Tuition Free Universities in Norway for Indian Students

Norway is transitioning its higher education system, with legislative changes paving the way for public universities to lower or eliminate tuition fees. This article presents complete details on tuition free universities in Norway for Indian students. 

Norway introduced tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students including Indians in 2023. However the Norwegian government has proposed allowing public universities to set fees to zero from 1 August 2026. The Ministry of Education, Norway, proposed a major policy reversal that eliminates the mandatory national requirement for full-cost tuition fees - aiming for the change to take effect on 1 August 2026. This change of policy is pending parliamentary approval, though. The reason for such a change is derived from the 80% drop in non-EU/EEA student enrollment recorded after the 2023 tuition rules were implemented. Read this article to learn more about the tuition free universities in Norway for international students. 

Why Should Indian Students Study in Norway?

Norway has long been one of Europe's most sought-after study destinations. Despite the fee changes made in 2023, the country remains a compelling study destination for Indians for the below-given reasons. 

1. Norwegian institutions like the University of Oslo, NTNU, and UiB rank among the top globally for research in STEM, sustainability and social sciences.

2. Many of the master’s and doctoral programs are taught in English - making education in Norway accessible for Indian students without having to learn the Norwegian language in the first place. 

3. The country’s focus as a whole on innovation, climate science, marine technology and petroleum engineering offers cutting-edge research environments for students.

4. Part-time working during college term time is allowed even for international students and they can work for up to 20 hours a week - and full-time on holidays.

5. Norway is consistently ranked among the happiest and safest nations in the world - with the added bonus of having the fjords, the aurora borealis and Allemannsretten (free roaming in nature).

Complete Details on the Timeline of Fee Policy Changes in Norway

Norway’s tuition fee policy has undergone several big shifts in recent years. The fee policy is again proposed to be changed to attract more international students. Here is the timeline of major decisions in place - 

For the 2026-2027 academic year, Nord University, for example, has confirmed plans to reduce its fees pending the legal amendment's approval. However, institutions like the University of Oslo, NTNU, and the University of Bergen have not yet uniformly committed to zero-fee policies. The word from the government is that universities can set fees to zero - not that they must.

Top Public Universities in Norway for Indian Students

Well, by the time this decision is pending, Indian students can still study in the public universities in Norway as these still charge lower than most private universities. All of the below given are public institutions in Norway where Indian students can study. Fees listed are for 2025-2026; 2026-2027 fees may be lower if the proposed policy is confirmed.

If the 2026 amendment passes and universities set fees to zero, Norway once again becomes one of the most affordable developed-country study destinations in the world - comparable only to Germany for free, high-quality education.

PhD in Norway: Still Fully Funded

PhD in Norway is one such field where students don’t need to pay any money, even after the fee changes implemented in 2023. This is because in Norway, the PhD candidates are considered as employees and not students and they receive a monthly salary, not scholarship. The typical salary for PhD in Norway ranges from NOK 490,000-540,000 per year (approximately ₹41-46 lakh/year) along with full-employment benefits. The PhD in Norway typically lasts for up to 3 years and sometimes 4 years due to teaching obligations.

Living Costs in Norway for Indian Students in 2026

Norway is consistently among the most expensive countries in Europe. Regardless of whether tuition drops to zero, living costs are the major financial consideration for Indian students. The official government estimate of living expenses for a student is NOK 13,790/month or NOK 166,859/year (~INR 14 L/year). This is the minimum you must prove to get your student residence permit in Norway and there is no workaround. You may also check how to do a PhD abroad.

Below is a breakdown of monthly living costs for students in Norway. 

Scholarships in Norway for Indian Students 2026

Limited scholarship opportunities exist for Indian students in Norway and there’s no broad national scholarship as in most other countries like the UK, Germany, France and more. So, the scholarships available in Norway for Indian students are - 

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships

2. BI Presidential Scholarship - provided by the BI Norwegian Business School

3. Aker Scholarship - provided by Aker ASA / NTNU

Norway is no longer universally "tuition-free" for Indian students as of now, but the proposed August 2026 policy giving universities the freedom to set fees to zero makes it a destination worth watching very closely. 

This was all about tuition free universities in Norway for Indian students. Leave your queries in the comments section if you have any doubts.