A lot of students today prefer pursuing their studies abroad in order to benefit from the world-class educational facilities provided by global universities. Studying abroad can also have a positive impact on increasing your job opportunities along with giving you a global outlook. The only downside which discourages many students is the high cost of studying that comes along with it. But what if you could pursue your degree from a top global university at a low cost or even free? Yes, that is possible! Many countries around the world offer free or low-cost education for international students. Want to know more about them? Take a look at this blog for more information about the countries with free education around the world.
This Blog Includes:
Best Countries with Free Education
Here is a list of some of the best countries with free (or low-cost) education where you can pursue your studies:
Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad
Germany
Germany is among the most popular study destinations for international students along with being one of the best countries with free education. Most of the public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees for both domestic and international students enrolled in any undergraduate course. Students are only required to pay a small fee to cover administrative and semester costs. Here are some of the top universities in Germany that do not charge any tuition fees for their undergraduate students:
- Ludwig Maximilian University
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Heidelberg
- Free University of Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin
Free Universities In Germany For International Students
Norway
Another popular study destination, Norway is also among the countries with free education for both international and domestic students. No tuition fees are charged to any student enrolled in a public university in Norway, irrespective of the course or level of study. Similar to Germany, students only need to pay a nominal fee to help cover administrative costs. The only problem is that most of the undergraduate courses are taught in the Norwegian language at the undergraduate level, so you would need a certain level of fluency to be admitted to the course. However, a large number of postgraduate and doctoral courses are taught in English, thus you can pursue those programs without paying any tuition fees. Some of the Popular public universities in Norway include:
- University of Bergen
- The Arctic University of Norway
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- University of Oslo
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Also Read: Universities in Norway
Check out: Scholarships in Norway
Sweden
Another popular country with free education, public universities in Sweden do not charge any tuition fees from students belonging to the countries within EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other international students are not exempted from paying tuition fees at the bachelor’s or master’s level. But, PhD courses in Sweden are fully funded for international students from any country around the world, thus you can pursue your doctoral degree in Sweden for free! Here are some of the top universities in Sweden:
- Uppsala University
- Lund University
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Stockholm University
- University of Gothenburg
Austria
Counted among the countries offering free or low-cost education, Austria is one of the top study destinations for international students. Students from the EU/EEA countries do not pay any tuition fees in Austria except for a nominal charge for administrative and semester costs. Students from other countries do have to pay a tuition fee, but the amount is comparatively cheaper than in some other European countries. Also, some public universities may not charge any fees to students belonging to a developing country. Some of the top universities in Austria include:
- University of Vienna
- Medical University of Graz
- Medical University of Vienna
- University of Klagenfurt
- Vienna University of Technology
Must Read: Universities in Austria
France
France is among the best countries with free (or low-cost) education, although that is generally targeted towards students from the EU/EEA countries. For international students from all other countries, the tuition fees at a public university in France are comparatively higher. But there is still a way in which you could study in France for free! The French government offers a large number of scholarships for international students and recently has tripled the number of scholarships offered. So, it is still possible to study in France at a reduced or no cost even if you do not belong to the EU/EEA countries! Here are some of the top universities in France:
- Université Paris Science et Letters
- École Polytechnique
- Sorbonne University
- CentraleSupélec
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Top Universities Offering Free Education for International Students
Here is a list of the top universities which offer free education for students abroad:
Name of Institution | Country | QS World University Ranking 2024 |
University of Helsinki | Finland | 115 |
Universität Hamburg | Germany | 205 |
Tampere University | Finland | 436 |
University of Cologne | Germany | 268 |
Technical University of Munich | Germany | 37 |
University of Jyväskylä | Finland | 446 |
University of Bergen | Norway | 281 |
Free Education Countries for Indian Students with Universities
The list of nations that offer free education to Indian students is impossible to limit. Nevertheless, nations like Germany, Finland (applicable only to courses offered in Swedish or Finnish), and Norway provide students from India with entirely free education. Another choice is to select nations that offer overseas candidates fully funded scholarships. Indian students may be able to study for free in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United Kingdom thanks to a variety of scholarships (UK). Here are several renowned institutions that offer free education to visitors. These colleges simply have a few minimal semester fees and other expenditures.
Name of Institution | Country |
UiT The Arctic University of Norway | Norway |
University of Vaasa | Finland |
Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences | Norway |
Humboldt University of Berlin | Germany |
Nord University | Norway |
LUT University | Finland |
Free University of Berlin | Germany |
Other Places to Study Abroad for Free (or at Low Cost)
International students can find affordable tuition rates in several nations. They consist of:
Spain
One of the finest places for kids to receive a free education is Spain. Here, they may anticipate affordable tuition and decreased living expenses. Public institutions charge an average of €1,000 in annual tuition. Spanish language proficiency may be advantageous for international candidates.
Italy
Additionally, Italy charges affordable tuition for visitors. They begin at about €1,800 annually. International students can afford them. Additionally, students may anticipate state-of-the-art research facilities, cutting-edge courses, and top-notch staff.
International students might have trouble locating a nation that provides free healthcare and education. The former is still feasible in a few countries across the world, but only for residents. Students do not receive the same amenities as citizens who pay taxes to support them.
With one exception, international students who enrol in a longer-than-one-year educational programme in Norway will be covered by the Norwegian Healthcare Program. Only domestic students in Sweden, France, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates are eligible for free healthcare (UAE).
FAQs
Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, and Finland offer free education to overseas students.
The University of Helsinki, University of Vaasa, Nord University, Nord University, Humboldt University, etc. offer free education.
Certain universities offer free education to overseas students. However, some institutions charge EUR 1,000 annually.
Stay in tune with Leverage Edu to explore study abroad opportunities and connect with our experts at 1800 572 000 to realise your abroad studies journey.