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STUDYING IN NORWAY

Everything you need to know if you want to study in Norway in 2024 

From applications to the immigration process to who has to pay tuition and whether degrees are taught in English. The Local has compiled all the key information on applying to university in Norway. 

Published: 31 January 2024 15:23 CET
Pictured is a student struggling with their work.
Pictured is a student struggling with their work.Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

The basics 

The Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (NUCAS) handles most applications to study at universities in Norway. 

The majority of universities in Norway are state-run. NUCAS handles applications for all state and some private universities in Norway at the bachelor’s level. 

Public universities are typically free (however, some students must pay steep tuition), and private universities charge fees. 

Applications to Norwegian universities open on February 1st, with a deadline of April 15th. Exam results need to be uploaded by July 1st in most cases, and on July 15th, you will find out if your application has been successful. 

Those from outside the EEA/EU will typically have a much earlier deadline. Furthermore, many master’s courses open for application earlier but will have the same deadline. 

When applying for a master’s course, you must apply directly to the university. 

Degrees taught in English

The overwhelming majority of bachelor’s programmes in Norway are taught in Norwegian. This means that you will find it challenging to find a course in English at all, never mind one relevant to your career path or interests. 

In addition, you will need to document Norwegian proficiency to be admitted onto a Norwegian language course. 

There are a large variety of master’s courses taught in English. The Study in Norway website has an overview of all the degrees in Norway that are taught in English. 

For many prospective students, the best opportunity to study in Norway will be at the master’s level because more degrees are taught in English. 

To study a degree taught in English, you need to document proficiency in the language either by being a native speaker, passing language tests, or having already obtained a degree taught in English. 

READ ALSO: Can I take a English-speaking degree in Norway?

Tuition fees 

Students from outside the EEU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees at Norwegian universities, regardless of whether they are public or private. 

Tuition fees generally vary depending on the type of degree and the kind of course. Individual universities have an overview of their fees on their websites. 

Generally, you’ll be expected to pay upwards of 140,000 kroner per year to study. The Study in Norway website has a list of universities that charge tuition on its website. 

Some courses will cost much more, with fees in excess of 300,000 kroner per year. 

There are some exemptions for non-EU/EEA citizens, these are typically for permanent residence holders, asylum seekers, those who are married or have a child with a Norwegian citizen, Brits who arrived before Brexit and those who have worked in Norway for a few years. 

Norwegian and all EU/EEA nationals do not need to pay tuition fees to study in Norway. 

The Norwegian government also has yet to make plans to introduce scholarship schemes for non-EEA nationals. 

Free tuition is one factor in extremely competitive admission to a Norwegian university.  

The immigration rules 

Non-EEA/EU citizens must apply for a study permit to live in Norway while they study. They will need to obtain this after receiving an offer to study. 

The permit comes with an application fee (for over 18s). You will also need to prove that you have the funds to live on during your time in Norway. These funds can be through loans or your own income. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has an overview of the rules that apply on its website. 

Students from the EEA will need to register with the Norwegian police if they are going to live in and study in the country. They will need to have been admitted onto a course. Registration is free and comes with a certificate. 

Working while you study 

You can work while you study. When granted a study permit, you can work up to 20 hours per week alongside your studies.

Those from the EU/EEA/EFTA can work even more, and can work up to 50 percent of full-time hours. The work can also be remote, but you cannot be self-employed or run your own business in Norway.

The hours you work can be increased during the holidays though. 

READ MORE: Can you work on a Norwegian study permit?

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For members

STUDYING IN NORWAY

How fees have affected foreign student numbers at Norwegian universities

The introduction of tuition fees for some international students sent shockwaves through Norway's academic landscape, resulting in a large decline in foreign student admissions.

Published: 4 December 2023 14:54 CET
Updated: 19 December 2023 16:22 CET
How fees have affected foreign student numbers at Norwegian universities

Norway, which is generally renowned for its high-quality education system, has long been a magnet for international students seeking top-tier and tuition-free education.

However, the Scandinavian country introduced tuition fees for some students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland in the autumn of 2023.

READ MORE: Calls for scholarships for non-EU students in Norway after applicant drop-off

At the University of Stavanger (UiS), international students are now required to pay tuition fees ranging from 150,000 to 180,000 kroner for a single academic year.

Meanwhile, at the Oslo Metropolitan University (Oslo Met), the financial burden on these students is even higher, with fees ranging from 180,000 to 370,000 kroner per year.

This decision has raised concerns about its potential impact on the influx of foreign students and Norway’s ability to continue attracting talented young people from different walks of life.

The Local has collected the latest figures on foreign student admissions – with foreign students as a category being defined as those who are not citizens of the country in which they are enrolled and where the data are collected (in this case, Norway) – from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills.

READ MORE: Norway sees the number of new non-European foreign students half

Bachelor’s program foreign student admissions

In 2023, there were 1,644 foreign students admitted to bachelor’s programs in Norway. This marks a decrease of 85 students compared to the previous year. The reason for the seemingly small decline is the low number of bachelor degrees offered in English.

Of the 358 university courses currently taught in English, only around 20 are at the bachelor level. All students at private universities in Norway are required to pay fees, regardless of nationality.  

The decline can be observed across various categories of universities:

  • Universities: A decline of 2 students to 974 
  • Specialised universities: A decline of 10 students to 59
  • State university colleges/universities of applied sciences: A decline of 9 students to 84. 
  • Private specialised universities: A decline of 57 students to 416
  • Private university colleges/universities of applied sciences: A decline of 7 students to 111

Master’s program foreign student admissions

The drop in foreign student admissions is even more pronounced at the master’s level. In 2023, there were 2,133 foreign students admitted to master’s programs in Norway, representing a significant reduction of 1,364 students compared to the previous year. The larger drop off is due to the larger number of courses available to prospective students. 

This decline is also evident across various categories of universities:

  • Universities: A decline of 1,114 students to 1,641
  • Specialised universities: A decline of 58 students to 173
  • State university colleges/universities of applied sciences: A decline of 144 students to 105
  • Private specialised universities: A decline of 41 students to 188
  • Private university colleges/universities of applied sciences: A decline of 3 students to 36

The broader implications of Norway’s new approach to tuitions

The decline in foreign student admissions raises questions about the broader implications of Norway’s tuition fee policy.

International students have enriched Norwegian universities with diverse perspectives, contributed to local economies, and fostered cultural exchange.

As Arnhild Leer-Helgesen, an associate professor in Global Development Studies at the University of Agder and the head of the Norwegian Association for Development Research, said to the Panoramanyheter newspaper: “The presence of international students has notably enhanced the quality of education. Introducing tuition fees will likely result in the entire academic community losing valuable knowledge, diverse perspectives, and the opportunity to foster a more inclusive worldview.”

READ MORE: Priced out of studying in Norway: Foreign students react to tuition fee law

The decline in master’s program admissions for the autumn of 2023 is particularly accentuated, with 1,114 fewer students choosing Norway for their postgraduate education in 2023. This is a notable loss for the country in terms of talent and research.

As Norway navigates this shift in its higher education landscape, it remains to be seen how its new tuition policy will impact its reputation as a welcoming destination for foreign students, as well as the country’s academic community.

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