Janice Lozano
Norway has become a popular destination for international students, and until autumn 2023, all students could study for free. However, now international students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions. This also applies to UK citizens. Students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Norway can study for free at public universities, but may have to pay fees at private institutions. Exchange students are also exempt from tuition fees. All students must pay a semester fee of around 100 euros. The cost of living in Norway is also high, and students must prove they can cover their living expenses, which are estimated to be NOK 13,790 per month or NOK 151,690 per year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Students who need to pay tuition fees | Students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland |
| Students who are exempted from paying tuition fees | Students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, exchange students, refugees, doctoral candidates, students on specific programmes, indigenous people studying at Sámi University of Applied Sciences, foreign citizens with rights to be treated as equal to Norwegian, students admitted before 2023 |
| Semester fee | NOK 1000 per semester or €30-60 per semester |
| Living costs | NOK 13,790 per month or NOK 151,690 per year |
| Accommodation costs | €300-700 per month |
| Food costs | €250-400 per month |
| Work permit | International students can work part-time. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland don't have any restrictions. Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland students can work up to 20 hours a week and full-time during holidays. |
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What You'll Learn
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens vs. non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
Since autumn 2023, Norway has implemented a rule that differentiates between EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens regarding tuition fees. While citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can study for free at public universities in Norway, international students from outside these regions generally have to pay tuition fees. This change has made Norway more exclusive for international students, who now need to consider the additional costs of tuition on top of the already high cost of living in the country.
For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, Norway offers a tuition-free opportunity to pursue their academic goals at public universities. This means that citizens of these regions do not have to worry about the financial burden of tuition fees and can focus on their studies. Additionally, they have the freedom to work part-time alongside their studies without any restrictions, providing them with an opportunity to earn extra income. However, it is important to note that EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may still have to pay fees at private institutions in Norway.
On the other hand, non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are now faced with tuition fees if they wish to study in Norway. This change has made Norway a more expensive option for international students from outside these regions. In addition to the tuition fees, they also need to demonstrate sufficient funding for living costs when applying for a study permit. The cost of living in Norway is significantly higher than in most other European countries, with accommodation and food being major expenses. International students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland also have restrictions on their part-time work opportunities, limited to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time work during holidays.
While the change in tuition fees might deter some international students from considering Norway as a study destination, it is important to note that there are still opportunities for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Additionally, Norway's unique approach to higher education and its reputation as a challenging yet rewarding experience continue to attract students from around the world. The requirement to pay tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens has also brought Norway in line with the fees charged by other Scandinavian countries, such as those suggested as alternatives for those who find Norway financially out of reach.
Overall, the differentiation in tuition fees between EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens has shifted the landscape of international education in Norway. While EU/EEA/Swiss citizens continue to benefit from tuition-free education at public universities, non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens now face additional financial considerations. This change underscores the importance of financial planning and exploring alternative sources of funding for those aspiring to study in Norway from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
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Undergraduate degrees
The tuition fees for international students are based on the real cost of the respective study and vary between institutions and study programmes. The Norwegian government has recommended that institutions charge approximately 130,000 NOK per year (€11,000), but some courses may consider higher fees. Fees could range from anywhere between 80,000 NOK (€7,000) to 150,000 NOK (€13,000) per year. For specialist courses, yearly tuition fees could reach 490,000 NOK (€42,500).
All students, including international students, also have to pay a semester fee of about 100 euros to the student welfare organisation ("Samskipnad" in Norwegian). The student welfare organisations offer student housing, childcare, sports facilities, health and food services for students at the institutions.
Living costs in Norway are also high. It is estimated that you need at least NOK 15,169 per month or NOK 166,859 per year (2025/26) to cover your living costs. Students in Norway pay around 36% of their total living costs on accommodation. Rent in Norway is widely considered much higher than in other comparable destinations. As an international student, you might pay between 3,500 NOK (€300) and 11,000 NOK (€950) per month. You will usually spend between 250 – 400 EUR/month on food. You will also need to budget for books and other study materials, travel, and social activities.
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Master's programmes
International students who are citizens of a country within the EU/EEA or Switzerland can study for free at public universities in Norway. They may, however, have to pay fees at private institutions. International students from outside the EU/EEA will generally have to pay tuition fees to study in Norway. This is a new rule since autumn 2023. The tuition fees are based on the real cost of the respective study and vary between institutions and study programs. For example, a Master's degree in Business or Languages will be cheaper than a Master's in Engineering or IT. The most expensive programs are those in Medicine or creative subjects.
Students enrolling at private universities and business schools in Norway generally have to pay tuition fees. The fees can range from 9,000 to 19,000 EUR per year for Master's programs. Additionally, all students have to pay a semester fee of about 100 EUR or 1000 NOK. This fee is paid to the student welfare organization, which offers services such as student housing, childcare, sports facilities, health, and food services.
Living costs in Norway can be high, with estimates ranging from 800 to 1,400 EUR per month. Students in Norway spend around 36% of their total living costs on accommodation, which can range from 300 to 700 EUR per month. Food expenses can be around 250 to 400 EUR per month. International students may be able to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while studying to help cover these costs. However, the Norwegian government does not offer individual scholarships open to all international students.
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PhD programmes
Norway is known as a "knowledge nation" that prides itself on lifelong learning. The country has a small higher education system, but its universities deliver high-quality education. Norwegian public universities offer free education for their students. This policy applies to all international students, regardless of their nationality. However, tuition fees for international students were introduced in 2023 for non-EU/EEA/EFTA citizens.
In 2025, the Norwegian government removed the requirement for international student tuition fees at a national level. Instead, universities and høyskoler (university colleges) can now decide whether to charge international students for tuition. This move is seen as a step in the right direction by some student and education organizations, but others want the government to remove the requirement entirely.
International PhD students in Norway must have health insurance to access medical treatment. EU/EEA/Swiss students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are eligible for health treatment. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss international PhD students studying in Norway for more than a year will be insured under the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
Norway has a high cost of living, and international students should expect to cover their living expenses. On average, international students need between 800 and 1,400 EUR per month to live in Norway. Cities like Oslo and Bergen are particularly expensive.
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Scholarships
Since autumn 2023, international students from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland have had to pay tuition fees to study in Norway. While the Norwegian government does not offer individual scholarships to international students, there are some scholarships available at public and private institutions.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is a cross-country initiative delivered by multiple higher education institutions. Norwegian institutions currently offer 16 Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes. Students from all over the world can apply through the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue. Erasmus+ master's degree loans are also available, with favourable payback terms, to students from Spain, Italy (Emilia Romagna region), Croatia, and Romania.
BI Norwegian Business School
The BI Norwegian Business School offers a fully-funded master's scholarship called the BI Presidential Scholarship.
Norway-America Association (NORAM)
NORAM offers a scholarship to provide financial support for American students pursuing their first master's degree in Norway.
BiGTREE
BiGTREE offers full scholarships for Peruvian and Colombian master's students to complete a two-year master's biodiversity genomics project in Norway. Partner universities include the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Other Options
International students can work part-time while studying in Norway, with no restrictions for those from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Students from outside these areas can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays.
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Frequently asked questions
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have to pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions.
The tuition fees are based on the real cost of the respective study and thus vary between institutions and study programmes.
Yes, international students need a visa to study in Norway.
All students have to pay a semester fee of about 100 euros to the student welfare organisation.
