Frequently Asked Questions

We've answered these questions a lot...

Below are some common curated questions/answers that have been asked by applicant families over the years. We hope the answers may be of service to you.

You may also have specific questions to ask us and are welcome to use the Enquire button immediately below.

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Common Questions

My child does not speak English, can they still attend OIS?

There is no minimum English language requirement for applicants to the Primary School.

Prospective Secondary students whose mother tongue language is not English take a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages assessment (this assessment is sometimes abbreviated as CEFR or CEF or CEFRL). Completed under the supervision of the applicant’s current school, the results of the assessment are used to evaluate suitability for our program and determine whether English support at OIS is warranted.

To enroll at OIS, students must meet or exceed the following levels in an CEF assessment:

Year 8: A2 level
Year 9: B1 level
Year 10: B2 level

Students in the Primary and Lower Secondary who meet our admission requirement but are in need of English language support will receive support from our English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers.

OIS does not offer EAL service to students from Year 10-IB2, where academic proficiency is required.

Will my child(ren) learn Norwegian?

All OIS students in Years 1-10 study Norwegian, which is the language of our host nation.

For native speakers, we offer Norwegian language A (language and literature).

For learners of Norwegian as a foreign language, we offer Norwegian B (language acquisition).

OIS has a 2-year beginner's course, Norwegian C, to prepare our students completely new to Norwegian, for later entry into Norwegian B.

In the IB program, our students may choose to continue their Norwegian studies in either Language A or B classes.

We see studying Norwegian as an essential element to social integration into our host nation, no matter the duration of your stay.

What does the application evaluation consist of (is there entrance testing)?

OIS receives and evaluates applications on a holistic basis. We evaluate the whole child, as explained in the Admissions Process.

OIS does reserve the right to test any student applicant to whom we feel may need additional language (non-native English) support. This approach is taken to ensure that the student is able to access the curriculum and the school is able to provide the additional support required.

What is the average student class size?

In what way(s) is OIS authorised by the Norwegian government?

Does OIS offer scholarships and/or financial aid?

Can students qualify for grants from Lånekassen (the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund)?

Yes, OIS students in PreIB-IB2 (Years 11-13) can apply for a tuition fee grant from Lånekassen (the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund). The responsibility for granting or denying financial support rests fully with Lånekassen.

The maximum amount a student can be granted for 2024-25 is NOK 111,974. If approved, the grant is paid out to the student’s own bank account in two instalments, the first after the application is processed (and the school year has started) and the second in January. Students apply for one school year at a time, the application deadline is November 15 (for an entire school year).

Please see the information on Lånekassen’s website or call +47 21 49 60 00 if you have any questions regarding their rules and regulations.

OIS is not a broker or agent for (and is independent of) Lånekassen. Students and/or Parents/Legal Guardians - not OIS - are responsible for making arrangements with (and applications to) Lånekassen, independent of school fees, which must be remitted on or before stated due dates, regardless of any agreement with Lånekassen.

Can a student move to Oslo and attend school by themselves?

Does OIS offer boarding services?

Does OIS offer student exchanges?

Does OIS offer a lunch service?

Although we don't have a canteen, we work with a local catering supplier to offer hot lunches (up to three times a week) to those students who have signed up for the service.

The menus are designed to be nutritious and balanced, providing students with a warm and satisfying meal. Different dietary needs are catered for on a menu that changes regularly, ensuring there is a variety of options to choose from. This optional service is a convenient and tasty way for students to fuel their bodies and minds during the school day.

Does OIS offer a bus service?

OIS organizes an optional bus service to predominantly cover the Oslo, Bærum Kommune, and Asker areas. Parents who choose to utilize this service should submit a completed School Bus Request Form after accepting a place at OIS.

2026-27 Bus fees are: round-trip 25,800 NOK per year; one-way 15,100 NOK per year. Please see our route overview.

Please note that students at OIS are not eligible for public funding to cover school transportation.

Parents should be aware that space may be limited on some buses, in which case seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis and a waiting list will be created.