Oslo  - Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit on Monday began studies in leadership and management at the Norwegian School of Management.

"I am really looking forward to these studies," the 35-year-old princess told local media.

The six-month course includes studies of leadership drawn from classic works penned by the likes of Norwegian Henrik Ibsen as well as Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen.

"We focus on both modern theories and classics. We will study (Friedrich) Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard, Machiavelli and Joseph Conrad," said lecturer Kjetil Eikeset, an economist and philosopher.

Eikeset said the masters course was tailored for people with "experience" and included discussions between the students.

A six-day visit to Rome caps the studies that include handing in essays and other assignments.

The mother of three has earlier studied development studies at the London School of Oriental and African studies, as well as ethics at the University of Oslo. (dpa)