Enrolling in a university is an exciting experience that will not only help you succeed academically but also allow you to learn new things. To gain more knowledge and achieve academic excellence, enrolling in one of the best Universities In Norway will help you achieve your dreams.
Moreso, Norway is home to more than 50 universities that offer different courses. As an international student, there are also unique scholarship opportunities in Norway that will help you experience seamless and quality education in the country.
Therefore, in this article, we will list the top 15 best universities in Norway and why Norway is one of the of the best countries to study in.
Table of Contents
WHY CHOOSE UNIVERSITIES IN NORWAY?
Norway is one of the best locations for international students due to the highly attractive Universities, cooperative academic atmosphere, and interdisciplinary environment for student academic, personal, and professional development.
Some of the key benefits of choosing Norwegian universities for international students are:
1. HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION
Norway is home to a wide range of universities, colleges, and specialized higher institutions. The universities in Norway usually make it to the world rankings for their education level and rank between 100 and 500 globally.
2. RESEARCH AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Another major benefit of studying in Norway is that students at the graduate level receive great opportunities for research and training. There is also support provided by the university to help encourage students towards research and training.
3. TUITION-FREE
For citizens of the EU/EA and Switzerland, there is another key benefit to choosing Norway: studying for free. Students from European countries don’t pay tuition fees at public universities. However, students from other countries will pay fees of around €10,000 to €30,000.
TOP 15 BEST UNIVERSITIES IN NORWAY
The following top 15 list is not intended to represent any type of ranking system but rather simply to provide prospective students with a detailed overview of each university.
All universities profiled below have great faculty, exceptional course offerings, and a history of success for their alumni. For each of our top 15 universities, we will provide you with the school’s location, acceptance rate, tuition, and overview.
1. UNIVERSITY OF OSLO
Location: Oslo, Norway
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Tuition: N/A
This is one of the best universities in Norway that welcomes thousands of international students every year to experience its educational programs directed toward academic success.
The is University of Oslo the highest-ranked university in Norway. Its main campus, Blindern, is located on the western outskirts of the city center with a population of nearly 28,000 students. It was established 212 years ago.
It is the oldest university in Norway, offering more than 300 courses in English at all levels, around 40 master’s degree programs taught entirely in English, and several PhD programs. Popular programs include: law, medicine, humanities, natural science, mathematics, social sciences, dentistry, and education.
2. UNIVERSITY OF STAVANGER
Location: Stavanger, Norway
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Tuition: 80,000 NOK (undergraduate programs)
The University of Stavanger was established in 2005 in Stavanger, Norway. The university has more than 12,500 students, of which over 10% are international students from 30 nationalities. It is among the best universities in Norway.
There are more than 300 study programs and over 1,300 courses offered at the University of Stavanger, ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate levels across six main faculties.
The faculties include science and technology, performing arts, social sciences, educational sciences, and humanities, as well as the University of Stavanger business school and health sciences.
The University of Stavanger has two campuses: one at Ullandhaug and another at Bjersted, both in Stavanger.
3. UNIVERSITY OF AGDER
Location: Kristiansand and Grimstad, Norway
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Tuition: NOK 120,000 for international students
The University of Agder is a public research university established in 2007 with campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad, Norway. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs taught in English, as well as distance learning courses for international students all throughout Norway.
The University of Agder ranks among the best Universities in Norway and in the world; it is ranked #7 in Best Global Universities in Norway in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
4. NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Location: Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Alesund
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Tuition: 150,000 – 490,000 NOK depending on program category
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is one of Norway’s most prestigious public research universities, located in Trondheim, Norway. It is ranked in the top 1% of Norway’s universities, offering world-class research facilities and academic excellence.
The university is the largest in Norway in terms of enrollment; it has a total enrollment of 43,800 students and has the main national responsibility for education and research in engineering and technology.
In addition to engineering and technology.
Also, the university offers higher education in other academic disciplines ranging from medicine, psychology, social sciences, the arts, architecture, and fine art.
5. UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN
Location: Bergen, Norway
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Tuition: 190,000 to 380,000 NOK
The University of Bergen is a public research university established in 1946 based in Bergen, Norway. The University of Bergen is listed in Norway, ranking in the top one percent in the world. It has a population of 19,641 students, with 1,600 international students from 30 or more countries.
Some top courses at the University of Bergen include natural sciences, earth sciences, information and computer technology, and fine art. This makes the University of Bergen one of the best universities in Norway.
6. MOLDE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Location: Molde, Norway
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Tuition: Varies
Molde University College is a Norwegian specialized university. It is located in the town of Molde in Molde Municipality, Møre Og Romsdal County, Norway. The university is listed among the top 20 universities Worldwide.
It is ranked among the best universities in Norway for its academic programs. Molde University College offers higher education in business and management, information technology, logistics, and health sciences.
7. NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES (NMBU)
Location: As, Norway
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Tuition: 80,000-2240,000 NOK per year
Ranking among the best universities in Norway, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences is a public university that was founded in 1859.
It has more than 7700 students, offering education and learning in agriculture, livestock, economics and business administration, landscape, nature, veterinary science, technology, and several continuing education courses.
All of NMBU’s study programs and research are focused on generating innovations in food, health, environmental protection, climate, and sustainable use of natural resources.
8. OSLO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Location: Oslo, Norway
Acceptance rate: N/A
Tuition: 190,000 to 370,000 NOK
Oslo Metropolitan University is a state university in Oslo and Kjeller in Norway. It was established in 2018 and has more than 20,000 students, including over 2,000 international students. It is the second-youngest of Norway’s universities.
Oslo Metropolitan University has four faculties: education and international studies, health sciences, social sciences and technology, and art and design. The primary language of instruction at the university is Norwegian.
9. WESTERN NORWAY UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Location: Bergen, Norway
Acceptance rate:
Tuition: 160,000 to 260,000 NOK
The Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a Norwegian public institution of higher education with five campuses in Norway. The university was established in 2017 through the merging of formerly independent colleges across five campuses: Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal, and Stord. It is among the best universities in Norway.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences provides professional education within health and social sciences, economic and administrative science, engineering music, and teaching.
It offers education on the bachelor and master levels, continuing education, and on the doctoral (PhD) level. Most programs in Western Norway are taught in English.
10. RUDOLF STEINER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Location: Oslo, Norway
Acceptance rate: 9-20%
Tuition: 13,150 NOK to 60,000 NOK per term
Rudolf Steiner University College is a state-accredited and state-funded private university college located in Oslo, Norway. The University College was founded in 1981.
Rudolf Steiner University College is one of the top universities in Norway. It offers a bachelor’s degree in Waldorf education for teachers and kindergarten teachers, a master’s degree in Waldorf education, and various other courses.
Rudolf Steiner University College conducts various scientific activities and is inviting students to join the research. The campus of the educational institution is located in Oslo.
11. VOLDA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (VUC)
Location: Volda, Norway
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Tuition: Varies (please visit the school’s website).
Volda University College is one of the no-tuition state institutions in the system of higher education in Norway. It was established in 1994 in the town of Volda, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway.
The university has four faculties and offers five master’s programs, more than 30 undergraduate study programs, and about 300 study courses.
Volda is highly recognized for its numerous educational options: media and communication, social sciences, general and pre-school teacher education, child care, and social planning and governance, as well as linguistics, math, and science, literature, music, drama, and history.
Volda University College can offer world-class facilities and great academic quality. It is a one-campus institution where all university buildings and facilities are within short walking distance from each other.
12. NORD UNIVERSITY
Location: Bodø, Norway
Acceptance rate: 24%
Tuition: 130,000 to 260,000 NOK
Nord University is a state university in Nordland and Trøndelag counties of Norway. Founded in 2016, it has more than 12,000 students at study locations in Northern and Central Norway, with main campuses in Bodø, the capital of the county of Nordland, and Levanger, a university town on the south shore of the Trondheim Fjord.
Nord University offers education at bachelor, master, and doctoral levels.
Ranking among the best universities in Norway, the university has state-of-the art teaching and research facilities located in a spectacular northern setting.
Nord University also facilitates a range of flexible and online study programs through active use of learning technology.
13. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH-EASTERN NORWAY (USN)
Location: Notodden, Norway
Acceptance rate: 25%
Tuition: 120,000 to 170,000 NOK
The University of South-Eastern Norway is a Norwegian State University with campuses in Bø in Telemark, Porsgrunn, Notodden, Rauland, Drammen, Hønefoss, Kongsberg, and Horten.
The university is one of the best universities in Norway; it is a continuation of three former university colleges (Telemark University College, Buskerud University College, and Vestfold University College), which merged between 2014 and 2016 to form the University College of South-Eastern Norway, which was established in 2018.
The University of South-Eastern Norway has 88 undergraduate programs and 8 PhD programs. It is the 4th largest university in Norway, with approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 staff spread over eight campuses and more than 300 bachelor’s and master’s degree courses.
USN also offers doctoral (PhD) study programs in eight subject fields, as well as a number of supplementary and further education programs.
14. UNIVERSITY OF TROMSØ—THE ARCTIC UNIVERSITY OF NORWAY
Location: Tromsø, Norway
Acceptance rate: 25%
Tuition: 10,398 USD
The University of Tromsø—The Arctic University of Norway—is a state university in Norway and the world’s northernmost university. It was established by an act of parliament in 1968 and opened in 1972. It is one of ten universities in Norway.
The University of Tromsø has over 16,000 students and 3,500 staff. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a variety of fields, including arts and humanities, education, engineering and technology, health and medicine, law, and social sciences.
The university is reputed for being the largest research and educational institution in Northern Norway and the sixth-largest university in Norway. The University of Tromsø is a member of the Arctic and the European University Association. It is also a partner in the Erasmus+ program, which allows students to study abroad at other European universities.
15. OSLO NEW UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Location: Oslo, Norway
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Tuition: N/A
Oslo New University College is a private, regional college offering courses at the bachelor and masters level in health sciences, economics, psychology, digital marketing, and the humanities. The university was founded in 2007.
it has an enrollment of 3,200 students, including those studying via the internet.
The university has four departments (psychology, political sciences and international relations, health sciences, business, and administration), and each faculty conducts research in various fields from medicine to psychology, peace and conflict studies, and international relations. Also, The university focuses on two main areas: health sciences and social sciences.
CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SECURE PART-TIME JOBS IN NORWAY WHILE PURSUING THEIR EDUCATION?
Norway is popular for its diverse career and job opportunities in fields like teaching and sales, as well as jobs in tourism, oil and gas industries, and seasonal/agricultural work.
Therefore, finding a part-time job in Norway is easy because a Norway student visa allows you to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, including remote work, in addition to your studies and full-time during holidays.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN NORWAY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?
The average cost of living in Norway as an international student can range from NOK 11,5000 per month, including expenses like accommodation, transportation, and food.
CONCLUSION
Norway is undoubtedly one of the best countries with highly ranked universities for international students. The cost of living in Norway for students is lower compared to other countries. Norway universities also provide students with the facilities that will help them grow academically. We hope this article on the best universities in Norway provides you with relevant insights on what to expect from the best universities in Norway.
REFERENCE
- Wikipedia.org
- 4icu.org
- Topuniversities.com
- Usnews.com