Study and find schools in Norway

Studying in Norway

Norway is a Nordic country with a population of 5,636,904 at the end of the second quarter of 2026, according to Statistics Norway (SSB). Norwegian is the language of daily life and of most bachelor's programmes, but universities offer more than 350 English-taught programmes, mainly at master's level, according to Study in Norway, the official portal of the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir).

For international students, the main points to know are that EU/EEA students pay no tuition at public institutions, that students from other countries now pay tuition fees, and that living costs are high: the immigration rules require proof of about NOK 15,488 a month. In return, students find small classes, informal contact with lecturers and easy access to nature, even in the cities.

The education system in Norway

Norway has followed the Bologna Process since 2003, so its degrees use the European three-cycle structure and ECTS credits (60 credits per year of full-time study). There are four categories of higher-education institution: universities, specialised universities, university colleges/universities of applied sciences, and university colleges with accredited study programmes. The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) accredits institutions and programmes and monitors their quality. The sector includes both public and private institutions.

• Bachelor's degree: 3 years, 180 ECTS credits
• Master's degree: 2 years, 120 ECTS credits, after a bachelor's degree
• Professional degrees in fields such as medicine, law and psychology: usually 6-year programmes
• PhD: 3 or 4 years after a master's or professional degree

Grades run from A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade; some examinations are simply pass/fail.

Admission and recognition

The general requirement for higher education in Norway is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU). For applicants with foreign education, the GSU list sets out country by country which secondary school qualifications are accepted and whether extra study is needed. Master's programmes require a relevant bachelor's degree, and many programmes add specific subject requirements.

English-taught programmes require documented English skills, normally through a recognised test; programmes taught in Norwegian require proficiency in a Nordic language. You apply directly to each institution. Deadlines for applicants from outside the EU/EEA are early: OsloMet, for example, has a deadline of 1 November for these applicants to its master's programmes.

Study permit

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a residence permit for studies (study permit) from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) for stays of three months or longer; this also applies to UK citizens. According to Study in Norway, the main requirements are:

• Admission as a full-time student at a Norwegian institution
• Proof of housing
• Proof of funds: at least NOK 15,488 per month or NOK 170,368 per year for 2026-27
• Payment of the application fee

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a permit but must register with the police within three months of arriving; Nordic citizens staying more than six months report their move to the National Registry. Check the current rules for your nationality on the UDI website (udi.no) before you apply.

Tuition fees and living costs

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions, as are exchange students, doctoral candidates and students on schemes such as Erasmus Mundus or NORPART. Degree students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition fees, which vary by institution and programme. As an example, OsloMet's fees for the 2026-27 academic year are between NOK 67,000 and NOK 95,000 a year for most master's programmes. There are no government scholarships open to all international students, so funding usually has to come from home or from specific schemes.

All students also pay a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the local student welfare organisation (samskipnad), which runs student housing, health services, sports facilities and canteens. Housing through the samskipnad is usually cheaper than the private market, but places are limited in the larger cities, so apply as soon as you are admitted.

Where to study in Norway

Norway has around 40 universities and university colleges spread from the south coast to the Arctic. The schools on SpainExchange are in three very different places:

• Oslo: the capital, home to OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, which has 24,120 students and is known for teacher education, health and social care, social sciences, design and technology
• Tromsø: home to UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the northernmost university in the world, with programmes and research shaped by Arctic nature and society; the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a network of universities and research institutes concerned with the North, is also listed here
• Sogndal: one of the five campuses of Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), together with Bergen, Førde, Haugesund and Stord; HVL focuses on professions such as nursing, teaching and engineering

Other major student cities include Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger.

Health insurance, work and daily life

Students from outside the EU/EEA should check whether their home insurance covers them in Norway. Those who become members of the National Insurance Scheme receive subsidised public health care, but private insurance is still advisable, for example to cover medical transport home.

With a study permit, students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during holidays. EU/EEA students can work without that limit. After graduating, students can stay for up to one year to look for work. Most job vacancies are advertised in Norwegian, so some Norwegian helps.

Student life is built around student associations and the outdoors: the right to roam (allemannsretten) lets everyone hike and camp on uncultivated land. Above the Arctic Circle, in cities such as Tromsø, the sun never sets in summer and never rises in midwinter, so students there experience both the midnight sun and the northern lights.

Frequently asked questions

Is studying in Norway free?

For students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, public institutions normally charge no tuition, only a semester fee of about NOK 1,000. Degree students from other countries normally pay tuition fees, for example NOK 67,000 to 95,000 a year for most master's programmes at OsloMet in 2026-27.

How much money do I need to study in Norway?

For a study permit you must show at least NOK 15,488 per month or NOK 170,368 per year (2026-27) for living costs, plus any tuition fee.

Can I study in Norway in English?

Yes. There are more than 350 English-taught programmes, mainly master's degrees. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Norwegian.

Can international students work in Norway?

Yes. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time in holidays; EU/EEA students have no such limit.