“Trondheim is the city that surprised me most in Norway. Behind its quiet appearance lies incredible energy, driven by thousands of students and a booming technology ecosystem. It's a city where you feel at home very quickly.”
— Ingrid
Why Trondheim?
Trondheim is Norway's third-largest city and the country's former capital in Viking times. Located in the centre of the country, on the Trondheimsfjord, it is now best known as Norway's technology and university capital. The city is home to NTNU (the Norwegian University of Science and Technology), the largest university in the country, as well as SINTEF, one of the largest independent research institutes in Europe.
With around 35,000 students for 210,000 inhabitants, Trondheim has a young, dynamic atmosphere not found in any other Norwegian city. It is also a city of history, with the Nidarosdomen cathedral, which for centuries was the coronation site of the kings of Norway.
+ Pros
- Lower cost of living than Oslo and Bergen
- Exceptional student life and young atmosphere
- Major technology hub (NTNU, SINTEF, startups)
- Compact city, easy to live in by bike
- Rich historical heritage (Nidarosdomen)
- Welcoming international community
- Pleasant natural setting (fjord, forests, mountains)
- Cons
- Long, cold winter (snow from November to March)
- Limited job market outside tech and research
- Few direct international flights
- The city can feel small after a few years
- Smaller expat scene than Oslo or Stavanger outside the university
Where to live in Trondheim?
Trondheim is a compact city that is easy to cross by bike. The historic centre (Midtbyen) sits on a peninsula formed by the Nidelva river. Here are the neighbourhoods to know:
Midtbyen (Historic centre)
The heart of Trondheim with its shopping streets, the cathedral and the colourful stilted warehouses along the Nidelva. Lively and central.
Lade
Residential neighbourhood east of the centre, on the fjord. Popular with families for its green spaces and calm.
ByĂĄsen
Up on the heights, with panoramic views of the city and the fjord. Direct access to the ski slopes and hiking trails of Bymarka.
Moholt
The student neighbourhood par excellence, with the Moholt Studentby residences. Close to NTNU Gløshaugen, young and international atmosphere.
Tiller
Suburb to the south with the largest shopping centre in the region (City Syd). Affordable housing and well served by bus.
If you're coming to study, aim for Moholt or the city centre to be at the heart of student life. With a family, Lade and ByĂĄsen offer an excellent compromise between calm, nature and proximity to the centre. Trondheim is a cycling city: the famous Trampe, the world's first bicycle lift, helps you climb the hills!
— IngridCost of living in Trondheim
Trondheim is one of the most affordable big cities in Norway. Rents are significantly lower than in Oslo and slightly lower than in Bergen. The massive presence of students pushes prices down, particularly for housing and leisure.
| Expense | Single | Couple | Family (2 children) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 8,500 NOK | 11,000 NOK | 14,000 NOK |
| Food | 3,500 NOK | 5,200 NOK | 8,500 NOK |
| Transport | 690 NOK | 1,380 NOK | 1,380 NOK |
| Leisure | 2,200 NOK | 3,200 NOK | 4,000 NOK |
| Other | 1,600 NOK | 2,200 NOK | 3,200 NOK |
| TOTAL | ~16,500 NOK (~$1,750 / ÂŁ1,310) |
~23,000 NOK (~$2,440 / ÂŁ1,820) |
~31,000 NOK (~$3,290 / ÂŁ2,460) |
The AtB transport pass costs around 690 NOK per month. Students get reduced fares throughout the city. The SiT student residences offer housing from 4,500 NOK per month, which is unbeatable in Norway.
Working in Trondheim
Trondheim's job market is strongly oriented towards technology, research and innovation. The presence of NTNU and SINTEF creates a unique ecosystem in Norway, with a constant flow of research projects, spin-offs and startups.
Sectors that are hiring
- Technology and IT: Trondheim is the cradle of many Norwegian tech startups. Companies such as Kahoot!, Remarkable and Nordic Semiconductor were founded there or keep major offices there. The sector is actively recruiting developers, data scientists and engineers.
- Research and university: NTNU employs more than 8,000 people and SINTEF about 2,000. Opportunities for postdocs, researcher positions and industrial collaboration are numerous.
- Energy and environment: Research on renewable energy, carbon capture and marine technologies is a fast-growing sector.
- Healthcare: St. Olavs Hospital is an important medical research hub, affiliated with NTNU.
Average salaries in Trondheim
| Job | Annual gross salary |
|---|---|
| Researcher / Postdoc | 550,000 - 700,000 NOK |
| Software developer | 620,000 - 850,000 NOK |
| Engineer (energy/environment) | 600,000 - 850,000 NOK |
| University professor | 700,000 - 950,000 NOK |
| Hospital staff | 450,000 - 600,000 NOK |
Finn.no, LinkedIn, Jobbnorge.no (university posts), NAV.no. For research positions, check EURAXESS and the careers pages of NTNU and SINTEF directly.
Schools and nurseries
Trondheim has an excellent public education system. Schools are known for their quality and their child-centred teaching approach. For international families, the options are more limited than in Oslo but they do exist.
International schools
- Birralee International School - IB programme, ages 3 to 16. It is Trondheim's main international school, located in Ă…svang. It welcomes pupils of around thirty nationalities.
- Trondheim International School - A second English-language international school in the city. Like most international schools in Norway, both are fee-paying with state support, so fees are usually far below UK or US private-school fees.
- Public schools with a welcome programme: Several public schools in Trondheim offer reception classes (mottaksklasse) for children who don't speak Norwegian. Integration is generally quick.
Nurseries (Barnehage)
Trondheim has many municipal and private nurseries (barnehager). Demand is high, especially in neighbourhoods close to NTNU. Register as soon as possible on the Trondheim municipality portal.
If teaching in English matters to you, Birralee and Trondheim International School are the two options to compare. Otherwise, English-speaking children keep up their English easily in a Norwegian school: it is taught from the first year and films and TV are shown in their original version. Children integrate very quickly into Norwegian schools here, because the atmosphere is particularly welcoming and teachers are used to international families thanks to NTNU.
— IngridThings to do in Trondheim
Trondheim is a city that blends historical heritage, wild nature and a lively cultural scene. Here are the must-sees.
Must-see sights
- Nidarosdomen: The northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world, a place of pilgrimage and the coronation site of the kings of Norway. A striking monument, especially in winter under the snow.
- Bakklandet: Former working-class district that has become Trondheim's most charming neighbourhood. Cobbled lanes, colourful wooden houses, cafés and craft shops along the Nidelva.
- Munkholmen: Small island in the fjord reachable by boat from the centre. Former fortress, prison and monastery, now a place for swimming and picnics in summer.
Free activities
- Hike in Bymarka, the forest on the edge of town (cross-country skiing in winter)
- Stroll along the Nidelva and admire the stilted warehouses
- Visit the NTNU Gløshaugen campus for the panoramic view
- Wander the streets of Bakklandet
- Swim at Munkholmen in summer (free boat for students)
Cultural life
- Rockheim: The national museum of pop and rock music, housed in a spectacular building on the quayside.
- Trøndelag Teater: The regional theatre, one of the oldest in Scandinavia.
- Olavsfestdagene: Medieval and cultural festival every summer around the cathedral, in memory of King Olav.
- Trondheim Calling: Independent music festival in February, a showcase for the Norwegian music scene.
Student life in Trondheim
This is one of Trondheim's great strengths: student life here is quite simply the best in Norway. With more than 35,000 students at NTNU and other institutions, the city lives to the university rhythm.
Why study in Trondheim?
- NTNU: The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is ranked among the best technical universities in Europe. There are many programmes in English, especially at master's and doctoral level.
- Tuition fees: Education is free, even for international students (only a semester fee of around 600 NOK is required).
- SiT student residences: Affordable housing run by the student organisation, from 4,500 NOK per month.
- Student associations: Trondheim has the most developed “linjeforeninger” system in Norway: each field of study has its own association with parties, trips and events.
Student culture
Student life in Trondheim is organised around Samfundet, the students' house. This iconic red building hosts concerts, bars, a cinema and dozens of associations. It is the beating heart of student social life and a must if you come to study here.
Every autumn, the city celebrates UKA, the largest student cultural festival in Scandinavia, entirely organised by volunteers. For two weeks, international concerts, shows and events bring the whole city to life.
If you are hesitating between Oslo and Trondheim for your studies, know that student life in Trondheim is incomparably richer. In Oslo, you are a student in a big city. In Trondheim, the whole city is a student. It's a unique experience that many Norwegians consider the best years of their lives.
— IngridQuestions about Trondheim?
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