Program Details
Location
Oslo,
Norway
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.75
About
The University of Oslo was established in 1811 as Norway’s first university and continues to be Norway’s highest ranked institution of education and research. Oslo is Europe's fastest growing capital and is recognized as progressive and creative. It has a vibrant cultural scene, ethnic diversity, and a unique proximity to nature, surrounded by fjords, lakes, and forests.
Learn more about being an exchange student at the University of Oslo website.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Live in the Kringsjå or Sogn Student Villages for the semester, which are located about 2 miles from campus and house students from around the world. You will share a large kitchen with about 5 other students that includes a stove and refrigerator. Many past participants have taken the opportunity to cook dinners with other students, allowing you to meet other people and learn about other cultures.
Excursions
The International Education Office organizes various social activities throughout the semester. There are many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors while studying in Norway. Cross-country skiing, hiking, and swimming are all popular activities. Ski equipment is available for rental. You will also have access to the Recreational Complex.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program
- Learn to appreciate diverse world views, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity
- Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
- Develop awareness of and challenge assumptions about Norwegian culture, your own culture, and how your culture is viewed by others
- Learn to function as an effective team member by appreciating and interacting with individuals different from yourself
Faculty & Staff
The International Education Office provides onsite support during the time you are in Oslo. There are also international student advisers who help you settle in and adjust to life in Oslo.
Program Structure
Program Level
Various levels
Courseload
15 credits per term (30 ECTS credits), 30 credits for the academic year (60 ECTS credits)
Coursework
Grade & Credit Conversion Scale (PDF)
You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.
You may choose from a wide range of courses offered in English. There are over 600 courses available in the areas of the humanities, social sciences, math, natural sciences, theology and law. You can also enroll in Norwegian Language Courses from the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies.
Courses at the University of Oslo are typically worth 10 ECTS credits, or 5 US semester credits. A standard courseload is usually 3 classes. You take a total of 30 ECTS credits, or 15 US semester credits, each semester.
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center provides pre-departure orientation in preparation for your time abroad. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program-specific and important UofM registration information will be covered (academic registration, finances, arrival, housing etc.). Details will be sent to you via email.
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
| Term Abroad | Date/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | TBD | TBD |
| Academic Year 2025–26 | TBD | TBD |
| Fall 2025 | TBD | TBD |
Spring 2026
Application Open Date: March 1, 2025
Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Early January |
| Program End | Mid June |
Academic Year 2025–26
Application Open Date: August 1, 2024
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Mid August |
| Program End | Mid June |
Fall 2025
Application Open Date: August 1, 2024
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Mid August |
| Program End | Late December |
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Spring 2026
Exchange in Norway: U of OsloSpring Semester 2026 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $7,050 |
| International health insurance | $375 |
| Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $7,825 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $7,825 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $2,200 |
| Passport/photos | $175 |
| Visa/required documentsResidence Permit (670), plus costs to travel to Norwegian Embassy/Consulate | $670 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,545 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $200 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (4000), Meals (2800) | $6,800 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $2,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $9,000 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $20,370 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $2,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Academic Year 2025–26
Exchange in Norway: U of OsloAcademic Yr Fall 2025/Spring 2026 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $13,130 |
| International health insurance | $750 |
| Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $14,280 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $14,280 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $2,200 |
| Passport/photos | $175 |
| Visa/required documentsResidence Permit (670), plus costs to travel to Norwegian Embassy/Consulate | $670 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,545 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $400 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (8000), Meals (5600) | $13,600 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $4,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $18,000 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $35,825 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $4,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Fall 2025
Exchange in Norway: U of OsloFall Semester 2025 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $7,050 |
| International health insurance | $375 |
| Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $7,825 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $7,825 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $2,200 |
| Passport/photos | $175 |
| Visa/required documentsResidence Permit (670), plus costs to travel to Norwegian Embassy/Consulate | $670 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,545 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $200 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (4000), Meals (2800) | $6,800 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $2,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $9,000 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $20,370 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $2,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items for you to submit to the Learning Abroad Center:
- Exchange in Norway personal essay
- Letter of Recommendation
- Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting
Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to the University of Oslo. If you are selected for nomination, you will then have to apply to the University of Oslo directly through their online system (instructions will be provided). The University of Oslo will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.
Next Steps
- Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
- Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
- You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and the University of Oslo—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
- You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Christina Dunbar at [email protected],
or call at
612.624.3949