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What’s so special about studying abroad? Why are students so eager to pursue their education abroad? Why is studying abroad expensive? Are there countries where education is cheap? etc. Here’s some good news for all the aspirants planning to study abroad. A lot of countries out there offer high-quality education at a very cheap price. Read this blog to learn about some of the cheapest countries to study abroad along with their approximate costs and top universities to help you in making your choice. Take a look!
Happiest Countries to Study Abroad
Germany
Germany offers affordable and high-quality options for higher education, making it the No. 1 study destination in the list of the cheapest countries to study abroad. Free education in Germany can be availed of at public universities for undergraduate and Doctoral programs. Students only have to pay a semester fee of around 250 euros. Master’s degree students have to pay tuition fees if they have not completed their bachelor’s degree in Germany, with the average fees being around 20,000 euros and 30,000 euros in public and private universities respectively. Additionally, students in Germany have to spend around 850 euros every month on their living costs.
Popular Universities in Germany
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| Technical University of Munich | 37 |
| Heidelberg University | =87 |
| Ludwig Maximilian Universityof Munich | 54 |
| Free University Berlin | 98 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 120 |
Norway
Well known for its scenic beauty, Norway is also a popular destination when it comes to higher education. Public universities offer education free of charge for all students, both local and international, with only a small amount between $35 and $71 to be paid as semester fees. But although education is almost free, the living cost that comes along with studying in Norway is somewhat on the higher side. A student will have to spend around $17200 annually on living costs, although there are various scholarship opportunities as well.
Popular Universities in Norway
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| University of Oslo | 117 |
| University of Bergen | =281 |
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology | 292 |
| University of Tromso The Arctic University of Norway | =557 |
Wondering How to Get Free Education From Abroad?
Mexico
Home to the ancient Mayan culture, Mexico is among the most popular and cheapest countries to study abroad. With 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this country is not only rich culturally but also offers superior higher education opportunities for international students. Tuition fees in Mexico vary greatly depending on the subject, university, and level of study. On average, public universities charge tuition fees between $378 to $818 per year for undergraduate degrees, while the cost in private universities is higher, costing between $1636 to $16353 per year on average. The living costs in Mexico are considerably lower, a student will have to spend around $400 to $500 in total per month.
Popular Universities in Mexico
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) | 93 |
| Tecnológico de Monterrey | =184 |
| Universidad Panamericana (UP) | 661-670 |
| Universidad Anáhuac México | 771-780 |
| Universidad Iberoamericana | 691-700 |
Taiwan
Taiwan is gradually growing as a popular study destination for international students in Asia, due to the efforts of the government to offer more degrees taught in the English language. Tuition fees in Taiwan vary for different courses, universities, and subjects of study. The tuition fees vary between $1650 to $4700 per semester, depending on the course and level of study. There are also various scholarships available for international students, funded by both various universities and the government. The living costs in Taiwan may go up to around $ 3700 per semester.
Popular Universities in Taiwan
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| National Taiwan University (NTU) | 26 |
| Tsinghua University | =233 |
| National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) | =228 |
| National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University | =217 |
| The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) | =387 |
Best Countries to Study Abroad Amid Covid-19
Poland
With its rich cultural heritage and high-quality education combined with comparatively low living costs, study in Poland is gradually gaining popularity as one of the cheapest countries to study abroad in Europe. Although Poland offers free higher education to its citizens, international students are required to pay tuition fees. Public universities may charge between $2230 to $4180 per year for international students, while private universities can charge up to $6600 per year. The living costs in Poland are considerably cheaper than in other European countries, with a student needing to spend around $650 per month to cover all costs.
Popular Universities in Poland
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| University of Warsaw | 308 |
| Jagiellonian University | =309 |
| Warsaw University of Technology | 571 |
| AGH University of Science and Technology | 901-950 |
| Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań | 731-740 |
Malaysia
One of the cheapest countries to study abroad, study in Malaysia is slowly gaining popularity among international students for higher education. What makes it more popular is the presence of branch campuses of some acclaimed universities around the world, where students can study the same degree at a much reduced cost than at the actual university campus. The tuition fees in general at Malaysian universities are around $3950 per year on average. The cost of living is also considerably low, with students being expected to pay around $3440 to $4600 per month including accommodation, food, and transport.
Popular Universities in Malaysia
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | =65 |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 158 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | 159 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | 137 |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | =188 |
Denmark
Denmark is regarded as one of the happiest nations in the world, as well as a goldmine of higher education, and is globally recognised for its greener lifestyle. With its contemporary and vibrant cities set among stunning surroundings, it is renowned for having one of the greatest education systems in the world. Studying in Denmark means enjoying both academic brilliance and a great quality of life-based on sustainability! The country has also made significant investments in its educational institutions, and it is a little-known fact that Denmark boasts the largest number of Nobel Laureates per capita.
Popular Universities in Denmark
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| University of Copenhagen | 107 |
| Aarhus University | 143 |
| Technical University of Denmark | 121 |
| Aalborg University | 336 |
| University of Southern Denmark | 326 |
Spain
Spain is not just a fascinating tourist destination; it is also one of Europe’s best study locations. By selecting Spain for higher education, you will have the chance to obtain a great education while also being awed by the magnificent cities of Spain. Obtaining a degree from the nation might provide you with the required exposure to help you accomplish your job goals. A public university charges a tuition cost of €680-1,300 (INR 56,800 to INR 1,09,000) each year for bachelor’s level programs. On the other hand, for masters-level courses, the tuition fee for both public and private universities is almost equivalent, which is usually between €720 (INR 60,000) to €1,440 (INR 1,20,000) for a 60 ECTS credit course and between €3,900 (INR 3,35,000) to €7,800 (INR 6,50,000) for a 120 ECTS credit course.
Popular Universities in Spain
| University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| University of Barcelona | 164 |
| Autonomous University of Madrid | 199 |
| Autonomous University of Barcelona | 149 |
| Universidad Complutense de Madrid | 171 |
| Universitat Pompeu Fabra | 196 |
Belgium
Belgium is one of the world’s most attractive and cosmopolitan European countries. The country provides a great education, affordable tuition costs, the option to learn at some of Europe’s top universities, and the opportunity to experience the worldwide culture as well as the lively local culture of Brussels. Having said that, the average tuition cost for EU students is approximately €906 (INR 79,074) per year, whereas non-EU students pay more than €4,175 (INR 3,64,388) per year. These numbers apply to all levels of education.
Popular Universities in Belgium
| Top Universities in Belgium | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| KU Leuven | 61 |
| Ghent University | 159 |
| University Catholique of Louvain | 180 |
| University of Antwerp | 248 |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) | 259 |
France
You’ll be astonished to learn that virtually every French institution provides world-class education to students from all over the world, no matter where you travel in the nation. Aside from that, you have the option of taking lessons full-time or part-time. There are several areas in which France excels, and students may simply obtain a degree regardless of the sort of profession they choose to pursue. Popular educational disciplines include nuclear, space and aviation, economics, languages, teaching, art, history, medicine, science, and law. Non-EU/EEA students commencing their studies in France will pay an average of €2,770 (INR 2,41,762) per year for undergraduate programs and €3,770 (INR 3,29,040) per year for master’s degrees. PhDs are the same price for all students, at €380 (INR 33,165) on average.
Popular Universities in France
| Name of the University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| Université Paris Sciences et Lettres | 24 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | =38 |
| Sorbonne University | 59 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | =71 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 184 |
FAQs
Ans: Some of the cheapest countries to study abroad are Germany, Canada, and Malaysia.
Ans: Yes! However, understanding the restrictions that apply to working while pursuing studies at foreign universities is important.
Ans: Students must consider several criteria, including living costs, exchange rates, scholarship chances, and tuition costs, before deciding on the least expensive destination.
Hope you found this guide on the cheapest countries to study abroad useful. Planning to further your studies in one of these countries? Reach out to our expert mentors at Leverage Edu who can provide you with the best guidance in choosing the course and university most suitable for your needs. Sign up for a free session today!
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