Norway: Public Universities, Changing Rules, and Early Deadlines
In 2023, Norway introduced tuition for non-EU/EEA students. In mid-2025, the government moved to scrap the national requirement and let each university decide whether to charge international fees. That means the 2026 intake and beyond could look very different across institutions—some may remain fee-charging, others may waive fees. Always check the specific program’s page before you apply.
**Key Application Timing for 2026 Starts**
Many master’s programs open in October and close as early as mid-November or 1 December for non-EU/EEA applicants. Typical examples:
– **University of Oslo (UiO):** application portal opens mid-October; non-EU/EEA deadline 1 December; results by early April; studies start in August.
– **Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU):** non-EU/EEA deadline 1 December; EU/EEA 1 March; Nordic/Norwegian 15 April.
– **UiT The Arctic University of Norway:** non-EU/EEA deadline around mid-November in the year prior; EU/EEA 1 March.
**How Long It Takes**
Master’s degrees: usually two years. Student residence permits can take weeks to many months to process; UDI notes processing can run up to several months and may stretch longer for renewals—apply immediately after you receive admission.
**Major Public Universities and Colleges to Check**
University of Oslo (UiO); University of Bergen (UiB); Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); UiT The Arctic University of Norway; Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU); University of Stavanger; University of Agder; OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University; Nord University; University of South-Eastern Norway (USN); Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL); Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN); Norwegian School of Economics (NHH); Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH); Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH); Sámi University of Applied Sciences.
Iceland: Genuinely Tuition-Free Public Universities (Registration Fee Only)
At Iceland’s public universities, international students (including non-EU/EEA) do not pay tuition—only an annual registration fee (commonly ISK 75,000). The University of Iceland explicitly states “no tuition fees.” University of Akureyri and Hólar University follow the same national pattern.
**Application Windows**
– **University of Iceland:** mid-December to 1 February for autumn intake.
– **University of Akureyri:** 1 April for non-EU/EEA; 5 June for EU/EEA.
**Visa Timing**
Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration aims to process complete student-permit files submitted by early June in time for autumn start; the general guidance is to have everything in well ahead of summer.
**Public Universities Offering Tuition-Free Study**
University of Iceland (Reykjavík); University of Akureyri; Hólar University; Agricultural University of Iceland.
Brazil: Vast Network of Tuition-Free Public Universities (Portuguese Required)
In Brazil, undergraduate education at federal and state public universities is free; many postgraduate programs at public institutions are also tuition-free. International applicants can enter via regular admissions or dedicated routes such as PEC-G (for undergraduates) and PEC-PG (for master’s/PhD).
**When to Apply**
PEC-G and PEC-PG run on national calendars each year. For the current cycle, the 2025 notices outline mid-to-late-summer windows (June–September 2025) for 2026 entry, submitted via Brazilian embassies/consulates (PEC-G) or online via CAPES (PEC-PG).
**Major Public Universities Offering Free Tuition**
University of São Paulo (USP); University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG); Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS); Federal University of Paraná (UFPR); University of Brasília (UnB); State University of São Paulo (UNESP); Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC); Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE).
Argentina: Still Open, but With New Rules
Argentina has long been famous for offering free public university education to everyone, including non-residents. In 2025, however, policy changes now allow universities to charge fees to international students. Some faculties continue to keep tuition low, but amounts differ.
**Application Timing**
Timelines vary by faculty, though students are advised to start the process months ahead due to document legalization requirements.
**Major Public Universities Traditionally Tuition-Free**
University of Buenos Aires (UBA); National University of La Plata (UNLP); National University of Córdoba (UNC); National University of Rosario (UNR); National University of the Littoral (UNL); National University of San Martín (UNSAM); National University of Quilmes (UNQ); National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo); National Technological University (UTN).
