Where to study in Norway for affordable, English-taught programmes

If you haven’t heard, Norway isn’t exactly tuition-free for international students anymore.

From fall 2023, international students from outside the European Economic Area (which includes countries in the European Union, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland who want to study in Norway will need to start paying cost-covering fees to their universities.

This decision has been received with mixed emotions.

“It is a sad day for students and for equal opportunities,” said the National Union of Students in Norway leader Maika Marie Godal Dam.

One Reddit user who is against the implementation of tuition says that Norway’s diversity will suffer. “As a non-EU myself, I did my master’s in the UK, and there the diversity of the international students were poor because only rich kids could afford it. They were not particularly good in their studies — basically some UK universities accept international students as much as possible for money rather than being selective,” the user said.

“I think that will happen in Norway as well.”

Meanwhile, the other side of the argument has its share of valid points.

“I do welcome this new law with open arms, as being a Norwegian student can suck quite a lot,” writes one Reddit user. “Foreign students have priority in student housing, throwing many natives into the private renting market, which is quite a lot more expensive. Also, very few foreign students will ever stay or pay any tax to Norway after they finish studying, making the whole deal quite expensive for the government.”

Another Reddit user says that they believe this law is completely fair: “If our students have to pay to study at your universities, yours have to pay to come to ours.”

Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean you’re not gonna have the great facilities to enjoy when you study in Norway. Source: AFP

Even with tuition fees implemented, it’s still cheaper to study in Norway compared to more popular study abroad destinations like the US or the UK.

Below are some places that offer inexpensive, English-taught programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels. 

Affordable universities to study in Norway in 2024 and beyond

If you’re studying at the University of Oslo, go check out the Oslo Opera House downtown and take a stroll on its roof. Source: AFP

University of Oslo 

The University of Oslo ranked #119 on the QS World University Rankings 2025 and holds the title of top university in Norway.

They offer over 90 English-taught master’s and PhD programmes, covering a wide array of disciplines. 

Students are required to pay a semester fee of US$64 (690 krone) to the Student Welfare Organisation. Tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic year ranges from US$17,638 to US$25,487 (191,000 krone to 276,000 krone). 

Nord University

Nord University may be one of the youngest universities in the country, but it still boasts quality education. It offers a variety of English-taught programmes across all levels, in addition to a one-year Norwegian Language and Society and an online course. 

All students applying need to pay a semester fee of US$75 (815 Norwegian krone). Meanwhile, tuition fees for the 2023/2024 academic year cost from US$12,559 to US$48,204 (136,000 krone to 522,000 krone).

Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet)

OsloMet offers numerous master’s and PhD programmes, some entirely taught in English, while the rest are a mix of Norwegian and English. 

All students must pay a registration fee of around US$84 (910 krone) to study at the university. Tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic year cost around US$18,515 to US$37,353 (200,500 krone to 404,500 krone). 

How it feels when you find out it’s still pretty affordable to study in Norway even though things aren’t tuition-fee anymore. Source: AFP

University of Bergen 

The University of Bergen only offers two-year master’s programmes; the second year is devoted to writing a thesis. 

More than 20 master’s programmes at the University of Bergen are taught in English. These include subjects such as humanities and aesthetic studies, medicine, natural sciences and technical subjects, social sciences and psychology, as well as fine art, music, and design.

Students are required to pay a semester fee of US$64 (690 krone) to the Student Welfare Organisation. Tuition fees cost from US$17,306 to US$23,821 (187,400 krone to 257,950 krone). 

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

HVL boasts five campuses in the west of Norway: Førde, Bergen, Sogndal, Haugesund, and Stord. Most campuses (except the Førde campus) offer English-taught master’s programmes. 

Students need to pay a semester fee of US$78 (850 krone), and tuition fees here cost roughly US$14,775 to US$24,010 (160,000 krone to 260,000 krone). 

 

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UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) 

UiT is reportedly the “northernmost university in the world” — located on the edge of the Arctic. They offer approximately 43 English-taught programmes across all levels — bachelor’s, master’s and PhD. Based on your chosen programme, you can study at one of UiT’s beautiful campuses in Tromsø, Alta, Narvik, and Harstad.  

All students applying need to pay a semester fee of US$62 (670 krone). Meanwhile, tuition fees cost from US$17,121 to US$34,491 (185,400 krone to 373,500 krone).

However, those who pursue the Master of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies are exempted from paying fees, and the one-year Norwegian Language and Society programme only costs US$4,451 (48,200 krone).

University of Stavanger (UiS) 

Located in Stavanger — the southwest coast of Norway — UiS offers two-year master’s programmes taught in English, covering disciplines such as business, engineering, health science, music, natural science and social science.

Students must pay a registration fee of around US$83 (900 krone) to study at the university. Tuition fees range from US$14,314 to US$16,622 (155,000 krone to 180,000 krone).

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on August 9, 2024.