Norway

Compulsory education lasts ten years — primary and lower-secondary school from 6 to 16. Then come three years of upper-secondary school (videregående skole) with a general or vocational track.

The system is built on the idea of equal access: there are few private schools, differences between regions are small, and no grades are given in primary school.

The general track of upper-secondary school ends with a certificate that immediately gives the right to enter university — there is no separate exam, the average grade is used.

The vocational track is usually built on a “2 years of school + 2 years of work placement” scheme.

At public universities students pay only a token semester fee. From autumn 2023, tuition was introduced for non-EU/EEA students, so conditions must be checked for the year of admission.

There are many English-taught master’s programmes, especially in energy, polar and marine research, sustainability, and also in engineering and IT. Degrees are 3 + 2 + 3.

You need a recognised bachelor’s and IELTS 6.5 (for a bachelor’s — completed secondary school plus a year of university). Norwegian-taught programmes require a B2-level certificate.

A visa requires proof of funds for a year of living (the amount is set by the state each year and is fairly high).

There are almost no separate tuition scholarships (the system was originally free), but exchanges and internships are actively supported by mobility grants through Erasmus+ and the Diku agency.

Life is expensive, but students may work up to 20 hours a week and full-time in the holidays.