For students who wish to work while studying in Norway, it is very possible. One of the easiest ways to save and fund some of your costs as a student is to work to earn extra income. So many international students have used this as a medium to finance their educational program for the period of their stay in a foreign land, Norway included.
However, even though you are permitted to work and study, it is good to know that you might experience some limitations to the kind of work you can do and the period of time you can spend. This is to ensure that the major reason for your coming to the country, which is to study, is not forfeited.
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Work Permit
For students residing in Norway, you have the permission to work for just 20 hours per week. Nevertheless, during the summer holiday, you may work for up to 40 hours per week. Do not forget that you cannot just work; you need a work permit.
For students from non-EU and EEA countries, they do not need a work permit in their first year. In addition to that, there are certain criteria they would need to fulfill before getting a work permit.
In the same vein, students of EU and EEA nationalities are exempted from this as they can reside and work in Norway without a work permit, though it is compulsory that they register their status with the authority, preferably the police.
Your residence permit does not confer on you the power to work in Norway. But with your study permit, you are entitled to work on a part-time basis. Also, you should know that renewing the student permit does not mean that the part-time work permit is automatically renewed. There must be evidence of satisfactory progress in your study for you to renew your work permit. This means that if you perform poorly in your academics while working, it is assumed that it was caused by a lack of concentration due to the job. You may be denied the work permit. Better still, consult your institution for more explanations on this.
The Universum Survey discovered that students in Norway have the second-highest salary expectations, the first being Switzerland. In Norway, students expect to make about $6,500 on a monthly basis. The good news here is that Norway has a very low unemployment rate. This is not to say that it is very cheap to live in the country.
Learn the Language
You need to learn the Norwegian language because having a good knowledge of the language is going to be an advantage for you. This is regardless of whether you want to work part-time while schooling or full-time as a graduate seeking international jobs. Notwithstanding, the English language is spoken in Norway. Despite that, many employers may choose those with little knowledge of the Norwegian language over those who have no idea of the language. Certain proficiency in Norwegian is necessary and learning the language as early as possible is a bonus.
Higher Education System in Norway
Norway is one of the countries that takes education very seriously. Therefore, its major needs include people who have high-level professional skills. This is an overall goal in the country and enables the government to achieve high-quality education for both international students and Norwegian nationals.
It is a great belief that everyone in Norway must get an education, irrespective of the person’s social and financial background. There are currently 9 universities, 8 university colleges, and 5 scientific colleges owned by the government of Norway. This is in addition to the private institutions in the country.
Available Part-time Jobs in Norway for Students
Applying for a part-time job in Norway may seem daunting, getting a job as a student may even seem harder because you can apply for part-time jobs and at the same time, have a class schedule to attend to. Ensure that while applying for a part-time job, you do so to areas that are very close to the campus. While writing your application letter, make sure that you include your cover letter too. Proofread them to eliminate all possible presence of errors before sending them to the employer.
One of the places to apply for a job in Norway could be the university campus. It is even better, as most of the job positions on campus are specifically for students. You can even comfortably speak English at your place of work.
1. Writing jobs:
One of the easiest jobs to find is a writing advisor. As an English-speaking student, you can find out if the university needs a student who is fluent in English to assist with the school’s writing programs. Your job would be to speak English and also help with papers written in English. Good thing you can also find such jobs online as a writer, editor, or proofreader. Strong writing skills are very important.
Other places to easily land a job within the university or college environment include the gym or cafeteria. You might be lucky to see a vacant position and it would be less stressful in terms of transportation. Some of the job options you can find in Norway include:
2. Fitness instructor:
A fitness instructor works at the gym. If you are someone who loves sports, you can take it further by teaching what you are passionate about and making money from it. You are only going to teach a few classes a week, keeping the weekly working hours in mind. You can apply for this job on campus or at a local gym close by. Getting certified as a gym instructor should be the first decision to make. However, if you are lucky, you might meet an employer who would be willing to foot the training fee. This does not always happen, though.
3. Restaurants, cafeterias, and bars could also be a better possibility.
There are various food service positions you can apply for, like waiter, cook, hostess, and so on. You might need to learn the Norwegian language fast so as to be able to attend to people who have difficulties speaking the English language.
4. Software, hardware, and web development:
These jobs are in high demand across the country. With the rise in the integration of technology in our daily lives, the demand for skilled developers also increases. This is true globally and Norway is not an exception. Here, you may not even need to be fluent in the Norwegian language. Another good thing is that you can get your clients online and work remotely for anyone, irrespective of their location worldwide.
5. Graphic designer:
This is another job you can do online. If you are skilled at designing flyers, posters, and so on, you can make money from it by positioning yourself online in order to be seen by everyone globally.
6. Driving:
If you love driving, you can take it more seriously by searching for an employer looking for a driver for his personal luxury or company (as a truck or taxi driver). You will get paid at the end of the day.
Other jobs are:
- Warehouse worker
- Customer service associate
- Casino housekeeper
- School worker
- Bookseller
- Driver helper
- Cashier, and so on.
25 Things You Did Not Know About Studying In Norway
Why Finding a Student Job in Norway is Very Easy
Getting a job could be a herculean task as a student. We are here to help you understand the required steps to take while searching for a student job in Norway.
1. It is possible to find a particular job that is tailored to your studies.
This could be a way to get some job experience while in school. Though it is the norm to work only for 20 hours per week, you could also choose your own adventure by applying for a casual job that is related to your studies. To get a job in your field, you can go to the university and look up the page that is dedicated to jobs and career opportunities. Who knows? You might be lucky to see what is available for you.
2. You can search for an employer.
Another way to get the right job is by searching for potential employers. Search for companies that employ interns and part-time students and see if they have vacant positions that interest you. There are big companies that hire directly from universities. It is that easy.
3. You must adhere to the clear legislation for employment.
Working for more than 20 hours per week could land you and your employer in serious trouble. The European Union (EU) ensures that students who wish to work strictly adhere to the rules. You must apply for a work permit and work for only 20 hours as a student. This is somewhat different for EU students, who can work for up to 3 months without applying for a work permit.
4. You can calculate your salary ahead of time.
For you to get a good proportion of the fairness of your salary, it is good to understand the cost of living in Norway as well as the tuition fee. This will help you know if the salary you are to be offered is worth the sweat.
5. Coming to Norway to study means that you must have realistic expectations.
It is good to know that, despite that, you can get a job easily; the jobs are also heavily competitive. Therefore, prior preparation will increase your chances of being employed.
The bottom line is that it is possible and easy to work and study in Norway. You need to put your time management skills into action to achieve the best. Also, do not forget that you are a student before any other thing. Do not let the job distract you from the reason for coming to the country. One more thing: never forget to have fun. Good luck.
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