Norway Proposes Fee Flexibility for Non-European Students Amid Enrolment Drop
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In response to a steep decline in international enrolments, the Norwegian government has proposed giving universities and colleges the power to set their own tuition fees for students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The move follows criticism of the 2023 policy that ended free higher education for non-European students.
Norway’s Ministry of Education and Research stated the change would allow institutions to “attract talented international students” while maintaining a fee-paying model. The proposed legislation would replace the current fixed full-cost pricing with a more flexible approach, enabling universities to tailor fees by programme and recruitment need.
Minister for Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, confirmed that details of the revised model would be announced this autumn. “This is about giving institutions more room to manoeuvre while still charging tuition fees,” she noted.
The proposal follows a sharp 80% drop in non-EEA student enrolments since fees were introduced in June 2023. Previously, Norway had been known for offering free education to all international students, drawing thousands each year. However, the tuition shift has disproportionately impacted students from countries such as India, Nigeria, Nepal, and Bangladesh, many of whom now find the costs prohibitive.
According to the Norwegian Student Organisation, the proposed policy is a “step in the right direction,” but they continue to advocate for a return to universal tuition-free education.
Stakeholders believe that while the flexibility may improve enrolment slightly, the government must also invest in marketing, scholarships, and improved post-study work opportunities to rebuild trust and visibility.
Meanwhile, the government has reduced financial requirements for international PhD students and committed NOK 100 million annually from 2025 to 2028 to recruit researchers from outside Europe.
Norway’s decision reflects a broader recalibration of international education policy, aimed at balancing institutional funding with global academic engagement.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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