Lana Oconnell
Norway is known for its high-quality education and research focus, making it a popular destination for international students. While it used to offer free or almost-free university education for all, since autumn 2023, international students from outside the EU/EEA have had to pay tuition fees. These fees vary depending on the university and course, typically ranging from 150,000 to 400,000 NOK per year. International students also face higher living costs and are advised to secure external funding or take up part-time work to cover their expenses. Despite the costs, Norway remains an attractive option for those seeking a high-quality, internationally recognised Master's degree, with many programmes delivered in English.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Masters programs taught in English | 300+ |
| Cost of tuition for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Free |
| Cost of tuition for international students | €8,600-€34,500 per year |
| Semester fee | €30-60 |
| Work restrictions for international students | 20 hours per week, full-time during holidays |
| Work restrictions for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | None |
| Cost of living | NOK 13,790-20,000 per month |
| Scholarships from the Norwegian government | None |
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What You'll Learn
Tuition fees for international students
Previously, Norway offered free tuition for all students, with only a small semester fee of €30-60 to cover student welfare services. This is still the case for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. However, since autumn 2023, international students outside the EU/EEA have had to pay tuition fees.
The introduction of tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students has been a point of contention, with some arguing that it is wasteful and may deter students from choosing Norway as a study destination. Despite the change, Norway remains an attractive option for international students due to its high-quality education, research focus, and practical training.
International students from outside the EU/EEA zone are typically required to pay tuition fees ranging from 150,000 to 250,000 NOK per year (approximately €8,600-€22,000), with some programmes costing over 400,000 NOK. These fees vary depending on the chosen course and university, and the specific subject area. For example, programmes in Business or Languages tend to be cheaper, while Engineering, IT, Medicine, and creative subjects like Design or Music are more expensive.
It is important to note that private universities in Norway also charge tuition fees, with amounts differing for European and non-European students. Private universities are generally more affordable than their public counterparts, with fees ranging from 7,000 to 19,000 EUR/year.
In addition to tuition fees, international students should also consider the high cost of living in Norway. It is recommended to secure external funding or part-time employment to cover maintenance costs during their studies. The Norwegian government does not offer scholarships, but universities may have their own grant schemes for exceptional students. International students are allowed to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and full-time during holidays.
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English-taught courses
A large number of Masters programmes in Norway are delivered in English, and many Norwegians speak English. Therefore, you will not usually need to know Norwegian to study in Norway. However, if English is not your first language, you may need to take a test of English proficiency. Even if your programme is in English, you might want to consider learning some basic Norwegian phrases.
There are more than 300 Masters programmes in Norway that are taught completely in English. For students who are citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, studying at public universities in Norway is tuition-free. Other international students have to pay tuition fees, typically between 150,000 and 250,000 NOK per year (approximately €13,000 to €22,000), with some programmes costing more than 400,000 NOK.
Previously, there were no tuition fees for students, only a small semester fee of €30-60 to cover membership of the university's student welfare organisation. This is still the case for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, but since autumn 2023, international students have had to pay tuition fees. These vary depending on the course and university, but are generally between 150,000-400,000 NOK (€8,600-€34,500) per year.
Private universities in Norway are cheaper than those in other European countries, with tuition fees ranging between 7,000 and 19,000 EUR/year.
At public universities in Norway, students who are citizens of a country in the EU/EEA or Switzerland can study for free. International students from outside the EU/EEA generally have to pay tuition fees to get their degree in Norway. All students also have to pay a semester fee of about 100 euros.
Norway is not an affordable country for international students. The cost of living is high, and it is desirable to secure some form of external funding to cover maintenance costs. 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 in Norway. Many international students hold part-time jobs while studying in Norway. Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland can work as much as they want without any specific restrictions, but students from outside these areas can only work up to 20 hours a week while studying, and full-time during holidays.
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Scholarships and funding
Since autumn 2023, international students from outside the EU/EEA area have had to pay tuition fees to study in Norway. These fees vary depending on the university and the course, but they are typically between 150,000 and 250,000 NOK per year (approximately €8,600-€34,500), with some programmes costing over 400,000 NOK.
The Norwegian government does not offer any scholarships to international students. However, universities may have their own grant schemes for high-achieving students, so it is worth contacting the admissions team at your chosen university to inquire about potential funding opportunities.
One scholarship opportunity available to international students is the Studyportals Scholarship, which can help finance your studies abroad.
Many international students in Norway take on part-time work to fund their studies. Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland can work as much as they like without restrictions, whereas students from outside these areas can only work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
In addition to tuition fees, you will need to consider the cost of living in Norway, which is relatively high. It is estimated that students will need at least 15,169 NOK (approximately €1,500) per month or 166,859 NOK (approximately €16,000) per year to cover living costs. All students also have to pay a semester fee of approximately 1,000 NOK (approximately €100) to their student welfare organisation.
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Work opportunities
Since autumn 2023, international students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have had to pay tuition fees to study a Master's in Norway. These fees vary significantly depending on the course and university, ranging from 150,000-250,000 NOK (€8,600-€22,000) per year, with some programmes costing over 400,000 NOK. Private institutions in Norway charge fees from all students, with higher fees for non-Europeans.
The Norwegian government does not offer any individual scholarships, but universities may have their own grant schemes for high-achieving students. International students can also take on part-time work to fund their studies. Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland can work as much as they want without restrictions, but students from outside these areas can only work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays. The cost of living in Norway is high, with students needing between 800 and 1,400 EUR per month to cover living costs.
Norway has a welcoming attitude towards overseas students, with over 24,000 international students in higher education and more than 350 English-taught programmes. Norwegian universities are known for their strong emphasis on research and development, providing students with opportunities to engage in exciting research projects. The country also offers a high quality of life, ranking highly for prosperity, security, and environmental quality.
International students can benefit from Norway's unique student experience, with universities that are constantly working to facilitate international students. The informal atmosphere at Norwegian universities means professors are easily approachable, and classes are organised in small groups, improving learning and cooperation. English is widely spoken, with English being the second language of most Norwegians, so international students should find it easy to adapt to Norway's society, which is based on equality and fair opportunities.
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Cost of living
The cost of living in Norway is high, and it is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world. This means that your money will not go as far as it would in other European countries. As a student, you will need to budget for accommodation, food, utilities, transport, books, and other study materials.
The cost of living varies depending on the city in which you live, with large cities like Oslo and Bergen being more expensive than smaller cities. On average, you can expect to pay between 300 and 700 EUR per month on accommodation, with prices ranging from 3,500 NOK (€300) to 11,000 NOK (€950) per month. Students pay around 36% of their total living costs on accommodation. You can reduce costs by sharing a flat or using student housing, which is usually more reasonably priced.
You can expect to spend between 250 and 400 EUR per month on food. You can save money by cooking at home and shopping at budget supermarkets such as Rema 1000, Rimi, Kiwi, Bunnpris, Meny, Ultra, and Ica.
For entertainment, a meal for two at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around 20 EUR, while a mid-range restaurant will cost around 70 EUR.
The estimated living cost for a student in Norway is 13,790 NOK (approximately €1,200) per month or 151,690 NOK (approximately €12,650) per year. To obtain a student visa, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your living expenses, which is a minimum of 151,690 NOK per academic year.
In addition to living costs, students must also pay a semester fee of approximately 1,000 NOK per semester to the student welfare organisation, which offers services such as housing, childcare, sports facilities, and health and food services.
To help cover these costs, many international students in Norway take on part-time work. Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland can work without restrictions, while students from outside these regions can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
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Frequently asked questions
No, international students from outside the EU/EEA area have to pay tuition fees to get a master's degree in Norway. These fees vary depending on the course and university, but are generally between 150,000-400,000 NOK (€8,600-€34,500) per year.
No, a large number of master's programmes in Norway are delivered in English. However, if English is not your first language, you may need to take a test of English proficiency.
The living costs in Norway are relatively 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. In Oslo, you will need around 2,000 EUR/month.
The general basis for admission to universities and university colleges in Norway is called the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU). For applicants with foreign education, the requirements are specified in the GSU-list, which specifies the requirements for different countries. There are also often language requirements and sometimes specific academic requirements for the particular study programme.
Yes, international students can work part-time while studying in Norway, but only for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during holidays. Many international students hold part-time jobs to practice their Norwegian and increase their budget.
