8 best universities in Norway in 2026
Ranking based on the average of the three main global rankings: Shanghai (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS.
University of Oslo
Average rank: #110
No. 1University of Oslo
Norway's oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1811, at the heart of Oslo.
No. 2Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Norway's leading engineering university, in Trondheim, with world-class research across technology.
No. 3University of Bergen
Ocean and climate research university in Bergen, founded in 1946 and ranked among the world's best.
No. 4UiT The Arctic University of Norway
The world's northernmost university, in Tromsø, expert in Arctic affairs and northern lights research.
No. 5Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Ås-based university of life sciences: agriculture, environment, veterinary medicine and sustainability.
No. 6University of Stavanger
Research university in Norway's energy capital, renowned for petroleum, offshore engineering and GIS.
No. 7University of Agder
Young university in southern Norway, in Kristiansand, known for ICT, AI and music education.
No. 8Oslo Metropolitan University
Large urban university in Oslo, known for health, social work, technology and social sciences.