The University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) is a public university with campuses across three Norwegian counties, including Drammen, Kongsberg and Bø. It says it has about 1,900 employees and offers education to about 17,000 students, and elsewhere on the same page gives the figure as approximately 18,000.[1] We could not confirm a place in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
Students from outside the EEA and Switzerland have paid tuition since autumn 2023. For the 2027/28 study year USN lists NOK 52,000 to NOK 93,500 per year for a selection of programmes, and says the list is not complete.[3] All students also pay a separate statutory semester fee, shown at NOK 885 per semester including an optional NOK 50.[4] English-taught programmes require, for example, IELTS Academic 6.0 overall and in each component.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge (University of South-Eastern Norway, USN) |
| Location | Campuses in Bø, Drammen, Horten, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Ringerike and Rauland, plus a location in Gol opened in 2024 (postal address P.O. Box 4, 3199 Borre)[1] |
| Type | Public university (state-owned)[6] |
| Founded | Created when the University College of Buskerud and Vestfold merged with the University College of Telemark on 1 January 2016; university status by Royal Decree on 4 May 2018[1] |
| Students | About 17,000 (introduction) or approximately 18,000 (“This is USN”) – the page gives both figures[1] |
| Employees | 1,900[1] |
| Programmes | Over 300 bachelor’s and master’s degree courses, plus doctoral programmes[1] |
| Faculties | Four: Health and Social Sciences; Humanities, Sports and Educational Sciences; Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences; the School of Business[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Could not be confirmed (not listed by the aggregator we read)[2] |
| Tuition for non-EU/EEA students, 2027/28 | NOK 52,000 to NOK 93,500 per year for the programmes listed (list not complete)[3] |
| Semester fee | NOK 885 per semester, of which NOK 600 to the student welfare organisation, NOK 235 Kopinor and an optional NOK 50 to SAIH (page does not name the semester)[4] |
| Funds for living expenses (study permit) | NOK 170,368 (2026 figure), transferred to USN’s residence permit account; study permit application fee NOK 5,400 in 2026[8] |
| Official website | usn.no |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the University of South-Eastern Norway
USN was created from the merger of several university colleges. The University College of Buskerud and Vestfold merged with the University College of Telemark on 1 January 2016, and USN received university status by Royal Decree on 4 May 2018.[1] It is headed by Pia Cecilie Bing-Jonsson and employs 1,900 people.[1]
The university spans three Norwegian counties, with campuses in Bø, Drammen, Horten, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Ringerike and Rauland. A ninth location opened in Gol, Hallingdal, in 2024.[1] The same page also says “eight campuses” in one place, so the exact count depends on how locations are counted. USN describes its education as profession- and business-oriented, with “business bachelor” and “industry master” degrees that combine studies with paid work.[1]
How is the University of South-Eastern Norway 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 USN, and we found no other source that names a position. We therefore give no QS rank.[2]
The same aggregator lists other tables: U.S. News Best Global Universities 2027 at position =1,424 and QS Sustainability 2026 in the 1501+ band.[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 South-Eastern Norway?
USN offers over 300 bachelor’s and master’s degree courses and doctoral programmes, in full-time, part-time, on-campus and online formats.[1] Its four faculties are Health and Social Sciences; Humanities, Sports and Educational Sciences; Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences; and the School of Business.[7] USN’s site lists 15 academic disciplines, among them health and social care, technology and engineering, teacher education, business, maritime studies and IT.[8]
The 2027/28 fee list shows programmes open to fee-paying international students, for example the master’s programmes in Digital Transformation, Human Rights and Multiculturalism, Innovation and Technology Management, Maritime Management, Sustainability Management, Computer Science, Electrical Power Engineering, Ecology and Environmental Management, Industrial IT and Automation, Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, Sensor Systems and Innovation, and Civil and Mechanical Engineering, and a one-year programme in Norwegian Folk Music/Art.[3] All students need their own laptop; some engineering programmes at the Porsgrunn campus have special requirements.[8]
How much does the University of South-Eastern Norway cost for international students?
From the autumn semester of 2023, students from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland must pay tuition fees. USN lists the amounts for a selection of programmes for the 2027/28 study year and says that fee levels may be updated annually, with new amounts published by the end of October.[3]
| Programme (selection) | Tuition per year, 2027/28 |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Folk Music/Art, one-year programme | NOK 52,000 |
| Master in Digital Transformation; Human Rights and Multiculturalism; Innovation and Technology Management; Maritime Management; Sustainability Management | NOK 62,000 |
| Master in Computer Science; Electrical Power Engineering; Ecology and Environmental Management; Industrial IT and Automation; Process, Energy and Environmental Technology; Sensor Systems and Innovation; Civil and Mechanical Engineering | NOK 93,500 |
USN states that not all programmes are on the list; if yours is missing, contact the university.[3] From 1 January 2026, students are not charged for delays or improvements within the admitted programme.[3]
Semester fee
All students also pay the semester fee, a statutory fee for all students. On USN’s fee page it is NOK 885: NOK 600 to the student welfare organisation, NOK 235 for the Kopinor copying licence (which covers electronic compendiums) and an optional NOK 50 to the student aid fund SAIH. The fee is assessed every semester and may change; some programmes have additional study-specific costs.[4] The page does not say for which semester the amount applies.
Exemptions
Some students are exempt automatically, for example exchange students, PhD students, holders of certain Global South scholarships, Students at Risk scholarship holders and students on the Erasmus Mundus Joint programme Smart Systems Integrated Solutions. Others can apply for an exemption through a form, among them EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, holders of a permanent residence permit in Norway or another Nordic country, and some people with a residence permit based on protection or close family ties to Norway. USN notes that the exemptions are subject to change.[3]
Living costs and visa
Tuition comes in addition to the funds you must document for a residence permit: NOK 170,368 (2026 figure), transferred to USN’s residence permit account, and a study permit application fee of NOK 5,400 in 2026.[8] USN offers no scholarships to most applicants.[8]
How do you apply to the University of South-Eastern Norway?
At USN you can apply for a full degree or study one or two semesters as an exchange student. Exchange students must be nominated by their home university; full-degree students apply on their own.[9]
- Applicants from outside the EU/EEA (and anyone who needs a student visa) use a separate procedure; applications open in the autumn before the study year, and USN publishes the current period on its application page.[8]
- EU/EEA applicants apply in spring; applications open in February.[9]
- Documents: you must show that you can finance your stay and apply for a student visa or study permit once admitted.[8]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; check the current dates before you start. Fee-paying applicants should also check the exemption rules under tuition.[3]
Which English level do you need at the University of South-Eastern Norway?
For programmes taught in English, all applicants with a secondary education from outside the Nordic countries must meet the English requirement. Some programmes may demand a higher level, which is stated on the programme’s page, and for some countries secondary education can cover the requirement.[5]
| Test | Minimum level |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall and at least 6.0 in each component |
| TOEFL | 80 (internet-based) or 550 (paper-based); for tests taken after 21 January 2026, 4.5 on the new scale |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| MELAB | 80 |
USN’s TOEFL institution code is B436. IELTS and TOEFL scores must not be older than two years and must be verifiable. Cambridge certificates (First with B or better, Advanced or Proficiency with C or better), telc B2 or C1-level certificates, a full bachelor’s or master’s degree taught in English in certain countries and some other qualifications are also accepted.[5] The pages we read cover programmes taught in English; we did not read the Norwegian-language requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of South-Eastern Norway free for international students?
Who is exempt from tuition fees at USN?
Exchange students, PhD students and certain scholarship holders are exempt automatically. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, people with a permanent residence permit in Norway or another Nordic country, and some others can apply for an exemption.[3]
How much money must I show for a Norwegian study permit?
USN states NOK 170,368 (2026 figure), transferred to its residence permit account, in addition to tuition. The study permit application fee is NOK 5,400 in 2026.[8]
What English test score do I need at USN?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall and in each component, or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the new scale for tests after 21 January 2026), or PTE Academic 59, among other options.[5]
How is the University of South-Eastern Norway 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
- 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 Stavanger
Sources
[1] USN: Get to know USN (About USN) (page updated 21 May 2026)
[2] Xuanxiao: University of South-Eastern Norway 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] USN: Tuition fees (amounts, exemptions) (page updated 15 Oct 2026; amounts labelled 2027/28)
[4] USN: What is the semester fee? (page updated 30 Apr 2026)
[5] USN: English requirement for programmes and subjects taught in English (page updated 20 Feb 2026)
[6] Wikipedia: University of South-Eastern Norway (institution type; page without a fixed edition date)
[7] USN: Organization (page updated 22 Aug 2024)
[8] USN: How to apply for full degree programmes for non EU/EEA applicants (page updated 23 Oct 2026)
[9] USN: How to apply (page updated 17 Mar 2025)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.