11 Best Universities In Oslo For International Students 2025

Oslo is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Norway. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 13 universities and colleges in Oslo, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 13 universities in Oslo, University of Oslo and BI Norwegian Business School are the top-performing schools in Oslo. This list covers both public and private institutions in Oslo.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Oslo. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Oslo.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Oslo?

Applying to the universities in Oslo involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Oslo to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Oslo?

Tuition fees at Oslo’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 NOK to 632,800 NOK , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 NOK to 632,800 NOK. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Oslo!

As we cover the best universities in Oslo for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Oslo for International Students

For more than 200 years, the University of Oslo has built its reputation as the top-performing university in Norway. They have a consistent position in global rankings, proving their excellence in various academic and research fields. Today, they are home to more than 25,000 local and international students and they offer a wide range of programs to all levels, including science, education, and humanities.

BI Norwegian Business School is the leading academic institute specializing in business and management studies in Norway. It operates across four campuses and offers programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The school also maintains links to several businesses from Norway and abroad, allowing students to access the best internship and research opportunities.

Oslo Metropolitan University, or OsloMet, is a relatively young state university in Norway. It has more than 21,900 students and around 2,200 employees. The university offers degree programs in Engineering, Computer Science, Technology, Health and Social Sciences.

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, a specialized public institution, was established in 1968 in Oslo. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as part-time courses. These courses and programs focus on sports science and other related studies. Degree-granting programs are only available in Norwegian, but a few part-time individual courses are taught in English.

Kristiania University College, one of Norway’s oldest private institutions, was established in Oslo in 1914. Over the years, several institutions have merged with it, including Westerdals Oslo ACT, the Norwegian College of Musical Theatre, and the Norwegian University College of Dance. Committed to its social responsibility of equipping individuals with training and education to become skilled experts, the university offers several programs in design, communication, and technology, some of which are English-taught.

Oslo School of Architecture and Design is a public institution dedicated only to graduate studies in architecture, design, and landscape architecture. There are no bachelor’s or undergraduate programs offered by this school. Instead, students may pursue master’s or doctoral studies. It is among the world’s leading universities in architecture, ranking 151st in QS Ranking by Subject. International students are much welcomed and even comprise a significant fraction of the population.

The Norwegian Academy of Music is the largest music conservatory in the country and the only one with university status. It upholds the highest standards in musical education and offers programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Several of its graduates have become world-renowned composers, singers, and researchers who are continuously contributing to the growth of the music industry.

MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, a private institution, is located in Oslo, Norway. However, since it is non-profit, the school does not accept or charge tuition fees. MF takes pride in being the most prominent institution in Norway for theological education and research. Its 1000+ students can choose from its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

Oslo National Academy of the Arts, a specialized public institution, was established in Oslo. One of the few Norwegian schools dedicated to visual arts and design, the academy offers a variety of programs and courses through its six divisions: academy of opera; academy of theater; academy of fine art; design; art and craft; and academy of dance. Each division has its own admission procedures and selected programs. Students may expect high-quality training and learning, as the academy is ranked 51st in the performing arts by QS Rankings.

VID Specialized University is among the biggest institutions for higher education in Norway. They offer many study programs across different levels, with most courses focusing on the health and social sciences. Through different initiatives, commissions, and partnerships with other organizations, the school is also able to demonstrate its dedication to the development of its community.

The Lovisenberg Diaconal University College (LDUC), also known as Lovisenberg diakonale høgskole, is an outstanding Norwegian institution that focuses on providing excellent nursing education. LDUC strives to incorporate Christian values and teachings, as well, as it is a diaconal institution. The school is home to and makes use of modern facilities and technologies in order to deliver high-quality education for students.