Study in Norway

Applying to universities in Norway is rather simple. To be admitted to a degree program, you must possess a general university admissions certificate (generell studiekompetanse), which can be obtained by finishing upper secondary school. Using the country-specific GSU-list, international students can determine whether their foreign credentials are accepted.

You may apply to universities in Norway under the 23/5 law, which stipulates that you should be at least 23 years old, have 5 years of combined schooling and job experience, and have passed exams in a number of crucial disciplines (namely Norwegian, mathematics, natural sciences, English and social studies). Depending on the degree program, certain degrees may also require qualifications in particular fields (such as mathematics and physics for engineering). Remember that each course and institution will have its unique entrance standards.

In Norway, The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for fees and education in general, and public education is free for both Norwegian and international students. You may be asked to pay a minor semester fee, often between NOK300 and NOK600 (about US$35 and US$71). The semester fee entitles you to membership in the student welfare organization, access to health services, counseling, and sports facilities, an official student card that entitles you to discounted fares on public transportation and cheaper tickets to cultural events, and exam eligibility. Private universities in Norway impose tuition fees, as do state universities, for a limited number of specialized programs and courses, often at the postgraduate level.

Keep in mind that the average cost of living in Norway is significantly greater than in many other countries, and you will be responsible for housing, books, food, and travel. There are numerous scholarships, fellowships, and student loan programs available for both domestic and international students who require financial support. Check to see if money to study in Norway is also available from sources in your home country so that you are aware of all the alternatives accessible to you.

Students from outside the E.U. who wish to obtain a part-time job while studying in Norway would need a work visa, as well as a letter from their prospective employer verifying the job offer. Students from within the E.U. do not require a work permit, as employment authorization is included in their residency permit. In both instances, students may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during semester vacations.

When applying for English-taught programs, you must submit a separate, direct application to each institution of interest. Mostly, you will need to complete an application form, which is typically available online or upon request. The Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admissions Service accepts applications for undergraduate Norwegian-taught programs (NUCAS).

If they are enrolled in Norway’s National Population Register, students from other Nordic countries who wish to study in Norway are eligible for access to the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. If you are not a part or member of the European Health Insurance Card, you are still entitled to healthcare in Norway under the National Insurance Act.

All Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland must apply for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in their home country. If you do not qualify for public coverage, you must acquire private medical insurance.

Students from outside the E.E.A. have access to healthcare in Norway under the National Insurance Scheme. If your course is greater than one year, you should be automatically registered; if it is between three and one years, you must apply for membership through your local insurance office. If you do not enroll in the National Insurance Scheme, you must have social security coverage or other appropriate health insurance from your place of origin. Consult your university’s student assistance services when in doubt. Don’t forget that your student card may entitle you to free medical treatment from the student health services of your college.

For stays longer than 90 days, these students will be required to apply for a student residence permit. This is a straightforward procedure: first, you must register online with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, providing particulars of your correspondence address in Norway, and then, upon arrival, you must go in person to the nearest police station to present the necessary documents proving your right to reside in Norway.

You must establish:

• Your passport
• Admission confirmation from an authorized educational institution
• Private medical coverage or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• Statement of sufficient funds like a bank statement to support yourself while studying in Norway
• You are also excused from applying for a student visa if you meet one of the other exemptions stated on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website.

Who requires a Norway student visa? All other students who intend to study in Norway for more than three months must apply for a student residency permit. If you’re planning on studying in Norway for less than three months and are a national of a country that needs a visa, you should get a visa. Depending on your place of origin, the requirements and procedures for getting a student residence permit will vary.

Conditions for obtaining a student visa for Norway; To be eligible for a student visa for Norway, you must have been accepted to a college or university program of study (with some exemptions). After receiving your letter of admission, you should contact the Norwegian Embassy or Consulate in your place of origin for information on the study permit application process.

While some applicants can apply online from within Norway or via a Norwegian embassy, the majority of students must submit a paper application form to their nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate.

In addition to your passport and other required papers, you must submit your passport along with your student residence permit application. You will need to provide:

• A filled-out application form
• Receipt of the application fee (NOK 5,300, or approximately US$650).
• A valid travel document (i.e., passport)
• Two recent photographs of passport size with a white background
• Documentation of acceptance into an authorized full-time education program
• The monies must be in a Norwegian bank account. You must demonstrate that you have access to NOK 116,369 every academic year (10 months), or approximately $14,350 USD.
• Verification that you have a place to live (such as a house, apartment, bedsit, or room in a hall of residence)
• Evidence indicating you will depart Norway upon expiration of your residency permit (usually in the form of a return ticket)
• Checklist of completed and signed UDI documents, which you must print and submit with your other documentation.

Therefore, it is advisable to apply soon. Processing dates for student residence permits vary and may take approximately two months. If approved, you must subsequently get a permanent resident card. This is evidence of your right to reside in Norway and is provided by your local police station. The police station must be visited within seven days of your arrival in Norway. Your fingerprints and photo will be taken, and your residence card will be mailed to you within 10 business days.

What privileges does the student residential permit grant? When you are given a student residence permit in Norway, you are also granted a permit to do a job part-time (20 hours per week) in addition to your studies and full-time during university breaks at no additional cost. You can renew your study permit via the online Application Portal Norway at least three months before its expiration, provided that you have the money to maintain yourself and are making satisfactory progress in your studies in Norway (your Study Progression Report, issued from your faculty, confirms this). The UDI will also utilize your Study Progress Report to determine that you are eligible to continue receiving a work permit. You must be making adequate academic progress in order to continue working part-time.

You may also apply for a temporary visa to work full-time if you can demonstrate that the work is connected to your studies.

After completing your studies, you are eligible to apply for a six-month residence permit to seek employment as a skilled worker. You should be able to prove that you became qualified as a skilled worker during your time studying in Norway or that you had specialized training prior to your stay in Norway and then pursued additional education in Norway. Moreover, you must be able to support yourself (and your family) financially and have a strong employment offer.