Top Universities to Study For Free in Norway in 2023

Searching for tuition-free universities in Norway? Here’s all you need to know about the top universities to study for free in Norway.

Generally, Norway is one of the destinations in the world with a reputation for being expensive. However, it may surprise you that studying in Norway might be more affordable than ever.

This might sound ironic as living in Norway has a reputation for being expensive. However, you need to know that Norwegian universities and state university colleges offer free tuition fees to international students.

Regardless of Norway being a small country, Norwegian universities offer top-quality education, which benefits international, exchange, and degree-seeking students. All of these and nature, big ideas, history, and firm principles are more things Norway offers.

In this article, we will discuss Norway, why you should study in Norway and the top tuition fee universities in Norway.

Why Study in Norway?

Generally, living in Norway is quite expensive than in most other countries. However, there are reasons you might want to choose universities in Norway.

Norway offers a high-quality life

Again, Norway is quite an expensive place to live in as the cost of living is high. However, it offers a top-quality life, a great climate, and top-quality education.

Norwegian nature is amazing

Norway is rich. It is endowed with natural environments, and there’s always as much space available. The country has a population of about 5.4 million people and is a great place for tourists.

It is a safe place to study.

Norway is a safe destination, especially a safe place to study. The crime rate in the country is low, and the population size is quite low.

The country is run as social democracy, and for all these reasons, the distribution of wealth in Norway is quite fair.

In Norway, social responsibility is uncontested as a crime for most people and is considered a community responsibility rather than an individual’s shortcoming. In Norway also, prisoners/offenders are rehabilitated rather than punished.

It offers free education.

In Norway, most higher education institutions are funded by the Ministry of Education and Research. As a result, Norwegians and international students are not required to pay tuition fees unless they choose to study in private universities.

However, students must always pay semester fees every semester, whose prices are quite low. This fee is paid to the student union, covering access to your welfare and certain facilities.

Norwegian wages are high.

Need we mention again that Norway is an expensive place to live in? Food, alcohol, and transportation in Norway are quite pricey. However, as a student in Norway, if you can work while you study, you’d receive very high wages.

You get to learn to speak English excellently.

Norwegians speak fluent English; recently, the country rose to the third-placed country on the EF English Proficiency Index.

You learn to speak English excellently in Norway.

It has a tolerant society.

Norway is a tolerant society, especially for foreigners. Also, they are LGBTQ+ friendly. The country has been ranked as one of the five countries in the world most tolerant of LGBTQ+ individuals.

A great economy too

Norway has a flourishing and stable economy based on its natural resource richness.

Also, unemployment in the country is quite low, and employments come with high wages – that means that the outlook for graduates in the country is assuring. Also, the welfare system in this country is quite charitable.

Startups

The Norwegian economy used to be on gas and salmon stereotypically. However, that has changed in recent times. The citizens of Norway have this Scandinavian enthusiasm for design. This means discovering technological solutions to make life better.

In Norway, Oslo is considered the most prominent European hub for start-ups. Their innovations go from solar panels to fingerprints.

In Norway, one doesn’t need to be in tech or business to find a great job in a company ready to accept what you can offer.

How Can I Study For Free in Norway?

If you want to study for free in Norway, here are simple steps to follow:

1. Find free universities in Norway

Fortunately, public universities in Norway offer tuition-free studies to international students. However, each university has advantages and disadvantages, so we recommend researching before choosing one.

2. Ready your application

Your application should focus on convincing the university admission officers you are applying to that you deserve to be at their school.

It should contain the following:

• Your academic achievements
• Proof of good behavior and personality
• Recommendation letters (if needed)

3. Submit your application

Apply on time, as that increases your chances of getting accepted.

4. Apply for Norwegian university scholarships

Check out scholarship opportunities at Norwegian universities and submit your application.

5. Apply for private and government scholarships too

There are private scholarships to apply to by companies, businesses, organizations, and corporations. They help by providing financial help to international students.

Also, government scholarships are financed by the government to help international students study at universities in Norway.

When you have been accepted to study for free in Norway, you might need to find a job while you study.

This is important to cater to your living expenses as the scholarship may not be enough to cover your bills.

Is University in Norway Free For International Students?

Yes, however, international students can study in public universities for free. Public universities in Norway offer tuition-free education to international students regardless of their country of origin.

Suppose you are looking to study in Norway as an international student. In that case, this is a great opportunity to earn a degree at a quality university at little or no cost at all.

Is it Easy to Get Into Norwegian University?

Are universities in Norway hard to get into?

Actually, universities in Norway are hard to get into because of too many applications from students worldwide. However, you don’t need to worry as the universities in Norway are not particularly selective. The estimated acceptance rates of Universities in Norway are between 20%-40%. This means that universities in Norway are quite competitive.

All you have to do is to ensure you meet the requirements of your university of choice and write the perfect application to submit earlier before the deadline.

What are the Top Universities for International Students to Study For Free in Norway?

Does Norway have free public universities? Here is a list of the top universities to study for free in Norway.

1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) – #1 Tuition free university in Norway

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is one of Norway’s tuition-free universities that offers its local and international students a unique advantage over other universities in Europe and North America.

At NTNU, students only need to cater for their living expenses while the university takes care of the other expenses.

However, international students who are not citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries must prove that they are financially stable enough to live and cater for themselves in Norway. All of these before they can be granted students visa.

2. The University of Bergen – #2 Tuition Free Universities in Norway

The University of Bergen is another on the list of our tuition free universities in Norway. It is a public institution, and it offers tuition free studying to both Norwegians and their international students.

However, a mandatory fee is to be paid – the semester fee of NOK 480 paid to the Student Welfare Organisation.

3. Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences – # Universities to Study for Free in Norway

The Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences is a state-owned university, and it offers tuition free universities in Norway for both Norwegian and international students.

However, there’s a compulsory fee; the semester fee be paid. This fee covers the use of printers and the membership in the Students Welfare Organisation. The few is NOK660 per semester. However, if you come to the schools as an exchange student, you will have no news to pay any fees.

4. University of Nordland – #4 Universities to Study for Free in Norway

The University of Nordland was formerly called Bodø University College. It is also one of the tuition free universities in Norway.

However, the Government of Norway mandates international students from outside the EU to provide a minimum amount of money to cater for their living expenses for one academic year in the country.

This means that students are required to transfer the total amount of NOK 92,500 to the University of Nordland for their living expenses for the academic year.

5. MF Norwegian School of Theology – #5 Universities to Study for Free in Norway

This school requires all international students to arrive in Oslo able to cater for their living expenses. Also, enough funding to cover students and registration fees as well as their accommodation fees.

Aside from the student/registration fee, the MF Norwegian School of Technology offers a complete tuition free study for both Norwegian and international students.

6. BI Norwegian Business School – #6 Universities to Study for Free in Norway

This is not a completely tuition free university. The tuition fee is only offered to students from BIs partner universities nominated as exchange summer programs by their home universities.

However, students who are not nominated by BiS (and study in BI partner universities) get a 50% tuition fee reduction.

The BI Norwegian Business School award scholarships based on academic and personal qualifications. It also awards based on financial needs. And these scholarships comprised either full or partial waiver of the tuition fee.

7. Norwegian School of Economics – #7 Universities to Study for Free in Norway

The Norwegian School of Economics does not require an application, admission, or tuition fees for its local and international students. However, they must pay a welfare fee that costs approximately NOK 700 each semester.

This fee is paid to the school’s student association and must be paid before students register for classes.

8. The Arctic University of Norway – #8 Tuition Free Universities in Norway

The Arctic University of Norway is another one of the tuition green universities in Norway that offers free tuition for Norwegian and international students.

However, international students are required to cater to their living expenses. Also, the university has a compulsory semester fee of NOK 500.

9. Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics

This university requires international students to be able to afford a minimum of NOK 90,800 per academic year or NOK 45,400 per semester. And this is to cover their living expenses. Bergen Academy of Art & Design, Norway.

Bergen Academy of Art & Design also offers tuition free studies. However, students are expected to provide funding for their living expenses.

10. Norwegian School of Sport Sciences – #10 Universities to Study for Free in Norway

This school is one of the top tuition free universities in Norway. However, it only accepts and admits exchange students from their partner universities. And students are required to apply through their home universities.

11. Narvik University College – #11 Universities to Study for Free in Norway

This is another one of the tuition free universities in Norway that offer tuition free studies to both Norwegians and international students. However, international students must pay a minimum of NOK 92,500 to obtain an entry permit into the country.

The payment will be to cater for their living expenses for one year.

The NLA aims to admit more international students to the university, and because of this, they set a discount on their semester fees for international students.

For international students, it costs NOK 1475, which is cheaper than the fees paid by Norwegian students.

However, students must cater their meals, accommodation, travel, and textbooks.

12. Nord-Trøndelag University College

Nord-Trøndelag University College offers tuition fee study opportunities. However, exchange students are required to pay their tuition at their institution. Also, all students must be financially stable enough to cover their living expenses.

13. Norwegian Academy of Music

The Norwegian Academy of Music is also one of the tuition free universities in Norway. However, international students from outside the EU/EEA are mandated to pay a certain amount of money to cover their living expenses.

This payment is to be granted a student residence permit.

14. Norwegian School of Veterinary Science

Similar to the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science is also one of the top tuition free universities in Norway.

Also, it accepts international exchange students from their partner universities. These students must apply through their home universities.

15. Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences

The Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences needs students to document adequate funding as found described on their website under the resident and work permit section. And this is the criteria for obtaining a residence permit for international students outside the EU/EEA.

16. The University Centre in Svalbard

The University Centre in Svalbard offers Norwegian and international students no religious fee. However, students must pay a semester fee of NOK 500 every semester.

17. The University of Oslo (UiO)

Being a publicly funded university, this university is one of the tuition free universities in Norway. However, students pay a semester fee of NOK 550 every semester.

The fee is paid for the students’ welfare of the school and grants you the privileges of the Foundation for Student Life (SiO) services.

18. University of Stavanger (UiS)

This University accepts exchange students from exchange programs such as ERASMUS and NORDPLUS. Also, the university has stabilized various bilateral exchange agreements with colleges and universities across the globe.

Conclusion

Norway is a great place to live, study, and work. We hope that you will have found enough reasons to move and study in Norway by the time you’re done with this article.

We hope that our extensive list of tuition free universities in Norway will assist in your searches.

All the best!

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