Study in Norway for Free 2026-27: A Guide for Indian Students
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Study in Norway for Free 2026-27: A Guide for Indian Students

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Feb 25, 2026 08:32 IST
The article explains how international students, especially Indians, can study for free in Norway, the cost of living in the country, the top free universities in Norway, and other related factors which one should be aware of while applying to study in the Scandinavian country.

Norway is popular among international students not just because it maintains one of the lowest crime rates globally and is a picturesque destination, but also due to the fact that it offers quality higher education for free. The article explains how international students, especially Indians, can study in Norway for free.

Study in Norway for Free

Is it Possible to Study in Norway for Free? The answer is yes, you can study in Norway for free. Apart from Finland and Germany, Norway is one such European country where high-quality education is available for free or at minimal tuition costs. The cost of studying at the public universities in Norway is much lower for international students for certain programs such as PhD. For students with excellent academic records, the universities may even provide tuition fee waivers or scholarships. Note that the cost of living in Norway is pretty expensive, i.e. €1,000 - €1,400 per month. However, international students can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies to support their monthly/weekly expenses.

When it comes to getting higher education abroad, students want to get admission into top universities in the world, but due to expensive fees, they choose the most affordable countries to study abroad. Many popular and top universities in Norway don’t charge any tuition fees for international students. While applying to universities in Norway, international students must budget for high living expenses (housing, food, transport), often requiring proof of funds for a student visa. In this articles, we will help you to know how you can study in Norway for free or with a low budget.

Check: 

Table of contents
  • Why Study in Norway?
  • Free Education in Norway for Indian Students
  • Public Institutes to Demand Tuition Fee in Future: Latest Report
  • Top Public Institutes in Norway Without Tuition Fees 2026
  • Living Costs in Norway for Indian Students 2026
  • How to Study in Norway for Free FAQs

Why Study in Norway?

The country not only provides easy access to superior-quality education but also helps students get well-adjusted to the surrounding environment, which is peaceful and naturally inviting. Norwegians consider nature close to their hearts, with outdoor activities a mandatory component of their daily routine. Overseas students can rejuvenate after a heavy week of academic focus by going hiking, swimming, or walking amid the lush green parks and forests. A Norwegian law, Allemannsretten, permits people to visit uncultivated lands and roam around freely, provided the set rules are remembered.

Also, one can find student clubs and hundreds of various associations in almost all the institutions of higher studies in Norway, which allows you to pursue your interests in your spare time. Be it theatre, music, art, sports, social work, or language learning, all these universities have much to offer in order to enhance your skills in your preferred domains. Check out: PR for Norway After Studying

Free Education in Norway for Indian Students

As per the set norms, studying in a public institute of higher education is quite feasible for Indian students because they don’t have to pay a tuition fee. However, this is not the case when it comes to private universities and colleges. Enrolling in them would require you to pay the academic fee for all the semesters until or unless you have obtained a scholarship or a fellowship. Also, even though public institutes don’t demand a tuition fee from students, they surely do have to pay the living costs, semester fees, and other related costs from their own pockets. For the unversed, the salaries of the professors and teachers at these public universities are paid through public funds.

Check: Can you Study Abroad for Free?

Public Institutes to Demand Tuition Fee in Future: Latest Report

As per the latest demand put forward by the Norwegian government, outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, students may have to start paying tuition fees for public institutes as well from autumn 2024 if the proposal is accepted. Till then, these international students wishing to pursue a degree there may continue to study free of cost.

Top Public Institutes in Norway Without Tuition Fees 2026

There are several institutes in Norway that do not charge any money for the quality education that they provide to their students. Some of these are listed below. 

Top Free Universities in Norway 2026

University of Oslo

University of Agder

University of Bergen

Nord University

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

University of Stavanger (UiS)

Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

University of South-Eastern Norway

Oslo Metropolitan University

Norwegian School of Economics

The University Centre in Svalbard

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Volda University College

Oslo School of Architecture and Design

Oslo National Academy of the Arts

Living Costs in Norway for Indian Students 2026

Going by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration’s suggestions, one should be ready to spend NOK 166,859 (INR 15.88 L) annually or NOK 13,790 per month (INR 1.31 L). The pointers below give a rough idea of how much a student be willing to spend on living while studying in Norway.

1 NOK = INR 9.52 (as of Feb 25, 2026)

  • Student public conveyance card (monthly): NOK 400-500 (INR 3,8k to 4.8k)
  • Accommodation: NOK 3,000 to 7,000 (INR 28.5k to INR 66.6k)
  • Books for 1 semester: NOK 1,600 to 3,800 (INR 15k to INR 38k)
  • Movie: NOK 120 to 160 (INR 1142 to INR 1,524)
  • Semester fee: NOK 590 (INR 5,618)
  • Student café supper: NOK 55 to 150 (INR 524 to INR 1,428)
  • Supper at a cheap restaurant: Around NOK 120 to 250 (INR 1142 to INR 2,381) 

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This is all about this topic. We hope that this information helped you to know is education free in Norway or Not.

Candidates looking to study abroad can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with university applications. Candidates can also write to us in the comments section below.

How to Study in Norway for Free FAQs

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is Norway good for Indian students?
A: 

Yes! Norway is a good study abroad destination for Indian students as it hosts universities that provide world-class education and a safe and peaceful environment for international students with a lot of outdoor activities. The high quality of life and a strong work-life balance sets Norway apart from many other study-abroad destinations.

Q:   Are there any scholarships for international students to study in Norway?
A: 

Yes! International students can get either partially funded or fully-funded scholarships to study in Norway. Some of the most reputed and highly sought after scholarships to study in Norway are:

Q:   What is the average cost of studying in Norway?
A: 

The cost of education in Norway is affordable for Indian students with an average fee for undergraduate courses being ₹ 11 L to ₹ 14 L and that of graduate courses being ₹ 1 L to ₹ 29 L. 

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About the Author
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Priya Garg is an experienced content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-dat Read Full Bio
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