Applying for a Master’s degree in Norway (2025)
Norway: a unique student experience
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| 28 | universities offer Masters in Norway in English |
| 360 | Masters are available |
A modern country with high quality of life, world-class education, and stunning nature: Getting a Master in Norway is a unique experience that sets you up for a bright future.
Masters programmes in Norway typically last 2 years (for 120 ECTS credits). Compared to other European countries, application deadlines are early, especially for non-European students. Read our guide so you can plan ahead:
There are more than 300 Masters in Norway that are taught completely in English.
For students who are citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, studying at public universities in Norway is tuition-free. Other international students have to pay tuition fees typically between 150,000 and 250,000 NOK per year (ca. €13,000 to €22,000), with some programmes costing more than 400,000 NOK. You will find transparent fee information on the respective university websites.
Meanwhile, private institutions in Norway charge fees from all students, but the amounts will be different for Europeans and non-Europeans.
(If you find information claiming that Norway is tuition-free for all students, that is unfortunately outdated: Fees for non-Europeans were introduced in 2023.)
If you are among students that have to pay fees, the full annual amount has to be paid before the start of the semester. It is generally not possible to pay it in instalments. This is also relevant when applying for the study visa (see below), as you will have to prove that you can fund your studies in addition to the general cost of living.
To enrol in a Master’s degree in Norway, you generally need an undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree in a subject relevant to the one you are applying to. “Relevance” is typically assessed by counting the ECTS credits you have in that subject already; quite commonly you will be asked to have 80 or 90 credits worth of modules in the same subject (which is roughly equivalent to 3 semester of full-time studies).
Depending on the country you are from, you might need to show 4 years of Bachelor-level education rather than only 3 years. This can be found in the official GSU list when you look for the country where you went to school and university. If it says “+ 1 year university/college” that means you are expected to have completed a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits) to enrol in a Master in Norway.
Some degree programmes might also require specific grade levels / GPAs as well as a certain level of English. Previous education in English is often enough – if you have had English-taught modules worth 60 ECTS credits, or two full semesters. Students from some countries can meet the requirement with English lessons during their final school years – if that applies to you then it’s mentioned in the GSU list, as well. In addition to that, TOEFL, IELTS, and other widespread tests are accepted.
To apply for Masters in Norway you always sign up on the national application portal Søknadsweb. There is no application fee, but universities often limit to how many Masters programmes you can apply. Some universities want you to pick only one Master, while others allow you to simultaneously apply to two or three at the same time. (Don’t try to submit multiple applications from more than one account: You may get punished for it and not get admitted at all.)
Through Søknadsweb you then upload the required documents, for example:
The exact deadline for the Masters you want to apply vary from university to university, and they also depend on your citizenship. For a start in the autumn semester,
Admissions results are published usually in April or May.
The Norwegian government does not offer any individual scholarships. Universities may have their own grant schemes for highly capable students – it’s best you inquire with the university admissions team, but don’t hang your hopes too high.
Another option that many students go for is part-time work. The rules are quite student-friendly:
That’s great news because while prices in Norway are high, so are salaries, and even with typical student jobs you can quickly earn enough money to fund your studies. While speaking Norwegian is often not necessary, basic language skills will come in very handy in finding a student job.
As everything else in Norway, accommodation can be expensive - and it’s always difficult to find housing when you’re still abroad. Your first stop should be the Student Welfare Organisation at your university; called Studentsamskipnad in Norwegian. One of their responsibilities is helping international students like you with housing.
Important for students who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland: You'll need a study permit for Norway (what is elsewhere called “student visa”); and in order to apply for one, you need proof that you already found a place to stay in Norway. See the next step for more.
If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in Norway. All other international students must apply for what’s called a study permit.
To apply for the study permit, you must meet a range of criteria:
All set? Then it’s time to plan your move! You’ll most likely fly into Oslo, the capital, and if that’s not where you study then travel on from there. Note: Autumn and winter can get very cold – you’ll need warm clothing soon after you arrive!
Master programmes in Norway typically last for 2 years. The academic year usually starts in August.
For citzens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, education at public universities in Norway is tuition-free. International students from other countries have to pay somewhere between €13,000 and €22,000 per year in tuition fees. Private institutions and business schools charge all students but fee levels are lower for citizens from the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
Ready to study in Norway?
