Study in Norway
If you are a foreign citizen who would like to study in Norway, read on to find out more on visas and the application process.
Study permit
Most international students don't need a permit if they are studying in Norway for less than three months. However, citizens from certain countries require a visitor's visa.
Read more about the visitor's visa on UDI.no
A study permit is required for those who study in Norway for more than three months. Find out more about the application process at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's website. Here you can also check the permit requirements.
Students from EU/EEA are not required to apply for a study permit, but they have to register with the police through the registration scheme for EEA nationals.
Submitting the residence permit application
When you apply for a study permit for the first time, you have to submit the application to a Norwegian embassy or consulate in your country, or country of residence within the past six months before arriving. However, if there aren’t any Norwegian embassies or consulates in your country, please contact the closest Norwegian embassy. In some countries, Norway collaborates with Swedish and Danish embassies and consulates.
Where to submit your residence permit application
You should apply for a study permit before you enter Norway. If you are already in Norway, you may be eligible to submit your application for a permit from Norway.
Who is eligible to submit a study permit application from Norway
If you submit your application to a Norwegian embassy or whilst in Norway, your application must be registered online.
Education and entry requirements
If you have education from a country outside Norway and would like to continue your studies in Norway, Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills has information on foreign education requirements.
Recognition of foreign education
Most Norwegian universities and university colleges require a higher education entrance qualification (generell studiekompetanse) to admit students. For applicants with a foreign education, the requirements are specified in a so-called GSU list (higher education entrance qualification for foreign applicants). The list contains information about what type of basic education you must have to qualify for admission to universities and university colleges in Norway.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU)
For some countries, the requirement includes some higher education after secondary school, from your country of origin. There are also language requirements for both English and Norwegian. Some studies also have other addFitional entry requirements.
Translation
Documents which are not in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish must be translated by an authorised translator.
Members of the Association of Government Authorized Translators in Norway
Funding and tuition fees
In principle, you must be a Norwegian citizen to receive support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen), but there are some exceptions:
Read about the exceptions on Lånekassen's website.
Who is exempt from paying tuition fees?
Students from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA must pay tuition fees to study at public universities and colleges in Norway, with some exceptions.
You are exempt from paying tuition fees if you are a foreign citizen and:
- Have worked in Norway
- Have previously studied in Norway
- Are married to a Norwegian citizen
- Are closely related to someone in Norway
- Have other strong ties to Norway
- Have come to Norway for political reasons
- Have come to Norway for humanitarian reasons
- Participate in special educational programs approved by the department
Regarding private schools, you should expect to pay tuition fees. The costs vary depending on the school, university or college, and the education you choose. Therefore, check with the specific educational institution.