Understanding the Landscape: Scholarships for International Students in Norway

Before delving into specific scholarships, it is important to recognize the context of funding for international studies in Norway:

• Governmental scholarships are limited: There are no universal Norwegian government scholarships aimed at all international degree students.
• University-driven initiatives dominate: Many scholarships come directly from Norwegian universities or are linked with international programmes.
• Selective and program-specific funding: Scholarships tend to target specific fields, partnership programmes, or students from particular countries.
• Planning and research are key: Prospective students must consult university scholarship pages and international schemes early in their application process.

Top 10 Scholarships for Students Bound for Norway

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships

Overview: Erasmus Mundus funds select master’s programmes offered by consortia of European universities, including Norwegian institutions. These scholarships are highly competitive and prestigious.

Benefits:

• Full coverage of participation costs, including tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance.
• Open to students globally who wish to pursue joint master’s degrees involving study periods at Norwegian universities.

Why recruiters and admissions teams should focus: Erasmus Mundus scholarships boost student mobility and cross-border collaboration, making Norway accessible within a broader European educational context.

Learn more about Erasmus Mundus scholarships.

2. Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

Overview: This EU-guaranteed loan programme offers favorable financial support to master’s students from specific countries who study in Norway.

Benefits:

• Attractive loan conditions designed to support tuition and living costs.
• Encourages enrollment of students from eligible regions.

Implications for recruitment: Promoting Erasmus+ loans to students from qualifying countries can enhance recruitment pipelines and inform financial planning.

Further details available via Study in Norway.

3. Institutional Scholarships at Norwegian Universities

Overview: Several universities individually offer scholarships, stipends, or loans on a competitive or needs basis to enrolled students.

Example: The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) administers financing and scholarship schemes tailored for different programmes.

Key advantages:

• Institutions tailor support based on merit or need.
• Scholarships may include partial or full tuition, living support, or research grants.

Usage for admissions teams: Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of university-specific funding is essential for advising students effectively.

Explore opportunities at NTNU’s financing and scholarships page.

4. Mobility Grants for Norwegian Language and Literature

Overview: Targeted at master’s and PhD students outside Norway specializing in Norwegian language or literature, this funding supports fieldwork in Norway required for academic research.

Highlights:

• Useful for students needing in-country resources and access for dissertation projects.
• A specialized resource supporting humanities research and cultural studies.

5. BI Presidential Scholarship

Overview: An exclusive scholarship offered by BI Norwegian Business School for international master’s students.

Coverage: Full tuition fees and a stipend for living expenses per semester.

Relevance: BI Norwegian Business School is a key player in business education with strong international recruitment. This scholarship can be a significant incentive for attracting talented students in business and management fields.

6. Anglo-Norse Society Scholarships

Overview: A merit-based scholarship supporting students undertaking master’s studies at various Norwegian institutions, including UiT and NTNU.

Benefits: Support varies but often includes tuition coverage and living expenses assistance.

Significance: This scholarship fosters strong cultural and academic links between the UK and Norway, enriching international collaboration.

7. Dame Gillian Brown Postgraduate Scholarship

Overview: A merit-based award for international postgraduate students at Norwegian universities.

Focus: Encourages high-achieving scholars to pursue advanced degrees across a range of academic disciplines.

Admissions teams should incorporate this scholarship into their portfolio to attract top-tier applicants.

8. Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development

Overview: These grants support master’s studies focused on development, sustainability, and related fields.

Impact: Enables students committed to development work to study in Norway, emphasizing Norway’s role in global development education.

Recruiters specializing in development studies and NGOs can use this scholarship to connect students with funding aligned with their career goals.

9. ServiceScape Scholarship

Overview: ServiceScape offers financial awards to selected international master’s students studying in Norway.

Utility: Provides additional financial support to ease the cost burden, complementing other funding sources.

10. University-Specific and Third-Party Scholarships

Overview: Various universities and third parties may provide scholarships through partnerships with Norwegian institutions. Eligibility criteria and benefits differ by provider.

Examples: Grants for highly specialized research and scholarships for students from particular countries or sectors.

Advising students to continuously monitor university announcements and scholarship pages is crucial.

Visit NTNU’s scholarship page for comprehensive and updated information.

Strategic Recommendations for Education Professionals and Recruiters

Given the nuances and competitive nature of scholarships available to international students bound for Norway, education professionals should consider the following strategies:

• Early Engagement: Advise students to research and apply for scholarships as early as possible, as many programmes have strict deadlines and limited slots.
• Tailored Advice: Match students’ profiles with scholarship eligibility, focusing on academic merit, country origin, and field of study.
• University Partnerships: Foster close communication with Norwegian universities’ admissions and scholarship offices to stay informed on funding updates.
• Leveraging Study in Norway: Utilize the Study in Norway platform extensively for the latest authoritative information on programmes and scholarships.
• Holistic Support: Combine scholarship information with visa, accommodation, and cultural adaptation guidance to provide a comprehensive student service.

By integrating these practices, recruitment agencies, HR teams, and marketing professionals can strengthen their international outreach and conversion efforts.

Connecting Scholarships to Study in Norway’s Expertise

As the leading platform dedicated to facilitating international education in Norway, Study in Norway stands out by offering:

• Up-to-date, authoritative information on scholarship opportunities for international students.
• Insights into university-specific funding and international recruitment trends.
• Customized support materials that align with the diverse needs of education professionals and student placement agencies.

With a commitment to empowering education stakeholders, Study in Norway remains the trusted partner for navigating Norway’s competitive scholarship landscape.

Conclusion: Maximizing Opportunities in Norwegian Education

While scholarships for international students bound for Norway are selective and often limited, numerous valuable opportunities exist across European programmes, individual universities, and specialized grants. A proactive, informed approach to scholarship research and application can significantly enhance access to Norwegian higher education.

Education professionals and recruiters should leverage this comprehensive scholarship overview alongside Study in Norway’s expert resources to guide students confidently and effectively.

Take the Next Step with Study in Norway

Ready to expand your international recruitment strategy and empower prospective students with Norwegian scholarship opportunities?