Study in the Nordic countries for free

Study in the Nordic countries for free

Known for its high quality of life, stunning nature and liberal politics, Northern European nations (known as the Nordic countries) also boast some of the strongest higher education systems in the world. And for many students, it’s possible to study abroad for free in four out of five Nordic countries!

While Iceland does charge tuition fees, fellow Nordic nations Denmark, Finland, Norway andSweden all offer opportunities to study free of charge. However, there are certain requisites students must fulfill.

In Norway, university study is available free of charge to all students, regardless of study level or nationality. The majority of undergraduate programs are taught only in Norwegian, and international students need to demonstrate proof of proficiency in Norwegian in order to study at this level. At master’s and PhD level, however, English language programs are far more common and free tuition still applies.

Denmark and Sweden, meanwhile, only extend their free higher education perks to students from within the EU/EEA and Switzerland, meaning that students from outside these regions must pay tuition fees for bachelor and master’s level programs. 

In both Denmark and Sweden, international fees at bachelor and master levels varies. In Denmark, university fees range from between DKK 45,000 and DKK 120,000 (US$6,550-$17,500) annually, while in Sweden they fall between SEK 80,000 and SEK 140,000 (US$9,400-16,500).

But what about living costs? Well, this is the catch, as the costs of living in Northern Europe are among some of the highest in the whole of Europe. This is largely due to the healthy economy of the region overall and the strength of the Nordic currencies, so paying more for living when the streets are clean and the people are happy perhaps isn’t so bad! Three Nordic capitals were this year ranked among the world’s top 50 student cities: Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm.

Find out more:

• Denmark Rated the Third Best Place to Study in Europe
• International Scholarships for Europe’s Nordic Countries
• Student Satisfaction: Finland Best Place to Study in Europe
• Studying in Sweden: Student Satisfaction Survey Results