Tuition and Fees
As a student at Bodø University College you pay absolutely no tuition!  If your home university has an exchange agreement with us, you are waived from the semester registration fee as well.  If we have no agreement with your home institution and you are a “study abroad” student, there is a small registration fee of NOK 595.

Banking and Currency
Norway’s national currency is called the krone, or crown, and is usually signified by the abbreviation NOK. To figure out what the prices are like in comparison to your country, a good currency calculator to use is www.xe.com/ucc.

If you are staying for a long period or intend to get work in Norway, we advise you to open a bank account.  There are several banks in the local area, including Nordlandsbanken and Sparebank1. You cannot open a bank account without an ID number from the National Register. It is also worth getting a photo bankcard as it is a lot more convenient and will act your identification in Norway.  In order to open a bank account you will need your passport, money (they will accept travellers cheques), your student card and passport-sized photographs (they might take pictures of you at the bank).  Banks are closed during weekends, and close earlier than most offices.

Most banks offer similar services, but there are differences in the fees they charge and the minimum balance they require in each account. For the best price ask several banks for details about their services, and choose the bank that offers you the best service.

Cost of Living
To obtain a Norwegian a permit for educational purposes, you must prove that you are able to support yourself while in Bodø.  The current amount is NOK 40.000 per semester. This amount is meant to cover basic expenses such as food, accommodation, books, etc.  It is possible to live on less, but we do not recommend you attempt it.  During your first semester, you should be prepared to use an additional amount of money to set up your household and for buying suitable clothing for the Norwegian climate.

Living costs vary according to the your type of housing, your eating habits, and social activities you choose to do.  Student housing owned by the Student Welfare Organisation varies between NOK 2500-2850 per month.  The price includes electricity, cable television, and internet access.  In all residences students share a kitchen, and in some they also share a bathroom.  If you rent private flat with friends you might be able to find something cheaper, but then the electricity is normally excluded. Electricity is typically quite expensive in Norway.

You should calculate a minimum of NOK 2600 for food each month.  Depending on where you live, you should also calculate bus fare to and from the city centre. The cheapest way is to buy a bus pass for NOK 600 with your student discount. If you live near the town centre you will have to buy a new pass every month.  If you live near campus in Mørkved, and only go into town from time to time, it will last you longer.

School material is also expensive in Norway and you have to buy it yourself.  Books for one course can cost anywhere between NOK 200 and NOK 1000.

Apart from the basic needs, you should calculate a small amount for money for use on clothes, entertainment, etc. And keep in mind that almost everything costs in Norway.  Since international students are not allowed to work the first semester they are here, you should bring sufficient funds to cover your entire stay in Norway.

You are advised to bring some Norwegian currency with you when you arrive in Norway or change money at the airport. This will make it easier for you during your first few days, especially if you happen to arrive during the weekend when banks and post offices are closed. We also recommend you to bring along money in the form of traveller's cheques. These can be cashed at any bank in Bodø.  It is also a good idea to have a MasterCard or Visa credit card.  Banks are not open at all times, and during weekends they are not open at all.