Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU)
The general basis for admission to universities and university colleges in Norway is called Higher Education Entrance Qualification. For applicants with foreign education, the requirements are specified in the GSU-list.
About the list
The GSU-list (Higher Education Entrance Qualification for foreign applicants) is used by Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service /NUCAS, Norwegian universities and university colleges in the admission process to higher education. In addition, it is used in the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills’ assessment of applications for general recognition of foreign education.
The use of the list is binding for admissions to first-cycle studies pursuant to the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education (FOR-2017-01-06-13) and for general recognition of foreign higher education pursuant to the Regulations concerning general recognition of foreign higher education (FOR-2024-05-21-789).
The use of the list is guiding for admissions to second- and third-cycle studies and subject-specific recognition.
Requirements for general basis for admission for applicants with foreign education consist of an education requirement and language proficiency requirements in English and Norwegian. The GSU list contains information on what the requirements are for each individual country. In addition, certain international qualifications are included in the list.
For some countries, it is sufficient to complete primary and secondary education to fulfil the education requirement. For other countries it is required that you have 1-2 years of higher education from your home country after upper secondary education. The higher education program must be a recognised program from a recognised institution of higher education in the country of origin.
Please note: For some study programmes there are specific admission requirements in addition to the general requirements (Higher Education Entrance Qualification).
For more information about the admission requirements for specific countries, see the page on foreign education on Samordna opptak.
If you have questions regarding admission requirements to higher education, send us an email using the following address: sokerinfo@samordnaopptak.no.
If you have other comments about the GSU-list, send us an e-mail using the following address: gsu@hkdir.no
The list was last updated 15 March 2023. The list is also available in Norwegian.
Check the requirements for your country or your international qualification
Entrance requirement for admission to higher education consists of both of education requirements and language proficiency requirements in English and Norwegian. All applicants with education from outside the Nordic countries, proficiency in the Norwegian language must be documented. See information about Norwegian and English language requirements.
Corrections
The following countries were revised on the 01 of November 2024:
- Angola
- Georgia
- Hungary
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Mongolia
- North Macedonia
- Kosovo
- United Kingdom
The language requirement for the following countries was updated on the 01 of November 2024:
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- United Kingdom
See the individual countries for information about the revision.