Scandinavia is often discussed together with the wider Nordic region, including Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway. For students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, tuition-free bachelor’s and master’s study is now limited in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Iceland remains one of the strongest options in the region for universities that do not charge tuition to international students, although registration and application fees still apply.
From Stockholm and Copenhagen to Reykjavík, international students should check the teaching language before applying. Many undergraduate programs in Iceland are taught in Icelandic, while English-taught options are more common at the master’s level.
Here are five tuition-free universities in the broader Scandinavian/Nordic region for international students.
Tuition-Free Schools in Scandinavia for International Students
If you are looking for tuition-free universities in the Scandinavian/Nordic region, the following list focuses on universities that currently do not charge tuition to international students of any nationality. Students should still budget for registration fees, application or processing fees, residence permit costs, accommodation, books, insurance, and living expenses.
1. University of Iceland
- Admissions | University Fees
- Location: Iceland | Free to: All international students, subject to the current fee policy
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Medium of Instruction: Icelandic, English
Founded in 1911, the University of Iceland is the country’s oldest and largest university. It offers programs across several academic fields through its schools and faculties, and it has a large international student community.
The University of Iceland does not currently charge tuition fees. However, students pay an annual registration fee, and applicants from outside the EEA/EFTA may also pay a handling fee. The university notes that applicants from outside the EEA/EFTA or Switzerland who begin their studies in 2026 or later may be required to pay tuition fees, so students should always check the latest official fee page before applying.
2. University of Akureyri
- Admissions | Registration Fee
- Location: Iceland | Free to: All international students
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Medium of Instruction: Icelandic, English
The University of Akureyri is located in northern Iceland and offers programs in fields such as health sciences, business, education, law, social sciences, natural resource sciences, and polar law. Some programs and courses are available in English, while many degree programs are taught mainly in Icelandic.
The University of Akureyri states that it does not charge school fees, but students pay an annual registration fee. Applicants from outside the EEA/EFTA, except applicants from the Faroe Islands and Greenland, may also need to pay an application processing fee.
3. Agricultural University of Iceland
- Admissions | Fees
- Location: Iceland | Free to: All international students
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Medium of Instruction: Icelandic, English
The Agricultural University of Iceland specializes in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, natural resources, planning, and related fields. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, including international master’s programs for students interested in natural and environmental sciences.
The university does not list tuition fees for its degree programs, but students are expected to pay an annual registration fee. Students should review the language of instruction and program-specific requirements before applying.
4. Hólar University
- Admissions and Fees
- Location: Iceland | Free to: All international students
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate and postgraduate programs | Medium of Instruction: Icelandic, English
Hólar University is a specialized higher education institution in northern Iceland. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities in areas such as aquaculture and fish biology, equine studies, and tourism studies.
Foreign degree-seeking students can apply on the same basis as Icelandic students. Hólar University charges an annual registration fee and an application fee, but it does not list a separate tuition fee for international students.
5. Bifröst University
- Admissions | Tuition and Fees
- Location: Iceland | Free to: All international students
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, diplomas, microcredentials | Medium of Instruction: Icelandic, English
Bifröst University is a private, nonprofit university that traces its history to 1918. It offers programs in fields such as business, law, social sciences, humanities, and language studies. Most full degree programs are taught online in Icelandic, while selected courses and study options are available in English.
Bifröst University states that students pay registration fees rather than tuition fees. Applicants from outside the EEA may also need to pay a processing fee. Because the number of English-taught full degree options may be limited, students should check program availability carefully before applying.
Higher education in the Nordic region is known for its quality, accessibility, and strong emphasis on equality and innovation. However, tuition rules have changed in several countries, so international students should not assume that every public university is tuition-free. Always check the official university fee page for the latest information before applying.
We hope the listed universities will help you find a tuition-free study option in the region. Be sure to check our Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
