About this programme
Bachelor in Academic Esports is a Bachelor's Degree programme at University of Agder in Kristiansand, taught in English. It runs for 3 years and carries 180 ECTS credits. The register gives Grimstad as the campus town. It lists the degree as Bachelor. University of Agder is a state university in Agder.
What you will study
What you study
The bachelor's programme in Academic Esports at the University of Agder is about much more than gaming. It takes the skills you develop through esports and turns them into transferable competencies you can use in business, public service and other parts of working life. You will learn about training, recovery and performance, not just the activity of exercise. The programme also covers the role of esports in society, technology related to esports, and how to use esports in education and professional life.
In the sixth semester you write a bachelor thesis. You choose one of four specialisations: esports athlete, coach or managing; the industry and eco-system related to esports; technology and innovation; or education and healthcare.
How the programme is organised
Teaching is primarily at campus Grimstad, but each class has one day at campus Kristiansand, which also offers facilities for physical training. Each semester includes a 10 ECTS module where you create your own plan based on the semester's subjects. This module can be replaced by an internship in agreement with the programme coordinator. In the fifth semester you can go on exchange to the University of Jyväskylä in Finland or the University of Hawaii, Maui College in the USA. The programme is full-time over three years, 180 ECTS, and taught in English.
Who it suits
This programme suits you if you are interested in esports and want to understand the skills behind it in a broader context. You should be curious about how gaming connects to training, technology, education and business. It is for students who want to work in the esports industry or apply esports-related knowledge in other fields. The programme is open to international applicants who meet the entrance requirements.
Admission, language and next steps
Admission requires the Higher Education Entrance Qualification for international applicants and certified language requirements in English. Application periods: non-EU/EEA applicants apply from 1 November to 1 December; EU/EEA applicants from 1 February to 1 March; Nordic citizens and applicants with a permanent or renewable residence permit in Norway from 1 February to 15 April. There are 40 student places. Tuition fees apply to international students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland. Check the programme page for details and contact the Section for Admissions with questions about the application process.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Esports athlete and trainer
- Management and administration in the esports industry
- Business development
- Technology and design
- Education and health and rehabilitation
- Communication and marketing
- Sound and image
- Sales and programming
- Operator of drones and other remote-controlled devices
Before you apply
Study in Norway states that bachelor’s programmes taught in English are applied for through each institution’s own system. The basic entry requirement is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) for your country, and many programmes add language and subject requirements. 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 Bachelor in Academic Esports taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at University of Agder. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 3 years of study and 180 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Grimstad as the campus town for this programme at University of Agder.
How do I apply?
Study in Norway states that bachelor’s programmes taught in English are applied for through each institution’s own system, while the national admission service (NUCAS) covers programmes taught in Norwegian. The basic entry requirement is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) for your country, and many programmes add language and subject requirements. Follow the steps on the programme page at University of Agder.
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 University of Agder.
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 University of Agder 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 University of Agder is linked from this page so you can compare.
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