This article features a list of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students, the fees paid by international students in these schools will wow you! Some of the schools funded by the government in Europe operate totally free-tuition education and students are to pay just nominal fees less than $300 per semester.
Worthy of note, these schools are the cheapest for European students too.
There are some schools that may be cheap for domestic students but they won’t be cheap for international students so on this research we decided to put more interest in finding schools in Europe that are either totally tuition-free or offer very low tuition fees to international students.
Generally, schools offering affordable fees to international students are much more affordable to domestic students.
[lwptoc]
Studying in Europe
Getting an education or degree of any kind abroad comes with tons of opportunities, you get to make new international contacts, learn the diverse lifestyle and culture of other people and get to enjoy other amazing trends that come with studying abroad. It is an amazing experience and a great way of learning as well.
All of these and more are what you get to experience when you study in Europe and this is even asides the world-class education you will get too.
While studying at home isn’t generally a bad idea depending on where you are coming from, studying abroad will certainly give you an advantage over those who studied at home as your international experience can create added value as a future employee.
You may begin to wonder, even with these benefits why don’t more students go to study in Europe, well, that is because it is expensive and not many of these interested students get to do research to find available cheap European universities. That is also why we’ve decided to go the extra to bring this information to your fingertip.
You can actually get cheap universities to study in Europe or source for scholarship opportunities that would fund your education in a European university but the scholarships aren’t easy to get so the best option to stick with is to look for some of the cheapest universities to study in Europe for international student and apply to them.
Hey, look that is what this article is all about. Here is your source on getting the cheapest universities to study in Europe. I have carried out all of the extensive research concerning the subject matter and put together 15 cheapest universities in Europe for international students.
Can I really study in Europe for free?
Truth be told, you can’t study in Europe for free not unless you harness some opportunities such as scholarships, taking loans, saving up, then just maybe it could work out. Even in this case, only the scholarships option seems to make a lot of sense but like I said earlier these scholarships aren’t easy to get, they are very competitive.
So, why not just take upon the cheap offers of some of these European universities, save yourself the hassle of getting a scholarship, go to one of the cheap Europe based universities I’ve listed out below, pay little or no tuition fees, study for your degree, complete it and start a promising career.
Which countries in Europe are the cheapest for international students to study?
This is another hack for lowering your education cost, choosing an affordable place to study in Europe combined with one of the cheapest universities in Europe as well.
10 cheapest countries in Europe for international students are;
Below is a list of the top 10 cheapest countries in Europe. Topping the list is Germany, you may need to know that Germany has abolished tuition fees in all its public universities both for international and domestic students since 2014.
- Germany
- Argentina
- France
- Norway
- Spain
- Austria
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Finland
- Netherlands
Cost of living in Europe for students
The living costs of these places are averagely low with a range of $7,000 – $9,000 annually which should certainly fit into the budget of any international student without fuss.
Okay, it’s high time I dived into the main subject matter and without further ado, I will list the cheapest universities in Europe for international students.
- Free University of Berlin, Germany
- University of Pisa, Italy
- Heidelberg University, Germany
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- University of Wurzburg, Germany
- Novosibirsk State University, Russia
- University of Gӧttingen, Germany
- University of Paris-Saclay, France
- Fontys University of Applied Science, Netherlands
- Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Italy
- University of Mannheim
- RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- The University of Vienna, Austria
- Nord University, Norway
- University of Crete, Greece
Free University of Berlin, Germany
Did you just guess this university is “free” because of its name? Oh well, you are right, this university is one of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students and operates a totally tuition-free education.
The Free University of Berlin does not charge any tuition fees at all but there a few other regular payments which amount to about just €312.89 that is paid per session covering registration fee, student support service, transportation ticket and student union fees.
However, some graduate and postgraduate programs are not free you will have to contact the university to know of these programs and the associated charges but undergraduate students can study for free from the range of courses offered by the university.
Tuition Fees
Masters: NA
Undergraduate:
International students:
Other fees: €312.89
University of Pisa, Italy
University of Pisa also known as UniPi, located in Italy and founded in 1343 it is the oldest and 6th best university in Italy. UniPi is able to make it to the list of low tuition universities in Europe for international students due to its very affordable tuition fees.
The university has a range of bachelor’s degree program that costs $2,500 per year and a master’s degree program that costs $2,307 per year for international students. You will agree with me that these are very low tuition costs compared to a regular university with such ranking.
Tuition Fees
Masters: $2,307
Undergraduate: $2,500
International students:
Other fees:
Heidelberg University, Germany
As a public research university founded in 1386 and offering various graduate and postgraduate degree programs, Heidelberg University makes it to the list of low-cost universities in Europe for international students.
International students from European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries are charged a fee of just €171.75 for studying at Heidelberg University and it covers administrative costs, the social contribution for student services, student union, transit pass and for the use of nextbike services.
While international students from non-European Union (EU) and non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries are required to pay €1,500 per semester.
However, special fees are charged for continuing education and existing non-consecutive master’s programs which you would have to contact the school to know more about.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students(EU): €171.75
International students: €1,500
University of Basel, Switzerland
Counted among the leading institutions for higher learning in Switzerland and founded as far back 1460, the University of Basel is recognized among the cheapest universities in Europe for international students, offering various range of graduate and undergraduate programs to students.
International undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Basel are charged $1,714 per year as tuition fees.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students: $1,714
Other fees:
University of Wurzburg, Germany
I’m quite sure “Wurzburg”, which is a German word, does not mean “free” but the University of Wurzburg, a well known public research university in Germany is a tuition-free institution for international students thus making it to the list of the most affordable universities in Europe for international students.
However, international students will make a fee payment of €137.90 which covers student contribution and semester tickets.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students:
Other fees: €137.90
Novosibirsk State University, Russia
Surprised this institution is on the list of cheapest universities in Europe for international students? Unless you don’t know it yet.
Novosibirsk State University or NSU, as it is popularly known, is one of Russia’s top institutions of higher education and it is the main producer of most of Russia’s academic elite.
The university is highly regarded in educational and scientific research activities and offers various undergraduate and graduate programs for every student which are taught both in English and Russian.
Here comes the good part.
Even with its top ranking, international master’s and undergraduate programs and its popularity, students get to pay just $3,000 per year as tuition fees.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students: $3,000
Other fees:
University of Gӧttingen, Germany
Here is an internationally renowned research university in the world on our list of cheapest universities in Europe for international students.
This keeps getting better and better, I bet you think the universities on this list are quack because they are incredibly cheap, I’m sure you’ve gotten your mind blown by now.
At the University of Gӧttingen, international students pay approximately €760 per year which covers enrolment and re-registration for both first and second semesters.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students: €760
Other fees:
University of Paris-Saclay, France
The University of Paris-Saclay is a research-intensive institution that has made it to our list of low tuition universities in Europe for international students.
Saclay offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs to interested students with a tuition fee too low to look real.
The tuition fee for the undergraduate program at the University of Paris-Saclay is €170 per year, €243 per year for the master’s programme and €380 per year for Ph.D. programme.
Ain’t these mind-blowing? They actually look too real to be true but you can find out for yourself to confirm if we made this up just to impress you. They are real you see them here.
Tuition Fees
Masters: €243
PhD: €380
Undergraduate: €170
Fontys University of Applied Science, Netherlands
Ranked among the best universities in the Netherlands especially in the fields of engineering, I.T, logistics, business administration and management, and has several campuses located in the southern Netherlands. The Fontys University of Applied Science makes it to our list of cheap universities in Europe for international students.
Fontys offers various bachelor, masters and short term programmes with tuition fees that will leave you in wonders.
International students from the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries pay a statutory tuition fee of €2,143 while students from none of these countries pay the tuition fee of €7,920. These fees may look a bit high considering other schools on this list but when you compare them with some other international universities out there you will agree with me that they are very very affordable.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students(EU): €2,143
International students(others): €7,920
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Italy
This is a public research institution operated in the field of applied sciences, established in 1987 and a hub for teaching excellence and world-class education in various masters, undergraduate and PhD programs.
Sant’Anna School of advanced studies is on the list of cheapest universities in Europe for international students with zero tuition fees for undergraduate programs while graduate students tuition fees range from €7,000 – €10,000.
Tuition Fees
Masters/PhD: €7,000 – €10,000.
Undergraduate:
International students:
Other fees:
University of Mannheim, Germany
This is a public research-intensive university founded in 1967 and a place to grow and develop your potentials, offering various full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The University of Mannheim is one of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students to pursue their academic dreams with its cheap tuition fees which amounts to €1,500 per semester thus international students will pay a total of €3,000 per year.
While there are tuition fees payable in this school, there yet still exceptions. If you are an international student but you have a residence permit in Germany under some given terms you can find on the university’s website you won’t have to pay any tuition fee at all.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate: €1,500
International students: €1,500
Other fees:
RWTH Aachen University, Germany
This is the largest technical university in the whole of Germany and offers various undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs to develop and hone your skills in your preferred field and level of study.
It should no longer be a surprise that a university of such prestige is amongst the list of cheapest universities in Europe for international students.
However, there are conditional tuition fees at RWTH Aachen University and it applies to some international students. Generally, students are expected to make a semester student contribution of €299.38 per semester.
Tuition Fees
Masters:
Undergraduate:
International students:
Other fees: €299.38
The University of Vienna, Austria
This is one of Europe’s largest and prestigious universities and home to many historical scholars whose positive contributions have been duly noted. The University of Vienna may not look like one but it is actually among the cheapest universities in Europe for international students.
The university offers various programs at the undergraduate, masters and doctorate study levels with varying tuition fees.
As an international student who is from the EU/EEA countries, you don’t have to pay tuition fees during the standard duration of your degree programme plus two tolerance semesters but will have to pay the €20.20 students’ union fee.
International students from non- EU/EEA countries will have to pay an annual tuition fee of €726.72 along with the €20.20 students’ union fee per semester.
Tuition Fees
International students(EU/EEA): NA
Other fees: €20.20
International students(others): €726.72
Other fees: €20.20
Nord University, Norway
This is the youngest university on this list, established in 2016 and offering various bachelor’s, masters and doctoral programs to develop and grow your skills, Nord University is also one of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students.
Nord does not charge any tuition fees but students will have to pay a semester fee of NOK725 which is approximately $77 which covers administrative costs and contributes to student welfare services.
Tuition Fees
Masters: NA
Undergraduate: NA
International students: NA
Other fees: $77
University of Crete, Greece
Established in 1973 and committed to excellence in research and teaching, the University of Crete offers different undergraduate, masters and doctoral degree programs for students to enjoin, gain knowledge and develop their skills.
The University of Crete, too, is one of the cheapest universities you will find in Europe for international students and does NOT charge tuition fees for EU nationals enrolled in her undergraduate programs.
Only 11 of the 52 postgraduate study programmes offered at the University of Crete have tuition fees but there are no tuition fees for Ph.D. students.
Tuition Fees
Masters: Approx $2000
Undergraduate: NA
International students: NA
Other fees: NA
There you have the list of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students, it is a nice, exciting read, isn’t it? I enjoyed writing it too and I am glad I was able to dig out these schools for your sake.
Conclusion
Now that you have these details what next? You have been provided with every salient detail concerning the cheapest universities in Europe for international and domestic students like I wrote earlier.
These are prestigious institutions that will give you what you are looking for in the academic space, be it a bachelor, masters or doctoral degrees, these universities are handing it to you on a platter of gold but it is left for you to stretch out your hands and grab the opportunity.
I know the topic should have been on just cheap universities in Europe but I certainly crossed the line a little bit by mentioning some tuition-free universities in Europe too, I guess that cross was worth it anyway.
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