Tora Aasland, Norway’s minister of research and higher education in the ruling Centre-Left coalition, says that support for free education remains strong.
“It is a fundamental principle for the Norwegian government. It is important for us to promote the welfare state and free higher education is very central to this. It has not been questioned by many (Norwegian) governments. Equality is a value that we support – we don’t make a difference between foreign students and domestic students.”
Indeed, access to the combined state grant/loan of up to NKr90,800 (£10,060) a year is extended to foreign nationals studying in the notoriously expensive state, where a pint of beer can cost as much as £10.
Norway also has a now substantial advantage in attracting top talent to its schools: for those not put off by the high costs of living in Norway and limited part-time employment opportunities, free studies may be a substantial incentive, especially for those engaged in master’s and PhD programs. Norway is, like other oil- and gas-rich nations, trying to substantially increase its research in high-technology areas such as renewable energy and environmental sciences, as well as focusing on health and aging sciences and maritime industry. Offering free education is a great way to convince the world’s best and brightest to come and research in Norway.
Norway is not entirely alone in offering free public education for students of every nationality. Finland also offers free public education… as long as the courses are in Finnish or Swedish (the Czech Republic also offers free instruction in Czech). Finland does, however, also put scholarship programs in place designed to help cover any costs for foreign students.
According to the Finland Universities Act that came into force on 1 January 2010, EU/EEA students as well as other students with a permanent residence permit in Finland, are exempted from paying tuition fees at Finnish public universities and polytechnics. Students from outside the European Union may be charged tuition fees if the study program is conducted in a language other than Finnish or Swedish. However, higher education institutions shall provide a scholarship scheme to support students that fall within the previously mentioned category.
Sweden, Denmark and Germany have all offered free public education to foreign students in the past. These countries have gradually changed their policies to include a moderate fee structure for foreign students or for all students, in the case of Germany, although rates still remain stunningly below the cost of education in North America.
So, ready to pack up and head off to school in Europe yet? It’s just too bad there’s no Rosetta Stone for Norwegian! But learning a language is a small thing compared to getting a free education, and all of these countries have a strong belief in access to education as a fundamental component of a functioning democracy. Studying in Norway may be a challenge, but it would be a worthwhile challenge.
About Norway
Located west of Sweden, Norway is a country composed of many beautiful coastlines and fjords. The population is estimated at 4.9 million people. The capital Oslo, is home to 1.4 million people and is considered the fasting growing city in Europe. Most of the population lives in the southern region of the country typically near the cities. Norway’s main industries are oil, fish, and lumber. It is the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas per capita apart from the Middle East.
Norway has a Scandinavian welfare model with universal health-care, subsidized higher education, and a social security system. Students studying in Norway for more than one year are insured under the health care system called The National Insurance Scheme.
Norway’s cost of living is typically more expensive than the United States and many other countries. The country uses the Norwegian Kroner (NOK). Many discounts around town help out towards food, activities, and travel for students. My current rent is almost half that of something equivalent to Southern California market rent for a student; student housing may be subsidized.
A small semester fee is the only payment required, and it totals around NOK 300-600 ($55- $110 US) each semester. Room, board, books, and transportation are the student’s responsibility. Some Norwegian universities are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, and this enables students to apply for financial support from the American student loan program (FFELP). Scholarships are also listed on studyinnorway.no. Students from developing countries may apply for full scholarships. Scholarship applies to travel and accommodations; see the Quota Scheme on the website for a list of eligible countries.
A student Study Visa allows for students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during school sessions and full-time during school breaks. Norwegian wages per hour are among the highest in the world.
How To Find A Degree Program
Research what programs are offered in your field of study. You can search by university or by subject area. For example: Law, Business, Art and Design, Natural Science, Economics, and more.
2. See Country Specific Pages
Check out your specific country page on the left side (United States, France, Canada, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile) to see tailored information for your own country. You can apply from any country, the specific country pages are geared to any questions students from those countries may have. The page contains many helpful answers to frequently asked questions. A practical information guide about living in Norway and a section for parents is also included.
3. Select a Study Program
Contact the international office or school department for additional information. Ask questions about your selected program’s faculty, potential research opportunities, the university, or requirements of the program.
4. Get Your Prerequisites in Order
Make sure to check the program’s prerequisites. Some may require credits in a certain discipline like Economics or require a specific type of Bachelor`s Degree if applying to a graduate program.
5. Take any Required Exams
Check to see if any exam scores are necessary to apply. Most of the Masters level programs do not require the GRE. If English is your second language, the TOEFL or IELTS may be required. The SAT/ACT is usually not required.
How to Apply to a Norwegian University Program
These include: program application, a photocopy of your passport, high school or college transcripts, a one-page motivational letter, CV or resume, and recommendation letters.
No application fees are required. Not all programs require all the documents listed above; check with your program to see what is needed.
2. Mail-in the required materials.
Certain universities may offer a screening where you apply online with a brief application, and if you are selected you’ll proceed with the remaining documents requested. Note deadlines are earlier for the screenings.
What To Do After Acceptance
2. Apply for a student visa.
Submit your visa application to the Norwegian Embassy in your country to get your student visa. If your student visa doesn’t come in time, students with a Bachelors Degree may enter Norway as a skilled worker.
3. Plan your travel.
Purchase your flights early. Check with your airline, they may require a visa for travel dates longer than three months due to travel policies. This applies to many American airline companies.
The university’s student welfare organization will arrange your accommodation if you apply for student housing. My university had a welcome committee that picked me up from the airport, drove me to my new apartment, and gave all of the international students a bag of food to start off with! Becoming an international student has been one of the best decisions in my life and my career.
4. Don’t forget to pack some wool socks!