Language requirements

Dept of Academic Affairs

Below you will find an overview of the language requirements for admission to study programmes at UMB.

Language requirements for programmes taught in English:

1. Bachelor in International Environment and Development studies
The basic English requirement set by NOKUT applies:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500 for a paper based test, or minimum 60 on an internet-based test.
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with a minimum score of 5.0.
For alternative documentation please see the Language requirements from NOKUT - the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
Applicants with Norwegian upper secondary school: Foundation/level 1 course in English at upper secondary school (5 weekly periods) with the mark 2 or better (alternatively, a pass in the English Advanced course I and/or II).

Please note that a TOEFL or IELTS test cannot be more than two years old.

2. Non-degree studies with English language
The basic English requirement set by NOKUT applies. Please see the list above.

3. Master programmes taught in English:
The UMB admission regulation applies:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 for a paper based test, or minimum 80 on an internet-based test.
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0.
For alternative documentation please see the Language requirements from NOKUT - the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
Applicants with Norwegian upper secondary school: Foundation/level 1 course in English at upper secondary school (5 weekly periods) with the mark 4 or better (alternatively, a pass in the English Advanced course I and/or II).

Please note that a TOEFL or IELTS test cannot be more than two years old.

Language requirements for programmes taught in Norwegian

1.     Bachelor programmes taught in Norwegian
Applicants with education outside the Nordic region must document sufficient knowledge of Norwegian. Due to worldwide differences in the school systems, country specific requirements apply. Please see Samordna Opptak for more information.

2.     Non-degree studies with Norwegian language:
Applicants with education outside the Nordic region must document both the basic English requirement set by NOKUT, and sufficient knowledge of Norwegian in one of the following ways:

Examination in Norwegian from upper secondary school on the “VG3-level” (Knowledge promotion” Kunnskapsløftet)/ Norwegian as a second language from upper secondary school on the “VKII-level” (Reform 94)
Level 3 examination in Norwegian for foreign students at Norwegian universities
Examination from the 1-year university college course in Norwegian language and culture for foreign students
Test of Norwegian, advanced level (known as “Bergenstesten”) with a score of at least 450, or with “Pass” mark after the introduction of the new scoring system beginning fall 2009.

3. Master programmes taught in Norwegian:
Applicants with education outside the Nordic region must document sufficient knowledge of Norwegian (see list above) and English. The basic English requirement set by NOKUT applies.

Exchange studies
For admission to exchange studies the language requirement is regulated by the exchange agreement. Please contact the Student Information Centre at UMB if in doubt.

UMB park Photo: Håkon Sparre

Updated: 08.02.13
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Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB)
PO Box: 5003, N-1432 Ås
Phone: (+47) 64 96 61 00
Fax: (+47) 64 94 75 05
E-mail: opptak@umb.no

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