VID Specialized University

VID Specialized University is a private, non-profit specialised university headquartered in Oslo. Its main campus, VID Diakonhjemmet, sits in Frøen next to Diakonhjemmet Hospital, which is owned by the same foundation. VID is one of three private specialised universities in Norway, alongside BI and MF. It is a subsidiary of the Diakonhjemmet foundation, an independent diaconal institution within the Lutheran Church of Norway.

The institution took its current form on 1 January 2016, when Diakonhjemmet University College merged with the School of Mission and Theology in Stavanger, Haraldsplass Diaconal College and Betanien University College in Bergen. Diakonova University College joined in 2018 and KUN in Tromsø in 2019. The roots go back to 1843, which makes VID the oldest private institution of higher education in Norway. The founding colleges grew out of missionary and diaconal work in Norway and abroad, and several were pioneers in female higher education and in building the nursing and social work professions.

Teaching runs from bachelor's to doctoral level across health sciences, social sciences and theology, with around 50 study programmes. Nurse education is the traditional core and still the largest programme, run with Diakonhjemmet Hospital and other hospitals. Social work is offered at all levels, and VID awards the six-year cand.theol. degree that qualifies for the priesthood in the Church of Norway. Research is tied to practice and organised in centres and thematic groups, including diaconia and professional practice, mission and global studies, and intercultural communication.

The Study in Norway list shows 2 English-taught degree programmes at VID, both at master's level, in development studies and theology. The register lists it as a private specialised university (NOKUT category), with the Norwegian name VID vitenskapelige høgskole, owner Kunnskapsdepartementet and institution code 8208.

For an international student, applications go through VID's own system rather than a national portal. Students from outside the EU/EEA need a study permit from UDI. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition at state institutions, but VID is private, so check its fee rules directly; other degree students pay an institutional fee. Confirm the details with VID before applying.