Norway offers a unique experience for students. Norwegian institutions of higher education welcome applications from qualified students from all over the world.
Internationalization is a priority for all sectors of the Norwegian education system, and universities and university colleges are working to make their routines and facilities suit international students. Nearly 11 000 such students are currently enrolled at Norwegian institutions of higher education.
All over Norway
Higher education institutions are located all over Norway. The major cities have both a university and various university colleges. Therefore there is a wide range of programmes of study available in the humanities, the social sciences and natural sciences; in addition, most of these institutions have their own specialty areas. This means that an international student can combine academic interests with an exciting geographical location.
International students
International students can apply for admission to a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. European students can come to Norway through established exchange programmes, institutional agreements, or as “free movers”, and arrange their stay themselves (type of study, length and financing).
Bilateral exchange agreements
Many Norwegian institutions have bilateral exchange agreements with universities and university colleges in other countries. Most of these agreements mean that a student studies for one or two semesters at the institution in Norway as part of a degree from the home university or college. In addition, there are some exchange programmes on a national level. Depending on where a student is enrolled there is also the possibility of coming to Norway via existing mobility programmes or institutional agreements.
Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU)
Norway’s official agency for international programmes and measures related to higher education is the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU). SIU deals with three different aspects of organizing international educational and research cooperation: programmes, fellowships and auditing arrangements. SIU is the largest international programme office in Norway and manages programmes based on agreements between the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions and several national and international public organizations.