5 Free and Cheap Universities in Bergen for International Students

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In Bergen, there are a handful of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Norway without paying a lot, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Bergen, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 5 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Bergen, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Bergen for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Bergen ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
NLA University College 0 NOK 100%
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences 160,000 NOK 3%
University of Bergen 187,400 NOK - 373,600 NOK -14%
Bergen School of Architecture 307,300 NOK -87%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 163,700 NOK for universities in Bergen.

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1. NLA University College

NLA University College, a private and religious institution established in 1968, is located in Bergen, Norway. It started as a college for training Christian teachers and has grown into a university with several campuses in Bergen, Oslo, and Kristiansand. Students can expect to receive value-based education that instills ethics and an understanding of Christian values.

2. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, a public institution, specializes in the sciences, humanities, engineering, teacher education, sports, economics, and management. It is known shortly as HVL, the acronym of its Norwegian name: Høgskulen på Vestlandet. A large institution comprising five campuses (Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal, and Stord), these locations may have been previously independent colleges whose merging resulted in HVL. Thousands of students choose from various programs every year, including a selected number of English-taught courses.

3. University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Norway, consistently ranking among the top 1% of universities in the world. It offers research-intensive programs and is acknowledged as the leading university in the field of natural sciences. Throughout the years, the university has won several awards for its high-quality education and valuable research.

4. Bergen School of Architecture

The Bergen School of Architecture (BAS) was established in 1986 as a private foundation. The institution’s emphasis on an Open Form promotes community engagement and inclusive design. BAS places significant focus on innovative materials, historical contexts, and regional building traditions, and integrates sustainability into its curriculum. Additionally, BAS offers bachelor’s programs in Norwegian and English-taught master’s programs.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Bergen for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Bergen ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
NLA University College 0 NOK 100%
NHH Norwegian School of Economics 184,000 NOK 2%
University of Bergen 187,400 NOK - 373,600 NOK 1%
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences 260,000 NOK -38%
Bergen School of Architecture 307,300 NOK -63%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 187,800 NOK for universities in Bergen.

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1. NLA University College

NLA University College, a private and religious institution established in 1968, is located in Bergen, Norway. It started as a college for training Christian teachers and has grown into a university with several campuses in Bergen, Oslo, and Kristiansand. Students can expect to receive value-based education that instills ethics and an understanding of Christian values.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, NLA University College should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 NOK annually for their master's degree.

2. NHH Norwegian School of Economics

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is NHH Norwegian School of Economics. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at NHH Norwegian School of Economics is 184,000 NOK.

The NHH Norwegian School of Economics, or simply NHH, is one of the state-funded universities in Norway. It was the first business school in the country, with a history dating back to 1936. At present, the university has around 3,500 students, 8% of which are from outside Norway.

3. University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Norway, consistently ranking among the top 1% of universities in the world. It offers research-intensive programs and is acknowledged as the leading university in the field of natural sciences. Throughout the years, the university has won several awards for its high-quality education and valuable research.

The tuition fee at University of Bergen for incoming international master’s students is 187,400 NOK to 373,550 NOK. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Another affordable university to consider in Bergen is Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, a public institution, specializes in the sciences, humanities, engineering, teacher education, sports, economics, and management. It is known shortly as HVL, the acronym of its Norwegian name: Høgskulen på Vestlandet. A large institution comprising five campuses (Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal, and Stord), these locations may have been previously independent colleges whose merging resulted in HVL. Thousands of students choose from various programs every year, including a selected number of English-taught courses.

The tuition fee in Western Norway University of Applied Sciences for master’s program for foreign students starts from 260,000 NOK.

5. Bergen School of Architecture

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Bergen School of Architecture has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 307,234 NOK yearly.

The Bergen School of Architecture (BAS) was established in 1986 as a private foundation. The institution’s emphasis on an Open Form promotes community engagement and inclusive design. BAS places significant focus on innovative materials, historical contexts, and regional building traditions, and integrates sustainability into its curriculum. Additionally, BAS offers bachelor’s programs in Norwegian and English-taught master’s programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Bergen?

Applying to cheap universities in Bergen requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Norway for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Bergen?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Bergen. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Bergen is the University of Bergen, which offers Bioinformatics, Digital Culture, and Fine Art to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the NLA University College offers Intercultural Studies, Theology and Ministry, and Global Journalism .

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Bergen, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Bergen as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in Bergen for international students was helpful!