Study in Norway
Norway offers you a unique student experience and Norwegian institutions of higher education welcome applications sent by qualified students from all over the world.
Internationalisation is a priority within all sectors of the Norwegian education system, and universities and university colleges are constantly working to facilitate for international students. Around 14 000 foreign nationals are currently enrolled at Norwegian institutions of higher education. International students may apply for admission to a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. You may come to Norway as student through established exchange programmes, institutional agreements or as a so called “free mover”, where you arrange the stay by yourself (type of study, length and financing).
Quality education
With a wide range of high quality courses and great flexibility, Norwegian institutions prove to be an ideal study destination. From vocational subjects to postgraduate and doctorate level, there are plenty of opportunities for students to fulfil their ambitions. You will also benefit from the informal atmosphere at Norwegian universities and university colleges, where teachers are easily approachable and tuition often takes place in small groups. Most institutions also have well equipped computer facilities with free Internet access.
Study off the beaten track
In our northern corner of the world you can combine your studies with exciting outdoor activities, both winter and summer. You can see the Aurora Borealis (“Northern lights”), experience the midnight sun, fjords and mountains. Challenge yourself with skiing, white water rafting or climbing. Or simply enjoy the fresh air, clean water and lots and lots of space. As a student in Norway you will never be short of possibilities for unique nature experiences.
dmission & Application
In order to obtain the necessary application forms and information about the application deadlines you will have to contact each university or university college. In general the application deadline for foreign students is between December 1 to March 15 for courses starting the following autumn (August). Please note that some institutions have separate
“pre-qualification” deadlines that are earlier than this.
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The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) supervises and helps to develop the quality of higher education in Norway through evaluation, accreditation and recognition of quality systems, institutions and course provisions. NOKUT is the official Norwegian ENIC-NARIC center. |
| For students with a Norwegian identity number most applications to undergraduate studies at public institutions of higher education in Norway are processed by a centralised application processing centre called Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS – Samordna opptak). |
Below you will find the general requirements to previous education. These are minimum requirements determined by NOKUT. Please note that institutions may have higher and/or additional requirements for all or some programmes.
Academic requirements
A compilation of country-specific information called the GSU-list (formerly SIS list) states what level of education applicants from different countries need to meet for entry into Norwegian higher education, including any requirements concerning proficiency in English. For courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian, proficiency in the Norwegian language is also required.
An updated pdf-version of the GSU list can be found here.
Undergraduate studies
Completion of secondary education at advanced level, equivalent to passing the exam at the end of Norwegian secondary school, is the general basic requirement for entry to Norwegian universities and university colleges. For students from some countries at least one year of completed studies at the university level is required in addition.
Please check the GSU-list for detailed information regarding additional requirements for your country.
Some study programmes have special admission requirements, usually relating to specialist subjects or fields of study from secondary school. Please check with the institution for information about these special qualifications.
Masters programmes
Admission requirements are decided by each university and university college based on an academic evaluation of the applicants.
Applicants for Masters programmes have normally obtained an undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of at least 3 years’ duration. The degree must include courses equal to at least 1 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to that of the programme applied for.
In special cases, the first (and sometimes the second) year of study at a foreign higher education institution will not be recognised as higher education in Norway.
Practical guide
It will always be a challenge arriving in a new country to live and study. There are many practicalities to take care of. Fortunately, Norway is a transparent and well organised society. Also, the Norwegian institutions will do their best to ease the transition for you to become a student in Norway.
Student welfare organisations
All institutions have a student welfare organisation. You normally become a member upon payment of the compulsory semester fee (usually between NOK 300-600), which is also required in order to register for exams. Depending on the size of the institution they offer a wide variety of services. Among other things they organise nursery schools, counselling, a mental health service, canteens, student accommodation and sports facilities/activities.
Before arriving in Norway you may need the services of the student welfare organisation at the institution to which you are applying when transferring money to Norway for the first time. If you don’t have a bank account in a Norwegian bank you can transfer money to special accounts established for foreign students. In turn, they will send you an official statement confirming the amount transferred, and you can use this as documentation when applying for a student residence permit. This is generally done free of charge. When you come to Norway and have opened your private bank account, you can transfer the money to this account.
Norwegian identity number
If you are going to stay in Norway for more than six months you should register with the National Registry so that you can be awarded an 11 digit identity number (your date of birth plus a 5 digit personal number). This is done at the local tax assessment office (“Likningskontor”). The number is required for opening a bank account, obtaining a student card, and applying for a loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.
Students from the Nordic countries, and students who are going to stay in Norway for less than six months, may apply for a D-number ( dummy number). This number may be used to open a bank account. To apply for this number, contact your local tax assessment office, or the Office of the National Registrar in Oslo if you are located abroad.
Money and banking
In order to open a bank account in a Norwegian bank you will need a Norwegian identity number. You can choose between local or regional banks, or banks with branches all over Norway. Some banks are also pure online banks, with no physical branches. Norwegian banks have advanced solutions for online banking so you can administrate your accounts, pay bills and transfer money online.
Foreign credit cards are widely accepted in Norway and cash machines are easily available. However, please note that most grocery stores and supermarkets do not accept foreign credit cards.
Travel to Norway
Many students will come to Norway by plane. Several cities in Norway have direct flights to European destinations. Both the major European national carriers and the new low cost carriers are serving destinations in many corners of Norway. The major hub for international flights to and from Norway is Oslo Airport Gardermoen.
You can also reach Norway by car ferries from Denmark and England, and by train via Sweden. If you decide to travel to Norway by car you can come from Russia and Finland in the north, and through Sweden further south.
The Visit Norway website can provide you with detailed information about how to plan your travel arrangements to Norway.
Student life
As a student in Norway you will never be short of lifetime experiences. No matter what your preferences are you should be able to find something of interest beyond books and classes. The freedom of nature is never far away, even in the major cities. If you are more urban oriented many cities have a vibrant cultural life with coffee bars and music clubs.
Student welfare organisations
Your local student welfare organisation can offer a variety of services, from on campus health services to sports activities. We highly recommend to make use of their services – after all, they are there for your own well being.
Discover Norway
When in Norway you should not miss the opportunity to experience other areas of our diverse country than where you study. Despite the geography and long distances, most places are accessible by public transport. Of course, if you prefer solitude and to find your own personal sanctuary, the wilderness is never far away.
Most cities and regions have their own Tourist Office that can provide you with information about local sights, accommodation and travel. See the Visit Norway website to locate these offices.
Student residence permit
All students who plan to stay in Norway for more than three months will need a student residence permit. Visas are only issued for stays up to 90 days (e.g. for certain Summer School programmes).
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The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the public agency processing all applications for a student residence permit. For complete information about the Norwegian immigration regulations please visit their website. |
We urge you to carefully read the regulations as to avoid problems during the application process. Applications that are incomplete will not be processed, and your entry to Norway can be delayed.
Regulations concerning student residence permit for students from countries in the EU/EEA/EFTA are available here.
Regulations concerning student residence permit for students from the Nordic countries are available here.
For applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA:
You should submit your application to a Norwegian Foreign Mission. The application must be submitted in person. Applications sent by mail or email will not be processed. In some cases the applicant may expect to be called in for an interview.
There is a processing fee of NOK 1 100 (approx. USD 180) for each application made from abroad payable to the Norwegian Foreign Mission. Due to exchange rates and local administrative conditions this fee may vary. Please check with the Norwegian Foreign Mission for exact fee prior to submission of application.
Please visit the Norway Portal to locate the Norwegian embassy or consulate general nearest you.
When you apply for a student residence permit you must submit the following documents:
- An application form for student residence with a passport photograph.
[download form here]
- A copy of your passport.
- Documentation of admission to an approved educational institution.
The letter of acceptance from the instution must contain the following information:
1. The applicant’s name
2. The name of the institution
3. What course/programme the applicant has been admitted to
4. The duration of the course/programme
The course/programme must be full-time and approved for financial support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. This also applies for students who have financing from other sources and do not intend to seek support from the Loan Fund.
- A plan of study.
A filled out form stating the progress of your studies.
[download form here]
- Documentation of housing.
Approved documentation includes a lease copy for a house, an apartment or a room issued by a private person or company. Apartments/rooms provided by the institution’s own Student Housing organisation must also be documented with a lease copy.
- Documentation of subsistence
(loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund or deposits in a Norwegian bank).
Subsistence is ensured at NOK 89.000,- for the school year 2010/2011. If you plan to attend an institution/programme/course that has tuition fees, you must also document that you are able to finance this extra cost.
As a general rule, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requires the money to be deposited in a Norwegian bank account, and this account must be in the applicant’s name. If the educational institution has set up an account for the students, the student may transfer his/her funds to this account. Documentation in this case should include a statement from the institution confirming that the correct amount is deposited to the account in question, or a bank statement showing a balance for the correct amount.The applicant may apply for part-time work in Norway and submit this as part of the grounds for subsistence. However, the total amount for subsistence will then be higher.As a general rule, financial guarantees from a third person is not accepted, whether this person is a resident in Norway or another country. In special cases financial guarantees from an applicant’s parents may be accepted if they are Norwegian residents.
Please note that the documentation requirements will vary from country to country and are subject to change. For more information, contact the Norwegian Foreign Service mission closest to you. If you are in Norway, contact the local police or the Directorate of Immigration.
A student residence permit to Norway is granted under the precondition that the student will return to his/her country of legal permanent residence upon completion of the studies.
For regulations concerning familiy reunification for a student’s immediate family, please see the website of the. UDI
Exchange students
The regulations above are also valid for exchange students from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA. If the stay is financed through scholarships, student loans or other public funding from the home country, valid documentation must accompany the application. The documentation must include the total amount converted into a generally accepted currency, together with information about how the funds will be paid out (e.g. in monthly installments or the full amount at once).
Health insurance
Health services in Norway are of high standards. As a student in Norway you are ensured professional medical treatment no matter which part of the country you are living in. In most cases the treatment is free of charge if certain prerequisites are met. These prerequisites vary depending on your current nationality and length of stay in Norway. Please study the regulations below carefully.
| NAV is the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service. NAV is the public agency administrating the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. |
Students from the Nordic countries
You are a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme if you are registered in the National Population Register in Norway. If you are not a member you are nevertheless entitled to health services under the National Insurance Act and you do not have to verify it with a European Health Insurance Card.
Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
The general rule is that you do not become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. If you are a member of social security in your home country while studying in Norway, you are entitled emergency and necessary treatment under Norwegian legislation.
If you are not entitled to a European Health Insurance Card from your home country, you must have other insurance to cover any medical expenses you might incur in Norway.
Students from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
If the duration of your stay in Norway is more than one year you automatically become insured under the National Insurance Scheme when you register as a student at a Norwegian institution of higher education and as a resident in Norway. If the duration of your stay in Norway is between 3 and 12 months you should apply for membership of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme providing coverage with regard to health services. The form must be sent to the insurance office in the municipality in which you are staying. Students who do not become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, must have a social security coverage from their home country.
All students
Some institutions provide on campus health services. The semester card which you receive by semester registration may entitle you free medical treatment at the institution’s student health services. This treatment usually does not apply to medicines or to medical tests taken off campus. The cost of medicines is only covered if you are hospitalised, or suffer from a serious disease, and are member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or have a European Health Insurance Card or another form of social security which covers these costs.
Source: http://www.studyinnorway.no/
