Nord University has more qualified international first-choice applicants for its bachelor's and master's degree programmes this year than last year.
In 2025, Nord University received 592 international first-choice applications for degree programmes. This year, the number has increased to 957.
The final number of study offers issued and accepted places will be available in mid-August.
“We are pleased that so many students from other countries want to come to study with us,” says Ida Jakobsen, Head of Office at International Office, Nord University.
“International students are an important part of our academic community. Having students from other countries on campus helps strengthen the quality and reach of our research, educational programmes, and development environment. They bring new perspectives to learning, benefiting all our students. Internationalisation in general helps position us as a strong and distinctive international institution for education and research, opening up opportunities for new research collaborations, increased funding, and the attraction of talented students, doctoral candidates, and academics,” says Jakobsen.
Among the faculties, the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (FBA) offers most international study programmes. In addition, 60% of its staff come from countries other than Norway.
The faculty has seen an increase in applicants, particularly from the EU. For the Bachelor’s programme in Biology, the number of EU applicants has increased by 42%, from 170 to 268 applicants.
A key factor in the faculty’s recruitment efforts is active engagement and outreach. One of the people on the front line of this work is Senior Adviser José De Pool.
He came to Norway in 2015 as a biology student. Today, he works to recruit students to both FBA and Nord University.
“The fact that we offer programmes in English allows us to reach a wider audience and recruit students globally. In the long term, that gives us access to expertise from all over the world,” says De Pool.
He believes that interest in FBA’s programmes is partly driven by the content of the studies themselves.
“Our programmes address global challenges. They equip students with skills and knowledge that can be applied anywhere.”
However, recruiting international students is also about promoting the experience of studying in Norway.
“Nature means a lot to people. We are blessed to be located so close to the sea, and that helps us a lot in our teaching. People are also attracted by the fact that Norway is known as a good place to live. We market the Norwegian experience. We say ‘Come to the Arctic’ rather than ‘Come to Nord.’ It is just as much about the overall experience as it is about the study programme itself.”
We market the Norwegian experience. We say ‘Come to the Arctic’ rather than ‘Come to Nord.’ It is just as much about the overall experience as it is about the study programme itself.
Jose De Pool, Senior Advisor at FBA
Programmes offered in English and for international students at Nord University in 2026:
Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture:
- Bachelor in Animal Science
- Bachelor in Biology
- Master in Biosciences
- Master in Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources
Faculty of Education and Arts:
- Bachelor in Acting and Artistic Production
- Sports, one year programme (Meråker)
- English, one year programme
- Outdoor Studies, one year programme
Faculty of Social Sciences:
- Bachelor i CG Art and Animation
- Bachelor in Games and Entertainment Technology
- Bachelor in Film and TV Production
- Arctic and Nordic Studies, one year programme
Nord University Business School:
