15 Most Affordable Norway Universities In 2023

Someone may ask, “can I really study abroad free of tuition?”. The real truth is YES. You can study abroad in this beautiful European nation of Norway for little or no tuition fee. There are the Cheapest Norway universities where you can study as an international student without paying tuition fees.

This is because these Affordable Norway universities, in collaboration with the government, have excluded tuition fees from the list of your university expenses. So you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Besides, Norway offers a reasonable standard of living for international students.

In this piece, we shall look extensively at the Affordable Norway universities and other reasons you should consider studying in Norway.

Why study in Norway?

Why should international students want to study in Norway? One answer is academic excellence. Because of their excellent performance, the universities in Norway are considered the best in the world. Many of them occupy the 200th place in the world rankings.

They have also produced scientists, politicians, philosophers and scholars who excel in their fields. The alumni have received numerous prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize. Academic excellence can be shown in the alumni and the ranking.

Many international students are drawn to these free study universities, which are also free for international students. These universities only charge the semester fee, and the tuition fees are free as they are subsidized.

This allows students to concentrate on paying the cost of living and, unlike other highly recognized institutions in other countries, do not have to worry about tuition fees.

Related Post: 7 Best Medicine Scholarships in Norway for Students from Developing Countries 2023

What is it like to study in Norway?

Norway is one of the leading nations in the world in terms of quality of life, safety, environmental quality, and prosperity.

It is not surprising that the country is not only one of the richest nations in the world but also prides itself on ever-higher employment rates and an excellent education system of the highest standards.

However, one of the most attractive features for prospective students is that higher education in Norway is free. The country’s government strongly believes that education should be a right and, therefore, free for all local and foreign students.

Aside from a very low administrative fee, the education is free, giving university students access to some of the world’s leading and elite universities at no additional cost.

How Many Universities Are In Norway?

Norway currently has 9 major universities, 8 university colleges, and 5 natural/applied sciences, all of which are run and administered by the government.

Public donors finance several private universities in the country.

Which Degrees Can I Get In Norway?

Norway is known for having strong programs in many different areas, especially in these areas:

• Business
• Mechanical engineering
• Medicine
• Nursing

Is The Cost of living high in Norway?

The cost of living would, of course depend on the location within the country. Larger cities like the capital Oslo often have significantly higher living costs than smaller cities.

Specific loans can be obtained in difficult circumstances depending on the student. On average, students can expect a budget of between NOK 9,500 and NOK 20,000, depending on the location of the university and student requirements.

How much will I spend to study in Norway?

Even if public universities do not charge tuition fees, international students have to deal with Norway’s high cost of living. The cost of living in Norway can range from NOK 10,000 (USD 1,100) to NOK 20,000 (USD 2,000).

That figure already includes rent, food, and other living expenses. The cost also depends on the city or area the student will be living in.

An administration fee would be between NOK 300 and 600. These fees typically give students access to the university’s student association, sports regulations, health services, and advice.

Can I take classes in English while studying in Norway?

Yes, various degree programs and courses are taught and administered in English. In general, a high level of English proficiency will help international students live and study in the country. You need IELTS or TOEFL to study in English in Norway.

Most Affordable Norway universities

Now, let’s look at some of the Affordable Norway universities you can use. Some of these universities are government owned institutions, while others are private.

In most of them, like the University of Oslo and NTNU, courses are taught in English especially for postgraduate studies, so you can need to bother about the language barrier.

#1. University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is based in the Norwegian capital Oslo and was founded in 1811. It is one of the oldest universities in the country and the second-largest university by enrolment.

The university prides itself on being one of the most elite universities in Scandinavia and has consistently been ranked among the 60 best universities in the world (based on ARWU).

It is one of the best Norwegian universities recognized worldwide as prestigious. Since 1811, it has produced many outstanding alumni, some of whom have won the Nobel Prize.

International students can study at this free study university in Norway. You only have to pay a small semester fee to study. However, there is a language restriction as all Bachelor’s degrees are taught in Norwegian and Masters’s and Ph.D. The programs are taught in English or Norwegian.

So, if you want to get a bachelor’s degree, you need to know Norwegian and study for a master’s or Ph.D. degree. You must be proficient in either Norwegian or English for programs.

The university has faculties such as medicine, dentistry, law, humanities, social, natural and educational sciences.

Research at the university is a focus of their identity and revolves around biotechnology, life sciences, climate change, environmental research, and gender studies.

#2. NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is a public research university in Trondheim with additional locations in Ålesund and Gjøvik.

It is the largest university in the country, with enrolment of more than 40,000 students and over 8,000 employers.

Established in 1760, NTNU is primarily responsible for providing education and ensuring high quality research standards in technology and engineering.

This free university in Norway has become an elite institution in Europe that offers courses in various disciplines, including psychology, medicine, social sciences, architecture, fine arts and teacher training.

Academically, it consists of 9 major faculties, which are divided into 65 academic departments. NTNU welcomes students from all over the world and offers more than 60 international programs administered in English.

International students wishing to study at this university in Norway should be proficient in Norwegian and / or English, depending on the program.

The university continues to have very close relationships with major research institutions in the country, such as SINTEF.

#3. University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is located in the western coastal city of Norway. The university, founded in 1946, currently has more than 18,000 students.

It has consistently been voted among the top 100-200 in major ranking systems such as the Times Higher Education and QS World Ranking.

About 2000 students from abroad come from this enrolment. The university consists of 7 main faculties from the fields of fine arts, humanities, natural sciences / mathematics, law, medicine, social sciences and psychology.

It is one of the few Nordic universities with its psychology faculty, as research in this field is at the forefront in Europe. University doctoral degrees are offered as paid jobs that attract the best and brightest talent.

With its high educational standards, the university has consistently been rated as one of the world’s 150 to 200 best universities (based on Times Higher Education and QS rankings).

International students can study for free at this great Norwegian university. You should note that all Bachelor’s programs are offered in Norwegian, and Master’s programs in Norwegian or English.

#4. The Arctic University of Norway (University of Tromsø)

The Arctic University of Norway is located in the municipality of Tromsø and is considered the world’s northernmost university due to its location.

The university was founded in 1972 and is one of the most important state universities in the country. It is also one of the largest research institutions in Norway.

Currently the university has a total student population of over 17,000, and due to its high level of education and unique location, it attracts potential students from around the world.

Arctic University’s research focuses on space science, fisheries science, biotechnology, linguistics, auroral light research, epidemiology and numerous arctic fields.

Students can also study dentistry, medicine, engineering, chemistry, philosophy, tourism, education, culture, etc. There are several English programs as well.

#5. Nord University (Former University of Nordland)

Nord University is located in the municipality of Bodø in Northern Norway. It is a state university founded in 2016 through a merger between Nordland University, Nesna University College and Nord-Trøndelag University College.

It is a recently established university in Norway and has grown exponentially since 2016.

Since then, it has become an elite institution teaching more than 12,000 students in education. The university also has several satellite and subsidiary campuses across the country.

This free university in Norway offers over 180 programs within academic and professional programs, some of which are unique to this university only, such as: B. Circumpolar Studies and Aquaculture.

While many of the courses are administered and taught in Norwegian, several are taught in English.

Examples of programs taught in English include Animal Science, Biology and English Language / Literature (Bachelor programs), Economics (Masters), Aquatic Life Sciences (Ph.D.), as well as individual courses such as History and Politics, Management and International Entrepreneurship.

#6. University of Stavanger

The University of Stavanger is a university in the western Norwegian city of Stavanger.

Founded in 2005, the university has become one of the leading institutions in Norway. Currently, it offers degrees, degree programs and in-depth research with a population of 11,000 students and over 1,500 employees.

As a public university in Norway, the University of Stavanger does not charge any tuition fees for domestic and international students. This is one of the newest universities in the country.

This free university in Norway consists of the Faculties of Science and Technology, Arts and Education, and Social Sciences.

It is a high-profile research institution that is a leading university in the number of research publications and a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities.

#7. Oslo Metropolitan University (Oslo and Akershus University of Applied Sciences)

The Oslo Metropolitan University is a state university in the cities of Oslo and Akershus and one of the free study universities in Norway.

Although the university was founded in 2018 and is one of Norway’s most recent additions to the higher education system, Oslo Metropolitan evolved from the former Oslo and Akershus University College, the country’s largest state university.

Even so, the current university has a student enrolment of more than 12,000, with an additional employee status of over 1,400.

Academically it consists of 4 major faculties such as Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology, Art & Design, Education & International Studies.

As with most universities, the primary language of instruction is Norwegian, although several causes are taught in English, German and French.

It also runs several research institutions, such as the Work Research Institute, the National Institute of Consumer Research, and the Norwegian Social Research Institute.

#8. BI Norwegian Business School

BI Norwegian Business School is a private university with a focus on education in the field of commerce. It is the largest business school in Norway and the second largest of its kind in the world.

Based in Oslo with additional locations across the country, the school was founded in 1943 and has grown into a world-class facility providing education to nearly 20,000 students.

A wide range of programs for bachelor, master and doctoral degrees are offered. The languages ​​of instruction are English (especially for the BBA bachelor programs and graduate schools) and Norwegian.

In addition, the university maintains international connections and participates in exchange programs with over 200 foreign universities in over 45 different countries.

#9. Bergen University College

Like the University of Bergen, Bergen University College is a state college and research center in the Bergen community.

This free university in Norway is designated as a university college and provides education to a student population of over 7,000.

Bergen University College’s primary mission is to nurture strong traits built on strong professional traditions by providing education.

It consists of 3 major faculties: the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Business Administration, and the Faculty of Education. A wide range of Bachelor and Master courses are offered to the student population through these faculties.

In addition, the college strives to conduct and maintain high research standards through its numerous research centers.

#10. The University Centre in Svalbard

The University Center in Svalbard was founded in 1993 and is Norway’s northernmost educational institution. It provides research-based education for students who wish to become geology, biology, technology, and geophysics experts.

The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research owns the center and offers research-based courses to students worldwide. These courses include Marine Arctic Biology, Polar Ocean Climate, Arctic Marine Geology, and Arctic Engineering.

The university’s student body comprises 50 percent local and 50 percent international students. As a free university in Norway, the University Center in Spitzbergen offers these students free tuition fees.

The official language is English, and nature is used as a laboratory area for the students to gather course information.

#11. Norwegian School of Economics

The Norwegian School of Economics is one of Europe’s best business and business schools. Another interesting thing is that its international student population is 17% which makes it a very international university.

Over 3,000 students’ study at this excellent free university in Norway.

#12. University of Applied Sciences Western Norway

The Western Norwegian University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest public universities in Norway. There are five locations across Norway with around 16,000 students studying.

It has five different faculties, and this university is almost guaranteed to offer the degree you want (unless it’s a very dark major).

#13. University of Agder

This institution was founded in 2007 and is one of the newest Norwegian universities. It has two locations in Kristiansand and Grimstad.

Students can study at one of the six faculties of the University of Agder at these two locations.

#14. University of South-eastern Norway

The University of South-eastern Norway is a great institution with locations all over Norway. It recently received university status from the government.

This free university in Norway currently serves around 17,000 students; you could become one of them if you apply.

#15. NLA University College

NLA University College claims it wants more international students at NLA. To consider this, the university has decided to charge a reduced semester fee for international students on the right track with their studies.

The registration fee for international students is 1475 NOK, which is considerably cheaper than national students. This also grants membership in the student welfare organization.

 Meals, house rental, textbooks and travel, etc., are your responsibility and are not included.

FAQs On Norway Universities

Conclusion

While it is convenient and safe to have enough funds before you travel to study abroad, choosing to study in Norway can give you a cheaper opportunity to study without bothering about having all the money.

This is because the country has a lot of universities which you can apply to study tuition-free; in addition, you can find a job or win a scholarship. Isn’t that amazing? So, get on with the application and begin your journey.

Reference

• studyabroadaide.com › Free Tuition Universities In Norway
• worldscholarshipforum.com › Cheapest Universities To Study In Norway
• lowesttuitionuniversities.com › Free Universities In Norway

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