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Exemptions from paying tuition fees

Students offered admission may apply for exemption from paying the fees based on one of the reasons given below. Please note that it is not possible to combine the various grounds for exemption.

If you are granted an exemption, you will receive a confirmation which can be used as documentation when applying for a student residence permit.


If you are offered admission, you will be informed on how to apply for an exemption from the tuition fees. Most students must reapply for exemptions each academic year. If you first fulfill the conditions for an exemption during the autumn semester, you can apply for an exemption for the spring semester by 15 February.

  • Permanent residence permit

    Applicants with a permanent residence permit in Norway may be exempt from paying tuition fees.

    Documentation (all 3 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
  • Permanent residence permit in a Nordic country

    You do not have to pay tuition fees if you have permanent residence permit in Norway. The same applies if you have a permanent residence permit in Denmark, Finland, Sweden or Iceland, and keep this permit during your education in Norway.

    Documentation (all 3 of the following are required):

    • Passport or national ID card
    • Residence card
    • Decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). The decision letter must include the type of residence granted. If you hold a permanent residence from another Nordic country, document the decision letter from the relevant authority.
  • Protection (asylum)

    Applicants who have been granted protection (asylum) in Norway may be exempt from paying tuition fees.

    Documentation (all 3 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card 
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) 
  • Married to a Norwegian citizen

    You do not have to pay tuition fees if you are married to a Norwegian citizen or are the legal partner of a Norwegian citizen. Both you and your spouse or legal partner must live in Norway.  

    Documentation (all 6 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card 
    • Copy of your marriage certificate from the Norwegian Tax Administration or from the foreign authority who officiated the wedding
    • Copy of the residence certificate for you and your spouse/legal partner
    • Copy of your spouse passport or national ID card
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
  • Family member of an EU/EEA citizen living in Norway

    You have been granted residency in Norway as a family member of an EU/EEA resident. The EU/EEA resident must have other grounds for residency then studies. Family here includes father, mother, spouse, or cohabitant the student has a child with. 

    Documentation (all 4 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
    • Copy of the registration certificate for your family member
  • UK citizen or a family member of a UK citizen who moved to Norway before 31 December 2020

    During a transitional period that lasted until 2020, the United Kingdom was to be treated as if it were still a member of the EU and the EEA. If you or your family member are a citizen of the United Kingdom, and were entitled to reside in Norway in accordance with the EEA agreement before the end of the transition period (31.12.2020), you are exempt from paying tuition fees. You must also have stayed in Norway.

    If you came to Norway on 1 January 2021 or later, you are not exempt from paying tuition fees.

    Documentation (all 4 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card or registration certificate
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
    • Documentation that you have been residing in Norway since before 31 December 2020
  • Family immigration

    You have a residence permit due to family immigration. The person you have been reunited with must be a Norwegian citizen or have a reason other than studies for residency in Norway.

    Documentation (all 4 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card 
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
    • Copy of the residence card or registration certificate for your family member
  • Full-time work

    Applicants who have lived in and have had continuous full-time employment in Norway for at least 24 months immediately prior to commencing studies, may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The person must have had a residence permit as an employee and paid tax to Norway during this period. There must be no breaks during this period and the period in which you start your studies. Nevertheless, exceptions may be made for breaks of up to one year in connection with illness or childbirth.


    Documentation (all 5 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport 
    • Copy of your residence card (both sides)
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) 
    • Documentation from the employer confirming continuous full-time work in Norway for at least 24 months prior to the start of the studies. The letter of confirmation must include the starting date, end date and the percentage of full time equivalent. The letter must be signed by the employer and written on an official letter head or contain the employer’s stamp. A contract of employment is not valid documentation 
    • Documentation showing that you have been paying taxes in Norway for at least the last 24 months ahead of the start of the education. Examples of valid documentation are inland revenue certificate, wage slips or certificate of pay and tax deducted from the employer
  • Cohabitating and have children with a Norwegian citizen

    You do not have to pay tuition fees if you are cohabiting with and have children with a Norwegian citizen. Both you and your cohabiting person must live in Norway.

    Documentation (all 5 of the following are required): 

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card
    • Copy of your residence card
    • Copy of the residence certificate for you, your cohabitating person and your child
    • Copy of your spouse passport or national ID card
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
  • 3 years of continuous studies in Norway

    Applicants who have been undertaking continuous study in Norway over a period of at least three years, and have completed studies corresponding to at least three years of full-time studies (equivalent to 180 credits), may be exempt from paying tuition fees. There should be no break between the studies you have completed in Norway and the new study programme you are planning to attend. Nevertheless, exceptions may be made for breaks of up to one year in connection with illness or childbirth. Restrictions may apply.

    During the qualifying period, you cannot have received support for the education from public education support schemes or Norwegian public support schemes for development. We will ask you to confirm this in the online application form. The qualification period must be minimum 3 years and correspond to full-time studies. What is considered to be your qualification period varies case by case, but generally it will be the first 3 years of the period that you have studied full-time in Norway continuously (without gaps).

    Documentation (all 4 of the following are required):

    • Copy of your passport or national ID card 
    • Copy of your residence card 
    • Copy of transcripts or diplomas for education completed in Norway
    • Copy of the decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)

  • You are entitled to support from Lånekassen

    You have applied for, and been granted, support from Lånekassen for the studies you are about to begin at NMBU.

    Documentation:

    • Copy of the decision letter from Lånekassen
  • Frequently asked questions about exemptions
    • I have permanent residency in Norway, do I still need to apply for an exemption?

      We don't have access to information about residence permits, and need documentation from you to confirm your eligibility for an exemption. Therefore you must apply and attach documentation validating your entitlement for an exemption.

    • I am employed at NMBU, do I need to apply for an exemption?

      Due to privacy concerns, we do not have access to NMBU's registry of employees. You need to document that you have been employed and paying taxes for 24 months.

    • Do I need to reapply for an exemption every year?

      Yes, unless your decision letter explicitly states that you do not need to reapply the following year, you must submit a new application for each academic year.