What are the tuition fees and living costs for international master's students in Germany and Norway?

Germany and Norway are often grouped together as low cost Nordic and Central European options, but that reputation is now outdated for Norway specifically, since it moved away from free tuition for non-EU students. The two countries diverge sharply once you look at current 2026 figures side by side.

Cost Comparison

Why Norway Got More Expensive

Norway previously matched Germany's tuition free model for all international students, but public universities there now generally charge non-EU students tuition that varies by institution and program, on top of already high living costs. This shift means Norway can no longer be assumed to be a budget option the way it once was.

Where Germany Still Wins

Even accounting for a semester contribution, Germany's total cost for a tuition free public university program remains substantially lower than Norway's combined tuition plus living cost bill, particularly once you factor in Norway's higher monthly cost of living requirement for the visa.

My Advice

If your primary goal is minimising total cost, shortlist German public universities outside Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria first, since those two states are the main exceptions to the tuition free rule. Only consider Norway if a specific program or research area is not available elsewhere, and confirm that university's current non-EU tuition figure directly, since it varies by institution rather than following one national rate.

This Information Is Also Available On

DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service, and Study in Norway, the official Norwegian higher education portal.