Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme for education, training, youth, and sport, and Norway participates on equal terms with EU member states.
As a student enrolled in a degree programme (bachelor’s, master’s, integrated degree programmes, or PhD level), you can go on Erasmus exchange for a period of three to twelve months per degree level.
You do not pay tuition fees, and you receive an Erasmus+ grant while also being eligible for support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen). You may also receive a language test and certificate, and access to a free digital language course.
Note: We apply for Erasmus+ funding from HK-dir every year, but we never know in advance how much we will be allocated. Therefore, we unfortunately cannot guarantee that we will have sufficient funds available each year.
On this page you can read more about:
- Requirements
- Grant rates
- Traineeships
- Accessibility and inclusion
- Travel support + Green Erasmus+ travel grant
- How much will I receive?
- Language test in OLS (Online Language Support)
- Erasmus Charter
- Erasmus Student Charter
- Withdrawing from exchange
- Why choose Erasmus+ exchange?
Requirements
To receive the grant and have your exchange approved, you must complete an Erasmus+ Learning Agreement (OLA) before departure. The study period is pre-approved as part of your degree, so you won’t lose academic progress. You will receive approximately 70% of the grant before or shortly after arriving at the host institution. The remaining 30% is paid after you return to Norway and submit the EU report.
You can go on Erasmus+ exchange for 3 to 12 months per study level, but the grant is awarded for a maximum of 4 months.
Grant rates
For Erasmus+ study exchanges in Europe, you receive a fixed-rate grant depending on your destination. Rates may vary slightly from semester to semester. These rates apply for autumn 2026*:
- Grant rate for students going to low-cost countries: €410
- Grant rate for students going to high-cost countries: €460
The grant is awarded for a maximum of 4 months.
High-cost countries:
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, and the United Kingdom
Low-cost countries:
All other programme countries
The grant is money you receive directly and does not need to be repaid.
The Erasmus+ grant is tax-free.
The Erasmus+ grant is funded by the EU and is in addition to support from Lånekassen. Even though the grant only covers 4 months of your exchange, the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) will follow your full academic year and may provide financial support for the entire period
We apply for Erasmus+ funding from HK-dir every year, but we never know in advance how much we will be allocated. So far, we’ve had enough funds for everyone, but we cannot guarantee this in the future.
Traineeships
For traineeships, you receive the regular Erasmus grant plus an additional €150 per month, totaling €560–610 per month, depending on the cost level of the country. You usually retain your right to student loans from Lånekassen.
Accessibility and inclusion
All students, regardless of functional ability, can go on exchange. Students with fewer opportunities (e.g. minor children, refugee status, disabilities, or chronic illnesses) may receive an additional grant of €250.
Inclusion is one of the key principles of the new Erasmus programme (2021–2027), aiming to make participation more accessible. Curious why exchange + inclusion = a perfect match?
Travel support & Green Erasmus+ travel grant
We encourage all our students to travel green.
The Erasmus programme aims to reduce its climate footprint. Students who choose environmentally friendly travel options during their exchange may receive a green travel grant.
Eligibility for Green travel grant
If you travel by train, bus, bicycle, or carpool to and/or from your host university, you qualify for the green travel grant. Note that travel by car or boat usually does not qualify unless electric vehicles are used.
Green travel support rates
- 100–499 km: €285
- 500–1999 km: €417
- 2000–2999 km: €535
At least half of the total round-trip distance between your USN campus and the host university (measured in km) must be completed using green travel to qualify for the Green Erasmus Travel Grant.
Distance calculation
The distance from USN (your campus) to the host university is calculated using the European Commission’s Distance Calculator (Erasmus+).
For example, you can travel green either to or from the host university. What matters is that at least half of the total round-trip distance is completed using green transport.
You can also apply for USN’s own environmental grant. More information is available here.
How much will I receive?
This depends primarily on the availability of funds each year. We adjust allocations based on the funding we receive from HK-dir to give as many students as possible the opportunity to go abroad.
We then calculate the grant based on several factors, including whether you are studying in a high- or low-cost country, whether you meet HK-dir’s definition of underrepresented students, or if you are doing a traineeship abroad. The grant is also calculated based on the exact dates of study or traineeship at the partner institution, as stated in the Confirmation of Stay (CoS).
You receive 70% of the grant just before departure or shortly after arriving at your host institution, and the remaining 30% after you return to Norway and we receive the CoS. The exchange must last at least 3 months. If you are both studying and doing a traineeship, you will only receive the study rate, not the traineeship supplement.
Here you’ll find a grant calculator. Note that it is for guidance only.
Language test in OLS (Online Linguistic Support)
Before traveling on an Erasmus+ exchange, you should take a language test. You will receive more information about this after you have received a nomination from the International Section. The language test you take through Erasmus Online Linguistic Support (OLS) is free, and should only map your language skills before the teaching stay.
The test is designed to determine your proficiency level in the language you will be studying.
The result will only be available to USN and yourself, not the host university. It will not have consequences for your travel.
Erasmus Charter
USN has been awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) by the European Commission for the period 2021-2027. Higher education institutions wishing to participate in the EU's Erasmus+ education program must have a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education to participate in the program's activities. The charter specifies USN's obligations when participating in Erasmus+ activities.
Erasmus student charter
Erasmus student charter describes your rights and obligations as an Erasmus student. Feel free to read through the charter before you apply. You will also receive it by e-mail in connection with the award of the scholarship.
Withdraw from the exchange
Students who withdraw from the exchange must repay the entire Erasmus scholarship if the stay has been less than 2 months.
If the exchange stay has been for more than 2 months when you withdraw, you must only repay the scholarship for the remaining time of the exchange stay.
If you become ill, or have to cancel your Erasmus stay for other good reasons, you can apply to the Erasmus Coordinator for exemption from repaying all or part of the scholarship. Medical certificate must be attached to the application. Contact erasmus@usn.no