Did you know that Norway provides free education to international students? That’s right — the country believes that everyone should have access to a quality education regardless of their background.
In Norway, public universities are fully funded, so students don’t have to pay tuition fees. You do, however, have to pay semester fees and your living expenses.
Aside from its high-quality education, the Scandinavian country has been listed numerous times as one of the best places to visit. Unsurprising, considering it boasts of a high standard of living, majestic fjords and a low crime rate. Little wonder why international students studying in Norway are among the happiest in Europe.
If you’re considering pursuing an education in the country, many tuition-free universities in Norway offer English-taught programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level.
Check out the options below you can choose from:
Nord University
Founded and accredited in 2016, Nord University may be one of the youngest universities in the country, but it still boasts quality education.
It offers a variety of English-taught programmes across all levels, in addition to a one-year Norwegian Language and Society and an online course.
Students applying will only need to pay a semester fee of 725 Norwegian krone. You must also prove that you have enough money to cover your living costs in Norway — approximately NOK126,357 per year.
Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet)
OsloMet offers numerous master’s and PhD programmes, some entirely taught in English, while the rest are a mix of Norwegian and English.
All students must pay a registration fee of NOK820 to study at the university.
Additionally, student housing at OsloMet is subsidised — the housing fee starts from NOK3,200.
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen only offers two-year master’s programmes; the second year is devoted to writing a thesis.
There are approximately 25 Master’s programmes at the University of Bergen that are taught in English. These include subjects such as the humanities and aesthetic studies, medicine, natural sciences and technical subjects, social sciences and psychology, as well as fine art, music and design.
Students will only pay a semester fee of NOK590 to the Student Welfare Organisation.
The university notes that the approximate living cost in Bergen is NOK126,357 per year. The best part? Sammen Housing — the student welfare organisation — offers all students guaranteed and affordable housing (about NOK 4,000 a month).
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)
HVL boasts of five campuses in the west of Norway: Førde, Bergen, Sogndal, Haugesund and Stord. Most campuses (except the Førde campus) offer English-taught master’s programmes. Only the Bergen and Stord campuses provide a Bachelor’s in Community Arts that is taught in English.
HVL notes that students only have to pay a minor study fee per semester.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT)
UiT is reportedly the “northernmost university in the world” — located on the edge of the Arctic. It’s a medium-sized research university contributing to knowledge-based development at the regional, national and international levels.
They offer approximately 43 English-taught programmes across all levels — bachelor’s, master’s and PhD. Based on your chosen programme, you can study at one of UiT’s beautiful campuses in Tromsø, Alta, Narvik and Harstad.
Students will have to pay approximately NOK 128,887 per year to cover basic expenses and accommodation in the Arctic.
By studying at a public university in Norway, any student, regardless of nationality, can enjoy a tuition-free education. Source: Petter Berntsen/AFP
University of Stavanger (UiS)
Located in Stavanger — the South-West coast of Norway — UiS offers two-year master’s programmes taught in English, covering disciplines such as business, engineering, health science, hotel and tourism, language, music, natural science and social science.
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo was recently ranked 101st in the QS World University Rankings 2023, making it the top university in Norway. Over 28,000 students choose to study here.
They offer over 82 English-taught master’s and PhD programmes, covering a wide array of disciplines.
As Oslo is the capital city of Norway, the living cost may be higher. The university notes that students will require about NOK11,500 per month to cover basic expenses.
