Whether you prefer to work inside a laboratory or out in the field, you can find opportunities to thrive in biology.
Biology can lead to a wide range of career paths. Many biology undergraduates pursue medical fields, while others build careers in botany, biotechnology, environmental science, and related areas.
A biology degree is versatile, and Norway offers several university options for students interested in the biological sciences. In this article, we list universities where students can study biology or closely related fields in Norway.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Norway
1. University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest university. It was founded in 1811.
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held in the university’s Aula from 1947 to 1989. The ceremony is now held at Oslo City Hall.
The university’s Department of Biosciences offers a two-year, full-time master’s program in Bioscience comprising 120 ECTS credits. The program has seven specialization options, including Biodiversity and Systematics; Cell Biology, Physiology and Neuroscience; Ecology and Evolution; Genetics and Developmental Biology; Marine Biology and Limnology; and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
Applicants should review the admission requirements for their preferred program option before applying.
2. University of Bergen
The University of Bergen was founded in 1946 and has academic roots dating back to Bergen Museum, which was established in 1825. It is an internationally recognized research university.
The university is a research-intensive comprehensive institution offering education across a wide range of disciplines. Its biology-related programs include options connected to marine and environmental topics.
The Biology master’s program is a two-year, 120-ECTS degree. Students can choose from six specializations: Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology; Microbiology; Environmental Toxicology; Aquaculture Biology; Developmental Biology, Physiology and Nutrition; and Marine Biology, Fisheries Biology and Management.
Students can also consider the two-year, full-time master’s program in Molecular Biology. This English-taught program provides advanced study of biomolecules and their roles in life processes, including disease.
3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is Norway’s largest university. Its headquarters are in Trondheim, and it also has campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund.
The university has a main profile in science and technology while also offering programs in the humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, education, architecture, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
The Department of Biology lists a three-year bachelor’s program in Biology with Norwegian-language requirements. Its current international master’s programs include Biology and Sustainability, Biotechnology, Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Environmental Contamination and Toxicology + One Health, and Ocean Resources.
The master’s program in Biology and Sustainability is a two-year, full-time, English-taught program in Trondheim. Students choose from three specializations: Biosciences, Biodiversity and Nature Management, and Biodiversity and Systematics. NTNU also offers a full-time, three-year Ph.D. program in Biology.
4. UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway is the northernmost university in the world. The university takes a particular interest in Arctic-related global challenges.
The Department of Arctic and Marine Biology conducts research and education across a broad range of topics, from microorganisms and cellular mechanisms to Arctic animals and ecosystems.
UiT offers a two-year, 120-ECTS master’s program in Biology at its Tromsø campus. The English-taught program covers topics ranging from genes to ecosystems and provides opportunities to conduct scientific research.
5. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences specializes in the life sciences and is committed to addressing sustainability challenges.
The university offers several master’s programs related to the biological sciences, including Ecology, Plant Sciences, and Arctic Environment Forensics. Genome Sciences remains listed on the university’s website, but the program is no longer admitting new applicants after 2025.
The two-year, full-time master’s program in Ecology comprises 120 ECTS credits. It focuses on ecology, biological diversity, natural processes, and major environmental challenges such as climate change, habitat degradation, and species extinction. The program can prepare students for work related to biological monitoring, nature conservation, and ecosystem management.
Hopefully, this article will help you find a suitable institution for studying biology. To learn more about Norway, visit the Study in Norway guide to read articles about studying abroad. Make sure to also check out the available programs in Europe page to explore study programs.
