Norberg-Schulz took a degree in architecture at the Zurich Polytechnic in 1949. He studied the history of architecture at Harvard University and in Rome (history of architecture and technology of construction with Pier Luigi Nervi), becoming a professor in 1964. He participated in the Norwegian CIAM group in 1950; other members included Sverre Fehn and Jorn Utzon. Beginning 1966 he was a professor of architecture in the Department of Architecture at Oslo. He was awarded a degree ad honorem at Hanover in 1978, and the Gold Medal of the French Academy of Architecture.