This article is on Tuition Free Universities in Norway for International Students. “Living in Norway has a reputation for being expensive, but studying in Norway may not be as expensive as you think! Universities in Norway and state university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees for international students.
Living expenses in Norway are higher than in many other countries, and you need to pay for your own books/teaching material. Students will need to pay a semester fee of around NOK 300-600 ($50-100) each semester (varies). On living in Norway, the State Educational Loan Fund estimates the average expenditure for students to be about NOK 9000 a month (approx. EURO 1 000). Although expenses vary from person to person, this estimate is expected to cover board and lodgings, clothing, transport, medical and dental care and other necessities.
Here is a current list of Tuition Free Universities in Norway for international students.
Please take the information on this page as a starter guide. To get more specific information, visit the links to the institutions provided for further enquires.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NTNU offers all students a distinct advantage over many other universities in Europe and North America: there are no tuition fees here. However, students do need to cover their own living expenses. Furthermore, all international students who are not citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries must be able to document that they have enough funding to live in Norway in order to be granted a student visa.
Oslo and Akershus University Colloege of Applied Sciences
As a state owned institution HiOA do not charge tuition fees. This applies to both Norwegian and international students. There is a mandatory fee, the semester fee, covering membership in the Student Welfare Organization, use of printers etc. The semester fee is currently NOK660 per semester. If you plan to attend HiOA as an exchange student , you are automatically exempt from any fees.
University of Nordland – formerly Bodø University College
University of Nordland does not charge tuition fees. However, the Norwegian Government requires that students from outside the European Union (EU) can provide a minimum amount of money to cover living expenses for one academic year in Norway. The current amount of money to be transferred to University of Nordland is NOK 92 500 for the academic year.
University of Bergen
The only fee to be paid at the University of Bergen is the semester fee to the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB), currently NOK 480. The University of Bergen is a public institution and therefore does not charge tuition fees. This applies both to Norwegian and international students.
Bergen University College
Bergen University College offers an accommodation guarantee at SiB Student accommodation. This guarantee is only valid if you apply within 1st of May and 1st of November and if your courses start at the beginning of the semester, in August and January.
BI Norwegian Business School
The tuition fee is waived for students from BI’s partner universities who are nominated as an exchange summer programme student by their home university. Students from BI partner universities who are not nominated get a 50% tuition fee reduction. The BI Norwegian Business School offers a number of summer programme scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on both academic and personal qualifications, as well as financial need. They consist of a full or partial waiver of the tuition fee.
The Artic University of Norway
Hedmark University of Applied Science
Generally all ordinary study programmes at Higher Education Institutions in Norway are tuition free for Norwegian as well as international students.
Lillehammer University College
Application deadlines: May 1 for the fall semester and October 15 for the following spring
MF Norwegian School of Theology
All international students must arrive in Oslo with adequate funding to pay for student fees, registration fees, accomodation and various living expenses. Apart from a relatively small student fee/ registration fee there is no tuition fee to study at MF.
Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics
International students from countries where a visa is required for entering Norway and the Schengen countries, only need to document a minimum of NOK 90800 per academic year or NOK 45400 per semester to cover for their own living expenses while studying in Norway.
Bergen Academy of Art & Design, Norway
KHiB is part of the public education system in Norway, which means that students do not pay tuition fees. International students should be prepared to provide funding to cover living expenses and material from their home countries. Application closing dates: MA in Fine Art: 1 February, MA in Design: 2 April.
Narvik University College
To obtain entry permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration for studying in Norway, NOK 92 500.- (2012) should be deposited in a Norwegian bank account, preferably not later than the 1th of June. This money is supposed to cover living expenses in Norway for one year. Applicants must fulfill all requirements before 1 July. Application deadline is 1st of March.
Nesna University College
The admissions criteria for international students depend on your nationality, as it must correspond to the Norwegian admissions criteria to higher education.
NLA University College
NLA University College claims it wants to have more international students at NLA. And to accommodate this, the university have decided to have a reduced semester fee for international student who are on track with their studies. The registration fee for international students is 1475NOK, which is considerably cheaper than for national students. This also grants membership in the student welfare organization. Meals, house rent, textbooks and travel etc. are your own responsibility and are not included.
Nord-Trøndelag University College
There is no tuition fee at Nord-Trøndelag University College, but exchange students must pay tuition at their home institution, if any. The students are, however, responsible for payment of all other expenses in Norway.
Norwegian Academy of Music
There are no tuition fees at the Academy. An estimated monthly cost for students living in Oslo is approx. EUR 1000. Students from outside the European Union/European Economic Area (EEA) are required to document a specified sum to cover living expenses in order to be granted a student residence permit.
Norwegian School of Economics
As a member of the Norwegian Council for Higher Education Council, NHH does not charge any application, admission or tuition fees to international students for the MSc program. Once admitted, students are required to pay a small welfare fee to the students association of approximately 700 NOK each semester. This fee must be paid before students register for classes.
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
Only accept international exchange students from partner universities. You must apply through your home university.
Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
Only accept international exchange students from partner universities. You must apply through your home university.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU offers all students, no matter their financial situation, a distinct advantage over many other universities in Europe and North America: there are no tuition fees here. However, students do need to cover their living expenses, including housing, books, food and travel. NTNU offers over 40 master’s programmes in English
Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Regarding economic subsistence, you must document funds corresponding to the amount of full support from The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.
Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences
In order to obtain a residence permit as a student from outside the EU/EEA-area or as a full degree student (except Quota students) you need to document sufficient funding as described under Residence and work permit. Please note that Bachelor degrees at HiOA are only offered in Norwegian
Ostfold University College
Østfold University College has a number of exchange agreements with institutions abroad. Students from these institutions are welcome to apply for the programmes/courses taught in English.
Stord/Haugesund University College
Courses taught in English are offered to students from our partner institutions
The University Centre in Svalbard
There is no tuition fee at UNIS, but in order to do a course at UNIS all students need to pay a semester fee of 500 NOK (ca. EUR 65). The cost of living on Svalbard is approximately the same as in the rest of Norway. Stipulated costs for accommodation and food is ca. EUR 1000 (NOK 8 700) per month. Application deadlines for Autumn semester: April 15th and Spring semester: October 15th
University of Agder (UiA)
The University of Agder has a number of exchange agreements with institutions all over the world. Students from these institutions are most welcome to apply to take 1 or 2 semesters at Agder. Degree seeking students, application deadline is December 1
University of Oslo (UiO)
Since the University of Oslo is a state university and therefore publicly funded, the students here do not pay tuition fees. Most students must pay a small semester registration fee of NOK 550 (approx. 70 euro). This fee gives you the benefit of the services of the Foundation for Student Life (SiO). The University of Oslo welcomes qualified international students from around the world to apply for programmes.
University of Stavanger (UiS)
The University of Stavanger (UiS) participates in several student exchange programmes, such as NORDPLUS and ERASMUS. The UiS has also established numerous bilateral exchange agreements with universities and colleges all over the world.
If your home institution has an exchange agreement with the UiS, you are welcome to apply as an exchange student.
University of Tromsø (UiT)
The University of Tromsø is a Norwegian state university. There is therefore no tuition fee charged at UiT. The University of Tromsø offers more than 30 English taught Master’s degree programmes. International students may apply as self-financing Master’s degree students or as Quota students. English Bachelor’s degree programmes are taught at the University of Tromsø. Application deadline: December 1.
Vestfold University College
For the time being, Volda University College does not offer any complete English degree programmes.
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