Tuition fees for students from outside the EU/EEA
Regulations and exemptions
The government of Norway finalised legislation on June 16, 2023 that impacts international students studying in Norway. The legislation affects students starting university studies in August 2023.
Government funding for tuition for students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland was removed from the state budget. As a result, tuition fees have been implemented at all universities in Norway for international students.
BI Norwegian Business School, a non-profit foundation, has always charged tuition fees. In addition, BI receives funding from the Norwegian state budget to subsidise tuition fees. However, BI will no longer receive funding from the government for international students who are citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
For the affected international students enrolling at BI starting in August 2023, they will be charged the 30% differential that was previously subsidised by the government.
Exemptions
Some international students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland may fall into a category for an exemption based on their current residency status in Norway or they may hold dual citizenship. Students who match the criteria may apply for an exemption. Please complete the form here to apply for the exemption.
Communicating the anticipated changes
BI Norwegian Business School has made every effort to keep the affected applicants informed about the impact of the budget cut and the new regulations. BI has published information about the anticipated change in tuition fee regulations on our website since December 2022. A statement was also included in the study contracts for students to be prepared to pay the new tuition fees. When the new regulation was announced and the budget was cut in later November 2022, BI informed international applicants who were in the application process by email.
Questions
Any questions regarding this can be directed to info@bi.no.
How to apply for an exemption?
Some applicants will be exempt from paying the additional 30% of the tuition fees based on residence in Norway or other close connections with Norway. Applications are processed based on the universities and colleges act, as well as national regulations on education support. To apply for exemption, fill out this form and provide the requested documentation.
Before you apply, please make sure to check in the list below what documentation you will need to provide.
Who is eligible for an exemption?
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you have a permanent residence permit in Norway.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you have residence (asylum) in Norway due to protection, strong humanitarian considerations or a special connection to Norway.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you have a residence permit as family member of an EU/EEA citizen. The EU/EEA citizen must have grounds for residence in Norway other than studying.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you have a residence permit due to family immigration. The person with whom you have been reunited must either be a Norwegian citizen or a foreign national with a reason for residence in Norway other than studying.
Furthermore, you do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you have gained a continued residence permit on an independent basis due to the Norwegian immigration act § 53.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you are cohabiting with and have children with a Norwegian citizen. Both you and your cohabiting person must live in Norway.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you are married to a Norwegian citizen or are the legal partner of a Norwegian citizen. Both you and your spouse or legal partner must live in Norway.
With legal partner we mean a person with whom you are married or have an equivalent official relation.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you during a qualifying period of at least 24 months have had continuous full-time work in Norway, have been resident in and paid tax to Norway.
You must have had a residence permit as an employee during the earning period. There must be no gap during the accrual period or between the accrual period and further studies. However, exceptions can be made for stays of up to 1 year in the event of illness or childbirth.
-
You do not have to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees if you during an accrual period of at least 36 months have lived in and been in education in Norway and passed education equivalent to 3 years of full-time education.
There must be no gap during the accrual period or between the accrual period and further studies. However, exceptions can be made for stays of up to 1 year in the event of illness or childbirth.
-
During a transitional period that lasted until 2020, the United Kingdom was to be treated as if it were still a member of the EU and the EEA.
If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, who were entitled to reside in Norway in accordance with the EEA agreement before the end of the transition period (31.12.2020), you are exempt to pay the additional 30% on base tuition fees. You must also have stayed in Norway.
If you came to Norway on 1 January 2021 or later, you are not exempt from paying the additional 30% on base tuition fees.