Lana Oconnell
Europe is a popular destination for students seeking free higher education. While some countries offer free tuition to all students, others reserve this benefit for EU/EEA students, with international students facing significantly higher fees. Countries that offer free tuition to all students include Norway, Germany, and Iceland. Finland and Sweden offer free tuition to EU/EEA students, but international students are subject to fees. Denmark offers free tuition to all students, but international students pay up to €18,000 per year. Austria offers free tuition to EU/EEA students and affordable fees for non-EU/EEA students. Belgium, France, and Greece also offer affordable tuition for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with free tuition for international students | Norway, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden |
| Countries with free tuition for EU/EEA students | Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Greece, France, Denmark |
| Countries with affordable tuition for international students | Finland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Slovenia |
| Countries with affordable tuition for non-EU/EEA students | Germany, Austria |
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What You'll Learn
Norway: free for all, but high living costs
Norway is known for its high quality of life, stunning nature, and liberal politics, and it offers international students the opportunity to study for free at public universities. This unique educational model is available to students of all nationalities and at all levels of study, including Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programmes.
However, it's important to note that while tuition may be free, living costs in Norway are relatively high. To obtain a student visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses, which are estimated to be at least NOK 151,690 per academic year (approximately €12,650). This amount is expected to cover your daily living expenses, such as food, electricity, and transportation. Additionally, as an international student, you will need to pay a semester fee of approximately NOK 1,000 (around €100 or $68) per semester to the student welfare organisation, which provides services such as student housing, childcare, sports facilities, and health and food services.
The cost of living in Norway can vary depending on your location within the country. Large cities tend to have higher living expenses, with monthly costs ranging from €800 to €1,000 on average. Accommodation typically accounts for about 36% of a student's total living costs, with prices ranging from €300 to €700 per month depending on factors such as city, proximity to the city centre, and whether you live alone or with roommates. Transportation costs can also vary, with a monthly transport pass ranging from €55 to €72. Other expenses to consider include books and course materials, which can cost around €50 per month, and social activities, which can range from €50 to €120 per month.
While Norway may have high living costs, it also boasts an excellent quality of life, with high salaries and a strong economy. Additionally, the country offers a high-quality education system, with 12 Norwegian universities ranked in the top 0.5% worldwide, including the University of Oslo.
To help finance their studies, many international students in Norway take on part-time jobs, which can also provide an opportunity to practice their Norwegian language skills. It's important to note that students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland may only work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during holidays.
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Germany: free for all, small admin fees
Germany offers free tuition at public universities to all students, regardless of nationality. This applies to all levels of study, including Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programmes. However, there are some exceptions, such as in the state of Baden-Württemberg, where universities charge a tuition fee of €1,500 ($1,657 USD) per semester. Additionally, the Technical University of Munich (TU München) in Bavaria also charges tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens, with fees ranging from €4,000 to €12,000 per year.
While tuition is free for international students in Germany, there are still some costs to consider. Administrative or semester fees, which cover student services, union memberships, and other campus facilities, are typically between $100 and $400 USD per semester. These fees can sometimes include benefits such as an unlimited transit pass for the local area. Additionally, living expenses in Germany can vary depending on the city, with Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt being among the more expensive options.
Germany has a large number of universities offering English-language programmes, with over 280 institutions providing courses taught in English. This makes it a great option for international students who may not be proficient in German. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships and grants to help students cover living expenses, research costs, and travel. Additionally, international graduates of German universities can stay in the country for up to 18 months after graduation to look for a job, regardless of their country of origin.
Germany's universities are among the best in the world, and a degree from a German university is respected globally. The country's higher education system is known for its strict standards and high-quality teaching. Many German universities, particularly the larger institutions, regularly rank among the top 100 in international rankings.
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Finland: free for EU/EEA/Swiss students
Finland is known for its high living standards, exceptional universities, and high quality of life. It is one of the best destinations for students seeking free universities in Europe.
Public universities in Finland are divided into regular universities and universities of applied sciences. They are tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. However, non-EU/EEA students enrolling in English-taught degrees are required to pay tuition fees. Programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish are free for all international students. The Finnish government has set the minimum tuition fee at around €1,500 per year for Bachelor's and Master's programmes, but most programmes charge tuition above this amount. Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students enrolling at public Finnish universities range from €5,000 to €15,000 per year, with the University of Helsinki being the most expensive institution. Private universities typically charge higher fees.
Living costs in Finland are relatively high, with students spending between €700 and €1,300 per month, excluding rent and tuition fees. However, Finland offers affordable options for international students. For example, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak), a public university with five campuses in Helsinki, Oulu, Pieksämäki, Pori, and Turku, offers two bachelor's and two master's degree programmes in English. The bachelor's programme at Diak costs US$13,303 per academic year. Centria University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), located in the Ostrobothnian regions, is another affordable option, with one in five of its 4,400 degree students coming from outside Finland.
Additionally, Finnish universities have provided opportunities for students fleeing the war in Ukraine. For example, the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku offer free non-degree studies to Ukrainian students. Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki and Vaasa provides free non-degree studies in business and economics to students with prior knowledge in these fields. LUT University offers free open university studies and English-language Bachelor's and Master's programmes to Ukrainian students until 31 December 2024. Similarly, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Lapland, and the University of Jyväskylä provide free courses or studies to Ukrainian students.
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Denmark: free for EU/EEA/Swiss students
Denmark is known for its high quality of life, stunning nature, liberal politics, and robust higher education system. Higher education in Denmark is free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland or for students who, according to EU law, are entitled to the same status as Danish citizens. Additionally, if you are participating in an exchange programme, you can study in Denmark for free.
For students from outside the EU/EEA who are not permanent residents, fees can be high, ranging from €8,000 to €18,000 per year, depending on the institution and programme of study. However, there are scholarship options available for international students. Denmark has a generous State Educational Grant (SU) and Loan Scheme available for Danish and EU/EEA students. For non-EEA students, there is a limited number of merit-based scholarships for highly qualified students. These scholarships are managed directly by the universities.
It is important to note that students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland will be charged a fee when applying for a residence permit (visa) to study in Denmark. Additionally, students from outside the EU/EEA are usually charged an application fee of DKK 750 / €100 by each Danish university they apply to. However, non-EU/EEA students with a permanent residence permit are exempt from application fees.
Denmark offers a wide range of English-taught programmes, making it a prime destination for international students. Copenhagen, the country's capital, has been ranked among the world's top student cities.
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Austria: free for EU/EEA students, low fees for others
Austria is known for its high quality of life, stunning nature, and rich history and culture. It is a great place for international students with its affordable tuition fees, low crime rate, and gorgeous landscapes.
For EU/EEA students, public universities in Austria are free for any degree level. After this period, students pay a fee of €363 per semester. International students from outside the EU/EEA can expect slightly higher fees of around €726 (~US$803) per semester.
There are also a couple of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Austria, like the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FH Vorarlberg) and the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, where courses are free for all international students. However, all students who enrol at a UAS still have to pay student union and student insurance fees. Private universities in Austria have their own tuition fees, which can cost anywhere between €3,000 and €23,000 per year.
Students can also benefit from various study grants and scholarships in Austria. The Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD) is a great resource for finding scholarship opportunities, including those for prospective students from particular countries like Thailand, Indonesia, or the Philippines.
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Frequently asked questions
Norway offers free tuition at public universities to all students, regardless of nationality. Germany also offers free tuition for international students, with only a small administrative semester fee.
Yes, several countries in Europe offer free or subsidised tuition for international students. These include Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Greece, and the Czech Republic.
While tuition may be free, there are often additional costs such as administrative or semester fees. Living costs can also vary significantly between countries, with Norway and Sweden having a higher cost of living compared to Eastern European countries.
Each country and university in Europe may have specific requirements for international students. Generally, you will need a valid passport, proof of secondary education, language proficiency, and sometimes entrance exams or interviews. It is important to check the specific requirements of your chosen institution.
