About this programme
Master's programme in Opera is a Master's Degree programme at Oslo National Academy of the Arts in Oslo, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Oslo as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. Oslo National Academy of the Arts is an arts, music and architecture academy in Oslo.
What you will study
What you study
The Master's programme in opera trains singers to perform roles across a broad range of genres and styles. The key elements are singing and musical rehearsal, stage movement and acting technique, physical and mental training, and a practical and theoretical Master's assignment. The theatrical side matters as much as the musical one. You work on integrating both, with the aim of performing at a high level.
The course list is fixed. In the first year you take Vocational training 1 (10 ECTS), Coaching 1 (10 ECTS), Physical and mental training 1 (10 ECTS), Acting (10 ECTS), Stage work and productions 1 (15 ECTS) and Language (5 ECTS). The second year has Vocational training 2 (10 ECTS), Coaching 2 (5 ECTS), Physical and mental training 2 (5 ECTS), Stage work and productions 2 (5 ECTS) and the Independent master project (35 ECTS).
How the programme is organised
This is a two year full time programme worth 120 ECTS. Stage productions are the spine of the programme. All subjects feed into them, and the courses overlap by design. Teaching mixes educator led classes, supervision and independent work, in groups and individually. All instruction is mandatory, with at least 80% attendance, active participation and ongoing completion of assignments. Assessment is continuous and the grading system is pass/fail. The Master's project is assessed by at least three examiners, at least one of them external.
The Academy of Opera collaborates with the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet on annual productions with orchestra at the Norwegian National Opera House. You also get the chance to take part in master classes, audition training, auditions, study trips and entrepreneurship classes. Students normally go on an annual field trip abroad. At least once during the programme you work with an orchestra. Exchange is possible if it fits the production plans and is agreed with your supervisor and approved by the dean.
Who it suits
You need a Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS, including at least 80 ECTS in music or other courses relevant to opera, and at least 20 ECTS in stage related or performative courses. In exceptional cases the Academy may approve other documented qualifications that are partly or fully equivalent. Admission is based on formal education and admission tests, and applicants are ranked by the test results. You must show outstanding talent for musical drama. The programme suits singers who want to develop their own personal musical and dramatic style, who work well in an ensemble, and who understand opera as a collective art form.
Admission, language and next steps
Teaching is in English, and the programme is adapted so that all courses and academic choices can be completed without Norwegian. You must document proficiency in English. The application deadline is 01 February 2027, and admission opens two months before that. Check the programme page for how to apply and for the full admission requirements. Completing the degree qualifies you to apply for admission to the artistic research programme and to relevant PhD programmes.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Opera singer in temporary or permanent ensembles
- Roles across a range of genres and styles
- Independent rehearsal and analysis of parts in a production
- Initiate, plan and carry out your own artistic projects
- Establish and manage your own artistic enterprise
- Further study through the artistic research programme or relevant PhD programmes
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to Oslo National Academy of the Arts, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master's programme in Opera taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Oslo as the campus town for this programme at Oslo National Academy of the Arts.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme, and some programmes require a minimum grade average. Oslo National Academy of the Arts publishes its requirements on the programme page.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Oslo National Academy of the Arts.
What does it cost?
No annual fee is listed for this programme. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme, so ask Oslo National Academy of the Arts what applies to you. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at Oslo National Academy of the Arts is linked from this page so you can compare.
More at Oslo National Academy of the Arts
All programmes →Oslo National Academy of the Arts · Oslo