The Honest Truth About Studying in Norway
For years, Norway was the golden ticket for international students: world-class universities, zero tuition, and a Scandinavian quality of life that was hard to beat. That changed in August 2023 when the Norwegian parliament voted to introduce tuition fees for students from outside the EU/EEA. The impact was immediate and dramatic — international enrollment dropped roughly 80% in the first year. Programs that once attracted hundreds of applicants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America suddenly had a handful.
The tuition isn't cheap either. Non-EU/EEA students now pay between NOK 80,000 and NOK 205,600 per year depending on the university and program — that's roughly EUR 7,000 to EUR 18,000. And in June 2025, the government announced that individual universities would be allowed to decide whether to continue charging or not, starting from the 2026-27 academic year. A few institutions have signaled they may drop fees to rebuild their international student numbers. But as of right now, nothing is confirmed, and you shouldn't plan your finances around promises that haven't materialized yet.
Here's what you need to hear clearly: the Norwegian government does not offer any individual scholarship program open to all international students. There's no "Norway Government Scholarship" you can apply for the way you'd apply for a DAAD award in Germany or a Chevening in the UK. The funding options that do exist are scattered across Erasmus Mundus joint programs, bilateral agreements between Norway and specific countries, a small number of institutional awards from individual universities, and PhD positions (which are paid employment, not scholarships). If a website tells you there's a centralized, fully funded Norwegian scholarship for international master's students — they're either confused or trying to get your clicks.
And even if tuition were still free, Norway would remain one of the most expensive places on earth to live. It consistently ranks 4th or 5th globally for cost of living. You'll need a minimum of NOK 15,000 per month just for basic expenses — and in Oslo or Bergen, realistic budgets run closer to NOK 17,000-19,000. The government requires proof of NOK 166,859 in your bank account for your residence permit, and that amount covers one year's living costs only, not tuition. None of this is meant to discourage you. Norway is a phenomenal place to study. But you should walk in with accurate numbers rather than wishful thinking.
What This Guide Covers
Every section you'll need to plan your studies and finances in Norway.
Before You Read Further
There are a few things you should know upfront before diving deeper into this guide. They'll save you hours of chasing dead ends.
Don't trust "fully funded Norway scholarship" websites. Most are clickbait farming ad revenue. They'll list "Norway Government Scholarship" as though it's a real, centralized program you can apply for. It isn't. If a page asks you to "apply now" through their site for a Norwegian scholarship, close the tab.
Check your specific university's fee policy individually. Since June 2025, each Norwegian university can set its own policy on whether to charge non-EU/EEA students. Some may reinstate free tuition for 2026-27, others won't. Don't assume based on one university's decision that all have followed.
PhD positions in Norway are paid employment, not scholarships. If you get a PhD position at a Norwegian university, you're hired as an employee with a full salary (typically NOK 530,000-580,000/year), pension, and benefits. There's no tuition because you're staff. It's an excellent deal, but it's a job application process, not a scholarship application.
The Quota Scheme ended in 2016. You'll still see it mentioned on outdated websites. It funded students from developing countries to study in Norway. It's been gone for nearly a decade.
NORSTIP was cancelled from the 2026 budget onward. The Norwegian Partnership Programme for Global Academic Cooperation (NORPART), which included NORSTIP mobility grants, has been defunded. If you see it listed as a current option somewhere, that information is out of date.