Trondheim is where NTNU has its headquarters, and NTNU says it is Norway's largest university: 43,507 students and 507 study programmes. If you want engineering, natural sciences or a big international student community in a city of 218,460 people (Statistics Norway, 1 January 2026), this is the obvious place to look.
Two things decide most applications: whether you pay tuition, and where you sleep. Both are covered below.
What NTNU actually is
NTNU is headquartered in Trondheim, with campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund. Its 3,815 international students make up 9 per cent of the student body.
Most of the international master's programmes on NTNU's list for 2027 to 2028 are based in Trondheim, with a few in Gjøvik or Ålesund. NTNU gives housing and living information for all three cities, so check the campus before you fall in love with a programme.
Our catalogue lists one institution in Trondheim, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. You can compare it with the other options on our page of universities in Trondheim, and widen the search through all universities in Norway. BI Norwegian Business School also runs full-time master's programmes at its Trondheim campus, so NTNU is not your only choice in the city.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students
Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the amount varies by institution and programme. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions.
For the academic year 2026/27, NTNU charges non-EU/EEA students per year as follows:
| Category | Fields | Fee per year |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Humanities, social sciences, economics, business and management | NOK 176,300 |
| Category 2 | Natural sciences, technology and several other fields | NOK 205,600 |
| Category 3 | Medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine | NOK 528,650 |
Erasmus Mundus and Joint Nordic Master's programmes carry no NTNU tuition fee, though partner universities might charge their own.
These figures are as listed in the Study in Norway register. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with NTNU before you budget.
Scholarships: plan to pay
NTNU does not offer any scholarships that cover tuition fees. The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students either.
That means the tuition figure is your responsibility unless you find funding elsewhere, your home country, an employer or an external foundation. Do not build a plan around a scholarship you have not been awarded.
Housing and the cost of living
Sit, the student welfare organisation, serves students in Trondheim, Gjøvik and Ålesund, and handles student housing in the city. Apply early: Trondheim fills up at the start of the semester.
For the mechanics, read our student accommodation guide. For food, transport and everything else, our cost of living guide sets out what to plan for. We do not publish a living-cost figure here because it depends on your housing and habits, Sit and NTNU's own pages give current numbers.
How to apply
Postgraduate programmes are not part of the NUCAS coordinated application service, so master's applicants apply through NTNU's own website. Bachelor's degrees taught in English also use the institutions' own systems; bachelor's degrees taught in Norwegian go through NUCAS.
A bachelor's is three years (180 ECTS) and a master's is two years (120 ECTS) after a bachelor's. A full-time year is generally worth 60 ECTS. Deadlines differ by programme and are set by NTNU, check them on the programme page, not on a third-party list.
Permits, insurance and Norwegian classes
If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and plan to stay three months or longer, you need a residence permit for studies. UDI decides on permits; NTNU decides on admission. Start the permit application as soon as you have an offer.
Stay more than 12 months with a valid residence permit and you automatically have health insurance under the National Insurance Scheme from the day you arrive, according to NTNU.
NTNU also offers NoW, a free online Norwegian course listed by Study in Norway for people who want to learn some Norwegian before or during their stay. It will not make you fluent, but it makes daily life easier.
Sources
- Statistics Norway, population figures for Trondheim, 1 January 2026
- NTNU, about the university
- NTNU, international master's programmes
- NTNU, tuition fees
- NTNU, insurance for international students
- Study in Norway, student welfare organisations
- 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
- Study in Norway, the Norwegian education system
- Samordna opptak, English home page
- BI Norwegian Business School, master's international scholarship
- This site's catalogue, imported from the Study in Norway register
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at NTNU as an international student?
It depends on your nationality and field. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. For 2026/27, non-EU/EEA students pay NOK 176,300 a year in category 1, NOK 205,600 in category 2 and NOK 528,650 in category 3, as listed in the Study in Norway register. Confirm the current fee with NTNU.
Does NTNU offer scholarships to international students?
NTNU does not offer any scholarships that cover tuition fees, and the Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students. You should plan to fund the tuition yourself through other sources. Check NTNU's own pages for any changes.
How do I apply for a master's at NTNU?
Postgraduate programmes are not part of the NUCAS coordinated application service, so you apply through NTNU's website. Each programme sets its own deadline, so check the programme page. Bachelor's degrees taught in English also use the institution's own system.
Do I need a residence permit to study in Trondheim?
If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and will stay three months or longer, yes, you need a residence permit for studies. UDI decides on the permit and NTNU decides on admission. If you stay more than 12 months with a valid permit, NTNU says you are covered by the National Insurance Scheme from arrival.