Studying abroad can be an experience of a lifetime! But it can also cost a pretty penny. Luckily, there are more than a few choices from the best places to study abroad. The secret to offsetting the cost of studying abroad is to remember that much of what you pay to study abroad is for peace of mind and ease. Study abroad for free with programmes that charge you extra to help you find housing, help enroll in foreign universities, or even facilitate your visa process. By taking on some or all of these tasks on your own, you can benefit from your study abroad experience. Here are some of the best countries to study abroad.
Best Places To Study Abroad 2021
Germany
Thinking about the best places to study abroad at an affordable price? Germany certainly comes to mind. Whether you want to explore the hip corners of Berlin or study in a quaint town in the German countryside, you’ll find a place that suits your needs. The country’s 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 €100 (£75) to €250 (£185) per semester, which covers administrational costs as well as the work of the student union. Life in Germany is relatively cheap compared to other countries, too. The German Academic Exchange Service recommends a monthly budget of around €800 (£595) to cleverly finance your expenses abroad, which is enough to enjoy your stay without having to pinch pennies.
Scotland
Studying in Scotland, you’ll be surrounded by historic castles and incredible scenery. What more could you want than a beautiful environment and one of the best places to study abroad. 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 you’re from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you’ll have to pay an annual tuition fee that’s 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. The biggest student cities in Scotland are Glasgow and Edinburgh, but you can book your student accommodation also in many smaller cities, such as Aberdeen and Dundee.
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, 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.
Spain
If you want to combine the best places to study abroad, along with relaxing in the sun, stuffing yourself with delicious tapas and partying until the sun comes up, why not enroll at a Spanish university? UniAcco offers student accommodation in Spain in almost thirty different cities. For both EU/EEA and overseas students, earning a degree in Spain is relatively cheap.
Studies at a public university will cost you between €680 (£505) and €1,280 (£950) a year. In the Spanish education system, students are charged per credit. For Bachelor’s degrees, a credit is worth between €9 (£7) and €16 (£12). Studying for a Master’s degree or a PhD is more expensive, with credits costing at least €21 (£16) and €27 (£20), respectively.
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 Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees, regardless of where they come from. While students are allowed to work up to 25 hours a week during term time, it’s not recommended to rely on a part-time job to make ends meet as they can be hard to find, especially if you don’t speak Finnish or Swedish.
To obtain a residence permit, non-EU/EEA students need to prove they have at least €560 (£415) a month at their disposal, although average living expenses range between €700 (£520) and €900 (£670).
Norway
If you want to study for free in Norway, make sure you brush up on your Norwegian first. While international students don’t pay for tuition apart from a small registration fee of around NOK500 (£40), undergraduate degrees are usually taught in Norwegian and language proficiency is a must.
And while studying is very cheap, you shouldn’t ignore the country’s high cost of living. Factor in around NOK10,000 (£800) per month to cover basic expenses. And eating and drinking in restaurants can be quite expensive – a beer will set you back at least NOK75 (£6). 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.
Greece
A beautiful place and one of the best places to study abroad, the Hellenic Republic. Greece is a great option for students wanting to keep their expenses low. Although the news surrounding Greece hasn’t exactly been positive in the past months and the country’s future is still somewhat uncertain.
EU/EEA students study for free with the exception of certain Master’s programmes, while non-EU/EEA students are charged tuition fees of €1,500 (£1,114) 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.
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