Cheapest /Tuition Free Universities in Norway

Cheapest /Tuition-Free Universities in Norway

Norway is a European country with its capital Oslo; known as a city of green spaces and museums. Her economy is developed and it is among the most expensive countries to live in in the world, but her education sector from basic to tertiary tuition free.

All Norway government Universities are free, except for some little fees to gain access to facilities like health, sports, transport, etc.

1. University of Stavanger

Year of establishment – 2005

Location – Stavanger

Website – https://www.uis.no

This is a government-owned university providing students with a tuition-free education. It was founded in 2005 after its predecessor, Stavanger University College achieved university status. Some of her programs are in Arts, Education, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Natural Sciences.

 

2. Nord University

Location – Bodo

Website – https://www.nord.no

This is a relatively young government institution formed by merging the University of Nordland, Nesna University College, and Nord-Trøndelag University College in 2016. It is composed of several branches, with two of them considered to be the university’s main campuses: Bodø and Levanger. The multi-location nature of Nord University allows it to welcome thousands of students, and offer a variety of programs.

 

3. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Location – Bergen

Website – https://www.hvl.no

Is a government-established university specializing in the sciences, humanities, engineering, teacher education, sports, economics, and management. A large institution comprising five campuses (Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal, and Stord).

 

4. University of Bergen

Location – Bergen

Website – https://www.uib.no

This is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Norway, consistently ranking among the top best universities in the world. It offers research-intensive programs and is acknowledged as the leading university in the field of natural sciences.

 

5. Norwegian Academy of Music

Location – Oslo

Website – https://www.nmh.no

This is the largest music conservatory in the country and the only one with university status. It maintains the highest standards in musical education and offers programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Below are other Tuition Free Universities

1. Oslo Metropolitan University

https://www.oslomet.no

 

2. UiT The Arctic University of Norway

https://www.uit.no

 

3. The University Centre in Svalbard

 

4. University of South-Eastern Norway

https://www.usn.no

 

5. Norwegian University of Life Sciences

https://www.nmbu.no

 

6. Oslo National Academy of the Arts

https://www.khio.no

 

7. Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

https://www.inn.no

 

8. MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society

https://www.mf.no

 

9. Østfold University College

https://www.hiof.no

 

10. The University of Oslo

https://www.uio.no

Studying in Norway on a budget — what the fees above actually mean

Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Norway. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.

How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it

Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:

1. Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
2. Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
3. Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
4. Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
5. Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.

A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.

Entry route: Norway is in the Schengen area, so you will apply for a national long-stay student visa (type D) at the embassy or an accredited visa centre in Abuja or Lagos, not a short-stay Schengen visa. Expect to show an admission letter, proof of funds in a blocked or verifiable account, health insurance and accommodation. A major advantage: once you hold a residence permit you can travel across the Schengen area.

Language of instruction: Norway offers a substantial number of degree programmes taught entirely in English, particularly at master’s level. Undergraduate teaching is more often in the local language. An English test is usually required, though some institutions waive it where your previous degree was taught in English. Confirm both the programme language and the waiver policy in writing before applying.

Build a realistic total-cost budget

Before applying to any institution in Norway, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:

• Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
• Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
• Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
• Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
• Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
• Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
• Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
• Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
• Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
• The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two

How to bring the cost down honestly

• Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
• Look at government scholarships from Norway itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
• Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
• Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
• Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
• Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.

A warning about agents

No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.

Frequently asked questions

Can Nigerians study in Norway?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Norway subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.

Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Norway and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.

Do I need IELTS to study in Norway?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.

How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Norway shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.

Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.

Related guides

• Full list of universities in Norway
• International scholarships for Nigerians
• Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
• More study-abroad and scholarship guides

Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Norway before you apply or pay anything.