How to Study in Oslo for International Students

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Oslo, one of the beautiful cities in Norway, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Oslo currently has 12 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 6 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 Oslo you should definitely check out are Barratt Due Institute of Music, University of Oslo, and BI Norwegian Business School.

Being able to study in Oslo 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 Oslo, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Oslo

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Oslo, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 67,000 NOK to 380,000 NOK, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 20,800 NOK and 380,000 NOK.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Oslo

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Oslo, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Oslo Metropolitan University 67,000 NOK - 95,000 NOK 67,000 NOK - 95,000 NOK
Oslo National Academy of the Arts 154,000 NOK - 221,000 NOK 154,000 NOK - 221,000 NOK
Oslo School of Architecture and Design 150,000 NOK
Norwegian Academy of Music 220,000 NOK 220,000 NOK
University of Oslo 71,500 NOK - 88,000 NOK 204,000 NOK - 295,000 NOK

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Oslo

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Barratt Due Institute of Music 380,000 NOK 380,000 NOK
Lovisenberg Diaconal University College 140,000 NOK
VID Specialized University 20,800 NOK
MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society 120,000 NOK 120,000 NOK
Kristiania University of Applied Sciences 198,800 NOK 153,200 NOK - 210,000 NOK
BI Norwegian Business School 138,400 NOK 128,200 NOK - 135,600 NOK

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Oslo, check out the Cheap Universities in Oslo!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Oslo for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Oslo, 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 Oslo, 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 Oslo and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Barratt Due Institute of Music

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Lovisenberg Diaconal University College

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Oslo Metropolitan University

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 Oslo

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

Barratt Due Institute of Music

University of Oslo

BI Norwegian Business School

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 Oslo 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 Oslo.

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 Oslo

If you’re going to study in Oslo, you will need to apply for a student visa in Norway

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 Oslo, 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 Oslo. 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!