Top 10 Countries Offering Free Education to International Students 

Every student dreams of going abroad and pursuing higher education. The education system and infrastructure of foreign countries are very well developed and offer various courses. But with all of the advanced educational facilities provided by Universities abroad, there also come exorbitant tuition fees and the additional cost of living which makes it very difficult for students to bear.

But what if we tell you that certain countries offer free education to international students? By studying in these countries, you can continue your higher education free of cost and all you need to pay is the cost of living.

Here are some of the best countries that offer free education to international students:

1) SPAIN:

Spain, officially known as the Kingdom of Spain is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Students can study here at a very low cost and can pursue a course of their choice from undergraduate to doctoral level. International students may be required to pay tuition fees between $830 to $2760 per year depending on their desired course, these fees are charged on a per-credit basis but can be higher at the graduate level. Some of the top-ranked Universities in Spain are Pompeu Fabra University ranked 143rd worldwide, Autonomous University of Barcelona ranked 157th worldwide followed by the University of Seville and the University of Almeria. Apart from Spain’s education, one can also enjoy its rich history, culture, and some of its most famous tourist sites such as La Sarada Familia, and Alhambra, along with its famed food tours and Tomatina festival.

2) GREECE: 

Greece is a country located in South-eastern Europe. Athens is the nation's capital and is its largest city, followed by Thessaloniki. Greece offers a minimal cost of living to all students who can study abroad for free in Greece at public universities and colleges, except for some master’s programs, one can also opt for graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral degrees in some of the top-ranked colleges in Greece. International students are also eligible for low-cost higher education with tuition fees of $1660 per year. Some of the esteemed Universities here are the National Technical University of Athens, Aristotle University, University of Crete, etc. Most of the courses offered by these Universities are in the English language making it easier to impart knowledge to international students. The provision of student accommodation varies within Greece because not every institution offers its halls of residence for students.

Due to a large number of students, student apartments and also students-hostels have developed. The prices of these vary significantly but ask a minimal 300 Euros per month. In addition, if a student desires more space then he/she can rent an apartment whose monthly rent is much more affordable than in other countries. 8. BELGIUM: Belgium is a country in Western Europe. Brussels is the capital and largest city of Belgium while other major cities include Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, and Liège. Belgium’s estimable education system with advanced infrastructure allows students to gain both practical and theoretical education. Belgium presents its graduate students with countless employment opportunities in fields like Business, Medicine, Banking, etc. Some of the top universities in Belgium are KU Leuven ranking 71st worldwide, the University of Ghent ranking 125th worldwide, and the University of Brussels ranking 205th worldwide. Living costs in Belgium usually vary between 700 to 950 Euros per month but in larger cities, you might need a bigger budget, but again this mainly depends upon your living accommodation and purchases.

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3) FRANCE: 

France is a country whose territory consists of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. France is a very beautiful country considering both its scenic beauty and its standard of living. The education system there is also very modern and advanced. The tuition is almost free here for international students and one can opt for various creative and mainstream courses from the universities present here. Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University ranked 45th worldwide, Ecole Polytechnique ranked 93rd, and lastly the Sorbonne University ranked 80th are some of the best France has to offer. For a student pursuing an undergraduate program, the living expenses range between 10,000 to 18,000 Euros per year, and for pursuing a Postgraduate program, the living expenses range between 18,000 to 30,000 Euros per year. So, even if the education cost itself is quite low, the cost of living makes it difficult for students to save any of their money. According to world rankings, 39 universities in France offer world-class education to their students across the globe. However, to study at any University in France, a good score in TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required and very important.

4) CZECH REPUBLIC: 

The Czech Republic also known as Czechia is a landlocked country in Central Europe. A lot of international students come to study in the Czech Republic as the country is a perfect blend of rich cultural heritage and modernization. Universities in the Czech Republic offer courses in Medicine, Engineering, and Sciences. Education is mostly offered in the Czech language, but many of the top universities also offer education in English. By law, higher education in public and state Universities is free to all but if one wishes to extend their time of study or to take a course in a foreign language then some pre-set fees will be applicable. Private institutions charge their fees which range from $0 to $22,350 but the exact amount varies from course to course. Charles University, Masaryk University, and the Technical University of Ostrava are the best in the Czech Republic. Regarding the cost of living for students, the popular pocket-friendly option is to live in dormitories. Most universities in the Czech Republic offer international students on-campus dorm rooms but if the student wishes for more space then he/she can also rent an apartment for about $450 per month, this price varies from city to city.

5) FINLAND: 

Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. The capital and largest city is Helsinki. Finland is one of the best places to study for an international student. Finland houses some of the best Universities in the world. Higher education is free in Finland which helps students on a budget. Finland offers courses in design, Architecture, Communications, etc. Finland is well known for offering practical education and has a wide curriculum. All Universities in Finland have an autonomous fee structure with tuition fees ranging between 8,000 to 16,000 Euros per year. The magnificent Universities like the University of Helsinki ranked 97th, Aalto University ranking 134th, and the University of Oulu ranked 251st are some of the finest institutions in Finland. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, students need to have sufficient funds to sustain/themselves anywhere which is approximately 560 Euros per month. The cost of living in Finland is very affordable but the real cost of living depends on where you study and how you handle your expenses.

6) AUSTRIA:

Austria is a landlocked East Alpine country in the southern part of Central Europe. The cost of education in Austrian universities is essentially 950 Euros per year. International students only need to pay a nominal fee when they enroll in a University and can choose from tons of degree programs in many interesting subjects. The favorable environment and the affordable cost of living make Austria an ideal place for students of all countries to obtain phenomenal education. Some of the top universities in Austria for international students are the University of Vienna ranking 151st and the University of Innsbruck coming 201st. 3. SWEDEN: Sweden is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. The capital city of Sweden is Stockholm. Swedish universities offer education with no tuition fees and this is applicable for all students regardless of their nationality. If one pursues a Ph.D. from any Swedish university, he/she also gets paid for carrying out their research work. Apart from this, many universities in Sweden offer scholarship to international students which reduces their tuition costs significantly. Some of the popular universities for international students in Sweden include Karolinska Institute ranks 41st, Lund University ranks 96th, Uppsala University ranks 102nd, and Stockholm University ranks 175th. The living cost for students in Sweden is a little higher than in other European countries. One should expect to spend between 700 to 1,200 Euros per month for their living accommodations.

7) NORWAY: 

Norway is another country where you don’t have to spend a single penny to pursue your undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral degrees in public or state Universities. This is because the government finances education in the country with taxpayer money. However, private Universities in Norway may charge 7000 to 9000 Euros for a Bachelor’s degree and 9000 to 19,000 Euros for a Master’s degree. Well-known universities of Norway offer their students education in Norwegian which is why you need to learn the said language and also pass a proficiency test named ‘Kompetanse Norge’. The Norwegian University of Science and the University of Oslo are two very prestigious institutions in Norway. Following the same budget-friendly motto for students, the cost of living in Norway is approximately 500 to 1500 Euros per month.

8) GERMANY:

Germany is a country in Central and Western Europe. Undoubtedly, Germany tops the list of countries where one can pursue higher education at no cost. Almost all public universities do not charge any tuition fees at all. Students need to pay an administration fee which is very minimal and quite less compared to what is charged in our own country. English is commonly spoken in Germany and the courses offered here are in English which makes it easier for international students to pursue higher education in Germany. Germany has taken the top spot in our list and boasts a gallery of esteemed universities such as the Ludwig Maximilian University ranked 63rd, the Technical University of Munich ranked 55th and the Heidelberg University ranked 66th among some of the best Universities in the world. The cost of living in Germany is around 850 Euros a month. Compared to some other European countries, Germany is not that expensive, the cost of food, clothing, shelter, and recreational activities is only slightly higher than the European Union making Germany a student-friendly country.