Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and one of its highest‑ranked research universities. Set across green campuses in the capital, UiO blends world‑class academics, a strong culture of welfare and equality, and daily access to both city life and nature all within a safe, inclusive environment.
Quick facts
At-a-glance information about the University of Oslo
Type
Public, research‑intensive university
Location
Oslo, Norway — main campus at Blindern; Law campus downtown; close ties to Oslo University Hospital and Oslo Science Park
Bachelor’s primarily in Norwegian; extensive master’s and all PhD programs in English; many English‑taught courses
Academic strengths
Climate & sustainability; life sciences & medicine; data & digitalization; law, democracy & governance; Nordic languages & culture
Student support
Comprehensive services via SiO (housing, health, gyms, cafés, counseling, careers)
Reputation
Home to Nobel laureates and internationally recognized scholars; consistently a leading European university
Why choose UiO
Academic depth and breadth: From cutting‑edge AI and data science to public health, jurisprudence, archaeology, and Ibsen studies, UiO spans the full spectrum of disciplines.
Research that matters: Interdisciplinary initiatives like UiO:Life Science and UiO:Energy and Environment address global challenges in health, climate, and society.
Capital‑city advantages: Study within reach of Norway’s Parliament, Supreme Court, ministries, NGOs, hospitals, media, and startups—fueling internships, case projects, and guest lectures.
Student welfare and inclusion: The Oslo student welfare organization SiO offers affordable housing, healthcare, gyms, cafés, mental‑health services, and career support tailored to students.
Vibrant student culture: Hundreds of associations—from music and debate to coding and sustainability—plus the legendary student house Chateau Neuf and welcoming “buddy week” (fadderuke).
Nature on your doorstep: The forests and lakes of Nordmarka are minutes away by metro—perfect for hiking, skiing, swimming, and cabin trips.
Academics and programs
Bachelor’s degrees (Norwegian)
Most bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, and more. International applicants with documented Norwegian proficiency have many options, with select English‑taught courses available.
Master’s degrees (English, 2 years / 120 ECTS)
Data Science, Informatics (including AI and machine learning)
Biosciences, Molecular Life Sciences, Public Health, Global Health
Economics, Political Science, Peace & Conflict Studies, Human Rights
Linguistics, Nordic Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage
Fully research‑based with paid research fellow (employee) positions advertised year‑round; strong supervision and access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities.
Teaching and learning
Research‑led instruction, small‑group seminars, labs and fieldwork, and an emphasis on critical thinking, academic integrity, and independent study.
Facilities
Modern labs and maker spaces; extensive libraries (the Georg Sverdrup library is a campus hub); specialized law and medical libraries; collaboration with Oslo Science Park and university hospitals.
Research and innovation
Interdisciplinary culture: UiO brings together ecology, geoscience, linguistics, informatics, law, health, and social sciences to tackle complex problems from multiple angles.
Centres of Excellence and flagship units: Examples include the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), the Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED), and dScience – Centre for Computational and Data Science.
Societal impact: Partnerships with ministries, courts, NGOs, and cultural institutions shape research in democracy, law, migration, and human rights.
Entrepreneurship: Proximity to Oslo Science Park and a supportive ecosystem offers hackathons, internships, and commercialization support; life science innovation is nurtured through the UiO:Life Science environment.
Student life and support
Orientation & community: New students are welcomed through faculty introductions, international meetups, and buddy programs that make it easy to connect.
Housing & welfare (SiO): Student housing across Oslo; medical and mental‑health services; SiO Athletica gyms; affordable cafés; career counseling and workshops.
Student organizations: Academic societies, cultural clubs, music and theatre, Model UN, coding groups, entrepreneurship and sustainability initiatives.
Libraries & study spaces: Quiet reading rooms, group rooms, long opening hours, and excellent digital collections.
Museums & culture: UiO hosts major museum collections in natural and cultural history and regularly convenes public talks, debates, and performances.
International students
Language options: Entire master’s and PhD programs can be completed in English. Norwegian language courses are available (offerings vary by program and semester).
Admissions:
Bachelor’s degrees generally require documented Norwegian proficiency.
English‑taught master’s programs require a relevant bachelor’s and proof of English (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL). Country‑specific requirements may apply.
Application windows for international master’s typically open in late autumn for studies starting the following August; EU/EEA applicants may have later deadlines.
Tuition and fees:
Public universities in Norway remain tuition‑free for EU/EEA citizens (a small semester fee applies).
Non‑EU/EEA students are required to pay tuition; amounts vary by program. Limited scholarships may be available (faculty/program awards and external schemes).
Visas and permits: Students from outside the EU/EEA typically need a study permit and must document sufficient funding per UDI guidelines. A part‑time work permit (up to 20 hours/week) during semesters is commonly included.
Cost of living: Oslo offers high quality of life and excellent public transport; costs are relatively high. Student housing, subsidized gyms and cafés, and transport discounts help manage expenses.
Always confirm program details, tuition regulations, and application deadlines on UiO’s official pages before applying.
Life in Oslo
Safe, inclusive, and informal: Norway’s egalitarian culture means students and professors are often on a first‑name basis.
City meets nature: Efficient metro, tram, and bike networks connect campus to museums, concert halls, lively neighborhoods—and to vast forests and lakes for year‑round outdoor activities.
Career launchpad: As Norway’s political and economic center, Oslo offers internships and part‑time roles in public administration, health, culture, media, energy, and tech—valuable experience alongside your studies.
Notable achievements and alumni
UiO’s academic community includes Nobel laureates and world‑leading researchers across economics, physics, and medicine. Alumni include national leaders, Supreme Court justices, diplomats, and innovators whose work shapes policy, science, and culture in Norway and beyond.
How to get started
Explore programs: Identify English‑taught master’s or PhD opportunities that match your interests.
Check requirements: Review program‑specific academic and language criteria, plus any country‑specific documentation rules.
Track deadlines: International master’s applications commonly open in autumn for the next academic year—always confirm exact dates on UiO’s official pages.
Plan finances: Understand tuition (if applicable), living costs, and scholarship options; prepare proof of funding for immigration.
Secure housing early: Apply for SiO student housing as soon as you’re eligible.
Prepare to thrive: Join pre‑arrival webinars, brush up on Norwegian basics, and connect with student groups before you arrive.
Closing
At the University of Oslo, you’ll find rigorous academics, a welcoming community, and a uniquely Norwegian balance of city energy and outdoor adventure an ideal setting to learn, research, and grow.
University of Oslo (UiO)
Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and one
of its
highest‑ranked research universities. Set across green campuses in the capital,
UiO blends world‑class academics, a strong culture of welfare and
equality, and daily access
to both city life and nature all within a safe, inclusive
environment.
Quick facts
campus downtown; close ties to Oslo University Hospital and Oslo Science Park
Sciences; Educational Sciences; Theology
PhD programs in English; many English‑taught courses
law, democracy & governance; Nordic languages & culture
counseling, careers)
European university
Why choose UiO
science to public health, jurisprudence,
archaeology, and Ibsen studies, UiO spans the full spectrum of
disciplines.
Science and UiO:Energy and Environment address global challenges
in health, climate, and society.
Parliament, Supreme Court, ministries, NGOs, hospitals, media,
and startups—fueling internships, case projects, and guest lectures.
SiO offers affordable housing, healthcare, gyms, cafés, mental‑health services,
and career support tailored to students.
to coding and sustainability—plus the legendary student house Chateau
Neuf and welcoming “buddy week” (fadderuke).
are minutes away by metro—perfect for hiking, skiing, swimming, and cabin trips.
Academics and programs
Bachelor’s degrees (Norwegian)
Most bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian across the humanities, social sciences, natural
sciences, law, and more. International applicants with documented Norwegian proficiency have many
options, with select English‑taught courses available.
Master’s degrees (English, 2 years / 120 ECTS)
PhD education (English‑friendly)
Fully research‑based with paid research fellow (employee) positions advertised
year‑round; strong supervision and access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities.
Teaching and learning
Research‑led instruction, small‑group seminars, labs and fieldwork, and an emphasis on
critical thinking, academic integrity, and independent
study.
Facilities
Modern labs and maker spaces; extensive libraries (the Georg Sverdrup library is a
campus hub); specialized law and medical libraries; collaboration with Oslo Science
Park and university hospitals.
Research and innovation
linguistics, informatics, law, health, and social sciences to tackle complex problems from
multiple angles.
for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), the Centre for Earth
Evolution and Dynamics (CEED), and dScience – Centre for
Computational and Data Science.
institutions shape research in democracy, law,
migration, and human rights.
supportive ecosystem offers hackathons, internships, and commercialization support; life science
innovation is nurtured through the UiO:Life Science environment.
Student life and support
introductions, international meetups, and buddy programs that make it easy to
connect.
mental‑health services; SiO Athletica gyms; affordable cafés; career counseling
and workshops.
Model UN, coding groups, entrepreneurship and sustainability initiatives.
hours, and excellent digital collections.
and cultural history and regularly convenes public talks, debates, and
performances.
International students
programs can be completed in English. Norwegian language courses are available (offerings vary
by program and semester).
English (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL). Country‑specific requirements may apply.
autumn for studies starting the following August; EU/EEA applicants may
have later deadlines.
(a small semester fee applies).
program. Limited scholarships may be available (faculty/program awards
and external schemes).
study permit and must document sufficient funding per UDI
guidelines. A part‑time work permit (up to 20 hours/week) during semesters is
commonly included.
transport; costs are relatively high. Student housing, subsidized gyms and cafés, and transport
discounts help manage expenses.
Always confirm program details, tuition regulations, and application deadlines on UiO’s
official pages before applying.
Life in Oslo
professors are often on a first‑name basis.
connect campus to museums, concert halls, lively neighborhoods—and to vast forests and
lakes for year‑round outdoor activities.
internships and part‑time roles in public administration, health, culture, media,
energy, and tech—valuable experience alongside your studies.
Notable achievements and alumni
UiO’s academic community includes Nobel laureates and world‑leading researchers
across economics, physics, and medicine. Alumni include national leaders, Supreme Court justices,
diplomats, and innovators whose work shapes policy, science, and culture in Norway and beyond.
How to get started
match your interests.
plus any country‑specific documentation rules.
for the next academic year—always confirm exact dates on UiO’s official pages.
scholarship options; prepare proof of funding for immigration.
you’re eligible.
connect with student groups before you arrive.
Closing
At the University of Oslo, you’ll find rigorous academics, a welcoming community,
and a uniquely Norwegian balance of city energy and outdoor
adventure an ideal setting to learn, research, and grow.