Kristiania University of Applied Sciences

What Kristiania University of Applied Sciences does

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences (legally Høyskolen Kristiania – Ernst G. Mortensens Stiftelse) is a Norwegian private, non-profit higher-education institution founded in 1914 and operating as an ideell stiftelse (non-profit educational foundation) since 1976. It is positioned as Norway's largest broad-based university college with explicit university ambitions, offering over 200 study programmes spanning vocational school (fagskole), bachelor, master, and PhD levels across four academic faculties: Health, Psychology and Pedagogy; HR, Leadership, Marketing and Communication; Arts, Design and Media; and Technology, Innovation and Economics. The institution serves 24,000 students through three delivery channels — campus-based education in Oslo (Kirkegata 24-26, Fjerdingen, Prinsens gate) and Bergen, flexible online/distance learning described as Norway's largest distance-education offering, and an Edinburgh Business School MBA partnership with Heriot-Watt University. Core technology consists of the Canvas learning management system for course delivery, StudentWeb for administrative services (semester registration, exam dates, transcript ordering, Lånekassen reporting), and Feide authentication for Norwegian education-sector integration.

Kristiania's revenue model combines tuition fees with government funding allocated based on student numbers and completion rates. Individual course fees range from NOK 9,500 to NOK 25,500 depending on study points and scope; MBA core courses through Edinburgh Business School are priced at NOK 18,000–25,200 per course and are not eligible for Lånekassen support. Campus-based programmes in Oslo and Bergen qualify for Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) support covering base support, tuition loans, and monthly stipends. The institution goes to market through direct-to-consumer recruitment via student ambassadors, open days, education fairs, Arendalsuka participation, and digital channels (website, social media on Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/TikTok, and an email newsletter). Customer segments include high-school graduates entering bachelor programmes, working professionals pursuing masters and continuing education, vocational learners, online/distance students, and a smaller research-oriented PhD cohort; the creative-arts school alone has 1,600 students supported by 120 academic FTEs, the largest such environment at university level in Norway.

Differentiation rests on practice-oriented education delivered by industry-experienced lecturers, a 110-year heritage with over 3 million alumni, and external validation such as WHO's selection of Kristiania as its first crisis-communication collaboration partner, an ERC Starting Grant, and six researchers ranked in the top 2% globally per Stanford. Recent strategic moves include the announced 2026 merger of NKI Fagskoler and MedLearn into Fagskolen Kristiania (creating Norway's largest vocational school), December 2021 accreditation of two doctoral programmes, and a rebrand away from the "Høyskole" designation toward positioning as a "work-life university" (arbeidslivsuniversitet).

Name

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences

Legal name

Høyskolen Kristiania – Ernst G. Mortensens Stiftelse

Website

https://kristiania.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences is Norway's largest broad-based private university college, offering over 200 vocational, bachelor, master, and doctoral programmes across four faculties to 24,000 students via Oslo and Bergen campuses plus nationwide online learning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAAAC), Graduate Schools of Education (M.Ed., Ed.D., Ph.D.) (EDAHAFAB)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Vocational training
• Online learning
• Professional development
• Doctoral programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees: Private institution collecting tuition fees from students. All studies are publicly approved and qualify for Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund support. School fees can be financed through additional loans from Lånekassen.
2. Government funding: As an accredited institution, receives government funding based on student numbers and completion rates.
3. Course and program fees: Individual course fees ranging from approximately NOK 9,500 to NOK 25,500 depending on course scope and duration. Some programs offered in partnership with Edinburgh Business School have separate pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences delivers accredited higher education programs from vocational school (fagskole) through doctoral (PhD) level across four academic areas: Health/Psychology/Pedagogy, HR/Leadership/Marketing/Communication, Arts/Design/Media, and Technology/Innovation/Economics. Programs are offered via campus attendance in Oslo and Bergen, online distance learning through Canvas, and hybrid formats, with all publicly approved programs eligible for Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) support.

Product overview

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences operates as Norway's largest broad-based university college with university ambitions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs from vocational college (fagskole) through doctoral (PhD) levels. The institution comprises four academic faculties covering Health and Technology, Management and Economics, and Society, Arts and Media, with the largest creative arts community in Norway. Programs are delivered through campus-based, online, and blended formats, primarily using the Canvas learning management system. Key programs include vocational college certificates (developed with industry partners such as Coor Service Management), an MBA in partnership with Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School, and individual course subjects that can stack toward full degrees. Student administration is handled through StudentWeb, with authentication via Norway's Feide identity system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Higher Education Programs (Vocational through PhD) Accredited higher education programs offered by Kristiania University of Applied Sciences across vocational school (fagskole), bachelor, master, and PhD levels, organized in four academic areas: Health/Psychology/Pedagogy; HR/Leadership/Marketing/Communication; Arts/Design/Media; and Technology/Innovation/Economics. Designed for prospective and current students seeking accredited degrees in Norway.
• MBA Program (Heriot-Watt University / Edinburgh Business School partnership) An internationally recognized Master of Business Administration delivered online in Norway through Kristiania in partnership with Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School, including specializations in Strategy, Finance, Business Analytics, and Supply Chain Management and Logistics. Targets working professionals seeking globally recognized credentials. Not supported by Lånekassen.
• Doctoral Programs (PhD) Accredited doctoral programs in Applied Information Technology and Communication and Leadership, awarded by Kristiania following accreditation in December 2021. Designed for research-oriented doctoral candidates.
• Driftstekniker – Building and Property Management (Vocational) A 30-credit vocational college (fagskole) program in technical building operations, maintenance, and property management, developed in collaboration with Coor Service Management AS. Covers building systems, fire prevention, energy optimization, and FDVweb software training. Targets students seeking vocational certification for building operations roles.
• Bærekraftskonsulent – Sustainable Operations (Vocational) A vocational college (fagskole) program preparing students as sustainability consultants, covering systematic sustainability work, stakeholder engagement, environmental requirements, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Includes 15 study points and 18 months of access (priced at NOK 25,500). Targets adult learners and vocational students.
• Single Course Subjects (Enkeltemner) Individual online course subjects across disciplines including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Business Analytics, Business Negotiation, Supply Chain Management, Financial Decision Making, and more. Can be taken standalone or credited toward full degree programs. Targets continuing education seekers and flexible learners.
• Bygg og brannforebygging – Building and Fire Prevention (Vocational) A 5-study-point vocational college (fagskole) course on building and fire prevention, priced at NOK 9,500. Targets vocational students in technical/property operations.
• Tekniske installasjoner – Technical Installations (Vocational) A 10-study-point vocational college (fagskole) course on technical installations, priced at NOK 17,500. Targets vocational students in technical/property operations.
• Fagskolen Kristiania (Vocational College Subsidiary) Wholly-owned subsidiary established 1 September 2018 to deliver practice-oriented vocational college education across Oslo, Bergen, and online. Currently has over 2,300 students and 120 staff, and will become Norway's largest vocational school from August 2026 following the merger with NKI Fagskoler and MedLearn. Targets vocational students and adult learners seeking practical qualifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% of bachelor students complete on schedule
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and major.

• World Health Organization (WHO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025WHO selected Kristiania as their first collaboration partner for crisis communication. The collaboration focuses on risk communication, community engagement, and management of misinformation during health crises.
• Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh Business School)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKristiania partners with Heriot-Watt University to offer MBA and other programs from Edinburgh Business School in Norway. Programs include core courses and specializations in Strategy, Finance, Business Analytics, and Supply Chain Management. Graduation ceremonies held annually in Edinburgh with global student participation.
• Coor Service Management AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoor Service Management collaborated with Kristiania to develop the Driftstekniker - bygg og eiendom (Building Operations Technician) vocational program. The curriculum includes practical cases and realistic scenarios to ensure relevance to the labor market.
• Nesodden Municipality and Follo MunicipalitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost municipalities for PhD candidate Jon Martin Larsen's research project on strategic communication with LGBTQ+ minorities. Includes municipalities: Frogn, Ås, Vestby, Nordre Follo, and Enebakk.
• International Academic InstitutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproximately half of Kristiania's research production is published in collaboration with foreign universities and research institutions. Maintains Erasmus exchange programs and international research partnerships.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Noroff University College: Noroff is a private Norwegian higher education provider with a strong online/distance learning focus spanning technology, media, and creative disciplines. It directly competes with Kristiania's online programs for the same Norwegian adult-learner and vocational student segments.
• BI Norwegian Business School: BI is Norway's other large private higher education institution with campus-based and online programs across business, leadership, and management. Both BI and Kristiania target similar Norwegian and international students with practical-oriented degrees and compete for the same professional/working-learner segment.
• Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh Business School): Heriot-Watt is Kristiania's actual strategic partner for the MBA program and is itself a UK university known for pioneering online distance learning. It is comparable as both a partner and a competitor in online professional qualifications for Scandinavian and global working professionals.
• NKI Nettstudier: NKI is a long-standing Norwegian online/distance and vocational education provider, currently a direct competitor to Fagskolen Kristiania in online fagskole delivery. From August 2026 it merges into Fagskolen Kristiania, making it both a peer and an in-flight acquisition target.

Broad incumbents

• The Open University (UK): The Open University is the world's pre-eminent distance-learning university with a multi-decade track record of online higher education at scale. It is the international benchmark for Kristiania's Nettstudier online portfolio and self-paced course platform.
• Norwegian School of Economics (NHH): NHH is Norway's premier public business school with strong research output and international rankings. It represents the elite research university benchmark that Kristiania's leadership, marketing and economics programs compete against for top students and faculty.
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): NTNU is Norway's largest public university with strong applied science and technology programs. It serves as the dominant comparator for Kristiania's Technology, Innovation and Economics faculty and sets the research-prestige benchmark for Kristiania's university ambitions.
• University of South-Eastern Norway (USN): USN is a broad-based public university college in Norway offering programs from vocational through master's levels across multiple campuses (including online). It overlaps with Kristiania's portfolio of practice-oriented professional degrees at a national scale.
• OsloMet University: OsloMet is Oslo's largest public university, with similar broad program offerings in health, engineering, business, and creative disciplines. It competes with Kristiania in the same Oslo-based student market but as a publicly subsidized broad incumbent.

Emerging players

• Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO): KHiO is Norway's leading public specialized arts university. Kristiania has built Norway's largest creative arts environment with 1,600 students, positioning itself as a specialized competitor in arts/design/media higher education against KHiO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kristiania.no
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kristiania
• Instagraminstagram.com/hkristiania/?hl=nb
• TikToktiktok.com/@kristiania.no

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kristiania University of Applied Sciences