Norway is one of the only countries in the world where public universities charge no tuition fees to any student domestic or international, EU or non-EU. A Pakistani student, a Nigerian student, and a Norwegian student sitting in the same lecture hall at the University of Oslo all pay the same tuition: zero.
That makes Norway genuinely different from most European study destinations. In Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, non-EU students pay significant fees and scholarships are needed to cover them. In Norway, the scholarship need is primarily for living costs, not tuition. And Norway’s government scholarship programs exist specifically to cover those costs for students from developing countries.
Tuition-Free Norwegian Universities
All Norwegian public universities charge no tuition fees to international students from any country. The major institutions:
University of Oslo (UiO): Norway’s largest and most research-active university. Ranked in the world’s top 100 in several fields. Programs in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, law, and medicine.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): Located in Trondheim. Norway’s leading technical university — strong in engineering, technology, natural sciences, and architecture.
University of Bergen: Strong in earth sciences, marine research, fisheries, and humanities. Home to the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, one of Europe’s leading climate research centers.
UiT — The Arctic University of Norway: In Tromsø. Unique focus on Arctic and polar research marine biology, Arctic ecology, climate change, and resource management. The world’s northernmost university with a significant research focus.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU): In Ås, near Oslo. Norway’s specialist university for agriculture, food science, environmental sciences, and veterinary medicine.
The only costs students pay at Norwegian universities are a semester fee of approximately 500–700 NOK (roughly 45–65 USD) per semester, which gives access to student welfare services including health care, housing priority, and sports facilities.
The Living Cost Reality
Tuition is free. Living costs are not.
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Oslo is consistently ranked among the top 10 most expensive cities globally. Realistic monthly living costs in Oslo run approximately 12,000–15,000 NOK per month (roughly 1,100–1,400 USD). In Bergen and Trondheim, costs are somewhat lower, approximately 10,000–12,000 NOK per month.
Accommodation is the largest cost. Student housing through SiO (Student Welfare Organization in Oslo) or equivalent organizations in other cities is available but competitive, apply as early as possible.
For students from developing countries, covering living costs is the primary financial challenge, and the scholarships below are designed specifically to address it.
Top Scholarships to Study in Norway for Free
1. Quota Scheme / Government Scholarship (Kvoteordningen)
The Norwegian government’s primary scholarship program for developing country students was historically called the Quota Scheme (Kvoteordningen). The program has undergone changes in recent years, check the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (HK-dir) at hkdir.no for the current program structure and eligibility.
Under the historical program structure:
- Full or partial living stipend for the study period
- Travel grant
- Available to students from developing countries at Norwegian universities
- Administered through partner universities, not a direct government application
The current status of this program should be confirmed directly at hkdir.no before building an application around it, Norwegian government scholarship programs have been restructured in recent years.
2. NORHED — Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education
NORHED funds institutional partnerships between Norwegian universities and universities in developing countries, specifically funding students from partner institutions in Africa and Asia to pursue Master’s and PhD programs in Norway.
If your home university has a NORHED partnership with a Norwegian institution, you may be eligible for funding through that institutional channel. NORHED funding is available only through these institutional partnerships not through individual applications.
Check with your home university’s international office whether a NORHED partnership exists with any Norwegian institution.
3. University of Oslo Scholarships
The University of Oslo has a small number of institutional scholarships for international students, primarily at the PhD level.
UiO PhD Fellowships:
- Full salary equivalent stipend (approximately NOK 38,000–42,000 per month — higher than most government scholarship stipends)
- PhD positions are advertised on the UiO jobs portal at uio.no/english/about/job-opportunities
- Applications are for specific advertised PhD positions, not general scholarship applications
- Open to international students
For environmental science, climate science, and natural science students specifically, checking UiO’s advertised PhD positions is worth doing, Norway is a major funder of climate and marine research and positions come up regularly.
4. NTNU PhD and Research Positions
NTNU advertises PhD positions across engineering, technology, natural sciences, and social sciences — and these positions include full salary, not just a stipend.
PhD Scholarship:
- Monthly salary approximately NOK 38,000 (roughly 3,500 USD)
- Full benefits including social security
- Open to international applicants
- Positions advertised at ntnu.edu/phd
For engineering and technology students, NTNU’s PhD positions are among the most financially generous PhD opportunities globally, the salary significantly exceeds the stipend provided by DAAD, MEXT, or GKS.
5. UiT — Arctic University Research Positions
UiT has PhD and postdoctoral positions in Arctic research, marine biology, fisheries science, and climate science. These are salaried positions open to international researchers.
For students with backgrounds in marine biology, Arctic ecology, fisheries, environmental science, or climate science, UiT offers research funding that is difficult to find at equivalent institutions elsewhere.
Check uit.no/english for advertised positions.
6. Erasmus Mundus Programs With Norwegian Partners
Several Erasmus Mundus programs include Norwegian universities as partners.
Nordic Master in Maritime Engineering: NTNU is a partner institution.
Nordic Forest Bioeconomy: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is a partner.
Erasmus Mundus covers full tuition at all partner institutions, 1,400 euros per month, travel costs, and health insurance, making it the most financially complete option for study at a Norwegian university.
IELTS: 6.5 for most programs Deadline: January–March 2026
How to Apply to Norwegian Universities
Applications to Norwegian universities for Master’s programs go through the Søknadsweb portal or directly through each university’s own application system. Most Master’s programs have a January application deadline for September entry.
For PhD positions, applications are made directly to the advertised position, not through a general admissions process. PhD positions are competitive and typically require contacting the supervisor before formally applying.
Language requirement: Most English-medium programs at Norwegian universities require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90. Some programs at NTNU and UiT accept 6.0, check the specific program requirements.
Student Housing in Norway
Student housing through university welfare organizations (SiO in Oslo, SiB in Bergen, SiT in Trondheim) is significantly cheaper than private rental. Monthly student housing costs approximately 4,000–6,000 NOK (370–560 USD) for a room in a student housing facility compared to 8,000–12,000 NOK for private rental.
Apply for student housing as early as possible demand exceeds supply at all major Norwegian universities.
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FAQ
Is Norway really free for international students?
Tuition is free zero at all Norwegian public universities for all students regardless of nationality. Living costs are high and are the main financial challenge.
What is the minimum IELTS for Norwegian universities?
6.5 for most programs. Some NTNU and UiT programs accept 6.0. Check your specific program.
Can Pakistani and Indian students study in Norway for free?
Yes, tuition is free for all international students. Living costs need to be covered through savings, scholarships, or PhD salary. Government scholarship programs should be confirmed at hkdir.no for current availability.
What are the strongest fields at Norwegian universities?
Marine science and Arctic research (UiT), engineering and technology (NTNU), earth sciences and climate research (University of Bergen), agriculture and food science (NMBU), and social sciences and humanities (University of Oslo).
Is there a scholarship that covers living costs in Norway?
Norwegian government scholarship programs (check hkdir.no for current status), Erasmus Mundus (1,400 euros/month), and salaried PhD positions (NOK 38,000/month) are the main options for covering living costs.