Norway is a favorite destination for people seeking education. Education in Norway is free for Norwegians right from primary to tertiary level. However, life in Norway is expensive compared to other European countries. You will need to get your pocket ready for the Norwegian prices before you get there. The first few months are the most expensive since you will be setting up and will need to get accommodation and purchase clothing for Norway’s cold climate.

A student requires about 8000 Norwegian Kroner (1,380 USD) per month to live comfortably at a Norwegian university campus. Accommodation and food expenses will take up over 60% of this budget. The rest of the money is to be spent on books, transportation and miscellaneous expenses (like coffee; Norwegians love coffee!).

You may be able to get cheaper accommodation through the institution where you are studying. Discounts are also available for students on a variety of services ranging from transportation to entertainment.

If you are from a country within the temperate region, then you should carry your winter attire; it will come in handy in the Norwegian summer! You will need to buy new clothes for the Norwegian weather which can be quite harsh before you get used to it. For those who choose to have private accommodation, the heating costs will also be significant.

For international students wishing to pursue higher degrees, there is a need to the Norwegian agency for quality assurance in education (NOKUT). Their website is http://www.nokut.no. The website has a GSU list which is available for downloading. For undergraduate students, the applications are processed by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service. The general requirements to be admitted for higher education in Norway include:

If you are from a European Union member country, you can study for free in Norway. No tuition fees! All you will need is a residence permit for students. To apply for this, you should register with a Norwegian University and then provide proof of your enrollment. You will also need a valid passport, health insurance certificate and proof that you can take care of yourself financially in Norway. Remember Norway has a very high cost of living! If you can satisfy all these conditions, the residence permit is totally free. You can apply for the permit in Norway.

Citizens of EU countries also have the chance of benefiting from the ERASMUS program. This is a program for students within the EU and Turkey who want to study in one of the EU countries. The qualifications obtained under this program are recognized in all the participating member states. There are also grants available under the program to cater for students’ studies. More information about the program is available at your University or at http://ec.europa.eu

For students coming from outside the European Union, you must apply for the residence permit at a Norwegian Embassy/Consulate in your country. The requirements for the permit depend on which country you are applying from but will generally include copies of your passport, evidence of enrollment in a Norwegian University and you also have to prove that you can take care of the living expenses in Norway. Students from outside the EU must pay a fee for the residence permit.

Most Norwegian institutions have programs beginning in August, but some may offer courses beginning in January. The deadlines for submitting your application may be about six months prior to the date of commencement but this varies. You should check with the University you are interested in to know the deadline.

Foreign students are allowed to work up to twenty hours a week. You can consider taking a part time job to help with the cost of living in Norway. If you do decide to take up work, you should get a part time work permit before you start to work.

Despite being free, Norway offers great education with excellent facilities and a good academic staff base. You definitely will love studying in Norway.

Study in Norway Links

Norwegian Languae Links

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