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: Coastal campus embedded in Norway’s maritime cluster—ideal for marine operations, ship design, and ocean industries—set among fjords and islands.