If you are from outside the EU/EEA, your Norwegian university application deadline is usually 1 December, sometimes as early as 15 November. EU/EEA and Swiss applicants often have until 1 March, and Nordic or Norwegian applicants until 15 April. The exact dates depend on the institution and the programme level.
Why deadlines differ by applicant type
Norwegian institutions group applicants by citizenship and where they did their previous degree. The main split is non-EU/EEA versus EU/EEA and Swiss. Non-EU/EEA applicants need a residence permit for studies, so their deadlines come earlier. That gives the institution time to process applications and you time to apply for a study permit through UDI. EU/EEA and Swiss students do not need a permit for the same reasons and often have later deadlines. Nordic citizens and applicants already living in Norway usually have the latest deadlines.
Your applicant type also affects tuition. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. Fees vary by institution and programme, so check the current amount with the institution.
When you apply: bachelor's or master's
How you apply depends on the language of instruction. Bachelor's degrees taught in English use the institutions' own systems. Bachelor's degrees taught in Norwegian go through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (NUCAS). Postgraduate programmes are not part of NUCAS, so master's applicants apply through each institution's website. Degrees follow the standard structure: bachelor's degrees take three years (180 ECTS), master's degrees two years (120 ECTS) after a bachelor's, and doctoral degrees three or four years.
If you are still choosing where to apply, our list of English-taught programmes shows what is available.
Institution-by-institution deadlines
Here is what the Study in Norway register and the institutions' own pages currently list. Always confirm with the institution.
| Institution | Non-EU/EEA | EU/EEA & Swiss | Nordic / Norway residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Agder (bachelor's, English-taught) | 1 Nov, 1 Dec | 1 Feb, 1 Mar | 1 Feb, 15 Apr (if you meet the Norwegian language requirement) |
| University of Oslo (master's) | Portal opens 15 Oct, deadline 1 Dec | Portal opens 1 Feb, deadline 1 Mar | 1 Feb, 15 Apr for most programmes; 1 Mar for some |
| NTNU (English-taught master's) | 1 Dec 2026 | 1 Mar 2027 (apply from 1 Feb 2027) | 15 Apr 2027 |
| Nord University | 1 Nov, 1 Dec (documents by 8 Dec) | 1 Feb, 15 Apr (documents by 15 Apr) | , |
| NMBU (master's) | Portal opens 15 Oct, deadline 1 Dec | Portal opens 15 Feb, deadline 15 Apr | 15 Apr (Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss) |
| UiT (English-taught, autumn 2027) | Portal opens 15 Oct 2026, deadline 15 Nov 2026 | Portal opens 1 Feb 2027, deadline 1 Mar 2027 | , |
| University of Stavanger (master's) | 15 Nov, 1 Dec | 1 Feb, 1 Mar | 1 Feb, 15 Apr (Nordic bachelor's) |
| BI Norwegian Business School (master's and some bachelor's) | Priority 1 Mar; final 15 Jun | Priority 1 Mar; rolling after | , |
| NUCAS (Norwegian-taught bachelor's) | 15 Apr (spring exam results by 1 Jul) | 15 Apr | 15 Apr |
Note that some institutions have documentation deadlines after the application deadline, Nord University, for example, asks for documents by 8 December for non-EU/EEA applicants.
What to do with these dates
Work backwards from the deadline for your applicant type. Portals open weeks or months before the deadline; UiO, NMBU and UiT all open their non-EU/EEA portals on 15 October. The application itself is only part of the task. You will need to upload transcripts, degree certificates and proof of English. For non-EU/EEA applicants, budget time for the study permit application to UDI after you receive an offer.
Note also that NUCAS results for Norwegian-taught bachelor's programmes are posted on 20 July. That is later than most master's results, UiO, for instance, releases master's results by 5 April for non-EU/EEA applicants and on 30 April for EU/EEA applicants.
Where to check the current details
Our catalogue lists 27 Norwegian higher education institutions and 353 programmes imported from the Study in Norway register. You can browse all of them on our page of all universities in Norway. Deadlines, tuition fees and programme details change, so confirm them with the institution before you apply. The Study in Norway register (studyinnorway.no) is the source of the listings here.
For a broader overview of studying in Norway, including residence permits and costs, see our guide for international students. Remember that UDI decides on study permits, and the institution decides on admission.
Sources
- Study in Norway, University of Agder bachelor's programme page
- University of Oslo, master's admission
- NTNU, international master's
- Nord University, admission
- NMBU, application procedures
- UiT, admission
- Study in Norway, University of Stavanger master's listing
- BI Norwegian Business School, how to apply
- NUCAS, English home
- Study in Norway, education system
- Study in Norway, admission to degree programmes
- Study in Norway, tuition fees
- Study in Norway, cost and requirements
- Study in Norway, scholarships for degree students
- This site's catalogue, imported from the Study in Norway register
Frequently asked questions
What is the application deadline for non-EU students to study in Norway?
For master's programmes, many institutions set a deadline of 1 December, with the portal opening on 15 October. Some, like UiT, list 15 November. For bachelor's programmes taught in English, the University of Agder lists 1 December. Always check the specific programme page because dates vary.
Can EU students apply later than non-EU students?
Yes, usually. EU/EEA and Swiss applicants often have a deadline of 1 March for master's programmes, and 15 April for bachelor's programmes taught in English. For example, UiO's EU/EEA master's deadline is 1 March, while non-EU/EEA is 1 December.
Do I apply through NUCAS for a master's degree?
No. Postgraduate programmes are not part of the NUCAS coordinated application service. Master's applicants apply through the websites of the institutions. NUCAS is only for bachelor's degrees taught in Norwegian.
When do I need to submit documents like transcripts?
Documentation deadlines can be separate from the application deadline. Nord University, for instance, lists a document deadline of 8 December for non-EU/EEA applicants and 15 April for EU/EEA applicants. Check each institution's page for the exact dates.