International Student Migration to Norway. Who stays and who leaves?

Abstract

International student migration to Norway has markedly increased during the past 20 years. This inflow has caused the Norwegian authorities to shed light on the topic. Until 2001, it was expected from the Norwegian authorities that international students return home after graduation. After the 21th century several policy changes occurred to attract more international students to Norway, and making it easier for international students to obtain a work permit after their studies. This thesis analyzes international student migration to Norway between 1990 and the 2010, and discusses the policy changes that might have contributed to the increase in student mobility to Norway. In addition, with a comprehensive dataset I analyze whether an international student will remain in Norway or return home. I find that the increased student mobility is likely due to positive education policies and increased tuitions fees in other European countries. Further, I investigated the probability for an international student to remain in Norway for at least 5 and 10 years. My findings show significant differences in decisions to stay depending on economic conditions in the source country, education level, gender and marital status.

International student migration to Norway has markedly increased during the past 20 years. This inflow has caused the Norwegian authorities to shed light on the topic. Until 2001, it was expected from the Norwegian authorities that international students return home after graduation. After the 21th century several policy changes occurred to attract more international students to Norway, and making it easier for international students to obtain a work permit after their studies. This thesis analyzes international student migration to Norway between 1990 and the 2010, and discusses the policy changes that might have contributed to the increase in student mobility to Norway. In addition, with a comprehensive dataset I analyze whether an international student will remain in Norway or return home. I find that the increased student mobility is likely due to positive education policies and increased tuitions fees in other European countries. Further, I investigated the probability for an international student to remain in Norway for at least 5 and 10 years. My findings show significant differences in decisions to stay depending on economic conditions in the source country, education level, gender and marital status.