🌍 How Erasmus+ works in Norway
✅ Conditions of participation
The Erasmus+ programme allows students to spend a semester or internship in another European country while remaining enrolled at their home university.
In Norway, Erasmus+ is available to students from the following universities:
● universities (UiO, UiB, NTNU, UiT, UiS, NMBU, etc.),
● colleges and vocational schools,
● master's and PhD programmes.
📌 Requirements:
● be enrolled in at least the second year of a bachelor's degree or a master's programme,
● have above-average academic performance,
● agree on a course plan with your home university.
📝 Application
- Contact the international office at your university.
- Fill out the Learning Agreement (list of courses for exchange).
- Attach a motivation letter and CV.
- Submit your application through the university system (usually 6–9 months before the exchange).
👉 Deadlines: for the autumn semester, deadlines are often in February–March, for the spring semester — in September–October.
💶 Erasmus+ scholarship
Students receive a grant to cover part of their expenses:
● the basic amount depends on the country (~400–500 euros/month),
● additional support for students with disabilities,
● sometimes the university adds its own supplements.
📌 Important: the grant does not cover all expenses, so you need to have additional funds or Lånekassen (for Norwegians/EEA).
🎓 Student experiences
Feedback from Erasmus+ participants from Norway:
● 🌍 "The main thing is cultural exchange: new friends and language practice."
● 📚 "Studying in a different system helps to broaden your academic horizons."
● 💼 "The Erasmus+ internship opened the door to my first job."
Many note that Erasmus+ is not only about studying, but also a unique life experience.
📄 PhD contract conditions in Norway
- ⏳ Duration: 3–4 years
- 💼 Format: employment contract (stipendiatstilling)
- 💰 Salary: ~500–550k NOK/year (before tax)
- 📊 Taxes: 22–25%
- 🏥 Benefits: vacation, sick leave, parental leave
- 🎓 Duties: research + teaching (up to 25%)
Erasmus+ is an incredible opportunity to not only study, but also to gain unique international experience. This amazing programme opens doors to dozens of top universities in Europe for students from Norway (and those studying here), offering fantastic grants and academic flexibility.
📌 Tip: get ahead of the game by preparing in advance, discuss your plan with the international office, and use Erasmus+ as a springboard for your future career.
FAQ
From 3 to 12 months for studies and from 2 to 12 months for internships.
Yes, but the total time spent on Erasmus+ must not exceed 12 months at each level (BA/MA/PhD).
It depends on the destination country. Eastern Europe is cheaper (~€400/month), Western Europe is more expensive (~€500/month).
Partially. Most often, you will need to supplement it with your own funds or Lånekassen.
Yes, Erasmus+ is expanding to include partner countries (e.g. Iceland, Turkey).
No. Erasmus+ provides free tuition at the host university.
Courses are credited through the ECTS system. It is important to agree on a Learning Agreement in advance.
