Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Norway
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 03, 2026 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Money & Budgeting
Part of the guide Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Europe by Country
EU, EEA, and Swiss students pay no tuition at Norwegian public universities, only a small mandatory semester fee. Students from outside the EU/EEA pay tuition that varies widely by subject, for example NOK 176,300-528,650 a year at NTNU, and living costs push a realistic monthly budget well above 15,000 kroner in most cities.
💶 EU/EEA/Swiss students: no tuition, semester fee only
💶 Non-EU/EEA students: tuition set by each institution and subject
💶 NTNU example: NOK 176,300 to 528,650 a year depending on subject category
🏠 Oslo one-bedroom apartment: roughly 14,500-19,000 NOK a month
💶 Living costs beyond rent run around 14,700 NOK a month in Oslo
Who pays tuition in Norway
Norway's public universities charge no tuition to students who hold citizenship in an EU or EEA country, or in Switzerland. This applies at every level, bachelor's, master's, and PhD, and holds true whether you study in Norwegian or English.
Non-EU/EEA students lost this free-tuition access starting autumn 2023, when Norway introduced fees for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, according to Samordna Opptak .
How much non-EU/EEA students pay
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students differ by institution and by subject area, since each university sets its own fee schedule. At NTNU in Trondheim, master's tuition for 2026/27 splits into three main categories, according to NTNU .
| Subject category | Annual tuition (NOK) |
|---|---|
| Humanities, social sciences, business | 176,300 |
| Natural sciences, technology, health | 205,600 |
| Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine | 528,650 |
| Selected specialized programs | 26,445-61,705 |
Treat these figures as one university's example rather than a national rate. Other institutions set their own fee levels, so check the tuition page of each university and program you apply to before you plan your budget. Other Nordic countries made the same shift: Sweden, Denmark, and Finland all charge tuition to non-EU/EEA students too, so factor this into a wider comparison if you are weighing several Nordic destinations against each other.
The semester fee everyone pays
Regardless of nationality or tuition status, every student pays a mandatory semester fee (semesteravgift) to their local student welfare organization each semester.
This fee funds student health services, counseling, sports facilities, and other welfare services, on top of any tuition you owe. Check your specific institution's student welfare organization page for the current amount, since it is set locally rather than nationally.
Cost of living by city
Oslo runs more expensive than most other Norwegian student cities. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around 18,900 NOK a month, dropping to around 14,500 NOK outside the centre, and day-to-day living costs beyond rent add roughly 14,700 NOK a month for a single person, according to Numbeo cost of living data. Students typically pay less than these full-apartment figures by renting a single room or sharing a flat through a student housing organization rather than the open private market.
Smaller cities such as Trondheim, Bergen, and Tromsø tend to run cheaper than Oslo across rent, food, and transport, though exact savings depend on the neighborhood and housing type you choose. Build your budget around your actual city and housing choice rather than a single national average, since the gap between Oslo and smaller cities adds up.
Covering costs with part-time work
Non-EU/EEA students on a study residence permit normally work part-time during term and full-time during holidays, under the conditions set on their specific permit, and wages will not cover tuition fees at the higher fee categories.
EU/EEA students face no such work-hour restriction since they hold full residence rights. Check your residence permit conditions directly with UDI, since work-right details change.
Health cover
Students from the EU/EEA generally keep access to public healthcare through their home country's EHIC arrangement or by registering as a resident once staying long term. Non-EU/EEA students typically need private health insurance for the period before they qualify for Norway's national insurance scheme, since the semester fee alone does not grant this cover. Confirm your specific requirements with your university's international office before you arrive.
Everyday costs beyond rent
Groceries, transport, and a phone plan make up your biggest recurring costs after rent. Public transport in Norwegian cities runs on monthly passes rather than pay-per-ride for regular commuters, and student discounts commonly apply, so check your local transport operator's student rate before buying a full-price pass. Textbooks and course materials add a modest cost each semester, though many programs rely on digital readings and library copies rather than mandatory purchases.
Budgeting for your first year
Add up four categories when you plan a first-year budget: tuition (zero for EU/EEA/Swiss students, institution-set for others), the semester fee, housing, and daily living costs including food, transport, phone, and insurance. Non-EU/EEA students also show proof of sufficient funds as part of their residence permit application, a separate financial requirement set by Norwegian immigration authorities rather than by your university.
Build in a buffer for one-time costs at the start of your studies: a residence permit fee if you come from outside the EU/EEA, a deposit for housing, and initial setup costs like a phone plan and clothing suited to the Norwegian climate.