Norway's official student living cost estimate is NOK 15,488 per month (NOK 170,368 per year) for 2026-27, as set by Study in Norway. That covers accommodation, food, electricity, transport and personal expenses, but not tuition, course literature, insurance or permit fees. Your actual spending will depend heavily on where you study and how you live, so treat the figure as a starting point, not a fixed rule.
What the official estimate actually covers
Study in Norway sets the estimate at NOK 15,488 per month for the 2026-27 academic year. BI describes that same NOK 170,368 annual figure as covering accommodation, food, electricity, transport and personal expenses, with course literature, study materials, travel, insurance and permit fees as extra. So the first thing to get straight is that the number is a floor, not a ceiling.
On top of living costs, every student pays a semester fee to the student welfare organisation linked to their institution, typically around NOK 1,000 per semester. The exact amount varies: SiO in Oslo charges NOK 690 each semester, NHH lists approximately NOK 910 per semester to Sammen in Bergen (due 1 September in autumn and 1 February in spring), and Volda University College lists about NOK 800 per semester for its degree students. Check your own institution's rate.
If you are a degree-seeking student from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you normally pay tuition fees, which vary by institution and programme. The fees shown on this site come from the Study in Norway register, but you must confirm the exact amount with the institution. Swiss and EU/EEA students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions.
A real semester budget from one institution
UiT's sample budget for one semester totals about NOK 61,000. That breaks down as NOK 25,000 for student housing, NOK 18,000 for food and groceries, NOK 4,000 for books and study materials, NOK 3,000 for winter clothing, NOK 2,500 for transport and NOK 8,500 for other personal expenses. It is a useful reality check: the official monthly estimate is averaged across the year, while a single semester budget includes one-off costs like winter clothing and study materials.
UiT also notes that most students spend approximately NOK 3,500 to 5,500 per month on groceries, a single bus ticket costs about NOK 40 to 50, and you should budget NOK 1,000 to 2,000 for household essentials when you first arrive. Those small numbers add up quickly in your first weeks.
How to turn the official figure into your own budget
- Start with the official NOK 15,488 per month, but adjust for your city, housing in Oslo or Bergen can be more expensive than in smaller towns.
- Add your semester fee (around NOK 1,000, but check the exact amount).
- Add tuition if you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
- Add one-off costs: winter clothing, household essentials, books and study materials, insurance, visa fees and travel.
- Divide by the number of months you will actually be in Norway, not just the teaching weeks.
Our cost of living guide goes into more detail on each category.
Housing: the biggest variable
Housing through the student welfare organisation is normally secure and more reasonably priced than competing for a room on the open market. But it is subject to competition, especially in the bigger cities, and many students share a flat to keep costs down. Apply as early as you can, and have a backup plan. Our student accommodation guide walks through the options.
UiT's budget puts student housing at NOK 25,000 per semester, roughly NOK 5,000 per month, but that will vary by city and by whether you share. In Oslo or Bergen, expect to pay more.
The proof-of-funds requirement is separate from your budget
To get a study permit, UDI requires you to document NOK 77,440 for the autumn semester or NOK 92,928 for the spring semester. That is the amount you must show you have access to, not what you will necessarily spend. It is a separate calculation from the monthly living cost estimate, and it changes, check udi.no for the current figures. Our proof of funds guide explains how to document it.
Note that the Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students, so your financial plan needs to be solid from day one.
Can you work part-time to cover costs?
NHH advises new international students that finding part-time work will be challenging, so you cannot base your financial plan on finding employment. That does not mean it is impossible, but treat any job as a bonus, not a guarantee. Build your budget on savings, scholarships or support from home, and if you do find work, use it to top up rather than to cover essentials.
Your study permit will set out the rules on working while you study; check udi.no for the current conditions.
How Norway compares across institutions and cities
Norway's costs are broadly similar across institutions, but there are differences worth knowing. The semester fee varies, SiO in Oslo charges NOK 690, NHH in Bergen about NOK 910, Volda about NOK 800, and living costs are higher in the bigger cities. Use the official estimate as your baseline, then adjust up for Oslo and down for smaller towns. Our list of universities in Norway can help you compare locations.
| Item | Amount (NOK) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Official monthly living cost (2026-27) | 15,488 | Study in Norway |
| Official annual living cost (2026-27) | 170,368 | Study in Norway |
| UiT semester budget (total) | 61,000 | UiT |
| UiT housing per semester | 25,000 | UiT |
| UiT food per semester | 18,000 | UiT |
| Semester fee (approx.) | 1,000 per semester | Study in Norway |
| SiO semester fee | 690 per semester | SiO |
| NHH semester fee (Sammen) | 910 per semester | NHH |
| Volda semester fee | 800 per semester | Volda |
Remember that tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students vary by institution and programme. You can browse our catalogue of 27 institutions and 353 programmes to find specific fees, but always confirm them with the institution, the figures on this site are as listed in the Study in Norway register.
Sources
- Study in Norway, cost and requirements
- BI, tuition master
- SiO, about SiO
- NHH, financial matters
- Volda University College, tuition
- UiT, cost of living
- UDI, study permit
- Study in Norway, education system
- Study in Norway, admission degree programmes
- Samordna opptak, English home
- Study in Norway, tuition fees
- Study in Norway, scholarships degree students
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Norway as a student per month?
Study in Norway sets the official estimate at NOK 15,488 per month for 2026-27, or NOK 170,368 per year. That covers accommodation, food, electricity, transport and personal expenses, but not tuition, books, insurance or permit fees.
What is the proof of funds requirement for a Norwegian study permit?
UDI requires you to document NOK 77,440 for the autumn semester or NOK 92,928 for the spring semester. This is the amount you must show you can access, and it is separate from your monthly budget. Check udi.no for current figures.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Norway?
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions, and the amount varies by institution and programme. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions.
Can I cover my living costs by working part-time in Norway?
NHH advises that finding part-time work will be challenging, so you should not base your financial plan on finding a job. Treat any work as a bonus and make sure you have enough funding before you arrive.