Costs and Funding in Norway - Study in Norway

Costs and Funding for Studying in Norway

Norway is one of Europe's most expensive countries — and since autumn 2023, it's also no longer free for everyone. This guide gives you the honest numbers: tuition by nationality, living costs city by city, the scholarships that actually exist, and the proof of funds you need for the study permit. No drama, just the figures you'll plan around.

Tuition Fees: The 2023 Reform Changed Everything

EU/EEA and Swiss students

You study tuition-free at public universities. You pay only a small semester fee to the student welfare organization. That's the genuinely free deal — and it still exists.

Non-EU/EEA students

Since autumn 2023, non-EU/EEA students pay tuition at public universities — roughly NOK 130,000-340,000 per year (about EUR 11,000-29,000) depending on the field and university. Technical and specialized programs cost the most. This is the change you must plan for: the old "Norway is free for everyone" advice no longer applies to you if you're outside the EU/EEA.

Private institutions (all nationalities)

BI Norwegian Business School and other private institutions charge tuition to everyone, including EU/EEA students — typically NOK 150,000-300,000 per year for an MSc.

Monthly Living Costs

Oslo (capital, highest costs)

Trondheim / Bergen / Tromsø (lower costs)

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus living for the full program:

Use the cost of study calculator to model your own numbers based on city, program, and nationality.

Scholarships and Funding

Be realistic: after the tuition reform, Norway has fewer scholarships than countries that have always charged fees. The funding landscape is program-specific. Here's what exists.

Erasmus+ (for European exchange students)

If you're a current student at a European university, Erasmus+ funds a semester or year in Norway with a monthly grant (typically EUR 350-500). Your home university handles the application. This is the most common funding route for short stays.

University and program scholarships

Some universities and specific programs offer scholarships, especially for non-EU students hit by the new fees:

• NTNU — selected program scholarships and partnerships
• University of Oslo — some program-specific funding
• BI — merit scholarships for MSc applicants
• NHH — limited scholarships for international master's students

Strategy: Check the scholarship page of each specific program you apply to. There's no single national scholarship pot — funding is decided program by program.

Bilateral and government schemes

Norway runs some bilateral and quota-style arrangements with specific countries, and your home country may fund study in Norway (e.g. national scholarship agencies, Fulbright-type programs). Check what your home government offers for study abroad.

Salaried PhD positions

The best-funded route of all: a Norwegian PhD position is a paid job. You're an employee earning around NOK 530,000+ per year, with pension and holiday rights. If you're aiming long-term in research, this is how Norway funds you — by employing you.

Proof of Funds for the Study Permit

Non-EU/EEA students applying for a study permit through UDI must prove they can support themselves.

2026 requirement:

• NOK 151,690 per year for living costs (matching the Lånekassen student support rate)
• This must usually be held in a Norwegian bank account or a university deposit account before the permit is granted
• It is separate from tuition — you prove living costs here and pay tuition on top

Accepted proof:

• Funds deposited in a Norwegian bank account in your name
• A deposit account arranged by your university
• Confirmation of a Norwegian state loan/grant (Lånekassen) if eligible
• Scholarship confirmation covering the amount

See the full process in our visa and arrival guide.

Health Insurance

• Stays over 12 months — once you register with the National Registry and a local population office, you become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme and get public healthcare. There's no separate premium for students in this situation.
• Stays under 12 months — EU/EEA students use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); non-EU students typically need private health insurance until they qualify for coverage.

Budget for a small annual co-payment cap on healthcare (the egenandel system), beyond which care is free.

Hidden and One-Off Costs

The monthly figures above cover regular spending, but several one-off and seasonal costs catch students out:

• Housing deposit — private rentals require up to three months' rent in a locked deposit account (depositumskonto), so NOK 18,000-27,000 upfront. It's returned when you leave, but you need it ready on arrival.
• Winter clothing — a genuinely warm coat, waterproof boots, and layers can run NOK 3,000-6,000 if you arrive unprepared. Buy second-hand to save.
• Initial setup — kitchenware, bedding, and basics for a new room: NOK 2,000-4,000.
• Travel home — flights to and from Norway, especially over Christmas, add up; book early.
• Dental care — not covered by public healthcare for adults; a check-up is NOK 800-1,500, more for treatment.

Set aside NOK 10,000-20,000 for these first-weeks and one-off costs on top of your monthly budget.

Is Norway Worth the Cost?

For non-EU/EEA students, this is a fair question now that tuition applies. The honest answer: it depends on your field and plans.

• Strong yes if you're an EU/EEA/Swiss student — free tuition at quality universities is hard to beat anywhere in Europe.
• Often yes for non-EU students in fields with strong Norwegian job markets (tech, energy, engineering) — high graduate salaries and the post-study work route can repay the investment.
• Think carefully if you're paying high tuition for a field with limited local demand and you don't plan to work in Norway afterward — cheaper destinations may serve you better.

Run your own numbers in the cost of study calculator and weigh tuition against the part-time earnings and graduate salaries in our work and career guide.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before arriving in Norway, confirm:

• Tuition payment schedule (non-EU students) and first instalment
• Proof of funds secured: NOK 151,690 in an approved account
• Semester fee ready (NOK 600-800)
• Student housing reserved (apply early — demand is high in Oslo)
• Health coverage arranged (EHIC, private, or pending national insurance)
• Initial settling-in budget: NOK 10,000-20,000 for the first weeks, including warm clothing

Next Steps

1. Visa and arrival — use your proof of funds to apply for the UDI study permit
2. Living in Norway — housing, transport, and daily life
3. Work and career — part-time work to offset costs and post-study options
4. Programs and universities — compare tuition across institutions