Apply for admission

Application deadline

20 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

Admission to the programme is based on audition results and Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Norwegian: generell studiekompetanse/GSK), and applicants who qualify via participation in the final at the international ballet competitions Prix de Lausanne and Youth America Grand Prix. Applicants are ranked on the basis of the results of the entrance examinations and competitions and is assessed by the same admissions committee.

In the admission process the emphasis will be primarily on dance skills, ability to communicate, potential for development, personal qualities, and physical health condition in relation to the high demands required of today’s ballet dancers.

The language of instruction is Norwegian, but special teaching arrangements are provided for English speaking students. All applicants must be proficient in English.

Exceptions to the requirement for the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Norwegian: generell studiekompetanse/GSK) apply to applicants who meet special academic requirements set by the programme.

All qualified applicants will be ranked.

Required documents

You must upload the following documents in PDF format (max. 15 MB per file) to the application portal Søknadsweb:

Admission process and important dates

Application deadline

No admission in 2026.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

The Master’s programme is based on a three-year Bachelor’s degree in Choreography or Dance (180 ECTS credits) or other relevant education. Applicants must document a minimum of 80 ECTS credits from disciplines that are relevant to the Master’s degree.

Applicants must also document their choreographic practice. Applicants with a lower content of dance-related or choreographic subjects in their degree may also apply for admission if they can document other relevant education and/or practice/work competence of a scope and level that may also qualify them to admission to the programme.

The admission to the Master's programme takes place in three phases:

1. A formal assessment of the application and the applicant’s competence
2. Artistic assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, based on the artistic works cited in the application as well as a written reflection on the applicant’s motivation
3. An audition consisting of a mix of choreographic and written assignments, including an interview

Only applicants who are deemed to be qualified in both phases 1 and 2 of the admission process will be invited to phase 3, the audition.

The admission process will be concluded through an overall assessment of the applicant with regards to the above-mentioned tasks, and on the following criteria:

• Choreographic expression, individuality and creativity
• The ability to reflect on choreographic work
• Composition and improvisation skills
• Motivation
• Collaborative skills and personal suitability

Required documents

You must upload the following documents to Søknadsweb:

About the Audition 

Invitations, including information regarding the audition week, will be sent directly to all applicants who qualify in round 1 and 2 of the admission process. Qualified applicants will be invited to an online audition week (round 3), which will take place over six days, including a weekend.

There will be an intake of 5 students for the period 2025-2027.
In the application portal 'Søknadsweb', the application status will be "Pending/Under behandling" until the beginning of April.

Admission Process and Important Dates

Application deadline

No admission in 2026.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

The Master’s degree programme is based on a three-year Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS credits) in Dance or other relevant education. Applicants must document a minimum of 80 ECTS credits within dance and the performing arts. Applicants with a lower content of dance-related or performative subjects in their degree may also apply for admission if they can document through practice/work experience that they have attained a corresponding scope and level in regard to the programme.

In exceptional cases, other documented qualifications may be approved as wholly or partially equivalent to the educational requirements specified above.

Applicants must submit 1) a letter of motivation and 2) Vimeo uploads (or equivalent documentation) where they act as a performer. On the basis of their application, applicants will be informed whether they will be called in for an admission test and interview.

The admission process will be based on an overall assessment of the applicant in regard to:

• their description of and reflection on practising as an independent dance artist
• expressiveness, individuality and creativity within dance
• technical skills within dance
• motivation
• personal suitability

5 students will be admitted for the study period 2025-2027.

Required documents

You must upload the following documents to Søknadsweb:

About the admission

The admission will be held at Oslo National Academy of the Arts and will run over 4-5 days, depending on the number of applicants. The day's program will contain different movement classes, group work, and a workshop, in addition to showing your performative material. At the end of the week, selected candidates will be invited to an interview.

• the reflection of your artistic practice and field of interest
• expressiveness, individuality and creativity within movement and dance
• skills within movement and dance
• motivation
• personal suitability

There will be an intake of 5 students for the period 2025-2027.
In Søknadsweb, the application will have the status "pending/under behandling" until the beginning of April.

Admission process and important dates

Application deadline

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Please read the important information about the 2026 application deadlines at the top of this webpage.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

Admission takes place on the basis of formal education and admission tests. The programme requires the completion of a Bachelor-level education (180 ECTS credits). The education must include specialisation of at least 80 ECTS credits in music or other courses of relevance to the discipline of opera. Applicants must have at least 20 ECTS credits in stage-related or performative courses. 

In exceptional cases, we may approve other documented qualifications that are either completely or partially equivalent to the educations mentioned above.

Applicants are ranked according to the results of the admission tests. Students who are admitted to the programme must demonstrate an outstanding talent for the art of musical drama.

Required documents

You must upload the following documents in the application portal Søknadsweb:
Max 15MB for each document. 

Requirements for repertoire

About the audition process

Application deadline

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Please read the important information about the 2026 application deadlines at the top of this webpage.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Important Notice: In the admission year 2026, there will be only admissions for the specializations in acting, playwriting, and directing/opera directing. 

Admission requirements

Admission takes place based on formal education and admission tests. The programme requires the completion of a Bachelor-level education (180 ECTS credits) in Acting, Directing, Writing, Dramaturgy or Opera, or equivalent education and/or experience. The Academy may approve other documented qualifications that are either completely or partially equivalent to the educations mentioned above. Applicants are ranked according to the results of the admission tests. Applicants must document proficiency in English.

Required documents

Documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the application portal Søknadsweb, and the maximum size is 15 MB per file.

About the admissions tests and dates

The admissions test consists of three rounds. Previous studies, motivation letters, and documented practical experience form the basis of assessment for the committee in the first round.

20-30 applicants will proceed to the second admissions test and will be asked to submit an assignment. Information about the assignment, as well as the day and time, will be provided with the invitation.

Application deadline

No admission in 2026.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

The Master’s programme is based on a three-year Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS credits) or equivalent education. Applicants must document specialisation of at least 80 ECTS credits in disciplines or courses within the theatre, theatrical art or equivalent.

In exceptional cases, the Academy may approve other documented qualifications as being either completely or partially equivalent to the educations mentioned above.

Admission takes place on the basis of a written application and admission tests.

When applying, the applicant must submit a letter of motivation in addition to a written assignment. The admission process will emphasise the applicants’ theatrical practice, in particular their dramaturgical practice, artistic potential and level of reflection.

Required documents

Documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the application portal Søknadsweb, and the maximum size is 15 MB per file.

About the admissions tests and dates

The admissions test consists of three rounds. Previous studies, motivation letters, and documented practical experience form the basis of assessment for the committee in the first round.

20-30 applicants will proceed to the second admissions test and will be asked to submit an assignment. Information about the assignment, as well as the day and time, will be provided with the invitation.

Application deadline

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Please read the important information about the 2026 application deadlines at the top of this webpage.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

Anyone with a bachelor’s degree in performing arts, visual art, architecture or design is eligible to seek enrolment in the study programme.

The target group for the study programme consists of applicants who want to develop expertise in one of the specified areas of specialization, and who want to situate their practice in wider disciplinary and sociocultural contexts.

The master programme builds on a three-year bachelor’s degree in design (180 credits), or an equivalent education that includes design studies of at least 120 credits relevant to the area of specialization for which the applicant applies. Applicants with less than 120 credits in relevant bachelor-level subjects can also apply for admission if they document that their practical experience gives them an equivalent scope and level relative to the specialization for which they apply.

The programme is open to students who only master English at the time of application. Languages of instruction and teaching are Norwegian and English. The study programme is designed for students who only master English, such that all courses and electives can be completed without the student mastering Norwegian.

The application must include following:

• Curriculum vitae
• A letter explaining the applicant's motivation for applying 
• A portfolio containing works relevant to the chosen area of specialization

Applicants will be evaluated based on their:

• previous education and experience
• professional level and potential for development
• motivation for enrolling in the study programme

Applicants may be summoned to an interview.

Required documents

For the application to be complete, it is required that you upload a set of documents in the application portal Søknadweb. All the uploaded files should be compressed to screen viewing, and the total size of uploaded files may not exceed 100 MB, max 15 MB per file .

Admission process and important dates

Application deadline 

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Please read the important information about the 2026 application deadlines at the top of this webpage.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

Admission to the master programme requires a three-year Bachelor’s degree in visual arts or a relevant undergraduate degree composed of subjects or courses of which at least 80 study credits are relevant to the study programme. [180 ECTS credits or equivalent according to §§3-4 of the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Act.]

In certain cases admission may be considered on the basis of other documented qualifications that are fully or partially equivalent to the above-mentioned academic requirement.

An applicant’s qualifications, skills and aptitude for the master programme are considered in relation to an overall assessment of their portfolio, letter of motivation, documented artistic involvement and other relevant qualifications. Admission to the programme is based on nomination by an interdisciplinary committee that consists of teaching staff from the various areas of specialisation, one member can be external representative, and one student observer.

The application must include documentation of completed studies, a digital portfolio containing visual documentation of the applicant’s own artworks, and a letter of motivation.

Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Applicants must be proficient in English.

Required documents

You must upload all documents from the list below to the application portal Søknadsweb within the deadline.

Admission process and important dates

Application deadline

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Please read the important information about the 2026 application deadlines at the top of this webpage.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

Admission to the degree programme Master in Art and Public Space requires that the applicant has successfully completed a three-year bachelor’s degree in visual art or in a comparable educational programme that includes subjects, courses or groups of courses whereof at least 80 credits are related to and relevant for the programme Master in Art in Public Space.

The applicant’s qualifications, level and potential in relation to the master’s programme will also be evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s portfolio (artistic level) and a text which accounts for the applicant’s goals and motivation for applying to enrol in the study programme. Special emphasis is on the applicant’s demonstration of exploratory attitudes and an ability to delve into problematic areas, also to take initiative and have a large capacity for work.

All applicants must document good English skills.

Required documents

You must upload the following documents to the application portal Søknadsweb for your application to be assessed by the admission committee. 

Admission process and important dates

Application deadline 

1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)

Please read the important information about the 2026 application deadlines at the top of this webpage.

Søknadsweb (the application portal) opens for registration, and information about the admission process and required documents will be updated two months before the application deadline.

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master’s programme requires a three-year degree in fine art (Bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS credits or equivalent). The first degree must include specialisation in a subject, course or course group of at least 80 ECTS credits within the discipline of the Master’s programme.

Admission to the programme is based on nomination by a committee that consists of teaching staff, one external representative from the contemporary art field, and a student observer. The following criteria will be considered:

• independent practice and artistic research
• motivation
• suitability for the programme
• previous relevant experience

All applicants must document proficiency in English

Required documents

For the application to be complete, you are required to upload a set of documents on the application portal Søknadsweb. The total size of the uploaded files may not exceed 15 MB per file and 100 MB total. All documents must be uploaded as PDF. All text must be in English.

Admission process and important dates

When granted, admission is to the programme as a whole, independent of specific techniques and/or materials. Roughly 18 students are admitted each year.

• Experience and education: You must show that you have achieved learning outcomes equivalent to a bachelor's degree. This means that you must document relevant competence that corresponds to the learning objectives for a bachelor's degree in the relevant subject area. The learning objectives for bachelor's programmes at KHiO can be found in the programme descriptions at khio.no.
• Documentation: Upload detailed evidence of your expertise, such as diplomas, course certificates, employment contracts, certificates, and examples of artistic work.

• Remarks: State in the application that you are applying based on prior learning, and which bachelor's degree at KHiO corresponds to your documented competence.
• Upload documentation: All documentation must be uploaded to Søknadsweb by the application deadline. All documentation of prior learning is collected in a PDF of max. 15 MB.
• Not just a CV:  A CV alone is not sufficient. Attach supplementary documents describing your experience.

• CV: A detailed overview of education and experience with dates.
• Artistic education: Course certificate, diploma and the like.
• Artistic practice: Documentation such as employment contracts, certificates, or examples of work.
• Other experience: Confirmations of relevant work or voluntary efforts.

In addition to the documents that you must upload related to your prior learning, you must also upload the required documentation as described on the admission website for the specific master's programme.

Translation

Documents in other languages must be translated into Norwegian or English by an approved translator, and the originals must be attached.

Comprehensive documentation

Ensure that the documentation is comprehensive and meets the learning objectives equivalent to a bachelor's degree at KHiO in the relevant subject area. This requires thorough work before the application deadline.

Note: Applications with incomplete documentation will not be considered.

No pre-assessment of qualifications.

You can find detailed information about admission requirements under each study programme on our admissions pages. We do not have the capacity to assess educational documentation before the admissions process begins.

You will find information about admission to master's programmes on the basis of recognition of prior learning on our website.

Yes, we will assess your application on equal terms with other applicants — provided that you submit your diploma by 1 July. Please use the comment field in Søknadsweb when applying to inform us that you are in the process of completing your studies.

If you will obtain general university admission qualifications (GSK) this spring, you must upload an updated transcript before the application deadline and submit your diploma no later than 1 July.

Yes. If you have not obtained GSK and are a Norwegian citizen, you still need to document Norwegian and English language proficiency. You may document this with, for example, a competence certificate from Norwegian upper secondary school, approved Norwegian and English tests, or higher education. You can find a complete list of ways to meet the language requirements on our website.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to delete old documentation from Søknadsweb. It is very important that you upload all required documentation for this year’s application even if you have uploaded the same documents in previous admission rounds. Only documentation uploaded in the current admission cycle will be processed.

Documentation you delete yourself from Søknadsweb after the deadline cannot be re-uploaded or restored. Do not delete documents after the deadline if you plan to upload them again.

No, you do not need to upload documentation of education taken at KHiO.

The additional documentation deadline applies to applicants who do not have all required documentation ready by the original documentation/application deadline.

This applies to applicants who are completing upper secondary school or their bachelor’s degree in the spring semester in which they are applying.

Applicants completing language tests in the same spring must submit documentation for the language requirements by 1 July.

The Oslo National Academy of the Arts does not participate in Samordna opptak, and you must therefore upload all required documentation in our Søknadsweb.

No, anyone who meets the admission requirements may apply.

We only process applications registered and uploaded in the Søknadsweb applicant portal.

Søknadsweb and information about admission tests are made available on our website two months before the application deadline.

Each programme has its own deadline, and it is your responsibility as an applicant to submit your application within the correct deadline. You will find the deadline in the applicant information for each programme.

Yes, you can. You may apply for as many study programmes with us as you wish. You must submit a separate application for each study programme you apply for in Søknadsweb .

Remember that you need to upload the correct documentation for each individual application you submit, even though you can see all your submitted documents together in Søknadsweb.

If you apply for a study programme that offers several specialisations, it is also possible to apply for more than one. In that case, you select all the specialisations you wish to apply for in the same application.

Information about admission tests is available on the admissions page for each study programme. This information becomes available two months before the application deadline.

We usually send offers of admission for master’s programmes starting in the autumn semester at the beginning of April.

Offers for bachelor’s programmes starting in the autumn semester are typically sent at the end of June.

Study place offers may also be sent earlier in the spring or later — up to a few weeks after the start of the semester (if you are on the waiting list). We therefore recommend checking the email address registered in your Søknadsweb contact information regularly.

You must first accept your place on the waiting list in Søknadsweb. Waiting lists are updated continuously throughout the summer, and we will contact you if you are offered a study place. We therefore recommend checking your registered email address regularly.

We cannot estimate the likelihood of receiving a place from the waiting list, as this varies from year to year. You may be contacted up to a couple of weeks after the start of the semester.

Applicants who have accepted an offer will receive study rights and information about the first steps at KHiO in early August.

Please email us at admissions@khio.no with detailed information about what needs to be included in the letter of admission. After you receive active student status and register for the semester in August, you may order confirmation of active student status directly from Studentweb.

No, not as part of the admission process. You must first apply for admission in the regular way. If you receive an offer and accept it, you may then apply for recognition of prior studies. Note that only courses at the same level may be recognised. You can read more about recognition of prior education here.

Not as part of the admission process. You must first apply for admission and accept an offer before you can apply for recognition of previous studies. If you receive recognition for all courses in the 1st and/or 2nd year of the programme, you may be placed in the 2nd or 3rd year. You can read more about recognition of prior education here.

A study place may be reserved for the following year in cases of illness, childbirth/adoption, military service, or other compelling reasons, according to the Regulations on Studies at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, §2–9, paragraph 1.
Studies at another institution or employment are generally not considered valid grounds for postponing the start of studies.

The reason must be outside your control and not due to a personal choice not to start the year you are offered admission.

You can find more information about how to apply for postponed start of studies here.

If you have questions about the structure and implementation of the programme, you can find this under each department:

• Academy of Dance
• Academy of Opera
• Academy of Theatre
• Design
• Art and Craft
• Academy of Fine Art

See also the programme description for a more detailed overview. It is linked at the bottom of the programme description page.

You will receive an email with information about the start of studies after you are offered and have accepted a study place. You can also find information about it on our website: https://khio.no/studier/studiestart

Semester fee

All students must pay a semester fee of NOK 690 to the Student Welfare Organisation in Oslo and Akershus (SiO) each semester. Costs for teaching materials (e.g. books) or any materials used in your own projects must be covered by the student.

Tuition fee

Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees. If you are a Norwegian or Nordic citizen, or have citizenship from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you do not need to pay tuition fees.

See Tuition fees for more information.

Yes, all programmes at KHiO generally qualify for support from Lånekassen. We do not have our own scholarship schemes. We recommend that you explore other possibilities, e.g. using Legathåndboken.

You must check for yourself whether you qualify for support through Lånekassen. For international applicants, the support options are limited. Most international students who receive scholarships or similar support do so through funding bodies in their home countries. KHiO cannot answer questions about Lånekassen, and we recommend contacting them directly if you have questions.

You can apply for student housing through SiO (the Student Welfare Organisation in Oslo and Akershus). All questions regarding housing must be directed to SiO.

You can also find private housing via: finn.no, utleiemegleren.no, hybel.no.

It can be very difficult to find housing in Oslo, and we recommend applying as early as possible after you receive and accept an offer of admission in order to increase your chances of receiving student housing before the semester starts.

KHiO hosts an open day in November. We do not offer guided tours outside the open day. Unfortunately, we do not have capacity to advise or meet applicants individually.

Parts of the campus are open to the public, and you are welcome to visit. Check our events calendar for information about public events. We can also recommend a visit to the library, which is open to all.

You may also take a look at KHiO’s Instagram account to get an impression of the Academy.

We unfortunately do not offer in-person advising or phone guidance.

If you have admission-related questions not answered on our website, please email us at admissions@khio.no. Include your applicant number (if you have applied) and the programme you are asking about in the subject line.

Have you read the programme descriptions and the admissions information on our website? If you have questions about programme structure and content, you will find answers in the programme plan. If you have admission-related questions that you cannot find answers to on our website, please email admissions@khio.no and include your applicant number (if applicable) and the relevant study programme in the subject line.

If you are coming from another country, we recommend reading the International Student Handbook. This handbook is aimed mainly at exchange students but also contains useful information for those coming from abroad to complete full degree programmes at KHiO.