Who doesn't wish for better opportunities? But when financial constraints pull you back, do not fret! Did you know that tuition fees in these below-mentioned countries are significantly lower compared to the US, UK, or Australia, making them attractive options for students? Plus, degrees earned in these countries are recognised globally, making them valuable for future career prospects. So through this blog, we wish to answer the most common question of how much it costs to study abroad and which are the cheapest countries for international students. If you wish to attain your higher education and financial factors are holding you back from accomplishing your dreams, the cheapest countries for international students can help you out. Here are some of the cheapest countries for international students.
10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad
Studying somewhere apart from your country can be an expensive task. But don't let financial constraints demotivate or derail you from your goal of attaining the best education. The cheapest countries to study for international students provide the best education with lower tuition fees and an even lower cost of living. We have listed the top 10 cheapest countries to study abroad for you to choose from! Let's get started!
1. Germany
Minimum tuition fees: $23895.32 for a Bachelor's degree and $41816.81 for Masters degree
Average cost of living: €850/ month
Top Universities: University of Stuttgart, University of Bremen, University of Cologne, University of Hamburg, The Technical University of Munich.
Job Opportunities: Engineering, IT, Healthcare, Management, and Finance
Germany is one of the cheapest European countries to study. With its world-class infrastructure, the country's top institutions are dedicated to providing students from all over the world degrees in eclectic domains and specialisations. The top-ranking universities in the country provide several financial aid, making it one of the cheapest and most affordable countries to study. Studying at public universities in Germany costs nothing. Yes, when you opt for a public university, higher education in Germany is free; it doesn't matter what nationality you belong to.
Scholarships
- DAAD scholarship
- Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
- Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship
- EMS Graduate Scholarship
- Heinrich Boll Scholarship
2. Norway
Minimum tuition fees: $752.70 and $10872.37
Average cost of living: $1000 per year
Top Universities: The University of Oslo, University of Bergen, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger.
Job Opportunities: Fishing, Hydropower, Mining, Petroleum and Gas, Paper Products, Shipping, and Tourism
Norway is another one of the cheapest countries for international students after Germany. With the country's top-notch universities, it is committed to advancing higher education with its skill-based education system. The Nordic countries are well-known for their quality of education and how they keep the courses pocket-friendly for those on a budget. Everyone, including international students at Nordic Public Universities, can attain higher education for free! These factors make Norway one of the cheapest countries to study in the world.
Scholarships
- NTNU Scholarship
- SCAR Fellowships In Antarctic Research
- Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
- Mobility Grant for Norwegian Language and Literature
- A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship Programme
- BI Presidential Scholarship
- Scholarship Grant for Undergraduate Students
3. France
Minimum tuition fees: $298.69 for a Bachelor's degree and $10752.89 for a Master's degree
Average cost of living: $1194.77 per month
Top Universities: Université PSL , Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Sorbonne University, Institut Polytechnique de
Paris.
Job Opportunities: fashion design, film studies, law, creative writing and literature
As we are looking for the cheapest country for international students, France stands to be a preferred choice by students worldwide. Apart from the country's romantic setting, it is also one of the top countries to attract international students worldwide. The tuition fees to various universities in France are quite affordable, making it one of the cheapest countries for international students to study in. France offers some of the best undergraduate and graduate courses in arts and humanity, engineering and technology, natural sciences, mathematics and more.
Scholarships
- The École Normale Supérieure Master’s degree scholarship
- Grenoble INP Master’s degree scholarship
- Sciences Po Bachelor’s and Master’s degree scholarships
- Emile Boutmy Scholarship
- Eiffel Scholarship
Find the most affordable student accommodation in the cheapest countries on earth!
Book through amber today!
VisitUs
4. Canada
Minimum tuition fees: $776.60 for a Bachelor's degree and $11947.66 for a Master's degree
Average cost of living: $650 per month
Top Universities: University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Alberta, University of Waterloo
Job Opportunities: Healthcare, technology, finance, and engineering
Along with being one of the most preferred countries to study, Canada is also one of the cheapest countries to study abroad. The country welcomes thousands of students annually from different parts of the world. The top-class education and affordable cost of living are a few reasons Canada is one of the top educational destinations. Here, we have listed out the top universities if you are planning to complete your Master’s in Canada. Since we are on the topic of financial aid, the 13 best scholarships in Canada in 2024 can help you get the best education while going easy in your pockets.
Scholarships
- Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program (CGS-M)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)
- University of Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence
- University of Alberta International Student Scholarship
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program
5. India
Minimum tuition fees: $238.95 for a Bachelor's degree and $1,231 for a Master's degree
Average cost of living: $344.6 per month
Top Universities: Indian Institute of Science, Anna University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Mahatma Gandhi University.
Job Opportunities: Data science, Artificial Intelligence, Investment banking, Software engineering, Product Management.
India is one of the cheapest countries for international students. With a very low cost of living, the country also offers world-class education institutes. The country has a diverse culture and celebrates colourful festivals around the year. Having low tuition fees across some of the biggest institutions in India makes it one of the most affordable countries for international students. With lower tuition fees, the cost of living in India is also one factor that makes it the cheapest country for international students to study globally.
Scholarships:
- Reliance JIO Infocomm Limited (RJIL) Scholarships
- CCB Welfare And Scholarship Scheme
- Vidyadhan Scholarship Program
- Tata Trust Vocational Scholarship
6. Taiwan
Minimum tuition fees: US$3253 - US$6507/ year
Average cost of living: $726-$940/ month
Top Universities: National Tsing Hua University, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan University, Taipei Medical University.
Job Opportunities: Managing Director, Regional Sales Manager, Engineering Director, Medical Director.
Another Asian country on the list, Taiwan is one of the cheapest countries for international students. Various prestigious universities in the country offer degrees and certifications in diverse courses. The Taiwanese Government presents numerous scholarship opportunities for international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The other important cost an international student must consider is the rent for their student accommodation. The average student accommodation in Taiwan costs around $300-$650. The factor to consider is that even with a thriving economy and high standard of living, Taiwan is enlisted as one of the cheapest countries to study for international students.
Scholarships
There are abundant scholarship opportunities available for students from every nationality. Taiwan offers multiple, government, university based and private scholarships for international students, but these are the ones that stand out:
- MOE Taiwan Scholarship
- The Taiwan Scholarship
7. Poland
Minimum tuition fees: $1000-$4500/ year
Average cost of living: $350-$600/ month
Top Universities: University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University, Adam Mickiewicz University.
Job Opportunities: construction, logistics, transportation,the green economy. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, truck drivers, and renewable energy experts.
Along with the country's scenic beauty and diverse cultural background, Poland is one of the cheapest countries for international students to study in. Poland has several institutions offering world-class education, which is considerably affordable for students. Low tuition fees make Poland one of the cheapest countries to study abroad.
The cost of living can differ based on in which part of Poland you're residing. Apart from the daily costs, the other most important factor is the rent of your chosen student accommodation in Poland. It costs around $65-$155/ month. Higher education is also free for students in Poland (even international) who initiate their academic journey at state HEIs, making it one of the cheapest countries for international students.
Scholarships
Being on the affordable side, various universities in Poland also offer scholarships. Some of them are:
- Scholarships within bilateral agreements
- CEEPUS exchange programme
- Eastern Partnership and Post-Soviet countries scholarships
- Scholarships for citizens from developing countries
- Fulbright Programme
- Visegrad Scholarship Programme
If you want a quick summary of the best and affordable countries to study abroad, our webstory on the cheapest countries to study abroad will be your best friend!
8. UK
Minimum tuition fees: £9,000- £22,000/ year.
Average cost of living: £600-£1200/ month
Top Universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, University of St Andrews.
Job Opportunities: Engineer, Doctor, Lawyer, Computer Progren=mmer, Teacher, Financial Management.
The United Kingdom can not exactly be called the cheapest country to study abroad, but there are still some niches where a student can expect some relaxation. Here is the cost bifurcation for the UK if you are looking forward to studying in the UK.
Student accommodation in the UK can be quite affordable if you book through a trusted source like ours. The rent in the UK starts from £113-£3080/ week. You can visit our website to find out the most affordable student accommodation that fits your budget. Turn the UK into one of the cheapest countries for international students by choosing the student accommodations listed with amber!
Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- Marshall Scholarship
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Rhodes Scholarship
9. USA
Minimum tuition fees: $10,000-$35,000/ year.
Average cost of living: $1000-$1500/ month
Top Universities: Harvard University, Stanford University, Yale University, Princeton University, MIT, Columbia University.
Job Opportunities: Nurse Practitioner, Computer Programmer, Medical and Health Service, Financial Manager, Data Science
The USA is the most preferred student destination and is well-liked by students worldwide. Although it is not the cheapest countries to study abroad, it is still quite affordable if you plan your finances. Various options like loans and scholarships might help you get into a reputed US university without worrying about tuition fees and other factors.
Several scholarship programs are available in the US that you can easily apply for as an international student. Browse through the Top 20 Scholarships in the USA to learn more. It is quite convenient to find student accommodation in the USA at low prices, given the country is a hub for international students. US student housing ranges from $200-$3500/ month. However, it can differ on where you plan to stay. This makes the US one of the cheapest countries to study for international students.
Scholarships
- Fullbright scholarship
- American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
- Rotary Peace Fellowship
- GREAT Scholarship
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarships
10. Malaysia
Minimum tuition fees: $179.21 for a Bachelor's degree and $4779.06 for a Master's degree
Average cost of living: $400 per month
Top Universities: Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM),
Job Opportunities: software developers, engineers, finance specialists, healthcare professionals, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Malaysia is highly regarded as one of the most affordable countries for international students to study abroad. It offers a wide selection of popular universities with affordable tuition fees. Over 170,000 international students from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East are studying in the many top universities. Additionally, the cost of living in Malaysia is notably reasonable, making it particularly attractive for international students seeking the cheapest countries to study abroad.
Scholarships
- Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)
- Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
- Khazanah Global Scholarship
- JPA Scholarship Programme
- Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), MOHE
Choosing the Most Affordable Places to Study Abroad
When thinking about studying abroad, finding an affordable place is key. Start by looking into countries where the cost of living is lower. Places like Poland, India, Mexico, and Malaysia often offer quality education without breaking the bank. Scholarships can also be a big help, so research ones that match your needs. Public universities in countries like Germany and France have low or even no tuition fees for international students. Student accommodation stands to be one of the top factors an international student has to think about while moving abroad. It also differs from country to country depending on the living costs in that particular nation. Amber can help you with finding the best student accommodation near your preferred university. Additionally, consider the cost of everyday expenses like housing, food, and transportation. It’s also worth exploring online forums and social media groups where other students share their experiences and tips. Lastly, think about part-time work opportunities and whether your student visa allows it. Planning carefully and doing thorough research can make studying abroad both affordable and enriching.
So here is a list of the top 10 cheapest countries to study abroad. Scholarships are a great way to afford to study abroad, so it only makes sense that you learn how to get a scholarship. Various countries and the universities it houses create multiple scholarship offers, making them the cheapest countries for international students. Hope this list helps you find your perfect study-abroad destination. Don't forget to check out what are the best countries to work abroad which will help you make better decisions.
