When applying to universities abroad, including universities in Norway, international students may need to document their English-language proficiency. The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, Academic test is one common way to do this.
If you are planning to study in Norway, check the English-language requirements for your intended English-taught program. Minimum scores vary by university, study level, and sometimes by program. The table below summarizes the current requirements published by the institutions.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Norway
Norwegian institutions do not use one universal IELTS score for every course. Some institutions also accept other forms of documentation or grant exemptions. Where an institution does not publish a single undergraduate IELTS requirement for the context covered by its admissions page, applicants should check the requirements for their intended program.
1. University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is a public university founded in 1811. It is Norway’s oldest university.
Applicants who use IELTS to document their English-language proficiency should check the requirements for their intended study level and applicant category before submitting their test results.
2. University of Bergen
Next on our list is the University of Bergen. The university offers multiple master’s programs taught in English.
Applicants to an English-taught master’s program who use IELTS Academic or IELTS Online must have an overall score of at least 6.5 and a score of at least 6.5 in each component. The university does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake results.
3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Another public research institution in Norway that accepts IELTS as proof of English-language proficiency is the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, commonly known as NTNU. NTNU is Norway’s largest university and has 43,507 students.
Applicants who document their English-language proficiency with IELTS Academic must have a minimum score of 6.5 in each component.
4. UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Situated in northern Norway, UiT the Arctic University of Norway is the world’s northernmost university. Its official website lists 15,500 students and states that international students make up approximately 10% of its student body. UiT focuses on topics related to the Arctic and the High North, including the polar environment and climate research.
UiT publishes an IELTS Academic benchmark of 6.0 for bachelor’s-level admissions and 6.5 for master’s-level admissions. However, it currently does not offer any bachelor’s degree programs taught in English.
5. University of Stavanger
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- IELTS Band Requirement: minimum 6.5 overall, with a minimum writing score of 6.0, for the international applicants covered by the university’s published requirement
The Norwegian city of Stavanger is home to the University of Stavanger. The institution offers a variety of master’s programs for international students.
Applicants covered by the university’s published English-language requirement must have an IELTS Academic overall score of at least 6.5 and a writing score of at least 6.0. The university does not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, or IELTS One Skill Retake results.
6. Oslo Metropolitan University
Oslo Metropolitan University, commonly known as OsloMet, has 24,120 students.
Applicants who use IELTS Academic or IELTS Online to satisfy the English-language requirement for a master’s program must have an overall score of at least 6.0 and a score of at least 6.0 in each component.
7. Ostfold University College
The institution’s English-language website uses the name Østfold University of Applied Sciences. It offers around 100 study programs in modern facilities.
Applicants who use IELTS Academic to document their English-language proficiency must have an overall band score of at least 6.0.
8. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, commonly known as NMBU, traces its history to 1859. NMBU describes itself as Norway’s second-oldest institution of higher education and the only educational institution in Norway that provides veterinary education.
Applicants who use IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic Online must have a minimum overall score of 6.0 for bachelor’s programs and 7.0 for master’s and Ph.D. programs.
9. BI Norwegian Business School
BI Norwegian Business School is an independent, not-for-profit foundation established in 1943. Its official website states that it has more than 20,000 students, 1,000 employees, and 300,000 alumni.
Applicants who use IELTS Academic must have an overall score of at least 6.0 for bachelor’s programs and at least 6.5 for Master of Science programs.
10. NHH Norwegian School of Economics
Last on our list is the NHH Norwegian School of Economics. NHH was founded in 1936. Its official facts page lists approximately 3,700 students and 470 employees.
Applicants who use IELTS Academic must have an overall score of at least 6.0 for the English-taught bachelor’s program in Business, Economics and Data Science and at least 6.5 for the MSc in Economics and Business Administration.
FAQs: IELTS Acceptance in Norway
Do Universities in Norway Consider Students Who Have Not Passed the IELTS Exam?
Yes. IELTS is not the only way to document English-language proficiency. Universities may accept other tests, prior qualifications, or exemptions, depending on the institution, program, and applicant background.
For Norway’s general Higher Education Entrance Qualification, IELTS Academic or IELTS Online Academic with a minimum score of 5.0 is one accepted way to document English-language proficiency. However, individual universities and programs may require higher scores, including minimum scores for individual test components.
Applicants should check the official admissions page for their intended program. Previous education in English does not automatically guarantee an exemption in every case.
We hope this article will be useful as you prepare for your studies in Norway! Also, if you are searching for programs to take, check out the available courses in Europe for international students!
