Nord University is a public university in Northern and Central Norway, formed on 1 January 2016 from the University of Nordland, Nesna University College and Nord-Trøndelag University College. It has 11,300 students and 1,400 employees at study locations that include Bodø, Levanger, Steinkjer, Stjørdal, Mo i Rana, Namsos, Nesna and Vesterålen.[1] We could not confirm a place in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
Students with citizenship outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland pay tuition: NOK 60,000 or NOK 85,000 for 2026/27 and NOK 63,000 or NOK 88,000 for 2027/28, depending on the subject area.[3] Every student also pays a semester fee of NOK 845 per semester.[4] English-taught master’s programmes ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Nord universitet (Nord University) |
| Location | Study locations Bodø, Levanger, Steinkjer, Stjørdal, Mo i Rana, Namsos, Nesna and Vesterålen (postal address Postboks 1490, 8049 Bodø)[1] |
| Type | Public research university[6] |
| Founded | 1 January 2016, by fusion of the University of Nordland, Nesna University College and Nord-Trøndelag University College[1] |
| Students | 11,300[1] |
| Employees | 1,400[1] |
| Faculties | Five: Biosciences and Aquaculture; Education and Arts; Social Sciences; Nursing and Health Sciences; Nord University Business School[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Could not be confirmed (not listed by the aggregator we read)[2] |
| Tuition for non-EU/EEA students, 2026/27 | NOK 60,000 per year (humanities, social sciences, economics/administration) · NOK 85,000 per year (natural sciences, technology, health, social work, sports, teacher education, performing arts and media)[3] |
| Tuition for non-EU/EEA students, 2027/28 | NOK 63,000 per year (humanities, social sciences, economics/administration) · NOK 88,000 per year (other fields)[3] |
| Semester fee | NOK 845 per semester (NOK 650 to Studentinord, NOK 175 Kopinor, NOK 20 optional SAIH; NOK 825 without SAIH)[4] |
| Scholarships | Nord University does not offer scholarships or grants[3] |
| Official website | nord.no |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Nord University
Nord University (Nord universitet) was established on 1 January 2016 through a fusion of the University of Nordland, Nesna University College and Nord-Trøndelag University College.[1] It has 11,300 students and 1,400 employees at study locations in Bodø, Levanger, Steinkjer, Stjørdal, Mo i Rana, Namsos, Nesna and Vesterålen.[1]
The university describes itself as young, with strong regional ties and a global perspective. It focuses on blue and green growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, and welfare, health and education, and names aquaculture, biosciences, innovation and entrepreneurship as leading research communities.[1] It has five faculties, each led by a dean.[7]
How is Nord University ranked?
We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The aggregator xuanxiao.org, which we use because topuniversities.com blocks automated access, shows no QS World University Rankings entry for Nord University, and we found no other source that names a position. We therefore give no QS rank.[2]
The same aggregator lists U.S. News Best Global Universities 2027 at position =1,471.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Nord University?
Nord University has five faculties: Biosciences and Aquaculture; Education and Arts; Social Sciences; Nursing and Health Sciences; and Nord University Business School.[1] Its admission pages for international applicants cover bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English; programmes taught in Norwegian have their own application page.[8][9][10]
The pages we read do not give a count of English-taught programmes, so we do not state one. Use the university’s programme finder to see which programmes are open to you.
How much does Nord University cost for international students?
Students with citizenship outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition unless they qualify for an exemption. Students admitted before autumn 2023, exchange students and doctoral candidates do not pay. Nord University does not offer scholarships or grants.[3]
| Subject area | 2026/27 per year | 2027/28 per year |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities, social sciences, economics and administration | NOK 60,000 | NOK 63,000 |
| Natural sciences, technology, health, social work, sports, teacher education, performing arts and media | NOK 85,000 | NOK 88,000 |
The university reserves the right to adjust fees annually. Tuition covers lectures and standard examination fees; course literature is not included. The invoice covers tuition and semester fees for one academic year, and instalments are not accepted. Payment must be made in NOK.[3] A full refund is possible, for example if you withdraw before 1 September (autumn) or 1 February (spring) or if the study permit is rejected.[3]
Semester fee
The semester fee is a statutory fee for students in Norway, paid each semester before you can register. It is NOK 845: NOK 650 to the student welfare organisation Studentinord, NOK 175 to Kopinor for copyright-protected teaching material and NOK 20 to the student aid fund SAIH, which is optional (NOK 825 without it).[4]
Exemptions
Some applicants are exempt based on residence in Norway or another close connection to Norway; the university processes these under the Norwegian universities act and the rules for loans and grants.[3]
How do you apply to Nord University?
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA and EU/EEA applicants follow separate application periods, and you register your application in the national application portal Søknadsweb.[9] Master’s admission is based on a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) from a recognized institution and on the GSU list, which sets country-specific requirements.[9]
- Documents: diplomas and transcripts, proof of English, an official translation of documents not in English, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian, a passport copy and, for citizens from outside the EU/EEA, valid proof of funding.[9]
- Results: applicants outside the EU/EEA receive results in the beginning of April, EU/EEA applicants in the beginning of July.[9]
- Bachelor’s: the programme-specific requirements are checked on the programme page; documents must be uploaded by the documentation deadline.[8]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; see the university’s admission page. The admissions office can be reached by phone on weekdays between 12:00 and 14:00.[10]
Which English level do you need at Nord University?
Programmes taught exclusively in English have no Norwegian language requirement. The English requirement differs between bachelor’s and master’s level.[5]
| Test | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.0 overall | 6.5 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 60 (500 on the paper-based test) | 90, no part below 20 (580 on the paper-based test) |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 51 | 62 |
For TOEFL tests taken after 21 January 2026 the university lists a new-scale minimum of 3.5 (bachelor’s) and 4.5 (master’s). Nord’s TOEFL code is 1648, and test results must be verifiable and not older than two years. You may also be exempt according to the GSU list, for example after one year of upper secondary school or university studies taught in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the USA.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nord University free for international students?
Does Nord University offer scholarships?
No. The university states that it does not offer scholarships or grants.[3]
What English test score do I need at Nord University?
For bachelor’s programmes, IELTS Academic 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 60. For master’s programmes, IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 with no part below 20, or PTE Academic 62.[5]
Which campuses does Nord University have?
Study locations are Bodø, Levanger, Steinkjer, Stjørdal, Mo i Rana, Namsos, Nesna and Vesterålen.[1]
How is Nord University ranked?
We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[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
- MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
- 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] Nord University: Facts about Nord University (page without a date)
[2] Xuanxiao: Nord University rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (aggregator; data captured 16 Sep 2026; no QS World University Rankings entry shown)
[3] Nord University: Tuition fees for international students (page updated 29 Oct 2026; rates for 2026/27 and 2027/28)
[4] Nord University: Semester fee (page updated 31 Aug 2026)
[5] Nord University: English language requirements (page without a date; mentions tests after 21 Jan 2026)
[6] Wikipedia: Nord University (institution type; page without a fixed edition date)
[7] Nord University: Organisation (page without a date)
[8] Nord University: Bachelor/Undergraduate (how to apply) (page without a date)
[9] Nord University: Master/Graduate (how to apply) (page without a date)
[10] Nord University: Admission to degree programmes (page updated 2 Nov 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.