Quick facts

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
• Engineering: Mechanical, Civil & Environmental, Chemical, Materials, Product &
  Industrial Design
• Energy & Sustainability: Renewable Energy, Energy & Process Engineering, Industrial
  Ecology, Electric Power Engineering
• Ocean & Maritime: Marine Technology, Ocean Resources, Coastal & Arctic Engineering
• Electronics & Communications: Embedded Systems, Microelectronics, Wireless Communications
• Robotics, Cybernetics & Autonomous Systems
• Health & Neuroscience: Biomedical Engineering, Global Health (selected offerings)
• Architecture, Urban Ecological Planning, Interaction Design
• Economics & Management, Project Management, Entrepreneurship

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

• 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

1. Explore programs: Identify English‑taught master’s or PhD opportunities that
   match your interests and campus preferences (Trondheim, Gjøvik, Ålesund).
2. Check requirements: Review program‑specific academic and language criteria,
   plus any country‑specific documentation rules.
3. Track deadlines: International master’s applications commonly open in autumn
   for the next academic year—always confirm exact dates on NTNU’s official pages.
4. Plan finances: Understand tuition (if applicable), living costs, and
   scholarship options; prepare proof of funding for immigration.
5. Secure housing early: Apply for Sit student housing as soon as
   you’re eligible for your campus city.
6. 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.