The Norwegian Academy of Music is Norway’s leading specialized university of music for performance, composition, conducting, music education, music therapy, church music, folk music, jazz, classical music, contemporary music and artistic research. Established in 1973, NMH has grown into one of the most important music academies in Scandinavia and attracts students who want to pursue serious, performance-based and research-informed music education in Norway’s capital.

NMH is located in the city of Oslo, giving students access to the most vibrant cultural and artistic environment in Norway. Concert halls. Orchestras. Opera. Jazz venues. Churches. Festivals. Recording environments. Contemporary music scenes. Cultural institutions and professional networks. The city has it all. This is a very important place for music students, because artistic growth is not only based on classroom teaching, but also on performance opportunities, collaboration, listening culture, and professional exposure.

The academy is especially well suited for students who want to focus on their artistic development rather than to have a broad university education. It’s academic environment is based on individual instruction, ensemble practice, rehearsals, performance projects, masterclasses, artistic research, music theory, ear training, pedagogy, interpretation, improvisation, composition, conducting and professional preparation. Students need to aim for technical proficiency and artistic individuality.

NMH offers international students study opportunities at bachelor, master and docotoral/artistic research level but the admission is highly competitive and often requires auditions, documented musical background, artistic ability and language requirements depending on program. The institution is performance based and candidates should be prepared for a rigorous environment with high artistic standards.

The academy offers programs in classical performance, jazz, folk music, church music, composition, conducting, music education, music therapy and other music-related fields. Students may take part in one-to-one instrument training, ensemble performances, chamber music, orchestra projects, improvisation, lectures, seminars, music history, analysis, research methods, artistic projects and public concerts. This makes NMH an excellent option for students seeking intensive musical training in a professional conservatoire style environment.

NMH is also important for music research and artistic research in Norway. Its PhD and artistic research activities support musicians, composers, performers, educators and researchers wishing to develop new knowledge through artistic practice, performance, pedagogy, interpretation and music scholarship. Doctoral and research fellowships are generally position-based and highly competitive.

Tuition fees Tuition fees are payable for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. NMH says that the tuition fee for performance studies for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals is NOK 220,000 per academic year. Students are also responsible for semester and institutional resource fees. NMH does not offer scholarships to cover tuition fees and applicants should therefore plan to fund themselves for tuition, living costs, housing, instruments, insurance, books, travel and personal expenses.

All in all, the Norwegian Academy of Music is a good choice for serious musicians seeking high-level artistic education in Norway. It is most appropriate for students pursuing careers as performers, composers, conductors, music teachers, music therapists, church musicians, researchers or professional artists.

The Norwegian Academy of Music is a state institution of higher education specializing in music located in Oslo. It is Norway’s foremost national academy for advanced music study and artistic development. The academy trains musicians in performance, composition, conducting, music education, music therapy, church music, jazz, folk music, classical music and artistic research.

NMH's learning environment is quite different from that of a traditional university. Students engage in intensive individual practice, rehearsals, ensemble work, preparation for performance, masterclasses, concerts and artistic development. Academic subjects such as music theory and analysis, pedagogy, research methods and music history support the practical and artistic aspect of the education.

The academy is in Oslo, and students have access to a vibrant professional music scene. Students will have the opportunity to experience orchestras, festivals, jazz clubs, churches, cultural institutions, recording venues, and artists from around the world. It makes the student experience more professionally connected and artistically active

International applicants should expect strong competition for admission. Many programs will require auditions, proof of performance, an artistic portfolio or specific entrance exams. Students applying for music education or therapy-related routes may need additional academic or language qualifications. Applicants have to be careful in choosing programs, as the academy is highly specialized and prepares strong artistic material.

NMH is best for students who desire advanced music training and artistic seriousness. Graduates may become performers, composers, conductors, educators, music therapists, church musicians, ensemble leaders, cultural producers, researchers and freelance artists.

• Select the preferred NMH study program. • Review audition requirements and documentation rules. • Prepare academic documents, passport details, performance recordings, repertoire list, portfolio, CV, motivation letter, or other required material. • Submit the application before the official deadline. • Complete audition, interview, entrance test, or portfolio assessment where required. • Wait for admission results. • If admitted, accept the offer and follow enrollment instructions. • Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students should pay tuition fee by the deadline and prepare residence permit documentation. • Arrange housing, insurance, travel, instruments, scores, and study materials. • Doctoral applicants should apply through advertised artistic research or PhD fellowship opportunities. Admission Details • Main Intake: Autumn • Bachelor’s Language: Program-specific; Norwegian may be required for some routes • Master’s Language: Program-specific • Application Type: Audition-based and program-specific • Bachelor’s Requirement: Upper secondary education plus audition/entrance assessment • Master’s Requirement: Relevant bachelor’s degree plus audition/portfolio • PhD Requirement: Relevant master’s degree or equivalent artistic qualification and research project • English/Norwegian Requirement: Depends on program • Tuition Fee Rule: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students pay tuition fees unless exempt • Scholarship Availability: No NMH tuition scholarships • Residence Permit: Required for many non-EU/EEA/Swiss students