In 2023, the Norwegian government introduced tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Before this, tuition at public higher education institutions in Norway was free for all students, including international students. The decision disappointed Norwegian student groups, like the National Union of Students in Norway.

Universities can determine international student tuition fees

Now, the government has announced in a press release that it will remove the requirement for international student tuition fees at a national level. Instead, Universities and høyskoler (university colleges) will be allowed to decide whether to charge international students for tuition fees.

Institutions can also set the cost of international student tuition. This comes after Norway saw an 80 percent decrease in the number of international students after implementing tuition fees for international students.

Encouraging international research

The press release on 17 June 2025 also indicated that the Norwegian government will remove the Norwegian-language requirement for positions at higher education institutions (HEIs), making it easier for international PhD students to apply for jobs. In addition, the government is reducing the international PhD candidate financial requirement to 80,000 NOK ($8,000). Previously, PhD students who could not document income for the period of their studies were required to show proof of an account holding at least 325,000 NOK ($32,000).

Universities and student organizations react

The announcement has been met with praise from student groups and universities. Selma Bratberg, leader of SAIH (Student and Academics International Relief Fund) told Krono, Norway’s higher education and research newspaper, that the governments decision indicates a reversal in the ‘trend where international cooperation in [Norwegian] academia has been systematically underprioritized.” Siri Fjellheim, rector at NMBU (the Norwegian University of Life Sciences), underscored the importance of international students, who “bring experiences and perspectives [to Norway’s universities] that never could be created alone.”

What's next?

While the move to transfer the tuition decision from the government to individual HEIs is seen as a step in the right direction, some student and education organizations want the government to remove the requirement entirely. "It's crucial that [Norway implements] measures that make it attractive to study and work here," said Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak, leader of the Norwegian Studentorganisasjon.

Norway currently has eleven public universities and ten høyskoler, as well as a number of private HEIs. You can find out more about studying in Norway here.