Top 5 student cities in Norway

Discover the favourite cities for university students in Norway and what makes them unique.

If you’re thinking of studying in a destination where education is top-notch and nature is part of everyday life, the top 5 student cities in Norway may be just what you’re looking for. Fjords, modern cities, well-ranked universities and a safe environment mean that more and more international students are choosing this country for their academic experience.

In this article, you’ll discover what each city has to offer: the advantages and disadvantages of studying there, the most prominent universities, and a general idea of student accommodation costs. Furthermore, as an online accommodation platform for students, we make it easy for you to find rooms, flats, and verified residences so that you can focus on what's important: enjoying your time at university in Norway.

Oslo

Oslo’s the capital and the academic and cultural heart of Norway. It’s home to top-tier universities, modern neighbourhoods, a vibrant cultural scene and nature just minutes from the city centre. Studying in the Norwegian capital means having access to libraries, museums, cafés and parks, all with a level of organisation and quality of life that international students tend to love from day one.

Pros and cons of studying in Oslo

The academic experience in Oslo has many advantages, but certain disadvantages could influence your stay.

Pros of studying in Oslo

It has a lively and international student atmosphere.
Its cultural and leisure offerings are very interesting and diverse, with events, concerts and a variety of activities.
It’s renowned for the prestige of its universities and its standard of education.
It’s very safe, tidy and has very good public services.

Cons of studying in Oslo

It’s the most expensive city in Norway in every respect.
The demand for accommodation is very high, so you need to look well in advance.
Winters are very cold and have very short days.

Top Universities in Oslo

The Norwegian capital is home to one of the country's most prestigious institutions.

Universitetet i Oslo (University of Oslo)

The University of Oslo’s the largest and most important institution in Norway and is considered a leading university in Scandinavia. Due to its size, its faculties are divided into several campuses located in different parts of the city.

Find out everything you need to know about the university and its surroundings in our guide to accommodation near the University of Oslo.

Student housing in Oslo

Rent for students in Oslo is the highest in Norway, although it also offers a wide variety of options. In fact, the cost of a room in a shared flat can vary greatly: between NOK 5,500-22,000 (approx. €470-1900), although the average is usually around NOK 8,300 (approx. €700) per month.

Are you looking for accommodation in the capital of Norway? Read our guide to student housing in Oslo, with the best neighbourhoods and approximate prices.

Trondheim

Trondheim’s one of Norway's most traditional university cities and has a very strong student atmosphere. In fact, it’s sometimes considered the best student city in Norway. It’s smaller than Oslo, but very lively, with a strong youthful identity and a university life that’s evident in its streets, cafés and events throughout the year. In addition, its Viking history and proximity to nature give it a very special character.

Pros and cons of studying in Trondheim

Studying in Trondheim can be very rewarding, although you’ll also encounter some more challenging aspects.

Pros of studying in Trondheim

Its university environment is one of the best in Norway, with a very active student community.
Expenditure is generally lower than in Oslo (although it remains high).
It has high academic standards, especially in technical and scientific areas.
It boasts a stunning natural environment, with plenty of outdoor activities available throughout the year.

Cons of studying in Trondheim

Being further north than other cities, the climate tends to be colder and darker in winter, with fewer hours of daylight.
It’s a quieter city, with fewer nightlife options for students.
Job opportunities are scarcer than in the capital.

Top Universities in Trondheim

There’s a world-renowned institution in this Norwegian city.

Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is the most important technical university in Norway and one of the most renowned in the country. NTNU was formed by the merger of several institutions, so it has several campuses in different Norwegian cities.

Find useful information about areas and accommodation in the guide to housing close to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Student housing in Trondheim

Rent for students in Trondheim is generally more affordable than in Oslo, although costs remain high compared to other European cities. It’s common to find rooms in shared flats for between NOK 4,500 and NOK 8,500 (approx. €380-720) per month, although prices can rise significantly at the start of the academic year.

If you’d like to see all the available options, check out our guide to student accommodation in Trondheim.

Bergen

Bergen’s one of the most picturesque and touristy cities in the country. Located in western Norway between mountains and fjords, it’s an ideal choice for students looking for a peaceful university environment surrounded by stunning nature. It’s also a city with a young and dynamic atmosphere that welcomes many Norwegian and foreign students every year.

Pros and cons of studying in Bergen

Bergen stands out for its benefits for students, but it also has some weaknesses.

Pros of studying in Bergen

Despite being a small town, its student community is quite large and lively.
Spectacular nature can be accessed within minutes, including fjords and mountains.
Their institutions offer very high-quality teaching.
The quality of life is high and safety is excellent.

Cons of studying in Bergen

Although slightly lower than in Oslo, the cost of living is generally high.
Its constantly rainy climate can have quite an effect.
Both accommodation and leisure options are more limited than in larger cities.

Top Universities in Bergen

Bergen’s home to a prestigious Norwegian institution.

Universitetet i Bergen (University of Bergen)

The University of Bergen’s one of the country's most important universities, with a strong focus on research. Its faculties are mainly located in the city centre, in the Nygårdshøyden area.

If you’re thinking of studying there, we recommend reading our guide to accommodation near the University of Bergen.

Student housing in Bergen

The cost of student accommodation in Bergen is usually slightly cheaper than in Oslo, and similar to that in Trondheim. As a reference, young people usually choose rooms in shared flats with prices normally ranging from NOK 4,500 to NOK 8,000 (approx. €380-680) per month, with the average being around NOK 5,900 to NOK 7,100 (approx. €500-600).

Are you planning to study in Norway? Don't miss our guide to student housing in Bergen, with up-to-date neighbourhoods and prices.

Tromsø

Tromsø is one of the most unique university towns in Norway and the world. Located above the Arctic Circle, studying there means experiencing the Northern Lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. It also has a very active student atmosphere and a surprisingly lively cultural life for its size.

Pros and cons of studying in Tromsø

Choosing Tromsø as a place to study has many advantages, although certain disadvantages may affect the experience.

Pros of studying in Tromsø

It boasts a unique natural environment, where you can see the Northern Lights in winter and Arctic nature.
It has excellent academic standards, focusing on climate and Arctic research.
The student community is close-knit and international.
It’s a very safe city with an excellent public transport system.

Cons of studying in Tromsø

It’s in northern Norway, so winters are longer, colder and darker than in the other cities mentioned.
Como es una ciudad pequeña, la oferta de cursos en inglés no suele ser muy amplia.
The market for student accommodation is often highly competitive, and prices tend to be very high.

Top Universities in Tromsø

There’s one institution that stands out among those based in Tromsø.

UiT Norges arktiske universitet (UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

The Arctic University of Norway is the northernmost university in the world. Thanks to its location, it focuses primarily on Arctic studies, marine sciences, climate and biology. It has campuses in various cities in Norway, including one in Tromsø.

Student housing in Tromsø

Rent prices in Tromsø are usually quite high, comparable to those in Oslo. Generally, the average price range for a room in a shared flat is between NOK 5,500 and NOK 8,000 (approx. £460-£680) per month, although the cost can be much higher depending on the characteristics and location. Also, bear in mind that supply is often limited, so it’s a good idea to start your search as soon as possible.

Kristiansand

Kristiansand’s probably the least well-known of the cities mentioned in this article, but it’s an interesting option for students looking for a quiet university environment, with good weather (within the limits of what is possible in Norway) and a lively social life. It’s a coastal city with beaches, festivals and a more relaxed pace than Norway's larger university cities.

Pros and cons of studying in Kristiansand

Living and studying in Kristiansand offers many benefits, although there are also certain negative aspects to consider during your stay.

Pros of studying in Kristiansand

Its climate is milder and it has more hours of sunshine than cities further north.
The university environment is friendly, and it’s usually easy to integrate into the student community.
In terms of costs, it’s generally more affordable than cities such as Oslo or Bergen.
It’s a typical Norwegian port city, with its architecture, traditions and culture.

Cons of studying in Kristiansand

The variety of nightlife decreases considerably compared to summer, and is more limited than in larger cities.
There are fewer employment opportunities for international students.
The academic offering is more limited, especially with regard to programmes in English.

Top Universities in Kristiansand

Kristiansand is home to an important Norwegian institution.

Universitetet i Agder (University of Agder)

The University of Agder is quite young, in fact, it’s among the ten youngest in Norway. It has campuses in the cities of Kristiansand and Grimstad. The former is the largest and has the most space, located in the Gimlemoen area of the city.

Student housing in Kristiansand

Rent for students in Kristiansand is usually comparable to that in large Norwegian cities such as Trondheim and Bergen. As a guide, a room in a shared flat can cost between NOK 4,500 and NOK 7,000 (€380-€600) per month. The big advantage is that there’s usually more choice of student accommodation, especially if you start looking early.

Find accommodation in Norway with Erasmus Play

Choosing between the top five student cities in Norway will depend largely on what kind of experience you’re looking for. From dynamic capitals such as Oslo, to university cities with a strong student identity such as Trondheim and Bergen, to more unique options such as Tromsø or quieter ones such as Kristiansand, all offer a high standard of education and an excellent quality of life.

However, the cost of accommodation is a key factor to consider, as prices tend to be high throughout the country and fairly similar between the main university cities. That's why it's essential to compare options well in advance. Through our online student accommodation platform, you can search for and book rooms, flats and verified residences securely, making your arrival easier and helping you to start your experience in Norway with everything organised from day one.

Other guides on studying and living in Norway

Below you’ll find links to other guides about the country and cities mentioned in the article.