In this article, you will get to learn about the top public universities in Norway available for both International and domestic students who reside in Norway or are interested in acquiring a bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., or Doctoral degree in Norway.
University education in Norway is a clear example of academic excellence, research innovation, and inclusivity. The nation’s diverse array of academic offerings, tuition-free undergraduate programs, and vibrant research environment all attest to its dedication to providing high-quality education.
A vast range of academic programs covering subjects like the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and more are offered by Norwegian universities and university colleges.
In Norway, Many programs are offered in English to accommodate the increasing number of international students, ensuring that language barriers do not prevent students from pursuing an education.
About Public Universities in Norway
Norway’s public universities are the backbone of the nation’s higher education system, providing a top-notch education and enhancing the country’s standing as an academic leader.
These government-funded universities in Norway are well-known for their dedication to diversity, creativity, and research, which draws both domestic and foreign students to them.
They are highly regarded for their dedication to knowledge acquisition and academic rigor. They provide a wide range of programs in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, arts, and other fields, and the academic programs are made by international standards and the Bologna Process, which makes it easier for students all over the world to recognize their degrees.
What are the requirements to get admission to Norway universities?
The requirements for admission to Norwegian universities vary depending on the institution and program, and it is a competitive process.
In general, applicants to bachelor’s programs need to have finished secondary school, which is comparable to the Norwegian system.
A relevant bachelor’s degree is usually required for master’s programs, and English language proficiency is crucial. An English language proficiency exam, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, is required by most universities.
Additional requirements, such as past coursework in particular subjects or a minimum grade point average (GPA), may apply to some master’s programs. These specifications guarantee that students are suitably prepared for their chosen fields of study and uphold academic standards.
Are there scholarships in Public universities in Norway?
Numerous scholarship opportunities are offered to further encourage international students to study in Norway. Financial aid is available from the Norwegian government and other groups, which can assist students in paying for their tuition and living expenses.
These scholarships are evidence of Norway’s dedication to making sure that the pursuit of education is not hampered by financial limitations.
What is the cost of studying in Norway?
Until the 2023–2024 academic year, all of Norway’s public universities will be free of tuition for international and EU/EEA students. However, the Norwegian government has decided to charge tuition to out-of-country students beginning in 2023.
This tuition fee charges range from €11,000 to €35,000, the cost of your study in any Norwegian university depends on your course of study and the university.
Top 10 Best Public Universities in Norway
The following are the public universities in Norway:
- University of Bergen
- NHH Norwegian School of Economics
- The University Centre in Svalbard
- University of Oslo
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences
- Nord University
- University of Tromso
- University of Stavanger
- University of Agder
- The Norwegian University of Science and Technology
#1. University of Bergen
This is a public research university located in Bergen, Norway. It is one of the leading universities in many natural sciences, including marine research and climate research. It has consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, always making it to the top 200 best universities.
UiB is internationally recognized and the most cited university in Norway with close to 20,000 admitted students at the university. They accept students from different parts of the world, about half of the graduating doctors from the University of Bergen are from outside Norway.
This university offers quality education and their quality of life goes hand-in-hand with the higher cost of living which is compensated for by benefits such as quality health care and ready access to the natural environment.
There are over 25 2-year master’s programs taught in English at UiB within the fields of humanities and aesthetic studies, medicine, natural sciences, technical subjects, social sciences, and psychology, as well as fine art, music, and design.
The school environment is peaceful and safe because Norway is a democratic country that favors equality and is also known to offer a high quality of life in many aspects.
They offer studies at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels within various fields. None of their undergraduate programs are being taught in English, the only programs taught in English are the master’s program and doctorate programs.
There are seven faculties available at the University of Bergen:
- Faculties of Fine Art, Music and Design
- Faculties of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Psychology
- Faculty of Social Science
University of Bergen tuition fee for international students is 190,000 to 380,000 NOK.
#2. NHH Norwegian School of Economics
NHH is a business school located in Bergen, Norway. It was founded in 1936 as the first business school in Norway and it is currently a leading teaching and research institution in Norway and Europe for the fields of management and business administration.
Their undergraduate program consistently ranks among the most popular first choices for students applying for undergraduate study in Norway. The school participates in exchange programs with more than 170 foreign business schools and universities in over 50 countries.
The school offers one three-year undergraduate program in Economics and Business administration, taught in Norwegian. They offer eight master’s profiles; Financial Economics, Business Analysis and Performance Management, Economic Analysis, Marketing and Brand Management, Economics, Strategy and Management, International Business (taught in English), Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment (taught in English)
There are 6 departments and 12 research centres at the NHH Norwegian School of Economics:
- The department of accounting, auditing, and law
- The department of business and management science
- The department of economics
- The department of finance
- The department of professional and intercultural communication
- The department of strategy and management
The research centers at NHH include;
- Centre for Brand Research
- Centre for Asset Management
- Centre for Business Economics
- Centre for Corporate Finance
- Centre for Digital Business and Audit
- Centre for Shipping and Logistics
- Centre for Sustainable Business
- Digital Innovation for Growth
- Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment
- Macro, Risk and Sustainability Centre
- Norwegian Centre for Taxation
NHH Tuition Fees for international students is 180,000 NOK.
#3. The University Centre in Svalbard
The University Centre in Svalbard is a Norwegian state-owned limited company that is involved in research and provides some higher education in Arctic studies. It is owned by the Ministry of Education and Research and is located in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
UNIS has been educating the next Arctic experts for over 30 years, they offer high-quality courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. It was established in 1993 to provide university-level education in Arctic studies to carry out high-quality research, and to contribute to the development of Svalbard as an international research platform.
Their geographical position offers a unique advantage that allows students and faculty to use nature as a laboratory, and arena for observation and data collection.
All the courses offered at the University Centre in Svalbard are taught in English.
They offer five main science courses;
- Artic biology
- Arctic geology, Arctic Geophysics
- Arctic biology
- Arctic Technology and Artic Safety
University Centre in Svalbard tuition fees for international students is 22,500 NOK.
#4. University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is a public research university located in Oslo, Norway. It was established in 1811 as the de facto Norwegian continuation of Denmark Norway’s common university, the University of Copenhagen. It remains the oldest university in Norway.
The University of Oslo has agreements with universities and partner institutions all over the world, giving high priority to long-term international cooperation worldwide.
All the bachelor programs at the University of Oslo are taught in Norwegian while all the master’s programs are taught in English Language.
There are eight faculties at the University of Oslo
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Educational Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Theology
University of Oslo tuition fees for international students is 190,000 to 370,000 NOK
#5. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU is a public university located in AS, Norway. It was established in 1859 as the Higher Agricultural College, was transformed into the Norwegian College of Agriculture but received university status in 2005 and was renamed the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
NMBU’s common mission is to contribute to the well-being of the planet. Their interdisciplinary research and study programs generate innovation in Food, health, environmental protection, climate, and sustainable use of natural resources.
The university is organized into seven faculties:
- Faculty of Biosciences
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management
- Faculty of Landscape and Safety
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- School of Economics and Business
NMBU tuition fees for international students is 80,000 to 125,000 NOK.
#6. Nord University
This is a state university in the Nordland and Trondelag counties of Norway with its main campus located in Bodo. The university is committed to a brand scope of educational and research programs with a focus on blue and green growth innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as welfare, health, and education.
Nord University is very young but has a strong regional and global perspective, the university collaborates on education and research across borders. Their study location for international students is at Bodo, Levanger, and Steinkjer respectively.
There are five faculties and several centres at Nord University:
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture
- Faculty of Education and Arts
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Nord University Business School
Nord University tuition fees for international students is 130,000 to 260,000 NOK.
#7. University of Tromso
Also known as the Arctic University of Norway, it is a state university in Norway the world’s northernmost university. It was established in 1968 and opened in 1972 in the beautiful city of Tromso, Norway.
This university is the largest research and educational institution in Northern Norway and the sixth-largest university in Norway, its location made it a natural venue for the development of studies of the region’s natural environment, culture, and society.
Their activities mainly focus on auroral light research, space science, fishery science, biotechnology, linguistics, multicultural societies, Saami cultures, telemedicine, epidemiology, and a wide spectrum of Arctic research.
The school has six faculties, many subordinate departments, and several associated centers:
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics
- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education
- Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- The Arctic University Museum of Norway and the Academy of Fine Art.
University of Tromso tuition fees for international students is 48,000 to 373 500 NOK.
#8. University of Stavanger
The University of Stavanger is a large public university located in Stavanger, Norway. It was established in 2005 and it is currently the third-highest-ranked university in Norway in terms of the number of research publications per member of the scientific staff.
It is an innovative and international university that constitutes a driving force in the development of knowledge and change processes in society. The mission of UiS is to challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.
They have an open and innovative climate for education, research, artistic development work, innovation, dissemination, and museum activities.
They have six faculties and 13 departments with several national research and competence centres:
- The Faculty of Arts and Education
- The Faculty of Social Sciences
- The Faculty of Science and Technology
- The Faculty of Health Sciences
- The Faculty of Performing Arts
- UiS Business School
University of Stavanger tuition fees for international students is 25,000 to 150,000 NOK.
#9. University of Agder
The University of Agder was formerly known as Agder College and Agder University College. It is a public university established in 1994 by merging Agder University College and five other colleges.
The University of Agder fully became a university in 2007 and has campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad, Norway.
The University of Agder has six faculties and 23 departments plus a teacher education unit:
- Th Faculty of Social Sciences
- School of Business and Law
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities and Education
- Faculty of Engineering and Science
University of Agder tuition fees for international students is 130,000 to 380,000 NOK.
#10. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NTNU is a public research university that was established in 1996. It is located in Trondheim with regional campuses in Gjovik and Alesund. It is also the largest in Norway in terms of enrollment.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology was formed by merging six research and higher education institutions in Trondheim, as follows; Norwegian Institute of Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Norwegian College of General Sciences, Trondheim Academy of Fine Art, Faculty of Medicine and Trondheim Conservatory of Music.
The school welcomes students from all over the world and offers more than 60 international master’s programs as well as PhD programs which are all taught in English.
The university has eight faculties that are organized into 55 departments:
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Architecture and Design
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Economics and Management
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences
Norwegian University of Science and Technology tuition fees for international students is 150,000 NOK and 490,000 NOK.
Do I need to pass an admission test for studying medicine in Norway?
In contrast to some other countries where the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is required, many medical programs in Norway do not require a separate admission test. Rather, the admissions process usually takes into account your academic background and may incorporate some or all of the subsequent factors:
Academic Requirements: Typically, a strong academic record and completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent program are required. Certain prerequisites in disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics are frequently required for this degree.
Language Proficiency: It is typically necessary to speak Norwegian or English. You might have to submit documentation of your Norwegian language proficiency if the program is taught in that language. An IELTS or TOEFL language proficiency exam is frequently required for programs that teach English.
Personal Statement: As part of your application, some medical schools might ask you to submit a personal statement or letter of motivation outlining your motivation for wanting to become a doctor and why you think you’d be a good fit for the program.
Interview: As part of the admissions process, some universities may hold interviews to evaluate your aptitude for the medical field, motivation, and communication skills.
Course Requirements: In order to be eligible, you may need to finish certain courses in biology, chemistry, and other related fields.
Grade Point Average (GPA): During the selection process, your academic standing, in particular your GPA, is very important. There might be a minimum GPA requirement at universities.
How do i do medicine in Norway after 12th grade?
For eligibility, a minimum of 50% on the 12th standard in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology is needed. To apply to Norway Medical Colleges and Universities, you must be at least 17 years old.
Here’s an overview of the steps you typically need to follow to pursue a medical degree in Norway:
Finish Your Upper Secondary Education (Videregående Skole): In Norway, you should finish your upper secondary education by the time you are 19 years old. This level of education is the same as finishing the 12th grade in many other nations. To prepare for a medical degree, you must select a study path at this point that includes the science courses you’ll need, like physics, chemistry, and biology.
Recognize the Language Requirement: Norwegian is the primary language of instruction for medical programs in Norway. Therefore, to pursue a medical degree, you should have a strong command of the Norwegian language. To fulfill the language requirements, you might have to take language classes or pass proficiency exams.
Get ready for admission tests, if any: Admission tests may be necessary for some medical programs in Norway. The specific requirements will depend on the school. Verify the admission requirements of the particular universities that pique your interest.
Apply to Medical School: After fulfilling the requirements, you can apply to Norwegian medical schools. You will need to submit your academic records, language test results, and any other necessary documentation; admissions are usually very competitive. As part of the selection process, be ready to write a personal statement or appear in person for an interview.
Finish Your Medical Studies: Should you be admitted to a medical school, you will face a challenging and protracted medical curriculum. In Norway, medical studies usually span six years. These programs combine clinical training with theoretical coursework.
Internship and Residency: To become a licensed medical doctor in Norway, you must first complete an internship and then residency training after receiving your medical degree. Usually, this postgraduate training phase spans multiple years.
Obtain a Medical License: You can apply for a medical license that will allow you to practice medicine in Norway after completing your internship and residency successfully.
Conclusion
Public universities in Norway are more than just places of higher education, they are engines of development, providing a route to knowledge and individual development for learners everywhere.
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Udegbe Assumpta Chibuzor is a highly motivated undergraduate pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at a respected university. As a skilled writer with a passion for education, she leverages her research skills to create informative and top-ranking educational content. Udegbe has a proven track record of assisting students in their academic pursuits, including helping them find the best schools for their goals.
