Oslo National Academy of the Arts is one of Norway’s most important specialized institutions for higher education within the fields of visual arts, design, theatre, dance, opera, craft and artistic research. KHiO was formed in 1996 by merging several of the leading art education institutions. In Oslo, various creative disciplines are gathered in one academy environment. It is especially suited to students who want intensive studio-based, performance-based and practice-led education in the arts.

KHiO is situated in Oslo, the capital and primary cultural centre of Norway. The city provides students with access to galleries, theatres, museums, opera, dance companies, design studios, festivals, contemporary art spaces, artist-run initiatives, cultural institutions and creative industry networks. This urban environment is important for students of art, design, theatre, opera and dance as professional development depends on exposure, collaboration, exhibitions, performances, critique and artistic communities.

The academy runs programs in departments such as fine art, design, craft, theatre, dance, opera and academy-level artistic research. Students may study medium- and material-based art, graphic design, costume design, theatre, acting, jazz dance, contemporary dance, classical ballet, choreography, opera, visual art and other creative disciplines. Programs are highly selective and usually demand entrance tests, portfolios, auditions, interviews, artistic documentation, or practical assessments.

The teaching model at KHiO is based on artistic practice. Studio projects, workshops, rehearsals, performances, critiques, exhibitions, movement training, design assignments, research seminars, production work and supervision in one-to-one or small groups. The academy is not for students who want to have a traditional lecture based education. It is most suitable for applicants who are already creatively involved and ready for challenging artistic development.

Language requirements are especially important for international students. Some programs are taught in English. Many bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian and require proficiency in Norwegian. Admissions requirements vary greatly depending on the department and program. Creative programs may require submission of a portfolio, audition, movement tests, artistic statements, interviews, or project proposals. Because the academy is small and specialized, competition can be stiff.

KHiO also fosters artistic research on an advanced level. Students and researchers can explore practice-led research in visual art, performance, design, theatre, dance, opera, craft and interdisciplinary artistic fields. PhD positions are generally associated with artistic research fellowships, research projects and national artistic research infrastructures.

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have to pay tuition fees unless exempted. Tuition fees per program for 2026/2027 have been published by KHiO. Bachelor fees are NOK 160,000 per year for Fine Art, NOK 165,000 for Medium- and Material Based Art, NOK 173,000 for Jazz Dance, Contemporary Dance and Classical Ballet and NOK 221,000 for Acting. Tuition fees for master level and advanced programs vary depending on the discipline. Applicants should check the current KHiO tuition fee page before applying.

In conclusion, the Oslo National Academy of the Arts is a good choice for highly motivated creative students who want a serious arts academy in Norway’s capital. It is especially relevant for students considering careers in fine art, performance, design, theatre, dance, opera, craft, choreography, stage production, visual culture and artistic research.

Oslo National Academy of the Arts is a public specialized university of arts in Oslo. It is Norway's leading institution for education in the visual arts, design, performing arts and artistic research. The academy was created in 1996 from the merger of a number of independent arts schools into a single, multidisciplinary institution for higher arts education.

KHiO’s academic identity is based on creative practice, artistic experimentation and professional preparation. Students learn through studio work, performances, rehearsals, critique sessions, exhibitions, productions, workshops, artistic research and intensive supervision. The academy encourages individual artistic development and collaborative production.

The university consists of departments of fine art, design, craft, theatre, dance, opera and artistic research. Students may work in visual art, material practice, costume, graphic design, acting, classical ballet, contemporary dance, jazz dance, choreography, opera performance, theatre production and interdisciplinary artistic projects.

Admission is very selective. Some programs may require the submission of portfolios, auditions or interviews, practical tests, artistic statements or descriptions of projects. A lot of programs require rigorous artistic preparation before application. International applicants must also check if the program is taught in English or Norwegian.

KHiO is for students who want a thorough creative education and professional experience. Graduates may work as artists, designers, performers, choreographers, actors, dancers, opera singers, stage professionals, teachers, curators, creative producers, researchers or independent practitioners.

• Choose the preferred KHiO program. • Check whether the program is taught in Norwegian or English. • Review admission requirements, portfolio rules, audition requirements, and deadlines. • Prepare transcripts, certificates, passport details, portfolio, audition material, artistic statement, CV, project description, and language documentation. • Submit the application through the official admission system. • Complete portfolio review, audition, interview, entrance test, or practical assessment where required. • Wait for admission results. • If admitted, accept the offer and follow enrollment instructions. • Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students should arrange tuition payment, proof of funds, residence permit application, housing, and insurance. • Artistic research applicants should apply through specific fellowship or doctoral calls. Admission Details • Main Intake: Autumn • Bachelor’s Language: Many programs are Norwegian-taught; language must be checked by program • Master’s Language: Program-specific • Application Type: Portfolio/audition/practical assessment-based admission • Bachelor’s Requirement: Upper secondary education plus artistic assessment • Master’s Requirement: Relevant bachelor’s degree plus portfolio/audition/project material • PhD Requirement: Relevant master’s degree or equivalent artistic qualification and research project • English/Norwegian Requirement: Program-specific • Tuition Fee Rule: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students pay fees unless exempt • Scholarship Availability: Not a broad tuition scholarship model • Residence Permit: Required for many non-EU/EEA/Swiss students