Norway Scholarships for African Students 2026

Norway public universities charge NO tuition for any student — including Africans. Find 10+ scholarship programs for living costs, including Erasmus Mundus and university awards. Deadlines January–April 2026. Direct apply links included.

Norway holds a unique position among European study destinations for African students: its public universities charge zero tuition to all students, regardless of nationality. While the former Quota Scheme that covered living costs for students from developing countries was discontinued in 2016, the absence of tuition fees still makes Norway significantly more accessible than the UK, Sweden, or the Netherlands for students who can independently fund their living costs or secure a scholarship that covers them.

The cost of living in Norway is high — Oslo is consistently ranked among Europe's most expensive cities — so while tuition is free, a scholarship or part-time income is essential for most African students. The Norwegian student residence permit allows up to 20 hours of work per week during the academic term and full-time during holidays, and with relatively high minimum wages, this can substantially offset living costs.

Norway is particularly strong in marine biology and fisheries, petroleum engineering, environmental science, Arctic studies, Nordic humanities, and energy technology. NTNU in Trondheim is a globally respected engineering university, while the University of Oslo's faculties of law, social sciences, and medicine have strong international reputations. Bergen is known for its marine and climate research.

English-taught programmes are widely available at Norwegian universities. Most international Master's programmes are in English, and Norwegian language is not required for admission. Standard intake is August–September with application deadlines typically in December–February for international applicants.

Main Scholarship Programmes for African Students

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD): The EU funds joint programmes across multiple European universities, sometimes including Norwegian institutions. Covers full tuition and provides EUR 1,000/month living allowance. Apply at eacea.ec.europa.eu. Deadlines typically October–January.

NORPART (Norway–Partner Country Programme): A Norwegian government programme that funds collaboration between Norwegian and partner-country universities. Some NORPART projects create scholarship slots for students from specific African countries. Check with your home university's international office whether a NORPART partnership exists with a Norwegian institution.

University of Oslo (UiO) Scholarships: UiO runs the UiO:Global Scholarship programme and faculty-specific scholarships. Limited availability — check uio.no/english/research/phd/. The university also participates in various bilateral scholarship programmes.

NTNU Scholarships: The Norwegian University of Science and Technology offers limited scholarships for outstanding international applicants, primarily at PhD level. Some departments have funded research positions. Check ntnu.edu/studies/scholarship.

Research Council of Norway (RCN) Funded PhDs: Many PhD positions in Norway are funded research posts rather than scholarships — students are employed by the university and receive a salary (NOK 450,000+/year) while completing their doctorate. These are open to international applicants. Search at jobbnorge.no.

Top Universities in Norway for African Students

University of Oslo (UiO) — Norway's oldest and largest university; strong in humanities, social sciences, law, medicine, and natural sciences.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Trondheim) — Norway's largest university; world-class in engineering, technology, computer science, and architecture.
University of Bergen (UiB) — Strong in marine sciences, climate research, humanities, and social sciences; set in a scenic coastal city.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway (Tromsø) — Specialises in Arctic studies, fisheries, marine biology, indigenous studies, and telemedicine.
Norwegian School of Economics (NHH, Bergen) — Highly ranked business school; competitive but offers limited scholarships for top international applicants.
University of Stavanger (UiS) — Strong in petroleum engineering and offshore technology; industry connections with Norway's oil sector.

Visa Requirements for African Students

African students need a Norwegian student visa/residence permit. Apply at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (udi.no) after receiving an unconditional admission offer. Required: admission letter, proof of sufficient funds (NOK 123,519 per year as of 2025 — approximately USD 11,000), accommodation confirmation, and health insurance. Processing times vary by country — allow 2–3 months. Norwegian embassies in Africa are limited; some applicants use VFS Global service centres or submit via post.

Cost of Living Estimates

Oslo: NOK 13,000–17,000/month (approx. USD 1,200–1,550)
Trondheim/Bergen: NOK 10,000–14,000/month (approx. USD 910–1,280)
Tromsø/Stavanger: NOK 9,500–13,500/month (approx. USD 865–1,230)
Student accommodation: NOK 3,500–7,000/month (welfare organisation housing is subsidised — apply immediately after admission)
Tuition: NOK 0 at public universities (semester fee NOK 300–600 only)

How to Apply — 7 Steps

Select a programme: Browse English-taught Master's programmes at Norwegian universities on studyinnorway.no or each university's website. Confirm the programme has an international track.
Check admission requirements: Most programmes require a relevant Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years), IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+, and depending on the field, GRE or work experience.
Apply to the university: Most Norwegian universities accept applications through their own portals or via Søknadsweb for some programmes. Application deadline for international applicants is usually December 1–February 1.
Apply for relevant scholarships: Submit separate scholarship applications as required (Erasmus Mundus, NORPART, or university-specific awards). Deadlines may differ from admission deadlines.
Receive admission offer: Unconditional offers are typically issued March–April.
Apply for student visa: Submit residence permit application at udi.no as soon as you receive your admission letter. Allow 2–3 months for processing.
Apply for student housing: Apply for student welfare organisation (SiO/SiT/SiB) housing immediately — demand significantly exceeds supply in all major cities.

Required Documents

Valid passport
Official Bachelor's degree certificate and academic transcripts (with certified English translations)
English language proficiency test result (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge)
Statement of purpose / motivation letter
CV/resume
Two academic or professional references
Proof of financial means (bank statements showing approximately NOK 123,519 or scholarship letter)
Accommodation confirmation (for visa application)

How to Apply — Step by Step

Competition for fully funded international scholarships is high. African students who apply systematically and early significantly improve their odds. Follow this process:

Research and shortlist
Review each scholarship's eligibility requirements — nationality restrictions, GPA minimums, age limits, and language requirements. Build a shortlist of 6–10 scholarships that match your profile.
Prepare academic documents early
Certified transcripts, degree certificates, and a current CV are required by almost every scholarship. Get official copies stamped by your institution early — processing takes 2–4 weeks at many African universities.
Book language tests
Most scholarships in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100). German programmes may accept a TestDaF B2 equivalent. French institutions may require DELF B2. Book at least 3 months before your target deadline.
Request letters of recommendation
Contact academic referees 6–8 weeks before the deadline. Give them your CV, the scholarship brief, and the submission deadline. Follow up gently two weeks before.
Write tailored personal statements
Generic essays fail. For each scholarship, address its specific mission directly. Chevening wants leaders with a return-to-home-country plan; DAAD wants academic excellence with a clear development angle; Commonwealth prioritises development impact in your home nation.
Submit before the deadline
System crashes and upload errors are common on deadline day. Submit at least 48–72 hours early. Screenshot your confirmation page and save the reference number.
Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously
Most finalists apply to 5–12 scholarships per cycle. Parallel applications do not disqualify you from any programme. Systematic parallel applications significantly improve your odds.

Documents Checklist

While each scholarship has specific requirements, the following documents are commonly requested. Prepare these well in advance of any deadline.

Academic transcripts — certified/official copies from all institutions attended
Degree certificates — undergraduate degree certificate (for Masters and PhD applicants)
Valid passport or national ID — at least 18 months remaining from the application date
Letters of recommendation (LORs) — typically 2–3 from academic supervisors or employers
Personal statement or statement of purpose — 500–1,200 words depending on the programme
Research proposal — required for PhD scholarships; typically 1,500–3,000 words
English language test scores — IELTS (minimum 6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100); check each programme's minimum
Academic CV or resume — includes publications, research experience, awards, and extracurriculars
Proof of nationality — birth certificate or national identity card
Employer reference letter — for scholarships requiring professional experience (e.g., Chevening requires 2 years)

Always verify the specific document requirements on the official scholarship website. Requirements vary by programme and change annually — this checklist covers the common core, not every programme's unique additions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it true that Norway has free tuition for African students?

Yes — Norwegian public universities do not charge tuition for any student, regardless of nationality. This includes students from all African countries. You will pay only a semester fee of approximately NOK 300–600 per semester. This makes Norway one of the most affordable study destinations globally once living costs are covered by a scholarship or part-time work.

What happened to the Quota Scheme for developing countries?

Norway's Quota Scheme, which previously funded students from developing countries with stipends for full degrees, was discontinued in 2016. It has not been reinstated. Current options for African students to cover living costs are: Erasmus Mundus scholarships, individual university scholarships, the Norwegian Loan Fund for eligible students, and part-time work (up to 20 hours/week permitted for students).

What scholarships cover living costs for African students in Norway?

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (which may include Norwegian universities) cover tuition and provide EUR 1,000/month. The NORPART programme funds partnerships between Norwegian and developing-country universities, sometimes creating scholarship slots. Individual universities such as the University of Oslo and NTNU offer limited competitive scholarships. Check each university's scholarship page.

What are the best universities in Norway for international students?

The University of Oslo (UiO), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU in Trondheim), University of Bergen, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway are the top institutions. NTNU is particularly strong in engineering, technology, and natural sciences. The University of Oslo has strong programmes in humanities, social sciences, law, and medicine.

What is the cost of living in Norway?

Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Students in Oslo should budget NOK 12,000–16,000 per month (approximately USD 1,100–1,500), including rent, food, transport, and personal expenses. Trondheim and Bergen are slightly cheaper. Student housing through the student welfare organisations (SiO in Oslo, SiT in Trondheim) significantly reduces costs — apply early.

Do I need to learn Norwegian to study in Norway?

Not for Master's programmes — the majority of international Master's and PhD programmes at Norwegian universities are in English. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 is typically required. However, learning some Norwegian dramatically improves your day-to-day experience and is valued by Norwegian employers if you plan to work after graduation.

Can African students work in Norway while studying?

Yes. Students with a student residence permit can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during holidays. The Norwegian minimum wage (approximately NOK 200+ per hour in many sectors) means part-time work can meaningfully contribute to living costs. Tax rates for students are typically in the lower tax brackets.