Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU is Norway’s largest university and the national flagship for technology and engineering—with a broad portfolio in the natural sciences, IT, architecture and design, medicine and health, economics, social sciences, and the humanities. The university traces its roots to the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH, 1910) and was established in its current form in 1996. NTNU’s main campus is in Trondheim, with additional campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund.
Quick facts
At-a-glance information about NTNU
Type
Public, research‑intensive university with a national mandate in technology and engineering
Engineering; Information Technology & Electrical Engineering; Natural Sciences; Medicine & Health Sciences; Architecture & Design; Humanities; Social & Educational Sciences; Economics & Management
Language of instruction
Bachelor’s primarily in Norwegian; extensive master’s and nearly all PhD programs in English; many English‑taught courses
Academic strengths
Engineering & ICT; AI, data & cybersecurity; cybernetics & robotics; ocean/maritime technology; energy transition & sustainability; materials & nanotechnology; industrial ecology; neuroscience & health tech; architecture & design
Student support
Comprehensive services via Sit (housing, health services, gyms, cafés, counseling, careers)
Reputation
Close partnership with SINTEF; home to Nobel Prize‑winning neuroscience research; strong industry links and innovation ecosystem
Why choose NTNU
Technology leadership + breadth: Excel in engineering and ICT while exploring the humanities, social sciences, economics, design, and health—all on one campus system.
Hands‑on learning: Extensive labs, workshops, field courses, and project studios. NTNU’s signature Experts in Teamwork course builds cross‑disciplinary collaboration skills valued by employers.
Industry collaboration: Work with SINTEF and partners across energy, maritime, manufacturing, health tech, and digitalization through project theses, internships, and research.
Entrepreneurial ecosystem: The NTNU School of Entrepreneurship, Spark NTNU, Start NTNU, and the NTNU Technology Transfer Office support student ventures from idea to startup.
World‑class test facilities: From ocean basins and marine labs to robotics arenas and cleanrooms—plus the new Ocean Space Centre (under development) in Trondheim.
Vibrant student city: Trondheim’s Studentersamfundet, the UKA festival, ISFiT, and NTNUI (Norway’s largest student sports club) create an unforgettable campus culture.
Academics and programs
Bachelor’s degrees (Norwegian)
Most bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian across engineering, computer science, natural sciences, architecture, economics, social sciences, and the humanities. International applicants with documented Norwegian proficiency have many options; select English‑taught courses are available.
Master’s degrees (English, 2 years / 120 ECTS)
Computer Science, AI & Machine Learning, Data Science, Cybersecurity
Fully research‑based with paid research fellow (employee) positions advertised year‑round; strong supervision, state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, and close ties to industry and hospitals.
Teaching and learning
Research‑led and project‑based learning, team projects, studios and labs, fieldwork and cruises, and an emphasis on critical thinking, innovation, and real‑world problem‑solving.
Facilities
Marine and ocean labs, wind tunnels, test basins, robotics and autonomous systems labs, NTNU NanoLab cleanrooms, maker spaces and workshops, high‑performance computing, and libraries across all campuses.
Research and innovation
Strategic areas:NTNU Energy, NTNU Oceans, NTNU Health, and NTNU Digital connect disciplines to solve complex challenges.
Centres and excellence: NTNU hosts internationally recognized centres such as AMOS – Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, QuSpin – Center for Quantum Spintronics, and PoreLab (with partners), alongside Centres for Research‑based Innovation (SFI).
Neuroscience leadership: Home to the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience; NTNU researchers May‑Britt and Edvard Moser received the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
AI and digitalization: The Norwegian Open AI Lab advances trustworthy AI through academia–industry collaboration.
Societal impact: Partnerships with ministries, municipalities, hospitals, NGOs, and companies drive innovation in energy transition, maritime safety, circular economy, and health technology.
Entrepreneurship: Idea‑to‑market support via NTNU’s innovation ecosystem and Technology Transfer Office; hackathons, incubators, and industry projects are integral to the student experience.
Student life and support
Orientation & community: Warm welcomes through immatrikulation, international meetups, and fadderuke (buddy week) across all campuses.
Housing & welfare (Sit): Student housing in Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Ålesund; health and mental‑health services; Sit Trening gyms; affordable cafés; career counseling and job fairs.
Student organizations: Join academic societies, NTNUI sports, robotics and maker clubs, music and theatre, debate, Model UN, entrepreneurship and sustainability groups.
Libraries & study spaces: The NTNU University Library system provides quiet reading rooms, group rooms, extended hours, and extensive digital collections.
Culture & events: Trondheim’s Studentersamfundet hosts concerts and debates; highlights include the UKA festival and ISFiT (International Student Festival in Trondheim). NTNU University Museum offers natural and cultural history exhibitions.
International students
Language options: You can complete a full master’s or PhD in English. Norwegian language courses are available (offerings vary by campus and program).
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 or fee waivers may be available in select cases and external schemes (e.g., Erasmus Mundus).
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: Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Ålesund offer high quality of life and efficient 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 NTNU’s official pages before applying.
Life on NTNU’s campuses
Trondheim: A renowned student city—safe, walkable, and bike‑friendly—with historic Nidaros Cathedral, riverside Bakklandet, and easy access to Bymarka for skiing and hiking. A tight‑knit academic–industry cluster fuels internships and research projects.
Gjøvik: A compact, welcoming campus with strengths in cybersecurity, health technology, and design—set by Lake Mjøsa and surrounded by forests and trails.
Ålesund:</-strong> Coastal campus embedded in Norway’s maritime cluster—ideal for marine operations, ship design, and ocean industries—set among fjords and islands.
Notable achievements and alumni
NTNU researchers May‑Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser were awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain. NTNU alumni lead in engineering, energy, maritime industries, tech entrepreneurship, architecture, public service, and research worldwide.
How to get started
Explore programs: Identify English‑taught master’s or PhD opportunities that match your interests and campus preferences (Trondheim, Gjøvik, Ålesund).
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 NTNU’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 Sit student housing as soon as you’re eligible for your campus city.
Prepare to thrive: Join pre‑arrival webinars, brush up on Norwegian basics, and connect with student groups like NTNUI, Start NTNU, or program associations.
Closing
At NTNU, you’ll learn in cutting‑edge labs, collaborate across disciplines, and join a dynamic student city—an ideal launchpad for careers in technology, sustainability, health, and beyond.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU is Norway’s largest university and the national flagship for
technology and engineering—with a broad portfolio in the natural
sciences, IT, architecture and design,
medicine and health, economics, social sciences,
and the humanities. The university traces its roots to the Norwegian Institute of
Technology (NTH, 1910) and was established in its current form in
1996. NTNU’s main campus is in Trondheim, with additional campuses
in Gjøvik and Ålesund.
Quick facts
engineering
Gjøvik, Ålesund
Medicine & Health Sciences; Architecture & Design; Humanities; Social &
Educational Sciences; Economics & Management
PhD programs in English; many English‑taught courses
ocean/maritime technology; energy transition & sustainability; materials &
nanotechnology; industrial ecology; neuroscience & health tech; architecture &
design
counseling, careers)
Prize‑winning neuroscience research; strong industry links and innovation
ecosystem
Why choose NTNU
the humanities, social sciences, economics, design, and health—all on one campus system.
studios. NTNU’s signature Experts in Teamwork course builds cross‑disciplinary
collaboration skills valued by employers.
energy, maritime, manufacturing, health tech, and digitalization through project theses,
internships, and research.
Entrepreneurship, Spark NTNU, Start NTNU, and the
NTNU Technology Transfer Office support student ventures from idea to startup.
arenas and cleanrooms—plus the new Ocean Space Centre (under development) in
Trondheim.
UKA festival, ISFiT, and NTNUI (Norway’s
largest student sports club) create an unforgettable campus culture.
Academics and programs
Bachelor’s degrees (Norwegian)
Most bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian across engineering, computer science, natural
sciences, architecture, economics, social sciences, and the humanities. International applicants
with documented Norwegian proficiency have many options; select English‑taught
courses are available.
Master’s degrees (English, 2 years / 120 ECTS)
Industrial Design
Ecology, Electric Power Engineering
PhD education (English‑friendly)
Fully research‑based with paid research fellow (employee) positions advertised
year‑round; strong supervision, state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, and close ties to industry and
hospitals.
Teaching and learning
Research‑led and project‑based learning, team projects, studios and labs, fieldwork and cruises, and
an emphasis on critical thinking, innovation, and
real‑world problem‑solving.
Facilities
Marine and ocean labs, wind tunnels, test basins, robotics and autonomous systems labs, NTNU
NanoLab cleanrooms, maker spaces and workshops, high‑performance computing, and
libraries across all campuses.
Research and innovation
NTNU Health, and NTNU Digital connect disciplines to solve
complex challenges.
AMOS – Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, QuSpin – Center for
Quantum Spintronics, and PoreLab (with partners), alongside
Centres for Research‑based Innovation (SFI).
Neuroscience; NTNU researchers May‑Britt and Edvard Moser received the 2014
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
trustworthy AI through academia–industry collaboration.
and companies drive innovation in energy transition, maritime safety, circular economy, and
health technology.
Technology Transfer Office; hackathons, incubators, and industry projects are integral to the
student experience.
Student life and support
international meetups, and fadderuke (buddy week) across all campuses.
health and mental‑health services; Sit Trening gyms; affordable cafés; career
counseling and job fairs.
robotics and maker clubs, music and theatre, debate, Model UN, entrepreneurship and
sustainability groups.
reading rooms, group rooms, extended hours, and extensive digital collections.
concerts and debates; highlights include the UKA festival and
ISFiT (International Student Festival in Trondheim). NTNU University Museum
offers natural and cultural history exhibitions.
International students
PhD in English. Norwegian language courses are available (offerings vary by
campus and program).
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 or fee waivers may be available in select
cases and external schemes (e.g., Erasmus Mundus).
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.
efficient 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 NTNU’s
official pages before applying.
Life on NTNU’s campuses
historic Nidaros Cathedral, riverside Bakklandet, and easy
access to Bymarka for skiing and hiking. A tight‑knit academic–industry cluster
fuels internships and research projects.
cybersecurity, health technology, and design—set by Lake Mjøsa and surrounded
by forests and trails.
marine operations, ship design, and ocean industries—set among fjords and
islands.
Notable achievements and alumni
NTNU researchers May‑Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser were awarded
the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of cells that
constitute a positioning system in the brain. NTNU alumni lead in engineering, energy, maritime
industries, tech entrepreneurship, architecture, public service, and research worldwide.
How to get started
match your interests and campus preferences (Trondheim, Gjøvik, Ålesund).
plus any country‑specific documentation rules.
for the next academic year—always confirm exact dates on NTNU’s official pages.
scholarship options; prepare proof of funding for immigration.
you’re eligible for your campus city.
connect with student groups like NTNUI, Start NTNU, or program
associations.
Closing
At NTNU, you’ll learn in cutting‑edge labs, collaborate across disciplines, and join
a dynamic student city—an ideal launchpad for careers in technology, sustainability, health, and
beyond.