What level of Norwegian do you need to study at a Norwegian university?

B2 is the fourth of the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which run from A1 to C2. It is the highest “independent user” level.

According to the Council of Europe, a B2 speaker understands the main ideas of complex texts, including technical discussions in their field, interacts with native speakers with a degree of fluency and spontaneity, without strain for either side, and writes clear, detailed texts. At university, that means following lectures, reading the course literature and writing assignments and exams in Norwegian.

Source: [6]

With one of the tests or courses accepted by Samordna opptak, the service that handles admission to Norwegian universities and university colleges. The main routes are:

1. Norskprøven, the test from the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), with at least B2 in all four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking.
2. The “Test i norsk – høyere nivå” (Bergenstesten), with both the written and the oral part passed.
3. A combination of the two: a passed written Bergenstesten plus B2 in the Norskprøven oral test, or a passed oral Bergenstesten plus B2 in Norskprøven reading, listening and writing.
4. A passed trinn 3 exam at a Norwegian university.
5. Norwegian at Vg3 level (393 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school (videregående).

Source: [1], [2]

No, if you finished upper secondary school abroad: the admission regulation says the Norwegian requirement does not apply to applicants with foreign upper secondary education when the programme is not taught in Norwegian.

The English requirement still applies: Samordna opptak requires all applicants with foreign education to meet the language requirements, and English has its own ways of being documented. Always check the page for the specific programme.

Source: [2], [3]

Yes. Some programmes also require a minimum grade in Norwegian. B2 in all four parts of Norskprøven covers a grade 3 requirement, and Bergenstesten counts too. If the programme asks for a higher grade, check with Samordna opptak how to meet it with foreign education.

Source: [4]

Norskprøven has a written part, split into listening, reading and writing, and an oral test. It is digital, and each part can be taken separately. There are three versions (A1–A2, A2–B1 and B1–B2), and B1–B2 is the one that goes up to the B2 you need.

If you sit the test in May or June, the certificate may not arrive until July. In that case Samordna opptak asks you to upload a note with your candidate number with your application, and they check the result.

Source: [5], [1]

No. The SnakkTrygt certificate shows that you passed our exam for a level and carries a verification code, but it is not an official qualification and Samordna opptak does not accept it as proof of Norwegian.

What the Norwegian course does is take you from A1 to B2 step by step, with short lessons, instant feedback on what you write and an exam at the end of each level, so you arrive ready for Norskprøven. Start by checking with Samordna opptak what your programme requires, then work first on the part of the test you find hardest.