Guide · Norway
How to write a motivation letter for a Norwegian university
In Norway, a motivation letter is not automatic. NTNU says plainly that it doesn't assess motivation letters unless the programme lists one as an admission requirement. At the University of Oslo, applicants are first ranked on their grades.
But where a letter is required, it can tip the balance. At the University of Oslo, several Master's programmes ask for one page at most, and some give extra points for the motivation shown in it — on top of the grade-based ranking.
Checked against official sources: October 2026
- 1 Dec
- Oslo deadline outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
- 1 page
- maximum for several University of Oslo programmes
- A–E
- passing grades, F is a fail
Your first letter is free — no credit card needed.
At a glance
- Is a letter required?
Only if listed
NTNU doesn't assess motivation letters unless the programme's page lists one as an admission requirement — but it does want a CV. Write a letter only when your programme asks for it, and then make it count.
- Length
Up to one page
At the University of Oslo, the Master's in Public International Law asks for a letter of at most one page; Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management asks for half a page to one page.
- How it counts
Extra points
At the University of Oslo, motivation can be part of an additional ranking after the grade-based one — in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, additional points may be given for the motivation and commitment shown in the letter.
- Set questions
Answer them
Some programmes tell you what to cover. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management asks why you apply and what you expect, what you are passionate about outside your studies, an extracurricular activity you are proud of, your teamwork experience and how you will manage the full-time schedule.
- Deadline
1 December
For applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, the University of Oslo admits once a year: the portal opens on 15 October, the deadline is 1 December, studies start in August, and results come by 5 April. You can apply for up to two programmes.
- Grades
A–F
Norwegian universities grade from A to F: A to E are passing grades, F is a fail. Some programmes set a minimum average — for example, comparable to a Norwegian C. Give your own grade on its original scale.
How to structure it
Why you apply
Name the programme at the top — at the University of Oslo you can apply for two. Then give your reason for this programme, tied to a concrete experience, and what you expect from it.
The programme's questions
If the programme lists questions, answer each one, in its order — briefly and with an example.
Your background
The part of your degree and experience that matters for this programme. Your grades are already in the application — don't repeat them all.
Your goal
Where the degree leads you, in one realistic sentence. Stay within the page.
Example: motivation letter for the University of Oslo
Excerpt from a sample letter for a fictional applicant with a Computer Science degree. It answers the programme's own questions, one per paragraph, within one page. The numbers in the margin match the steps above.
Motivation letter — Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
I am applying to this programme because I want to learn how to turn a working tool into something people pay for. During my internship as a data analyst at a logistics company, I built Python dashboards that cut the weekly reporting time from six hours to one. Two other teams asked for the same tool — and I realised that I knew how to build it, but not how to make it a product.
Outside my studies, I am proudest of a coding workshop I started for first-year students: eight evenings, twenty participants, and three of them later joined our department's research projects. It taught me that a good idea is not enough without people who want to use it.
[…]
Alex Weber
Common mistakes
Sending a letter nobody asked for
A two-page letter for a programme that ranks on grades only
A clean CV and complete transcripts
If the programme doesn't list a motivation letter, it may not be read at all — NTNU says so openly. Spend the time on the documents that count.
Skipping the set questions
A general letter about your passion for business
One short paragraph per question
When a programme lists questions, each unanswered one is a missed point in the additional ranking.
Going over one page
A page and a half
Three-quarters of a page, every sentence needed
One page is the maximum at several University of Oslo programmes. A longer letter ignores the instructions.
No example for “passionate about”
“I am passionate about entrepreneurship and teamwork.”
“I started a coding workshop: eight evenings, twenty participants.”
“I am passionate about innovation” proves nothing. Name something you did and what came of it.
Converting your grades yourself
“My GPA of 3.6 corresponds to a Norwegian B.”
“I completed my Bachelor's with a GPA of 3.6 out of 4.0.”
Give your grade on its original scale. The university assesses it itself, and your own conversion may contradict your transcripts.
Missing the December deadline
Planning to apply in spring
Letter ready when the portal opens on 15 October
Outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, the University of Oslo admits once a year, with a deadline of 1 December — nine months before studies start.
Questions
Do I need a motivation letter for Norway?
Only if your programme lists one. NTNU doesn't assess motivation letters otherwise; at the University of Oslo, some programmes require one and use it in the ranking.
How long should it be?
At most one page at several University of Oslo programmes; Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management asks for half a page to one page. Your programme's limit always counts.
How many programmes can I apply for?
At the University of Oslo, applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can apply for up to two programmes, and can't change them after the deadline.
Is it OK to use AI for a motivation letter?
Rules differ between universities. Use an AI draft as a starting point: check every fact, change anything that doesn't sound like you, and follow your university's rules.
Sources
Documents checklist
Documents you need to study in Norway