Oslo is one of the top cities in Norway, known for its vibrant culture, museums, parks, and strong higher education options. However, Norway’s tuition rules are not the same for every international student. Students from Norway, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland are usually exempt from tuition at public higher education institutions, while degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland normally pay tuition unless they qualify for an exemption.
While some students can still study at tuition-free universities in Norway, many international students now need to compare tuition fees carefully. In Oslo, costs vary widely depending on the institution, program, citizenship, and exemption status. You also need to budget for living expenses, which can be high in the Norwegian capital.
If you are looking for the cheapest universities in Oslo for international students, this article ranks institutions by the lowest published annual tuition for non-EU/EEA/Swiss degree students. Always check the official tuition page before applying, since fees may change each academic year.
Cheapest Universities in Oslo for International Students
| Institution | Lowest published annual tuition for non-EU/EEA/Swiss students |
|---|
| Fjellhaug International University College | From NOK 50,000 |
| NLA University College | From NOK 60,000 |
| OsloMet | From NOK 67,000 |
| MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society | NOK 120,000 |
| BI Norwegian Business School | From NOK 138,400 |
1. Fjellhaug International University College
- Tuition Fees | Programs
- Lowest published annual tuition: From NOK 50,000 for full-time English study outside the EU/EEA
- Best for: Theology, mission, Bible, ministry, and religion-related studies
Fjellhaug International University College is one of the cheapest higher education institutions in Oslo for international students based on published tuition fees. Students from outside the EU/EEA taking full-time English study pay NOK 25,000 per 30-ECTS semester, which is about NOK 50,000 for a full 60-ECTS academic year.
The institution is a private university college in Oslo with programs in theology, mission, Bible, ministry, and related fields. Because its subject range is more specialized than a large public university, applicants should confirm that the available programs match their academic goals before applying.
2. NLA University College
- Tuition Fees | Programs
- Lowest published annual tuition: From NOK 60,000 for students outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
- Best for: Education, theology, music, journalism, and value-based studies, depending on campus and program availability
NLA University College is a publicly accredited private university college with study locations in Oslo, Bergen, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Trondheim. Its fee page lists tuition for students outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland at NOK 30,000 per semester, or about NOK 60,000 per academic year.
NLA can be an affordable choice for students looking for programs in areas such as education, music, theology, communication, and related fields. Since NLA has several campuses, make sure your chosen program is available in Oslo before applying.
3. OsloMet
- Tuition Fees | Admissions
- Lowest published annual tuition: From NOK 67,000 for full-time listed programs
- Best for: Applied sciences, social sciences, education, technology, design, and professional programs
OsloMet, or Oslo Metropolitan University, is one of the most affordable public universities in Oslo for many non-EU/EEA international students. For the 2026/2027 academic year, listed full-time programs start at NOK 67,000 per year, while several other programs are listed at NOK 95,000 per year. The part-time Art Therapy program is listed at NOK 63,300 per year.
Exchange students from partner institutions and students from the EU/EEA/EFTA are exempt from tuition at OsloMet. OsloMet states that it does not currently offer scholarships or loans, so students should prepare their funding plan before accepting an offer.
4. MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
- Tuition Fees | Admissions | Scholarships
- Lowest published annual tuition: NOK 120,000 for students outside the EU/EEA
- Best for: Theology, religion, and society-related studies
The MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society is a specialized academic institution in Oslo that focuses on theology, religious studies, and related disciplines. MF is engaged in research activities and has a strong emphasis on theology, religion, and society.
For international applicants, MF currently offers an English-taught Master in Theology. Students from outside the EU/EEA pay NOK 120,000 per year, and MF states that it does not offer scholarships to international students. This makes MF more expensive than OsloMet and NLA, but still cheaper than many other Oslo institutions for non-EU/EEA students.
5. BI Norwegian Business School
- Tuition Fees | Admissions | Scholarships
- Lowest published annual tuition: From NOK 138,400 for bachelor’s programs for students outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
- Best for: Business, data science, finance, economics, and management
The BI Norwegian Business School is one of Norway’s best-known business schools. It is a private, not-for-profit institution with campuses in Oslo and other Norwegian cities.
BI lists tuition for the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Data Science for Business, and Bachelor of Digital Business at NOK 138,400 per year for students outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland. Standard master’s programs cost more, with non-EU/EEA/Swiss external applicants paying from NOK 166,700 per year. BI also offers scholarships, including bachelor’s and master’s scholarship options for high-achieving applicants.
The institutions above give international students several ways to study in Oslo at different price points. Because tuition fees, exemptions, scholarships, and admission rules can change, you should always confirm the latest information on the official university website before applying.
We hope this article has provided the information you are looking for. If you are planning to study in Europe, be sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe and Study in Norway!
