NMBU offers Norway’s first accredited property surveyor education

Studenter i geometikk gjør landmåling utenfor Urbygningen ved UMB. På bildet: Jørgen Loe Kvalberg.

Through its Master’s in Property and Land Law, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences is the first university in Norway to be approved to authorize graduates as property surveyors.

The official approval was signed at NMBU on 21 October 2025, during a ceremony held in collaboration with the Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket).

Easing the career path

The approval allows NMBU students to choose course combinations that already meet the educational requirements of the property surveyor authorization scheme. This enables them to plan their path toward authorization during their studies.

“For us, this approval means that students can plan their careers toward authorization from day one,” says Einar A. Hegstad, Head of the Master's in Property at NMBU's Department of Property and Law in a press release from the Norwegian Mapping Authority.

“We are seeing growing interest in the field and hope this will help attract more students interested in property, law, and geodata,” Hegstad adds.

– For oss betyr godkjenningen at studentene kan planlegge karrieren sin mot autorisasjon allerede fra dag én, sier programrådsleder Einar A. Hegstad ved Institutt for eiendom og juss, NMBU i en pressemelding fra NTB. **Photo**: Jayne Lambrou

The Master’s in Property and Land Law at NMBU combines disciplines such as property, law, geomatics, land management, valuation, and planning. With this accreditation , the connection between theory, learning outcomes, and the professional requirements becomes clearer.

Faster integration of surveyors

For municipalities, the accreditation will make it easier to assess applicants for surveying positions and will contribute to faster integration of newly graduated surveyors into related work.

Consulting and construction firms offering surveying and property services will also benefit from hiring graduates whose education already meets the authorization requirements.

According to the Norwegian Mapping Authority, a clearer link between education and professional standards will enhance both quality and capacity in the public and private sectors, ultimately increasing trust in property management.

The approval of NMBU’s degree program also applies retrospectively to graduates who meet the necessary criteria.

Starting 1 January 2026, all individuals conducting or managing property surveys in municipalities must be authorized. The Norwegian Mapping Authority will serve as the authorizing body under the new scheme.

"We take our societal responsibility seriously and are pleased that, together with the Norwegian Mapping Authority, we are ensuring our graduates gain the competence society needs," adds Per Martin Norheim-Martinsen, Dean of the Faculty of Landscape and Society at NMBU.