Budget and cost of living

New international students often complain about the high prices of goods and services in Norway. Norway is an expensive country and it takes a while getting used to the high cost of living. You will need a minimum of approximately NOK 9 000 per month in order to cover basic expenses. During your first semester, you must be prepared to use a substantial amount of money for setting up your household and for buying suitable clothing for the Norwegian climate.

Some factors will however help to reduce your budget: international students are guaranteed student accommodation, a single room, through the Foundation for Student Life in Oslo (SiO), the student`s welfare organisation. Students under the age of 30 with a valid semester card are also entitled to reduced fares on public transport, including the airport train.Your student card also entitles you to certain discounts on opera, theatre and museum tickets.

To give you an idea of the living expenses for a student in Norway, we have put together a modest budget for one semester: (figures are approximate)

• Housing: NOK 15 000
• Food: NOK 12 000
• Books & Supplies: NOK 4 500
• Transportation: NOK 1 650 (students under 30)
• Other expences: NOK 10 650
• Total for 5 months: NOK 43 800

Self-financing applicants must in order to obtain a residence permit for Norway provide documentary evidence of the possession of NOK 87 600 per academic year (10 months) to cover living expenses (NOK 127 500 for 15-month programmes). We therefore emphasise the importance of having a realistic financial plan prior to coming to Norway. Self-financing applicants should please see our website for degree students about financing for further information.

Please note that personal expenses like clothes, medicines, dental care, leisure activities etc. are not included in the budget. If you are not able to bring along warm clothes from your home country, it is important to have enough money with you to buy suitable clothing for the different seasons. We suggest that you bring along/buy: waterproof/windproof jacket, woollen sweater, scarves, gloves, hats, warm long underwear (wool)/tights and warm and waterproof shoes/boots.

You are advised to bring some Norwegian currency with you when you arrive in Norway or change money at Oslo airport - Gardermoen. You will need to have money to pay for the airport train to Oslo. It will also make it easier for you during your first few days, especially if you happen to arrive during the weekend when banks and post offices are closed. It is also advisable to bring along money in the form of traveller's cheques, or to have an international credit card.

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