Norway is highly preferred by international students for its best combination of exceptional academic experience and an excellent standard of living. The country is home to some of the best higher institutions worldwide, where critical thinking, creativity, highly valued skills, and practical learning are encouraged.
Also, Norway is considered one of the happiest countries in the world. Thus, international students will enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle that encourages a wholesome living, community, and rich culture. However, what does it truly mean to live in Norway? What is the cost of study and living for international students in the country? Let’s find out in this article.
Is it Expensive to Study in Norway for International Students?
Many of Norway’s public institutions used to offer free tuition to international students at either undergraduate or graduate levels, which reduced the cost of studying and living in the country, However, since the introduction of tuition fees for international students at the beginning of the 2023/2024 academic session, studying in Norway has become quite expensive.
International students are now required to pay between 80,000 NOK and 490,000 NOK for a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, depending on the institution and the course of study. However, Ph.D. positions in Norway are considered a type of job and pay international students between 461,300 NOK and 514,887 NOK annually. On the other hand, Norwegian, EU, and EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, and anyone with a permanent residency permit from Norway are exempted from paying the tuition fees.
Costs of Studying in Norway
Academic Costs / Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for study in Norway depends on the university, degree level, and the study program. But to be more specific, here are the tuition fee estimates for some of the most popular Norwegian universities:
| UNIVERSITY NAME |
TUITION FEE (PER YEAR) |
| University of Oslo |
Master’s: 180,000 NOK to 276,000 NOK
Doctoral (Ph.D.): Free Tuition |
| Norwegian University of Science And Technology |
Undergraduate: 128,433 NOK to 470,550 NOK
Master’s: 133,250 NOK to 489,475 NOK |
| Østfold University College |
Undergraduate: 137,000 NOK to 502,000 NOK
Master’s: 198,000 NOK to 522,000 NOK |
| University of Adger |
Undergraduate: 130,000 NOK to 380,000 NOK
Master’s: 180,000 NOK to 380,000 NOK |
| University of Bergen |
Master’s: 187,400 NOK to 257,950 NOK |
Other Student Fees
As an international student studying in any university in Norway, you are not only expected to cover the cost of your tuition, but also other expenses such as semester fees, application fees, healthcare, transportation, and accommodation fees.
Costs of Living in Norway
1. Oslo
Oslo is the capital city of Norway and is, thus, one of the most popular regions in the country. All these also make it one of the most expensive cities to live in. Despite such, the city remains cost-friendly to international students, depending on their lifestyle.
For instance, NOK 10,000 should be enough for a student to cover the cost of living and studying in this Norwegian city. That approximation includes food, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses in Oslo.
2. Bergen
The cost of living and studying in Bergen can be just as high as that of Oslo, maybe even more. International students may spend at least NOK 12,537 per month on their expenses.
These expenses include transportation, accommodation, student fees, feeding, books, and stationery. However, students can cut costs by finding cheaper accommodation, borrowing books from the library, and cooking at home instead of eating out.
3. Trondheim
Trondheim is another great city to live as a student. It has some of the most affordable accommodations for students, costing only NOK 6,000 per month, compared to cities like Oslo, where it can be as high as NOK 10,000 per month.
On the other hand, other expenses in Trondheim are high. For instance, food will likely cost students more than NOK 2,500, while textbooks cost between 1,500 NOK and 3,500 NOK every semester.
4. Tromsø
This city is also considered quite expensive to live in. For one, rent in Tromsø for a student typically costs NOK 8,000 monthly. Then, there is also the monthly cost of transportation, which is around NOK 500.
Add to that NOK 2,000 for food and groceries. Finally, miscellaneous expenses in Tromsø might also cost you NOK 1,500 per month.
5. Kristiansand
This city is one of the best cities to live in Norway. It offers the best quality of living and stands out for its numerous cultural and outdoor activities.
In this city, a one-bedroom apartment costs only NOK 5,000 per month, while food costs about NOK 200 per month, and other utilities cost NOK 1,500.
Scholarships for International Students
Covering the cost of studying and living in Norway can be quite challenging. To ease this burden, there are several scholarships, such as the A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship and Erasmus + Grant, which you can apply for while studying in Norway.
Norway is a great choice for international students looking for cost-friendly universities that are located in cities that provide a fair cost for accommodation, transportation, and other expenses. However, it is best to do adequate research and be sure you can afford the costs of studying and living in Norway.
We hope this article has enlightened you on the real cost of studying and living and Norway, so you can be prepared. Compare the study and living costs of other countries by visiting this page. Besides knowing how much it costs to study in the said country, you should also know what open courses you can apply for in Norway by checking out this page!
