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How to apply for master's programmes - international applicants

Application procedures for international applicants.

When to apply
The application portal opens 15 October.
The deadline for applying is 1 December.
All programmes start in August the following year.

Checklist for applicants

  • Who may apply in the 15 October – 1 December admission process?
    • Applicants from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
    • EU/EEA and Swiss citizens
      EU citizens who are completing their undergraduate degree in spring must apply for master’s programmes in the spring application period. Only applicants who are proficient in Norwegian may apply for bachelor's programmes in the spring application period.
  • Do you have the required academic background?

    For the bachelor in International Environment and Development Studies, please see The Nokut GSU list . This list states the basic requirements for admission to higher education in Norway. 


    Admission to a master’s programme requires three years of higher education in addition to the basic entrance requirement, and grades comparable to a Norwegian grade C. A Norwegian C is described as a good grade, generally comparable to an American B and a Second Class Upper in the British system. All foreign education is individually evaluated during the admission process.

    Your degree must be completed before you can apply. Admission is highly competitive and normally requires higher grades than the minimum needed to be qualified for admission. See the programme description for details on relevant academic background.

  • Do you meet our English language requirements?

    Applicants must document proficiency in English with an internationally recognized test or education from certain countries. 

    NMBU has a higher requirement for proficiency in English than stated in the Nokut GSU list. Please be aware that IELTS and TOEFL test dates fill up quickly, be sure to schedule your test early.

    See how to document your proficiency in English.

  • Can you document your financial ability?
    • Tuition fees: citizens from outside the EU/EEA are required to pay tuition fees.
    • Financial ability: citizens from outside the EU/EEA must document ability to finance their stay in Norway in order to be granted a student residence permit. This is in addition to and separate from the tuition fees

    NMBU does not offer scholarships for bachelor or master students.

  • For students or employees in Partner universities: possibility for Norwegian scholarship

    Who can apply for a NORSTIP Scholarship?

    NMBU offers NORSTIP scholarships exclusively to students from selected partner institutions. In order for you to qualify for a Norstip scholarship, you must be nominated by your home university and fulfill other requirements. Please read here for more information: https://www.nmbu.no/en/studies/norstip-scholarship-scheme

  • Do you have the required documentation?

    Check our documentation requirements and make sure that you have all the required documents ready, and that they are in the correct format (.pdf). All requirements must be met by the application deadline.

    All documents must be uploaded in the application portal when you apply.

    Applicants with higher education from Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines, Uganda or the USA must also order transcripts sent directly from their university to
    NMBU:

    The Admissions office/SiT
    P.O box 5003
    1432 Ås
    Norway

    If you are sending transcripts by courier you may use this address:

    The Admissions office/SiT
    Urbygningen
    Ole Sverres plass 1
    1433 Ås
    Norway

    Trancripts sent by email from a verification portal or official university email: admission@nmbu.no

  • Registering your application in the application portal
    • The application periode is 15 October - 1 December: Register your application in the application portal.
    • Enter your name as written in your passport
    • Please upload all documents when you register your application.
    • 1 December is the final deadline to upload all documents. Your application will be considered invalid if you have not uploaded any supporting documents within the deadline. Invalid applications will not be processed.
    • You may apply for up to two programmes. You may reprioritize your two programmes until the application deadline.
    • If you are offered admission to your first priority, you will not be offered admission to your second priority.

  • Getting your application results

    The admission results will be available in the application portal by the end of April.

    If you are offered admission, you will also be notified through your registered e-mail address and a formal letter of admission. Those offered admission will have a short deadline to accept the offer. 

    Applicants may be asked to present original educational documents upon admission.

    If you have any questions, please check out our frequently asked questions page.

  • Deadlines for international applicants
    • 15 October: The application portal opens
    • 1 December: The application portal closes for new applications
    • 1 December: Deadline for submitting all your documents.
  • Study permit
    • All programmes start in August the following year.
    • Applicants who are offered admission must apply for a study permit. Because of the circumstances in some countries, it may be difficult for applicants to get a study permit for studying at the bachelor level. Immigration authorities will always consider whether there is something specific with your situation that means that you can get a residence permit even though you are studying at a lower level. 
    • Applicants that already have a master's degree from Norway, are not likely to receive a study permit for another master's degree.