University of Stavanger

Indian students seeking to study in Norway, can look out for English-taught programs at various Norwegian universities. In 2024, around 484 Indian students were studying across Norwegian universities. It is reported that there will be a 5-10% increase in the number of students opting to study in Norway because of its quality education, research and at par work life balance.

Studying in Norway can open horizons for international students to study further or research and even work. Those who are looking for opportunities to study abroad in Norway can apply to public universities and study at tuition free universities as well. More details about the cost of living in Norway, the cost of studying in Norway along with student visa requirements to study in Norway are elaborated below.

Why Study in Norway?

While Norway may not be one of the affordable countries in the Europe to study in, yet there are some pointers which can help students decide why they shold study in Norway for higher education:

• Most of the public universities in Norway are cheaper for Indian students but not free anymore since 2024.

• PhD candidates and certain exchange students may still be exempted from tuition fees.

• Education is still cheaper in Norway because of the scholarships available by both government and universities.

• The quality of higher education in Norway is way better than other countries in Europe.

• In Norway around 88% of the population speaks English language, hence Indian students will not have a hard time adjusting.

• For those planning to work in Norway after their higher education, can find a good work life balance. Those working in Norway cannot exceed 13 hours of work in a day including overtiming.

• Ranked at #32 globally, Norway is one of the safest countries to live and study in as international students. (As per GPI 2025 rankings)

Students can also get opportunities to be a part of the exchange programs across Norwegian universities also.

Study in Norway Highlights

Education System in Norway

Norway follows the Bologna Process of the education system across its different levels of study. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is also a part of the higher education system. The following is a summary of the higher education system in Norway:

• A bachelor’s degree is three years long and is equivalent to 180 ECTS credits.

• After completing a bachelor’s degree, applicants can go for a two-year master’s degree. A master’s degree is equivalent to 120 ECTS credits. The professional master's degree programs may be six years long, like Law, Medicine or even Psychology.

• To be eligible for admission to a doctoral degree program in Norwegian universities, applicants should have completed a master’s degree course.

Except for marks, students enrolled across different levels of courses are marked on a grading system. The grading system has A to E grades, where A is the highest, and F is the lowest. An E grade is the minimum passing grade for students.

Top Courses to Study in Norway

The following are some of the top courses that are offered across Norwegian Universities for international students:

• Psychology

• Architecture

• Medicine

• Business Management

• Veterinary Medicine

• Engineering

• Theology

• Dentistry

• Law

Since Norway is famous for its master’s programs, international students can go for these programs which are most popular in Norway at all levels of study.

Admission Requirements to Study in Norway

The following admission requirements must be fulfilled if applying for admission to universities in Norway:

• Completed admission application with fees

• Statement of purpose (SOP)

• Admission essays (if required)

• Letter of recommendation (LOR)

• Resume (if submitting work experience level)

• Transcripts or marksheets for bachelor’s or master’s degree courses (depending upon the level of course applying for)

• English language proficiency tests of IELTS or TOEFL

• GMAT or GRE for PG admissions

Usually, applicants are required to submit IELTS score for Norway between 6.0 - 6.5 bands. It is better to aim for 6.5 band score to ensure acceptance.

Different courses and universities have different requirements. Applicants must check all details before they choose to apply. While exam scores may be something for one college, they may be different for another college. So be sure before applying because applicants have to meet the minimum eligibility criteria also before applying.

Student Visa to Study in Norway

The Indian students applying for higher education at Norwegian universities will have to apply for a student visa once they get their offer letters in hand. The students will have to pay NOK 5,400, which is €458 (approx). The Norwegian student visa application is an important document, and the processing time is also not long. Annually, NOK 15,169 to NOK 166,859 to cover living costs to study and live in Norway.

The cost of living amount includes student education loan, grants, personal funding in their Norwegian bank account or deposit account of a Norwegian university, or a combination of the above for an entire year. Renting through student welfare organisations is much cheaper, costing between NOK 3,500 and NOK 7,000 per month, with utilities and Wi-Fi usually included. Private rentals in cities like Oslo often start at NOK 9,000+.

Also, if the student finds part-time work, their wage will also be included. Applicants must have a study permit in Norway to work part-time for 20 hours a week. There is also a provision to work full-time during the holiday season.

Documents Required for Student Visa in Norway

The following documents are required by Indian students to submit their student visa applications:

• Passport latest

• Signed application form

• One recent passport-sized photograph

• Letter of full-time admission

• University/school certificates or transcripts

• Proof of funding based on the intake for admission, plus the cost of living

• Proof of accommodation in Norway

• Residence permit of the country of citizenship

Scholarships to Study in Norway

There are no government or university-specific scholarships available for international students. Thus, international students can look for external funding scholarships. The following scholarships can be considered if applying for admission to universities in Norway:

• ERASMUS Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships

• BI Presidential Scholarship

• NTNU Scholarship

• The $2000 “Privacy Matter” College Scholarship

• A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship Programme

• Scholarship Grant for Undergraduate Students

These scholarships are a mix of both undergraduate and postgraduate international students studying in Norway.

Post-Study Work Permit in Norway

To qualify for a post-study work permit in Norway after graduating from a university in Norway. The process is simple; the applicants will get 1-2 years of stayback time, and while they are there, they can look for a job for themselves.

• Firstly, the applicants will have to apply for a temporary work permit.

• After that, applicants will have to look for a full-time job.

• Then apply for a post-study work permit and work officially in Norway.

• Once the applicant is permitted to work in Norway, he/she can apply for the work visa.

There is certain documentation required while applying for a post-study work permit in Norway. Also, check out PR for Norway After Studying

Overall, it can be asserted that studying in Norway as an international student is a good option. One because it offers quality education, degrees are world-renowned and work-life balance is quite sorted in Norway, hence international students can think of studying in Norway.

Studying in Norway FAQs

Q. Which is the best student city to study in Norway?

A. Oslo is the only Norwegian city which has been ranked at #76 by QS - ‘Best Student Cities’ in 2025 for international students. Apart from this, applicants can also consider studying in Bergen, Drammen and others.

Q. Are Norwegian universities affordable for international students?

A. Yes, most of the public universities in Norway are tuition-free for international students, irrespective of their course or level of study. But the applicants have to bear the living costs while studying in Norway. Check out: How to Study in Norway for Free?

Q. How are the admissions at Norwegian universities?

A. The admissions at Norwegian universities are very tough, hence students who are at the top of their class and academics are selected for admissions.