Norway to Let Universities Set Their Fees for Non-European Students

Norway to Let Universities Set Their Fees for Non-European Students

The Norwegian government has suggested letting universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) determine their own tuition costs for non-European students, which would be a major change in policy.

The action comes after recent legislation that eliminated free education for international students outside of the EU/EEA, a move that caused a great deal of controversy both domestically and internationally.

Policy Change Driven by Funding and Flexibility

Until 2023, even those from other countries had free higher education in Norway.

Change started with a new policy introducing tuition fees for all non-EU and non-EEA students from the academic year 2023–24. This latest proposal aims to give thereby full autonomy to universities on international student fees from outside Europe.

The proposed change would thus allow institutions to charge different fees based on the demand for the program, the length of the course, and the reputation of the institution.

The government argues this model aligns with systems in countries like the U.S, U.K., and the Netherlands, where institutions manage their international pricing strategies.

Universities Divided Over the Proposal

The policy has stirred a mix of responses in Norway’s academic community.

Some endorse the motion for granting them the necessary financial flexibility to maintain and improve program quality, while others warn against damaging the diversity and international standing of Norwegian education.

Critics also assert the tuition hikes may deter deserving students from low-income countries and may endanger the global outreach of Norway’s higher education.

Decline in Non-EU Applications Raises Alarm

Since the introduction of tuition fees last year, several Norwegian universities have reported a significant drop in applications from non-European students. The latest proposal, if implemented without safeguards, could deepen that trend.

Several universities are calling for a balanced approach, urging the government to pair autonomy with student support mechanisms such as scholarships or fee waivers to maintain international participation.

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New Proposal: Institutional Autonomy Over Fees

Under the proposed framework, universities would no longer be forced to match “full-cost pricing.” Instead, they could set fees based on program demand, the institution’s reputation, and recruitment goals.

This adjustment brings the Norwegian stance closer to those of the U.K., Netherlands, and the U.S., where institutions determine their own international tuition levels.

As Minister Sigrun Aasland explained, institutions need “more flexibility… to adapt to changing recruitment and competence needs"

Institutional and Expert Perspectives

Rector Svein Stølen of the University of Oslo welcomed the proposal, emphasizing that pricing needs to be competitive with other Nordic and British universities.

However, he cautioned that fees alone won’t reverse the enrollment drop, investment in marketing and recruitment is essential.

Professor Ivar Bleiklie from the University of Bergen urged a broader vision, noting that Norway’s universities historically positioned international education as part of global welfare and development, suggesting fees alone should not become the norm.

Student Union Voices and Diversity Concerns

Student leaders see the proposal as a step in the right direction, but not enough. Kaja Ingdal Hovednak of the Norwegian Student Organisation stated:

“For the student union, the fight isn’t over until higher education is free for all". Advocacy groups warn that cost barriers could continue to deter students from low-income countries, thereby reducing campus diversity and global engagement .

What’s Next: Safeguards and Broader Changes

The ministry plans to release detailed regulations in the autumn. Simultaneously, several measures aimed at easing conditions for international researchers and PhD candidates have already been implemented:

• Removal of Norwegian-language requirements for postdoctoral roles
• Reduction of financial visa maintenance requirements from NOK 325,000 to NOK 80,000 annually

Despite these reforms, experts caution that financial incentives alone may not fully restore Norway’s appeal. Institutions may need to adopt scholarships, targeted recruitment efforts, and pricing strategies aligned with program-specific goals.

Bottom Line

Granting HEIs authority to set their international tuition aims to restore flexibility and reverse the steep 80% drop in non-European enrollments. But many stakeholders believe no single measure is sufficient.

A successful strategy will require a balanced mix of pricing autonomy, scholarship support, and active global engagement. Norway stands at a crossroads, seeking to reconcile fiscal sustainability with its traditions of inclusive and globally connected higher education.