Academic requirements

For bachelor studies applicants must meet the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse), and fulfil the language requirements in Norwegian and English. To some study programmes you need specific subjects (e.g. Mathematics and Science) or work experience in addition to the general requirements.

Applicants from European countries are eligible for admission upon completion of the upper secondary school leaving certificate that provides the basis for admission to university studies in the home country. Entrance requirements for applicants from non-European countries may include one or two years of university studies in addition to upper secondary school.

For master studies applicants must hold a Bachelor degree comparable to a similar degree from Norwegian higher education. For each master programme, there will be specific requirements to the content of the bachelor degree (see programmes taught in English).

Norwegian requirements

Norwegian is the official language of instruction at institutions of higher education in Norway. To attend regular courses and degree programmes, a good command of the Norwegian language is necessary. The minimum requirement for attending regular degree programmes where Norwegian is the language of instruction is either

• Norwegian level III with a minimum pass of 3.0 from a Norwegian language programme for foreign students; or
• Norwegian level III, with a minimum pass of 3.0 from the summer courses in Norwegian language offered by the University of Oslo; or
• Test in Norwegian, higher level, the so called "Bergenstesten", with a minimum score of 450, or from 2009 with grades "fail", "pass" or "high pass". Bergen Norwegian Language Test

The master degrees in Technology (MSc Information Security , and MSc Media Technology) offered at the Faculty of Computer Science and Media does not require Norwegian proficiency, since the standard language of instruction is English.

English language requirements

All applicants must also satisfy specified English language requirements. This means that applicants from some countries will have an adequate command of English and satisfy this requirement with the English they have taken at upper secondary school in their home country, see the GSU-list.

Applicants who do not satisfy this requirement must pass one of the following examinations/tests:

• English basic course from upper secondary school in Norway with mark 2 or better
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 60 points on an average on the Internet-based test for bachelor studies and 80 points on an average for master studies.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 5.0 for bachelor studies and a score of 6.0 points for master studies.
• One year of study at a university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the USA. The language of instruction must be English.
• An university degree with a major in English

The following categories of applicants are exempted from the English test requirement:

Applicants from countries under the EU/ EEA who can document that they have had English as their first foreign language in primary/secondary school for at least 7 years.

Citizens of the following English speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA or applicants who have successfully completed at least one year of academic studies at a college or university in one of these countries.

Students from African countries with the East or West African School Certificate when they can document an examination in English at the Advanced Level passed with C or better, or after having completed a Bachelor’s degree.

Students who have studied English language as one of their main subjects at university level can apply for an exemption.

Students accepted within the framework of an exchange programme or a bilateral agreement, although a good command of English is recommended.