Study in Norway for International Students

1. Introduction: Why Consider Norway?

Norway is known for:

High academic standards and innovative teaching methods
Strong research output, especially in energy, environment and marine sciences
A very high quality of life, safety and social welfare
Stunning natural landscapes – fjords, mountains, northern lights

Until recently, public universities charged no tuition fees for any students. From 2023, however, most non-EU/EEA students are required to pay tuition, while students from Norway, the EU/EEA and Switzerland remain exempt at public institutions.

This guide will cover:

Norway’s higher education system
Top universities and popular programmes
Study language options
Admission requirements (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
Tuition fees and scholarships
Cost of living
Student residence permit
Working during and after studies
Application steps and tips

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2. Higher Education System in Norway

Norway’s higher education sector is:

Research-oriented in the universities
Professionally and practically oriented in university colleges and specialised institutions
Known for close, informal relations between students and lecturers

Main types of institutions:

Universities
- Offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees
- Strong in research and international cooperation
University Colleges / Specialised Universities
- Focus on professional disciplines (engineering, nursing, teaching, social work, business, etc.)
- Often provide more practice-based programmes

The official Study in Norway portal gives an overview of institutions and English-taught programmes.

3. Why Choose Norway as an International Student?

3.1 High-Quality, Research-Based Education

Norwegian institutions:

Participate in the European Higher Education Area
Follow the Bologna structure (Bachelor–Master–PhD)
Offer degrees that are widely recognized across Europe

3.2 Strong Focus on Sustainability and Technology

If you are interested in:

Renewable energy
Environmental and climate sciences
Marine technology
Data and computer science

Norway offers unique programmes connected to its natural resources and industries.

3.3 Safe, Inclusive and International Environment

Norway is considered one of the safest countries in the world
Universities actively support international students with orientation, counseling and student societies

4. Top Universities and Popular Programmes

Some of the key institutions for international students include:

University of Oslo (UiO)
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
University of Bergen (UiB)
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
NHH Norwegian School of Economics

According to EU and international study portals, tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students at Norwegian public institutions typically fall in the NOK 130,000–390,000 per year range (around EUR 11,000–33,000), depending on the programme and level.

4.1 Popular Fields Among International Students

Engineering & Technology
- Renewable Energy, Mechanical, Civil, Marine, Environmental, Electrical
Computer Science & IT
- Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering
Business & Economics
- Economics, Business Administration, Finance, International Business
Natural & Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Science, Marine Science, Climate Science
Health & Social Sciences
- Nursing, Public Health, Social Work (in some institutions)

5. Language of Instruction

5.1 English-Taught Programmes

Norway offers a wide range of Master’s programmes in English and an increasing number of Bachelor’s programmes. The Study in Norway portal lists all English-taught study opportunities.

Typical English requirements:

IELTS 6.0–6.5 for many programmes
Higher scores (e.g. 6.5–7.0) for competitive fields
Equivalent scores in TOEFL or other accepted tests

5.2 Norwegian-Taught Programmes

Programmes taught in Norwegian:

Often target domestic students
May have different (sometimes lower) tuition structures
Require proficiency in Norwegian or completion of a preparatory language year

5.3 Learning Norwegian

Even if your degree is in English, learning Norwegian can:

Make everyday life easier
Increase your chances of finding part-time or full-time work
Help you integrate socially and professionally

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6. Admission Requirements

The general basis for admission is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU), and for foreign applicants, specific requirements are listed for each country.

6.1 Bachelor’s Admission

You will typically need:

A secondary school certificate equivalent to Norwegian upper secondary education (according to the GSU list)
Official transcripts with grades
Proof of proficiency in the language of instruction (English or Norwegian)
Additional subject requirements for some programmes (e.g. extra maths/physics for engineering)

6.2 Master’s Admission

Requirements usually include:

A relevant Bachelor’s degree
A good academic record (minimum grade requirements vary)
English language test results (IELTS/TOEFL)
CV/resume
Motivation letter
Maybe 1–2 reference letters

6.3 PhD Admission

For doctoral studies, you need:

A Master’s degree in a relevant field
A research proposal or clear research interests
A supervisor or research group willing to host you
Evidence of research potential (Master’s thesis, publications)

7. Tuition Fees for International Students

From 2023 onwards:

EU/EEA and Swiss students: generally no tuition fees at public institutions
Non-EU/EEA students: must pay tuition fees in most study programmes, with rates decided by each institution

Recent guidance suggests:

Typical ranges around NOK 130,000–250,000 per year for many programmes, with some specialised courses going higher, and EU portals noting ranges up to NOK 390,000 per year for certain fields.

All students must pay a small semester fee (around NOK 600, roughly EUR 50–60) to the student welfare organisation.

Always verify:

The exact amount for your chosen programme and intake year on the university’s own website.

8. Scholarships and Financial Support

8.1 Institutional Scholarships

Many institutions offer:

Partial tuition fee waivers
Merit-based scholarships for high-achieving non-EU/EEA students

Conditions and values vary, so check the “Scholarships” section on the university and Study in Norway websites.

8.2 Other Funding Sources

You can also consider:

Scholarships from your home country (government scholarships, sponsoring bodies)
Programmes funded by international organisations or foundations
Research funding and paid PhD positions for doctoral studies

9. Cost of Living in Norway

Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, but also one of the safest and most socially supportive.

Official and semi-official sources estimate that students need about:

NOK 166,859 per year (for 2025–26), which is approximately NOK 13,800–15,200 per month, to cover living costs. This figure is also used as the financial requirement for a study permit.

9.1 Monthly Budget Example

Depending on city and lifestyle:

Student housing/shared flat: NOK 3,000–7,000
Food & groceries: NOK 2,500–5,000
Local transport: about NOK 500–800 with student discounts
Internet & mobile: NOK 400–700
Other expenses: NOK 1,000–2,000

Cities like Oslo are more expensive; smaller cities and student towns may be somewhat cheaper.

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10. Study Permit (Student Residence Permit)

10.1 Who Needs It?

If you come from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and wish to study in Norway for more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit for studies (study permit).

10.2 Main Requirements (UDI)

According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI):

You must:

Have admission to a full-time programme at a university/college or certain other institutions.
Show sufficient financial means:
- At least NOK 166,859 for one academic year (can be student loans, grants, own funds, or income from a part-time job you already have).
- Additionally, you must show funds to cover tuition fees if applicable.
Have accommodation in Norway (student housing or rental contract).
Provide other documentation such as passport, photos, possible police certificate, etc.

You apply online and then submit documents and biometrics at a Norwegian embassy or visa centre.

11. Working During and After Studies

11.1 Part-Time Work

With a valid study permit, non-EU/EEA students are usually allowed to:

Work up to 20 hours per week during the semester
Work full-time during holidays, within the conditions stated on the residence card

Wages in Norway are relatively high compared with many countries, but:

Living costs are also high
Part-time work should be seen as additional support, not the sole source of funding

11.2 After Graduation

In some cases you can:

Apply for a permit to stay and look for work after finishing your degree
Or switch to a work-related residence permit if you find a qualifying job

Details and latest rules are always on the UDI website.

12. Application Steps (Quick Overview)

Choose your programme and institution
- Use Study in Norway to explore English-taught programmes and institutions.
Check entry requirements
- Academic background
- English/Norwegian language requirements
- Application deadlines
Prepare your documents
- Passport
- Secondary/tertiary diplomas and transcripts (translated and legalized if needed)
- English test results
- CV
- Motivation letter
- References (if required)
Apply for admission
- Through the institution’s online application portal or national systems if applicable
Receive admission offer
- Accept the offer and follow the instructions (sometimes pay a tuition deposit)
Apply for a study permit
- Via the UDI website and the nearest Norwegian diplomatic mission
Travel, register and start your studies
- Attend orientation, register with the police/immigration, and obtain your residence card

13. Tips for International (Especially Arab) Students

Budget carefully: Norway is expensive; plan tuition plus at least one year of living costs in advance.
Strengthen your English skills, and consider starting some basic Norwegian before arrival.
Choose location wisely: think about city size, climate, and cost (Oslo vs. Trondheim/Bergen/Tromsø).
Use student support services: international offices, counseling, language courses, career services.
Network early: join student organisations, research projects, and internships.

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14. Official Sources and Useful Links (English Article)

Study in Norway – official portal for international students https://studyinnorway.no
Study in Norway – Cost and Requirements (entry requirements and estimated living costs) https://studyinnorway.no/cost-and-requirements
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) – Study permit https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/studies

Study in Norway for International Students 2026 – Full Guide