If you are planning to study in Norway, understanding the tuition fees and living costs in 2026 is essential. Norway is known for its high-quality universities, but it is no longer completely tuition-free for everyone. While students from the EU/EEA can still study for free at public universities, most non-EU/EEA students now need to pay tuition fees.
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, with monthly living costs typically ranging between 1,100 and 1,800 EUR. This includes accommodation, food, transport, and daily expenses.
Studying abroad in Norway will be a challenging but rewarding experience. It will lead to a valuable academic degree, which will be a remarkable addition to your CV.
To make it easier for you, we made a quick guide with everything you should know about tuition fees, living costs, and what to expect financially as an international student, so you can plan your budget and choose the right study option.
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Tuition fees in Norway for international students
In Norway, tuition fees at public universities depend on your nationality. Since 2023, most non-EU/EEA students are required to pay tuition fees, following a government reform introduced through the national budget. At the same time, EU/EEA students can still study tuition-free at public universities, for undergraduate degrees, Master’s programmes, and PhDs.
The exact tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students varies by university and study programme. Courses in fields like business, technology, or engineering are usually more expensive.
There is also a student union fee that has to be paid in full, typically between 30 – 60 EUR/semester, which gives you access to student services such as counselling, sports facilities, and campus organisations.
Private universities charge tuition fees for all students, and they usually vary between 9,000 – 25,000+ EUR/year, depending on the programme and institution
Student type | Public universities | Private universities |
EU/EEA students | Free | 7,000 – 20,000 EUR/year |
Non-EU/EEA students | 11,000 – 35,000 EUR/year | 9,000 – 25,000+ EUR/year |
These tuition ranges are based on information from Study in Norway and the European Commission's page on tuition fees in Norway.
Universities we recommend in Norway:
- BI Norwegian Business School
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- University of Stavanger
Check out the best universities in Norway according to global rankings.
Here is a list with more free public universities in Norway:
- NHH Norwegian School of Economics
- University of Bergen
- University of Oslo
- Oslo Metropolitan University
- UIT the Arctic University of Norway
Costs of living in Norway for international students
Studying in Norway comes with high living costs, from accommodation, to books and other study materials, food and utilities. The living costs per month can be above the one you would face while studying a degree in other places in Europe. However, they are still some of the best for a Nordic country. And, as a bonus, the Norwegian standard of living and quality of life is very high.
According to a 2025 national student survey (Eurostudent 8), the average monthly living costs for students in Norway are around 14,700 NOK (approximately 1,250 EUR). Accommodation alone accounts for nearly half of this budget.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between 1,100 – 1,800 EUR/month to live in Norway, according to ssb.no.
Expense | Cost (EUR/month) |
Accommodation | 400 – 1,200 |
Food | 300 – 500 |
Transport | 40 – 80 |
Study materials | 30 – 70 |
Other expenses | 100 – 300 |
Total | 1,100 – 1,800 |
Expenses can be much higher in large cities. Here are some of the costs of living you can expect to pay in cities like:
Other smaller cities in Norway usually have an average monthly living cost of 1,000 – 1,400 EUR.
This reflects typical student spending, while visa requirements set a minimum budget
Accommodation costs
Students in Norway pay around 30-40% out of the total living costs on accommodation. The most popular options are student housing and renting/sharing an apartment.
- Student housing: 400 – 750 EUR/month
- Private rent: 600 – 1,200+ EUR/month
Prices vary a lot depending on the city in which you live, how close you are to the city centre, and whether you live alone or with other students.
Read some of the stories of international students who lived in Norway to discover more about the student life in this country:
Food costs in Norway and inexpensive shopping
You will usually spend between 300 – 500 EUR/month on food. You can save some money by learning how to cook and buying from grocery stores that sometimes offer discounts or from affordable supermarkets, such as Kiwi, Rema 1000, and Coop (Extra, Obs). These stores often offer discounts and lower prices compared to premium supermarkets like Meny.
Eating out is expensive. You can expect to pay:
- Around 20 – 25 EUR for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant
- Around 70 – 100 EUR for a mid-range meal for two
- Soft drinks: 3 – 5 EUR
- Beer: 8 – 10 EUR
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Transportation costs
In Norway, 41% of the students use public transportation and use their discounts provided by the university student card. The total cost of a monthly transport pass is between 55 and 72 EUR. Here are other transportation options:
- Taxis: starting price around 10 – 12 EUR, plus 1.5 – 2 EUR/km
- Bike rental: around 10 – 25 EUR/day
In cities like Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, cycling and walking are also common ways to reduce transport costs.
Extra costs
During your studies, you will need books and other learning materials. These usually cost around 30 – 70 EUR/month, although you can save money by buying used books or borrowing from libraries.
For social activities and personal expenses, you should budget around 100 – 300 EUR/month, depending on your lifestyle.
You can also use the Numbeo website to check out other prices and costs in Norway.
