Cost of Living
Below we have gathered some useful advice on how to maximize your budget and an overview of what everyday items may cost in Norway.
An estimation of a student's cost of living is made and revised yearly by the Norwegian Immigration Directorate (UDI). Their recommendation is that you need NOK 11 ,000 a month to cover your expenses as a student in Norway.
Degree seeking students: please note that the budget above does not include tuition fees.
| Prices (approximate and subject to change) | Average |
| Coffee in a cafe | NOK 35 |
| Sandwich in a bakery | NOK 60 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | NOK 122 |
| Eggs (12 pack) | NOK 35 |
| Domestic Beer (0,5 l) in a grocery store | NOK 30 |
| Toothpaste | NOK 30 |
| Shampoo | NOK 40 |
| Orange juice (1l) | NOK 30 |
| Milk (1l) | NOK 17 |
| Loaf of bread | NOK 25 |
| Hot meal in BI Food Court | NOK 50 |
| Single ticket for public transport (Oslo) | NOK 36 |
| Student ticket (30 days) for public transport | NOK 450 |
Please see NUMBEO's calculations of Cost of Living in Oslo for further price estimations. Consult the OANDA Currency Converter for the latest exchange rates.
Budget living
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The 30-day ticket is good value. It can be used on all public transport in Oslo, including buses, metro (T-bane), trams (trikk) and ferry boats. Additional tickets can be bought for additional zones if you are travelling out of Oslo. If you have a valid BI student ID card, you will receive a 40 % discount on the ticket. Please see ruter.no for further information.
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Some grocery stores are cheaper than others. Kiwi, Rema 1000 and Coop Xtra are the most affordable. Look for discount products from First Price, Xtra and Coop.
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Over the recent years, new restaurants having been popping up over Oslo expanding the range of options available. Student pubs are popular locations for a social gathering and offer generous discounts. Norwegians also like to invite friends over to their home for dinner parties or pre-parties before going out on the town.
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A good way to save money is the traditional Norwegian "matpakke" or packed lunch. The Norwegian version typically consists of bread slices with cheese and meat. It is very common in Norway to bring a matpakke to school, work or even for a picnic in the park.
Student canteens are typically cheaper than other cafes/restaurants. The Food Court at BI serves a wide variety of reasonably priced cold and hot dishes.
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Entrance to a wide range of museums and galleries in Oslo is free of charge.
Payment methods
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Credit cards are accepted in almost all locations and therefore, cash is not widely used in Norway. Still, ATMs are widespread and accessible if you prefer paying with cash.
The Norwegian currency consists of "kroner" (NOK) and "øre". 100 "øre" make up 1 "krone".
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The use of credits cards is widespread in Norway, and they are normally accepted even for small amounts such as car park and toll fees. Eurocard, MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Diners Club are the most common credit cards.
Please note that some grocery stores/supermarkets do not accept foreign credit cards. If in doubt, ask before shopping.
Part-time work
In Norway, it is common that students work on a part-time basis. If you are a student with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA, you can work up to 20 hours per week as part of your study permit. During holiday, students are eligible to work full-time. EU/EEA citizens follow regulations valid for Norwegian citizens.