About this programme
Master in Data Science 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.
How it compares
Master in Data Science is one of 4 English-taught Data Science programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 4 institutions. 2 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from NOK 176,300 to NOK 295,000. 3 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students. The same programme title is offered at 3 institutions, so compare the content, campus and requirements before you choose.
What you will study
This is a two-year, full-time Master of Science in Data Science at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Ås. It is taught in English and carries 120 ECTS. The programme takes 25 students each autumn.
What you study
The core of the degree is programming, computer science and data mining. You build basic skills in these areas. You can then choose optional courses in linear algebra and statistics at a higher level, or applied data science. You also take two courses in one of these specialisations: Geographical Modelling and Analysis, Geographical Database Systems, Geographical Data Mining, Climate Modelling Biostatistics, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Computational Neuroscience, Energy Physics, Building Structures, Building Performance Simulation, or Economics. The final part is a 30 ECTS master thesis where you apply your data science skills to a specific task.
How the programme is organised
Teaching may include lectures, project assignments (for example a semester assignment presented to the class), demonstrations, group work on topics, methods and computer models, exercises from previous exams, laboratory analyses, seminar participation, and excursions or study trips. While working on the master thesis, joint meetings are arranged where students present their work. Exams vary: some courses have a written exam, others an oral exam. Grades are mostly A to F, but some courses use passed or failed. Some courses are assessed by a longitudinal evaluation, where several components make up the final grade.
Who it suits
You need a bachelor's degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, including a specialisation worth 80 ECTS. You must have at least 40 ECTS in mathematics, statistics and informatics combined, with at least 20 ECTS in mathematics (calculus, linear algebra), at least 5 ECTS in statistics and at least 5 ECTS in informatics (programming). The minimum mark requirement is C. The programme suits students who want to work with machine learning, data mining and programming, and who want to apply these skills in areas like geography, climate, biology, energy, building or economics.
Admission, language and next steps
Application deadlines: Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15 April. Students outside EU/EEA/EFTA: 1 December. The programme starts in autumn. English language requirements apply for English-taught programmes; check the NMBU page for details. 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. Check the programme page for the exact fee and application process. NMBU's Student Welfare Association (SiÅs) offers student accommodation close to campus. International students are prioritised for on-campus housing, though this is not guaranteed. Apply for accommodation immediately after accepting your admission offer.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Communications
- Energy
- Economics
- Precision agriculture
- Construction
- Science and education
- Medicine
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: Nordic applicants: April 15 EU applicants: April 15 Non EU-applicants: December 1. 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 Data Science 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: Nordic applicants: April 15 EU applicants: April 15 Non EU-applicants: December 1. 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.
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Master in Data Science
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