Education in Norway

Public school in Norway is free from the first year through upper secondary school, under the Education Act (opplæringslova). State universities charge no tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, or to residents who qualify for student support on the same terms as Norwegians. The State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) pays loans and grants.

Compulsory school (grunnskole)

• Children have both a right and a duty to attend primary and lower secondary school (grunnskole). It runs from the year they turn 6 until they finish year 10: ten years in total.
• The duty starts when a child has been in Norway for three months. The municipality must offer a place within three months of arrival.
• Grunnskole is free. The municipality may not charge for teaching materials, transport during school hours, school camps or school trips.
• Pupils learn both written forms of Norwegian, Bokmål and Nynorsk. The Act also has rules on teaching in Sámi, Kven or Finnish, and Norwegian Sign Language.

Upper secondary school (videregående opplæring)

After grunnskole, young people have the right to upper secondary education. The right lasts until they gain university admission certification or vocational qualifications, and at the latest until the school year that starts in the year they turn 24. After that, adults have their own right to upper secondary education. Upper secondary education is free.

Higher education and fees

• State universities and university colleges must charge tuition (egenbetaling) to students who are citizens of countries outside the EEA and Switzerland. Exceptions: people with equal-treatment rights under international agreements, people who can get Lånekassen support on the same terms as Norwegians, PhD candidates and exchange students.
• So if you qualify for Lånekassen on the same terms as Norwegians (see below), you do not pay tuition at a state institution.

Student finance (Lånekassen)

• Every eligible student can get a basic loan (basislån): NOK 15,488 a month for full-time study in 2026–2027.
• Up to 40% of the loan can be turned into a grant. You must not live with your parents, you must pass your courses, and your income and wealth must be below the limits. In 2026 the grant is reduced if your income is above NOK 234,821.
• The loan is free of interest while you study full time. Students born in 1996 or earlier can borrow up to NOK 121,740 extra per study year (2026–2027).
• Foreign citizens get the same terms as Norwegians if, for example, they have permanent residence, protection or family immigration. Others who qualify include spouses of Norwegian citizens and people who have worked full time in Norway for 24 months in a row.
• Apply by 15 November for the autumn or the whole year, and by 15 March for the spring.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• A residence permit for study does not give the right to Lånekassen support on the same terms as Norwegians.
• If you came as a student from outside the EEA, you will pay tuition at state institutions. Check the fee with your institution.
• School duty starts three months after arrival. Contact your municipality soon after you register.

Official guidance: Lånekassen, Education Act (opplæringslova), Universities and University Colleges Act, Regulations on student support