Norway Quota Scheme for Students from Developing Countries
Scholarship Overview
- The Norwegian government provides scholarships for students from developing countries and countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia through the Quota Scheme.
- Most of the programs offered are at Master’s or PhD level, but the Quota Scheme also offers certain Bachelor’s study programs.
- This is an excellent scholarship but can be difficult to understand. I have written an entire post explaining the exact process. Read that here – http://internationalscholarships.ca/step-two-free-scholarships/
Host School(s)
- Study in Norway and various universities and university colleges
Field(s) of Study
- See the participation institutions’ websites to find more detailed information about the study programs, available courses, admission requirements and application procedures concerning the Quota Scheme. You may also search the online Master’s programme catalogue which provides an overview of all study programs at Master’s level that are offered in English at Norwegian universities and university colleges.
What does the scholarship cover?
- Each student receives the same amount of money as a Norwegian student would do in an equivalent educational programme. 40 per cent of the amount is given as a grant and 60 per cent as a loan. However, the loan portion may be waived when the student returns to his/her home country after completing the course of study. Students who stay in Norway after finishing their studies or take up residence in another country than their home country must repay the loan.
- Travelling expenses for entry into Norway may be reimbursed (fixed price).
- Students can apply for one annual home visit if the educational programme lasts longer than one year and for financial support for travelling expenses for field work during the course of study.
- When the student returns home within 3 months after finishing his/her studies, the cost of travelling home is covered by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.
How many scholarships are given?
- provides full scholarships for a total of 1 100 students, of which 800 are from developing countries and 300 from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Which countries are targeted?
List of Eligible Developing Countries 2011-2014
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, The Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Yemen
Countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia
- Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Am I Eligible to Apply?
- The Quota Scheme will only enroll students from institutions (organizations, universities, authorities) which have collaboration agreements with Norwegian universities or university colleges. Norwegian institutions usually do not admit free movers (individual applicants) to this scheme. Only in very special cases will free movers be considered. Please contact the institutions directly for individual information.
All candidates should typically have the following basic qualifications:
- Secondary school certificates
- Minimum two years of higher education from their home country
- Most of the study programs offered under the Quota Scheme are taught in English. Applicants who are not native English speakers therefore must document their proficiency in English
How to I Apply – Next Steps
- All inquiries should be directed to the International Office at the institution in question. Applications should be sent directly to the institutions and SIU is not responsible for received applications.
Closing Date:
- The deadline for applications for the Quota scheme is usually 1 December every year. Some courses and educational programs may have other deadlines.
How do I get more information?
- This is an excellent scholarship but can be difficult to understand. I have written an entire post explaining the exact process. Read that here – http://internationalscholarships.ca/step-two-free-scholarships/
- Also you can visit the scholarship home page here – https://www.studyinnorway.no/study-in-norway/scholarships
- Also check with your current university to see if they have a collaboration agreement with Norwegian university or university college.
- List of Free Scholarships
- Top Undergrad Scholarships – http://www.
myinternationalscholarships. com/category/level-of-study/ undergrad/ - Top Graduate Scholarships – http://www.
myinternationalscholarships. com/category/level-of-study/ graduatemasters/ - Join the Discussion at our Forum – http://
myinternationalscholarships. com/forum

Dari says
Dear Samuel, could you please advise whether Kazakhstani citizens are eligible in 2015?
AMBACHEW BALILA GAJAFO says
I was gratute from gov’tal University of wolita Sodo,hold BA in Sociology with CGPA 3.21
jeff says
am in my final yr at the university offering construction tech and mgt, how do i apply for masters in a related coarse
weldejeworgis says
i am weldejeworgis from ethiopia, i would like to applay for free scholar ship in msc program in chemistry related fields since, i have Bsc degree in chemistry
Mohamed says
I am final year civil engineering student at University of Hargeisa, in Somali land, I am eager to get the precious golden opportunity scholarships that provide international students, to achieve my dream goal to become water engineer or study relevant environment.
thank very much indeed!