Scholarships and Part-Time Work for Students in Norway

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

The honest answer first: for a bachelor's degree in Norway there are almost no scholarships for international students. What matters most is whether you pay tuition at all, and that depends on your citizenship. Part-time work helps with living costs, but it cannot cover tuition.

Government scholarships

Study in Norway, HK-dir's official portal, says the Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships open to all international students. OsloMet puts it the same way: it offers no scholarships or loans of its own, and there are currently no national scholarships available either.

Some schemes do fund particular groups, and students on them are exempt from tuition: NORPART, NORHED, Fulbright, Students at Risk and Erasmus Mundus. Check whether a scheme covers bachelor's degrees and your country before counting on it.

Who studies without tuition

At state universities and university colleges, these students pay no tuition, only the semester fee:

citizens of Norway, the EU, the EEA and Switzerland;
some non-EU citizens with the same rights as Norwegians, such as many refugees;
exchange students and students on the schemes above.

Other non-EU students pay fees set by each institution. In our catalogue a typical fee for them at a state institution is €9,521 a year. Some institutions, such as Nord University, say plainly that they offer no scholarships or grants. See how much it costs to study in Norway.

University scholarships: a few examples

Most awards come from private institutions:

BI Norwegian Business School: Bachelor International Scholarship. Covers 50% of tuition for up to three years for international applicants with the strongest academic records, if they keep the required progress. The deadline is 1 March for international applicants who do not live in Norway. BI says the number of applicants is far greater than the number of awards.
BI International Baccalaureate Scholarship. Covers 100% of tuition for up to three years. The minimum for consideration is 33 IB points. See IB Diploma and university admission in Norway.

Both are awarded on academic merit, not financial need. At state institutions, look for scholarships on each faculty's pages, but expect very few for bachelor's students.

Lånekassen: student loans and grants

The State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) supports Norwegian citizens. Foreign citizens can get loans and grants only in particular situations, for example if they:

have a permanent residence permit in Norway;
are an EEA or EFTA worker in Norway, or a family member of one;
are a family member of an EEA citizen who lives in Norway for reasons other than study;
have worked full time in Norway for at least 24 months immediately before studying;
have been granted protection (asylum) in Norway.

Coming to Norway only to study does not qualify you.

Working while you study

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work without a separate permit. Students from outside the EU with a study permit may work up to 20 hours a week during studies and full time during the holidays. Remote work for an employer abroad counts towards the 20 hours. See student visa for Norway.

Tax: the tax deduction card

Everyone who works in Norway needs a tax deduction card (skattekort) from the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten):

Non-EU students register with the police on arrival. If your study permit is for more than nine months, you are registered as resident and receive a national identity number by letter. Check that you may work, then apply for the card.
EU and EEA students staying six months or more report their move and receive a national identity number, then apply for the card.
With a Norwegian identification number you can apply online; without one, you book an appointment.

If you stay 12 months or more, you normally become a member of the National Insurance Scheme. See health insurance for students in Europe.

Minimum wage

Norway has no general minimum wage. Legal minimum rates apply in nine sectors, including hospitality, cleaning and agriculture, and the Labour Inspection Authority publishes the current rates. In other jobs the pay is set by contract or collective agreement, so check your offer.

Wages are high, but so are living costs: the Directorate of Immigration puts them at NOK 15,488 a month for 2026/27. Twenty hours a week can cover part of that, not tuition.

Where to find work

University career services, such as the University of Oslo's job portal and career fair, and NTNU Career in Trondheim.
Speaking Norwegian widens the choice considerably.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.