Higher education in Norway

Higher education in Norway includes universities, university colleges and other higher education institutions.

Bachelor's degree programmes normally last three years, while master's degree programmes normally last two years after a bachelor's degree. The exact structure can vary between programmes.

Admission requirements depend on the programme and the applicant's educational background.

For many bachelor's and other undergraduate programmes, applications are handled through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (Samordna opptak).

Applications for master's and PhD programmes are normally submitted directly to the university or university college.

Applicants with education from outside the Nordic countries may need to document both educational qualifications and Norwegian and English language proficiency.

The Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) is the general basis for admission to higher education for applicants with foreign education. The requirements can differ depending on the country where your education was completed.

You do not normally need formal recognition of foreign higher education from HK-dir simply to apply for higher education. The institution or admissions service can assess the qualifications needed for admission.

However, recognition of foreign education can be useful for employment, further studies or other purposes. HK-dir can assess certain foreign higher education qualifications and describe their level and scope in relation to the Norwegian system.

Some professions are regulated and may require separate authorisation or recognition before you can work in Norway.

Before applying, check the specific admission requirements, language requirements, application deadline and documentation requirements for the programme you are interested in.

The official Study in Norway service provides information about studying in Norway, including applications, recognition, student finance and other practical matters.

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