Advanced higher education can strengthen an international student’s academic and professional development. However, applicants should research the full cost of attending an international university before choosing a degree. As of January 2026, Norway had 49 accredited or approved higher education institutions. Tuition policies and living costs vary by institution, citizenship, program, and exemption status.
The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research has overall responsibility for higher education, while the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, or NOKUT, contributes through accreditation, supervision, and quality assurance. Among Norway’s distinguished universities, the University of Oslo is the country’s oldest university.
Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo reports that five Nobel Prize laureates are associated with its history. These include explorer and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen, as well as economists Ragnar Frisch and Trygve Haavelmo. The university also has an extensive international alumni community.
The University of Oslo offers many individual courses and master’s programs in English. Its current admissions information also lists one English-taught bachelor’s program, Technology Systems: Science and Engineering, while most of its bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian. These options make the university an attractive destination for foreign students pursuing higher education. However, the cost of studying at the university depends on citizenship, degree level, program, and eligibility for a tuition exemption. The sections below explain the main costs of studying at the University of Oslo as an international student.
Study Costs at the University of Oslo
Application Costs
When applying to the University of Oslo, applicants must use the admissions process that applies to their chosen program. International applicants to master’s programs generally apply through the university’s online admissions process. Most bachelor’s applications are handled through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service, although the English-taught Technology Systems program has separate guidance for applicants without Norwegian proficiency.
The University of Oslo’s current admissions pages do not list a university application fee for ordinary bachelor’s or master’s degree applications. Applicants from outside the EU or EEA may separately have to pay a government application fee when applying for a Norwegian study permit.
Tuition Costs
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
The University of Oslo now offers one English-taught bachelor’s program: Technology Systems: Science and Engineering. Most other bachelor’s programs are taught in Norwegian and require applicants to document Norwegian-language proficiency.
The bachelor’s-level tuition fee for students who are required to pay tuition ranges from 24,670 NOK to 30,330 NOK per 10-credit course. This is equivalent to approximately 148,020 NOK to 181,980 NOK for a full-time 60-credit academic year. The exact amount depends on the program and course combination.
Master’s Tuition Costs
The University of Oslo offers a wide range of master’s programs, including English-taught options in fields such as astrophysics, bioscience, chemistry, data science, and the humanities. Most master’s programs are designed to be completed in two years of full-time study.
The master’s-level tuition fee for fee-paying students ranges from 34,000 NOK to 49,170 NOK per 10-credit course. This corresponds to approximately 204,000 NOK to 295,020 NOK for a full-time 60-credit academic year. Applicants should check the university’s current table because tuition varies by program and may be adjusted for later academic years.
Ph.D. Tuition Costs
Ph.D. candidates at the University of Oslo do not pay tuition fees. The university’s Ph.D. education normally has a stipulated length of three years of full-time study. Candidates must generally have sufficient funding for the entire doctoral period, commonly through employment in a funded doctoral research position or another approved source of financing.
Other Academic Costs at the University of Oslo
Tuition is only one part of the total cost of studying in Oslo. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requires university students applying for a study permit to document at least 170,368 NOK for living expenses for a full academic year, or 15,488 NOK per month. Required tuition funds must be documented in addition to this amount. The immigration requirement is a minimum proof-of-funds threshold and does not guarantee that it will cover every student’s actual expenses.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
The University of Oslo does not publish a universal annual budget for textbooks. Costs vary considerably by subject, course selection, and whether students buy new or used books, borrow materials from the university library, or use licensed digital resources.
Students should also check the university’s current semester-fee information for the semester fee and any applicable copyright or voluntary student-solidarity contributions. Personal expenses for clothing, mobile service, study supplies, and leisure activities should be included in each student’s individual budget.
Accommodation
Housing is a major expense for students in Oslo. The Foundation for Student Life in Oslo and Akershus, commonly known as SiO, operates more than 8,900 student housing units in Oslo and Lillestrøm. Students can apply throughout the year, and offers are issued as units become available.
SiO rent varies by location, room type, size, standard, and the date on which the price was set. Students receive the exact rent when they are offered a unit, and prices are generally adjusted annually. Because availability and prices change, applicants should consult SiO’s live housing listings rather than relying on a fixed rent range. Students using the private rental market should expect prices to vary substantially by neighborhood and property type.
Living Expenses
When estimating living expenses, students should include food, local transportation, health care or insurance, clothing, mobile service, and personal spending. Food costs depend on dietary preferences and how frequently a student cooks or eats at restaurants. The immigration authority’s annual proof-of-funds requirement of 170,368 NOK provides a more reliable minimum planning reference than a fixed grocery estimate.
Public transportation in Oslo is operated by Ruter. Eligible students receive a 40% discount on a 30-day ticket compared with the adult fare. The discount applies to the 30-day pass rather than to ordinary single tickets, and students must meet Ruter’s current eligibility and identification requirements.
Private health insurance is not automatically mandatory for every international student in the same way. Health coverage depends on factors such as nationality, legal residence, length of stay, employment, and membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. As a general rule, a person legally moving to Norway for an intended stay of at least 12 months becomes a member of the National Insurance Scheme from the date of entry. Students staying for a shorter period or those who are not covered under Norwegian or EEA arrangements should confirm their status and obtain appropriate insurance when necessary.
Norway has a nationally regulated higher education system, and the University of Oslo is the country’s oldest university. It was ranked 83rd globally in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities. The university can be a comparatively affordable option for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens and for other students who qualify for a tuition exemption. However, students from outside these groups should account for current tuition fees in addition to Oslo’s housing and living costs.
We hope this article has helped you understand the total cost of studying at the University of Oslo as an international student. If you are interested, explore these available courses for international students and this guide to studying in Norway!
