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. 

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

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).

Living costs

To support your daily life, you ned a place to live, food, electricity, transport and more. 

The estimated living costs for a student is stipulated to NOK 137 907,- per year (2023-24). In addtion you may have costs related to insurance, travel, visa fees and eventual tuition fees.

All students have to pay a semester fee of approximately 600 - 1000 NOK per semester to the student welfare organisation (Samskipnad in Norwegian). The Samskipnad offer student housing, childcare, sport facilities, health and food services for students at the institutions.

Housing through the Samskipnad is normally secure and more reasonable priced than competing for a room on the open market, but is subjected to competition, especially in the bigger cities. Many students chose to share a flat to keep the costs down.

Tution fees

Degree seeking students from outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland must normally pay tution fees when studying in Norway. The tuition fees are based on the real cost  of the respective study and varies between institutions and study programmes.

Students from Norway, Switzerland and countries in the EU/EEA area are extempted from paying tuition fees at public higher educational institutions. 

Exchange students, doctoral candidates and students coming to Norway through schemes like, Fulbright, Erasmus Mundus, NORPART, NORHED or StAR (Students At Risk) are normally extempted from paying tuition at the public instiutions. 

Here you can read more details about tuition fees for students at Norwegian public higher educational institutions.

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.

 

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 137 907- per year (NOK 62 685,- for the autumn semester and NOK 75 222,- 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. 

Read more about how to register with the National Registry at UDI.no (external link). 

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. 

Read more about how to register and the conditions that apply at UDI.no. (external link)

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.

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) 

 

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.

Read more about part-time work and internhips.