Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Norway
Norway offers strong, English-medium Master's programs at top-ranked universities, with a resident embassy in Dhaka simplifying the entire visa process — though note that Norway ended free tuition for non-EU/EEA students starting autumn 2023, so budget for real tuition costs now.
নরওয়েতে শক্তিশালী ইংরেজি মাধ্যম মাস্টার্স প্রোগ্রাম রয়েছে, তবে ২০২৩ সাল থেকে নন-EU/EEA শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য বিনামূল্যে টিউশন বন্ধ হয়ে গেছে।
Tuition fees are now real: since autumn 2023, Norway charges tuition to non-EU/EEA students at public universities — this is a major change from Norway's historical reputation as a tuition-free destination, so budget accordingly.
টিউশন ফি এখন প্রকৃত: ২০২৩ সাল থেকে নন-EU/EEA শিক্ষার্থীদের টিউশন দিতে হয়।
Universities & Popular Programs
University of Oslo
Norway's oldest and highest-ranked university, strong in Sciences, Law, and Social Sciences.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Norway's leading technical university, renowned for Engineering and Technology programs.
University of Bergen
Strong reputation in Marine Sciences, Climate Research, and Medicine.
BI Norwegian Business School
Norway's leading business school, popular for MSc programs in Business and Economics.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Engineering, Marine & Climate Sciences, Business, Computer Science.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's/Master's tuition per year (non-EU/EEA, since 2023) | NOK 150,000 - NOK 300,000 |
| Minimum required living funds per year (visa requirement) | NOK 151,900 (~€13,000) |
| Realistic living costs per month | NOK 12,000 - 15,000 |
Oslo and Bergen carry the highest living costs; smaller university towns like Trondheim (NTNU) are somewhat cheaper.
অসলো ও বার্গেনে খরচ সবচেয়ে বেশি; ট্রন্ডহেইমে কিছুটা কম।
Scholarships & Funding
University-specific tuition-fee scholarships — since introducing tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students, most Norwegian universities have launched their own scholarship schemes offering partial-to-full tuition waivers for competitive applicants; check each university's international scholarships page for current offerings.
Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) grants — in limited cases apply to specific exchange/quota programs; check eligibility for your specific program type.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport and copies of all used pages.
- Signed cover letter from the UDI Application Portal.
- One recent passport-size photograph.
- Letter of Admission from a Norwegian educational institution.
- Proof of sufficient funds deposited in a Norwegian bank account (approx. NOK 151,900 for one academic year).
- Proof of accommodation in Norway.
- A completed UDI checklist for students.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission and receive your Letter of Admission from a Norwegian institution.
- Register on the UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) Application Portal, selecting the correct category for 'Studies'.
- Pay the application fee online (approximately NOK 4,900) and receive your cover letter.
- Print and sign the cover letter from the portal.
- Arrange proof of funds (NOK 151,900 deposited in a Norwegian bank account) and proof of accommodation.
- Book an appointment with VFS Global in Dhaka to submit your signed cover letter, passport, and all supporting documents.
- Attend your appointment — VFS forwards your application to the Norwegian Embassy for processing.
- Collect your passport with the decision once processing is complete, and plan arrival ahead of the August intake.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student residence permit application (UDI) | ~NOK 4,900 + VFS service charge |
Embassy & Application Centre
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Bay's Edgewater, Plot 12, North Avenue, 8th Floor, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
VFS Global - Norway Visa Application Centre
Delta Life Tower, 4th Floor, Plot #37, Road #90, Gulshan North, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- Opening a Norwegian bank account for the NOK 151,900 deposit before arrival can be logistically tricky — many students transfer funds only after the account is confirmed, so plan this step early with your university's international office.
- Apply as soon as you have your admission letter — UDI processing can take several weeks to a few months.
- Budget realistically for tuition now that non-EU/EEA fees apply — this is a significant recent change worth double-checking per program.
Work Rights
International students in Norway with a valid study permit may generally work part-time up to 20 hours per week during term, and full-time during official holiday periods.
নরওয়েতে স্টাডি পারমিটধারী শিক্ষার্থীরা সেমিস্টার চলাকালীন সপ্তাহে ২০ ঘণ্টা এবং ছুটিতে পূর্ণ-সময় কাজ করতে পারেন।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's (English-medium) | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| Master's (English-medium) | 6.5 | 58 - 65 |
Most Norwegian universities require no individual IELTS band below 5.5-6.0 — check your target program's specific sub-band policy.
Application Timeline (August Intake)
University Application
Apply via the national application portal (Samordna Opptak) or directly; most deadlines fall around December-April.
UDI Application
Register your study permit application online once you have your admission letter.
VFS Dhaka Submission
Submit your signed cover letter and documents at VFS Global Dhaka.
Arrival
Arrive in time for orientation before the academic year begins.
FAQ
Is university still free in Norway? No, not for non-EU/EEA students since autumn 2023 — this ended Norway's long-standing free-tuition policy for international students at public universities.
Do I need to travel outside Bangladesh for my visa? No — the Royal Norwegian Embassy and VFS Global are both located in Dhaka.
Can I work part-time? Yes, up to 20 hours/week during term and full-time during official holidays.