-
International students

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 13 790 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

Transport in Oslo

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.

Groceries

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.

Going out to eat or party

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.

Packed lunch

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. 

Museums and galleries

Entrance to a wide range of museums and galleries in Oslo is free of charge.

Payment methods

Cash

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".

Credit cards

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.