen has 20,000 students and offers a wide range of courses for international students in all degrees, particularly for doctoral studies as about half of the doctoral degree graduates at Bergen are international students. Overall, about 11% of the student population is from outside Norway, making the university campus diverse in nationality.
3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology is a leading public research university prominent for its science and technology studies across the country and Europe. Some of the best degree programs at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology for international students include engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship.
Besides, the university has a wide variety of English-taught courses for master’s degrees, followed by well-grounded Ph.D. programs. Like other public universities in Norway, international students are not required to pay any tuition fee. Additionally, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology provides various student grant opportunities for international students based on their skills or needs.
4. UiT – Arctic University of Norway
The University of Tromsø, also known as the Arctic University of Norway, is a prestigious public university operating since its foundation in 1968. The university is regarded as the largest research university in Northern Norway, and its unique location with natural wonders and sources of Norway makes the university prominent for studying the environment and culture.
There are six faculties and 43 English-taught programs at Tromsø, available with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for international students. Environmental Law, Biotechnology, Molecular Sciences, Northern Studies, and Psychology are some of the most popular programs at the university.
5. University of Stavanger
Founded in 2005, the University of Stavanger is a recently founded university with 12,506 students, six faculties, and 29 international programs, most of which include master’s and doctoral degrees. Despite fewer student numbers and its new establishment, the University of Stavanger is considered one of the highest-ranked universities in Norway with research publications.
International students at Stavanger can enroll in a wide range of study programs and benefit from several national research centers to pursue their academic and research interests. Despite other public universities, non-EU international students are to pay tuition fees, ranging from $7,000 to $13,000 per academic year.
6. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Established in 1859, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences started as the Higher Agricultural College, later merged with the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science and obtained its current title. It is recognized as the only university in Norway to offer degree programs in veterinary science.
Currently, there are seven faculties and eight centers at the university, including 13 English-taught programs for international students in academic fields such as International Environment and Development Studies, Ecology, Data Science, Aquaculture, and International Relations.
7. University of South-Eastern Norway
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Location: Bø in Telemark, Porsgrunn, Notodden, Rauland, Drammen, Hønefoss, Kongsberg and Horten
- Medium of Instruction: English, Norwegian
The University of South-Eastern Norway is a prestigious public university offering courses on seven campuses since its foundation in 2018. The university has 88 undergraduate programs, 44 master’s programs, and 8 Ph.D. programs within four faculties.
International students from non-EU countries must pay the tuition fees at the University of South-Eastern Norway, and the fees range from $10,000 to $21,000. For program-specific tuition fees, kindly visit the university’s web page.
Norway is a choice of study for thousands of international students worldwide, and above, we stated the top public Norwegian universities with their unique features to find the right school and program. Apply today and start your journey at the Nordic lands blended with technology and innovation.
To learn more about Norway, visit the Study in Norway for more insightful articles! Be sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for more study opportunities!
