Norway terrorist and mass killer Anders Breivik to study political science at university

The Norwegian man who carried out the Scandinavian country's worst massacre since World War II has been allowed to study political science at the University of Oslo.

Anders Breivik is serving a maximum 21-year jail sentence after he bombed central Oslo and went on shooting spree at a left-wing students' camp on a nearby island, killing a total of 77 people.

The far-right extremist claimed he was trying to protect Norway from a takeover by "Islamic Marxist" influences.

However, he has now been allowed to enrol as a full-time student at university.

University of Oslo rector Ole Petter Ottersen wrote on the institution's website about the "moral dilemma" they had faced in approving Breivik's enrolment.

"We have students who were at the scene where he committed his brutal murders," he said.

"We have students who lost friends and family on July 22. We do acknowledge that there are moral dilemmas in this case, but the last thing we need is a 'lex Breivik'.

"We keep to our rules for our own sake, not for his."

Mr Ottersen said the course would hopefully push Breivik to reflect on his "atrocities and misconceptions".

Breivik will not be allowed contact with any students or staff at the university and will not be allowed to attend the campus.

He is also forbidden under the terms of his sentence from accessing "digital resources".