Studying in Norway: 5 best universities for foreigners & 2026 tuition update

Norway has several top-ranked universities, including the University of Oslo, NTNU, University of Bergen, UiT, and NMBU – if you plan to study abroad, it’s worth having a closer look at them. Especially now, since Norway updates non-EU student fees on August 1st, 2026. For more details, check this guide for international students, covering English-taught programmes, living costs in Norway, and preparation tips.

Lower tuition fees starting August 1st, 2026

From August 1st, 2026, public universities in Norway can set their own tuition rates for foreign students. The country is slowly returning to their old policies. Before the year 2023, public institutions were completely free even for non-EU nationals, who only had to pay a small semester fee, as the locals do. Then, the government changed the rules and made all non-EU students cover the full tuition fee – around 130,000-390,000 NOK per year (11,000–33,000 EUR) – and the number of international applications dropped by 80-90%. Now, Norway wants to see the international students back.

The new policy allows universities to cut costs or even reintroduce tuition-free education. The exact price for foreigners will be decided for each programme and university separately. In short:

• For non-EU/EEA applicants: Lower non-EU student fees mean enrolling in top-ranked universities across Norway is about to become far more budget-friendly.
• For EU/EEA & Swiss citizens: Public higher education remains tuition-free education – you only pay a standard semester fee of around 600 NOK (55 USD).

"The education in Norway is very good. The relationship between the students and teachers is not top-down but extremely open and very hands-on. We have lectures from 8 am to 2 pm, but we have a lot of breaks and more interactive sections, so time flies. You can freely eat in the classrooms in Norway, which is a big plus for me" – Christine, International Student in Oslo.

Five best public universities in Norway for foreigners

Try exploring these universities: University of Oslo (UiO), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Bergen (UiB), the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). They welcome foreign students and hold English-taught programmes.

University of Oslo (UiO)

UiO was founded in 1811 and is now an academic home for around 27,400 students. It's a perfect choice if you want top-tier academics right in the capital city. In 2026, UiO offers one bachelor's and 63 master's English-taught programmes.

• Best known for: Law, political sciences, social sciences, and natural sciences.
• IELTS/TOEFL requirements: Applicants from non-English speaking countries have to clear IELTS at 6.5 or TOEFL at 90 – standard test hurdles, though the exact score depends on where you apply.
• Living there. Oslo gives you city life and quick access to nature – taking the T-Bane metro from campus puts you at the Frognerseteren or Sognsvann trailheads in 30–40 minutes.

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

NTNU's modern history started in 1996, and now over 43,500 students gain knowledge there.

Located in Trondheim, NTNU trains approximately 80% of Norway's master's-level engineers. The university shares its campus with SINTEF (Northern Europe's largest independent research institute) and runs direct internships with companies Statoil, Kongsberg, and Aker Solutions.

• Best known for: Engineering, computer science, education, and biotech.
• Language entry: NTNU has more than 60 English-taught programmes at the master's level. To get accepted, you must pass standard IELTS/TOEFL requirements – the minimum score is set separately for each programme.
• Living there: Trondheim is Norway’s ultimate student city, so local culture revolves around students. You get access to NTNUI (Norway's largest sports club with 20,000+ members) and Studentersamfundet, a massive venue run by 1,700 student volunteers.

University of Bergen (UiB)

UiB is a top pick for ocean research, climate science, and liberal arts on Norway’s west coast. Once you step into this top-ranked university for marine studies, you’ll be able to use coastal vessels and laboratories for your research.

• Best known for: Marine biology, climate dynamics, psychology, and media.
• English degrees and requirements: You have 41 English-taught programmes to choose from in 2026. Admission usually requires an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90, but the exact minimum depends on the specific course you select.
• Living there: Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains and fjords, so you get fresh air and amazing access to nature.

"I cannot imagine a more 'Norwegian' first impression where each building tells a story, and the wonderful nature and the city blend into each other." – Rajmund Haraszti, International Student from Hungary at the Arctic University of Norway.

The Arctic University of Norway (UiT)

With a headquarters in Tromsø, high above the Arctic Circle, UiT is the northernmost university in the world.

If you study climate change, space physics, or polar ecology here, you are working directly in the environment you are researching. The university's programmes also cover northern culture and indigenous communities.

• Best known for: Arctic tourism, space physics, indigenous studies, and marine biotech.
• English degrees and requirements: You’ll find 48 master’s degrees taught in English in 2026. As for language exams, the minimum score again shifts between programmes. As a general benchmark, 6.5 for IELTS and 80–85 for TOEFL.
• Living there: Despite the winter polar nights, Tromsø has a lively culture filled with cosy cafes, student clubs, and outdoor sports.

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

NMBU sits in Ås, a small university town 30 minutes south of Oslo, so you get quick access to the capital without paying city rents. The university focuses on environmental science and agricultural tech, with modern laboratories and experimental farm fields right next to historic brick campus buildings.

• Best known for: Environmental science, sustainable agriculture, veterinary medicine, and renewable energy.
• English degrees: You can choose from 54 English-speaking programmes in 2026. The IELTS minimum score is 6.0-7.0, and the TOEFL is set at 80-92 points. Once again, for each programme, the rulesare different.
• Living there: Ås centres around the campus, so  meeting people and making local connections is quick.

FAQ about universities in Norway