University of Oslo
University of Oslo overview
Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo (UiO) is one of Norway's oldest and largest universities. It was originally established in honor of Norwegian King Frederick VI and known as the Royal Frederick University, with a mission to train civil servants and clergy.
Having become a pivotal institution in shaping Norway's intellectual and cultural heritage, the university adopted the name University of Oslo in 1939 and has since grown into a prestigious public research university recognized internationally for its excellence in education, pioneering research, and its role in supporting Norway's independence movement.
UiO is particularly renowned for its contributions to the humanities, law, medicine, natural sciences, and social sciences, and consistently ranks among Europe's leading universities.
Throughout its history, the University of Oslo has produced influential academics and notable figures, including Nobel laureates such as Fridtjof Nansen, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, and Ragnar Frisch and Trygve Haavelmo, both winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics.
About University of Oslo
Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo (UiO) is one of Norway's oldest and largest universities. It was originally established in honor of Norwegian King Frederick VI and known as the Royal Frederick University, with a mission to train civil servants and clergy.
Having become a pivotal institution in shaping Norway's intellectual and cultural heritage, the university adopted the name University of Oslo in 1939 and has since grown into a prestigious public research university recognized internationally for its excellence in education, pioneering research, and its role in supporting Norway's independence movement.
UiO is particularly renowned for its contributions to the humanities, law, medicine, natural sciences, and social sciences, and consistently ranks among Europe's leading universities.
Throughout its history, the University of Oslo has produced influential academics and notable figures, including Nobel laureates such as Fridtjof Nansen, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, and Ragnar Frisch and Trygve Haavelmo, both winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics.
University of Oslo faculties and programs
Computational Sciences
Data Science
Development, Environment and Cultural Change
Digitalization in the Health Sector
Economics
Education
Electronics, Informatics and Technology
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
European History
European Languages
University of Oslo Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into University of Oslo
The University of Oslo offers a Norwegian language preparatory program called "Norwegian Courses for International Students" to prepare incoming international students for higher education and help them develop Norwegian language proficiency.
Prospective students wishing to apply to undergraduate programs at the University of Oslo must meet the following requirements:
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- At least 1 year of study at a university recognized by the University of Oslo that offers a 4-year bachelor's degree program
- Transcripts of courses taken during that 1 year of university study
- High GPA
- Norwegian Language Proficiency Certificate
- Norwegian Language Proficiency Certificate obtained through exams such as Test i norsk - høyere nivå or the Kompetanse Norge Norwegian Language Test
- English Language Proficiency Certificate, if required by the specific admission conditions of the program applied to
- English Language Proficiency Certificate obtained through exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic
Prospective students wishing to apply to graduate programs at the University of Oslo must meet the following requirements:
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- A minimum of 90 ECTS credits in courses related to the graduate program applied to, earned during a 4-year bachelor's degree program,
- Transcripts of courses taken during a 4-year bachelor's degree program
- High GPA
- Norwegian Language Proficiency Certificate
- Norwegian Language Proficiency Certificate obtained through exams such as Test i norsk - høyere nivå or the Kompetanse Norge Norwegian Language Test
- English Language Proficiency Certificate, if required by the specific admission conditions of the program applied to
- English Language Proficiency Certificate obtained through exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic
- Depending on program-specific admission requirements, a GRE/GMAT score may be required.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the University of Oslo application process.
Take a closer look at University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is spread across several campuses in Oslo, Norway's capital. The main campus, Blindern, is located in the northwestern part of the city and hosts the majority of the university's academic activities.
The faculties of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, Medicine, and Dentistry are all located on this campus. The Blindern campus is known for its modern academic buildings as well as its green spaces and social facilities geared toward student life.
The campus is approximately 15–20 minutes from downtown Oslo by public transit, offering students a rich environment both academically and socially.
Among the university's other major campuses, the Sentrum campus in the city center stands out. This campus, home to the Faculty of Law, is within walking distance of central streets such as Karl Johans gate and Oslo's cultural venues.
Research centers focused on medicine and health sciences are located at the Gaustad campus near Ullevål Stadium. The Kjeller campus focuses on technology and engineering research.
Despite this dispersed structure, the university offers regular transportation services between campuses, ensuring students can move comfortably between locations. Each campus provides students with a broad academic infrastructure, including libraries, cafeterias, and study spaces.
Student life at the University of Oslo is extremely vibrant and diverse. Through the university's student welfare organization, Studentsamskipnaden i Oslo og Akershus (SiO), students have access to a wide range of sports facilities. The modern sports complex on the Blindern campus features fitness centers, swimming pools, squash courts, and various group exercise classes.
A wide variety of sports clubs — including skiing, climbing, soccer, handball, and sailing — are open to student participation. Thanks to Norway's natural beauty, students can enjoy outdoor activities on weekends such as skiing in the Nordmarka forests, sailing on the Oslofjord, or exploring the many hiking trails around the city.
The University of Oslo has a rich culture of student traditions. The most important is the UKA festival, held annually every September. This festival is Norway's largest cultural festival, organized entirely by students and held every two years.
The festival features concerts, theatrical performances, comedy shows, and various social events. Students also welcome new students through the fadderuke (orientation week) tradition. Throughout this week, social activities, campus tours, and get-to-know-you parties are held.
Each faculty has its own student associations, which regularly organize pub crawls, discussion evenings, quiz nights, and gala dinners. In the spring, students sunbathe and have picnics on the lawns of the Blindern campus.
Norwegian National Day on May 17 is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in and around the university, with students joining parades in the city center dressed in traditional attire.
The University of Oslo has an extensive alumni network made up of individuals who have achieved outstanding success across a wide range of fields. Notable alumni of the university include:
- Fridtjof Nansen
- Ragnar Frisch
- Odd Hassel
- Ivar Giæver
- Trygve Haavelmo
- Harald Eia
- Nils Christian Stenseth
- Halvdan Koht
- Anders Bratholm
- Francis Hagerup
- Lucy Smith
among others.
University of Oslo awards and achievements
- 1 Nobel Peace Prize winners among alumni and faculty
- 1 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winners among alumni and faculty
- 1 Nobel Prize in Physics winners among alumni and faculty
- 2 Nobel Prize in Economics winners among alumni and faculty
University of Oslo Frequently Asked Questions
University of Oslo Location
Oslo, Norway
University of Oslo Contact
University of Oslo
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into University of Oslo
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By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.
The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.
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