Norlights International School Oslo vs Oslo International School

	N Norlights International School Oslo Oslo, Norway	O Oslo International School Oslo, Norway
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year NOK 43,450	Fees / year NOK 13,200 - 288,700
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 600
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2015	Opened 1963
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Visiting address: Skådalsveien 33, 0781 Oslo. The school is located in the Skådalen area of Oslo, Norway. The nearest public transport is the Holmenkollen Line metro.	Location Gamle Ringeriksvei 53, 1357 Bekkestua, Norway. Bekkestua is located around 8 km from Oslo city centre and is well served by public transport. Parking is available at the school and in the nearby vicinity.
Stages	Stages 1st-13th grade	Stages Pre-School; Primary (Years 1–6); Lower Secondary; Upper Secondary (Pre-IB to IB2).
School type	School type state-funded private school	School type The school is a fully independent not-for-profit international school funded 100% by school fees.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix More than 50 nationalities are represented; the school serves students from international and Norwegian families, with about 600 students across 13 year groups.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Support for Learning (SfL) provides small-group, individualized instruction. Primary students can receive up to four SfL lessons weekly, Lower Secondary and Pre-IB receive four SfL lessons weekly (split between mathematics and literacy), and Upper Secondary can access SfL services up to four lessons weekly on a tutorial basis. English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports non-native English speakers with developmental instruction.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Norway	Country affiliation Norway
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure School Operating Hours: 08:00–16:00. School start: 08:45; finish: 15:00; supervised playground hours: 08:45–15:00. Upper Secondary may begin and finish outside the standard hours.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school does not operate its own bus service. Transportation reimbursement through Oslo Municipality is available for eligible students (distance thresholds and application process).	Bus service details OIS organises an optional bus service covering parts of Oslo, Bærum and Asker with links to public transport. Space may be limited; space is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 2026–27 annual bus fees: round trip 25,800 NOK; one-way 15,100 NOK.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees and deposit - There is no application fee for a school place. - To accept an offered place, parents must pay a deposit equal to one month's school fee. This deposit is applied to cover the first month of tuition and is non-refundable if the application is withdrawn. Tuition fees (by year group) - Grade 1–7: - Annual fee: NOK 43,450. - Monthly billing: NOK 3,950 per month, invoiced over 11 months (3,950 NOK × 11 = 43,450 NOK). - Per term (academic year is organised in two main halves): NOK 21,725 per term (annual fee ÷ 2). - Grade 8–10: - Annual fee: NOK 43,450. - Monthly billing: NOK 3,950 per month, invoiced over 11 months. - Per term (two main terms): NOK 21,725 per term. - Grade 12–13 (DP1–DP2): - Annual fee: NOK 29,700. - Monthly billing: NOK 2,700 per month, invoiced over 11 months (2,700 NOK × 11 = 29,700 NOK). - Per term (two main terms): NOK 14,850 per term. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is invoiced monthly; the published fee amounts are shown as a monthly amount multiplied by 11 months (the invoice schedule is monthly). - The one-month deposit must be paid by the deadline stated in the offer; failure to pay the deposit may result in cancellation of the admission. The deposit is applied to the first month's tuition and is non-refundable if the application is withdrawn. - Invoices are sent by email (invoices originate from autoinvoice@visma.com). Parents transfer payment to the school's bank account. eFaktura (B2C) is available; Avtalegiro is not offered. eFaktura is recommended to simplify monthly payments. - A 5% sibling discount on tuition is applied for second and subsequent children; the discount is calculated monthly and shown on the monthly invoice. Boarding fees - Norlights International School Oslo operates as a day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees. Students bring their own lunches (no school canteen provided). Other costs and optional services - After School Care Program (ASCP) for Grades 1–5 (optional): - Full-time ASCP (more than 12 hours per week): NOK 3,212 per month. - Part-time ASCP (up to 12 hours per week): NOK 2,171 per month. - Single-day ASCP attendance: NOK 350 per day. - Transport: families living at the required minimum distance from the school (4 km for most pupils; 2 km for Grades 1–2) may apply for a transportation reimbursement through Oslo Kommune following municipal rules and deadlines. The school provides instructions for the municipal reimbursement process. This is a municipal reimbursement scheme, not an additional school tuition charge. - No mandatory uniform fee or school canteen fee is published as a separate recurring charge in the school's fee schedule. Optional school activities or trips may carry separate charges as arranged by the school (fees for specific activities are handled and invoiced separately when applicable). Refund information - The one-month deposit paid to secure an offered place is applied to the first month's tuition and is non-refundable if the application is withdrawn. Standard monthly invoices are handled through the invoicing/payment process described above. Accepted payment methods and practical payment notes - Invoices are issued by email and must be paid by bank transfer to the school's account; parents may register for eFaktura (B2C) so invoices arrive pre-filled in their online bank for approval and payment. Avtalegiro is not available. Invoices will include account and KID details for payment.	Fee details Application and admission fees - Application fee: NOK 5,000 per student, non-refundable. - Registration fee (new students, Year 1 and above): NOK 25,000, invoiced on acceptance and non-refundable. (Pre‑School entrants are invoiced this fee when re-enrolling into Year 1.) - Enrolment / (Re)Enrolment fee: NOK 10,000, invoiced after accepting a place (or mid‑March for re‑enrolment); this fee is applied to the annual tuition and is non‑refundable. Tuition fees by year group - Academic year 2026/27 (published figure): Years 1 through IB2 — Annual tuition NOK 288,700. - Academic year 2026/27 (published figure): Pre‑School — monthly price set at NOK 1,200 charged over eleven (11) months (totaling NOK 13,200 per year under the current regulation for Pre‑School). - Where full term-by-term detail is published for the prior year (2025/26), the schedule was as follows and indicates how fees have been split between two invoicing dates (this gives a reference for the school's usual invoicing structure): - Pre‑School 1 and 2 (2025/26): Annual fee NOK 22,000 — Term One NOK 10,000 and Term Two NOK 12,000. Term amounts include any (Re)Enrolment fee when applicable. - Years 1 — IB2 (2025/26): Annual fee NOK 277,100 — Term One NOK 124,700 and Term Two NOK 152,400. Term amounts include the NOK 10,000 (Re)Enrolment fee applied to Term One. Billing schedule and payment terms - Re‑enrolling students are invoiced twice yearly. Standard payment due dates for the published schedule were Term One: 15 May and Term Two: 15 November. - New students admitted for the start of the academic year are invoiced for Term One on enrolment (due 15 May or 30 days from invoice) and payment is required prior to attendance. Students who start mid‑year are invoiced for the term they start and full term fees apply; fees are not prorated. - On‑time payment expectation and consequences: the school reserves the right to charge penalty interest for late payments; outstanding accounts can result in exclusion from school, withholding of reports/transcripts, refusal to re‑enrol, and referral to debt collection. IB2 students' fees must be paid in full by 15 November of their graduating year. Optional services — School bus and after‑school activities - School bus (2026/27 published): Round‑trip service — NOK 25,800 per student (annual); One‑way service — NOK 15,100 per student (annual). Bus fees are invoiced per term; bus fees already paid are not refunded if the family cancels or changes service during a term and mid‑term registrants are invoiced for the full term. - After‑school activities: Fees vary by activity and season; activities typically run about 11 weeks per season and start from approximately NOK 850 per activity, per season. Payments for after‑school activity fees are taken online by credit/debit card and are charged per participation. Optional school trips are charged at actual cost per participant and payments are non‑refundable once a student commits. Other costs and typical extras - School lunch: hot lunch service is available as an optional paid service; families may also supply packed lunches. - Consumables and small equipment: certain small items (for example, a recorder for music in Primary) and PE/swim items are normally required by families; specific year‑group lists and recommended clothing for weather are provided to parents. The Parents' Association offers school spirit‑wear for sale. Uniform / dress code - There is no school uniform requirement at OIS; clothing recommendations are provided for weather and PE needs. School spirit‑wear is available for purchase from the Parents' Association. Boarding fees - Boarding: not applicable. Oslo International School operates as a day school and does not publish boarding provisions or boarding fees. Refunds, cancellation and force majeure - Application, registration and enrolment/(Re)Enrolment fees are explicitly non‑refundable. Fees already paid (registration, enrolment, bus, tuition, etc.) will not be refunded if a student withdraws prior to starting school. Early withdrawals during the school year do not entitle parents to a refund of tuition that has been paid; the school does not prorate or refund tuition for the remainder of a term or year. In circumstances of force majeure (including epidemic/pandemic or other events beyond the school's control), there is no obligation for the school to refund tuition for lost instructional days. Fee payment options and bank details - Standard payment method for tuition and term invoicing: bank transfer to the school's account using the KID number on the invoice; all transfer charges are covered by the payer. The published bank details are shown on invoices (account name: Stiftelse Oslo International School; Bank: Danske Bank A/S; BIC/SWIFT: DABANO22; IBAN: NO25 8601 9268 7223). (These details are published within the school's Schedule of Fees and appear on official invoices.) - Application fees are paid online by credit/debit card at time of application. After‑school activity fees are paid online by credit/debit card. Where a third party pays fees, the parents remain jointly and severally liable for any unpaid balances. Key points to note (summary) - Years 1–IB2 annual tuition for 2026/27 is NOK 288,700; Pre‑School is charged under the regulated monthly rate (NOK 1,200 × 11 months). - Common one‑off and recurring charges: Application fee NOK 5,000; Registration fee NOK 25,000 (new students Year 1+); Enrolment/(Re)Enrolment fee NOK 10,000 applied to tuition. - Invoicing cadence is normally two terms per year with standard due dates in mid‑May and mid‑November; full term fees apply even if the student begins after the start of a term and fees are generally non‑refundable. (For specific invoice amounts per term for 2025/26, see the 2025/26 Schedule of Fees figures given above. For the 2026/27 academic year the school publishes the annual figure for Years 1–IB2 and the regulated Pre‑School monthly rate as noted.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) as IB World School; authorized to offer the Diploma Programme.	Curriculum details The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for all Upper Secondary students, with a Pre-IB/IB preparation curriculum for Lower Secondary. For younger learners, literacy, mathematics, and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) are taught. The Upper Secondary program is a cohesive, balanced three-year course of study from Pre-IB to IB2, with final examinations that prepare students for university and employment. The IB framework emphasizes developing enquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who foster intercultural understanding and responsible citizenship. At each level, OIS students achieve results that are higher than international standards.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Approximately 6.7:1 (200 students and 30 employees).	Student teacher ratio 12-18 students per class.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IB Diploma Programme results for 2025 include a pass rate of 98%, with an average Diploma score of 34.7 points and 32% of graduates earning a bilingual diploma. Over 95% of graduates are admitted to at least one of their top university choices.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates matriculate at universities worldwide, including University of Melbourne, University of Toronto, Sciences Po Paris, Copenhagen Business School, and the University of Oslo. Almost all graduates go on to university and many receive unconditional offers; university counselling supports applications.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Attend a school tour and an informative session with an administrator. Following the tour and session, parents may complete an enrollment form. This formality assists in assessing availability. Applications are processed on a continuous basis and based on space availability. 2. Submit the online enrollment form. After submission you will receive an auto-generated confirmation email; the administration will process the application and you will receive an agreement form if a place is available. To confirm the offered place, return the signed form and complete other checklist items through the application portal. 3. If admitted, pay a 1-month school fee as a deposit to accept the offer. The deposit covers the first month of school fees. If the deposit is not paid by the stated deadline, admission will be cancelled. The deposit is non-refundable if the application is withdrawn. 4. NLIS offers placements for grades 1-10 and DP1-DP2, and applications are processed on a continuous basis based on availability. The PYP and MYP admissions start October 1 each year, with placement offers typically issued in February if space is available. The Diploma Programme admissions also start October 1, with decisions following after the process is completed. Residence status and visa requirements apply for DP. 5. For DP, residence status and visa requirements apply for high school students.	Admissions OIS accepts applications year-round. The Admissions Office guides applicants from application to enrolment and prioritises international families seeking an English-language program in the Oslo region. The community includes students and staff from more than fifty nationalities, and instruction is delivered in English. For more than sixty years the school has served international families in Oslo. Applications are submitted via OpenApply and the non-refundable application fee is 5,000 NOK per applicant. All applicants provide a recent photo of the applicant, passport copies for the applicant and for each parent, and a passport copy for each parent; documents can be in English or Norwegian or translated. Primary School applicants provide the most recent school reports and confidential teacher questionnaires; Secondary School applicants provide confidential teacher questionnaires and the most recent academic reports from the previous two years; documents must be in English/Norwegian or translated. Applications are reviewed by the Head of the relevant school section and admission decisions are communicated via OpenApply and enrolment must be confirmed within 14 days if offered. If admitted, the enrollment process includes confirming enrolment, completing the health form and vaccination records, completing year-level forms, and paying the enrolment fee and remaining tuition by the due dates. New student orientation meetings and induction sessions occur before the start of the school year. OIS does not discriminate on race, nationality, sex, or religion in admission decisions.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships No scholarships or financial aid are offered.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist An optional bus service is available for Oslo, Bærum and Asker; seats may be limited and a waiting list will be created. 2026-27 bus fees are 25,800 NOK round trip or 15,100 NOK one way.
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