About this programme
Master in Aquaculture is a Master's Degree programme at Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Ås, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Ås as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. Norwegian University of Life Sciences is a state university in Akershus.
What you will study
The Master's in Aquaculture at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Ås is a two-year programme taught in English. It gives you practical and theoretical grounding in fish biology, production technology and sustainability, with room to specialise through the master's thesis.
What you study
The programme opens with an introductory course in sustainability and animal welfare in aquaculture. You then move on to Fish Physiology and Applied Aquaculture. These are the compulsory courses, alongside a master's thesis worth 30, 45 or 60 ECTS.
You can choose elective courses such as fish health, behavioural biology, fish breeding and genetics, fish nutrition and sustainable feed resources, product quality, and the operation, construction and design of RAS facilities. The thesis can focus on genetics and breeding, fish nutrition, production technology, or another area you are interested in, for example water or product quality. It normally runs over half a year or a full year, with flexibility in project type and location.
How the programme is organised
Teaching uses lectures, study trips, seminars, group work, self-study and exercises. Assessment is by final oral or written exam, assignment, portfolio or overall assessment. You will learn from experienced NMBU lecturers and also meet experts from research institutions, industry and public administration. The programme offers a credit-bearing internship in the industry, and you can write your thesis in cooperation with a company if you wish. Excursions to businesses in the sector are part of the programme. NMBU also has exchange agreements with universities abroad, and you can take on assignments with international industry companies for practical experience.
Who it suits
This master's suits you if you want to develop smart solutions for sustainable food production and make a difference for Norway and the world. Aquaculture is the world's fastest-growing food production sector and a cornerstone of Norwegian value creation. The programme is for students who want to work with biology, fish welfare, technology and economics together. You should have a bachelor's degree in aquaculture or equivalent education that includes basic natural science and biology. Applicants with an engineering or other relevant background are assessed individually. A weighted average grade of at least Norwegian C from the bachelor's degree is required to be qualified. Applicants who already hold a master's degree are not prioritised.
Admission, language and next steps
The programme is taught in English, and you must document your language skills. The application deadline is 1 December for applicants outside the EU/EEA and 15 April for Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. Check the programme page for the full admission requirements and how to apply. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions; other degree students normally pay a fee set by the institution. NMBU is a state university.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Manager in the fish farming industry
- Quality control
- Feed production
- Adviser in private companies or public authorities
- Product development
- Research on new technology, feed and equipment for aquaculture
- Academic career
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 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. The institution lists its deadline as: Applicants outside EU/EEA: 1 December Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15 April. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this 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 in Aquaculture taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Norwegian University of Life Sciences. 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 Ås as the campus town for this programme at Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
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. Norwegian University of Life Sciences 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. As Norwegian University of Life Sciences lists it: Applicants outside EU/EEA: 1 December Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15 April. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
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 Norwegian University of Life Sciences 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 Norwegian University of Life Sciences is linked from this page so you can compare.
More at Norwegian University of Life Sciences
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