Erasmus+ is the EU's program for education, training, youth and sports, and Norway participates just like an ordinary EU member.
You do not pay tuition fees when your abroad. However, you do get an Erasmus+ scholarship, additional to support from the Lånekassen (only Norwegian citizens). You will also get a language test and a certificate, and you can attend a free language course if you want.
When you travel on an exchange through Erasmus+, your study stay is approved in advance, as part of your degree. This way you do not miss out on study progression.
You get approx. 70% of the scholarship paid before departure, and the remaining amount you get when you are back home in Norway, and the report is delivered.
You can travel on Erasmus+ for 3 to 12 months at each level of study (bachelor, master). You must be abroad for a minimum of 12 weeks to be able to receive an Erasmus+ scholarship. This applies to both study and internships.
NB! We apply for Erasmus+ funding from HK-dir every year, but we never know in advance how much we will receive. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that we will have sufficient funds available each year. So far, we have had enough funds for everyone, but we cannot make any promises for the future.
Exchange stay (studies)
With a study stay through Erasmus+ in Europe, you receive a scholarship at a fixed rate, depending on where you travel. Please note that the rates may change slightly from semester to semester. These rates apply for autumn 2025.
- Scholarship rate for students to low-cost countries: 470 €
- Scholarship rate for students to high-cost countries: 530 €
High-cost countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Sweden (UK, if we have an Erasmus agreement).
Low cost country: Other program countries
Norwegian citizens are also entitled to a loan and scholarship from the Lånekassen.
Students who are included in the category "with fewer opportunities" receive an additional scholarship of 250 €. In 2024, this is defined as students with minor children, students with refugee status and/or students with permanent disabilities or chronic disease(s).
Exchange stay (internship)
If you travel on an internship, you will receive a regular Erasmus scholarship, with a supplement of 150 euros a month, ie 620-680 euros * a month. The amount depends on the cost level in the country where you will have an internship (low-cost vs high-cost countries).
When you travel on an Erasmus + internship, Norwegian citizens usually maintain the right to get a student loan from Lånekassen.
Inclusion on exchange
All students, regardless of functional level, can study abroad. Inclusion is one of the key principles of the new Erasmus program (2021-2027). This means, among other things, that even more people should have the opportunity to participate. Are you wondering why exchange + inclusion = true? Click here to learn more about inclusive exchange.
How much do I get?
We look at what type of Erasmus+ exchange you have (studies/internship) and whether you study in a high- or low-cost country + if you travel with minor children or have other disabilities. From this we calculate the scholarship based on the exact dates you study/internship at the partner institution. We look at the dates in Confirmation of Arrival (CoA) and Confirmation of Stay (CoS) (signed by partner) when we calculate your scholarship. You receive 70% of the entire scholarship after we receive COA and the last 30% after you have returned to Norway and we have received CoS. Remember that the stay must be a minimum of 3 months (12 weeks). If you both study and take an internship, you only receive the study rate and not the internship supplement.
Travel support + Green Erasmus travel grant
We hope that all our students travel green to their host institution.
The Erasmus program aims to reduce its carbon footprint. Therefore, students who opt for environmentally friendly travel options during their exchange can receive a green travel grant.
Qualification 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
- 100-499 km: €285
- 500-1999 km: €417
- 2000-2999 km: €535
At least half of the total journey to and from your USN campus (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 (Distance Calculator - Erasmus+).
For example, you can travel green the entire way to or from the host university, or halfway both ways. The important thing is that a total of half the round-trip distance between USN and the host university is completed as green travel.
Additionally, you can apply for USN's own environmental grant. You can find more information about it here.
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