MastersFully Funded

University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries

The University of Oslo previously offered a Quota Scheme for students from developing countries, providing fully funded master's opportunities. However, the program has been discontinued.

Provider: University of Oslo
Host country: Norway
Region: Europe

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries is open to African students applying to study in Norway at the Masters level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for Norway
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Masters
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

Previously, the scholarship was open to students from selected developing countries with a strong academic record, wishing to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Oslo.

What the fully funded award covers

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Health insurance

About the University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries (2026)

## Overview This document describes a scholarship program that is no longer running. The University of Oslo (UiO) previously offered a highly competitive "Quota Scheme" aimed at providing excellent educational opportunities to students from developing countries. This scheme allowed students to pursue Master's degrees at the University ofO on a fully funded basis, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel. The program was designed to strengthen the academic capabilities and institutional development in the students' home countries by enabling them to gain advanced knowledge and skills in Norway. Regrettably, the University of Oslo's official webpage confirms that the specific page for this scholarship scheme is no longer available, indicating its discontinuation. While this particular program is no longer open for applications, the University of Oslo continues to be a world-renowned institution with various other programs and occasional funding opportunities for international students. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the official UiO website for current offerings. ## Benefits Although the program is discontinued, historically, the Quota Scheme offered comprehensive financial support, which typically included: * **Full Tuition Fee Waiver:** Students were exempt from paying tuition fees. * **Stipend for Living Expenses:** A generous monthly stipend was provided to cover accommodation, food, and other living costs in Norway. * **Travel Grants:** Financial assistance for travel to and from Norway at the beginning and end of the study period. * **Health Insurance:** Coverage for medical expenses during the study period. * **Academic Support:** Access to the University's extensive academic resources, including libraries, research facilities, and mentorship. ## Eligibility For the discontinued Quota Scheme, applicants were typically required to meet stringent academic and nationality criteria. While the precise details are no longer available on the official site, general eligibility requirements for such programs often included: * **Nationality:** Citizens of selected developing countries, as designated by the Norwegian government or the University of Oslo. * **Academic Excellence:** A strong academic background with a relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent, demonstrating high academic achievement. * **Admission to a Master's Program:** Applicants had to secure admission to a Master's degree program at the University of Oslo. The eligibility for specific Master's programs would have varied based on the field of study. * **Return Commitment:** Often, there was a requirement or expectation that recipients would return to their home countries after completing their studies to contribute to national development. * **Language Proficiency:** Proficiency in English, as most Master's programs at UiO are taught in English, demonstrated through recognized tests like TOEFL or IELTS. ## Required Documents Based on similar past programs, typical required documents would have included, but were not limited to: * Completed application form. * Academic transcripts and degree certificates from previous institutions. * Letters of recommendation from academic referees. * Curriculum Vitae (CV). * Statement of purpose or motivation letter, outlining academic goals and reasons for applying. * Proof of English language proficiency. * Copy of passport. * Financial documentation (though less critical for a fully funded scheme, sometimes required for general admission). ## How to Apply As the program is discontinued, application procedures are no longer relevant. In its operational period, applicants would typically first apply for admission to a Master's program at the University of Oslo. Once admitted, they would then apply for the Quota Scheme scholarship, often through a separate application process or by indicating their interest during the Master's application. ## Key Dates No current key dates are available as the program is discontinued. Historically, application deadlines for Master's programs at the University of Oslo typically fall in **December** for programs starting the following August. Scholarship application deadlines often coincided with or were shortly after the Master's program application deadlines. ## Selection Criteria While specific criteria for the discontinued Quota Scheme are not available, selection for such prestigious scholarships usually prioritizes: * **Academic Merit:** Outstanding academic performance in previous studies. * **Relevance of Study:** How the chosen Master's program aligns with the developmental needs of the applicant's home country. * **Motivation and Potential:** Demonstrated commitment to contributing to their home country's development and potential for future leadership. * **Language Proficiency:** Adequate English language skills for academic success. * **Geographical Representation:** Ensuring a diverse representation of eligible developing countries. ## Tips For students still interested in studying at the University of Oslo or in Norway, consider the following: * **Explore other scholarships:** Check the University of Oslo's official website for other available scholarships, particularly those offered by individual departments or faculties. * **Norwegian Government Scholarships:** Investigate scholarships offered by the Norwegian government for international students, if any. Useful resources include the official Study in Norway website. * **External Funding:** Look for scholarships provided by international organizations, foundations, or governmental bodies in your home country. * **Contact Departments Directly:** Reach out to the admissions offices or relevant departments at UiO to inquire about potential funding opportunities. ## Official Source The original official page for the University of Oslo Quota Scheme for Developing Countries is no longer active. [https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/quota-scheme/](https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/quota-scheme/) The current official website for the University of Oslo is: [https://www.uio.no/english/](https://www.uio.no/english/)

What the Fully Funded University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Health insurance

University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries eligibility for Norway applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Previously, the scholarship was open to students from selected developing countries with a strong academic record, wishing to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Oslo.

Documents required for the University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/quota-scheme/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/quota-scheme/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, University of Oslo will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by University of Oslo, and be able to relocate to Norway for the duration of the programme.

Is the University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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