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Norway’s Universities See Record Ukrainian Enrolments and Launch Anti‑Fraud Center

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Ukrainian student enrolments hit historic high in fall 2025 665 full‑time Ukrainian students enrolled, up from 520 in 2024, according to the Directorate for Higher Education and Research [1]. Universities host roughly 500 of them, with the University of Oslo leading (95) and the University of South‑East Norway (USN) following (80) and showing a four‑fold increase since 2022 [1]. The surge reflects the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine on Norwegian higher education [1].

Universities modify policies and add programmes for Ukrainian refugees The University of Innlandet removed the extra tuition fee for Ukrainians who began studies after the invasion, eliminating a barrier to graduation [1]. USN received a 2022 Ministry of Education grant and now runs Norwegian‑language, English‑testing, and economics courses that have produced nine Ukrainian bachelor economics students [1]. These initiatives aim to accelerate integration and academic progress for displaced scholars [1].

Government adjusts stipend rules and funds a national anti‑fraud centre The Ministry will amend Lånekassen need‑based stipend regulations to exclude compensation for serious illness or injury, protecting students’ financial aid eligibility [1]. NTNU launched the Secure Anti‑Fraud Excellence (SAFE) Centre in Gjøvik with a NOK 50 million investment, a five‑year project backed by Sparebankstiftelsen Hedmark, Sparebank1 Østlandet and Mobai [1][2]. The centre targets digital financial fraud and biometric security, positioning Norway as a leader in anti‑fraud research [1][2].

Norway steps in to fund Fulbright scholars blocked by U.S. visa bans After the Trump‑era policy halted Fulbright exchanges and denied visas to 40 % of scholars slated for 2025‑26, the Norwegian government pledged alternative funding [2]. Six of seven affected U.S. scholars, including George Mason professor Supriya Baily, accepted support and now work at USN’s Drammen campus [2]. The mass resignation of the international Fulbright board and warnings of program collapse underscored the crisis, prompting Norway’s rapid response [2].

Sources

Timeline

Feb 2022 – USN receives a special Ministry of Education grant that funds Norwegian‑language classes, English proficiency testing and a tailored economics programme for Ukrainian refugees, directly supporting nine Ukrainian bachelor economics students [1].

Feb 2022 – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggers a massive displacement, later driving record numbers of Ukrainian students to seek higher‑education places in Norway [1].

2024 – 520 full‑time Ukrainian students enroll in Norwegian higher‑education institutions for the fall semester, establishing the baseline before the 2025 surge [1].

Fall 2025 – 665 full‑time Ukrainian students enroll in Norway, a 28 % increase from 2024, with the University of Oslo hosting 95 and USN 80, the highest enrolment ever recorded [1].

2025 – University of Innlandet eliminates the extra tuition fee for Ukrainian students who began studies after the invasion, allowing them to graduate without additional costs [1].

2025 – The Norwegian government announces it will amend Lånekassen need‑based stipend rules to exclude compensation for serious illness or injury, safeguarding stipend levels for affected students [1].

Summer 2025 – All 12 members of the international Fulbright board resign in protest over the Trump‑era shutdown, with Fulbright Norway director Curt Rice warning the program faces “total collapse” [2].

2025‑26 academic year – The Trump administration’s visa restrictions block 40 % of scholars selected for Norway, effectively pausing the Fulbright exchange programme [2].

2025 – Iran experiences its largest student protests since the January crackdown, with demonstrations at Sharif University highlighting regional unrest [2].

2025 – NTNU launches the Secure Anti‑Fraud Excellence Center (SAFE) in Gjøvik, a five‑year, NOK 50 million project funded by Sparebankstiftelsen Hedmark, Sparebank1 Østlandet and Mobai to combat digital financial fraud and biometric security threats [1][2].

Feb 2026 – Norway pledges alternative funding for blocked Fulbright scholars; six of seven U.S. researchers, including Supriya Baily, accept the support and relocate to USN’s Drammen campus, where Baily studies teacher idealism and stresses that “cutting international ties would be detrimental” [2].

Feb 23, 2026 – Norway’s higher‑education sector reports a surge in Ukrainian enrolments and unveils new initiatives—including the University of Innlandet tuition exemption, the Lånekassen stipend amendment, and the ongoing SAFE centre—underscoring the country’s response to the war’s educational impact [1].

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