Study in Norway, Admissions, Scholarships, Financial Aid

You don’t need to be obsessed with Vikings and the Northern Lights to want to study in Norway as an international. The country welcomes nearly 14,000 students from abroad every year, adding to their relatively small national population of 5.2 million. Why Study in Norway Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Unless you’ve been living forcibly or voluntarily under a rock, you have probably heard about Norway being a country with a standard of living that is matched by few. Of course everybody has differing living standards, but if gender equality, free education and healthcare, a minuscule crime rate, and a better-than-good median income sound like qualifying factors, than Norway should be at the top of your list. What they say about higher education in Norway being free to all, no matter where you are from, is TRUE. However, living expenses are very high, and may even surmount the tuition you may be paying elsewhere. But Norway is a country that is committed to a higher education to better its society and the world, and this is a truly comforting and humbling fact. Norwegian Universities Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Let’s get right to it. If you are an international student, you probably want to be a part of a society that is always on the brink of social, technological, and political innovations. This paves the way for a more pragmatic education, unbound by social scruples, so you can study and research away and express yourself openly. Norway’s immaculate social system and standard of living are merely reflections of the populace. Since well before even the days of the Vikings, the Scandinavians have sought the unknown; ‘if the answer is out there, we will find it’. Degree Courses Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Being part of the EU, all of Norway’s higher education institutes comply with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This makes your credits and prerequisites from other countries easily transferable, taking more of the headache out of studying abroad. Comparability of the quality of education is regulated too, as Norway strictly adheres to the Bologna Process. That being said, the structure of Norway’s higher education system is similar to that of most European, American, Australian, Canadian, and British universities, being broken down into Bachelor’s (undergraduate), Master’s (graduate), and PhD (doctorate) programs. Bachelor’s degree Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Obtaining your Bachelor’s degree in Norway will give you the same accreditation as thousands of other schools in the world. The difference, of course, lies in the quality of time spent studying. Free tuition and gender equality aside, people choose to study in Norway because they vibe well with the country, and hence can study with greater efficiency and quality. For all other Bachelor’s courses, you are required to speak Norwegian. Some universities offer Norwegian courses for future international students. But do be warned: one year is a relatively short amount of time to learn Norwegian well enough to keep up with your peers in courses that are taught 100% in Norwegian. Some can do it, others find it near impossible. Master’s degree Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Have you already achieved your undergrad and are looking to take it to the next level? Or are you just looking ahead, you eager beaver? As opposed to the limited amount of Bachelor’s courses taught in English, Master’s courses are offered in the hundreds. Obtaining your Master’s in Norway is a similar procedure to most other countries. Courses involve a series of lectures, active workshops, seminars, and hands-on research. At the close of your studies, you will need to present your dissertation to the university. This will be independently researched and could be a topic of your choice, or one relevant to your studies decided by your university. Some universities also offer a Long Cycle Master’s programs, which commences during the Bachelor’s program and in all is a combination of 5-6 years of studies and credits. PhD Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Norway is always on the look-out for qualified international PhD candidates. Do you think you have what it takes? There are over 50 courses taught in English. The programs offered are meticulously structured, and generally last for a duration of 3-4 years. Both independent and cooperative research make up the bulk of the programs. Again, tuition is free for PhD studies, and most actually come with a relatively handsome salary. On average, a PhD student will make €45,000-50,000/year. Bear in mind, of course, that over 30% of any Norwegian salary is taken out as taxes. However, the evidence of functionality for this socialized system lies on all the smiling faces of Norwegians. Five years of higher education is a requirement for most PhD programs in Norway. If you happened to take part in a 1-year Master’s program, some universities do make exceptions. How to Apply to Study in Norway Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading For brevity’s sake, let’s assume you’ve already chosen your field of study and your university. Documents required depend on the level of the program you are applying for, but will require proof of completion of prerequisite credits and a language proficiency certificate. School years typically run from August to June, though some institutes have varying schedules. Deadlines vary also, but you should be looking to get your application(s) in sooner rather than later. The window for MOST universities is December 1 – March 15 for studies beginning in August. After you have been accepted, you will be on your way to getting your student visa! Student Visas Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading Students coming from a Scandinavian country do not need to apply for any special permits. EU/EEA students do not need any special permit to enter Norway, but will need to register your residence within 3 months of landing. Students from outside Scandinavia/EU/EEA will need to apply for a residence permit. To do so, you will need to show that you have enough funds to pay your way for the first year. This sum amounts to about €13,500, though you will likely need much more than this stashed away to cover any additional costs, like winter clothing and emergency Nordic excursions. Funds are generally preferred to have been transferred to bank account. Any rules and regulations for study permits are ALWAYS subject to change, so be sure to read up on current information. Language Requirements Tap The Next Page to Continue Reading If you are reading this article, it is likely that you will be applying for classes that are taught in English, which Norway is in no way experiencing a shortage of. Regardless of your nationality, you will need to provide an English speaking certificate. IELTS, TOEFL, C1 Advanced, or Pearson PTE are popular, and are generally accepted everywhere. As stated earlier, most Bachelor’s courses are taught in Norwegian, and it is possible to undergo a yearlong Norwegian language course to prepare you for these studies.

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