Introduction
For students in Nigeria, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, and beyond who dream of deepening their understanding of society, governance, development or public policy, studying the social sciences abroad offers not just academic prestige — but a powerful platform to influence change at home. Norway, with its high standards of education, social welfare model, and international outlook, is a compelling destination.
But the big question always is: “Can I afford it?”
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the current landscape of Norwegian scholarships for social science master’s degrees in 2025/2026 — what “fully funded” means (in practice, often partial support in Norway), where opportunities lie, how to apply, what pitfalls to avoid, and how someone from Africa or Asia can position themselves to succeed. Along the way, I’ll include a clear comparison table, a step-by-step guide, sample Statement of Purpose structure, FAQs, and more.
Before we begin, a caveat: Norway’s system is somewhat unique. Public universities in Norway have historically offered tuition-free education (no tuition fees) for both domestic and international students — though living costs are high — and scholarships for living costs are more limited and competitive. Hence “fully funded” in the Norwegian social sciences context usually means tuition waived + stipend / living support rather than extravagant support. So this post will balance optimism and realism.
Let’s dive in.
Why “Norway Social Sciences Scholarships 2025/2026” matter
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Tuition-free base structure: Many social sciences programmes at Norwegian public universities already charge no tuition fees for international students (outside EU/EEA). That greatly lowers the funding barrier.
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Quality and global relevance: Universities like the University of Oslo, NTNU, University of Bergen, UiT Arctic University, and others offer strong social science departments with international research collaboration.
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Strategic for development work: Students from Africa or Asia who gain training in governance, development economics, public policy or sociology can then return with tools to contribute to institutions, NGOs, or policy frameworks at home.
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Scholarship leverage: While living cost scholarships are less abundant, there are programs (such as NORSTIP, institutional awards, departmental grants, and research assistantships) that target students from developing regions.
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English-taught programmes: Many social science master’s programmes in Norway are offered in English, which lowers the language barrier for international students. As one listing indicates, Norway offers several English-taught Sociology master’s options.
These factors make Norway a viable option — if you plan carefully and understand the nuances.
The funding reality in Norway: What exists, what doesn’t
A glance at official sources reveals:
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No universal government stipend for all master’s students. As Study in Norway notes, the Norwegian government generally does not provide individual scholarships open to all international degree students.
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Instead, funding often comes from institutions, departments, external foundations, or targeted schemes.
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An important scheme is NORSTIP, which is a scholarship programme aimed at students from selected partner countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America — though not all universities or subjects are included.
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University-level and departmental scholarships sometimes exist in social sciences faculties. For example, some social science master’s programmes list scholarship opportunities in repository listings.
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Many master’s funding listings (on directories) mention monthly living stipends of around NOK 13,000 for some scholarships or grants in Norway.
So while you might not find a guaranteed “tuition + stipend for all” scheme, the pathways that do exist can cover much of what you need — especially if tuition is already waived.
Comparison: Norway social science funding vs other countries’ full-funded models
| Feature | Norway (Social Sciences) | Typical Fully Funded Models (e.g., US, UK, Australia) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Often no tuition fee (public universities) for international students | Fully waived by scholarship/fellowship |
| Living stipend / monthly support | Limited, competitive, often from departmental or institutional grants | Stipend often guaranteed (e.g. RA/TA, institute fellowship) |
| Travel costs | Rare, though some grants may include travel | Usually included in packages |
| Language training | Less emphasis — many programs in English | Sometimes included if program is bilingual |
| Availability & competition | More limited, fewer slots, many apply | More structured scholarships, more slots in large schemes |
| Need for supplementary funding | Higher — many students combine jobs, part-time work, external grants | Lower — packages often cover full living costs |
This table helps set expectations: in Norway, your scholarship often must be pieced together, rather than relying on a full one-package solution.
Step-by-step guide: How to apply (for a full or partial scholarship in social sciences)
Here’s a roadmap you can follow from start to finish:
Step 1: Choose your master’s programme and university
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Use directories (e.g. Mastersportal, University websites) to find English-taught social sciences / governance programmes in Norway. For example, the Sociology listing shows several Norwegian universities offering English master’s programmes.
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Shortlist 2–3 universities (e.g. University of Oslo, UiB, UiT, NTNU) that match your topic interest (development, public policy, sociology, international relations).
Step 2: Check tuition / fee status
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Confirm whether international students in your programme are charged tuition. Some programs remain tuition-free; some may have recently begun charging fees (changes occur).
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On the university’s “admissions & fees” page, check updates. If fees apply, note how much and how often.
Step 3: Identify scholarship / stipend sources
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Look for university scholarships, departmental grants, and NORSTIP if your country is eligible.
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Check world scholarship directories and university scholarship listings (e.g. Master’s Scholarships in Norway page listing monthly stipend amounts).
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Contact the department to ask about social sciences funding and assistant/sessional teaching roles.
Step 4: Prepare required documents
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Academic transcripts & degree certificate (with translations if needed)
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CV / resume (highlight research experience, public service, relevant internships)
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Statement of Purpose / motivation letter
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Two or more referees
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Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or institutional alternatives if accepted)
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Portfolio of work (if applicable) — essays, papers, project summaries
Step 5: Apply to the university + scholarship
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Apply to the master’s programme via the university’s application portal before deadline.
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Simultaneously, apply for any scholarships or assistantships the department offers. Indicate your interest in funding support.
Step 6: Follow-up & interviews
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If shortlisted, you may be invited to interviews (in person or online). Prepare to talk about your research interests and how you plan to contribute to your country.
Step 7: Accept offer, apply for visa and prepare arrival
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Once admitted and awarded scholarship or stipend support, use your award letter to apply for a Norwegian student visa / residence permit.
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Arrange housing (university halls or private rent), plan for initial expenses, and arrive in time for orientation.
Key insights for African & Asian applicants
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Tuition-free status is a huge advantage — many social science programmes in Norway do not charge tuition, which lowers your funding burden dramatically.
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Living cost is high, particularly in Oslo or Bergen, so securing a stipend is critical — small grants make a big difference.
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Limited official scholarship infrastructure — because the Norwegian government generally does not provide widespread stipends, these awards are highly competitive.
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Target select schemes — schemes like NORSTIP (for partner countries in Africa and Asia) are designed to help. Check whether your country is included.
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Departmental support matters most — contacting your future department, supervisor, or administrators can uncover internal funding not listed publicly.
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Plan for overlap — don’t rely on one scholarship; consider combining assistantships, grants, part-time work, and external awards.
Benefits of getting a (near-)fully funded social science master’s in Norway
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Focus on research, not finances: Without tuition to worry about, you can devote energy to your thesis, fieldwork, or comparative studies.
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Access to Nordic networks: Norway is well integrated regionally — researchers in social sciences often collaborate across Scandinavia, providing fields for joint work.
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Return value for development work: Graduates bring back methodological, governance or policy tools relevant to Africa and Asia, where institutional capacity is often lacking.
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International credibility: A Norwegian degree (especially in social sciences) carries prestige in global NGOs, academic programs, donor institutions, and public service.
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English-based instruction: Many social science programmes are taught in English, so you don’t necessarily need Norwegian fluency to succeed.
Sample Statement of Purpose — a simple, strong structure for social sciences
Here’s a flexible 600–900 word structure you can adapt:
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Opening Hook (1 paragraph, ~3 lines):
A concise anecdote or insight that motivated your interest. E.g., “During my time as community development coordinator, I observed how participatory budgeting improved local school funding. That experience led me to ask: how can institutional frameworks amplify citizen voice?” -
Academic & professional background (2 paragraphs):
Summarize your undergraduate studies, research or thesis, internships, community projects, or work experience. Use numbers or results where possible. -
Why Norway & this programme (1–2 paragraphs):
Connect your interest to a Norwegian department or professor, explain how their research matches yours, and why the Norwegian context or case studies are valuable. -
Study / research plan (1 paragraph):
What question will you examine? Which methodologies will you use (qualitative, comparative, mixed methods)? What outputs do you intend (thesis, publication, policy proposal)? -
Impact & return plan (1 paragraph):
How will you apply your degree when you return to Africa or Asia? Identify specific organizations, policies, institutions where your work will matter. -
Closing (1 short paragraph):
Reaffirm your readiness and enthusiasm, and politely request consideration for funding.
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
| Mistake | Why it hurts | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming a living stipend exists for all programmes | Leads to financial stress if no support is awarded | Always ask department/university directly about funding when applying |
| Applying only for tuition-free programmes and ignoring stipend | May cover tuition but leave you stranded on living costs | Apply for departmental or external living cost scholarships too |
| Generic SOP that doesn’t mention Norwegian context | Lacks fit — selection panels look for targeted alignment | Mention Norwegian research, faculty, or comparative interest |
| Late or incomplete funding applications | Missed opportunity | Submit scholarship requests along with university application, not later |
| Weak referees not speaking to research or leadership | Reduces impact | Choose referees who can attest to analytic ability, initiative, and social science capacity |
FAQs (Concise but useful)
Q: Are there fully funded social science master’s scholarships for Nigerians / Asians in Norway?
A: They are limited. Because many public universities already waive tuition, the main challenge is securing living support. Programs like NORSTIP target students from Africa/Asia with funding for living costs.
Q: Do public universities in Norway charge tuition for international students in 2025?
A: Many do not charge tuition fees for international students, especially in public institutions. But double-check for your specific programme — policy changes do occur.
Q: What is the typical stipend amount?
A: It varies. Some scholarships mention monthly allowances of around NOK 13,000 in research grant contexts.
Q: Can I study social sciences in English in Norway?
A: Yes — many programs are offered in English, including sociology, political science, public policy, governance, and so on (as listed in directories).
Q: When should I apply?
A: Application deadlines vary by university and scholarship. Typically, master’s program admissions open in late autumn or winter for the upcoming academic year. Start researching at least 9–12 months in advance.
Final thoughts & call to action
Norway offers a unique mix of tuition-free university education + selective living-cost funding for international students. For social sciences applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, and other countries, the path to a near-fully funded master’s degree in Norway is real — if you prepare early, target the right schemes (like NORSTIP or departmental grants), and craft a compelling research narrative that connects Nordic knowledge to your home context.
Your next steps:
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Shortlist 2–3 social science master’s programmes in Norway and check whether they charge tuition or not.
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Identify potential stipend or scholarship schemes at those universities and whether they accept international students (especially from Africa/Asia).
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Draft your Statement of Purpose using the structure above, and reach out to department administrators to ask about funding support.
“Tuition may be free — but living costs still exist. Secure the stipend, and Norway becomes not just possible, but transformative.”
