About this programme
Master in Philosophy is a Master's Degree programme at University of Oslo 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. University of Oslo is a state university in Oslo.
How it compares
Master in Philosophy is one of 3 English-taught Philosophy programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 1 of them lists an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; this programme lists NOK 204,000 a year. 3 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students. The same programme title is offered at 2 institutions, so compare the content, campus and requirements before you choose.
What you will study
The Master's in Philosophy at the University of Oslo is a two year degree, 120 ECTS, taught in English. The department describes itself as one of the largest and most international philosophy communities in the Nordic countries, and the teaching and supervision are pitched at a high international level across the main areas and traditions of the subject.
What you study
The programme is built around course packages that you choose yourself, tied to the department's research groups. Those groups have particular strength in ancient philosophy, ethics, the philosophies of language and logic, and philosophy of mind and epistemology. The questions the subject works on are the old ones: whether there are objective truths and values, whether democracy is the best form of government, what is required for someone to be responsible for their actions, and what gives language its meaning.
You write a master's thesis, and you pick between two tracks: one with a 60 credit thesis and one with a 30 credit thesis. Thesis work is independent, with a supervisor following you up. If you are academically ambitious, you can add an honours certificate of 20 credits alongside the degree.
Admission, language and next steps
All master's level teaching is in English where students and instructors ask for it, and the programme has a large number of international students and teachers. The department has exchange agreements with universities in Europe and North America, so a semester abroad is possible.
Check the programme page at uio.no for entry requirements, application deadlines and the application system, since the institution sets these. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions; other degree students normally pay a fee the institution sets. The student council runs academic evenings, film nights, study trips and parties, and the student journal Filosofisk supplement is run by and for students on the programme.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Information dissemination
- Journalism
- Publishing
- Case management
- Analysis
- Service and public relations
- Supervision and teaching
- Research and cultural dissemination
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to University of Oslo, 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 in Philosophy taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at University of Oslo. 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 University of Oslo.
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. University of Oslo 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 University of Oslo.
What does it cost?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland pay NOK 204,000 a year, as University of Oslo lists it. 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 Oslo is linked from this page so you can compare.