Tuition fees can become a significant challenge when aiming to go for studies abroad. However, a fantastic fact is that several countries have free education for international students. These countries offer low-cost education opportunities for students of different nationalities. In this guide, we’ll take you through the best countries that provide free or affordable tuition fees for international students to make education accessible.
| Country | Average Tuition Fees for International Students | Average Living Cost (per month) | Popular Courses |
| Finland | €4,000 – €18,000 annually | €700 – €1,300 | Engineering, Business, Computer Science |
| Denmark | €6,000 – €16,000 annually | €750 – €1,200 | Geography, Anthropology, Social Sciences, History |
| Sweden | 80,000 – 140,000 SEK annually | 8,000 – 12,000 SEK | Engineering, Business Administration, Computer Science, Environmental Studies |
| Austria | €762 per semester for non-EU students | €900 – €1,500 | Law, History, Communication, Language Studies, Pedagogy |
| France | €2,770 (Bachelor’s), €3,770 (Master’s) for non-EU students | €900 | Philosophy, Art History, Management, Engineering, Film Studies |
| Belgium | €835 (EU), €2,505 (non-EU) annually | €800 – €1,200 | Business, Engineering, Law |
| Greece | €1,500 annually for non-EU students | €450 – €750 | Tourism, Computer Science, Medicine, Philosophy, Education |
| Spain | €1,000 annually at public universities | €600 – €1,200 | Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Spanish Language |
| Italy | Approx. €1,800 annually | €600 – €1,200 | Art, Design, Fashion, Engineering, Business Administration |
List Of Countries With Reasonable Tuition Costs To International Students
It is important to remember that while many universities worldwide do not charge tuition fees, there will be a requirement to pay smaller amounts, known as administrative fees. These fees help fund the education services being offered to the students. Here are some of the leading countries that offer free or relatively affordable tuition costs for international students:
Finland
While not essentially among the free education countries, Finland is a prime destination for international students seeking quality education without high tuition fees. While EU/EEA citizens can pursue Finnish or Swedish-taught degrees for free, non-EU/EEA students are generally expected to pay around €4,000 – €18,000 annually for English-taught programmes.
With the average cost of living ranging between €700 – €1,300 per month, popular courses like Engineering, Business, and Computer Science are offered at top universities like the University of Helsinki.
Denmark
Denmark is amongst the top countries that offer free education for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. However, international students are expected to pay around €6,000 – €16,000 annually, depending upon the programme.
Average living costs in Denmark normally range between €750 – €1,200 per month. Popular programmes include Geography, Anthropology, Social Sciences, and History at renowned universities like the University of Copenhagen.
Sweden
If you have been looking for countries with free education for foreign students, Sweden offers accessible higher education. For non-EU/EEA students, tuition fees may range from 80,000 to 140,000 SEK per year, depending on the programme and institution.
The average cost of living ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 SEK per month. Popular courses include Engineering, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Environmental Studies at prestigious universities such as Lund University, Uppsala University, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Austria
Austria is one of the countries which offer free education for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. The tuition fees cost around €762 per semester for non-EU students.
Living costs normally range between €900 to €1,500 monthly. Popular courses like Law, History, Communication, Language Studies, and Pedagogy are widely admired at renowned institutions such as the University of Vienna, University of Salzburg, and the Medical University of Vienna.
France
France is one of the best countries offering affordable education to international students. EU/EEA, Andorran, and Swiss students pay only €170-€380 annually, while non-EU students can pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees for €2,770 and €3,770 respectively.
With an average living cost of around €900 per month, popular courses like Philosophy, Art History, Management, Engineering, and Film Studies can be pursued at universities like Le Mans, Sorbonne, and the University of Clermont Auvergne.
Belgium
While Belgium is widely admired for its iconic chocolates and waffles, it is amongst the countries offering free education for international students. However, this can vary from university to university. For EU students, tuition fees are as low as €835 per year. Non-EU students can pursue their studies by paying €2,505 annually, depending on the university and programme.
Greece
Greece is an attractive study destination providing free education for EU/EEA students and affordable tuition fees starting from €1,500 per year for non-EU learners.
With an affordable cost of living ranging between €450 to €750 monthly, students can pursue popular programmes like Tourism, Computer Science, Medicine, Philosophy, and Education at prestigious free universities such as the University of Crete, National Technical University of Athens, and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Spain
Spain offers free university education to European Union (EU) students. However, international students from other countries are only required to pay a nominal charge for their higher studies. The average tuition fee is around €1,000 per year at public universities. With an affordable cost of living and the availability of several scholarships make studying in Spain feasible for international students.
Italy
Italy is one of the countries offering free education for international students. If not completely free, the tuition fees are highly affordable starting from approximately €1,800 per year. The country offers tuition-free education at public universities for both domestic and international students. However, students still need to account for living expenses, which can range between €600 to €1,200 per month which can vary depending on the city and lifestyle.
Thus, countries offering free education to international students and low-cost programmes allow students to take their careers to the next level. This provision benefits students to access high-quality education without the burden of financial barriers.
FAQs
Which are the countries with free education for international students?
Austria, Belgium, France, Italy and many more, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Estonia are some countries with free education! These countries may have some restrictions like free education only for EU students and lower tuition fees for international students.
Which country is best for free studies?
Denmark is amongst the top countries that offer affordable and free education for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. However, international students are expected to pay around €6,000 – €16,000 annually, depending upon the programme.
How can I study in an another country for free?
You can enrol in a language school in another country or a foreign university which offers education at zero tuition fees. You can also opt for scholarships to fund your studies.
In which country Indians can get free education?
Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Finland are some of the best countries that offer free education or low-cost tuition fees for international students. This will be beneficial for Indian students too.
Can I study abroad for free?
There are many countries that offer free education for students belonging to different nationalities. You can also opt for scholarships to fund your education.
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