The University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) is the northernmost university in the world. It is a modern research university with a focus on Arctic research, climate change, and indigenous studies.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway, in Tromsø, is the northernmost university in the world. It opened in 1972 and has about 16,500 students and 3,500 staff, and around one student in ten comes from abroad. The main campus is located at Breivika, on the island of Tromsøya, around 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Since a merger in 2016, UiT has also included campuses in Alta, Narvik, Harstad, Hammerfest and other towns in northern Norway.
The location defines the research. Arctic and polar studies, the northern lights, climate change, marine ecosystems, fisheries and indigenous issues are key areas. Tromsø has an auroral observatory and radar facilities for space research nearby, where scientists study the interaction of the solar wind and the upper atmosphere. The university also leads work on Sami language and culture, and it offers degrees in Sami studies and the study of indigenous peoples.
Other strengths include telemedicine and health services for remote regions, with the university hospital in the city, as well as fisheries and aquaculture science, geology, biology, law and the humanities. The Norwegian Polar Institute has an office in Tromsø, and the university takes part in expeditions to Svalbard. Students often join field courses in the high Arctic.
Public universities in Norway have long been free for all students, but tuition has now been introduced for most students from outside the EEA, so check the current rules. Every student pays a small semester fee. Bachelor’s programmes are in Norwegian, and Norwegian language skills are required, while many master’s programmes are in English. Applications for undergraduate studies go through the national system, and international students often apply directly.
In Tromsø, the sun does not rise for about two months in midwinter and does not set for two months in summer. Students enjoy skiing, hiking and aurora watching. Housing is managed by the student welfare organisation SiTro.
Domains taught:
Astroscience, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Geotechnics, Life Sciences, Marine Science, Telecommunications
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
UiT is a member of the University of the Arctic and has strong collaborations with universities and research institutions in the circumpolar north. It has a key role in the development of the High North.
Research:
UiT’s research focuses on the Arctic, with key areas including climate change, marine biology, space physics, and Sami studies. The university is a leading institution in polar research.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
3500
Current students***:
16500
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
30000
Pros
A unique focus on Arctic research, a stunning location in the Arctic Circle, and a strong sense of community.
Cons
The remote location and long, dark winters can be challenging for some students.
Best For
Students with a passion for the Arctic, climate change, and indigenous cultures, and those seeking a unique and adventurous university experience.
University of Bergen sits close to this university on marine science, geotechnics and ecology and sustainability; it is slightly larger, at about 18,500 students against roughly 16,500 here, and is also a public institution.
Both schools build their programmes around astroscience, geotechnics and life sciences, and University of Oslo is the one to compare first within the country, since it is also a public institution, and teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
University of South-Eastern Norway takes a similar route through marine science, and it teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral, and covers nanotechnologies and process control as well.
Where this institution leans on marine science and geotechnics, University of Stavanger does the same, and it teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral, and covers process control and robotics as well.
Among national alternatives, Oslo Metropolitan University stands out for its focus on data analytics, and it runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, and covers sound engineering and ergonomics and UX as well.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
North-Eastern Federal University in Russia shares the geotechnics, ecology and sustainability and life sciences orientation of this institution, and it is also a public institution, and teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
Abroad, Murmansk Arctic State University (Russia) covers marine science, geotechnics and ecology and sustainability in a comparable way, and it is also a public institution, and runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Stockholm University (Sweden) works on the same fields as this university, chiefly astroscience, marine science and ecology and sustainability; it is larger, enrolling about 33,000 students against roughly 16,500 here, and is also a public institution.
The closest overseas parallel on astroscience, marine science and ecology and sustainability is University of California, Santa Cruz, located in the United States; it teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral, and covers AI and machine learning and software engineering as well.
Seen from abroad, University of St Andrews (the United Kingdom) is a close relative on subject matter, since astroscience, marine science and life sciences are central to both, and it is slightly smaller, at about 11,645 students against roughly 16,500 here, and is also a public institution.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Where is UiT?
The main campus is at Hansine Hansens veg 18 in Tromsø, Norway, in the Arctic north.
Why is UiT special?
It is the northernmost university in the world.
When did it open?
In 1972.
How large is it?
About 16,500 students and 3,500 staff.
What changed in 2016?
UiT merged with colleges in northern Norway and now has campuses in Alta, Narvik, Harstad, Hammerfest and other towns.
What is it best known for?
Arctic and polar studies, northern lights research, marine science, fisheries, Sami studies and telemedicine.
Does UiT take part in Arctic expeditions?
Yes, including field courses and expeditions to Svalbard.
Is there tuition?
Tuition has now been introduced for most students from outside the EEA. Every student pays a small semester fee. Check the current rules.
In which language are courses taught?
Bachelor's programmes in Norwegian, and many master's programmes in English.
What is daily life like?
The sun does not rise for about two months in midwinter and does not set for two months in summer. Students enjoy skiing, hiking and aurora watching.
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ecosystem, Environmental Impact, Renewable Energy
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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