Norwegian version of this page

Residents and citizens of Norway with foreign education

This page is for degree-seeking applicants with a renewable or permanent residence permit in Norway, as well as applicants with Norwegian citizenship who have completed their previous education abroad.

Please note! Make sure you have thoroughly read all the information prior to submitting your application. You should only apply if all admission requirements are met. UiA will not process incomplete applications.

Programmes taught in Norwegian

Most of our programmes are taught in Norwegian and require the applicants to fullfill both the Norwegian and the English language requirements.

Programmes taught in English

English taught study programmes

Application period

The following application periods apply to applicants with a renewable or permanent residence permit to Norway:  

  • Applicants to music performance programmes: 1 November - 15 December
  • Applicants to English-taught bachelor's programmes: 1 February- 1 March 
  • Applicants to English-taught master's programmes: 1 February- 15 April
  • Applicants to Norwegian-taught bachelor's programmes: 1 February- 15 April 
  • Applicants to Norwegian-taught master's programmes: 1 February- 15 April
  • Applicants to single courses: 1- 20 August (autumn semester) / 1 December- 10 January (spring semester)

If you have a temporary residence permit, and need a renewed residence permit in order to study, you may apply for early admissions before 1 March. Please see the requirements and what kind of documents you must upload to apply for early admissions.

Admission requirements

In order to qualify for admission to degree programmes, you must meet the following requirements: 

  • Country specific educational requirement
  • Country specific document requirements
  • Programme specific requirements 
  • Language requirements

There are different requirements depending on which country you are from, and your educational background.

For admission requirements to English-taught bachelor's or master's programmes for applicants who have completed their education outside Norway, please see the country specific information related to the country you have completed your previous education.

If you are applying through Samordna opptak, please see their website for information regarding the application process and requirements

Tuition fees

  • Admitted students who are Norwegian citizens or have a permanent residence permit to Norway are exempt from paying tuition fees.
  • Admitted students with a renewable residence permit may be required to pay tuition fees. Please note that some applicants will be exempt from paying tuition fees based on residence in Norway or other close connections with Norway. Applicants will be given the opportunity to document the basis for exception. 

Read more about tuition fees for international students

Application process

1. Check the admission requirements  

Check the application period. Read the admission requirements carefully (including the country specific requirements) and make sure you satisfy all requirements for your chosen study programme(s).   

2. Prepare the required documents   

We recommend that you prepare all your documents prior to submitting your application.  

Required documents:

  • Diploma and transcripts from high school/secondary school   
  • Diploma and transcripts from university education  
  • Language requirements (if applicable - check the section Admission requirements above)  
  • Copy of passport  
  • Residence card (not applicable for Norwegian citizens)
  • Documentation of name change (if applicable)  

Special document requirements for certain countries: 

Please read about valid documentation to ensure that you have the correct documents.   

3. Register your application using our online application portal (Application web) or through Samordna opptak 

4. Submit documents within the deadline   

Once logged on to the online application portal Application Web, navigate to the page “My documents”. The final post mark date/deadline for uploading is 5 days after you have applied.  It is not possible to submit documents after the application deadline. 

When uploading, choose the type of document according to content (such as “diploma”, “transcript” etc). Do not send any documents by e-mail.   

In case you are taking a language test or finishing your degree in the spring semester, the test results/final transcript of records and final diploma must be uploaded within 1 July.  

If you are instructed in the Country list that certain documents must be sent by post, please note that the Admissions Office at UiA must receive the documents as soon as possible and no later than 1 July.    

5. Receiving the results of your application   

The results of your application will be published in the Application web. You will receive the results depending on which programme(s) you have applied for. You will be notified by e-mail when the results are available.   

Those who receive an offer of admission have 5 days to respond to the offer. If you do not register your response in Application web within the given deadline, the offer will be withdrawn.  

Selection process

Admission to UiA is highly competitive. Consequently, not all qualified applicants will be admitted, only the ones with the best academic results. Admission is offered based on eligible applicants' academic results. 

Bachelor's programmes

If you are qualified for admission to a bachelor's programme, you will compete against the other qualified applicants with a score based on the results from your secondary education and additional points according to the regulations and guidelines set by the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (NUCAS).

The Admissions office will calculate and convert the grade point average (GPA) from your secondary education into the grading scale used in the Norwegian secondary education system. Additional points are added to the score based on subjects from secondary education, age and credits from accredited higher education exceeding the admission requirement.

Master's programmes

If you are qualified for admission to a master's programme, you will compete against the other applicants based on your academic results. The Admissions office will calculate your grade point average (GPA) from your university/college education which forms the basis of admission. UiA uses the ECTS grading scale when calculating GPAs. Diplomas and transcripts using other grading scales will be converted to the ECTS grading scale before the GPA is assessed on an individual basis.

Applicants who have been granted admission

The autumn semester starts in mid-August.

Inspection of original documents

You are required to present your original diplomas and transcripts for inspection upon arrival at the university. You will receive details about the inspection from the Admissions office after semester start. Students are required to submit the original documents upon request. Document forgery is subject to the Penal Code § 361 and will be reported to the police. 

You do not need to submit the following documents for inspection:  

  • Documents that have been sent directly to UiA from the issuing institution during the application process  
  • Documents that have been verified online during the application process
Published Mar. 15, 2024 - Last modified June 7, 2024