Oslo University: Free Education For International Students?

is the university of oslo free for international students

The University of Oslo (UiO) is a public non-profit university located in Oslo, Norway. The university welcomes international students from around the world and offers a variety of master's programs. As of the 2023/2024 academic year, UiO started collecting tuition fees from students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. However, some sources indicate that education at UiO is free for everyone, with only a semester fee of around $100 required. International students must demonstrate English language proficiency and may be required to know Norwegian or have plans to learn the language. The university offers priority housing accommodations for international students, and the city of Oslo provides good transportation options.

Characteristics Values
Tuition fees Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Scholarships The University of Oslo does not offer scholarships for students on full bachelor's and master's degree programmes.
Admission requirements International applicants must meet the University of Oslo entry requirements, including academic transcripts, GPA requirements, scores on aptitude and standardized tests, English language proficiency, and more.
Student residence permit Applicants must document their financial ability to cover living expenses in Norway, in addition to the tuition fees.
Housing International students have priority housing accommodations and can apply for rooms at SiO Student Village. The average rental cost for a room in Oslo is 3700 NOK to 5300 NOK per month.
Transportation Students can use their university IDs to get subsidized prices for monthly public transportation passes.
Internships Around 80% of students are engaged in apprenticeships at the University, with top recruiters including Norsk Hydro, Telenor ASA, and Yara International ASA.
Exchange programmes The University of Oslo welcomes exchange students from partner universities.

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International students must prove English or Norwegian proficiency

The University of Oslo is not tuition-free for international students. Since 2023, the University of Oslo has been collecting tuition fees from students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The tuition fees are adjusted annually and must be paid in full before each academic year.

International students applying to the University of Oslo must prove their English or Norwegian proficiency. For programmes taught in Norwegian, applicants may need to pass a Norwegian language test, such as Bergenstesten, unless they have completed Norwegian secondary education. The University of Oslo conducts a general Entrance Qualification Test in the Norwegian Language.

For English-taught programmes, students must document their proficiency in English. The University of Oslo accepts IELTS Academic with a minimum overall band score of 7.5 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing). The University also accepts the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. Applicants from some countries may satisfy this requirement with the English they have taken at secondary school in their home country.

For master's programmes taught in English, the University of Oslo has a higher requirement for proficiency in English than stated on the GSU list referred to on the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills web page. Test results must be valid (not older than two years) on the date of the application deadline. Applicants must achieve a minimum total score of 108 with at least 25 in reading, 25 in listening, 23 in speaking and 27 in writing.

International students can also take Norwegian language courses available at the University of Oslo to help them integrate better into Norwegian society.

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Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

The University of Oslo (UiO) is a public, non-profit university located in Oslo, Norway. It is not free for international students who are not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland. From the 2023/2024 academic year onwards, the University of Oslo started collecting tuition fees from students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The tuition fees will be adjusted annually.

The precise tuition fee will be communicated to applicants who are offered admission. The tuition fee must be paid in full before each academic year, and it cannot be paid in instalments. If a student withdraws from the course before the start date, they can apply for a refund of their tuition fee. Some applicants may be exempt from paying tuition fees based on their residence in Norway or other close connections with the country.

In addition to tuition fees, international students must also pay for accommodation, transportation, study materials, food, and personal expenses. The average rental cost of a room in Oslo is 3700 NOK to 5300 NOK per month. Students can also use their university identification cards to get subsidised prices for monthly passes on public transportation.

There are also other costs associated with studying at the University of Oslo, such as the cost of the entrance qualification test in the Norwegian language, which costs around $75 (6000 INR). There is also a semester student fee of 840 NOK, of which 40 NOK is optional. This fee is around $100. International students will also need to pay a visa fee, which requires a lump sum payment of $13,500 to cover living expenses for a year.

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Scholarships and grants

The University of Oslo does not offer scholarships to students on full bachelor's and master's degree programs. However, students may be eligible for scholarships offered by public or private institutes in their home country. Students are advised to research the options to study in Norway for free.

There are other costs to consider besides tuition fees, such as accommodation, transportation, study materials, food, and personal expenses. International students seeking admission to the University of Oslo need to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting IELTS or other accepted English language test scores. Additionally, applicants must meet the University of Oslo's entry requirements, which include academic transcripts, GPA requirements, scores on aptitude and standardized tests, essays, resumes, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and more.

The University of Oslo prioritizes applicants with a solid academic track record. For master's programs, the admission committee pays attention to the student's academic performance during their undergraduate program. Indian applicants for master's programs are required to have a 4-year bachelor's degree or a 3-year bachelor's degree with a 1-year master's degree.

It is important to note that the University of Oslo requires students to document their financial ability to cover living expenses in Norway when applying for a student residence permit. This is in addition to the tuition fees, which must be paid in full before each academic year. Students should be aware that tuition fees will be adjusted annually.

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Student residence permits and visas

The University of Oslo welcomes international students from around the world. However, there are some requirements that international students must meet in terms of residence permits and visas. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees and also apply for a residence permit for studies, also known as a study permit. Exchange students from partner universities and students from NORPART, NORHED, NORSTIP, Fulbright, and StAR are exempt from tuition fees.

Students from the EU/EEA do not need a visa to enter Norway, but they must arrange their residence permit within 3 months of arriving in the country. Students from outside the EU/EEA need a student visa to enter Norway. Students can register online and book an appointment with the immigration authorities to submit the necessary documents. This is done through UDI's online application portal, and there is no charge for this procedure.

When applying for a student residence permit, applicants must document their financial ability to cover living expenses in Norway, in addition to paying tuition fees. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) sets the amount required, which for the 2025/2026 academic year is NOK 166,859 and is adjusted yearly. Students must also have obtained housing before arriving in Norway.

After receiving an entry visa and arriving in Norway, students must present themselves to the immigration authorities and apply for a Social Security ID at the relevant public tax office. With this ID, students can open a bank account in Norway. Residence permits must be renewed annually, and students must document their progress in their studies in order to continue working part-time.

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Housing and accommodation

The University of Oslo offers student housing options through SiO Housing. All students admitted to degree studies or exchange programmes can apply for student housing. It is recommended that students submit their applications early and that they accept the first offer they receive. Students can also apply for housing before their admission has been approved. International students have housing priority and can apply for rooms at the SiO Student Village. The residence halls can accommodate up to 1000 students, while the rest opt for private housing. The average rental cost of a room in Oslo ranges from 3700 NOK to 5300 NOK per month.

The city of Oslo offers a range of transportation options, including buses, trams, the metro, local trains, bicycles, and private cars. Students can use their university IDs to obtain subsidised prices for monthly public transportation passes. They can also subscribe to the Oslo City Bike for monthly rates.

To obtain a student residence permit, applicants must demonstrate their financial ability to cover living expenses in Norway in addition to paying tuition fees. For the 2025/2026 academic year, the required amount is NOK 166,859, adjusted yearly.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Oslo is tuition-free for international students, but there are some mandatory fees, such as a semester fee of around 96 USD per year. Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees, unless they qualify for an exemption.

International students must meet the University of Oslo's entry requirements, including academic transcripts, GPA requirements, scores on aptitude and standardized tests (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GMAT, and GRE), essays, resumes, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and English language proficiency.

The University of Oslo does not offer scholarships for students on full bachelor's and master's degree programs. However, students may be eligible for scholarships offered by public or private institutes in their home countries.

International students at the University of Oslo have priority housing accommodations and can apply for rooms at SiO Student Village. They can also rent private rooms and apartments in the city, with average rental costs ranging from 3700 NOK to 5300 NOK per month.

Yes, international students with a student residence permit are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during holidays.

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