Exclusive Interview: Education in Norway is cheap compared to USA, UK, says Norway Ambassador

Shiksha.com recently had a meeting with the Ambassador of Norway, May-Elin Stener to delve into the nuances of Norway's education system and its comparison with Indian education, implementation of NEP 2020 in India and the opportunities Norway offers to international students. Here's a glimpse into our insightful conversation.

Norway is home to some great schools, like the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, and the Arctic University of Tromso. It’s also home to some great specialized schools, like the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Ås and the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Adding to Norway’s attraction is the fact that there are no tuition fees at public schools. Wherever you’re from and whatever you’re studying, you will not pay tuition fees in Norway. You can get a world-class education tuition fee-free. Norway’s higher education institutions keep high standards and deliver quality education. In some fields, Norwegian institutions or academic communities are even considered to be absolutely world-class.

Norway boasts a rich tapestry of educational excellence with institutions like the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, and others, standing as pillars of academic prowess. The absence of tuition fees at public institutions underscores our commitment to making education accessible to all. This unique facet of Norwegian education, coupled with our unwavering dedication to quality, truly sets us apart and makes Norway an attractive destination for global learners seeking top-notch education.

Universities in Norway:

Nord University (Nord)

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet)

University of Agder (UiA)

University of Bergen (UiB)

University of Oslo (UiO)

University of South-Eastern Norway (USN)

University of Stavanger (UiS)

UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT)

Specialised Universities:

Molde University College (HiMolde)

Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH)

Norwegian Business School (BI)

Norwegian School of Economics (NHH)

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH)

Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society (MF)

Oslo National Academy of Arts (KHIO)

Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO)

VID Specialized Universit (VID)

Q. Norway has some of the leading universities in the world. How do you plan to attract international students to your country?

A: Scandinavian countries including Norway attract a good number of international students as the quality of education is good, and the cost of education and living is also low compared to other parts. The education in Norway is cheap, it doesn’t cost much as this is a major factor for international students.

The education is almost free for native students, while international students do have to pay fees, but it is very low, compared to the UK and the USA.

Q. Could you tell us about some of the financial assistance schemes and scholarships, which Norway and its universities are offering to international students, particularly from India?

A: There are several scholarships for students from developing countries, though the country doesn’t have any particular number allocated for Indian students, they can avail of any of these scholarships. On the other hand, universities also offer various types of scholarships to bright students. Indian students are very talented and they would be able to apply for such scholarships.

Q. In India we have been talking a lot about the Finnish education system. Some of the schools have also started following that. Is the education system in Norway similar or different?

A: There are some differences between the Finnish and Norwegian education systems, but it is also similar in many aspects. One major difference is in Norway all children from an area go to the same school irrespective of the educational background of their parents, ability to pay or other social factors. One of the key factors of the Nordic education system is also it sees each child having different talents and helps the child grow in that. I think the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by the Indian government is also a step in a similar direction and would help children become lifelong learners and grow.

Q. How do you compare the Nordic education system with that in India?

A: The Nordic system of education is based on free thinking, collaborative learning, and connecting with nature through outdoor activities. The Indian education system is also similar with a lot of outdoor activities and the NEP 2020 also stresses experiential learning and all this will help in preparing global citizens for the future.

The five Nordic countries Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark not only perform well academically but also are ranked high on other measures like prosperity, life expectancy, and quality of life, and the education system plays an important role in this.

India is an important country for us and we are committed to improving the relationship between the two nations and would like to see more Indian students going to pursue higher education in Norway. We have recently signed a free trade agreement with India and in the next two decades we would expect more investments in India from Nordic business companies, leading to more job creation.