Invest in your future

Studying in Norway is an investment in your future. Norwegian higher education institutions are ready to invest in you as a student, and are well known to offer quality education - in all aspects of your student experience.

Will Norway be a match?

Let these questions guide you in your decision making.

Are you able to cover your own living costs?
Have you documented your English language skills?
Do you meet the academic requirements?

Living costs

Norway is a high-cost country, so you need enough money to cover your living costs while you are here. The Norwegian government sponsors the tuition fees for all EU/EEA students studying at public universities in Norway but offers no individual scholarships to cover living costs.

Here is a snapshot of what a year as a student in Norway could cost:

Tuition fees at public institutions for EU/EEA students: NOK 0,-
Tution fees for students from outside of EU/EEA: The tuition fees varies between institution and between academic fields. You have to check the instiutional webpages for details.
Semester fee: 1 000 – 2 000,- NOK per year
Estimated living costs: NOK 137 907,- per year (2023/24)

Please note: Students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have to pay tuition fees from autumn 2023. Please find more information about tuition fees here.

In addition, you may have costs related to insurance, travel, and visa fees.

Scholarships

The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships open to all international students. In most cases, you have to find other ways of financing your studies in Norway. However, there are a few other foundations or schemes that offer scholarships to degree students and scholarships to exchange students, including PhD.

Part time work

Many international students hold part-time jobs when studying in Norway. It is a good way to practice your Norwegian and increase your budget.

As a Nordic/EU/EEA/Swiss citizen you can work in addition to your studies. If you are a citizen from a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland you can only work up to 20 hours a week while you are studying, and full-time during holidays. Remember, you are first of all a full-time student.

Study permit

There are different visa requirements depending on your nationality. The requirements are the same for degree seeking students and exchange students staying in Norway for three months or longer.

Regardless of your nationality you must be able to support yourself financially to study in Norway. It is estimated that you need at least NOK 128 887,- per year (NOK 58 585,- for the autumn semester and NOK 70 302,- for the spring semester) to cover your living costs in Norway. Students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland are required to show proof of funds to obtain a study permit.

At the website of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) you can find out what applies to citizen of your country.

Students from a Nordic Country must register

If you come from one of the Nordic countries and plan to stay for more than six months, you need to report your move to the National Registry. You can work in addition to your studies.

Students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland must register

If you come from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you must register with the local police within three months of your arrival. You can work in addition to your studies.

Students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must apply for a study permit

If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and wish to study in Norway, you must apply for a study permit. This also applies to UK citizens. You must meet certain criteria to obtain a study permit, for example proof of admission, housing, and funding.

Please note that the Norwegian government has proposed the introduction of tuition fees for students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Read more about tuition fees here.

If you are granted a study permit, you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week while you are studying, and full-time during holidays. Read more about the requirements, and your rights and obligations once granted a study permit at UDI.no (external link)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for a bachelor’s or master’s degree programme

Do you want to study a full degree in Norway? Admission to Norwegian Universities is highly competitive. You must meet certain academic requirements and language requirements. The requirements vary based on your educational background and what you are applying for. Read more about admission to degree-programmes.

Entry requirements for exchange students

Are you already enrolled in a study programme and interested in a semester or two in Norway, within your degree? If so, you should ask the office in charge of exchange/international relations at your university for more information about requirements, deadlines and what options might be available for an exchange to Norway. Please find more information about how to become an exchange student in Norway.

Entry requirements for degrees taught in Norwegian

For courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian, proficiency in a Nordic language is required and should be documented. Read more about study opportunities and requirements at utdanning.no. (external link – in Norwegian).