Tuition-Free & Scholarships for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Studies in Norway

Completing a university degree is often considered to be an expensive endeavour and tuition fees are usually making up the bulk part of the cost. Norwegian universities and state university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees for international students. However, you should take into consideration that living expenses in Norway are higher than in many other countries.

"Nothing is for free" is a saying that is true in many cases. But in Norway it is possible to get quality education without having to pay tuition fees. If certain prerequisites are met you could also be eligible for financial support that can pay for your living expenses. Through various fellowship programmes, scholarship schemes or student loans, international students can receive funding for a full degree or a limited number of semesters.

I want to study in Norway but need financial support. What do I do?
How you can financially support your stay in Norway will depend on several factors:
- your current country of legal residency
- your current home institution
- your previous education
- what institution/degree/subject area you are seeking admission to

We recommend that you first contact the International Office at your home university to see if institutional agreements with a Norwegian institution exist.

TUITION FEES

The majority of Norwegian institutions of higher education are publicly funded. And the Norwegian government considers access to higher education for all to be an important part of the Norwegian society. Thus, there are normally no tuition fees at state universities and university colleges in Norway. This also applies to foreign students, no matter which country you come from.

No tuition fees

Generally, students at state universities and university colleges do not pay tuition fees. This is true for all levels, including undergraduate studies, Masters programmes and Ph.D. programmes. However, students will have to pay a semester fee of NOK 300-600 each semester. In order to take an exam this fee will have to be paid in full. But the fee also grants you membership in the local student welfare organisation, which in turn entitles you to several benefits. These benefits may include on campus health services, counselling, access to sports facilities and cultural activities.

Payment of the semester fee is also neccessary to get an official student card that, among other things, gives you reduced fares on most forms of public transport and lower ticket prices to various cultural events.

Programmes and courses with tutition fees

Most private institutions have tuition fees for all their programmes and courses. But the fees are usually significantly lower than those of comparable studies in most other countries. Also, foreign students don't pay higher tuition fees than Norwegian students.

State universities and university colleges may have tuition fees for a few specialised programmes. Typically these programmes are at the Masters level.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Most Norwegian institutions have various bilateral agreements with foreign institutions of higher education. These agreements are usually designed for the mutual exchange of students, researchers and teachers. However, there are national programmes that offer scholarships and other types of funding for international students wishing to study in Norway. Certain restrictions and prerequisites apply for all these programmes. In addition, there are various stipends available offered by private and non-profit organisations.

Erasmus

The Erasmus programme offers students from EU/EEA-countries enrolled at European higher education insitutions the possibility to study abroad as a part of their degree to supplement their studies. Exchanges last between 3 and 12 months. For more information contact your home university or the national agency of your country.

To learn more about the Erasmus-programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of the European Commission.

Erasmus Mundus

Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses are high-quality study programmes at masters level offered by a consortium of at least three European higher education institutions. They last between one and two years and lead to the award of a recognised double, joint or multiple degree. Students have to study in at least two institutions. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available for students who have been admitted to an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course.

Learn more about the Erasmus Mundus programme.

Nordplus Higher Education

If you are enrolled at a Nordic or Baltic higher education institution, Nordplus may offer a possibility to study in another Nordic or Baltic country as part of your degree. For more information contact your home university or the national agency.

To learn more about the programme, please visit Nordplus.

YGGDRASIL- Young Guest and Doctoral Researchers' Annual Scholarships for Investigation and Learning in Norway

The YGGDRASIL mobility programme offers funding for international Ph.D. students and younger researchers for research stays in Norway. As from the academic year 2009-2010, the Research Council of Norway is offering mobility grants to highly qualified, international Ph.D. students and younger researchers from 25 countries in connection with research stays in Norway of one to ten months through the YGGDRASIL mobility programme. The mobility programme encompasses all subjects and disciplines and takes its name from Yggdrasil, the immense ash tree from Norse mythology whose branches extend throughout the world and into the heavens.

To learn more about the programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of The Research Council of Norway.

Call for proposals 2010-2011.

Quota Scheme

The Norwegian government provides scholarships for students from developing countries and countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia through the Quota Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to promote the internationalisation of higher education. Currently, the scheme provides full scholarships for a total of 1 100 students, of which 800 are from developing countries and 300 from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Each year universities and university colleges in Norway are allocated a certain number of quota students. The scheme normally includes courses taught in English at Masters and Ph.D. level, in addition to certain professional degrees. In order to find out which courses are available under the scheme, please contact the institutions directly.

The application deadline varies depending on course and institution. To learn more about the Quota Scheme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).

Norad's Programme for Master Studies (NOMA)

(former Norad Fellowship Programme and The Norwegian Capacity-Building Programme)
Norad's Programme for Master Studies provides scholarships for students from developing countries to study Masters and Diploma programmes at institutions in the South.

The aim of all educational activities within the NOMA is to educate staff in public and private sector as well as NGOs in the South. Masters programmes will to a greater extent than earlier be established and developed in the South in close collaboration with Norwegian institutions.

Around 110 students are accepted into the programme every year. Please note that 2006 will be a transitional year from the former Norad Fellowship Programme (NFP) to the new NOMA orogramme. This means that there will be no application round for students in the fall of 2006. The application round for students will open after February 2007. To learn more about the programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of the NOMA programme.

High North Fellowship Program

The High North Fellowship program offers scholarships to students from the US, Canada and Russia who attend an institution in Northern Norway as part of their higher education. The program is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each fellowship recipient receives a travel grant of NOK 10 000, and a monthly stipend of approximately NOK 8750. Learn more about the High North Fellowship Program.