MBA in Norway - Universities, Intakes & More

The quality of education at Norwegian high schools is unparalleled internationally. Many public universities in Norway charge no tuition, and these rules apply to all international students, regardless of their country of origin.

The school system in Norway is regarded as one of the best in the world. Its primary goal is to provide a high-quality education for all its students, regardless of their background or ethnicity. As the state provides schools with funding, decisions regarding the quality and structure of education are being made by local school administrators. Like other countries, Norway's school system is highly focused on efficiency and effectiveness. As a result, it prepares you to compete in a global market.

For your convenience, we've put together a quick guide with all the information you need about studying and living in Norway!

What is an MBA?

Master's in Business Administration is the most popular graduate management program globally. It attracts thousands of students each year. As a generalist, the MBA prepares you for a broad view of business, allowing you to develop the necessary soft skills and leadership capabilities. The MBA is for people who want to advance their careers or learn new management skills. It can aid you in starting your own business, working for a different company, or switching industries.

Core MBA courses cover the foundations of general management. Core courses typical of MBA programs include:

  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Accounting
  • Business Communication
  • Data Analytics
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Business Ethics
  • Business Strategy

Best MBA in Norway Colleges

 

S. No.UniversityFees
1BI Norwegian Business SchoolUSD 9,515/year (depending on program)
2NHH- Norwegian School of EconomicsNo tuition fees, only semester registration fees of approx. 90 USD.
3The Norwegian University of Science & TechnologyNo tuition fees

 

1. BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo

This is an independent, non-profit foundation that provides business and management knowledge based on research in Norway. It is AASCB, AMBA and EQUIS accredited. As evidence of our rigorous standards, BI has earned accreditations. There are fewer than 1 percent of business schools globally with triple accreditation, so BI stands out.

The school started as an undergraduate course in business administration. In 1944, the main course was expanded to one year, and in the following year, it was also expanded to two years. During this time, it also started offering short courses in various subjects.

When the school started its two-year daytime course in 1946, it became more like a college. Although it did not have public authorities' approval, it still presented its program as a college-level course.

Alumni Network- The BI MBA Alumni network is a global community of more than 2,000 professionals from various industries and academic institutions. It provides members with a variety of resources and networking opportunities.

The BI Alumni Board is composed of former and current EMBA students. Its members are responsible for overseeing various activities such as lectures, workshops, and social events designed to keep the members engaged and connected.

Admission requirement-  
  • A completed Bachelor's degree is required, corresponding to 180 officially approved ECTS from a university or equivalent qualification. In some cases, candidates who do not meet this requirement but have substantial international work experience may be considered.
  • The minimum age to apply is 25 years of age or older.
  • Minimum six years of full-time work experience. (Required for Executive MBA)
  • Two letters of recommendation are required, where at least one refers to the applicant's performance in the workplace.
  • Applicants may be directed to submit a GMAT score if the information supplied is deemed inadequate for assessment.

Scholarship- Your scholarship application should be written to explain why you deserve this scholarship, as well as how your background would make you a good fit for the scholarship. The Executive MBA Scholarship is a 25% discount off the tuition fee if the student achieves academic progression requirements.

2. NHH- Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen

The Norwegian School of Economics is a leading business school in Europe. It has an internationally recognized research environment. NHH's mission is to develop new knowledge and create values for a sustainable future. They cooperate with other leading universities and business schools through their international profile. It is EQUIS and AMBA accredited. 

This institution was established in 1936 as Norway's first business school and has since become a leading institution for teaching and research in economics and business administration. Approximately 40 percent of the school's students study abroad for at least one semester at more than 170 universities and foreign business schools in more than 50 countries.

Alumni Network- Several NHH alumni have important positions in Norwegian politics and business. Among these are Eldar Stre, CEO of Equinor, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO of Telenor, and Siv Jensen, Minister of Finance.

Admission requirement- 
  • Bachelor's degree- Education that, pursuant to Section 3-4 of the Norwegian Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, is recognized as equivalent to the educational programs.
  • Transcripts from previous higher education
  • Relevant language certificates like- TOEFL (a total score of 600 points on the ITP test or 233 for the computer-based version or 100 points on the internet-based test.) or IELTS with a score of 7.0.
  • Participants must have at least three years of relevant work experience.

Scholarship- NHH doesn't offer it for MBA programs. 

3. The Norwegian University of Science & Technology

Also known as NTNU, is the most prominent university in Norway. It was established in 1910. With a strong emphasis on science and technology, NTNU has a wide variety of programs of professional study and degrees that cater to all academic needs. NTNU has a main campus in Trondheim and other smaller campuses in Gjvik and Lesund. It has around 8,000 employees and around 40,000 students.

Like NHH, NTNU is a public university. Therefore, students from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area do not pay tuition fees at the university.

Alumni Network- The NTNU alumni membership is free of cost. With academic communities that are focused on developing leaders in education, research, and innovation, former students have plenty of opportunities to get involved. Work experience includes internships, research projects, and master's degrees. In addition, the central team of the NTNU Alumni can help establish and sustain alumni activities at various faculties and departments.

As a member of the group, you'll be able to connect with other former students and help them get the job they deserve.

Admission requirement- 
  • Applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree in business administration, or equivalent, with at least 120 ECTS in business administration and relevant subjects.
  • Applicants with a bachelor's degree from non-Norwegian/Nordic schools must document a GMAT or GRE test.
  • Students must have at least one of the following English language requirements (Toefl, Ielts) to be eligible for admission to an international master's program. The University of Cambridge English proficiency test is applicable without any expiry date. 

Scholarship- You need to apply for the scholarship. The school reserve the right to reduce the amount if you receive grants from other sources (this does not apply to funding from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen).

VISA requirement in Norway for Indian Students

All international students who plan to study in Norway for at least three months must obtain a student residence permit. If you are from a country with a visa-related requirement, you will still need to apply for one. A student residence permit will be issued based on the requirements and procedures of your country of origin.

  • A passport
  • To be granted a student visa in Norway, you must be admitted to a university or college in the country. After submitting your letter of admission, you should contact the Norwegian Embassy or consulate in your country of origin to apply.
  • In order to move legally to Norway, you need to prove that you have enough money to live in Norway (12211 EUR/year) either from an external source or already in your account.
  • Before arriving in Norway, Indian students will not be required to undergo a medical examination; The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or private health insurance (EHIC) 
  • For Indian students, a bank account is not required. However, you will need to maintain a certain amount each month to access the account once in Norway.
  • As an Indian student, you will need a residence permit for studies in Norway. This visa is designed to meet the needs of international students.

In addition to the visa exemptions listed on Norwegian Immigration's website, you may also be exempt from applying for a student visa.

Cost of Living in Norway

Attending a university in Norway comes with living expenses that are among the lowest in the Nordic countries. These include housing, books, and food and utilities.

In Norway, students can expect to pay around 800 to 1,400 Euro a month. In large cities, the average expenses can be higher.

  • Oslo: 1,366-2276 USD
  • Bergen: 1,252-2048 USD
  • Tromso and Trondheim: 1,138-1821 USD

 

Accommodation costs- In total, students in Norway pay about 36% of their living expenses for housing. Most students opt to live in student housing or rent an apartment. The prices vary depending on various factors such as location, type of apartment, and whether they live in a shared place with other students. 

Food cost- You will spend around 284 to 400 USD a month on food. There are various ways to save money, such as learning how to cook and shop for discounted food. You will spend around 22 to USD in a low-cost restaurant for a meal of two and up to 10 USD for a beer in a mid-range restaurant.

Transportation cost- In Norway, students take advantage of student card discounts on public transportation. A transportation card costs around 62 USD on a monthly basis. 

Extra costs- You will typically need around 57 USD a month for supplies, including books and magazines. You can save money by buying used books from libraries or second-hand stores.

Salary after MBA in Norway

Salaries for MBA in Norway employees are generally around 1,05,977 USD per year. Based on education level, the highest pay level is usually achieved by people with a Masters's degree.

Different experiences can affect the salary. For example, for people with 4-8 years of experience, the average salary is around 1,42,397 USD.

Many Norwegian students start looking for work experience before they start their studies. If you are not a national of an EU/EAA country, you must first apply for a study permit. Be aware that working more than 20 hours a day could have serious consequences. Students may stay in Norway for up to a year after graduating from university or college. However, they must apply for a residence permit before their permit expires. Before applying for a residence permit in Norway, you should usually have received a job offer in the country.

Work environment- In Norway, the most important codes of business culture are to be on time and courteous. In formal working hours, which are typically shorter than in other countries, employees work for less than 40 hours per week.

Pointers to apply for a residence permit after MBA in Norway?

Requirements
  • You must pay an application fee.
  • They cannot work as a religious leader or teacher; you must be looking for employment in Norway as a skilled worker. In addition, you must fulfill one of these requirements.
  • You must have a residence permit if you're a student or a worker looking for a job in Norway. To secure one, you should submit an application at least a month before your permit's expiration. If you have not received your transcript or diploma, you can still document your degree with a confirmation that shows that you have already submitted your final thesis.
  • In order to obtain a residence permit for additional education, your educational degree should be recognized. Therefore, apply before your permit expires. In addition, you must have a residence permit as a researcher with your funds and apply before this permit expires.
  • It would be best to have this permit as a skilled worker to work as a researcher in Norway.
    You must possess sufficient money to live on during the period you plan to stay in Norway. It would be best to have at least USD 2505 per month.

This amount is typically taken from your own money and is usually placed in a Norwegian bank account. It can also be included for a job offer in Norway.

Education/qualifications requirements

The following types of education/qualifications are required-

  • Received vocational training program of at least three years at upper secondary school level, for example, as a carpenter or nursing assistant. There must be a parallel vocational training program in Norway.
  • Completed education or took a degree from a university/ college. You have obtained special qualifications, such as those related to vocational training. As a result, you may be granted a permit in certain circumstances.
Rights and obligations
  • You can work full-time or part-time while looking for relevant employment as a skilled worker, including jobs that do not require skilled workers.
  • One year permit can be granted a residence permit
  • If you later wish to apply for a permanent residence permit, then the period you have this residence permit does not count
  • Suppose your family members have procured a family immigration permit and you live together in Norway. In that case, they may apply to renew their permit and receive the answer to your applications simultaneously. 

 

Some fun facts about Norway

Still not convinced to pursue MBA in Norway? Here are some fun facts that might change your mind.

  1. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo- The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held in Oslo every year. The other awards are given in Stockholm, Sweden. The Nobel Prizes were created by Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel, who died in 1986. He gave them to Norway due to his wish.
  2. Norway introduced salmon sushi to Japan- When sushi was first invented in Japan, they did not use salmon until the 1980s when a Norwegian delegation suggested it. So, you are in for a treat!
  3. Norway isn’t called Norway- In English, Norway is the name of the country. But in Norwegian, the lesser-used variant, it is called Noreg.

 

Conclusion

There are many opportunities to study in Norwegian universities and colleges, with a wide variety of courses and programs available in English.

International students tend to like studying in Norway for various reasons. Some of these include the peaceful atmosphere, the technological advancements, and the endless variety of outdoor activities.

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