Measured by its population of approximately 5.6 million, Norway has a relatively large number of state-run or state-recognized universities spread across the country. This means that Norwegians are guaranteed good access to education close to home. The oldest and largest university in Norway is the University of Oslo, but the universities in Bergen, Trondheim, and Tromsø are also well known. Did you know that the University of Tromsø is the northernmost university in the world and is located 500 km north of the Arctic Circle? In addition to the eleven comprehensive universities, there are several specialized universities at university level and a number of university colleges (Høgskoler), which are more practice-oriented and vocational and mainly award bachelor's degrees. A large number of private educational institutions complete the Norwegian higher education landscape.
Norway invests in higher education like no other country. That's why even the smaller universities are all really well equipped and offer their students stuff like libraries that are open 24/7 and free access to digital resources. The student-to-faculty ratio is also pretty impressive when you study in Norway. The universities have enough teaching staff who are really dedicated and value close interaction with students. Small group tutorials and individual support from lecturers are also common.
Together with the widespread use of English as a working language in everyday (university) life, this intensive support is a reason for many to study abroad in Norway. Studying in Norway offers you an extremely international study experience, and you will certainly not be the only foreign student. Many universities maintain active partnerships with universities worldwide and place great value on intercultural exchange. Whether you are planning a semester, a full degree program, or a double degree, Norway welcomes you!
Are you already excited about studying in Norway, or do you feel anxious about leaving your comfort zone? That's understandable; it's definitely a big step. But let us tell you: it's worth it! If you take a closer look, you'll quickly see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We've listed five reasons why studying abroad in Norway is worthwhile – pretty convincing, right?
When studying in Norway, you can expect modern facilities, groundbreaking research, and innovative teaching methods. It is not without reason that many Nobel Prize winners come from Norwegian universities. International rankings regularly confirm the high academic standard of both Norwegian and English-language study programs.
“Education for all” is the fundamental principle of the Norwegian education system. There are no tuition fees at public universities, regardless of whether you are a Norwegian citizen or a foreign student. Studying in Norway means free access to first-class education and a unique opportunity to study abroad without incurring huge expenses!
When studying in Norway, you can learn two foreign languages at once: English is widely spoken alongside Norwegian. Choosing a degree taught in English means you'll get by easily in major cities without speaking Norwegian. Still, learning a new language is enriching – and studying abroad offers you the perfect opportunity to do so!
Norway is an outdoor paradise for adventurers. Experience endless summers, admire the Northern Lights, hike through the taiga forests, kayak through crystal-clear waters, stroll through charming towns, or go skiing during the Scandinavian winter with lots of snow and little daylight – countless possibilities await you!
In the Human Development Index, a UN report that measures the standard of living within a country and examines the education system and opportunities for a long and happy life, Norway ranks second worldwide in 2025. Norwegians are particularly satisfied, tolerant, and hospitable – something you will easily notice when studying abroad in Norway.
To ensure that you are well prepared for your study abroad adventure in Norway, we have put together a short list of useful details about the study plan.
Since the Bologna reform, degrees in the European Higher Education Area are no longer differentiated. In fact, Norway was one of the first countries to fully implement the Bologna structure (Bachelor's -Master's - PhD). After three years of study, students in Norway receive a Bachelor's degree. This can be followed by a two-year Master's degree. As in other countries, there are exceptions in certain fields such as medicine, law, and psychology, which usually require six years of study. A doctorate, the highest academic degree, usually takes three to four years in Norway.
In addition to these familiar university degrees, the Norwegian education system has another special feature: the Høgskolekandidat (English: university college graduate). If you want to start your career quickly after graduation and prefer a more practical education, the Høgskolekandidat is the right choice for you. It is an independent, academically recognized degree that is below the Bachelor's degree and is awarded after two years of study in Norway (120 ECTS). Graduates can subsequently enter a Bachelor's program and earn the remaining 60 ECTS credits.
The academic year in Norway is divided into two semesters. The fall semester lasts from August to December. This is followed by a four-week break before the spring semester begins in January and ends in June. Exams often take place from November to December and from May to July, but sometimes also during the teaching period.
If you study in Norway, a course is usually divided into a main lecture and a seminar, where you can discuss the material in more depth. However, the content is not just rigidly “rammed through” in the lecture. The focus of studying in Norway is always on mutual exchange and the practical application of what you have learned. That is why the seminars are held in small groups and require a high degree of personal responsibility and independent learning. In addition to academic skills, the program also focuses on developing your soft skills so that you are well prepared for your career after graduation. Industry-related projects with the private sector are often part of everyday student life and round off the practical profile of a degree program in Norway.
Norwegian professors are considered extremely dedicated and helpful. They insist on being addressed informally and by their first names. You won't experience long waiting times to discuss a topic with a professor when studying in Norway. Just go up to your professor after class and you're sure to find an open ear. There is a relaxed, informal atmosphere throughout the university. Some students even report that professors organize get-togethers after exams to celebrate the end of exam stress. Lecturers and students do everything they can to make new students feel comfortable and welcome. At the beginning of the academic year, upperclassmen organize the Faderukka with the support of the university for new first-year students: a welcome week with campus tours, rallies, group excursions, parties, workshops, and information events.
When studying abroad in Norway, as in the US, a grading system with letters from A to F is used. A is the best possible grade and F is the worst, with E being the minimum grade required to pass an exam. Some exams do not use this differentiated scale and simply award a grade of “pass” or “fail.”
Studying in Norway has one major advantage: As in all other Scandinavian countries, there are no tuition fees. Combined with high academic standards, Norway offers you a tuition-free educational paradise – a real bonus for your studies abroad! If you study in Norway, you only have to pay a small amount between €45 and €60 per semester to the student services organization, which is used, for example, to finance student residences or organize cultural events. However, since the 2023/2024 academic year, studying in Norway is no longer without fee for all students worldwide: in order to strengthen the economy in the current crisis, Norway has introduced tuition fees for people who are not from the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland and wish to study in Norway on a permanent basis (i.e., full-time). This regulation does not apply to exchange students. The tuition fees for these students in Norway vary. As a rule, you can expect to pay between 120,000 and 200,000 Norwegian kroner per year (approx. €10,000 – 17,000).
As tempting as studying abroad in Norway may be, there is one catch: The cost of living is among the highest in Europe, and Oslo is even one of the most expensive capitals in the world. For example, you should expect to pay around four euros for a cup of coffee. Young adults studying in Norway have average expenses of at least €1,000 per month, excluding rent.
Even if these figures may seem daunting at first, don't forget that Norway is still one of the more affordable destinations for studying abroad thanks to the abolition of tuition fees. It won't be as expensive as studying in the US, England, or Australia, where both tuition fees and living costs are high.
There are also a wide range of (external) support services available to help you cover the costs of studying in Norway; more on this in the next section. A very simple way to study in Norway more affordably is to not enroll in a full Bachelor's or Master's program, but instead spend a semester abroad in Norway. If you only study in Norway for a shorter period of time, you will automatically have lower living and accommodation costs. Don't let the high cost of living prevent you from fulfilling your dream of studying abroad in Norway! Contact the International Office at your university to find out about the options for studying in Norway as part of a semester abroad.
With Munich Business School (MBS), your dream of studying abroad in Norway can come true! At MBS, stays abroad are an integral part of the Bachelor's and Master's programs. Here, internationality is not only taught, but also lived. Of course, Norway is also represented in MBS's global network of partner universities. Get an overview of the universities in Norway where you can study with MBS.
Even though there are no tuition fees for studying in Norway, you will of course need to be able to finance your studies abroad. This is because studying abroad usually involves higher costs than studying in your home country, due to travel expenses alone. Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which you can cover the costs of studying abroad in Norway. Here are a few ideas:
In order to receive Erasmus+ funding, it is important that both your home university and your host university participate in the Erasmus program and have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement. If this is the case, you can apply for an Erasmus study program at your home university. Study stays in Norway of at least two and no more than 12 months are eligible for funding, i.e., you will not be able to finance a complete Bachelor's or Master's degree in Norway with Erasmus+, but you can finance one or two semesters abroad. Since Erasmus+ is a grant, you do not have to repay the money. In addition, Erasmus+ can be combined with other funding, such as BAföG for studies abroad.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest provider of scholarships for study abroad. Here you will find a wide range of scholarships for all courses of study as well as subject- and country-specific funding. In addition to the DAAD, there are other private, church, and political foundations that award scholarships. Norwegian universities themselves offer only very few scholarships for international students, and when they do, it is mostly at the Master's or PhD level.
So check right away whether you meet the relevant requirements, such as studying in Norway for at least 12 weeks. If so, you will receive a monthly allowance towards your living expenses for a maximum of one year, a lump sum for travel expenses for your outward and return journey, and, if applicable, additional allowances for international health insurance.
Half of the BAföG for studies abroad is a grant and the other half is an interest-free loan, which means that you must repay half of the money you receive after completing your studies.
During semester breaks, students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can also work without restrictions. Typical part-time jobs for students include waitering, tutoring, or working in retail. With a part-time job, you can at least cover some of your living expenses while studying in Norway. At the same time, you will get to experience the country and its people up close – a very unique experience.
If you only want to study in Norway for one or two semesters, you can apply for a KfW student loan or, if you are already enrolled in a Master's program, a education loan of the German federal governement. The latter is also suitable for financing a complete Master's degree in Norway. An education fund that explicitly focuses on studying abroad is the Fonds der Deutsche Bildung.
Before signing a contract, you should carefully compare the providers and be aware that these financing models are loans and that you will have to repay the money you receive (plus interest). You can find more details on how student loans and education funds work on our blog.
If you want to study in Norway, you need to know more than just how to finance your studies. There are also a few things to keep in mind when it comes to applying and admission – from study requirements to legal basics. To help you be as prepared as possible, we have compiled the most important information here:
Studying in Norway is a dream for many young adults – and with good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in Norway is a big step that needs to be well planned and financed. To provide you with the best possible support in organizing your stay, this FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions about studying in Norway.
Studying in Norway offers one key advantage: there are no tuition fees. As a student in Norway, you only have to pay a small amount of between €45 and €60 per semester to the student services organization. An exception is made for people who are not from the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland and wish to study in Norway on a permanent basis (i.e., full-time). Since the 2023/2024 academic year, they have to pay tuition fees of between 120,000 and 200,000 Norwegian kroner (approx. €10,000–17,000) per year. Exchange students are exempt from this regulation. In contrast to tuition fees, the cost of living in Norway is very high. Young adults studying in Norway should expect to spend at least €1,000 per month (excluding rent).
If “free” refers to tuition fees, the answer is a resounding “yes!” Norway is a tuition-free educational paradise – at least for students from the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland. Students from outside these countries must pay fees for at least a full degree program. However, there is one catch when studying in Norway: the cost of living is among the highest in Europe, and Oslo is even one of the most expensive capitals in the world. But there are financing options available to help you cover the high cost of living while studying in Norway, including Erasmus+, BAföG for studies abroad, scholarships, part-time jobs, student loans, and education funds.
Yes – although Norway is not a member of the EU, it participates in the Erasmus program on a voluntary basis. This means that students from other Erasmus+ countries can go to Norway to study and receive a monthly mobility grant, a travel allowance, and a waiver of tuition fees (if necessary).
The University of Oslo is the oldest of Norway's eleven comprehensive universities. It was founded in 1811 and was Norway's only university for a long time. Many Norwegian Nobel Prize winners, politicians, and intellectuals have studied or taught here. It is therefore highly renowned, both within Norway and internationally. The University of Oslo regularly ranks among the top Nordic and European universities. In rankings such as the QS World University Ranking and Times Higher Education (THE), it is usually among the top 150–200 worldwide. If you are studying at the University of Oslo in Norway or planning an exchange, you are choosing an academically respected institution with a strong research profile and a wide range of courses.
The University of Oslo offers many programs in English, but not all. It depends largely on the level of study and the subject area.
At the Bachelor's level, most programs are taught in Norwegian.However, many regular courses in the higher semesters are offered in English for exchange students, even if the entire program is in Norwegian. The situation is different for Master's programs: Here, the majority of programs are taught in English and are therefore ideal for international students who wish to study abroad in Norway. Examples include Data Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Public International Law.
Overall, it can be said that 25% of all degree programs in Norway are taught in English.
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