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Norway

Study MBA in Norway 2023

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    577

  • Share of utilities

    64

  • Internet subscription

    49

  • Local transportation

    70

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    11

  • Cinema ticket

    13

  • Pint of local beer

    9

About Norway

About Norway

Sharing borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia, Norway is a leader among the Scandinavian countries. It is known for its coastline, fjords and mountains, and tends to attract students who love spending time outdoors.

Norway is unique in that it is not part of the European Union, but is still integrated with European society. The country boasts reserves of natural gas and petroleum, and also has a strong seafood industry. It has twice been ranked as the country with the highest human development index ranking worldwide, pointing to the high standard of living its people enjoy.

Business Studies in Norway

Norway boasts around 70 institutes of higher learning, including both colleges and universities. Studying business in Norway takes place in one of the country's universities. Several have extensive business studies programs, and all provide a quality education recognized throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Graduating from a school in Norway with a degree in business positions a student for success in the business world, and particularly in businesses located in Scandinavia.

Even though it is not in the EU, Norway still conforms its education to the Bologna Process of European higher education. Students can pursue bachelor's master's and PhD degrees through the university system in Norway.

Norway appeals to students because of its high standard of living, which is considered one of the best in the world. Many master's programs in business are taught in English, and international students are welcome in the schools throughout the country. In fact, many of the universities aggressively market their programs to international students.

Another reason Norway's universities appeal to international students is the lack of tuition. While students will need to pay fees of around €40 to €80 per semester, public universities do not charge tuition. Masters business degrees typically take two years to complete. Students who need to pursue their bachelor's degree first should plan to spend between three and four years on their undergraduate training before applying to graduate school.

Norway uses a two semester plan for its academic calendar, and most schools begin in mid-August and end in mid-June. Summer sessions may be available, depending on the university's schedule, for students who are trying to graduate ahead of schedule.

After graduation, most business students will return home to pursue their careers. However, some find they love Norway and choose to stay and work in one of the industries in the country, using their new business understanding to position them for high-level positions among petroleum, copper, fishing, timber and natural gas companies.

Visa Requirements

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Visa (Student Residence Permit)

Price and currency

USD 650

The Norwegian student visa processing fee is around US$650. The fee may be subject to change.

Who can apply for the visa?

If you come from one of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland) you will not have to apply for a residence permit. However, if you plan to study in Norway for more than six months, you must report to a tax office in Norway for an ID check and to report your move to Norway.

If you come from countries within the EU/EEA/EFTA area you can study in Norway for up to 90 days without applying for a student residence permit. However, you will need to apply for a student residence permit for stays of over 90 days, already in Norway.

If you come from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA area you have to apply for a student residence permit before coming to Norway.

Where can you make the application?

Norwegian Embassy or Consulate

After you’ve received your letter of admission you should contact your nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate for information on the study permit application procedure, and apply from your country of origin.

While some candidates can apply online from within Norway or through a Norwegian embassy, most students will need to hand in a paper application form to their closest Norwegian embassy or consulate.

Website:

How to make the application?

When you hand in your student residence permit application form, you must also provide your passport, along with other necessary documentation. You’ll need to submit:

  • Evidence of admittance to an approved full-time education program
  • A completed application form
  • Receipt of having paid the application fee
  • Two recent passport-sized photos with a white background
  • Evidence of sufficient financial funds for the entire period of study, including funds to support any accompanying family, which should be in a Norwegian bank account (it can be difficult to open an account in a Norwegian bank without a Norwegian personal number, so you can usually deposit the required amount into an account established by your educational institution). You need to prove you have access to NOK 116,369 for each academic year (10 months), which is approximately US$14,350. If the stay is financed through scholarships, student loans, or other public funding from the home country, valid documentation must accompany the application.
  • Evidence that you have somewhere to live (such as a house, apartment, bedsit, or room in a hall of residence)
  • Evidence that you will leave Norway when your residence permit expires (usually in the form of a return ticket)
  • Completed and signed UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) document checklist, which you should print off and hand in along with your other documents

When should you apply?

Processing times for student residence permits will vary and may take two months or so, therefore it is advisable to apply as soon as you are able.

The length of your student visa depends on the length of your study program. Your student residence permit can be renewed through the online Norway Application Portal at least one month before the expiry date. To renew your work permit, you must contact the UDI separately, and show proof that you have made satisfactory progress studying in Norway.

Processing time

2 Months

Work opportunities

When you receive a student residence permit for Norway, you are also granted permission to work part-time for up to 20 hours each week while studying and full-time during university holidays.

You can also apply for a full-time work permit for a limited period if you can prove that the work is relevant to your education, or that it’s necessary for admission to further your education within the same program option – You should have a concrete offer of employment in this regard.

Hours per week

20

Why do you need this type of visa?

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.

News and Articles

  • What are the Most Exciting Countries to Study Business in?

    Oct 1, 2019

    Have you been wondering where in the world you could study business? Do you strive for excellence in all things and want a rigorous program that will be both demanding and life-changing? MBA programs are available in many countries -- in fact, there are so many options, it’s hard to choose. However, each country offers something different and selecting the program that will best fit your needs depends, in part, on what kind of business focus you have. For those who want to pursue an MBA and start a career in business, studying abroad in countries where there are great programs available, can be extremely advantageous, both personally and professionally. Consider how these six countries, each with their own unique appeal to business students, could help get your business career on its way!

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