How to Study in Norway for International Students

Located in Northern Europe, Norway has a lot to offer to international students. Starting from the quality of education they produce, this European country is globally acknowledged as they are home to some of the top-ranking universities in the world. Moreover, Norwegian schools offer a wide range of programs at all levels. You'll be able to kickstart your studies while enjoying the great outdoors.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Norway currently has 29 universities, from which 22 universities are a part of the public sector and 7 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Norway you should definitely check out are University of Oslo, University of Bergen, and Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Being able to study in Norway as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Norway, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Norway

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Norway don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, NLA University College and Sámi University of Applied Sciences are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Norway with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
VID Specialized University 5,300 NOK - 6,200 NOK 4,080 NOK - 33,200 NOK
NLA University College 0 NOK 0 NOK
MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society 0 NOK 0 NOK
Kristiania University College 98,400 NOK 72,200 NOK - 102,400 NOK
BI Norwegian Business School 99,400 NOK - 129,200 NOK 126,600 NOK - 164,600 NOK

2. Requirements to Study in Norway for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Norway, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Norway, English and Norwegian are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting Test of Norwegian for Norwegian.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Norway and their required minimum scores for each program level.

BI Norwegian Business School

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Master’s degree

Kristiania University College

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Norway

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Norway have online applications available on their websites, like University of Oslo and University of Bergen. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Norway.

University of Oslo

University of Bergen

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Norway differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Norway.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Norway

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Norway. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Norway as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Norway. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Norway Student Visa. .

To start your student visa application in Norway, you will need to present the following:

  1. Passport or any valid travel documents
  2. Completed application form
  3. Proof of payment of application fees
  4. Evidence of admission to a full-time education program
  5. Proof of sufficient financial funds
  6. Accommodation details
  7. Evidence of return ticket after finishing the study program
  8. Completed and signed Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) document checklist

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Norway is 5900 NOK.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Fill up the online visa application at the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website.
  2. Visit the nearest Norwegian Embassy or a Visa Application Center in your country.
  3. Pay the required application fees.
  4. Submit all the required documents.
  5. Once done with the submission, the embassy will forward your application to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Norway.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Norway. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!