Nord University will close eight study programs due to poor enrollment numbers. The university board made this decision during a meeting on Thursday. The changes take effect from the 2026/2027 academic year.
University board chair Øyvind Fylling-Jensen confirmed the decision in a statement. The affected programs span multiple campuses across northern Norway.
These programs will be discontinued:
• One-year biology studies in Bodø (full-time)
• Teacher education for practical and aesthetic subjects in Levanger (full-time)
• Master's in music and ensemble leadership in Levanger (full-time)
• One-year outdoor studies in Bodø (full-time)
• One-year history studies in Bodø (full-time)
• Bachelor and one-year studies in economics, digitalization and business development in Mo i Rana (full-time)
• One-year aviation management in Bodø (part-time)
The university serves northern Norway's scattered population across vast distances. Several campuses face challenges maintaining diverse program offerings with limited student numbers.
This move reflects ongoing struggles for regional universities across Norway. Remote institutions must balance educational diversity with financial sustainability.
What does this mean for current students? The university will phase out programs gradually. Current students can complete their degrees before the 2026 cutoff.
The decision affects programs in three northern Norwegian cities. Bodø loses four programs, Levanger two, and Mo i Rana one.
Northern Norway's geography creates unique educational challenges. Long distances between communities make some specialized programs difficult to sustain.
University officials face tough choices between maintaining program variety and responsible budgeting. This consolidation suggests enrollment thresholds weren't met despite the region's educational needs.