The University of Agder (UiA) is a public university in southern Norway with campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad. It reports 14,185 students (2024) and 1,529 full-time equivalent employees.[1] We could only place it in the QS World University Rankings 2027 through an aggregator, which lists the band 1001–1200.[2]
Students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland pay tuition. For 2027/28 the published rates run from NOK 49,000 to NOK 139,000 per academic year, depending on the programme.[3] On top of that, every student pays a semester fee of NOK 800 per semester (autumn 2026 and spring 2027).[4] For English-taught master’s programmes the English requirement is, for example, IELTS Academic 6.0 overall.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universitetet i Agder (University of Agder, UiA) |
| Location | Kristiansand and Grimstad, Agder, Norway (postal address P.O. Box 422, 4604 Kristiansand)[1] |
| Type | Public university[6] |
| Founded | Accredited as a university in June 2007 (start date 1 September 2007); six colleges in Agder had merged into Agder College in 1994; earliest roots in a teacher training school of 1839[1] |
| Students | 14,185 (2024); 395 international degree students not counting exchange students (2024)[1] |
| Employees | 1,529 full-time equivalents (2024)[1] |
| Organisation | 2 campuses, 6 faculties plus a teacher education unit, 23 departments[1] |
| Study options | Over 200 study options[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Band 1001–1200 (aggregator, not confirmed on QS’s own site)[2] |
| Tuition for non-EU/EEA students, 2027/28 | NOK 49,000 to NOK 139,000 per academic year, depending on the programme[3] |
| Semester fee, autumn 2026 and spring 2027 | NOK 800 per semester (incl. NOK 575 to SiA and NOK 225 for copying fees); optional NOK 50 to SAIH on top[4] |
| Scholarships | UiA offers no scholarships for 2027/28[3] |
| Official website | uia.no |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the University of Agder
The University of Agder (Universitetet i Agder, UiA) has campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad in southern Norway.[1] It reports 14,185 students (2024) and 1,529 full-time equivalent employees (2024).[1] Its own overview page describes over 200 study options.[7]
The institution grew out of regional colleges. A teacher training school was set up at Holt in 1839, and in 1994 six colleges in Agder merged into Agder College. The college was accredited as a university in June 2007, and 1 September 2007 was set as the university’s start date.[1] The university has 6 faculties plus a teacher education unit, 23 departments and a natural history museum with a botanical garden.[1]
How is the University of Agder ranked?
We could not read the QS World University Rankings 2027 table itself, because topuniversities.com blocks automated access. The aggregator xuanxiao.org lists UiA in the 1001–1200 band for the 2027 edition, with data captured on 16 September 2026.[2] PhDPortal also shows UiA at 1001 in the QS 2027 edition, with no position listed for 2025 or 2026.[8] Because both are secondary sources, treat the band as indicative.
The aggregator also lists other tables: ARWU 2026 band 901–1000, U.S. News Best Global Universities 2027 at position =842 and QS Europe 2026 at 412.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Agder?
UiA has six faculties and a teacher education unit.[1] Most of its bachelor’s and master’s programmes are taught in Norwegian and need both Norwegian and English language qualifications; a smaller set is taught in English.[5]
The 2027/28 fee table gives a picture of what is open to fee-paying international students, for example:[3]
- Bachelor’s: English; Global Development Studies; Academic e-sports; Classical Music Performance; Electronic Music.
- Master’s: International Business; Management and Business Development; Cybersecurity Management; Global Development, Crisis and Change; Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things; Civil and Structural Engineering; Coastal Ecology; Mathematics; Mechatronics; Multimedia and Game Technologies; Renewable Energy; Classical Music Performance; Popular Music.
- One-year programmes: English, French, German, Spanish, Global Development Studies and Live Electronics.
The page notes that rates for programmes taught in Norwegian are only shown in its Norwegian-language version.[3] Music performance programmes are admitted through an audition; see the How to apply section.[9]
How much does the University of Agder cost for international students?
Students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland must pay tuition at UiA unless they qualify for an exemption. The rates are set per academic year (60 ECTS credits) and are quoted for the 2027/28 academic year, applying to all paying students whatever their year of study.[3]
| Programmes (examples) | Tuition per academic year, 2027/28 |
|---|---|
| One-year programmes in English, French, German, Spanish and Global Development Studies; Bachelor in English; Bachelor in Global Development Studies | NOK 49,000 |
| Bachelor in Academic e-sports | NOK 57,000 |
| Master in International Business; Master in Management and Business Development; Master in Cybersecurity Management; Master in English; Master in Global Development, Crisis and Change | NOK 65,000 |
| Master in Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things; Civil and Structural Engineering; Coastal Ecology; Mathematics; Mechatronics; Multimedia and Game Technologies; Renewable Energy | NOK 95,000 |
| Master in Academic Esports and Digital Society | NOK 126,200 |
| Music: Live Electronics (1 year); Bachelor in Classical Music Performance; Bachelor in Electronic Music; Master in Classical Music Performance; Master in Popular Music (incl. Music Business and Management) | NOK 139,000 |
The page was last modified on 4 November 2026. Single-course students are charged by credits and subject area. The university states that it offers no scholarships for 2027/28.[3]
Semester fee
The semester fee is separate from tuition and is paid every semester by all students. For autumn 2026 and spring 2027 it is NOK 800, made up of NOK 575 to the student welfare organisation SiA and NOK 225 for copying fees (Kopinor). An optional NOK 50 to the student aid fund SAIH is added by default in the payment form.[4]
Payment and living-cost deposit
Fee-paying students make two payments through Flywire: the tuition fee and a deposit of funds for living expenses. The deposit is set at NOK 170,368 and is updated every March. Instalments are not possible.[10] Possible exemptions are based on residence in Norway or other close connections to Norway.[10]
How do you apply to the University of Agder?
The requirements depend on your country and educational background and apply to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA applicants. UiA’s application page links to country-specific requirements, a list of studies with vacancies and a separate page for single courses.[11]
- Bachelor’s and master’s in English: applicants from outside the EU/EEA use UiA’s online application web, which opens in November; EU/EEA applicants have a later opening and later results.[11] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; check the current dates on the application page.
- Master’s: you must meet the academic basis for the programme; the admissions office assesses your grade average (CGPA) only after you apply and does not pre-evaluate applications.[12]
- Music performance: applications are made in Søknadsweb and the musical skills are tested through an audition or entrance exam, with content depending on degree, specialisation and main instrument.[9]
UiA states that it does not accept documents after the deadlines and offers no exemptions to them.[12] Fee-paying applicants should also plan for the study permit and the living-cost deposit described under tuition.[10]
Which English level do you need at the University of Agder?
Most bachelor’s and master’s programmes at UiA are taught in Norwegian and require both Norwegian and English proficiency. For English-taught programmes Norwegian is not required. UiA does not offer language courses or tests that document the requirement.[5]
| Test | English-taught bachelor’s | English-taught master’s |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.0 overall | 6.0 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 60 (500 on the paper-based test) | 80 (550 on the paper-based test) |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 51 | 62 |
For TOEFL iBT taken after 21 January 2026, UiA lists a minimum score of 3.5 (bachelor’s) and 4 (master’s) on the new scale. Master’s test scores older than two years are not valid. Several other certificates are accepted, for example Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, and telc, and some applicants are exempt according to the country list.[5] The TOEFL institution code is 5433.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Agder free for international students?
No, not for students with citizenship outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland. For 2027/28 UiA lists fees of NOK 49,000 to NOK 139,000 per academic year depending on the programme, unless you qualify for an exemption.[3] Everyone also pays a semester fee of NOK 800 per semester (autumn 2026 and spring 2027).[4]
How much money must I show for a Norwegian study permit?
UiA states that fee-paying students deposit funds for living expenses, set at NOK 170,368 and updated every March, in addition to tuition.[10]
Does the University of Agder offer scholarships?
What English test score do I need for a master’s at UiA?
For English-taught master’s programmes, UiA asks for IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or PTE Academic 62, with other tests also accepted. Some applicants are exempt according to the country list.[5]
How is the University of Agder ranked?
The aggregator xuanxiao.org lists it in the 1001–1200 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027. We could not confirm this on QS’s own site.[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
- 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 Bergen
- University of Oslo
- University of South-Eastern Norway
- University of Stavanger
Sources
[1] University of Agder: Facts and history (key figures and timeline) (page without a date; key figures labelled 2023 and 2024)
[2] Xuanxiao: University of Agder rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (aggregator; data captured 16 Sep 2026; QS 2027 edition)
[3] University of Agder: Current tuition rates 2027/2028 (page last modified 4 Nov 2026)
[4] University of Agder: Semester fee and refund (page last modified 3 Jun 2026)
[5] University of Agder: Language requirements (page last modified 18 Mar 2026)
[6] Wikipedia: University of Agder (institution type and history)
[7] University of Agder: About UiA (page without a date)
[8] PhDPortal: University of Agder (QS ranking position) (aggregator; page without a date; QS 2027 edition)
[9] University of Agder: Admission to music performance programmes (page without a date)
[10] University of Agder: Tuition fees (payment, exemptions, living-cost deposit) (page last modified 29 Oct 2026)
[11] University of Agder: How to apply to degree programmes (page without a date)
[12] University of Agder: Frequently asked questions about admissions (page last modified 29 Oct 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.