International School Admissions in Stavanger: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Last reviewed: October 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Families relocating to Rogaland often discover that the hardest part of the move is not finding a house but securing the right school place in time. This guide explains international school admissions in Stavanger step by step: when to apply, which documents to prepare, how Norwegian age rules affect year placement, and what happens if you arrive in the middle of the school year.

The good news is that the choice is small and well defined. Stavanger's English-medium options come from two organisations, the International School of Stavanger (ISS) and the British International Schools of Stavanger (BISS), and both are used to families arriving at short notice on energy sector contracts. The less good news is that popular year groups can fill, and Norwegian paperwork such as an identity number and a registered address takes time to arrive.

Stavanger for international families: where schools are and how you get there

Stavanger is the centre of Norway's offshore energy industry, and many families come because a parent has a post with an operator, a supplier or a service company. A large share of those jobs sit at Forus, the business area between Stavanger and Sandnes, so where you live and where the school is both need to work with that daily journey.

The three campuses in this guide are spread across the city. ISS is at Treskeveien 3 in Hafrsfjord, on the western side of Stavanger towards Madla. BISS Gausel is at Gauselbakken 107 in Gausel, in the south-east and close to Forus. BISS Sentrum is at Misjonsmarka 1, near the city centre. Families who live in Sandnes or Sola often find Gausel convenient, while those in Madla, Hundvåg or central Stavanger may lean towards ISS or Sentrum.

Distances are short by international standards, but winter weather, rush hour around Forus and the E39 and the timing of bus routes all affect the daily run. Ask each school whether it offers or coordinates transport, and check public bus and cycling routes from the neighbourhoods you are considering before signing a lease.

Curricula available in Stavanger's international schools

• International Baccalaureate: offered across the city. ISS runs the IB Diploma for its oldest students, BISS describes itself as providing IB education, and BISS Sentrum states it is pursuing IB authorisation for its Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes.
• IGCSE: ISS offers IGCSE alongside the IB Diploma in the secondary years.
• English as the language of instruction: all three campuses teach in English.
• Norwegian language: BISS lists Norwegian alongside English, which matters for families who may stay long term or later move into the Norwegian system.

The alternative is the local public school, taught in Norwegian. Many younger children adapt quickly, and municipalities in the region offer introductory support for newly arrived pupils, but for older children on a short assignment an English-medium school usually makes the transition easier.

The three schools and what to expect from each admissions office

International School of Stavanger

ISS takes students from age 3 to 18 and has more than 600 students from around 50 nationalities, with American, British and Norwegian families the largest groups. It offers IGCSE and the IB Diploma and states that it is accredited by the Council of International Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Kingdom of Norway.

Admissions tip: because ISS covers every stage from early years to graduation, it suits families who expect to stay several years or who have children spread across a wide age range. Ask early about space in the Diploma years, since entry part way through a two-year course is harder to arrange.

British International School of Stavanger (BISS Gausel)

BISS was founded in 1977 and today comprises three schools: BISS Pre-School, BISS Gausel and BISS Sentrum. The profile lists the Gausel campus at Gauselbakken 107, with more than fifty nationalities on roll, IB education for both expatriate and permanent resident families, and Norwegian taught alongside English.

Admissions tip: with three BISS schools under one organisation, state which campus you prefer when you apply and ask whether a place at another site could be offered if your first choice is full. Parent feedback on the profile is mixed on administration and communication, so ask who your contact will be during the application.

BISS Sentrum

BISS Sentrum is the central Stavanger campus of the BISS group, at Misjonsmarka 1. Its profile describes a focus on the development of the whole child and states that the school is a candidate for the IB Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme, pursuing authorisation as an IB World School.

Admissions tip: a central campus can shorten the school run for families living in town, but check which year groups Sentrum currently teaches, since older students may need to attend Gausel. A parent review mentions the school was still developing facilities such as parking, so visit at drop-off time.

Fees and what you pay at admission

Neither ISS nor BISS lists fees on its profile, so treat these figures as rough. Under Norway's Independent Schools Act, schools approved for state funding must keep parent fees low, so ask each school whether it is state-approved; at a state-funded independent school, tuition is often roughly NOK 30,000 to NOK 50,000 a year, about €2,500 to €4,300. Schools that charge full private fees can cost roughly NOK 150,000 to NOK 250,000 a year, about €13,000 to €21,000, and in the energy sector these are often paid by the employer. Ask each school for its current schedule and whether it invoices companies directly.

Norwegian context matters here. Norway's new Education Act (opplæringslova) entered into force on 1 August 2024, replacing the 1998 Act; Norwegian children start school in the calendar year they turn six. Public schools are free, so an international school fee is a choice about language and curriculum rather than a requirement.

Extras to check before you accept a place:

• Application or registration fee: sometimes charged when the form is submitted.
• Enrolment deposit: may be required to confirm a place.
• Capital or development charge: ask whether one applies to new families.
• SFO or after-school care: usually billed separately for younger pupils.
• Meals: Norwegian schools often expect a packed lunch (matpakke); ask what is provided.
• Transport: public bus passes or school buses where offered.
• Exam fees: IGCSE and IB Diploma entries may be charged.
• Devices and trips: laptops and residential trips can add to the bill.

Practical advice: the Stavanger admissions process step by step

Enquire early and confirm the year group. Contact admissions as soon as your move is confirmed, ideally four to six months ahead for an August start, since the Norwegian school year runs from mid-August to June. Book a visit or video call and ask which year groups have space. Because children here start school in the calendar year they turn six, year placement follows the calendar year of birth, which can place a child from England or the US differently from what you expect. Ask the school to confirm the year group in writing before you sign anything.

Gather documents before you arrive. Schools typically ask for an online application form, passports or birth certificates, the last two years of school reports, a reference or transfer letter from the current school, and details of any learning support needs, with reports translated into English where necessary. Some may ask for a short assessment or a meeting with the child. Norwegian registration matters too: you will need a residence permit where applicable, a registered address and in time a national identity number or D number, so tell the school if these are still pending.

Plan for mid-year entry and waiting lists. Both organisations serve a mobile expatriate community, so ask how quickly they can decide on a mid-year application once your documents are in. If your preferred year group is full, join the waiting list, ask about the other campus, and check the local public school as a fallback, since the municipality must offer a place to a child resident in its area. Once an offer arrives, pay any deposit promptly and arrange SFO or transport before the first day.

Compare schools across Rogaland

Before you commit, review the full list of best international schools in Rogaland, and then visit your top choices with your children.

More guides to schools in Stavanger

• How to choose an international school in Stavanger
• International school fees in Stavanger
• Best international schools in Rogaland

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply to an international school in Stavanger?

Apply four to six months before your move if you can, and by spring for a mid-August start. ISS and BISS both accept applications during the year because energy sector families arrive at short notice, but some year groups fill, particularly in the IB Diploma years. Ask about waiting lists as soon as your relocation date is confirmed.

What age does a child start school in Norway?

Norwegian children start school in the calendar year they turn six, so all children born in the same calendar year share a year group. A child arriving from England, where the cut-off is 1 September, may be placed one year differently. Ask the Stavanger school to confirm placement in writing based on your child's date of birth and recent reports.

Can my child join a Stavanger international school mid-year?

Usually, if there is space. ISS and the BISS campuses serve a mobile expatriate community, so ask each admissions office how quickly it can decide once your child's reports and the application form are in. If your preferred year group is full, ask about the other BISS campus or the waiting list, and remember that the local public school must offer a place to resident children.