List of Affordable Countries to Study Abroad

Today, studying abroad is a popular choice for most students. Students from all over the world aspire to study abroad every year. However, you might have concerns when it comes to your budget. Especially in popular destinations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, etc., studying gets quite expensive. It is not possible for everyone to receive scholarships. There are a few countries in the world in which the expenses are extremely low, but the quality of education is compromised. Putting the quality of education at risk because of budget constraints is unwise. Therefore, it is imperative to choose a destination with a good quality education that isn’t too expensive. In this article, we will explore the best affordable countries where students can receive a high-quality education at a very low cost.

Norway

Norwegians are known for their high quality of life and gorgeous natural landscapes, just like those in other Nordic countries. A high standard of living, high education, and stunning natural beauty make Norway a desirable destination. The universities in Norway are ranked among the best and the student accommodations are some of the best. One of the best things about Norwegian universities is that there are no tuition fees. Undergraduate programs include humanities, social sciences, law, theology, mathematics, natural sciences, education, medicine, dentistry, energy, and engineering. The Norwegian Master’s degree program offers close to 200 English-taught courses. The University of Oslo, ranked 102nd, is the highest ranked university. Studying in Norway is also attractive because of the availability of English-taught programs at all study levels and the high number of English-speaking locals. 

The average cost of living in Norway is NOK 116,369 (*US$17,200)

Germany

Germany has become increasingly popular with international students as the ‘Land of Ideas‘. German universities and institutes are among the best in the world, and it is one of the most affordable countries to study abroad when compared to its education quality. Moreover, a range of English-taught courses are available, especially at the graduate level. International students in Germany have access to a range of opportunities and experiences. Aachen, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Nürnberg, Frankfurt are student-friendly cities that provide a high quality of life, affordable costs, and a liberal atmosphere.  

For undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in German public universities, tuition fees are not charged, however, there is a fee for a Master’s degree in Germany if the student wishes to pursue a different subject than their Bachelor’s degree. 

Master’s Degree aspirants who studied their undergraduate degree outside of Germany have to pay upwards of €20,000. (*US$23,450) per year.

 In order to cover living expenses, you’ll need at least €10,200 (*US$11,950) per year, but possibly more, depending on your lifestyle, location, and spending habits.

Switzerland

Swiss watches, Swiss banks, chocolates & cheese, fairy-tale landscape, crystal-clear lakes, and peaceful mountains distinguish Switzerland. But what many people may not know is that Switzerland also has one of the highest-quality education systems in the world. The Swiss education system has an impeccable reputation when it comes to quality. 

In the field of education, Switzerland is a true showcase of innovation and uniqueness. SUMAS, for instance, is a school located between Geneva and Lausanne that offers innovative business programs integrated with state-of-the-art sustainability knowledge. Currently, Switzerland has 12 universities and a smaller number of universities specifically dedicated to science and research. Even though Switzerland remains one of the most expensive countries, tuition fees are different. 

The tuition fees for state universities typically range from EUR 600 to EUR 1000. Private universities can charge as much as EUR 16,000 per year.  

Living expenses will cost you at least EUR 15,000 annually.

Italy

The cultural heritage, landscapes, historic treasures, and exquisite cuisine of Italy attract a lot of foreigners to the country. But many people are unaware that Italy also offers world-class, affordable education to foreign students. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is regarded as the oldest university still in existence. Additionally, Bologna is among the cities in Europe that welcome the most Erasmus students. Today, Italian universities are among the most prestigious in the world. It is a great place to pursue study abroad, and the best part is that it is a wallet-friendly destination for foreign students as far as education and living costs are concerned. 

Several Italian universities, including the ‘Politecnico di Milano’, ‘the University of Padova’, ‘the Bocconi University’, ‘the University of Bologna’, offer scholarships for international students ranging from 5,000 to 12,000 Euros annually.

An annual tuition fee in Italy normally ranges between EUR 900 and EUR 5000. 

In order to cover your living expenses, you’ll need between EUR 600 and EUR 1,000 each month.

Spain

Spain has a great reputation around the world for its universities and provides high-quality university education at an affordable price, thus making it a popular choice for Indian and foreign students. Spain’s higher education system is ranked highly within global education rankings and has a strong international profile. In Spain, university education has its roots in the medieval period, with the University of Salamanca becoming one of the oldest universities in the world in 1218. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, which attracts thousands of students each year to study the Latin-based Romance language in Spain. 

Spanish tuition fees are considered the lowest in Europe and the cost of living is low for international students, including Indian students. 

Graduate programs in the Bachelors & Masters Programs cost between 800 and 2,500 EUR per academic year. Private universities, on the other hand, charge tuition fees of around 14,000 – 17,000 EUR. 

The cost of living for international students is between 500 EUR and 1000 EUR per month. 

Let’s Wrap Up!

Studying abroad is a dream shared by many students around the world. However, the budget remains the main concern. Therefore, it is highly imperative that you do smart research to find your perfect study destination so that the budget does not hinder you from achieving your dreams.

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