If you're thinking about studying in Oslo as an international student, the first thing to know is that the city has 10 institutions in our catalogue, from the University of Oslo to specialist arts academies. The second is that housing is handled by SiO, the student welfare organisation, and it has rules you need to check early. Third: if you're from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you'll normally pay tuition fees, and they vary a lot by programme.
Which institutions are in Oslo?
Our catalogue lists 10 institutions in Oslo. They include the University of Oslo (a state university), Oslo Metropolitan University (also state), BI Norwegian Business School (private), Kristiania University College (private), VID Specialized University (private), Fjellhaug International University College (private), the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. You can see the full list on our universities in Oslo page. Oslo itself is one of Norway's 15 counties, and had a population of 728,714 on 1 January 2026, according to Statistics Norway. That makes it a real city, not a small campus town, which affects everything from housing queues to how many programmes you can choose from.
What can you study, and how do you apply?
Bachelor's degrees take three years (180 ECTS), master's degrees two years (120 ECTS), and doctoral degrees three or four years. A full-time year is generally worth 60 ECTS. If you're applying for a bachelor's taught in English, you apply through the institution's own system. If it's taught in Norwegian, you apply through NUCAS, the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service. Postgraduate programmes are not part of NUCAS, so master's applicants apply directly on the institution's website. That's a common trip-up for international students, check the institution's own pages rather than a central portal. For deadlines and programme details, always confirm with the institution, as the Study in Norway register is a starting point, not the final word. You can browse the wider catalogue on our all universities in Norway page.
What does it cost?
Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. For everyone else, fees vary between institutions and programmes. As an example, the University of Oslo lists yearly tuition for non-EU/EEA students at NOK 204,000 and NOK 186,000 for the two-year master's in Economics for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 respectively. For the two-year master's in Data Science, UiO lists NOK 295,000 and NOK 218,000 for the same years. Those are specific programme figures from the Study in Norway register, and you should confirm them with the institution. Our own catalogue lists 27 Norwegian higher education institutions and 353 programmes imported from the Study in Norway register. Remember that the Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students, so you'll need to fund your studies from other sources. For day-to-day costs, see our cost of living guide.
How does student housing work?
SiO is the student welfare organisation for 30 educational institutions in Oslo and the surrounding area. It offers housing, health services, fitness, food and social initiatives. SiO has student housing across Oslo and Lillestrøm. To rent SiO housing you must be enrolled at a SiO-affiliated institution, pay the semester fee (SiO describes it as NOK 690 each semester, a collective contribution all students pay), and be 34 years old or younger. As a general rule, PhD candidates cannot apply. You can add housing units to your wish list and apply for up to 6 of them. You can change your application at any time without losing your priority on the waiting list. For move-in on 1 August and 2 January, SiO gives priority to the youngest new students and to some international students with housing guarantees through their institution. If you have a guarantee, you must apply by 1 June for the autumn semester or by 1 November for the spring semester. SiO says its waiting lists are dynamic. Housing in the city centre is popular and often has long waiting lists. Larger student housing areas such as Kringsjå, Sogn and Bjølsen are an option if you want housing quickly. For more general advice, see our student accommodation guide.
What else should you sort out before you arrive?
If you're from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and you plan to study in Norway for three months or longer, you must apply for a residence permit for studies, also called a study permit. UDI decides on study permits, and the institution decides on admission, so don't take advice on either from anyone but those bodies. You'll also need to budget for living costs, and our cost of living guide gives you a starting point. The semester fee is a small but mandatory part of being a student in Oslo. For anything about fees, deadlines or permits, always check the institution, studyinnorway.no, udi.no, hkdir.no or lanekassen.no. As of the dates in the sources below, the figures we've given are current, but they can change. Always confirm with the institution before you apply or pay anything.
Sources
- Statistics Norway, population figures for Oslo, 1 January 2026
- Statistics Norway, county classification
- SiO, about SiO and the semester fee
- SiO, housing
- SiO, how to apply for housing
- OsloMet, about OsloMet
- University of Oslo, tuition fee table
- BI Norwegian Business School, master's programmes
- Study in Norway, education system
- Study in Norway, admission to degree programmes
- Samordna opptak, English home page
- Study in Norway, tuition fees
- Study in Norway, cost and requirements
- Study in Norway, scholarships for degree students
- This site's catalogue, imported from the Study in Norway register
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Oslo for international students?
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition fees, which vary by institution and programme. For example, the University of Oslo lists NOK 204,000 and NOK 186,000 per year for its two-year master's in Economics for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions. Always confirm fees with the institution.
Can international students get student housing in Oslo?
Yes, through SiO, which offers housing to students at 30 affiliated institutions. You must be enrolled, pay the NOK 690 semester fee, and be 34 or younger (PhD candidates generally cannot apply). Apply by 1 June for autumn or 1 November for spring if you have a housing guarantee. City-centre housing is popular, so consider areas like Kringsjå, Sogn and Bjølsen for shorter waits.
How do I apply to study in Oslo as an international student?
For bachelor's degrees taught in English, apply through the institution's own system. Bachelor's in Norwegian go through NUCAS, and master's programmes are not part of NUCAS, so you apply directly on the institution's website. Always check the institution's application deadlines and requirements.
Do I need a visa to study in Oslo?
If you're from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and plan to study for three months or longer, you must apply for a residence permit for studies (study permit). UDI decides on permits, and the institution decides on admission. Check udi.no for the current rules and fees.