The best English-taught short courses in Norway

You may know Norway for its picturesque snow-clad landscapes, majestic fjords, and high standards of living — all of which make it a great place to study but so expensively out of reach.

The best short courses in Norway may be the solution you seek.

It’s a great way to sample this famed Nordic education system without committing your dwindling time. Those budget-strapped can use this as an opportunity to work part-time and collect enough funds for a full degree here or its neighbouring countries.

For some of the best short courses in Norway, it could also be your stepping stone to a full-fledged career here.

One year, many opportunities: The best short courses in Norway for international students

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UiT Norges arktiske universitet (@uitnorgesarktiske)

1. UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT The Arctic University of Norway offers some of the best short courses in Norway.

Considered the world’s most northernmost university, UiT has a mission to develop knowledge about the Arctic.

Here, you’ll find the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, the Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Law.

The university’s Arctic Nature Guide programme gives students the opportunity to experience Svalbard’s nature and culture.

This one-year programme is as practical as it is cultural through a combination of learnings in tourism and guiding as well as the arctic “friluftsliv” (pronounced free-loofts-liv), perfect for those aspiring to be nature guides in the Arctic region and those interested in gaining such expertise for their future degree courses. 

The prettiest sight you’ll catch in Norway might just be the northern lights (aurora borealis). Source: AFP

2. University of South-Eastern Norway

University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), located in Notodden, is the country’s fourth largest university, with approximately 17,000 students and 1,900 staff, spread over eight campuses.

International students can apply for their one-year long programmes, known as some of the best short courses in Norway: 

• Blues

Lovers of the blues, singers and musicians, the Blues programme gives you the chance to explore the musical and cultural universe of the blues on one of USN’s campuses – Notodden, which is also renowned as Europe’s top blues destination. 

In the curriculum, you’ll be mentored by teachers from the Little Steven’s Blues School – competent teachers with extensive experience in stage and studio, as well as master classes and mentoring by both national and international artists.

• Norwegian Folk Music/Norwegian Folk Art for International Students

Students taking the Norwegian Folk Music/Folk Art programme are based on the Rauland campus, set in a scenic rural mountain setting. Its location provides for the perfect immersion to Norwegian folk music or folk art.

You are expected to choose an area of specialisation – Norwegian Folk Art or Norwegian Folk Music. Both these specialisations, however, share joint modules, including Norwegian cultural history and Norwegian language lessons.

Check out USN’s other one-year programmes here. 

3. Nord University

Students passionate about the outdoors should consider the Outdoor Studies programme. Source: AFP

Founded and accredited in 2016, Nord University is one of the youngest universities in the country. It has five faculties, including the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, the Faculty of Education and Arts, the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the
Nord University Business School.

The university offers an online, one-year Northern Studies programme introducing students to social, environmental, cultural, and political topics relevant in the High North. It’s a great programme for those interested in the sustainable development of the Arctic. 

At the end of the programme, you should be well-versed in the contemporary challenges of the Circumpolar World, including management of natural resources, sustainable development, business, culture, politics, health issues, and the rights of indigenous peoples.

4. Volda University College

Located on the Norwegian West Coast, Volda University College (VUC) is a public university of applied sciences renowned for its international orientation and active participation in Erasmus+ and other international cooperation programmes.

Here, you can check out the Norwegian Language and Civilisation for International Students (NIS), a one-year language programme that helps international students master the Norwegian language.

Not only that, the programme prepares you to adapt to Norwegian society by giving you an insight into Norwegian social structures and the living conditions of Norwegians.

Upon completing your studies, you will reach a Norwegian language proficiency equivalent to the B2-level (CEFR). This proficiency will allow you to apply for study programmes taught in Norwegian.

If you’re opting for an exchange programme instead, VUC is the place to be.

The university offers single courses taught in English across subjects in media studies, animation, sports and nature, English language and literature, social sciences, Scandinavian studies, music and theatre, teacher training, and more. For master’s students, an English-taught MA in Media Practices is also available.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UiA – Universitetet i Agder (@uiagder)

5. University of Agder

Despite only gaining university status in 2007, the University of Agder (UiA) has a history of over 190 years. Now, with 14,000 students, two campuses, and over 200 different study options, it’s flourishing with opportunities for you to grab.

One of the interesting short courses in Norway that students can find here is the year-long Live Electronics programme.

This course is relevant to musicians trained with a main instrument and musicians who rely solely on electronic interfaces to make and perform their music. Here, you’ll develop your own artistic expression, explore new possibilities in music, and acquire knowledge about developing, planning, and carrying out concerts associated with your artist project.

Composers, songwriters, and producers who want to develop and perform their artistic projects in a concert setting are welcomed to the programme too.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on December 26, 2024.