🏠 Housing — Norway
How difficult is it to find student housing in Norway?
The difficulty depends on your city and whether you are guaranteed student housing. Oslo is the hardest and most expensive. Bergen can be easier for some first-time international students because Sammen offers a housing guarantee for certain groups, but students must apply before the deadline. Sammen states that its housing guarantee is valid for international students coming to Bergen for the first time and only for one stay.
In Trondheim, NTNU warns that in the autumn semester, students without guaranteed Sit housing will most likely need to find private housing, while spring is usually easier.
Student housing in major cities
Oslo
Student housing is mainly managed by SiO. SiO says it has more than 8,900 student housing units in Oslo and Lillestrøm. Students can apply throughout the year, but demand is highest before the autumn semester. Typical SiO room prices are often around NOK 4,500 to NOK 7,000 per month, depending on room type and location.
Bergen
Bergen student housing is managed by Sammen. Study Bergen reports that a normal price range for a single room in Sammen is NOK 3,600 to NOK 6,000, while a private room in a shared apartment is around NOK 7,100 per month as of June 2026.
Trondheim
Student housing is mainly managed by Sit. Private rentals are common for students who do not receive a student housing offer before autumn.
Private housing in Norway
Private housing is expensive. Students usually search for a hybel, which means a small room or studio, or a room in a shared apartment. Approximate monthly prices:
- Oslo: NOK 6,000 to NOK 10,000 for a room, more for a studio
- Bergen: around NOK 6,000 to NOK 8,500 for a room
- Trondheim: NOK 5,500 to NOK 8,000 for a room
- Smaller cities: NOK 4,500 to NOK 7,000
Students should also consider electricity, internet and deposit. In Norway, deposits should normally be placed in a separate deposit account, not sent directly to a landlord’s personal account.
Best platforms to find housing in Norway
- SiO: Oslo student housing.
- Sammen: Bergen and Western Norway student housing.
- Sit: Trondheim student housing.
- Hybel.no: one of the most useful private platforms for rooms and student rentals.
- Finn.no: Norway’s biggest general rental platform.
- University housing pages.
- International student Facebook groups.
Final advice
Norway is expensive, but student housing organisations can make it manageable. Apply immediately after admission and be flexible with location. A room 20 to 40 minutes from campus may still be a good deal. If you need help comparing Norwegian cities, estimating your student budget or preparing your study plan, we can help.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start looking for student housing?
Start as soon as you receive your admission. In competitive cities, apply for dormitories immediately and begin searching for private rooms 2 to 4 months before arrival. Never send money before verifying the landlord, the contract and the address.
This is starter guidance and changes often — always confirm on the official source before applying.
Use the free Scholarship Finder and country comparison, then get a personal plan.