Finding the Norwegian course that's right for you in Oslo

Learning Norwegian can open doors to work, studies, and daily life in Oslo. But with so many options—from public, private, non-profit, and even employer-sponsored courses—it can be hard to know where to start. This guide will help you find the course that fits your situation.

Decide what kind of course you want

Consider your situation to find what kind of language class you are after. Think about your learning preferences and lifestyle:

• Do you need a group you can practice with or do you get enough chances to practice during your day to day activities?
• Do you want a daytime or evening course?
• Do you want to study full time or part time?
• Do you want to study in a group, with a private tutor or on your own?
• Do you want classroom tuition or do you prefer online classes?

Having answers to these questions will help you narrow down your options.

Compare language schools

Once you have a sense of your needs, the next step is to compare the different offers available in Oslo. It is rarely enough to look at the overall course fee alone, as schools vary significantly in what they include. Pay attention to:

• Compare the price per hour: how many hours of tuition is offered?
• How much personal feedback will you be getting on your work?
• How much course material is included?
• How easy is it to travel from your home to the language class?
• How experienced are the teachers in conducting tuition digitally?

You can also ask for recommendations in social media groups for internationals.

Public language institutions

Oslo Adult Education (Oslo Voksenopplæring)

The City of Oslo runs an extensive program for adult learners through Oslo Voksenopplæring (Oslo VO). This includes both daytime and evening Norwegian language courses at a wide range of levels. The courses are known for being affordable and of high quality, and they are open to all adults regardless of background.

When registering, applicants attend an admission interview with a counsellor, who assesses their starting level. Those who already have some knowledge of Norwegian may also sit for a placement test. Information about programs and registration is available on Oslo VO’s website (currently only in Norwegian).

• Go to Oslo Voksenopplæring (Oslo VO) for information about the services offered (only in Norwegian)
• You can book an appointment for an admission interview via the link on the page (only in Norwegian)

Learn Norwegian at Folk High School (Folkehøgskole)

Another option is to attend a Folkehøgskole, which directly translates to "Folk High School". These are schools usually attended by students between 18-25 years old, though there are no upper age limits. Some of the schools have programs that include Norwegian language training for international students.

• See the list of Folk High Schools offering Norwegian tuition.

Non-profit organizations and other initiatives

In addition to all the commercial language providers, there are non-profit organizations offering affordable language tuition. For example, Caritas Norge offers courses at levels A2 to B1, and many NGOs organize informal language cafes where newcomers can practice conversational Norwegian in a relaxed environment.

Norwegian language courses for residency and citizenship

If you intend to stay permanently in Norway, you may have to complete the required amount of language tuition with an approved language school. If you don't think you will need to document your skills, there are many other quality providers of language tuition not on this list.

• Go to Directorate for Higher Education and Skills for the list of approved language schools
• Go to UDI for exemptions regarding documented language skills

Notice: from 1 September 2025, the rules for permanent residency are changing. Read more about the changes to requirements at UDI.no.

Who has the right to free language tuition?

Certain groups of newcomers have both the right and the duty to take Norwegian classes. This primarily applies to people with immigrant status or those who come to Norway under family reunification, where the reference person is a Norwegian citizen or holds permanent residency. The municipality (kommune) is responsible for language tuition for these groups, and will contact you directly if this applies to you. These courses are given by the Oslo Adult Education (Oslo voksenopplæring).

Other groups, including EU/EAA nationals, people with student or work permits and their families, and people with family reunification based on the EU regulations, do not have the right to access free language tuition, nor the obligation to learn Norwegian.

You might have access to language training through your employer or place of study. The University of Oslo (UiO), for example, has tuition options for employers and students. Some of them are open to spouses and partners as well.