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What if we told you that it is possible to study abroad on a budget. Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, thanks to a boost in the number of students going abroad to study every year, countries all over the world have started to decrease their tuition fees, in order to attract more international students. Here’s everything you need to know about the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students.
In order to gauge the cheapest country to study for Indian students, one needs to take into consideration two factors –
- Money spent on tuition fees, and
- the living costs in the country.
These two factors greatly influence how affordable it is to study in a particular country. So let’s get to it.
Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Norway
For all those wondering what is the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students, the answer is Norway! Among all the Nordic countries, Norway is our top pick for cheap countries to study for Indian students. Norway has a unique educational system where all students, even international students, can study for free at public universities. It is only the cost of living in Norway for Indian students that you will have to look at when it comes to your expenses. Students can enrol in a number of undergraduate courses in fields like engineering, social sciences, mathematics, dentistry, medicine, humanities, law, energy, theology, natural sciences and education. It’s true, however, that you won’t find a wide variety of undergraduate options to choose from like in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. Postgraduate degrees in Norway have more options compared to undergraduate degrees. Currently, according to Norway’s education for Indian students, there are over 200 programs that are taught in English.
The University of Oslo is the most popular university in Norway. As per the Times Higher Education Ranking 2021, the University of Oslo was ranked 127 in the world. The university fared even better in the Top Universities Ranking 2021 with a ranking of 113. The other top universities in Norway are as follows –
- The University of Bergen
- UIT The Arctic University of Norway
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
- University of Stavanger
If you feel confident about studying in the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students, then you need to be aware of the best subjects to study in Norway. Here are the top subjects you should study for receiving excellent Norway education for Indian students –
- Natural Sciences
- Energy and Sustainability
- Industrial Engineering
- Digital Media, Animation and Visual Arts
- Life Sciences and Biotechnology
- Agricultural Science
- IT & Computer Science
Academia excellence aside, Norway offers international students a gateway to its high quality of life and stunning natural beauty. Moreover, international students can comfortably acclimatise in Norway as there are many English-taught courses at all levels of education. The fact that most Norwegians are quite proficient in English doesn’t hurt either. So, is Norway expensive for Indian students?
Now comes the (slightly) bad part. Even though public universities in Norway do not charge tuition fees to their students, Norway is still a high-cost country. This means that the cost of accommodation and other living expenses are quite high. So, what is the cost of living in Norway for Indian students? We estimate that it will cost students roughly US$20,000 per year to live comfortably in Norway.
If you still aren’t convinced that Norway is the best and cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students, then your next best options are the remaining Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. These countries offer students the same high-quality education, a technologically advanced society and breathtaking natural beauty as Norway. Hope you got the answer to ‘Is Norway expensive for Indian students?’.
If you’re unable to afford the cost of accommodation, student visa fee, insurance or any other expense related to studying abroad then try applying for an education loan on UniCreds.
If there’s anything we’ve learned about students who wish to study abroad, it is that they love having backup options. So, if you’ve decided that Norway isn’t for you or you’re simply looking for other options, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the other cheap countries to study for Indian students –
Taiwan
If Norway is the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students, then Taiwan is the 2nd cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students. Taiwan is one of the leading higher education destinations for students who wish to study in Asia. International students can choose from over 120 English-taught courses from over 40 universities in Taiwan.
Besides having an impressive lineup of universities, studying in Taiwan is extremely affordable, thanks to its low cost of living. For instance, the cost of undergraduate tuition at Taiwan’s leading university – National Taiwan University is around US$3,300 per year. One of National Taiwan University’s most popular courses is the Global MBA Program. The low cost of this program has made Taiwan, the cheapest country to study MBA for Indian students. Through this program, students can meet with many professional talents from around the world, enhance or learn their 2nd, 3rd or 4th language capabilities and broaden their networks by interacting with senior professionals in the industry.
The living expenses in Norway for Indian students are comparatively higher than that of Taiwan. The cost of accommodation in Taiwan is roughly around USD 1,400 per year, whereas the cost of transportation, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses will work up to around USD 3,300 per year.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in Taiwan –
- Chang Gung University
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $1288 (TWD 38,661)
- National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $1396 (TWD 41,890)
- National Central University
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $1522 (TWD 45,691)
- National Cheng Kung University
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $1528 (TWD 45,851)
- National Taiwan Normal University
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $1572 (TWD 47,180)
The next best country to study abroad for Indian students is, Germany.
Germany
Just like its European counterpart Norway, Germany offers international students free of cost education at public German universities. All undergraduate and PhD level education at public German universities is free of cost to students.
Germany, also known as the ‘land of ideas’ is quite popular among international students, especially Indians. This is mainly because German universities are growing in number and quality. Moreover, the relatively low cost of living and high quality of life have made Germany an important overseas higher education destination. If you are looking to study in the heart of Europe, then you should strongly consider Germany as it is one of the cheapest countries to study in Europe for international students.
Master’s students in Germany, who haven’t done their undergraduate degree in Germany, typically pay around US$23,450 per year as tuition fees. However, there are many scholarships available to international students, if they wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in Germany. The exact amount of money required to cover living expenses will depend upon your lifestyle, location and spending habits. But generally speaking, students require around S$12,000 a year to live comfortably in Germany.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in Germany –
- Free University of Berlin
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $0
- RWTH Aachen University
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $315
- University of Göttingen
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $363
The next best country to study abroad for Indian students is, France.
France
Even though France is considered one of the most expensive cities to live in, it is actually an affordable study destination for international students, as tuition fees in France are the same for domestic as well as international students. The cost of doing an undergraduate degree in France is around US$200 per year whereas the cost of a postgraduate degree in France is close to US$285 a year. Doctoral programs in France are the most expensive, with some courses costing around US$445. These costs are associated only with public universities in France. The cost of tuition at grandes écoles and grands établissements is considerably higher as these institutions set their own fee structure.
When comparing the cost of living, nothing beats the living expenses in Norway for Indian students. The cost of accommodation will be the highest in Paris but don’t let that discourage you because Paris was named the world’s number one student city four times in a row. With over 100 English-taught programs at a postgraduate level, France is one of the best countries for studying abroad for Indian students.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in France –
- Grenoble INP Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $358
- University of Orleans
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $460
- University of Burgundy
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $466
- University of Strasbourg
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $481
The next best country to study abroad for Indian students is, Mexico.
Mexico
We end our cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students blog with Mexico.
Mexico is a country in North America that is full of an interesting and unique culture. This country is also the most visited nation in Latin America and is a popular study destination for international students. Popular Mexican universities like Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) and Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) are highly ranked universities that are known for their practical learning methodology and impressive educational infrastructure. A majority of the courses in Mexico are administered in Spanish, as it is the main language in Mexico. That being said, students can still find many quality English-taught courses at Mexican universities.
The tuition fees at universities in Mexico vary depending on the type of university, course and location. Private universities charge more than public universities. The average cost of studying an undergraduate course in Mexico is around US$6,300 per year. Living expenses in Mexico is relatively low, with the average yearly cost of living being around US$9,250 in the heart of Mexico City and US$6,450 elsewhere.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in Mexico –
- Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM)
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $700
- Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL)
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $700
- University of Guadalajara (UdeG)
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $900
- Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $5000
- Ibero-American University (IBERO)
Minimum yearly tuition fee: $5000
FAQs
Q1. Which country is the cheapest to study for Indian students?
Ans: Norway ranks first among the cheapest and most inexpensive destinations for Indian students to study abroad. Its public schools are free for all students.
Q2. As an Indian student, how to manage to afford abroad studies?
Ans: Most universities abroad offer funding opportunities for Indian students via scholarships, grants, bursaries and more. While most of the cheapest countries to study abroad have minimal tuition costs, you can make use of scholarships for your living expenses. Alternatively, education loans also come in handy when planning to afford your studies abroad.
Q3. Which country is best for Indian students to study abroad?
Ans: Depending on your course and specific interests, the best country to study in for Indian students may largely vary. However, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, and the US, are considered the best countries among many.
Q4. Which is the cheapest English-speaking country to study abroad for an Indian?
Ans: Ireland is known to be one of the cheapest English-speaking countries for overseas students offering degree programmes in English with flexible schedules. Other countries would include the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and more.
