If you want to study in a Norwegian university or college and your educational background is from abroad, you must document satisfactory knowledge of Norwegian and English. There are a number of ways to do it.

Note that for some subjects/courses, the language requirements may be higher then the general requirements mentioned here. Check with the school you want to study at.

Note that you do not need to document language proficiency when you apply for admission (usually before 1 March). Documentation can be forwarded later, usually throughout June.

The Norwegian language requirement may be covered by

Norwegian as a second language (or alternative study plan):
Examination from upper secondary school, 3rd year course from the general studies branch, with the grade 2 or better in written and spoken Norwegian.
Oslo Voksenopplæring (Oslo Adult Education Centre) offers the upper secondary school course "Norwegian as a second language" as a one-year or two-year course, both daytime and evening classes. The admission requirement is completed primary and lower secondary education (from Norway or from abroad).

Norwegian language test, Advanced level ("Bergenstesten")
There is a written and an oral test. For admission to university or college, only the written test is required. The test is arranged three times a year. For more information, contact Folkeuniversitetet Norsk språktest.

On www.norskkurs.no you will find an example of the test, which you can try free of charge. You must register a user name and password first.

Oslo VO Rosenhof offers preparatory courses for this test three times a year. The courses are free of charge for those with a right to receive free language tuition, but you pay for the test. Contact Rosenhof for more information about dates and placement test.

Norwegian courses at the University of Oslo
The Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies at The University of Oslo runs courses for foreign student on various levels.

It is not necessary to be registered as a regular student at the University of Oslo, but you must satisfy the general admission requirement (apart from language).

The International Summer School (ISS) at the University of Oslo runs intensive 6-week courses every summer, from level 1 to level 4. Deadline for application is 1 February.

The English language requirement
At Norwegian institutions of higher education, much of the course literature is in English, and a good command of the language is necessary.

The website of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) has an overview of the countries from which Norwegian institutions require documentation of English language proficiency.

If you have passed the examination from Norwegian upper secondary school, general studies branch, with grade 2 or better (written and oral), no additional test is required.

To prove your English language skills, you can choose one of the following tests:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Is a computer-based test which you can take all year round. Check test dates at The International Summer School at The University of Oslo, or call no. 22 85 40 28.

International English Language Testing Service (IELTS)
The IELTS test is organised by Folkeuniversitetet in Oslo. For information on test dates, call phone no. 22 47 60 00, or send an e-mail to info@fu.oslo.no.
Here are details about the test.

The TOEFL and IELTS tests differ in structure and method, so read the information carefully to decide which one you prefer!

Last modified 03/08/2006