Student case study · Norway
Pema, from Solukhumbu to Bergen
Master's in Marine Biology, August 2024 intake
She compared Norway and Finland side by side, saw Norway cost about Rs 20 lakh more, and still chose it, knowing why.
- Cost comparison
- Science
- After bachelor's
- Starting point
- BSc Zoology, 76%
- English
- IELTS Academic 7.5
- Study gap
- 1 year after her bachelor's, research assistant
- Paid for by
- Family savings and an education loan
- First call to visa
- 268 days
Where Pema started
Pema wanted marine biology, and Bergen is one of the best places in the world to study it. Friends had told her Norwegian universities were free. They had been, until autumn 2023.
What we found
We showed her the new reality: tuition plus NOK living funds, up front. Then we put a Finnish marine science master's next to it. Norway was about Rs 20 lakh more over 2 years.
She still chose Bergen, for its research groups and field stations. That's a good reason. Choosing Norway because it was "free" would not have been.
Step by step, with dates
4 Oct 2023
First counselling. Norway and Finland compared on one sheet.
17 Nov 2023
IELTS: 7.5.
28 Nov 2023
Application to 2 Norwegian and 2 Finnish programmes.
12 Apr 2024
Admitted in Bergen.
6 May 2024
NOC; tuition paid; living funds deposited with the university.
10 May 2024
Study permit applied for online.
28 Jun 2024
Study permit granted, 268 days after the first call.
5 Aug 2024
Flies to Bergen.
The result
Pema is in the final semester of her master's, doing fieldwork on coastal ecosystems, and works 15 hours a week at a fish market in Bergen.
In Pema's words
My counsellor was honest that Norway is expensive now that public universities charge fees. We compared it with Finland side by side. I still chose Norway, but I chose it knowing the real cost.
If your profile looks like this
- 1
Norway charges non-EU tuition since 2023. Get the full number before you decide. See Norway costs.
- 2
Compare the same course in two countries. Sometimes the expensive one is still right, for a reason you can name.
- 3
Research experience strengthens a science master's application. Get a detailed letter from your supervisor.