Norway sorts its higher education institutions into four main categories: universities, specialised universities, university colleges or universities of applied sciences, and university colleges with accredited study programmes. The main difference between them is how much self-accreditation they have and whether they must apply to NOKUT for accreditation. So when you are choosing where to apply, the category tells you something about the institution's formal standing, not just its name.
Universities
Universities are the category with the broadest self-accreditation rights. They can set up new study programmes without asking NOKUT first, which is part of what makes them different from the other categories. Study in Norway lists eleven institutions as universities: Nord University, NMBU, NTNU, OsloMet, the University of Agder, the University of Bergen, the University of Inland Norway, the University of Oslo, the University of South-Eastern Norway, the University of Stavanger and UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
These are large institutions with a wide spread of subjects, from engineering and natural sciences to humanities and social sciences. If you want a broad campus environment with many bachelor's and master's options, this is usually where you start. You can see the full list on our page of all universities in Norway.
Specialised universities
Specialised universities focus on a particular field, but they hold the same kind of self-accreditation rights as universities within their area. Study in Norway lists Molde University College, NHH, the Norwegian Academy of Music, BI, the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, the Oslo School of Architecture and Design and VID Specialized University in this category.
Some are public and some are private. NHH says it is publicly funded, and students with an EU/EEA or Swiss passport are therefore exempt from tuition fees there. BI Norwegian Business School describes itself as a private institution. That difference matters for what you pay, so check each institution's own pages before you apply.
University colleges and universities of applied sciences
This category is often called universitetshøgskoler or høgskoler, and the English names vary. Study in Norway lists examples such as Kristiania, NLA, Volda University College, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and Østfold University College. These institutions often have a more practical or profession-oriented profile, and they must apply to NOKUT for accreditation of new study programmes rather than accrediting them themselves.
For many students this is the right fit: smaller campuses, tighter links to working life, and programmes that lead directly into a profession. If you are comparing options, our guide for international students walks through what to check before you choose a category.
University colleges with accredited study programmes
The fourth category covers institutions that have had specific study programmes accredited but do not hold the same self-accreditation rights as the others. They are smaller and more specialised, and they must go to NOKUT for approval of their programmes. The one thing they all have in common is that they appear on NOKUT's list of approved, accredited institutions, which is also what UDI checks when you apply for a study permit.
Public and private institutions
The sector includes both public and private institutions, and Study in Norway describes public and private universities, specialised universities, universities of applied sciences and university colleges. The public or private label does not map neatly onto the four categories: you will find private institutions among the specialised universities, and public ones among the university colleges.
What it does affect is fees. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary between institutions and study programmes. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students, so budget for the fee if it applies to you.
How to compare institutions in practice
Start with the category, then check the programme. Bachelor's degrees take three years (180 ECTS) and master's degrees two years (120 ECTS) after a bachelor's degree. A year of full-time study is generally worth 60 ECTS.
Admission routes differ too. Bachelor's degrees taught in English use the institutions' own systems, while bachelor's degrees taught in Norwegian go through NUCAS. Postgraduate programmes are not part of NUCAS, so master's applicants apply through the institutions' websites.
Here is a quick comparison of the four categories:
| Category | Self-accreditation | Examples listed by Study in Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Universities | Broadest rights | University of Oslo, University of Bergen, NTNU, UiT The Arctic University of Norway |
| Specialised universities | Rights within their field | NHH, BI, Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo School of Architecture and Design |
| University colleges / universities of applied sciences | Apply to NOKUT | Kristiania, NLA, Volda University College, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Østfold University College |
| University colleges with accredited study programmes | Apply to NOKUT for specific programmes | Smaller institutions with accredited programmes |
Our catalogue lists 27 Norwegian higher education institutions and 353 programmes imported from the Study in Norway register. Use those counts as a starting point, then narrow down by subject and level. You can also look at our top universities in Norway page for a different angle on the same institutions.
What to confirm before you apply
Fees, deadlines and programme details on this site are shown as listed in the Study in Norway register, so always confirm them with the institution. The same goes for whether a specific programme is accredited for a study permit: UDI decides on permits and the institution decides on admission.
To check whether an institution is on NOKUT's list of approved, accredited institutions, use NOKUT's own pages. For permit rules, go to udi.no. For admission through NUCAS, go to samordnaopptak.no, and for loans and grants, go to lanekassen.no.
Sources
- Study in Norway, higher education institutions
- Study in Norway, why Norway
- BI Norwegian Business School, how to apply
- NHH, financial matters
- UDI, study permit
- Study in Norway, education system
- Study in Norway, admission to degree programmes
- Samordna opptak, English home
- 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 are the different types of higher education institution in Norway?
There are four main categories: universities, specialised universities, university colleges or universities of applied sciences, and university colleges with accredited study programmes. The difference lies in their self-accreditation rights and whether they must apply to NOKUT for accreditation.
Is NHH public or private?
NHH says it is publicly funded, and students with an EU/EEA or Swiss passport are therefore exempt from tuition fees there. BI Norwegian Business School, by contrast, describes itself as a private institution. Always check the institution's own pages for the latest fee information.
Do I need to apply through NUCAS for a master's degree?
No. Postgraduate programmes are not part of the NUCAS coordinated application service, so master's applicants apply through the websites of the institutions. Bachelor's degrees taught in Norwegian go through NUCAS, while bachelor's degrees taught in English use the institutions' own systems.
How do I know if an institution is approved for a study permit?
To get a study permit for a university or university college, the place of study must be on NOKUT's list of approved, accredited institutions. UDI decides on study permits, so check the current rules on udi.no and confirm the institution's status with NOKUT.