Study in Norway: Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities

Apart from the breathtaking scenery and trendy cities, Norway offers students a high-quality and standard education. Norway has become one of the most popular and preferred locations for studies by students from all across the globe. According to the Erudera.com reports, around 54000 students obtained their degrees from Norwegian institutions in 2022. Despite being a small country with less population, Norway has placed most of its universities in decent positions in the world rankings.

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (NDI) suggests that around 3,943 graduate students and 293 post-doctorate students were given permanent residence in Norway in 2022. Another primary reason for international students to opt for universities in Norway is that most public universities here offer education free of cost. With a high standard of living, friendly natives, dazzling cities, and low crime rates, Norway is a safe and best place to take up studies for international students.

Reasons to Take Up Studies in Norway for International Students 

Taking up studies in Norway is a rewarding yet challenging experience. It adds much value to setting up a career and is a worthy addition to the Curriculum Vitae. Apart from the low tuition costs, there are a lot of reasons why a student should consider taking up studies in Norway like the below:

• Tuition Fee – Most public universities in Norway offer free education to students for all programs under UG, PG, and Doctorate. This is for all the students regardless of their country and whether they are EEA/EU members.
• High Standard of Living- Norwegians are known for having fewer crime and unemployment rates. They also balance their work-life effectively and also are friendly.
• Quality Education – Norway has a wide range of universities and colleges that offer excellent training. Norwegians have a different approach to education; that is, they follow an informal campus atmosphere, small batches, and friendly teachers
• Natural Environment – Norwegians prefer to keep up their unique natural setup. The country has around 5M + population, and there is always fresh air and fantastic sightseeing views
• Tolerant and Friendly People – Norwegians are known for being friendly, tolerant, and laid back. People in Norway speak excellent English, and therefore communication is effortless. 

Top Universities in Norway for Higher Education 

Norway is one of the most preferred destinations to take up studies for international students. Despite having a high cost of living, Norway offers exciting wild and urban life, nature, and perhaps a free education. Though a small country with only a population of 5M+ people, the universities in Norway have acquired top positions in the university rankings. There are around 31 universities in Norway, and some of those reputed universities and their rankings are as follows:

Apart from these, there are also other top-notch universities that offer quality education to students from all around the globe:

• Nord University
• Hedmark University of Applied Sciences
• Volda University College
• The Oslo School of Architecture and Design
• Oslo National Academy of Arts
• Norwegian Academy of Music
• NLA - School of Religion, Education, and Intercultural Studies
• MF Norwegian School of Theology
• Gjovik University College
• Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology
• Bjørknes University College

Top Courses to Study in Norway

Best Undergraduate Courses for Indian Students to Take Up in Norway

Norway universities offer varied fields and disciplines in Bachelor’s degrees for aspirants. The public universities in Norway offer free education to every student, no matter if they are from the EU or not. However, students should pay around €30 - €65 as a semester fee to get the ID, library card access, sports facilities, and to write the exams. The universities in Norway offer training in both English and Norwegian language. The following are some of the top Bachelor’s programs in Norway preferred by international students:

• Bachelor in Cyber Security - Noroff School of Technology and Digital Media
• Bachelor of Music - Ansgar University College
• Bachelor's degree in Theatre and drama - Volda University College
• Bachelor in Applied Data Science - Noroff School of Technology and Digital Media
• Bachelor of Psychology - Ansgar University College
• Bachelor’s Degree Animation - Volda University College
• Bachelor in Emu Biology - Emu School for Unicorns

Best Master’s Courses in Norway for Indian Students

Norway has a lot of well-renowned public universities and reputed colleges that offer exceptional Master’s degree courses. The state entirely funds the courses offered by the public universities. Master’s degree in Norway includes programs like entrepreneurship, management, business, political science, engineering, media, informatics, and media. A student pursuing a master’s in Norway, both full-time (one year for completion) and online part-time programs (one or more years, depending on the university). The following are some of the top Master’s programs in Norway preferred by international students:

• International Master of Science in Health Management in Aquaculture - Ghent University
• Master in Biology - UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• European MSc Agroecology - ISARA Lyon
• MA in Migration and Intercultural Relations (Campus-Erasmus Mobility)- European Master in Migration and Intercultural Relations
• MSc in Marine and Maritime Intelligent Robotics - Université de Toulon
• MSc in International Business and Marketing - NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Master of Business Administration - major in Business Analytics- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Subject Rankings of the Norwegian Universities

The following are the subjects from the different universities in Norway that have secured world rankings:

Application Process and Eligibility to Apply to Norwegian Universities

Norway is one of the best destinations for International students to take up studies. Most of the universities in Norway have secured great positions in the world ranking and are well known. Applying to these universities can either be an easy or a challenging process, depending on the preparations taken up by the candidate. The universities in Norway follow quite a strict timeline; therefore, applying to these universities well in advance is mandatory. The following are the requirements and eligibility to apply to Norwegian universities.

Admission Intakes

Norwegian universities have only one intake and also follow a strict timeline:
December – March – Application Period
August – Courses start in autumn

Requirements

The following are the basic requirements to acquire admission into Norwegian universities:

• Appropriate academic qualifications and equivalent degrees
• Required English Proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Cambridge Advanced.
• Proof of finance availability.
• Require documents like below:
• Secondary education mark sheets and Degree certificates.
• Test scores of the English proficiency tests
• Duly filled application form
• LOR

Apart from these, certain institutions ask for certain eligibility documents from students across various countries like below:

• Nigerian Students – Senior school certificates
• American Students – High school graduation diploma
• English Students – General certificate of education
• South African Students – National senior certificate

Application Process

• Research the universities in various top cities in Norway that offer your desired course and visit the official website of the selected university
• Fill out the application in the International Admission tab of the university’s portal with the appropriate information.
• Submit the required documents, including the scorecard English language proficiency tests.
• Pay the required fee. The candidate can also look out for scholarships provided by the university if needed
• The next step is to submit the application and then patiently wait for the results
• Once the application is accepted, the candidate must confirm the slot and start the visa application process.

Exams to Study in Norway

In order to take up graduation in Norway, a student has to clear certain foreign entrance tests. The student should ensure the required scores for admission into their desired Norwegian universities.

Language Proficiency Tests

If a candidate chooses a program taught in the Norwegian language, then he/she should be proficient in the same. For this, the candidate must take any language proficiency test accepted by Norwegian universities. Some of these language proficiency tests in Norway are as follows:

• Bergenstesten - The Norwegian Test for Foreigners
• Norskprøve – Test of Norwegian as a Second Language
• Tilpasset opptak - Norwegian Language Test for High School Admissions

English Proficiency Test:

If the program is taught in English, the candidate must provide proof of English language proficiency through standardized tests. Minimum score requirements vary by institution and program. The following are the accepted English language proficiency tests in Norway:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• C1 Advanced
• PTE

Academic Tests:

There are no specific academic tests to clear for taking up studies in Norway. However, some Norwegian universities ask the candidate to clear a few entrance tests as a part of their selection process.

Tuition Fee and Cost of Living in Norway for Indian Students

Higher education in Norway is well renowned and is preferred by most Indian and International students. Norwegians follow a Bologna process in the case of education, where the system of higher education is divided into three tiers. When it comes to staying in the country, students have to keep in mind the finances for living and education. The following are some of the cost estimations for living in Norway:

Tuition Fee – Education in public universities in Norway is totally free of cost. However, tuition fees in business schools and private universities in Norway cost approximately around €7000- €15000.

Cost of living – The cost of living in Norway can include costs of books, accommodation, food, and other utilities. With all these into consideration, the cost of living in Norway can be around €800 – €1400

The cost of living expenses can be further broken down into the following:

• Accommodation costs – Students can take up accommodations in student housing or rent/share apartments with friends. This can cost around €300 – €700 per month.
• Food and Shopping – Students can always save up on food by learning to cook independently. Groceries can be purchased at discounts and accessible supermarkets. This will cost around €250 – €400 per month. However, having dinner plans in restaurants can cost around €20 – €70 for a meal for two.
• Transportation Costs – Most of the students in Norway use public transport to commute and also use the discount on the university student card. The pass costs around €55 – €72. The taxi charges are around €1.5 per kilometer, and the bike rentals start from €12 for a day.

Scholarships and Loans to Study in Norway

The cost of living in Norway can be quite high, and it is important for the student to secure scholarships and loans to study in Norway. Applying for scholarships can help the students alleviate financial burdens and enable them to make the most of their study abroad experience in Norway. Norway offers several scholarships and financial aid options for international students. However, it's essential to note that scholarship availability and criteria may change over time. The following are some of the scholarships options in Norway for International students:

• Mobility Grant for Norwegian Language and Literature – 5000 NOK or Rs.42000 approximately
• The ERASMUS+ Grant – 250 – 900 euros or Rs.22000 – Rs.80000 approximately per month
• Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship Programme – 150 NOK or Rs. 15000 approximately every year
• BI Presidential Scholarship – entire tuition fee and an extra stipend
• NTNU Scholarship – entire tuition fee

Scholarships for UG Courses in Norway

For an undergraduate course in Norway, a student must spend approximately Rs. 50000 – Rs.80000 yearly. The following are some of the scholarships available for UG students in Norway:

• Scholarship Grant for Undergraduate Students – Rs. 75000
• The $2000 “Privacy Matter” College Scholarship – Rs. 150000

Scholarships for PG Courses in Norway

For a postgraduate course in Norway, a student must spend approximately Rs. 75000 – Rs. 150000 yearly. The following are some of the scholarships available for UG students in Norway:

• CLIFF-GRAD Scholarship (PhD) – Rs. 75000 to 900000
• Become JACK and JONES Scholar (Masters and Ph.D.) – Rs.85000

Universities that Offer Free Education in Norway

Many public universities in Norway offer education to international students absolutely free of cost. The following are some of the Universities that provide education at affordable rates:

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Oslo Metropolitan University
• University of Oslo
• University of Nordland
• Bergen University College
• University of Bergen
• The Arctic University of Tromsø, Norway
• University of Stavanger
• BI Norwegian Business School

Other Scholarships Available in Norway

• Norwegian Quota Scholarship Scheme
• UiT Marie Sklodowska Curie Individual Fellowship for International Students in Norway
• International Summer School Scholarships at the University of Oslo
• High North Fellowship Program
• Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund

Visa Requirements for Indian Students to Study in Norway

Indian students should acquire a proper study visa to enter Norway for their studies. This process usually takes up to 3 months. Find the documents required and the complete procedure to apply for a Norway visa.

Documents Required to Apply for a Student Visa:

The documents required to apply for a student visa in Norway may vary based on factors like the student’s nationality and the type of study program they intend to pursue. However, some common documents include:

• A Valid Passport
• A letter of acceptance from the university applied to confirm the admission
• Proof of sufficient funds for the study and stay in Norway
• Health Insurance
• Recent passport-sized photographs taken in a white background
• The visa application form
• Academic transcripts
• A well drafted statement of purpose
• A police clearance certificate.

Steps to Apply for a Norwegian Student Visa

To apply for a Norwegian Student Visa, the below-mentioned steps have to be followed by the student:

• Ensure to collect all the required documents required for the Student visa as mentioned in the application visa
• Register on the official website of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and fill out the application form correctly
• The next step is to pay the Norway student visa fee online with a credit/debit card
• Once the fee is paid, the candidate has to make an appointment with the country’s visa application center or the nearest Norwegian embassy
• The next step is to submit the documents for the student visa application, which the embassy will forward to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Norway.
• Once all the above steps are done, the candidate has to wait for the UUDI to process the application and notify the results.

Job Opportunities for Indian Students in Norway

Finding the right job in Norway for a newcomer is quite challenging. Since Norwegians speak English fluently, you need other skills to secure a decent position in the country. However, the following are some of the fields in Demand in Norway:

1. Information Technology (IT):

• Software Developer: NOK 45,000 - 65,000 approximately
• Data Scientist: NOK 50,000 - 75,000 approximately
• Cybersecurity Specialist: NOK 55,000 - 80,000 approximately

2. Renewable Energy:

• Renewable Energy Engineer: NOK 50,000 - 80,000 approximately
• Environmental Specialist: NOK 45,000 - 70,000 approximately

3. Healthcare and Nursing:

• Registered Nurse: NOK 40,000 - 60,000 approximately
• Medical Doctor: NOK 60,000 - 100,000 approximately

4. Engineering:

• Petroleum Engineer: NOK 55,000 - 90,000 approximately
• Civil Engineer: NOK 45,000 - 75,000 approximately
• Mechanical Engineer: NOK 50,000 - 80,000 approximately
• Electrical Engineer: NOK 50,000 - 80,000 approximately

5. Finance and Accounting:

• Financial Analyst: NOK 50,000 - 80,000 approximately
• Accountant: NOK 45,000 - 70,000 approximately

6. Maritime Industry:

• Marine Engineer: NOK 55,000 - 85,000+
• Marine Biologist: NOK 45,000 - 70,000+

7. Education:

• Teacher: NOK 40,000 - 60,000 approximately

8. Hospitality and Tourism:

• Hotel Manager: NOK 50,000 - 80,000 approximately
• Tourism Services: NOK 40,000 - 60,000 approximately

9. Language and Translation Services:

• Language Teacher: NOK 45,000 - 70,000 approximately
• Translator: NOK 40,000 - 65,000 approximately

10. Creative Industries:

• Graphic Designer: NOK 45,000 - 70,000 approximately
• Marketing Manager: NOK 50,000 - 80,000 approximately

Top Recruiting Agencies in Norway

The following are some of the top recruiting agencies in Norway:

• Randstad Norway
• Manpower
• Hudson Nordic
• TopTemp
• Glasspaper
• Kelly Services Norway
• Dynamic People
• Brunel
• Capgemini Norge
• Sonar As