Master of Research in Special Needs Education

University of Oslo
Research in Special Needs Education
Masters
Education
Public University
Norway

A 2-year (120 ECTS) full-time international master’s degree program taught in English. Hosted by the Department of Special Needs Education under the Faculty of Educational Sciences, the program emphasizes a research-driven path focused on inclusion, diversity, and social justice. Students investigate historical and sociocultural perspectives on learning and development, inclusive education practices, specialized methodologies, and policy development.

Course Details

Category	Details
Time	Full Time
Campus	Oslo
Duration	2
Deadline-Date	1-December,
Fee Per Year	204000
Application Fee
Currency	nok
Intake Link	https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/
Deadline Link	https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/
Intakes	August
Program language requirement	English language proficiency must be documented with a valid TOEFL ibt, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic test score if you are not covered by one of the exemptions. Test results must be valid (not older than two years) on the date of the application deadline. Minimum scores; TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language:TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition, Minimum total score of 90 with at least 19 in reading, 20 in listening, 20 in speaking and 24 in writing. Or Minimum total score of 4.5 with at least 4 in reading, 4.5 in listening, 5 in writing and 4 in speaking (from 21 January 2026). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. IELTS Academic - International English Language Testing System or IELTS Online,Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing). Please note that we do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake scores to meet our English language requirements. PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online: Pearson Test of English Academic, Minimum overall score of 62 with at least 58 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Who can Choose this program?

Bachelor’s degree (16 years of education) in one of the following or related fields: Special Needs Education / Special Education Education / Pedagogy (with significant special needs coursework) Psychology (Educational, Developmental, or Clinical) Speech Therapy / Logopedics Occupational Therapy (with educational focus) Social Work (with disability or special needs focus) Rehabilitation Sciences

Additional Information

Category	Details
Scope of the program	Prepares graduates for specialized professional, policy, and research careers—such as educational researcher, policy advisor, inclusion specialist, project coordinator, and special needs consultant—across international organizations, government education ministries, municipal administrative bodies, NGOs, and academic research institutions, as well as eligibility to pursue doctoral (PhD) studies.
Program entry requirement	Bachelor's degree You must have a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree. Degree requirement for Pakistan 4-year bachelor's degree or 2-year bachelor's degree and 2-year master's degree. Required specialisation and minimum grade requirement You must have a specialisation of at least 80 ECTS credits required by the programme and a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C. A Norwegian C is described as a good grade, generally comparable to an American B and a Second Class Upper in the British system. We do not use conversion tables for foreign grades. All foreign education is individually evaluated during the admission process. Please note that eligible applicants who fulfill the minimum grade requirement will compete for a study place. Please see the section on ranking below for more information on which subjects are calculated to determine the minimum grade average. A relevant degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor's degree with a minimum grade of a Norwegian C or the equivalent. (A Norwegian C is described as a good grade, generally comparable to an American B or a Second Class Upper in the British system. We do not use conversion tables for foreign grades. All foreign education is individually evaluated during the admission process.) Relevant degrees must contain a minimum of 80 ECTS credits within fields relevant to special needs education, such as education, early childhood development, atypical development, psychology, sociology, or a combination of these. At least 10 ECTS must be from courses in research methodology. Fulfill the English language requirements (see http://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/). A written statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying to the program will also be taken into consideration. (All documented relevant professional practice will be taken into consideration.)
Required GPA	A recognized 4-year Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum CGPA of 2.7–3.0/4.0 or equivalent. Competitive universities generally prefer 3.0/4.0 or higher.
GRE Required	No – GRE is not required for this program.
GMAT Required	No – GMAT is not required for this program.
Application Process	1. Apply to an accredited Norwegian higher education institution and secure full-time admission. 2. Receive your official unconditional admission letter confirming your study program. 3. Transfer required living expenses and tuition fees to the university's deposit account or an approved Norwegian bank account. 4. Create an account on the UDI Application Portal Norway and complete the online study permit application. 5. Pay the required UDI residence permit application fee online and download your cover letter. 6. Prepare supporting documents: passport, admission letter, deposit receipt, housing documentation, and insurance. 7. Book a submission appointment at the nearest Norwegian Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Global Centre. 8. Attend your appointment to submit your document checklist, give biometric data, and submit your passport. 9. Track your application status on the UDI portal and await the official decision. 10. Travel to Norway after permit approval and register with the local police station to obtain your Residence Card.
Available Scholarships	https://studyabroadupdates.com/scholarships/
Program accreditation	Accredited by NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) under the Norwegian university system.
Living expenses	Living Expenses: Average living costs range from NOK 12,000–16,000 per month, covering accommodation, food, transportation, study materials, and personal expenses. Students should budget around NOK 150,000–170,000 per year.
Visa Process Details	1. Passport: Valid passport with required validity and blank pages (Mandatory). 2. CNIC / B-Form / FRC: Applicant ID and family relationship documents (Mandatory). 3. Photographs: Recent biometric passport-sized photos (Mandatory). 4. Offer letter: Official unconditional admission letter (Mandatory). 5. Tuition fee receipt: Deposit, tuition payment, or scholarship proof (Mandatory/Conditional). 6. Academic documents: Transcripts, degrees, and required attestations (Mandatory). 7. Language certificate: IELTS, TOEFL, or language test proof (Conditional). 8. CV / resume: Updated resume with education and gap details (Mandatory/Conditional). 9. SOP / motivation letter: Study plan and home ties explanation (Mandatory/Conditional). 10. Financial documents: Bank statements, income proof, and source of funds (Mandatory). 11. Sponsor documents: Sponsor ID, affidavit, and income proof (Conditional). 12. Accommodation proof: Housing booking, contract, or university letter (Mandatory/Conditional). 13. Insurance: Travel and health insurance coverage (Mandatory/Conditional). 14. Police certificate: Character clearance certificate if required (Conditional). 15. Medical certificate: Medical clearance certificate if required (Conditional). 16. Translations / legalization: Certified translations or legalization if required (Conditional). 17. Previous refusals: Visa refusal letters and explanation if applicable (Mandatory if applicable). 18. Travel history: Copies of previous visas and travel stamps (Conditional). 19. Family / home ties: Return proof such as FRC, property, or job ties (Recommended). 20. Country-specific: UDI application portal cover letter (Country-specific). 21. Country-specific: Funds deposit in a Norwegian or student bank account (Country-specific). 22. Country-specific: Housing documentation if required (Country-specific).
Part timework	Part-time Work: International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during official holidays. Many students find part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, customer service, and campus roles.
Post-study work opportunity	Post-Study Work Opportunity: After graduation, eligible students can apply for a 12-month Job Seeker Residence Permit to stay in Norway and search for employment. Once they secure a qualifying job, they can apply for a Skilled Worker Residence Permit, which can lead to long-term residence if eligibility requirements are met.

What are the entry requirements for the Master's program in Special Needs Education at the University of Oslo?

To apply for the Master's program in Special Needs Education, you must have a bachelor's degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, with at least 80 ECTS credits in relevant fields such as special needs education, education, psychology, or social sciences. You also need a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C, proof of English language proficiency, and a written statement of purpose.

What is the duration and structure of the Master's program in Special Needs Education?

The Master's program in Special Needs Education is a 2-year (120 ECTS) full-time international program. It consists of core coursework focusing on research design, data analysis, and inclusive pedagogical practices, along with a major independent research-based master's thesis during the final stages of the program.

What are the English language requirements for the Master's program?

Applicants must document English language proficiency with a valid TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE test score. Minimum scores include a TOEFL iBT score of 90, IELTS Academic score of 6.5, and PTE Academic score of 62. Test scores must be valid and not older than two years by the application deadline.

What are the living expenses for students studying at the University of Oslo?

Average living costs for students in Oslo range from NOK 12,000 to NOK 16,000 per month, covering accommodation, food, transportation, study materials, and personal expenses. Students should budget approximately NOK 150,000 to NOK 170,000 per year for living expenses.

Are there opportunities for part-time work while studying in Norway?

Yes, international students in Norway can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during official holidays. Many students find part-time jobs in sectors such as retail, hospitality, customer service, and campus roles.