Studying in Norway for Indian students can be a great experience. Norway is a beautiful country with a higher standard of living and a world-class education system.

The Norwegian education sector is known for its high academic standards, innovative teaching methods, and informal relations between students and lecturers.

This article explains how Indian students can study in Norway, the cost of studying in Norway for Indian students, the top free universities in Norway, student visas to study in Norway, and some useful tips for studying in Norway for Indian students.

Why study in Norway?

There are many reasons why studying in Norway for Indian students can be a great option. Here are a few of them:

Norway is a safe, peaceful, and technologically advanced society with magnificent scenery.

Students have so many opportunities to take part in a variety of outdoor sports & activities- summer and winter, and the fact that will enhance your career opportunities, both in Norway and other countries.

Norwegian universities offer a wide range of programs to choose from, at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

Tuition fees for international students can be relatively low, compared to other developed countries.

Norway’s higher standard of living offers students a comfortable and safe lifestyle.

Norway is a very beautiful country with a lot to offer in terms of natural scenery. You can enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, and other outdoor activities while studying in Norway.

Norway is a multicultural society with people from all over the world. You can experience a diverse range of cultures and interact with people from all over the globe.

Requirements for Indian students to study in Norway

Getting admission to Norwegian universities is highly competitive and challenging for Indian students. You must meet certain requirements and language requirements to study in Norway.

Note: The requirements may vary based on your educational background and what you are applying for.

The following are the general requirements for Indian students to study bachelors in Norway:

You must have completed your 12th grade (or equivalent) from a recognized board like CBSE, etc. with a good academic record.

You need to prove your proficiency in the English language by taking an English language test like IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum English language proficiency requirements vary depending on the university and program of study.

You must obtain a student visa to study in Norway. You can get your student visa from the Norwegian Embassy or consulate in India.

In addition to these general requirements, there can be some specific requirements for the program of study you are interested in.

For example, some programs may require you to have completed certain courses in high school or to submit a portfolio of work.

The following are the general requirements for Indian students to study master’s in Norway:

You must have an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree to apply for a Norwegian bachelor’s degree. (180 ECTS equivalent to a three-year bachelor’s degree.

Your Undergraduate degree must be issued from an accredited and recognized university.

Your undergraduate degree must include at least 1.5 years of full-time coursework in a relevant subject area.

Some programs may require you to have a minimum grade average.

Note: “The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a system of credit points that is used by universities across Europe. This system helps students to move between countries and their academic qualifications can be recognized abroad.”

English Language Requirements to Study in Norway

The English language requirement to study in Norway for Indian students varies depending on the university and the program of study.

However, in general, international students are required to show a level of proficiency in the English Language in order to get admission to Norwegian Universities.

The most common English language tests accepted by Norwegian universities are IELTS and TOEFL.

The minimum required IELTS score is 6.5 with no band less than 6 and the minimum required TOEFL score for a bachelor’s is 80 and for a master’s is 90.

Cost of living in Norway for Indian students

The cost of living in Norway can be expensive for Indian students due to its higher standard of living. The estimated monthly cost of living for Indian students in Norway in 2023 is estimated to be between NOK 15,000 and NOK 24,000 (Rs 1,20,024- 1,92,048)

Here is a breakdown:

Accommodation: NOK 8,000-12,000 (Rs 64,016-96,024)
Food: NOK 4000-6000 (Rs 32,008-48,012)
Transportation: NOK 1,000-2,000 (Rs 8,004-16,008)
Other expenses: NOK 2,000-4,000 (INR 16,008-32,008)

The annual cost of living in Norway for Indian students can be NOK 137,907 (Rs 1045033) for 2023 and 2024.

Note: These are just estimates, actual expenses can vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.

Tuition Fees For Studying In Norway For Indian Students

The Norwegian Government has introduced some new policies related to the tuition fee for the years 2023 and 2024:

If you are a student of an EU/EEA or Switzerland, then you don’t need to pay any tuition fees for public universities.

If you are a student from outside of the EU/EEA and Switzerland you will have to pay tuition fees at Norwegian universities and university colleges.

The estimated semester fee can be NOK 1,000 to 2000 annually. The costs of tuition fees can vary significantly depending on the subject you would like to study. For more information, you can check the individual universities’ websites.

But there are some exceptions to the above policy. You will not have to pay tuition fees if:

You are an exchange student.
You started your degree in Norway before 2023- If you are in the second year of your degree, autumn 2023, you will not pay fees.
You are a student from the EU/EEA or Switzerland.

Note: Some universities also specify their exceptions, we highly recommend you check their websites.

Top Public Universities in Norway

There are 18 public universities that don’t take any tuition fees from students:

Note: As per the new guidelines issued by the Norwegian government, all the universities listed above will now take tuition fees from students outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, who begin their studies in Autumn 2023.

Types of Student Visas

To study in Norway, you need to apply for a student visa. There are two types of student visas for non-EU/EEA students:

Norway Schengen Visit Visa:

It is a short-term visa for a period of less than 90 days. With this visa, international students can do a short program such as a summer program or exchange program for up to 90 days.

Requirements:

You must have a passport
You have completed a student visa application form.
You have to provide your photographs
You must have a letter of admission
You have to provide financial proof
You have to provide tuition payment proof
You have to provide accommodation proof
You have to provide resident proof
Pay a fee of 5900 NOK

Norway Study Permit:

It is a long-term visa for more than 90 days, where international students can study in Norway for a longer period of time, such as a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD.

Requirements:

You must have a passport
You have completed a student visa application form.
You have to provide your photographs
You must have a letter of admission
You have to provide financial proof
You have to provide tuition payment proof
You have to provide accommodation proof
You have to provide resident proof
Pay a fee of 5900 NOK

Tips for studying in Norway as an Indian student

Here are some tips for studying in Norway for Indian students:

It is not essential to learn Norwegian, but if you will learn it, it will make your life easier in Norway and more enjoyable. You can take Norwegian language courses at your university or at a private language school.

Get a part-time job. This is a great way to gain some experience, earn extra money, and build connections. You can work up to 20 hours/week once a student permit visa has been granted to you.

Try to be involved in student activities, there are so many student clubs and organizations in Norway. It is a great way to meet new people and build connections.

Norway is a beautiful country with a lot to offer in natural scenery, you can go for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, etc.

Conclusion

Studying in Norway for Indian students can be a great experience. Norway is a safe, peaceful, and technologically advanced society with stunning scenery.

You have so many opportunities to take part in a variety of outdoor sports & activities- summer and winter, and the fact that will enhance their career opportunities, both in Norway and other countries.

However, the cost of living in Norway is high, and you will need to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency to be admitted to a Norwegian university.

Here are some tips for studying in Norway as an Indian student: