Become a student in Oslo
There are many different institutions, programs, and opportunities to study in Oslo.
Are you looking into becoming a student in Oslo? There are many different institutions that offer higher education in Oslo.
Some of Oslo's higher education institutions include:
- The University of Oslo (UiO)
- OsloMet (Oslo Metropolitan University)
- Høyskolen Kristiania
- Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO)
- Noroff School of Technology and Digital Media
- BI Norwegian Business School (Handelshøyskolen BI)
Types of higher education institutions in Oslo
- Universities (universiteter) focus on academic and research-based education, making them ideal for degrees in natural sciences, humanities, law, and more.
- University colleges (høyskoler) emphasize practical and professional training—perfect for careers in teaching, nursing, or engineering. Some even offer shorter vocational programs.
- Then there are specialized institutions focused on fields like art, design, and business, and shorter vocational programs at fagskoler for those who want hands-on education in fields like healthcare, IT, and engineering.
The first thing you should look in to is which language the study is offered in.
Secondly, look into the costs involved:
- Public universities and university colleges do not have tuition fees for degree students from countries EU/EEA and Switzerland. You only pay a small administration charge each semester.
- Degree students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have to pay tuition fees at Norwegian universities and university colleges.
- Private institutions generally charge tuition fees for all students, the fees vary depending on the degree and institution.
Official sources of information about studying in Norway
- The Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (SamordnaOpptak.no) is in charge of coordinating the admission to undergraduate study programmes at all universities, state university colleges, and some private university colleges in Norway.
- StudyInNorway.no is the official website maintained by HKDir for information about the higher education system and how to apply.
- The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HKDir) is in charge of assessing and recognizing international degrees and qualifications.
Important considerations
- Check your rights to stay in Oslo as a student if you are not a permanent citizen. Check the website of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to see what applies to citizens of your country.
- Different institutions may have different requirements and deadlines.
- To become an exchange student in Oslo you have to be a student at an institution that has an exchange agreement with an institution in Oslo. Contact the Univertsity or institution you enrolled with to ask for information about exchange posibillities.