Free Universities in Norway

Free Universities in Norway: A Guide to Tuition-Free Education: Explore free universities in Norway offering tuition-free education to international students. Learn about programs, eligibility, and application process.

Norway is home to some of the world’s best free universities in Norway, offering high-quality education to international students without tuition fees. Here’s a rundown of these universities and what they offer.

The top Free Universities in Norway are as follows:

1. University of Oslo: This University ranks as number one on this list of free Universities in Norway. Established in 1811, it’s Norway’s oldest university, offering programs in law, medicine, humanities, and natural sciences.

University of Oslo (UiO) maintains a comprehensive institutional focus on artificial intelligence, spanning dedicated student services, research centers, and rigorous ethical guidelines.

Key AI Tools & Services

The university provides proprietary and third-party AI tools designed to meet strict privacy requirements:

GPT UiO: A privacy-friendly chat service based on OpenAI’s GPT models. It allows students and employees to log in via FEIDE and use generative AI for research and teaching while keeping data within secure servers in the EU/EEA.

NotebookLM: Recently made available for free to all UiO users, this Google-driven tool assists in organizing and analyzing content.

AI Assistants: Users can now create personalized AI assistants within GPT UiO to act as study partners or syllabus-specific tutors.

Academic & Research Initiatives

UiO is a hub for interdisciplinary AI research and specialized education:

Research Centers: The university hosts several national centers, including TRUST, which focuses on developing accurate, ethically sound, and inclusive AI. The Faculty of Social Sciences is notably involved in three of the six new national AI research centers launched in 2025.

Specialized Courses: UiO offers a variety of AI-focused courses, such as IN3050 – Introduction to AI, FIL2313 – AI and Ethics, and uio.no – AI in Public Health.

Policies & Guidelines

The university enforces clear frameworks to manage the use of AI in academia:

Ethical Principles: Students are expected to use AI as a “learning partner” rather than a replacement for intellectual effort. Presenting AI-generated work as one’s own is considered cheating or plagiarism.

Content Labeling: Any official UiO digital content (text, images, or video) generated by AI must be properly labeled to maintain credibility and trust.

Data Classification: Use of GPT UiO is permitted for “green” and “yellow” data (non-sensitive personal data), but sensitive data (health, religion, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

2. University of Bergen: This University ranks as number two on this list of free Universities in Norway as it is known for marine research and environmental studies, with programs in marine biology, climate change, and information technology.

Key Information & Resources:

Admissions & Courses: Information on master’s courses and over 400 courses for exchange students.

Tuition: As a public institution, it generally does not charge tuition fees for students, though a semester fee applies.

Structure: The university consists of 7 faculties with a focus on international research and education.

3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): This University ranks as number three on this list of free Universities in Norway as it is known to be Norway’s largest university, specializing in engineering, technology, and natural sciences.

About NTNU:

Size: Approximately 43,500 students and 8,960 employees.

Focus: It has a strong profile in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Structure: It was established in 1996, with roots going back to 1910

4. University of Tromsø: Located in the Arctic Circle, this University ranks as number four on this list of free Universities in Norway as it specializes in Arctic research and studies.

UiT is a comprehensive university with a focus on the High North, offering studies in various fields, including technology, health, and social sciences.

5. Norwegian School of Economics (NHH): This University ranks as number five on this list of free Universities in Norway as it is known as a leading business school offering programs in economics, business administration, and finance. As one of Europe’s leading business schools located in Bergen, Norway, it offers top-ranked programs in business and economics, including master’s, PhD, and undergraduate studies. NHH is a Triple Crown accredited institution (EQUIS, AMBA, AACSB) and is known as the top choice for business education in Norway.

Fields of Study

– Law and humanities

– Medicine and health sciences

– Engineering and technology

– Business and economics

– Environmental science and climate change

– Arctic studies

Benefits of Studying at Free Universities in Norway

– Tuition-free education

– High standard of living

– Safe and welcoming environment

– Strong focus on innovation and research

– Diverse student community

Eligibility and Application

– Check eligibility criteria on university websites

– Apply through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (NUCAS). The official website for the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (NUCAS), known in Norwegian as Samordna opptak, is samordnaopptak.no.

– Deadline: typically February 1st to April 15th (it varies though).

Why Choose Free Universities in Norway?

Free universities in Norway offer a unique opportunity to study in a high-quality education system without tuition fees. With stunning landscapes and a welcoming culture, it’s an ideal destination for international students.

Official Websites of the Free Universities in Norway:

– University of Oslo:

The official website for the University of Oslo (UiO) is uio.no.

For English-speaking visitors, the university provides a dedicated English version of the site.

https://www.uio.no/english/

Key Resources

Admissions: Information on admission processes

https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/

for exchange, Master’s, and PhD students.

Study Programmes: A complete directory of programmes offered in English.

https://www.uio.no/english/studies/programmes/

Student Services: Access to Studentweb

https://studentweb.uio.no/studentweb/login.jsf?inst=FSPROD

for registrations, semester fees, and exam results.

International Students: Support for arrival, housing and residence permits.

https://www.uio.no/english/studies/international-students/

Contact Information: Direct links to faculty offices and student services.

https://www.uio.no/english/about/contact/

– University of Bergen: The official website for the University of Bergen (UiB) is www.uib.no/en. It serves as the primary portal for information regarding admissions, study programmes, research, and university departments.

– NTNU norway official website:

The official website for the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is

https://www.ntnu.edu/ for English, and https://www.ntnu.no/ for Norwegian. Based in Trondheim with campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund.

Key Information

Main Website: ntnu.edu

Admissions & Study Information: ntnu.edu/studies

Internal Portal (Staff/Students): i.ntnu.no

Contact Information: kontak@komm.ntnu.no or help.ntnu.no

– University of Tromsø: The official website for UiT The Arctic University of Norway (formerly the University of Tromsø) is https://en.uit.no/. This site serves as the main portal for information on admissions, research, and faculties for the institution located in Tromsø, Norway.

Key Links for the University of Tromsø (UiT):

Main English Website: https://en.uit.no/

Admissions: https://en.uit.no/admission

Study Programs: https://en.uit.no/education

Research: https://en.uit.no/research

– NHH Norway official website

The official website for NHH Norwegian School of Economics is

https://www.nhh.no/en/.

Key Information & Links:

Official Homepage (English): https://www.nhh.no/en/

Study Programmes: https://www.nhh.no/en/study-programmes/

Application and Admission: https://www.nhh.no/en/study-programmes/application-and-admission/