Application and Admission
MF offers English study programmes in the fields of Theology, Religion and Society on master level. Studies start early August and applications for admission are considered once per year.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The Norwegian government has decided to introduce tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EEA starting studies in Norway in August 23. The amount of the fee is 120.000 NOK per year. As a result of the increased tuition fee, the Bachelor in Theology, Religion and Society will no longer accept new applicants.
Exchange students, students from EU/EEC/Switzerland, and students who have started their studies at MF before 2023 will not be affected by this change.
Questions?
If you have read all the information on this page and still have questions, please contact the admission office:
Study Programmes and Requirements
For the academic year 2023/2024, MF offers the following study programmes:
Master in Theology
Master in Theology is a two-year programme that explores various theological subjects and offers advanced understanding of Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and Church History.
Requirements
A. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements (except proficiency in Norwegian) to be eligible for admission. These requirements differ depending on home country/country of education, and are described in the GSU-list.
B. All applicants to master programmes must document English proficiency, regardless of what is stated in the GSU-list. English proficiency is documented in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT 80 (minimum 24 in the writing component)
- IELTS 6.0 (minimum 6.5 in the writing component)
- PTE Academic 59 (minimum 58 in the writing component)
- Grade 4 in Vg1 course in English at Norwegian upper secondary school (140 hours) or completed Advanced course in English at Norwegian upper secondary school
- Minimum one year of studies on university level in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia.
- Bachelor degree or minimum one year of master studies (60 ECTS) with English as the medium of instruction completed in one of the Nordic countries.
- University degree in English language and/or literature. A degree in other disciplines taught in English does not meet this requirement.
C. A bachelor’s degree in Theology or Religious Studies. Alternatively, a period of study comparable with a Norwegian bachelor’s degree from a recognised higher education institution. A minimum of 80 ECTS credits must be Christian Theology and the 80 ECTS credits must have an average grade of a Norwegian C (2,7) or better.
What to upload to your application
In your application for admission to Master in Theology, please upload the following documentation:
- Diploma and transcript of records from secondary education (high school). Some are required to document an additional year of university education. See the GSU-list for your country.
- English proficiency documented in one of the ways listed above.
- Diploma and transcript of records from a bachelor’s degree in Theology or Religious Studies (see description above).
- If any of your documents are not in English, an authorised official translation must be submitted along with copies of the original document.
Master in Religion in Contemporary Society
Master in Religion in Contemporary Society provides advanced knowledge of the interplay between religions as cultural and historical phenomena in contemporary societal processes. The programme is interdisciplinary and emphasises social science perspectives.
Requirements
A. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements (except proficiency in Norwegian) to be eligible for admission. These requirements differ depending on home country/country of education, and are described in the GSU-list.
B. All applicants to master programmes must document English proficiency, regardless of what is stated in the GSU-list. English proficiency is documented in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT 80 (minimum 24 in the writing component)
- IELTS 6.0 (minimum 6.5 in the writing component)
- PTE Academic 59 (minimum 58 in the writing component)
- Grade 4 in Vg1 course in English at Norwegian upper secondary school (140 hours) or completed Advanced course in English at Norwegian upper secondary school
- Minimum one year of studies on university level in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia.
- Bachelor degree or minimum one year of master studies (60 ECTS) with English as the medium of instruction completed in one of the Nordic countries.
- University degree in English language and/or literature. A degree in other disciplines taught in English does not meet this requirement.
C. A bachelor’s degree and a combination of relevant social sciences and religious studies. You need at least 80 ECTS credits in one subject area and a minimum of 20 ECTS in the other subject area. The 80 ECTS credit group must have an average grade of a Norwegian C (2,7) or better.
“Relevant religious studies” means the study of religion as cultural and historical phenomena explored in fields such as religious studies, history of religion, sociology of religion and anthropology of religion. Other academic studies of religion, such as theology and interdisciplinary study of religion may also be relevant, and is considered individually. “Relevant social science” means studies in qualitative social- and cultural studies, such as sociology, anthropology, human/cultural geography and politics. Other studies providing skills to work with empirical methods and social analysis may be relevant and are considered individually. These can include studies in the humanities (education/pedagogy), media studies, history, history of ideas, and philosophy. Studies with emphasis on quantitative methods, like economics and psychology, can also be relevant.
What to upload to your application
In your application for admission to Master in Religion in Contemporary Society, please upload the following documentation:
- Diploma and transcript of records from secondary education (high school). Some are required to document an additional year of higher education. See the GSU-list for your country.
- English proficiency documented in one of the ways listed above.
- A bachelor’s diploma and transcript of records with a combination of relevant social science and religious studies (see description above).
- If any of your documents are not in English, an authorised official translation must be submitted along with copies of the original document.
The Application Process
Below, you will find all the necessary information to successfully apply.
Application Deadlines
There are two application periods depending on your citizenship and prior education. The application, including all necessary documentation, must be submitted before the deadline.
- 1 November – 1 February (15 January from 2024)
For non-EU/EEA citizens, the application portal opens on 1 November and the deadline is 1 February (15 January from 2024). (For exceptions, see the below deadline.) - 1 February – 15 April
For Norwegian citizens and EU/EEA/Swiss/Nordic/English speaking Visa exempted countries (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia), the deadline is 15 April. The application portal opens 1 February.
Non-EU applicants who hold a bachelor’s diploma from a Norwegian higher education institution, or are expected to receive one at the end of the spring semester the same year (before 1 July), can apply to this deadline (15 April). This exemption is only for applicants to our master programmes. Only applicants who fit this description can apply between 1 February and 15 April.
If there are vacant study places after the application deadline, it will be possible to apply for them as long as there are vacant places or until 15 August at the latest. This possibility is only open to the applicant group who are eligible to apply for the 15 April deadline.
How to Apply
Your application, including required documentation, must be submitted in our online application portal Søknadsweb before the deadline.
Note that e-mails with attachments will not be considered, nor replied to. Follow the instructions below to successfully submit an application.
Instructions:
1. Choose language and log in
Start your session in Søknadsweb and change the language from “Norsk bokmål” to English in the top right menu. Choose “MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society” from the list. Next, find the right login method:
If you have previously applied to MF, use the “Login International Applicant” alternative. Please use the same e-mail address used the last time you applied. If you have forgotten your previous password, use the “Send me a new password” option and remember to check your spam filter. Do not attempt to register a new user if you have previously applied to MF.
Registering a new user
If you have not previously applied to MF, register a new user by choosing the “Login international Applicant” option. After completing the form, you will receive an e-mail with your username and password. Remember to check your spam filter.
2. Enter your information
You must fill out all the required fields in the form and make sure to write a sufficient address. It is important that you register citizenship correctly; choose the country you are a citizen of according to your passport, not the country you currently live in.
3. Choose a programme
Select the programme you want to apply to. When applying for master programmes. Select “International Master Programmes” and add the programme you want to apply for. If you apply for more than one programme, make sure to prioritise your options. If you are completing a bachelor’s degree the same semester you apply, please write this in the comment section and include the date you are likely to submit your diploma and transcript.
4. Upload documentation
All the required documentation must be uploaded in the application. Please read the requirements for the programme you are applying for carefully. Only the requirements listed under each programme at the top of this page should be uploaded.
It is not necessary to send hard copies to apply, but you might be asked to present originals after the deadline (see more information below).
Please upload copies of transcripts/certificates/diplomas in PDF or JPG format. If these documents are not English, an official translation by an authorised translator must be provided.
Applicants who are completing a bachelor’s degree in Norway before 1 July can apply to the 1 June deadline, but the application will not be considered until the completed degree is documented with diploma and transcript of records. All other required documents must be uploaded by the deadline, including English proficiency. Applicants are responsible for uploading true and unaltered documents. Submitting fraudulent documents is illegal, and may result in dismissal and loss of right to study.
Verification of Original Documents
Applicants with education from the following countries must be prepared, on request, to verify documentation:
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
If requested, applicants with education from the above countries must contact the awarding institution/authority of their degree and have original documentation sent directly to the Office of Admission. This request will be issued soon after 1 February with a deadline for when original documents must be received by the Admission Office. Only applications who fulfil this requirement when requested to, will be considered further.
All international applicants can be subjected to random control and verification of documents. If selected to submit original documentation, you will receive an e-mail regarding this within two weeks of the application deadline. This e-mail will include instructions about how and when to submit your documents. It is not necessary to submit original documentation before you receive such a request.
Ranking of Applicants
Applicants who meet the admission requirements are considered for admission. If the number of qualified applicants surpass the number of available places, applicants will be ranked according to their academic level. Those who apply for a master programme and who already have a master’s degree, will normally not be prioritised for a new programme.
Response to Your Application
Applicants to the 1 February (15 January from 2024) deadline will get an answer by mid-March.
Applicants to the 15 April deadline will receive an answer by mid-May.
Applicants who are completing a bachelor’s degree in the spring semester the same year will receive an answer after submitting the diploma and transcript.
No applications are considered before the deadline.
After Admission - Study Permit, Housing etc.
After admission is granted, you can prepare for your relocation to Norway. The following information will be useful in this process.
Letter of Admission
Applicants who are granted admission will receive a Letter of Admission in March/June, depending on when you applied. This letter includes information about the international orientation day and start of studies, which are mandatory to attend. The letter will also include information about study permit/UDI registration. The Letter of Admission should be included in your application for study permit/UDI registration.
Nordic Students: Notice of Relocation
Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, and Finnish citizens must report relocation to the National Registry in order to live in Norway.
EU/EEA Students: Registration Certificate
Students with EU/EEA citizenship staying more than three months must register with the Oslo Police to get a registration certificate.
We recommend you register in the UDI portal after arrival in Oslo.
In order to receive a registration certificate, you must register at the online UDI application portal:
- Go to the online UDI application portal website
- Create a new user account. You will receive an email to activate your account.
- Choose "Go to EU/EEA registration"
- Select "Oslo police district, Service Center for foreign workers" when you are asked to choose a police station.
- Gather the necessary documents:
- Passport or both sides of your National ID-card
- European Health Insurance Card or proof of other private health insurance coverage. Must be valid for the whole period you are staying in Norway
- The Letter of Admission you have received from MF
- Proof of housing - bring your contract from SiO or another rental contract
- Fill out the form "Declaration of funds for EU/EEA citizens". This is a personal declaration that you have sufficient funds for your period of stay.
- Send the documents to UDI on their website, unless they ask you to hand in the documents in person.
Non-EU/EEA Students: Study Permit and Visa
Students from outside the EU/ EEA must apply for a student residence permit immediately after they have received their Admission letter from MF. Do not leave for Norway before the study permit has been granted. Be aware that an application for a study permit may take up to 5 months to process.
UDI is the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and will process your application.
Useful links:
How to apply for a study permit
Use UDI’s checklist and gather necessary documents.
Create an account on UDI’s Application Portal and
- Submit your online application
- Pay the application fee (see UDI’s fee website for prices)
- Book an appointment to hand in your documents
Hand in the application and documents in person at the nearest embassy.
Always check the updated application procedures for your country at the UDI’s website.
Useful tips and info
- MFs organizational number: 917 387 079
- E-mail: international@mf.no
- Address in Norway: P.O Box 5144 Majorstuen NO-0302 Oslo
- Start early: Check application procedures for your country and plan ahead how you will get all the required documents and how you will hand in your application. Norway does not have consular services in every country.
- Visa to enter Norway: You automatically receive an entry visa (if needed) when you are granted your study permit. You do not need to apply for a visa separately.
- Part-time work permit: You automatically receive a part-time work permit along with your first-time study permit. This allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time between semesters.
- Bringing family members: Contact UDI immediately to ensure that you and your family member/s meet the requirements to apply for a family immigration permit.
- Upon arrival in Norway: When you arrive in Norway, you must report to the police within the first week and send documents online on their website.
Living expenses
According to the UDI regulations, all non-EU/EEA students must submit documentation that they have enough money to cover living expenses while living in Norway. You will find the current amount on UDI's website. We recommend that you transfer the required amount to the MF deposit account so MF can issue a confirmation of sufficient funds.
The procedure is as follows:
Transfer the amount to MF Norwegian School of Theology and notify the international office at international@mf.no with a copy to the department of economy at: okonomi@mf.no
Account number: 3000.18.99704
Name of the bank: Sparebanken Sør
Address: Postbox 200, 4662 Kristiansand, Norway
IBAN nr: NO6130001899704
BIC/SWIFT address: SPSONO22
MF will send you a confirmation receipt by email as soon as possible after your transfer.
Submit the receipt with your application for a study permit.
How to access your money
When you have a Norwegian bank account, MF can transfer the money directly to your account. You can also access your money by getting Cash Cards to cover daily expenses. The Cash Cards are issued by the Student Reception at MF (remember to bring a valid ID). If your student residency application is rejected, the amount can only be transferred back to the bank account it was originally transferred from.
For further questions about your visa application, please contact the International Relations Office at: international@mf.no
Renewal
Study permits are given for one academic year at a time, and you must therefore apply for study permit each year. A renewed permit is given if the conditions for a residence permit still are fulfilled. Please make sure that your passport is valid until the end of your stay. In addition, you must have sufficient progress in your studies. If you use more time than normal, it can be difficult to get a renewed permit. MF will provide you with a statement regarding this, using a specific UDI- form at the end of each academic year (May/June).
Student Housing
MF offers student housing for international students through the Student Welfare Organisation, SiO.
SiO student housing is a popular option among both international and Norwegian students and there is often a waiting period, especially the months ahead of the start of studies in August each year. We therefore advise you to register an application as soon as possible after receiving your Letter of Admission. Click here for information on how to apply.
SiO student housing reservation list
MF has a limited number of reserved student housing units for our international students. It is still possible to be assigned SiO student housing without signing up for the reservation list, but by being on this list you are guaranteed student housing unit starting 1 August. The contract will be sent to you in mid-June. The reservation list fee is NOK 3500 and information on how to sign up will be included in the Letter of Admission.
If you are above the age of 35 years, you will need to be on this list to get assigned a SiO student housing, as 35 is the age limit when applying independently of the reservation list.
The SiO student housing units reserved are furnished single rooms at Kringsjå or Sogn student villages, so if you are looking to live together with a spouse or family, or looking for another type of living arrangement, being on the SiO student housing reservation list is not a good option for you. In these cases, we would suggest you apply independently for other types of units in SiO or try the private rental marked in Oslo (see below).
Other housing options in Oslo
If you do not wish to live in a SiO student housing, you can find hundreds of rental ads on both FINN.no and hybel.no. Both these websites are in Norwegian, but you should be able to navigate it using the Google translate plugin in your browser.
Besides managing the reservation list, MF does not assist you any further in securing a place to live in Oslo.
Semester Fee and Tuition
The Norwegian government has decided to introduce tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EEA starting studies in Norway in August 23. The amount of the fee is 120.000 NOK per year.
Exchange students, students from EU/EEC/Switzerland, and students who have started their studies at MF before 2023 will not be affected by this change.
MF charges an administrative semester fee. For your first semester, you will receive an invoice in mid-July. Please note that this is NOT a tuition fee, but a semester fee to cover copies and administrative expenses. UDI does not require this fee to be paid in advance in order to get a study permit. More information about the semester fee.
MF does not offer any kind of scholarships for international students.