Norwegian Government Quota Scholarships for Undergraduate, Masters and PhD Students from Developing Countries

Quota Scheme

Course(s) Offered: Any field or program
Course Level: Undergraduate (Bachelors), Graduate (masters, PhD)
Provider: Norwegian Government
Country to Study in: Norway

IMPORTANT NOTE:
In the proposed state budget for 2016, the Norwegian government has suggested to phase out and eventually replace the Norwegian Quota Scheme. Therefore, we regret to announce that there will no new admissions for the Quota Scheme for the 2016/17 academic year. For more general information about studying in Norway or for information about other funding possibilities please see: www.studyinnorway.no

Scholarship Description
The Norwegian government, via the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, provides scholarships for students from developing countries and countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia through the Quota Scheme.

The main objective of the Norwegian Government Quota Scholarship Scheme is to contribute to capacity building through education that will benefit the home country of the students when they return. The Scheme is also intended to strengthen relations between Norway and the selected countries and thus contribute to internationalization at Norwegian institutions of higher education.

Most universities and university colleges in Norway participate in the Quota scheme. The institutions involved are allocated a certain number of students under the programme each year. The scheme normally includes courses at Master’s and Ph.D. level in addition to certain professional/Bachelor’s degrees. Most of the Norwegian institutions offer courses and educational programmes in English.

Eligibility
If you wish to participate in the Norwegian Government Quota Scholarship Scheme:

• you must apply directly from your home country.
• You must have stayed at least one year in your home country directly prior to the planned course of study at the Norwegian university /University College.
• To be eligible to apply for the Quota Scheme, you must be able to find your home country on the list below.

Selection criteria:
All candidates should typically have the following basic qualifications:

• Secondary school certificates
• Minimum two years of higher education from their home country
• Some exceptions apply for certain professional educational courses at Bachelor’s level.

You may want to see the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible groups
Citizens of certain DEVELOPING COUNTRIES on the DAC-list issued by OECD, and students from the category of “LOWER MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES” and under. In addition, citizens of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Palestinian territories.

For the 2015/2016 Quota scheme, citizens of the following countries are eligible:

a). SEVERAL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (2015-2016 list):
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, Sentral African Republic, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Srilanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Yemen.

b). THE WESTERN BALKANS, EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Ukraine.

Participating Institution(s)
All universities and university colleges in Norway i.e. selected state colleges, universities, and institutions.

See the sites of College and Universities offering the Quota Scheme (PDF).

Fields of study
Any accredited academic program offered at eligible Norwegian colleges, universities, and institutions.

Students usually apply for degree programmes that serve as a continuation of their studies in their home country or for courses which can be a joint part of a degree programme in their home country (joint degree or sandwich programmes).

Most of the programmes offered are at Master’s or PhD level, but the Quota Scheme also offers certain Bachelor’s study programmes. Please refer to websites of the Norwegian institutions.

Number of awards
Provides funding for a total of 1,100 students, 800 of them from developing countries in the South and 300 from countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and in Central Asia.

Sponsorship duration
Normally, the financial support given will not exceed a time span of four (4) years for one definite study plan or a combination of two programmes.

Scholarship benefits
Each student receives the same amount of money as a Norwegian student would do in an equivalent educational programme. 40 per cent of the amount is given as a grant and 60 per cent as a loan. However, the loan portion may be waived when the student returns to his/her home country after completing the course of study.

Students who stay in Norway after finishing their studies or take up residence in another country other than their home country must repay the loan. Travelling expenses for entry into Norway may be reimbursed (fixed price).

Students can apply for one annual home visit if the educational programme lasts more than one year, as well as financial support for travelling expenses for field work during the course of study. When the student returns home within 3 months after finishing the course, the cost of travelling home is covered by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

Method of Application
Applications forms are available from the websites of the universities and university colleges. All applications should be sent directly to the International Office at the university/college to which the student is applying.

The link to the List of Institutions Offering This Scholarships is provided under 'Participating Institutions' above. Contact them for more details on available courses, admission requirements and application procedures.

It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for detailed and complete information.

DEADLINES:
The deadline for applications for the Quota scheme varies depending on the course and institution of interest. Typically, however, it is usually 1st December every year.

Some courses and educational programmes may have other deadlines. Please contact the International Office at the university/college to which you want to apply for detailed information.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Letter of Admission is normally sent to the successful candidate by 15 April of the year following successful application.

The Quota Scheme as a rule only enrolls students from institutions which have collaboration agreements with Norwegian universities or university colleges. Norwegian institutions usually do not admit free movers (individual applicants) to this scheme. Only in very special cases can free movers be considered. To find out which institutions collaborate with Norwegian institutions, please refer to the websites of the Norwegian institutions.

Contact? Or inquiries?
Please note that SIU cannot offer individual guidance to prospective students regarding choice of institution or course, or information about course contents. All inquiries should be directed to the International Office at the institution in question. Applications should be sent directly to the institutions and SIU is not responsible for received applications.

Application Deadline: 1 December 2015
Open to International Students: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Tuition Free Universities in Norway for International Students
Related: List of Norwegian Govt Scholarships for Developing Countries at UiO