The ISS is a learning community of diverse students who come together to study, interact and increase understanding and good will between nations. In 1947 it all started out as an expression of gratitude.
The first summer session for English-speaking foreign students at the University of Oslo was organized and held in 1947. It was offered for American students only, as an expression of gratitude for educational opportunities provided for Norwegian students in the USA during and after World War II.
Name change
During the 1950s the number of non-American students increased steadily, and in keeping with this development, the name of the school was changed in 1958 from the "Summer School for American Students" to the "International Summer School".
Since 1947 more than 30 000 students from more than 150 countries have attended. In recent years the student body each summer has consisted of around 600 students from roughly 90 countries.
Courses all year round
The ISS now offers Norwegian courses all year round. We have around 300 students each spring and autumn semester, in addition to the students doing the Summer School's Norwegian courses (NORAIN). We have offered our most popular course, Norwegian for Academics (NORA) since 2012 and we offer a course for employees at UiO and for other working professionals in Oslo called Norwegian for Researchers (NORIR).
Every fourth summer we also have a three-week long seminar for Norwegian teachers from all over the world. The next teacher seminar of this kind will take place in 2024.
ISS today: Mission statement
Through its entire history the ISS has played an important role in the efforts of the University of Oslo to reach out internationally.
The ISS is an academic center for learning in an international context, and a forum for fostering intercultural understanding. It aims at developing and conveying knowledge and at promoting understanding between people from different cultures. This dual purpose is reflected in the ISS motto:
"Six Weeks of Academic Achievement and International Good Will".
Celebrating 75 Years
International Summer School is proudly celebrated the 75th Years and 75 Sessions in 2021! See pictures, news articles, and student stories throughout the decades on our archive pages.
Due to the global pandemic, celebrating required more creativity and connecting virtually. The Norwegian Life & Society Web-series was inspired by a course held during the afternoons for many of the in-person summers. We engaged around topics that examined attitudes, activities and history specific to Norway and you can find the webinar recordings on our 75th celebration page.
About the University of Oslo
The ISS is proud to be part of the University of Oslo, which is the oldest university in Norway. It was founded in 1811 and is the largest university in the country with a student population of slightly less than 30,000. The Blindern campus is located in pleasant surroundings, ten minutes from the city center by subway-to-surface rails and only minutes away from the lakes and wooded hills of Nordmarka.
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