Level Descriptions A1 - C2

Each level is divided into four main categories: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each category has a brief description of what is expected of the participant at the given level.

What Level Do I Need?

Citizenship or Permanent Residence Permit

If you are applying for Norwegian citizenship, you must have an oral level of B1. This has been determined by the Storting. You can read more about the requirements for Norwegian language skills and citizenship on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's website.

If you are applying for a permanent residence permit, you can read about the requirements for Norwegian language training or passing a Norwegian test (with minimum level requirements) on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's website.

Admission to Higher Education

Everyone applying for admission to universities and colleges in Norway through coordinated admission must meet the language requirements in Norwegian. Level B2 is required for admission to higher studies.

You can take the Norwegian test to document that you master Norwegian at level B2. You must achieve B2 on all four sub-tests to apply for admission to higher education.

Read more about the Norwegian test and sign up for the next test.

On samordnaopptak.no you can read more about the language requirements for those who want to apply for admission to higher education.

Sources

All information about the language levels is taken from:

• Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion 2021.
• Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (Hkdir)