The Quota Scheme
Each year Norwegian universities and colleges admit a number of students from developing countries and countries in the West Balkan, Eastern Europe and Central-Asia under the Quota Scheme.
To find out which countries, academic institutions and educational programmes are included in the quota scheme, contact the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU) or the universities and university colleges in Norway.
The programmes normally cover courses at bachelor, master or doctorate levels, as well as some professional education programmes. You must have at least two years’ higher education in order to be accepted for such a programme, but exceptions to this requirement can be made for some professional education programmes.
Teaching is carried out in either Norwegian or English.It is the educational institutions that are responsible for the intake of students to the quota programme. The educational institutions in Norway normally only accept quota students from educational institutions in the quota country with which they have collaboration agreements. The first step in finding a quota place is therefore to find out which educational institutions in your home country collaborate with educational institutions with quota students in Norway.
In order to receive grants and loans from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund you must
- have a confirmed study place on a quota programme
- have a residence permit in Norway in order to receive education
- intend to use the education in your home country
Special rules for repayment
If you have received a loan from Lånekassen (The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund) for a course of education that is included in the quota programme, you can apply to have your study debt cancelled when you return to your home country and become resident there. You will be sent information about how to apply.
If you remain resident in Norway for a period after completing your course of education or you do not receive financial support from Lånekassen for the entire period of your education, you must inform
Lånekassen when you travel home.
If you become resident in Norway or a country other than your homeland, you cannot have your debt cancelled. You must then repay your loan.