Why not get to know where and how to study in Norway for free? Students don’t pay tuition fees at Norwegian universities and schools. I have a list of tuition free universities in Norway with cost of living, admission requirements and other relevant information.
But in the private universities there, this isn’t the case. Even, as certain tuition fees can apply, highly professional courses are not completely free.
As a general rule, MSc courses at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norwegian universities, and state university colleges do not charge foreign students for tuition fees. It is real! But unless you are working on a scholarship, you need to pay for your living expenses.
In general, Norway’s educational system is 3+2+3 years old. As in most other countries, (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D.) The EU can allow students to work up to 20 hours per week (some restrictions apply).
Cost of Living in Norway
Living costs are more manageable in Norway than in many other nations. You need to pay for your own books/ teaching materials during your tuition time in Norway.
As a rule, Norwegian state universities and state university colleges do not charge foreign students tuition fees, but they will only have to pay a semester fee of about NOK 300-600 ($50-100) per semester (this varies). Upon living in Norway, the Condition.
The Educational Loan Fund reports that the average student spending is roughly NOK 9000 per month (approx. EURO 1 000). While costs differ from individual to individual, board and lodging, food, transportation, medical and dental care and other necessities are assumed to be covered by this calculation. If you’re not on a scholarship, then you have to change the tune.
Entry Requirements
I have mentioned the general requirements below. NOKUT, the Norwegian Organization for Quality Assurance in Education defines these minimum requirements. Please note that institutions for all or some programmes may have higher and/or additional criteria.
A collection of country-specific information called the GSU-list (formerly the SIS list) describes the standard of entry into Norwegian higher education by training students from different countries, including any English proficiency criteria. But proficiency in the Norwegian language is also required for courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian.
Undergraduate studies entry requirements
An international student must demonstrate the outcome of his or her high/secondary school, which is similar to completing the exam at the end of Norwegian secondary school. For Norwegian universities and university schools, this is the general basic prerequisite for entry. In addition, at least one year of completed studies at university level is required for students from some countries.
Some research programmes have special criteria for entry, usually related to specialized subjects or high school fields of study. Please contact the institution to which you wish to apply for clarification on these particular requirements.
Master’s programs admission requirements
Admission criteria are determined on the basis of an academic examination of the applicants by individual universities and university colleges. Applicants for Master’s programs would usually have earned an undergraduate/degree Bachelor’s or equivalent for a period of at least 3 years. The degree must include courses with a minimum period of 1 1/2 years of full-time studies in a topic which is relevant to that of the programme to be applied for.
In some cases, in Norway, the first and occasionally, second) year of study at a foreign institution of higher education may not be regarded as higher education.
How to Apply and Deadlines
You may need to contact and university or university college to avoid being fooled as to how to apply on time or obtain the correct application forms and information about the application deadlines.
Also, as commonly known, for courses beginning the following autumn (August), the application deadline for international students is normally from December 1 and March 15. Please notice that some organizations have separate deadlines for “pre-qualification” that are older than this.
Tuition fees at the universities in Norway
For all, including foreign students studying in Norway, the tuition fee is free of charge.
Universities in Norway for International Students
In Norway, higher education consists of both public and private universities. Some are advanced, some comprehensive, and some focus primarily on offering undergraduate education in a variety of more vocationally concentrated subjects known as ‘university colleges’.
Top Universities in Norway
Four universities in Norway are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2016/17 as a matter of joy for any scholar. These are the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen (joint 177th), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (259th), the Arctic University of Norway (joint 377th), and the University of Tromsø (joint 113th in the world).
- Agder College
- Agricultural University of Norway (NLH)
- Alesund College
- Bergen College
- Bergen University
- Gjøvik College
- Lillehammer College
- Molde College
- National College of Art & Design, Norway
- Nesna College
- Nord-Trondelag College
- Norwegian Institute of Technology, Trondheim
- Norwegian School of Management
- Oppland College
- Ostfold College
- Sor-Trondelag College (HiST)
- Stavanger College
- Stord/Haugesund College
- Telemark College
- UNIK – Center for Technology at Kjeller, University of Oslo
- University of Oslo
- University of Tromso
- University of Trondheim
- Vestfold College
- Volda College
Tuition free universities in Norway for international students
1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Compared to other schools in Europe and North America, NTNU gives all students a distinct advantage over many other universities; there are no tuition fees here. Students still need to pay their own living costs, however. In addition, in order to be given a student visa, all foreign students who are not citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries must be able to document that they have adequate funding to reside in Norway.
2. Oslo and Akershus University Colloege of Applied Sciences
As a state-owned institution, tuition fees are not charged. This refers to both students from Norway and abroad. There is a mandatory charge, a semester fee, a Student Welfare Association membership fee, the use of printers, etc. The semester fee is NOK660 per semester at present. You are automatically excluded from any fees if you intend to join HiOA as an exchange student.
3. University of Nordland
Tuition fees are not paid at the University of Nordland. However the Norwegian Government mandates that for a single academic year in Norway, students from outside the European Union (EU) be able to get a minimum sum of money to cover living expenses. For the academic year, the current amount of money to be transferred to Nordland University is NOK 92 500.
4. University of Bergen
A semester fee to the Student Welfare Organization (SiB), officially NOK 480, is the only fee to be charged at the University of Bergen. Bergen University is a public institution and does not, thus, charge tuition fees. This refers both to students from Norway and abroad.
5. Bergen University College
The accommodation guarantee at SiB Student accommodation is provided by Bergen University College. This assurance is only applicable if you apply between the dates of 1 May and 1 November and if your courses begin in August and January at the beginning of the semester.
6. BI Norwegian Business School
The tuition fee is waived for students from partner universities of BI who are nominated by their home university as exchange summer program students. Students from non-nominated BI partner universities get a 50 percent cut in tuition fees. A variety of summer program scholarships are offered by the BI Norwegian Business School. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of both academic and personal expertise and financial needs. They consist of a complete or partial waiver of the charge for tuition.
7. The Artic University of Norway
For foreign students at UiT, there are no tuition fees, but living costs in Norway are very high compared to other European countries. Presently, the semester fee is NOK 500, approx. Sixty-five US Dollars.
8. Hedmark University of Applied Science
All ordinary study programs at Norwegian higher education institutions are usually tuition-free for Norwegian and foreign students.
9. Lillehammer University College
Deadlines for applications: May 1 for the fall semester and October 15 for the following spring semester.
10. MF Norwegian School of Theology
To pay student fees, registration fees, lodging and various living expenses, all foreign students must arrive in Oslo with sufficient funding. There is no tuition charge to study at MF, apart from a relatively small student fee/registration fee.
11. Molde University College
For foreign students from countries needing a visa to access Norway and the Schengen countries, a minimum of NOK 90800 per academic year or NOK 45400 per semester is expected to be recorded in order to cover their own living expenses while studying in Norway.
12. Bergen Academy of Art & Design, Norway
KHiB is part of Norway’s public education system, meaning students do not pay tuition fees. International students should be prepared to provide support to cover their home countries’ living expenses and facilities. Closing dates for applications: MA in Fine Art: 1 February, MA in Design 2 April.
13. Narvik University College
NOK 92 500.- (2012) should be deposited in a Norwegian bank account in order to receive an entry permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration for studying in Norway, preferably no later than 1 June. For one year this money is expected to cover living expenses in Norway. Before 1 July, applicants must meet all criteria. The deadline for applying is March 1st.
14. Nesna University College
The requirements for the admission of foreign students depend on your nationality, as they must comply with the Norwegian criteria for admission to higher education.
Strive to visit the schools’ websites for in-depth information. I hope you like this article, please share!
