MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society (MF vitenskapelig høyskole) is a small private specialised university in Oslo. It describes itself as a private, independent educational institution with about 1,300 students, about 50 doctoral candidates and about 120 employees.[1] It has received state grants since 1970.[2]
For 2026/27 every student pays a semester fee of NOK 4,550. Students from outside the EU/EEA pay tuition of NOK 60,000 per semester on top, which MF states as NOK 120,000 per year.[3][4] The English-taught Master in Theology is its main programme for international students.[5] We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position.
Key facts
| Official name | MF vitenskapelig høyskole (until 2018: Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet)[6] |
| Location | Oslo, Norway (Majorstuen; address Gydas vei 4, 0302 Oslo)[1] |
| Type | Private, independent specialised university; organised as a foundation, with state grants since 1970[2] |
| Accreditation | Accredited by NOKUT as a specialised university institution in 2005, the first private institution of its kind in Norway[2] |
| Founded | 1907 (founding meeting 16 October 1907); teaching began in autumn 1908[2] |
| Name | Renamed MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society in August 2018[7] |
| Students | About 1,300 on MF’s own page; other sources give about 1,000[1] |
| Doctoral candidates | About 50[1] |
| Employees | About 120[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed |
| Language of teaching | The Master in Theology is taught in English; the language of the other programmes was not checked[5] |
| Semester fee 2026/27 | NOK 4,550 per semester for all students (including PhD students; research fellows at MF do not pay)[3] |
| Tuition 2026/27, students from outside the EU/EEA | NOK 60,000 per semester (NOK 120,000 per year)[3] |
| Official website | mf.no |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
MF calls itself a specialised university in Oslo that offers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes in theology, religion and society. Its programmes train students for careers in the church, in schools and in society.[1] The school was founded in 1907 as the Faculty of Theology (Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet) and renamed in 2018.[1]
The Store norske leksikon gives the founding meeting as 16 October 1907 and the start of teaching as autumn 1908.[2] That is why some lists, including our earlier Norway table, give 1908. MF was long financed by donations only and has received state grants since 1970; it was accredited as a specialised university institution in 2005.[2] Wikipedia counts it, together with BI and VID, among Norway’s three private specialised universities.[7]
How is MF ranked?
We could not confirm a position for MF in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026); no source we could read lists it. The English Wikipedia article contains no ranking information either.[7] MF is a small institution for theology, religion and society, so general world rankings may not cover it. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat any single position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at MF?
MF’s study pages group the offer into bachelor’s, master’s, year studies and professional studies, as well as English programmes and courses, a PhD programme, classical languages and philology, a summer school and online studies.[8]
- Master in Theology (English): two years full-time (four semesters) and 120 ECTS credits, of which the thesis is worth 60. The page says the theology courses listed for the programme are the only ones taught in English at MF. Applicants need theological courses of at least 120 ECTS at master level and courses in at least two main theology disciplines.[5]
- PhD: MF has a PhD programme; see the PhD page, which we did not read.[8]
We did not read the programme pages of the Norwegian-taught degrees, so we do not describe them here.
How much does MF cost in 2026/27?
| Student group | Semester fee | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the EU, EEA or Switzerland | NOK 4,550 per semester | None |
| Students from other countries who started in 2023 or later | NOK 4,550 per semester | NOK 60,000 per semester (NOK 120,000 per year) |
MF’s semester fee page states NOK 4,550 per semester and NOK 60,000 per semester of tuition for students from outside the EU/EEA, for the academic year 2026/2027.[3] The admission page gives the same tuition as NOK 120,000 per year and says exchange students, students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland and students who started at MF before 2023 are not affected.[4] MF does not offer scholarships to international students.[4]
The semester fee
All students pay the semester fee each semester, PhD students included; research fellows at MF do not. If you have already paid the SiO student welfare fee to another institution, you can deduct it by registering the receipt. Late payment adds an administration fee of NOK 200.[3] Students who are exempt from tuition still have to pay the semester fee.[4]
For the cost of living in Oslo see the Norway guide.
How do you apply to MF?
Applications go through the online portal Søknadsweb; MF says that e-mails with attachments will not be considered.[4] The application windows differ for non-EU/EEA applicants and for Norwegian, EU/EEA, Swiss and Nordic applicants, and for non-EU applicants who hold a Norwegian bachelor’s diploma. We give no dates because they change every year; read the admission page.[4]
International applicants to the Master in Theology are directed to the admission page for requirements and the application process; the programme page lists the theology credits needed.[5] For questions about fees or exemptions MF refers to its admission office at admission@mf.no.[4]
Which English level do you need?
All applicants must document English proficiency, regardless of their country of education.[4] MF lists these minimum scores:[4]
| Test | Total | Writing |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 24 |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 59 | 58 |
Other routes exist, for example an English-taught master’s degree or a relevant English-language undergraduate degree.[4] The page does not state a Norwegian-language requirement for the Norwegian-taught programmes, so ask the admission office if you plan to study in Norwegian.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the tuition fee at MF for international students?
Do students from the EU or Norway pay tuition at MF?
Is there an English-taught programme at MF?
Yes, the Master in Theology (two years, 120 ECTS) is taught in English.[5]
Was MF founded in 1907 or 1908?
The founding meeting took place on 16 October 1907 and teaching began in autumn 1908.[2]
Is MF a state or a private institution?
MF is private and independent, organised as a foundation, but it has received state grants since 1970.[2]
More about studying in Norway
- Norway: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Norway
- BI Norwegian Business School
- Nord University
- Norwegian Academy of Music
- Norwegian School of Economics (NHH)
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
- NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO)
- OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- University of Agder
- University of Bergen
- University of Oslo
- University of South-Eastern Norway
- University of Stavanger
Sources
[1] MF: About MF (page without a date; newest news item 28 Sep 2026)
[2] Store norske leksikon: MF vitenskapelig høyskole (article last updated 12 Dec 2025; encyclopedia, secondary source)
[3] MF: Administrative semester fee (page without a date; states fees for the academic year 2026/2027)
[4] MF: Application and admission (page without a date)
[5] MF: Master in Theology (page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia (Norwegian): MF vitenskapelig høyskole (name history; secondary source)
[7] Wikipedia: MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society (history and status; secondary source)
[8] MF: Studies (page without a date; newest item 4 Jun 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.