Norwegian for Foreigners - Department of Language and Literature
Norwegian for Foreigners
NTNU offers the following Norwegian courses/levels:
- Introduction to Norwegian language: Introductory course (A1/A2)
- Norwegian level 1: Beginners' course (A2/B1)
- Norwegian level 2: Intermediate course (B2/B1)
- Norwegian level 3: Advanced course (B2/C1)
- Norwegian for foreigners, level 4: Proficiency course (C1/C2)
Locations:
- Trondheim: Introduction to Norwegian language, Norwegian level 1, Norwegian level 2, Norwegian level 3 and Norwegian level 4 both autumn and spring, Norwegian level 3 over two semesters starting only in the autumn
- Ålesund: Introduction to Norwegian language and Norwegian level 1 autumn, Introduction to Norwegian language and Norwegian level 2 spring, Norwegian level 3 over two semesters starting only in the autumn
- Gjøvik: Introduction to Norwegian language, Norwegian level 1 and Norwegian level 2 autumn and spring, Norwegian level 3 over two semesters starting only in the autumn
You have to apply for admission before each semester.
Autumn Semester Start 2025
- Start Week 34: NORSK1000, NORSK2000, NORSK3000, NORSK3001
- Start Week 35: NORSK0500, NFUT0401
- Start date announced by course instructor: NORSK1001
Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory.
Course codes autumn 2025
For: Reserved for exchange students. Exchange students can also apply for the other levels, but other application categories have higher priority
If you wish to enroll in NORSK0500, please register for the course in Studentweb at the start of the semester (admission is not applied for through Søknadsweb). The registration period will be announced later
Learning outcome: A1/A2
Credits: 7,5
Previous knowledge requirement: None
Course description: Course description
Tuition: 1x3 hours per week, 10 weeks. 80% obligatory attendance
Timetables: Timetables
Course groups autumn 2025
The group composition may change until the start of the semester, so it's recommended to keep an eye on this page until then
Dragvoll (physical): Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4, Group 5, Group 6, Group 7, Group 8
Gjøvik (physical): Group 10
Ålesund (physical): Group 11
For: Academic staff, permanent technical-administrative staff, partners of permanent academic staff, international master’s students, external applicants
Learning outcome: A2/B1
Credits: 15
Previous knowledge requirement: None
Course description: Course description
Tuition: 2x3 hours per week, 13 weeks. 80% obligatory attendance
Timetables: Timetables
Course groups autumn 2025
The group composition may change until the start of the semester, so it's recommended to keep an eye on this page until then
Dragvoll (physical): Group 1, Group 3, Group 4, Group 6
Note: Group 6 is a pilot starting in autumn 2025, with 2x2 hours of instruction per week. The course requires a significant amount of independent work, and students should have opportunities to practice the language outside the classroom
Gløshaugen (physical): Group 5
Digital Trondheim: Group 2
Gjøvik (physical): Group 8
Ålesund (physical): Group 9
For: Academic staff, permanent technical-administrative staff, partners of permanent academic staff, international master’s students, external applicants
Learning outcome: A2/B1
Credits: 15
Previous knowledge requirement: None
Course description: Course description
Tuition: Flexible teaching. Attendance is not 80%, certain activities/meetings are required
Timetable: The timetable will be announced by the course instructor at the start of the semester. Teaching on Mondays from 09:00 to 10:00, as shown on the schedule on the website, is published for practical reasons only
Course group autumn 2025
Asynchronous Trondheim: NORSK1001
For: Academic staff, permanent technical-administrative staff, partners of permanent academic staff, international master’s students, external applicants
Learning outcome: B1/B2
Credits: 15
Previous knowledge requirement: A2/B1 - Norwegian level 1 or equivalent at university level, Norwegian Test, writing/listening/reading B1, Placement test
Course description: Course description
Tuition: 2x3 hours per week, 13 weeks. 80% obligatory attendance
Timetables: Timetables
Course groups autumn 2025
The group composition may change until the start of the semester, so it's recommended to keep an eye on this page until then
Dragvoll (physical): Group 1, Group 4
Note: Group 4 is a pilot starting in autumn 2025, with 2x2 hours of instruction per week. The course requires a significant amount of independent work, and students should have opportunities to practice the language outside the classroom
Gløshaugen (physical): Group 3
Digital Trondheim: Group 2
Gjøvik (physical): Group 7
For: Academic staff, permanent technical-administrative staff, partners of permanent academic staff, international master’s students, external applicants
Learning outcome: B2/C1
Credits: 15
Previous knowledge requirement: Norwegian level 2 or equivalent at university level, Norwegian Test listening/reading/writing B2, Placement test
Course description: Course description
Tuition: 2x3 hours per week, 13 weeks. 80% obligatory attendance
Timetables: Timetables
Course groups autumn 2025
The group composition may change until the start of the semester, so it's recommended to keep an eye on this page until then
Dragvoll (physical): Group 1, Group 4
Gløshaugen (physical): Group 3
Digital Trondheim: Group 2
For: Academic staff, permanent technical-administrative staff, partners of permanent academic staff, international master’s students, external applicants
Learning outcome: B2/C1
Credits: 15
Previous knowledge requirement: Norwegian level 2 or equivalent at university level, Norwegian Test listening/reading/writing B2, Placement test
Course description: Course description
Tuition: 1x3 hours per week, 13 weeks. 80% obligatory attendance
Timetables: Timetables
Course groups autumn 2025 (start in the autumn only)
The group composition may change until the start of the semester, so it's recommended to keep an eye on this page until then
Dragvoll (physical): Group 2
Gløshaugen (physical): Group 1
Gjøvik (physical): Group 3
Ålesund (physical): Group 4
For: Academic staff (priority), other applicants
Learning outcome: C1/C2
Credits: 15
Previous knowledge requirement: Norwegian level 3 or equivalent course at university level, Norwegian higher level language test with 450 points or better or grade 'bestått'; Norskprøven with B2 in all parts, or Norwegian examination as a second language at Norwegian upper secondary school (grade 4 or better)
Course description: Course description
Tuition: 2x3 hours per week, 10 weeks. 80% obligatory attendance
Timetable: Timetable
Course group autumn 2025
Dragvoll (physical): NFUT0401
Information
Applicants to levels 2 and 3 with no formal proof of competence, must take a placement test.
The test consists of a listening part, a grammar part and a written part (essay). There is no oral part.
The result of the test is valid for two semesters.
There are no examples of the placement test available, but to get an idea of the required levels, you can take a look at the practise exams on the Departments website.
NEXT PLACEMENT TEST: 11 June 2025, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, in Trondheim, Ålesund and Gjøvik. Registration period: 1 May - 2 June.
All applicants are responsible for registering for the test themselves, within the registration period.
- Accept the offer.
- Read NTNU's arrival checklist carefully.
- Wait until you receive study rights.
- Register for a course group in Studentweb. Each course group has a limited number of spots. Spots are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If a group is full, please choose another one. We do not hold off spots. It is not allowed to register for more than one course group at a time.
- Pay the semester fee within the deadline. You will not get access to Blackboard until this is done and registered. PhD-students also have to pay the semester fee for the Norwegian course.
- Register for the exam in Studentweb.
- Attend the first class. Students that fail to attend the first class, may loose their spot.
- General information about exams at NTNU
- Information about exams at Norwegian for foreigners (including practise exam papers)
- For information about exam arrangements and evaluation methods: Check the course description.
- Written exam date: check Studentweb, or the course description.
- Oral exam date: you will receive information from your teacher.
- Re-sit exam: send an e-mail to norskkurs@ntnu.no.
Deadline: 15 August (autumn) and 15 January (spring).
Students have three exam attempts. Approval is valid for four semesters, including the course semester.
- Postponed exam: in case of exam collision or other NTNU-related obligations on the exam date, at the end of the examination period.
To apply: please send an e-mail to norskkkurs@ntnu.no with documentation.
Deadline autumn: 15. November
Deadline spring: 15 April
- In case of acute illness: please apply for valid absence, and send an e-mail to norskkurs@ntnu.no to apply for the postponed exam.
In order to be granted a permanent residence permit, you must normally complete tuition in the Norwegian language and social studies and pass tests. Please check which rules apply to you on UDI’s website
Our Norwegian courses do not qualify for exemption from the social studies tuition for permanent residence permit applications. Please contact your municipality if you believe you qualify for an exemption.
Exemption from the social studies tuition can be granted for some applicants. Please check UDI’s website for details about the requirements in your specific situation.
From NTNU
Norwegian on the web 1: Norwegian course for beginners. Level A2/B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Norwegian on the web 2: Norwegian level for intermediate learners. Level B1/B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
CALST: Practice Norwegian pronunciation
LearnNoW - in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research.
NoWiN - in collaboration with Narvik University College (HiN).
Other online resourses
- Futurelearn - LearnNow as a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course).
- Grammatikk.com
- Stein på stein
- Her på berget
- Ord (Words)
- Norsk på 1-2-3
- Praktisk norsk
- Norsk grammatikk (Norwegian Grammar)
Fees
Course fee for employees (including PhD fellows) and partners of permanent employees are covered by their department. Free for students from within the EU/EEA and Switzerland:
- Levels 1-4: 4000 NOK
- Short course: 2000 NOK
Tuition fee for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland for the academic year 2025-26:
- Levels 1-4: 42 625 NOK
- Short course: 21 313 NOK