Oslo is a great city to be a student in. With high-quality degree programs in many fields and a wide selection of exchange programs and grants, students from all over the world are able to experience Norway and its exciting opportunities for studies, work, and travel.
Good to know:
The academic year in Norway runs from late August to late June.
Higher education institutions in Oslo
The city of Oslo is home to several well-known institutions:
- Oslo Metropolitan University
- University of Oslo or Universitetet i Oslo (UiO)
- Oslo School of Architecture and Design
- BI Norwegian Business School
Founded in 1811, the University of Oslo is the oldest higher education institution in Norway. The university has more than 25,000 enrolled students and offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and PhD programmes, as well as exchange programmes, single courses, and summer school classes. There are more than 50 programmes offered in English for international students.
Language requirements
International students in Oslo may find the language requirements for some degree programmes to be intimidating. Norwegian or Norsk is the expected language of tuition for almost all bachelor's degree programmes. There is a wider selection of degree programmes taught in English at Masters and PhD level.
Students and even academic staff who plan to stay in Norway for more than a few years are expected to learn the local language. Universities usually offer free or heavily discounted Norsk language courses – inquire at your host institution's international office for more information.
Use the Study in Norway website to find programmes available in English at the various universities in the country. English language requirements might vary between institutions, and many will require a certificate of proficiency such as a B2-C1 certificate or Cambridge ESOL Examination results. Check the university admission information for details.
Admission processes and tuition fees in Oslo
In Norway, admissions processes are determined by the universities individually. Most universities will require documentation of previous academic qualifications translated into English. Application procedures and deadlines will differ depending on your country of origin.
Citizens from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland do not need to pay tuition fees for university programmes in Norway. However, English language requirements may still apply, and they will need to register with the local police within three months of arrival.
Applicants from outside of these areas are not subject to tuition fees but will have to document their ability to financially support themselves in order to get a student residence permit in Norway.
Find detailed information about your specific study permit requirements online at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website.
Grants for students in Oslo
There are several scholarships and stipends available for both research and studies in Norway. Each has specific eligibility requirements and may be restricted to certain fields. Unfortunately, many of the universities in Norway distance themselves from scholarships and do not have their own programmes.
The website Study in Norway has a full list of available scholarships and grants. It might be worth checking with your home institution in your country of origin about the possibility of scholarships or grants from your country or university.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
