9 full scholarships in Norway int’l student should know of

Norway is renowned for its breathtaking scenery. The country is home to majestic snow-topped mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords.

Thanks to full scholarships in Norway, you could get close to these wonders while earning a good degree.

Given how expensive it is to pay full tuition on top of high living costs, that’s as great a deal as it gets.

Here’s what that cost looks like right now: international students applying for a study permit for the 2026–2027 academic year must show proof of at least NOK 170,368 (roughly US$17,399) to cover living expenses for the year, according to Study in Norway, the country’s official national portal for international students.

That cost has already reshaped who studies in Norway. Since the country introduced mandatory tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in 2023, the number of students starting a full degree has dropped by roughly 80%. In response, the government has proposed letting each university set its own tuition fee, rather than requiring a fee that covers the full cost of the programme.

That drop shows up in the national numbers, too. International or foreign students made up 4.5% of all tertiary students in Norway in 2023, up only slightly from 4.3% in 2018 and still well below the 7.4% OECD average, per the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025 country note.

For students who land a full scholarship, though, none of this matters. There are not just one but several available — in public and private institutions — to help you make your study abroad dreams in Norway come true.

TL;DR? Here’s the summary:

• This article lists 9 fully-funded scholarships in Norway could pay for your entire degree in 2026
• Application deadlines vary widely, so early planning matters.
• Certain scholarships focus on particular fields, like genomics or business studies.

9 full scholarships in Norway every international student should consider

BI Presidential Scholarship

Application deadline: March 1

BI Norwegian Business School is the largest business school in Norway and the second largest in the country. The university offers a fully funded master’s scholarship called the BI Presidential Scholarship.

This scholarship is available for application by both domestic and international students who are residents of Norway.

For Norwegian and international applicants who are residents of Norway, the scholarship will cover the full tuition fees for each semester for up to two years.

Meanwhile, international applicants who successfully apply for the scholarship will be entitled to full tuition fees coverage for up to two years and a stipend for living expenses of 50,000 Norwegian kroner (US$5,108) per semester, if the student achieves the academic progression requirements.

You can choose to apply for this scholarship simultaneously as you apply to the university. Note that only candidates seeking their first master’s degree are considered for the scholarship.

NORAM Scholarship

Application deadline: April 1 every year

The Norway-America Association (NORAM) offers a scholarship to provide financial support for American students to pursue their first master’s degree in Norway.

The scholarship amounts vary from 10,000 to 40,000 kroner (US$960 to US$3,840). The size of the individual grants will depend on the research subject, need, purpose and the intended length of stay in Norway.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must pursue your studies full-time in Norway, either as an exchange with a minimum length of three months or a full degree; online courses or summer programmes will not be approved.

As this scholarship aims to bolster the friendship ties between the US and Norway, the project or academic field you undertake must mutually benefit both countries, too.

You can apply without being accepted to an institution before the application deadline, but you must submit documentation of admission or an invitation if you are awarded a scholarship.

BiGTREE Scholarship

Application deadline: Dependent on the institution

BiGTREE is a training network between Norway, Peru, and Colombia that aims to provide training in cutting-edge genomics and bioinformatics in the field of biodiversity genomics. This is done through mobility scholarships to master’s and PhD students who will then stay in partner countries for three to six months.

So, if you’re a Peruvian or Colombian master’s student, you’re in luck. Aside from the exchange programme, BiGTREE also offers full scholarships that’ll allow you to complete a two-year master’s biodiversity genomics project in Norway.

The Norwegian universities involved include the University of Oslo (UiO), the University of Bergen (UiO), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme

Application deadline: Dependent on the institution

Through the Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme, students from programmes of partner countries will be offered the opportunity to be supported in their studies abroad.

This opportunity is offered to students pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or postgraduate studies. Applicants chosen will be supported anywhere from three to 12 months.

To apply for this programme, students must contact their home country’s higher education institute.

NORPART Full Degree Master’s Scholarships

Application deadline: Dependent on the institution

The Norwegian Partnership Programme for Global Academic Cooperation (NORPART) funds academic partnerships between Norwegian universities and institutions in selected Global South countries.

Within these projects, a limited number of full degree master’s scholarships are available to students from partner institutions, covering tuition and living costs. The exact amount is set per project rather than fixed centrally. For instance, at the University of Oslo, the most recent figure available puts the total budget for a two-year scholarship at approximately NOK 300,000 (US$30,646).

You should not apply to NORPART directly. Instead, you need to apply through your home institution if it holds an active NORPART partnership with a Norwegian university.

Fulbright Study/Research Award to Norway

Application deadline: October 6, 2026, national deadline for the 2027–2028 cycle

The US-Norway Fulbright Foundation offers academic year grants for American graduate-level students, including those pursuing a full master’s degree, to study or conduct research in Norway. Up to 12 grants are awarded, contingent on funding, and the grant runs 10 months.

Norway exempts Fulbright grantees from the tuition fees that apply to other non-EU/EEA students, including for full two-year master’s degrees, and grantees also receive a cost-of-living stipend.

You must have an affiliation with a Norwegian institution and are strongly encouraged to secure this with a university or college.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Application deadline: Dependent on the institution

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are prestigious international master’s programmes jointly delivered by consortia of at least three universities across three countries, several of which include Norwegian institutions.

Top-ranked students receive a full scholarship covering tuition, visa, travel, and a monthly stipend of EUR 1,400 (US$1,595) for up to 24 months.

You should apply directly to the institution running your chosen programme, not through a central Erasmus Mundus portal. Search the official course catalogue, since a new batch of funded programmes is added each year and deadlines vary by programme.

NMBU Norstip Scholarship

Application deadline: December 1 (may vary)

The Norstip Scholarship Scheme at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) covers full tuition fees, plus a monthly stipend of NOK 13,297 (US$1,358) in line with what Norwegian students receive from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

It also includes a one-time NOK 15,000 (US$1,532) start-up payment, travel costs (including visa-related costs), and fieldwork travel expenses tied to the degree, for students and staff from NMBU’s partner institutions in Norway’s partner countries, including those linked through NORHED and NORPART collaborations.

Eligibility is limited to current or former students and employees of NMBU’s specific partner institutions, and recipients are expected to return home after graduation as part of the programme’s capacity-building goal.

A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship

Application deadline: March 1

Also run through BI Norwegian Business School, this scholarship has supported international master’s students since 2010. It’s worth up to NOK 250,000 (US$25,534) a year, paid out for each semester of the master’s degree as long as you stay on track academically.

It’s open to international applicants (citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland who reside outside Norway) admitted to a Master of Science programme at BI.

It is not possible to apply for this scholarship directly through the Wilhelmsen Foundation. To be considered, you must include a scholarship application letter addressed to the A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Board, with your application for admission via BI’s online application portal.

Frequently asked questions

Is it still possible to study for free in Norway as an international student in 2026?

Public universities in Norway don’t charge tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. Non-EU/EEA students pay tuition at most public universities as of the 2023/24 academic year, though PhD candidates remain exempt since they’re classified as university employees. Private institutions like BI charge tuition regardless of nationality, which is why scholarships matter more for master’s applicants than for PhD candidates.

How much money do I need to live in Norway as a student?

Estimated living costs for 2026–2027 sit at NOK 15,488 (US$1,581) per month or NOK 170,368 (US$17,391) per year. This figure covers daily expenses like food, transport, and housing, but excludes tuition fees where applicable. A semester fee of about NOK 1,000 (US$102) also applies on top of this.

Can international students work while studying in Norway?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can work up to 20 hours a week during the semester. During holidays, full-time work is permitted. Nordic, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens face no such restriction and can work alongside their studies freely.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on July 13, 2026.