Universitetet i Oslo
Oslo, Norway • Founded 1811 • World Rank #169
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1811, the Universitetet i Oslo (University of Oslo) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Oslo (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants).
This institution also has a branch campus in Kjeller. Officially recognized by the Kunnskapsdepartementet, Norge (Ministry of Education of Norway), Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) is a large-sized coeducational Norwegian higher education institution.
Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 212-year-old Norwegian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
UiO also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where Universitetet i Oslo sits geographically, plus the contact channels students use during admissions. Alumni-office inquiries are separate from admissions and have their own contact page.
Academic Details
Universitetet i Oslo's student body, faculty composition, and recognition framework are summarised below. Use this section to gauge institutional weight before drilling into specific programmes.
Degrees
Each degree level at Universitetet i Oslo groups its qualifications below for easy comparison. The grouping makes it straightforward to find equivalent programmes across institutions.
Master's 19 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Administration
- Economics
- Education
- Health Sciences
- History
- Information Technology
- Law
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Medicine
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Natural Sciences
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Religion
- Social Sciences
- Technology
Other 9 programs
- Arts and Humanities
- Dentistry
- Education
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Theology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Kunnskapsdepartementet, Norge.
Ethics (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Functional Materials and Nanotechnology (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Materials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Ibsen Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theatre
Technology, Innovation and Culture Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
- Technology
Viking and Medieval Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medieval Studies
- Nordic Studies
Women's Studies and Gender Research (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Gender Studies
- Women's Studies
Dentistry (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
Common Career Paths
- Dentist
- Oral Surgeon
- Dental Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Educational Research
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities (Faculty) 20 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Classical Languages
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Cultural Studies
- Eastern European Studies
- Germanic Studies
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Linguistics
- Media Studies
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Musicology
- Oriental Studies
- Philosophy
- Romance Languages
- Theatre
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Criminology
- Human Rights
- International Law
- Law
- Maritime Law
- Private Law
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Ecology
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Mathematics
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
- Natural Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biotechnology
- Community Health
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Economics
- European Studies
- Geography (Human)
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human Rights (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Human Rights
Programs Offered
Every programme Universitetet i Oslo currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable. Status and intake details vary by programme — verify with the institution before committing to applications.
146 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Norway
Bachelor's Degree 50 programmes
Showing 10 of 50.
Master's Degree 73 programmes
Showing 10 of 73.
Certificate 21 programmes
Showing 10 of 21.
Other Programs 2 programmes
How to apply to Universitetet i Oslo
How to apply to Universitetet i Oslo — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Research programmes at Universitetet i Oslo
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Universitetet i Oslo offers 146 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Each programme at Universitetet i Oslo has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Lodge your application
Apply directly via Universitetet i Oslo's online portal at www.uio.no. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +47 22 85 50 50. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universitetet i Oslo
Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Universitetet i Oslo as a study destination.
In what year was Universitetet i Oslo established?
Universitetet i Oslo was founded in 1811 (approximately 215 years ago).
What city is Universitetet i Oslo in?
Universitetet i Oslo operates from Oslo, Norway.
What is Universitetet i Oslo's control type?
Universitetet i Oslo is a public institution.
How big is Universitetet i Oslo's student body?
Universitetet i Oslo serves approximately 20,000-24,999 students.
How is Universitetet i Oslo ranked?
Universitetet i Oslo holds rank #169 globally and #1 in Norway.
What degrees does Universitetet i Oslo offer?
Universitetet i Oslo offers bachelor's and master's programmes.
Is Universitetet i Oslo accredited?
Universitetet i Oslo is accredited by Ministry of Education and Research (Kunnskapsdepartementet); Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (Nasjonalt organ for kvalitet i utdanningen – NOKUT).
How do I find Universitetet i Oslo online?
You can find Universitetet i Oslo online at www.uio.no.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Faculty mobility within European University Association (EUA) networks often signals shared standards. Faculty members frequently move between Universitetet i Oslo and the institutions below over the course of careers.
Faculties at nearby universities
Geographic neighbours to Universitetet i Oslo appear below — each worth considering if location is part of your decision. Nearby institutions tend to share academic calendars, making cross-applications less complex.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Universities in Norway with strong Linguistics & Language Studies provision give natural alternatives to Universitetet i Oslo. Specialism strengths vary by institution and often correlate with faculty research interests and industry partnerships.
Universities Compared with Universitetet i Oslo
Selectivity rates (acceptance percentage) cluster around Universitetet i Oslo for the peer institutions below. Selectivity is one of the more stable signals of institutional positioning over time.
Studying in Norway: guides and resources
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