Going to university can be expensive, thereโs no doubt about it. But if you consider studying abroad, there are lots of places where you can study for free or a fraction of the cost! Here are 14 COUNTRIES WHERE YOU CAN STUDY FOR FREE OR ON A BUDGET
1. Brazil
Famous for carnival, dancing and football, Brazil is also a top destination for students wanting to spend as little money as possible on their studies. Public universities, which are more prestigious and offer a higher quality of teaching than their private counterparts, offer free tuition to international students and only charge a small registration fee at the beginning of the course.
In order to secure a place, students need to take a test, competing against thousands of Brazilian students. Knowledge of Portuguese is another requirement, which can be demonstrated by completing the CELPE-Bras โ the only certificate for Portuguese that is recognised in Brazil.
If you do manage to be accepted, you are eligible for the same funding options available to Brazilian students.
2. Germany
Whether you want to explore the hip corners of Berlin or study in a quaint town in the German countryside, youโll find a place that suits your needs. The countryโs higher education system has a strong reputation and, most importantly, tuition is FREE of charge.
All you have to pay is a fee of around โฌ100 (ยฃ75) to โฌ250 (ยฃ185) per semester, which covers administrational costs as well as the work of the student union.
Life inย Germanyย is relatively cheap compared to other countries, too. The German Academic Exchange Service recommends a monthly budget of around โฌ800 (ยฃ595) to cover expenses, which is enough to enjoy your stay without having to pinch pennies.
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3. Finland
Finland is one of the cheapest options for people wanting to study in the Nordic countries. Finnish universities charge students no tuition fees for Bachelorโs, Masterโs and PhD degrees, regardless of where they come from.
To obtain a residence permit, non-EU/EEA students need to prove they have at least โฌ560 (ยฃ415) a month at their disposal, although average living expenses range between โฌ700 (ยฃ520) and โฌ900 (ยฃ670).
While students are allowed to work up to 25 hours a week during term time, itโs not recommended to rely on a part-time job to make ends meet as they can be hard to find, especially if you donโt speak Finnish or Swedish.
4. France
Franceย is among the most popular study destinations in the world, with nearly 300,000 students flocking there every year. With its intellectual tradition and bustling student cities, this doesnโt really come as a surprise.
Whatโs even better is that most public universities only charge a registration fee ranging from โฌ200 (ยฃ150) to โฌ400 (ยฃ300) a year, regardless of a studentโs nationality, so theyโre great budget options.
But if youโd rather attend one of the grandes รฉcoles (elite schools), which offer renowned programmes in science, engineering and business, then the costs increase. These universities are highly reputed and count many famous alumni among their ranks, so youโll need to spend between โฌ5,000 (ยฃ3,710) and โฌ15,000 (ยฃ11,130) a year on tuition.
5. Scotland
Studying in Scotland, youโll be surrounded by historic castles and incredible scenery. Scottish nationals and students from other EU countries can have their tuition fees paid for by the Student Awards Agency of Scotland, so you could study completely free of charge.
If youโre from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, youโll have to pay an annual tuition fee thatโs set by your chosen university, but there are various bursaries and scholarships to help. Students from outside the EU also have to pay variable amounts.
6. Norway
If you want to study for free in Norway, make sure you brush up on your Norwegian first. While international students donโt pay for tuition apart from a small registration fee of around NOK500 (ยฃ40), undergraduate degrees are usually taught in Norwegian and language proficiency is a must.
And while studying is very cheap, you shouldnโt ignore the countryโs high cost of living. Factor in around NOK10,000 (ยฃ800) per month to cover basic expenses. And eating and drinking in restaurants can be quite expensiveย โย a beer will set you back at least NOK75 (ยฃ6).
You might consider taking a part-time job, as non-EU/EEA students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week alongside their studies.
7. Spain
If you want to combine your studies with relaxing in the sun, stuffing yourself with delicious tapas and partying until the sun comes up, why not enrol at aย Spanish university?
For both EU/EEA and overseas students, earning a degree in Spain is relatively cheap. Studies at a public university will cost you between โฌ680 (ยฃ505) and โฌ1,280 (ยฃ950) a year.
In the Spanish education system, students are charged per credit. For Bachelorโs degrees, a credit is worth between โฌ9 (ยฃ7) and โฌ16 (ยฃ12). Studying for a Masterโs degree or a PhD is more expensive, with credits costing at least โฌ21 (ยฃ16) and โฌ27 (ยฃ20), respectively.
8. Sweden
Sweden is the birthplace of the Nobel Prize and its universities are highly regarded. When you study here, youโll get a free education like Swedish nationals if youโre from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
That said, if youโre from outside these areas you can expect to pay fees, which range from around SEK80,000 (ยฃ6,390) to SEK140,000 (ยฃ11,180) annually.
Like other Nordic countries, there is also a high cost of living in Sweden, and you should factor in at least SEK8,000 (ยฃ640) per month.
9. Austria
Home to many popular tourist destinations,ย Austriaย can be quite pricey. But thanks to free tuition, EU/EEA students can keep their expenses low as long as they finish their degree in the regular time frame.
When you study at a public university, all you need to pay is a contribution to the student union and student insurance of โฌ18 (ยฃ13). But if you study longer than eight semesters for your Bachelorโs degree and longer than six for your Masterโs, youโll be charged โฌ360 (ยฃ265) per semester.
The tuition fee for overseas students is also relatively reasonable, currently standing at around โฌ725 (ยฃ535) per semester. Private universities set their own fees, starting at โฌ1,000 (ยฃ740) per semester, and most of the Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) charge students โฌ360 (ยฃ265) per semester from the start.
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10. Greece
Although the news surrounding Greece hasnโt exactly been positive in the past months and the countryโs future is still somewhat uncertain, studying in the Hellenic Republic is a great option for students wanting to keep their expenses low.
EU/EEA students study for free with the exception of certain Masterโs programmes, while non-EU/EEA students are charged tuition fees of โฌ1,500 (ยฃ1,114) annually depending on their institution. Another bonus is that Greece has one of the lowest costs of living in the EU and boasts a rich cultural history and many beautiful islands and beaches.
11. Luxembourg
If you want to live somewhere small and international, check out Luxembourg as a place to study, where nearly half of its 500,000 strong population comes from abroad.
Founded a little more than a decade ago, the countryโs only university, the University of Luxembourg,ย scored second in international outlook and only charges foreign students a small enrollment fee for each semester.
For the first two semesters, students pay โฌ400 (ยฃ300). After that, the fee goes down to โฌ200 (ยฃ150) per semester.
12. Switzerland
Earlier this year a poll named Switzerland among the worldโs happiest countries. And with 12 universities, there are plenty of degree programmed to choose from in this picturesque country.
Tuition fees for international students are relatively low, totalling between CHF500 (ยฃ340) and CHF600 (ยฃ408) per semester in the French part and between CHF800 (ยฃ545) and CHF1200 (ยฃ816) per semester in the German part.
But with three Swiss cities ranked in the top five of the worldโs most expensive places, the cost of living is undoubtedly high in Switzerland. The good news is that international students are allowed to work during their studies. EU/EEA students can work for as many hours as they wish,ย while non-EU/EEA students are allowed to work up to 15 hours a week from their third semester onwards. There are plenty of part-time jobs available for students, which usually pay a decent hourly wage of least CHF20 (ยฃ13).
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13. Czech Republic
If youโre fluent in Czech and want to study on a budget, a degree in the Czech Republic is for you. The country was voted the 12th most popular destination among exchange students and is becoming more and more popular among the international community.
One of the contributing factors is most likely the free tuition offered to students from all over the world, who study in Czech at public and state universities. All you have to pay is a registration fee of around CZK500 (ยฃ14).
If Czech isnโt your strong suit but youโd still like to study there, you can enrol in an English programme for around CZK27,100 (ยฃ740) per semester.
14. Denmark
Denmarkย is a popular study destination, providing great opportunities for students from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. With the same rights as Danish nationals, youโll benefit from a free education.
As a non-EU/EEA student, however, things are somewhat pricier. Studying in Denmark will set you back between DKK45,000 (ยฃ4,500) and DKK120,000 (ยฃ11,940) a year.
On top of that, thereโs the high cost of living that comes with studying in Nordic countries. On a tight budget, youโll spend between DKK5,500 (ยฃ550) and DKK10,280 (ยฃ1,020) a month in Denmark depending on where you live.