Norway is an excellent choice for higher education in many ways, including its high-quality public universities, beautiful natural environment, high standard of living, and diverse student communities. At public higher education institutions, students from Norway, Switzerland, and EU/EEA countries are generally exempt from tuition fees. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally have to pay program-specific tuition unless they qualify for an exemption. Some students may be eligible for limited, program-specific, or external scholarship options, but Norway does not offer a general government scholarship open to all international students.
Student life in Norway can include studying in a safe and welcoming social environment, enjoying breathtaking landscapes and the northern lights, accessing modern research facilities, and improving language skills. International students can choose from a variety of degree programs in fields such as sustainability, technology, social sciences, engineering, medicine, and management. English-taught options are especially common at the master’s and exchange levels, while many bachelor’s and professional programs are taught in Norwegian. Read on to learn about seven prominent public universities in Norway.
Top Public Universities in Norway
1. University of Oslo
The University of Oslo was founded in 1811 and remained Norway’s only university until 1946. It is a comprehensive, research-intensive university with eight faculties: theology, law, medicine, humanities, mathematics and natural sciences, dentistry, social sciences, and education.
The University of Oslo offers many English-taught master’s programs and individual courses, although many bachelor’s and professional programs are taught in Norwegian. Five Nobel Prize laureates have been affiliated with the university: Fridtjof Nansen, Ragnar Frisch, Odd Hassel, Trygve Haavelmo, and Ivar Giæver.
2. University of Bergen
The University of Bergen has roots in Bergen Museum, which was founded in 1825, and became Norway’s second university in 1946. It is a research-intensive, comprehensive university with particular strategic strengths in ocean research, climate and energy transitions, and global challenges. The university describes itself as Norway’s most cited university.
The University of Bergen had more than 20,000 students in spring 2025. It offers a wide range of master’s programs taught in English, as well as English-taught courses for exchange students. The university also reports that approximately half of its Ph.D. graduates come from outside Norway.
3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, commonly known as NTNU, is Norway’s largest university. It has its headquarters in Trondheim and additional campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund. Although it is particularly prominent in science and technology, NTNU also offers programs in the humanities, social sciences, medicine, health sciences, economics, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Popular study areas for international students include engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship.
NTNU offers numerous English-taught master’s programs and research opportunities. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must generally pay tuition unless they qualify for an exemption. Tuition varies by subject and program and is adjusted annually. NTNU does not offer general scholarships or scholarships that cover tuition fees, although limited external or program-specific funding may be available.
4. UiT – Arctic University of Norway
The University of Tromsø was established in 1968, welcomed its first students in 1972, and is now officially known as UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Its location and academic profile make it particularly important for research and education related to the Arctic, northern communities, climate, marine environments, and Indigenous issues.
UiT offers English-taught programs and courses in fields such as law of the sea, public health, psychology, engineering, geosciences, physics, mathematical sciences, biotechnology, and Arctic studies. Full-degree students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland generally pay tuition unless they qualify for an exemption. The university publishes program-specific fees for each academic year.
5. University of Stavanger
The University of Stavanger received university status on January 1, 2005. Its academic activities are organized across six faculties, several national research and competence centers, and the Museum of Archaeology. Its research strengths include energy, natural sciences and technology, risk management and societal safety, health and medicine, innovation, economics, and education. For a broader comparison, see this overview of universities in Norway.
International students can choose from several English-taught bachelor’s, master’s, and postgraduate programs. For the 2026–2027 academic year, students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who do not qualify for an exemption generally pay NOK 60,000 per 60 ECTS for humanities, social sciences, economics, and administrative subjects, or NOK 85,000 per 60 ECTS for programs in areas such as science, technology, health, education, and the performing arts.
6. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, commonly known as NMBU, traces its history to an agricultural school that opened at Ås in 1859. In 2014, the former Norwegian University of Life Sciences merged with the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science to form the present-day NMBU.
NMBU’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is Norway’s only veterinary educational institution, although its professional veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing programs are taught in Norwegian. English-taught degrees are available in fields such as international environment and development studies, ecology, data science, aquaculture, economics, and international relations.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who do not qualify for an exemption generally pay NOK 80,000, NOK 150,000, or NOK 275,000 per 60 ECTS, depending on the program category. NMBU states that it does not offer scholarships for bachelor’s or master’s students or scholarships that cover tuition fees.
7. University of South-Eastern Norway
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Location: Bø, Drammen, Hønefoss, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Rauland, and Vestfold | Medium of Instruction: English and Norwegian, depending on the program
The University of South-Eastern Norway was granted university status on May 4, 2018. It has approximately 18,000 students across eight campuses and offers more than 300 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs through four faculties.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland generally have to pay tuition unless they qualify for an exemption. For programs beginning in August 2026, the university’s current fee page lists annual tuition of NOK 50,000 for two selected one-year arts programs, NOK 60,000 for selected master’s programs, and NOK 90,000 for selected science and technology master’s programs. Applicants should check the current program page because fees vary by course and may be updated annually.
Norway attracts international students with its research environment, educational opportunities, and Nordic lifestyle. The universities above offer different academic strengths, locations, tuition structures, and language requirements. Review the current admission requirements and deadlines before you apply to universities in Norway.
To learn more, visit the Study in Norway guide for additional articles. If you are interested, check out the Available Programs in Europe!
