Step 1 of 10
Understand Why Students Choose Norway
Norway offers strong research universities, hundreds of English-taught master’s, an informal and discussion-based teaching style, high graduate salaries, and world-class nature — balanced against high living costs and, now, tuition for non-EU students.
Research universities — UiO, NTNU, UiB, UiT
English master’s — hundreds of them
High salaries — + great nature
How to help: Weigh Norway’s quality, salaries, and nature against high living costs and (for non-EU students) the new tuition — and check whether your program still waives fees.
Good to know: Norway’s teaching is informal and discussion-based, with a strong focus on independent thinking — distinctive and well-regarded.
Step 2 of 10
Understand the System
Norwegian higher education is mostly public and research-based, spanning universities, university colleges, and specialized institutions. Leading universities include Oslo (UiO), NTNU (Trondheim), Bergen (UiB), and Tromsø (UiT). Degrees follow the European structure.
Mostly public — research-based
UiO / NTNU / UiB / UiT — the leaders
3+2 — European structure
How to help: Choose among Norway’s research universities and university colleges, noting that most English-taught options are at the master’s level.
Good to know: Most of Norway’s English-taught programs are at master’s level — English bachelor’s options are more limited.
Step 3 of 10
Understand the Non-EU Tuition Change
The headline: since autumn 2023, non-EU/EEA/Swiss students pay tuition (recently NOK 130,000–340,000/year, varying by program). A 2025 reform lets institutions decide whether to charge, so some may reduce or waive fees — always check your specific university.
Since 2023 — non-EU pay fees
~NOK 130k–340k/yr — varies by program
2025 reform — institutions may waive
How to help: Check your specific university and program’s current tuition — the rules are shifting, and some institutions may charge less (or nothing) from 2025–26.
Watch out: Norway’s non-EU tuition is in flux after the 2025 reform — confirm the exact fee (and any waiver) for your program before deciding.
Step 4 of 10
Get the Student Residence Permit
Non-EU/EEA students staying over 90 days need a student residence permit (studietillatelse) from UDI (the Directorate of Immigration), applied for via the UDI Application Portal after admission. EU/EEA students just register after arrival.
studietillatelse — from UDI
After admission — apply via UDI portal
EU/EEA — just register on arrival
How to help: Apply for your student residence permit via the UDI portal once admitted, then submit documents and biometrics at an embassy/VFS — processing takes 1–3 months, so apply early.
Good to know: Apply as soon as you accept your offer — UDI processing can take up to three months.
Step 5 of 10
Apply to Universities
Applications typically go directly to universities (some undergraduate routes use Samordna opptak). Credential recognition may involve NOKUT. Deadlines for non-EU students needing a permit are often around 1 December–15 January for autumn.
Apply directly — to universities
NOKUT — credential recognition
Early deadlines — for permit applicants
How to help: Apply directly to your chosen universities by their (often early) international deadlines, and handle credential recognition — leave ample time for the permit.
Good to know: Non-EU students needing a permit face earlier deadlines — apply well ahead of the standard dates.
Step 6 of 10
Meet the Financial Requirement
For the permit, UDI requires proof of living funds — recently about NOK 167,000–170,000 per year (adjusted annually), usually held in a Norwegian or university deposit account. This is in addition to any tuition.
Funds — ~NOK 167k–170k/year
Deposit account — Norwegian or university
Plus tuition — if applicable
How to help: Prepare proof of funds at the current UDI amount, typically deposited in a Norwegian or university account, on top of any tuition — confirm the exact figure and method.
Watch out: The funds usually must sit in a Norwegian/university deposit account — a specific requirement, so plan the logistics early.
Step 7 of 10
Meet Language Requirements
For English-taught programs you prove English (commonly IELTS or equivalent). Norwegian isn’t needed to study those, though learning Norwegian genuinely helps daily life and (scarce) part-time work.
English — IELTS or equivalent
No Norwegian needed — for English programs
Some Norwegian — helps a lot
How to help: Take an accepted English test for your program, and learn some Norwegian — it materially helps with daily life and finding work in Norway.
Good to know: Part-time work is scarce without Norwegian — don’t rely on it to fund your studies.
Step 8 of 10
Prepare for the Move
Prepare for very high living costs (Oslo is among Europe’s priciest), and after arriving, report to the police, get an ID number, and register. Housing is competitive — apply early for student housing (SiO and similar).
High costs — Oslo is expensive
Register — police + ID number
Housing — apply early
How to help: Budget for Norway’s high living costs, arrange student housing early, and complete arrival registration (police, ID number) promptly.
Good to know: Norway is expensive — build a realistic budget, since part-time work won’t reliably cover the gap.
Step 9 of 10
Understand Work Rules
Non-EU/EEA students may work up to 20 hours per week during term (and full-time in holidays), but part-time work is genuinely hard to find without Norwegian, and won’t cover tuition plus living costs.
Work — 20 hrs/week in term
Hard to find — without Norwegian
Not a funding plan — budget fully
How to help: You may work 20 hours/week, but don’t base your finances on part-time work — it’s scarce and won’t cover your costs. Plan to fund your studies fully.
Watch out: Treat part-time work as a bonus, not a plan — Norway’s job market is tough for students without Norwegian.
Step 10 of 10
Thrive & Work After Study
After graduating, you can apply for a job-seeker residence permit to look for skilled work in Norway. Its strong economy and high salaries offer real pathways for graduates who find qualified employment.
Job-seeker permit — after graduating
Strong economy — high salaries
Community — get involved
How to help: Plan for the post-study job-seeker permit, build networks during study, and target Norway’s strong sectors if you want to stay — confirming current conditions.
Good to know: Norway offers a post-study job-search permit — confirm the current duration and conditions, which can change.
Quick Reference
Studying in Norway: The Essentials
A snapshot — tuition rules changed in 2023 and are becoming flexible, so confirm everything with UDI, Study in Norway, and your university.
- The systemMostly public, research-based universities and university colleges (UiO, NTNU, UiB, UiT); hundreds of English-taught programs, strongest at master’s level.
- TuitionEU/EEA/Swiss study free; non-EU/EEA students pay fees since autumn 2023 (~NOK 130k–340k/year), though a 2025 reform lets institutions decide whether to charge — check your program.
- The permitNon-EU students need a student residence permit (studietillatelse) from UDI, applied for after admission via the UDI portal; EU/EEA students just register on arrival.
- MoneyProve living funds (~NOK 167k–170k/year), usually in a Norwegian/university deposit account, plus any tuition; living costs are very high (Oslo especially).
- Work & afterWork up to 20 hrs/week (part-time work is scarce without Norwegian); a post-study job-seeker permit allows time to find skilled work.
Official & Trusted Sources
Where to learn more
About this guide. This guide is a general, plain-language overview compiled by K12 Academics, current as of 2025–26, and is not legal or immigration advice. Norway's tuition rules changed in 2023 and are being made flexible from 2025; fees and the funds requirement change. Confirm all details with UDI, Study in Norway, and your university. *Non-EU tuition since autumn 2023; from 2025 institutions may decide whether to charge.
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