Are you planning to study in Norway? The Norwegian education system includes several highly regarded universities, and the country remains an attractive destination for students looking for research-based education in an international environment.
According to Study in Norway, the cost of living in Norway for students is estimated at NOK 15,488 per month, or NOK 170,368 per year,. Students can also apply for financial support where eligible, but funding options are not guaranteed and vary by citizenship, exchange status, institution, program, and academic profile. Let’s take a look at the best universities for data science Master’s degree in Norway.
Top Schools Offering Data Science Master’s Programs in Norway
1. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, also known as NMBU, is located in Ås. Its history dates back to 1859, when Den høiere Landbrugsskole paa Aas was established. The former Norwegian Agricultural University received university status in 2005, and in 2014, it merged with the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science to become today’s NMBU. The university is currently organized into seven faculties.
NMBU offers a Master of Science in Data Science that is taught in English and runs full time for two years, with a total of 120 ECTS credits. The program combines theoretical elements of informatics, mathematics, and statistics with practical data analysis and problem-solving skills. Students build skills in machine learning, data mining, and programming, choose specialization courses such as geographical modeling and analysis, bioinformatics, computational neuroscience, energy physics, building structures, building performance simulation, or economics, and complete a 30 ECTS master’s thesis.
2. University of Oslo
Another university in Norway that offers a Master’s in Data Science is the University of Oslo. The program is a two-year, full-time master’s program worth 120 ECTS credits. It combines mathematics, statistics, and informatics, and students can choose specializations such as Statistics and Machine Learning, Database Integration and Semantic Web, Data Science and Life Science, Language Technology, and Digital Image Processing. The course is project-based, with master’s thesis projects connected to real problems in industry, the public sector, or research. As Norway’s oldest university, founded in 1811, UiO has long-standing strengths in research and education.
BigInsight, a Centre for Research-based Innovation active from 2015 to 2024, helped build UiO’s data science community and contributed to the creation of the Data Science master’s program and the dScience center. UiO also supports international mobility: students in the Data Science master’s program are recommended to study abroad during the second or third semester, and incoming exchange students from partner universities may spend one or two semesters at UiO. Applicants should review the official admissions page for the current academic, documentation, and English-language requirements before applying.
Hopefully, this article will encourage you to consider a master’s program in Norway. If you are interested, please check out our Data Science Programs for International Students for some of the currently open data science courses around the world. Do visit our Study in Norway guide for more valuable tips, insightful articles, and scholarship opportunities.
