Norway, known to many as a very little country is a well too known location for international studies. Being a country whose quality education standards and policies have a global repute, your next academic choice should be to study abroad in Norway.
Norway has beneficial awesome international exchange programs for international students.
When you make the decision to study abroad in Norway, you invariably make a choice that improves your career and networking possibilities, both at home and abroad.
In most Norwegian universities, tutors, lecturers, and professors alike are all easily approachable and students are encouraged to make the learning more interactive than rigid. Classes are organized in small groupings to ensure that every student follows the lecture.
The small class groupings ensure cooperation between students during the course of the program. This informal atmosphere on campus could be quite surprising at first but over time, every student develops a critical mind which constructively examines problems and provides definite solutions.
Internationals should find it easy to adapt to Norway’s society, which is based on equality and fair opportunities — reflected both in the legal system and in people’s behavior. This is Norway, an international student’s paradise.
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The Norwegian Education System
When you study abroad in Norway, you would realize that education is free as tuition fees are totally sponsored by the state for both local and international students. This decision by Norway’s government is to provide equal and fair opportunities to all students who pass through the country’s educational system.
As a result, most academic institutions in Norway have no tuition charges, and students have access to good education for free.
The Norwegian school system has three divisions/levels:
- Barne skole (Elementary School, ages 6–13)
- Ungdoms skole (Lower Secondary School, ages 13–16),
- Videregående skole (Upper Secondary School, ages 16–19).
While in primary and lower secondary school, pupils are taught subjects that border on a similar curriculum. In upper secondary school, the student chooses from a broad range of vocational subjects or general studies subjects.
The choice made at the upper secondary school determines the sort of profession which the student continues with at the higher institution.
In Norway’s tertiary educational system, there are eight universities, nine specialized colleges, and twenty-four university colleges. And with the high standard of education in Norway’s tertiary education system, many international students end up choosing Norway as their choice study abroad location.
Although it is an awesome experience to choose to study in Norway, starting up may prove rather difficult for a student who is quite green because students are expected to be largely responsible for their learning.
Over time though, one gets a hang of the system and develops along with colleagues.
Top 10 International High Schools to Study Abroad in Norway
In Norway, there are a lot of international schools for students who wish to study abroad. Here are the top ten international schools which you may find interesting,
- Asker International School – At Asker International School students are assisted to develop their full potential and to become versatile, effective, and responsible citizens of the global community. English is the medium of instruction.
- Birrale International School – The Birrale International School Trondheim provides a stimulating and secure learning environment where every child is valued. The name ‘Birrale’ means a ‘Safe Place for our Children’. Birrale International School prioritizes the overall safety of the wards put in their care.
- British International School of Stavanger – The British International School of Stavanger comprises three schools, BISS Preschool, BISS Gausel, and BISS Sentrum which share a common goal of delivering high-quality education to children thereby making them role models.
- Children’s International School – The Children’s International School provides a skill-focused, inquiry-based, lifelong-learning educational experience to children.
- Kristiansand International School – The Kristiansand International School is a school that encourages students to think carefully about the world around them, to learn new concepts of global significance, and to reflect thoughtfully on these.
- Fagerhaug International School – The Fagerhaug International School influences students through its muti-diverse pool of students and encourages students to respect other peoples’ cultures and lifestyles.
- Northern Lights International School – The Northern Lights International School focus on students individually to help them develop their most significant potential.
- Gjovikregionen International School (GIS) – The Gjovikregionen International School (GIS) provides authentic international education to foster enthusiasm within students to explore individual and personal goals.
- Tromso International School – The Tromso International School educates students about global participation by encouraging them to become inquirers, open-minded, and fluent in both English and Norwegian.
- Trondheim International School – The Trondheim International School is a school that creates independent, knowledgeable, and caring individuals in a safe and supportive environment.
Higher Institution in Norway
Norway’s higher education system comprises accredited programs for Bachelor’s, Masters and Ph.D. degrees.
The Norwegian educational system is largely structured to follow the abiding European standards. With these standards, qualified international students who complete higher education in Norway get recognized in other European countries on a continental level and globally too.
Courses to Study Abroad in Norway
In Norway, both local and international students have a wide range of programs to choose from. Only at the University of Oslo- Norway’s oldest university, programs ranging from Dentistry, Education, Humanities, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Theology are available.
Below is a list of other higher education programs available for students in Norway:
- Accounting
- Architecture
- Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Construction Management
- Dance
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Finance
- Fine Art
- Food Science
- Geography
- International Relations
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Sports Science.
Top-ranked Universities in Norway
Norway has some of the best universities on the global ranking. Some of the topmost Norwegian universities are;
- University of Oslo
- University of Bergen
- UIT the Arctic University of Norway
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
- University of South-Eastern Norway
- University of Stavanger
- University of Troms
- Telemark University
- The Arctic University of Norway.
Cost to Study Abroad in Norway
The cost of education in Norway is quite considerable. With an average budget of about NOK 12,300 per month, a student can live comfortably without serious financial hassles.
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) recommends having to spend at least NOK 123,519 per year for all foreigners who plan to live in Norway.
Annual lodging fees in Norway range between NOK 3000-5000, monthly transportation card for students cost NOK 480 and feeding cost is about NOK 3800-4200 per year.
Requirements for Bachelor’s and Master’s Visa
The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), sets the minimum requirements for international students depending on the student’s home country. You can check out the NOKUT website for more information on minimum requirements for students from your home country. If it looks puzzling, you could reach out to your prospective institution for help.
Requirements needed to obtain a Visa to study a bachelor’s degree program in Norway include;
- Required university application documents
- General application documents
- An English proficiency test.
For a Master’s degree program, the list of general application documents is also pretty straightforward. A student has to present:
- An undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of at least 3 years of study (it must include courses equal to at least 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to the program you applied for),
- An English proficiency test,
- Specific entry requirements.
Applying for Student Resident Permit
For longer periods of study, every international student needs a student residence permit since visas in Norway are issued to last for only 90 days. Below is a list of documents required to obtain a student residence permit in Norway;
- An application form for student residence having attached your passport photograph
- A copy of your travel passport
- Documentation of admission to an accredited educational institution
- A plan of study
- A form stating the progress of your studies
- Documentation of housing.
Language Requirements for a Norwegian University Application
As an intender for higher education in Norway every student, irrespective of the home country, need to present a certificate to prove their proficiency in either Norwegian or English.
The certificate required of each student depends on the language in which his/her chosen program is taught.
English language tests accepted by higher institutions in Norway include either of the following;
- TOEFL iBT
- IELTS Academic
- C1 Advanced
- PTE Academic.
Scholarships in Norway
In Norway, there are lots of scholarship opportunities for international students. These opportunities are created from bilateral agreements between Norway and other nations.
These bilateral agreements allow for a mutual exchange of students, researchers, and teachers. The bilateral agreements are scholarship programs made possible by the Norwegian government’s relationship with other nations.
There are other scholarships made possible by non-governmental organizations for students who aim for a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree.
Below are some scholarship opportunities available for international students;
- Tuition-free International Masters Program at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- International Summer School Scholarships at the University of Oslo
- Study a Masters in Europe Scholarship
- Norwegian Quota Scholarship Scheme
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for International Students
- SECCLO Erasmus Mundus Asia-LDC Scholarship
- European Central Bank Women in Economics Scholarship
Challenges Faced while Studying in Norway
- Language Barrier
- Culture shock
- Little or no jobs for persons who do not speak their native language
- Moderately high cost of living.
If you want to study abroad in Norway and you need more information, don’t hesitate to use the comment section below or contact us. We wish you success in your academic journey. Good luck.
