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.
Tuition fee
The tuition fee NOK 120 000 per year for students from outside the EU/EEA. There are no scholarships available.
Contact
If you have read all the information on this page and still have questions, please contact the admission office:
Study Programmes
MF offers the following study programmes:
Admission Requirements
The general admission requirements for higher education in Norway consist of both secondary education and English language proficiency. In addition, applicants must have a relevant bachelor's degree and credit combination.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU)
The general basis for admission to universities and university colleges in Norway is called Higher Education Entrance Qualification. All international applicants must meet this requirement, except proficiency in Norwegian.
For applicants with foreign education, the requirements are specified in the GSU-list. Please find your country of education in the list, and read about the documentation you have to submit. Note that some are required to document one additional year of university studies.
English language proficiency
All applicants must document English proficiency, regardless of what the GSU-list states or which country you have education from.
The English proficiency requirement can be met by completing one of the following tests:
- TOEFL iBT with a total score of minimum 80 and minimum score of 24 in writing.
- IELTS with a total score of minimum 6.0 and minimum score of 6.5 in writing.
- PTE Academic with a total score of minimum 59 and minimum score of 58 in writing.
- See this page for other test alternatives.
In addition, the English proficiency requirement is met if you have:
- A complete or incomplete undergraduate degree in English language and literature with courses in English language and literature equivalent to minimum 60 ECTS credits.
- Completed a minimum of one year of upper secondary school or one year university studies taught in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the USA.
- Completed a master's degree taught in English.
Relevant bachelor's degree and credit combination
Admission to master level programmes requires a relevant bachelors degree from a recognised institution of higher education. Please see what is required for the different programmes:
Master in Theology
A bachelor’s degree in Theology or Religious Studies.
Alternatively, a period of study comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree totalling 180 ECTS credits.
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.
Master in Religion in Contemporary Society
A bachelor’s degree and a combination of relevant social science 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.
Master in the Study of Religion
A bachelor’s degree or a period of study comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree totalling 180 ECTS credits.
You need at least 80 ECTS credits in religious studies or other relevant studies*. The 80 ECTS credit group must have an average grade of C (2,7) or better.
*Other relevant fields for the study of religion include religious history, sociology of religion, theology, and interdisciplinary studies of religion. Disciplines within social science (e.g., political science, anthropology) and humanities (e.g., language, history, culture) may also be relevant and are assessed on an individual basis.
Documentation
In your application for admission to MF’s study programmes, please upload the following documentation:
- Diploma and transcript of records from secondary education (high school). See the GSU-list for a description of what meets the requirement based on your country of education.
- Documentation of English proficiency in one of the ways listed above.
- Bachelor degree diploma and transcript of records.
- If any of your documents are not originally 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.
- 15 December – 15 January
For non-EU/EEA citizens, the application portal opens on 15 December and the deadline is 15 January. (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 15 January 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.
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 UDI regulations, all non-EU/EEA students must submit documentation of sufficient funds to cover living expenses in Norway. You will find information about the required amount and documentation in the UDI Checklist.
If you do not have a Norwegian bank account, please contact the Office of Admission (admission@mf.no) for information about our deposit account.
For further questions about your visa application, please contact the International Relations Office (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 introduced tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EEA. The tuition 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.
Defferal of studies
If you have accepted an offer of admission to a study program but cannot start in the semester for which you have been admitted, you may apply for defferal/reservation of your admission. Read more about how to apply here.