Norway is famous for being one of the safest countries in the world and having a high quality of life. However, these impressive features translate to a high cost of living in the country. Thankfully, many outstanding universities offer free tuition for domestic, EU/EEA, and Swiss students, while international students from third countries are required to pay tuition, they are however, encouraged to apply for scholarships and financial aid to reduce their expenses.

Another reason why Norway is considered a good academic destination is the abundance of English-taught programs that make it easier for international students to gain admission. Additionally, the country’s beautiful scenery and the availability of numerous leisure activities add to its appeal to hardworking students who want to have occasional fun.

Norway is not one to lag behind its neighboring EU countries in terms of keeping up with the fast-evolving technological world. Norwegian universities offer globally recognized degree programs in data science that provide graduates flexibility in selecting an industry to enter in the future. Below, we talk about some of the best universities for data science in Norway.

Top Universities Offering Data Science Programs in Norway

1. University of Oslo

Initially called the Royal Frederik’s University during its founding in 1811, the University of Oslo (UiO) takes pride as the oldest and one of the best higher education institutions in Norway. Among its notable feats are consistently ranking among the top 100 universities worldwide and having employed five Nobel Laureates. Currently, the UiO is home to over 26,000 students spread among 235-degree+ programs.

UiO is among the best data science universities in Norway, with its bachelor’s program in Mathematics and Computer Science with a focus on statistics and data science providing a good background for those who want to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science. The undergraduate program takes three years to complete, while the master’s program takes an additional two years for a combined ECTS credit value of 300.

Graduates who wish to enter the labor market immediately after completing the bachelor’s program may conveniently do so because they will have earned the fundamental skills essential to the industry. These skills and competencies give them the flexibility to specialize in the field required by the company they enter.

2. University of Bergen – Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

The University of Bergen (UiB) is another top data science school in Norway. It formally started operations in 1946. The 75-year-old university ranks high in student satisfaction surveys with its safe environment and balanced atmosphere, making it a conducive place for study. The university also offers numerous English-taught master’s programs to cater to its growing number of international students and attract some more.

UiB offers an integrated bachelor’s and master’s program in Information Technology and Economics (ITØK) that lasts five years and collectively awards 300 ECTS credits. The program provides a comprehensive list of courses essential for data professionals, including programming, economics, mathematics, statistics, and data analysis.

The program is taught in Norwegian and English, so international students must show certificates of proficiency in both languages during application. In addition, during the course of the program, students are entitled to apply for a spot in the university’s exchange program for one to two semesters with partner universities in the US, the UK, and several EU member countries.

3. Norwegian University of Life Sciences – Faculty of Science and Technology

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) traces its history back to one of the oldest academic institutions in Norway, established in 1859. It acquired its current name after it received university status in 2005. It currently has seven faculties and schools divided between its two campuses: the main campus in Ås and the one in Adamstuen that hosts the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

The university has a master’s program in data science that provides basic skills in mathematics, statistics, informatics, and data analysis, which are essential for data professionals. The program lasts two years, providing students enough time to select an area of specialization and have practical experience from carrying out their master’s thesis.

The program only opens limited slots for new students every year, during fall classes. Prospective international student must meet the admission requirements and present proof of capacity to finance their stay in Norway.

4. University of Stavanger – Faculty of Science and Technology

The industrial revolution and the discovery of oil in Norway fueled the establishment of the predecessor of the University of Stavanger (UiS), which gained university status in 2005. However, the university has since expanded to several areas of study to produce highly skilled professionals in various industries in the country.

As one of the best data science universities in Norway, UiS offers a master’s degree in Data Science. The program lasts four semesters and is entirely taught in English. Students can spend the third semester at a partner university in a neighboring European country, the US, or Australia.

Currently, the program is open only for domestic applicants or foreign nationals who hold residency in Norway. Interested applicants with an engineering background and those who possess the required ECTS credits in mathematics and computer science may have higher chances of gaining admission to the program. There’s only a limited slot available for students and classes usually begin in August.

5. BI Norwegian Business School

The BI Norwegian Business School started offering Business Administration courses in 1943. It officially became an academic business school in the 1980s and was accredited as a university in 2008. It is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide with accreditations from the three largest awarding bodies: EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB.

Because of its international recognition as a business school, BI has to keep up with the demands of a modern digital world. It offers an English-taught bachelor’s program in Data Science for Business that combines programming, business, statistics, and data visualization. The program lasts three years and costs NOK 129,200 per year.

Graduates of the bachelor’s program have the qualifications to find a lucrative job as a data specialist for business. However, they may also pursue a master’s degree at BI for two additional years for higher qualifications and more promising career opportunities. The program costs NOK 155,600 per year.

 

We hope this article has helped you in your search for the best schools that offer data science programs. You may check out the Available Data Science Programs for more study options! Take time to also visit the Study in Norway for valuable tips and insightful articles!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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