Norway is well known for having incredible natural landscapes, being one of the happiest countries in the world, and representing a great location to see the magical northern lights.
But is Norway a good destination for students interested in an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree? And which are the best universities in Norway that offer English-taught programmes?
Let’s find out!
How many English-taught universities are there in Norway?
While we don’t have an exact number, on our portals alone, you can find:
- over 20 English-taught Bachelors
- over 300 English-taught Masters
- over 20 English-taught PhDs
- over 10 English-taught distance learning (online) degrees
Here are a few universities we recommend in Norway:
- BI Norwegian Business School
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- University of Stavanger
How do I know if a Norwegian university teaches in English?
All the study programmes listed on our portals are taught in English, so that’s a good start. You can also check more information about language requirements for each degree.
Norwegian universities (or other websites) might list additional English-taught programmes on their web pages.
In that case, you’ll have to do a bit of research to find out if those programmes are taught in English or if they’re open to international students. Should you struggle to find this information, don’t hesitate to contact the university directly.
To apply at English-taught academic institutions in Norway, you’ll have to pass one of the following widely accepted English language tests:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
Learn more about IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic.
Is English enough to live and study in Norway?
Norway is a truly anglophone country. Around 90% of Norwegians speak the English language, many of them at a very high level. This means you shouldn’t have problems living and studying in Norway as an English speaker.
But if you’d like to learn the basics of the Norwegian language, here are some free resources to get you started:
- Learn Norwegian with Duolingo
- Learn Norwegian with FutureLearn
- Learn Norwegian with NorwegianClass101 YouTube channel
The best English-taught universities in Norway
According to popular world university rankings — created by TopUniversities, Times Higher Education, U.S. News, Shanghai Jiao Tong University — these are the best English-taught universities in Norway:
- University of Oslo
- University of Bergen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
- NHH Norwegian School of Economics
- University of South-Eastern Norway
- University of Stavanger
Affordable English-taught universities in Norway
Public universities in Norway are more than affordable, they’re actually free for all international students, regardless of their nationality.
That’s right! In this beautiful Nordic country, you can study an English-taught programme at any level — Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD — without paying any tuition. You only need to cover the student union fee (30–60 EUR per semester) and the costs of living.
Private universities charge tuition fees, and those usually range between 7,000–19,000 EUR per academic year.
Discover scholarships and grants to support your studies at a Norwegian university.
Application requirements at English-taught universities in Norway
- Previous diplomas: high-school, Bachelor’s, or Master’s
- Academic transcript of records or grades
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of ID or passport
- Up to 4 passport-size photos
- Proof of financial support (if required)
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essay or statement
Depending on the subject you choose to study and the university where you apply, the list might include additional requirements.