No Norwegian government scholarship for exchange students
If you are coming to Norway as an exchange student, the Norwegian government does not offer individual scholarships. The money you are looking for comes from your home institution, through programmes like Erasmus+ or Nordplus. So your first stop is your own international office, not a Norwegian ministry.
Erasmus+ for exchange students
The Erasmus+ grant is available to students from the EU and from North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey. It is a contribution to travel and subsistence costs. The amount can vary with differences in living costs between your country and Norway, the number of students applying, the distance between countries and whether you have other grants.
You apply for the Erasmus+ grant through the international or Erasmus+ office of your own higher education institution. They know the rules and deadlines. For general information about coming to Norway as an international student, see our guide for international students.
Nordplus for Nordic and Baltic exchange
If your home institution takes part in a Nordplus higher education programme, you may be eligible for a Nordplus grant. But you cannot apply directly to the Nordplus administration. You must contact your international office, which handles the application.
Nordplus Higher Education supports cooperation linked to degree education up to and including master level in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Networks must include at least three institutions from three different participating countries. Mobility support is calculated using fixed travel and accommodation rates that are maximum amounts; the network can decide individual scholarship amounts, and agreements on scholarships must be made before exchanges begin. Nordplus also offers additional funding of up to 100 per cent of actual costs for participants with special needs, applied for through the main administrator EDUFI before the planned mobility.
How to apply for exchange and grants
To become an exchange student, you first need to be nominated by your home university. Your home university knows the exchange agreements, requirements and application deadlines. Incoming exchange students must contact their home university for grants such as Erasmus+ and Nordplus, because grants through short-term mobility programmes are usually awarded and paid by the home institution.
Once you are nominated, you may need to apply for a residence permit if you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and will stay for three months or longer. Check udi.no for the rules.
- Start with your home institution's international office.
- Ask about Erasmus+ and Nordplus eligibility and deadlines.
- Get your nomination confirmed before applying for a visa or residence permit.
For a list of Norwegian institutions you could exchange to, browse all universities in Norway.
Tuition fees for exchange students
If you are covered by an institutional exchange programme, you are exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. However, the institution may charge a fee if the exchange agreement says so. Check with your host institution. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions, and fees vary between institutions and programmes. But as an exchange student on an agreement, this usually does not apply to you.
Other scholarships for degree students
The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students either. But some foundations and schemes do. Our scholarship directory lists examples such as the BI Master International Scholarship, the BI Presidential Scholarship, the NORSTIP scholarship at the University of Oslo, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships, the A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship at BI and the Students at Risk (StAR) scholarship. Our catalogue currently lists 27 Norwegian higher education institutions and 353 programmes imported from the Study in Norway register, and you can confirm details with each institution.
Sources
- Study in Norway, scholarships for exchange students
- Study in Norway, tuition fees
- Study in Norway, become an exchange student
- Nordplus, higher education
- Nordplus, higher education funding
- University of Oslo, scholarships
- Study in Norway, cost and requirements
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Norwegian government scholarship as an exchange student?
No, the Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to exchange students. You need to look at grants from your home institution, such as Erasmus+ or Nordplus, as well as other foundations.
How do I apply for an Erasmus+ grant to study in Norway?
You apply through the international or Erasmus+ office at your own higher education institution. They handle the application and can tell you about amounts and deadlines.
Who is eligible for a Nordplus grant?
If your home institution takes part in a Nordplus higher education programme, you may be eligible. But you cannot apply directly to Nordplus; you must go through your international office.
Do exchange students pay tuition fees in Norway?
Exchange students covered by an institutional exchange programme are exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. The institution may charge a fee if the exchange agreement says so.