Despite being a small country, Norway is an attractive location for international students to pursue higher education. Its globally recognized universities, high living standards, unique Scandinavian culture, and affordable study opportunities are only a few of the reasons why many international students consider studying in Norway.
Norwegian public higher education used to be tuition-free for most international degree students. However, from the autumn 2023 intake, new degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally have to pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions. Even so, it may still be possible to study in Norway for free, or keep your total costs as low as possible, through tuition exemptions, Ph.D. positions, exchange or joint-degree schemes, university scholarships, and external funding. If you’re looking for ways to experience international student life in Norway but do not have enough budget to pay full tuition fees, read this guide on how to study in Norway for free.
How to Study in Norway for Free
1. Determine the Documents You Need and Compile them
The first step to complete a successful application and get the chance to study in Norway for free is to read the program requirements carefully and start preparing the documents immediately. Missing documents may cause your application to be invalid, so it’s best to organize your application process beforehand and create a checklist for the documents you need to include in your submission.
Required documents can differ based on the university or program you wish to apply to. General requirements usually include proof that you meet the basic admission requirements, a diploma from your latest completed degree, an academic transcript, proficiency in the language of instruction, and any program-specific academic requirements. Additionally, submitting supplementary documents may help your application stand out among others, so it’s best to consider preparing documents like a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, portfolio, or other materials when your chosen program requires them. For the best advice, visit the program requirements page at your chosen university.
2. Research for and Apply for Scholarships at Your University
Scholarships are one of the best ways to obtain the chance to study in Norway for free. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally need to pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions, but some students may qualify for exemptions, such as doctoral candidates, exchange students, certain Erasmus Mundus students, Fulbright students, and students covered by selected partnership programs. The Norwegian government does not offer one individual scholarship open to all international students, so applicants should check university scholarships and external funding schemes carefully.
One of the most advantageous scholarships for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland is the BI Presidential Scholarship. For eligible international applicants admitted to a master’s degree program at BI Norwegian Business School, it can cover full tuition for up to two years and provide a stipend of NOK 50,000 per semester, provided that the student meets the scholarship’s academic progression requirements.
3. Apply for Admission to Affordable Universities
Besides applying for scholarships, comparing tuition fees across Norwegian universities is another cost-effective option for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Public universities now charge tuition fees to most new non-EU/EEA/Swiss degree students, but the amount can vary significantly by institution, degree level, and program. Some applicants may also qualify for tuition exemptions, so always check the official fee and exemption rules before applying.
To demonstrate, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology welcomes many international students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. For the 2026/2027 academic year, NTNU lists annual tuition categories of NOK 176,300 for humanities, social sciences, economics, business, and management; NOK 205,600 for natural sciences, technology, sports, health, education, and related fields; and NOK 528,650 for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. NTNU also lists some lower-fee international master’s programs separately. Another example is Oslo Metropolitan University, which lists many 2026/2027 bachelor’s, master’s, and other program fees for students from outside the EU/EEA at NOK 67,000 to NOK 95,000 per year, depending on the program.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Norway
There are some scholarship options available for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland at the undergraduate level. However, it must be noted that these options are usually limited and competitive. Many scholarships are partial scholarships only, meaning they provide generous amounts to help cover some of your study expenses in Norway but may not cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses. The portion that scholarships cannot cover may be funded by students in other ways, such as personal funds or part-time work, but non-EU/EEA students should remember that work rights are limited under the rules of their residence permit.
Some scholarship programs for international students enrolled in bachelor’s studies in Norway include the Norwegian Business School Bachelor International Scholarship, which covers 50% of tuition fees for up to three years for eligible students enrolled in bachelor’s programs in business administration, data science for business, and digital business, provided that they meet the scholarship’s progression requirements.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Norway
On the other hand, some of the common scholarships for students taking master’s studies in Norway include the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programs are offered by consortia of higher education institutions, and some include study periods at universities in Norway. Full scholarships are available for selected students, but the requirements, application processes, and benefits vary by program. Thus, it is best to visit the Erasmus+ site and the official program catalog for the most accurate information.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can also look for field-specific scholarship programs, including sustainable-energy scholarships offered through international organizations or participating universities. Because scholarship names, award amounts, and application pages can change, applicants should verify the current terms directly with the scholarship provider before applying.
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Norway
Lastly, there are funding options for international Ph.D. students coming from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Doctoral candidates are normally exempt from tuition fees at Norwegian public institutions, and many Ph.D. opportunities in Norway are advertised as paid research positions rather than conventional self-funded student programs. Funding differs by institution and vacancy, so check each Ph.D. announcement carefully.
An example of a scholarship offered for graduate-level students is the NORAM Scholarship. It supports U.S. citizens pursuing full-time graduate-level study in Norway, and award amounts can be up to NOK 40,000 for an academic year. Another example is from Norwegian Business School, which offers a no-tuition, full-time Ph.D. program. BI Norwegian Business School’s Ph.D. program is a four-year full-time doctoral program that includes teaching responsibilities, and applicants must have an approved funding source because self-funding is not possible.
FAQs: Studying in Norway as an International Student
Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in Norway for Free?
There are still opportunities for international students to study in Norway for free, but eligibility now depends heavily on citizenship, degree level, program type, and funding source. Public higher education in Norway was tuition-free for most international degree students before the tuition-fee rules changed for new students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland beginning with the autumn 2023 intake. Students from Norway, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions, and some other groups, such as doctoral candidates, exchange students, Erasmus Mundus students, Fulbright students, and students in selected partnership programs, may also be exempt.
However, it’s important to know that the chances of receiving tuition-free education may depend on several factors, such as the type of university, degree, program, funding scheme, and the student’s country of origin. Thus, conduct research carefully to know what tuition-free opportunities are available for your desired program and institution.
How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in Norway?
The academic cost of studying at Norwegian universities depends on many factors, such as citizenship, type of university, degree, program, accommodation, and personal expenses. Most universities in Norway are state-owned or public. Public institutions are still usually tuition-free for students from Norway, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland, while most new degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must now pay tuition fees. In comparison, private universities set their own tuition fees for domestic and international students.
As examples, the University of Oslo publishes program-specific annual tuition tables for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, so applicants should check the current amount for their chosen program before budgeting. Meanwhile, the University of Bergen, a similarly prestigious university in Norway, lists annual tuition fees of NOK 197,000 or NOK 226,000 for most programs available to applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, while fine art, music, and design programs are listed at NOK 401,704 per year. Students must also budget for living costs. Study in Norway estimates living expenses at NOK 15,488 per month, or NOK 170,368 per year, plus an approximate semester fee of NOK 1,000 per semester.
Completing a degree program at a Norwegian university can help support a bright future in academic and career life. However, it’s crucial to consider funding before applying. Thus, consider these options that can help you study for free in Norway or keep your study costs as low as possible.
We hope this article helps you find ways to study for free in Norway or keep study costs to a minimum. If you are interested, check out our Norway Page and Available Courses in Europe!
