The Arctic University of Norway

UiT The Arctic University of Norway
UiT Norges arktiske universitet (Bokmål)
UiT Noregs arktiske universitet (Nynorsk)
UiT Norgga árktalaš universitehta (Northern Sami)
Seal
Motto
Drivkraft i nord
Motto in English
Driving force in the North
TypePublic University
Established1968 (1968)
ChairMarianne Elisabeth Johnsen
RectorDag Rune Olsen
Total staff
3776 (2021)
Students16,204 (2024)
Location,
69°40′49.84″N 18°58′23.28″E / 69.6805111°N 18.9731333°E / 69.6805111; 18.9731333
CampusMultiple sites
AffiliationsEUA, UArctic, YERUN, EUGLOH
Websitewww.uit.no

The University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway (Norwegian: Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet; Northern Sami: Romssa universitehta – Norgga árktalaš universitehta) is a state university in Norway and the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established by an act of parliament in 1968 as Norway's fourth university, and opened in 1972 as University of Tromsø. As of 2024, it is the largest research and educational institution in Northern Norway and the fifth-largest university in Norway. The university's location makes it a natural venue for the development of studies of the region's natural environment, culture, and society.

The main focus of the university's activities is on auroral light research, space science, fishery science, biotechnology, linguistics, mathematics, multicultural societies, Saami culture, telemedicine, epidemiology and a wide spectrum of Arctic research projects. The close vicinity of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and the Polar Environmental Centre gives Tromsø added weight and importance as an international centre for Arctic research. Research activities, however, are not limited to Arctic studies. The university researchers work within a broad range of subjects and are recognised both nationally and internationally.