Lana Oconnell
International students often have to pay high fees to attend college in certain countries, especially in the US, where the average cost of an undergraduate degree for an international student is around $165,000. However, there are over 50 universities worldwide that offer free tuition for international students, and some countries, such as Germany, Norway, France, Greece, and Argentina, offer free or very low-cost higher education to all international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with free education for international students | Germany, Norway, France, Brazil, Argentina, Austria, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Iceland, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaysia |
| Countries with free education for EU/EEA students | Germany, Norway, France, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Sweden, Denmark, Austria |
| Countries with free education for citizens only | Switzerland, Czech Republic, Greece |
| Scholarships for international students | Full-tuition scholarships, scholarships covering tuition, flights, accommodation, textbooks, etc. |
| Average cost of college in the US for international students | $41,000 USD per year |
| Average cost of public and private colleges in the US | $20,598 and $44,662 per year, respectively |
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What You'll Learn
International students in the US
The high cost of college in the US means that, for the most part, only wealthy international students can afford to attend. While some colleges offer financial aid to international students, this is not common. International students are also typically not eligible for federal aid, and public colleges, which are funded by the state, generally do not offer scholarships. Private colleges, on the other hand, often offer scholarships and may ultimately be more affordable than public colleges.
Some international students may be able to fund their studies through scholarships or on-campus employment, but this is not typical. Many students take on tremendous debt to study in the US, and some work part-time jobs, which may be illegal, to cover their expenses. Graduate school is more likely to result in scholarships or assistantships being offered.
The cost of living in the US can also be high, and students need to take this into account. In addition, there are travel expenses to consider when travelling to and from a different country.
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Free universities in Europe
International students wishing to study at a university in Europe have a variety of options, some of which offer free tuition. While there are no universities in Africa or Asia that offer free tuition to international students, there are several European countries that do so.
Germany
Germany is well known for its free higher education. Most public universities in Germany offer free tuition to both German and international students, regardless of nationality. Students are only required to pay a small nominal university fee of around €150-250 (~US$170-280) to cover administration costs. The University of Göttingen, for example, offers programmes in humanities, natural sciences, law, and social sciences, some of which are in English. Similarly, RWTH Aachen University offers programmes in architecture, georesources, and materials engineering, but all bachelor study courses are taught in German. The University of Vienna (Universität Wien) is another example of a university in a German-speaking country that offers free tuition to EU students. However, non-EU nationals are required to pay a higher fee.
Norway
Norway offers university study free of charge to all students, regardless of study level or nationality. Students are only required to pay a semester fee of around NOK 300-600 (~US$33-66). While most undergraduate programmes are taught in Norwegian, there are English language programmes available at the master's and PhD levels. The University of Oslo, for example, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Norway, offering a range of disciplines across its seven faculties.
France
While university fees technically exist in France, they are much lower than in most countries. Undergraduate students at public universities pay only €170 (~US$190) per year, and additional charges are not significant. However, fees for specialized programmes such as medicine and engineering may be higher. The University of Paris-Sud, for example, charges only a small processing fee of around €170 (~US$190) per semester and offers English-taught programmes in sciences, languages, physics, and economics and management.
Czech Republic
Students who speak Czech can study for free at any public university in the Czech Republic. For students wishing to study in English, fees are around €4,000-12,000 (~US$4,425-13,275) per year. Living costs in the Czech Republic are also more affordable than in many other countries in western Europe.
Austria
University students from the EU/EEA can study for free in Austria, while international students pay around USD 1580 per year in tuition fees.
Denmark, Sweden, and Finland
These countries offer free higher education to students from within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Students from outside these regions must pay tuition fees for bachelor's and master's programmes.
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Scholarships and financial aid
International students can access scholarships and financial aid to help fund their studies. While it is uncommon for US institutions to offer aid to undergraduate international students, some scholarships and financial incentives are available.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a great way to fund an international student's education. There are several scholarship databases, some of which charge a fee, but the same information is usually available on free databases. The US Department of Education offers tips and resources to protect students from dishonest scholarship organizations.
Scholarships are awarded based on merit or need. Merit-based scholarships are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities. For example, a university may offer scholarships based on TOEFL scores, academic record, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. Need-based scholarships are awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need. Academic departments within a university may have funds to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent.
There are also full-tuition scholarships available for international students. These are highly competitive and are often awarded based on high entry requirements.
Financial Aid
Some US colleges offer financial aid to international students, depending on their financial background and where they are from. Private colleges are more likely to provide scholarships, while public colleges generally do not as they are state-funded.
Country-specific Tuition Fees
Some countries offer free or low-cost tuition for international students. For example, Norway, Germany, France, Brazil, and Greece offer free or low-cost tuition regardless of nationality. In contrast, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland only offer free tuition to students from within the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
On-campus Employment
International students can also fund their studies through on-campus employment, although this may be challenging in terms of consistency and pay.
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Low-cost international universities
International students looking to study at low-cost universities have a variety of options to choose from. Many countries offer free or low-cost tuition to international students, and some even cover living expenses.
Europe
Europe is a popular destination for students seeking low-cost international universities. Many European countries, such as Norway, Germany, France, Greece, and Italy, offer free or highly subsidised tuition for international students. For example, the University of Crete in Greece does not charge tuition fees for international students, and the University of Göttingen in Germany is also tuition-free. Additionally, the Free University of Berlin is free, but students are responsible for living costs, which amount to about €700 per month. Norway offers free university study to all students, regardless of nationality, although international students need to demonstrate proficiency in Norwegian for undergraduate programmes. Denmark, Sweden, and Finland also offer free higher education, but only to students from within the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
North America
While the United States is known for its high tuition fees for international students, there are some more affordable options. Brigham Young University and Florida State University are considered among the most affordable universities in the world, offering quality education at a fraction of the cost of other American institutions. Additionally, some private colleges in the US offer scholarships to international students, which can make studying in the US more affordable.
Other Countries
Outside of Europe and North America, there are also low-cost international universities. For example, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil offers free tuition to international students, although it is very competitive to get into. Malaysia offers tuition-free university to its citizens, but there are very few universities in Asia that are tuition-free for international students regardless of country.
When choosing a low-cost university, it is important to consider not only tuition fees but also living expenses, as these can significantly impact overall costs. Additionally, ensuring that the university offers the specific programme you are interested in and has a strong reputation in your chosen field can enhance your academic and career prospects.
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Work and study
While there are some countries that offer free tuition for international students, this is not the case everywhere. In fact, some countries' universities can be extremely expensive for international students.
Europe
Many European countries offer free or low-cost tuition for international students. Germany, for example, has no undergraduate tuition fees at most public universities, and this applies to both German and international students. Students only need to pay a semester fee of around €150-250 (~US$170-280) to cover administration costs. Similarly, Norway offers university study free of charge to all students, regardless of study level or nationality. Students only need to pay a semester fee of around NOK 300-600 (~US$33-66). In France, while university fees technically exist, they are just a fraction of those charged in most countries, amounting to €170 (~US$190) per year at the undergraduate level for EU/EEA/Swiss students.
Other European countries that offer free or low-cost tuition for international students include Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Switzerland.
North America
In the United States, international students generally do not qualify for federal aid, and public colleges typically do not offer scholarships as they are state-funded. However, private colleges often provide scholarships, and some colleges are generous with financial aid depending on the student's financial background. Additionally, international students can work on-campus jobs to help fund their living expenses.
South America
In South America, Brazil and Argentina offer free college tuition for international students at their public universities. However, classes in Brazil are taught in Portuguese, so only fluent students can take advantage of the tuition-free education. In Argentina, the free tuition only applies to undergraduate programs at public universities.
Asia
In Asia, Malaysia offers tuition-free university to its citizens, but not to international students. However, international students can still apply for scholarships to study in the country.
Africa
Similarly, in Africa, some countries like Egypt and Morocco offer tuition-free university to local students, but not to international students. International students can apply for scholarships to study on the continent.
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Frequently asked questions
No, international students have to pay tuition fees in the US. The average cost to study in the US for an international student is ~$41,000 USD per year.
No, undergraduate tuition is free for international students in Germany. However, students will have to pay a semester contribution of 100-250 euros to cover administration costs.
No, university study is available free of charge to all students in Norway, regardless of study level or nationality. Students only need to pay a semester fee of around NOK 300-600 (~US$33-66).
Technically, yes, but university fees are very low. EU/EEA/Swiss students pay just €170 (~US$190) per year at undergraduate level. International students can also benefit from subsidised tuition fees, paying around $3,000 per year for bachelor's programs.
Yes, there are some colleges in the US that offer free tuition to international students. For example, Berea College in Kentucky offers a scholarship worth nearly $200,000 over four years. Students must work at least 10 hours per week on campus.
