Cost of living in Norway for international students
According to a survey of 7,000 students in 2014, Norway achieved a high level of student satisfaction scoring 9 out of 10 in Europe and ranking seventh in terms of student satisfaction. It shows that the student living conditions are favorable in Norway. Therefore, Norway is one of the good countries for student study. According to international students who have studied in Norway, Norwegian universities have something to offer. The quality programs in these universities are in English and have a high level of teaching staff. Most of the focus of universities and student interaction is on independent projects and independent thinking. Also, the university facilities are equipped with the latest technologies, which provide students with a lot of practical experience to enter the job market. However, this country may be tricky for people who are allergic to the cold climate to study outdoors. So, you should consider these issues before choosing Norway.
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Tuition fees for international students in Norway and living expenses in Norway (monthly)
As mentioned, Norway offers free study at public universities with almost free tuition fees. It lowers the total cost of studying in Norway and living expenses in Norway. However, the living expenses in Norway are not cheap because Norway is one of the most expensive countries. On average, the cost of living in Norway for international students is between 800 and 1,400 euros per month, but it is the average cost. The cost of living in Norway for international students in large Norwegian cities such as Oslo is between 1,200 and 2,000 euros monthly. The monthly living expenses in Norway, in Bergen, are between 1,600 and 1,800 euros. The cost of living in Norway for international students in other cities, such as Tromso and Trondheim, is between 1,000 and 1,600 euros. The living expenses in Norway in smaller towns are between 800 and 1,000 euros. The table below compares several small and large cities in Norway.
| City | Living expenses in Norway (euros) |
| Oslo | 1,200 – 2,000 |
| Bergen | 1,100 – 1,800 |
| Tromso | 1,000 – 1,600 |
| Trondheim | 1,000 – 1,600 |
| Small towns | 800 – 1,000 |
Tuition fees in Norway for international students
Norwegian public universities charge almost no tuition fees (it is free), and the cost of studying in Norway for each semester is between 30 and 60 euros. The cost of studying in Norway in private universities is expensive. For example, the tuition fees in Norway for international students at private universities at the undergraduate level are between 7,000 and 9,000 euros a year. Cost of studying in Norway in postgraduate courses at a private university cost between 9,000 and 19,000 euros. All of these fees depend on the field and the university. You can see the costs of studying in Norway at private and public universities in the table below.
| University | Level | Expense |
| Public | Undergraduate and postgraduate | 30 – 60 |
| Private | Undergraduate | 7,000 – 9,000 |
| Private | Postgraduate | 9,000 – 19,000 |
Rent a house in Norway
One of the most critical parts of the cost of studying in Norway and living expenses in Norway is the housing and accommodation expense, which is 36% of the total cost of living expenses in Norway. The best way to reduce accommodation costs in Norway is to use shared dormitories or joint student houses. The students can split the renting cost when they use shared housing. Overall, they must spend an average of 300 to 700 euros per month, due to the difference in rental prices in different cities in Norway. The cost of renting a house in big cities is higher than in medium and small towns.
Cost of food in Norway
Another critical part of student living expenses in Norway is food fees, which is 250 to 400 euros per month on average. The students can use some grocery stores that offer discounts on food to save money.
Income of student jobs in Norway
Student work is a critical issue for international students. International students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week and cover part of the cost of studying in Norway and living expenses in Norway. During the summer holidays, students can work up to 40 hours a week in Norway. However, the salaries of different jobs are different from each other, and a person can receive different salaries from the employer according to one’s background and work experience. However, the minimum wage in Norway is 19.5 dollars per hour, which is the lowest wage in Norway. The international students can work in the first year of study in Norway, and they must show good academic progress, and that working has not harmed their studies in the second year of their study. Then, their work permit can be extended part-time.
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Norway
Norway is a sparsely populated country with a population of over 5 million. The living quality in Norway is one of the positive and undeniable points of this country. In 2019, Norway ranked third in life satisfaction and happiness due to issues, such as good income, freedom, trust in government, and social support. Life expectancy in Norway is 81 years, which is a large number compared to the United States, which is 76 years old because the Norwegian government is working hard to minimize the effects on environmental health and the impacts of the pollutants. The air quality and water quality are very high in the big cities of Norway. Norway has magnificent nature, and people can see beautiful waterfalls and beaches in this country. Security is another positive aspect of Norway. The crime rate in this country is pretty low. The health care system in Norway has very high quality, and people can choose their general practitioner, who they can even change again every year.
Living in Norway has some disadvantages, like cold weather, long winters, and high living expenses in Norway. Salaries are indeed high in this country, but the cost of living is just as high. The amount, variety, and quality of food in Norway are lower than in other countries. VAT is significantly higher, at around 25 to 27 percent. Also, it is pretty tough to find work in Norway. It is hard to adapt to the culture of these people, and you must spend a lot of time and effort.
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