Where Can You Study Abroad for Free?

Countries with Free or Low-Cost Education

With rising university fees throughout the world, a lot of students think it is impossible to pursue a course abroad. However, several countries in the world offer free education or at very nominal costs. All you need to do is look in the right place. Here are the best countries offering free or very cheap education to international students.

Germany

Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students due to its tuition-free public universities. German universities saw over 49,000 Indian students enrolling in 2024. Most public universities charge only a nominal semester fee (around EUR 150 – EUR 300). Courses in English are widely available, especially at the postgraduate level.

Top Universities in Germany:

• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
• University of Heidelberg
• Technical University of Munich

While education is free for several courses, Indian students can also apply for scholarships to cover their living expenses in Germany. These are the most popular options:

• DAAD Scholarships – The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) is funded by the German government. It provides financial aid to international students. Recipients of this scholarship get a monthly allowance ranging from EUR 900 - 1300
• Deutschlandstipendium – A merit-based scholarship offering financial support of EUR 300 monthly to talented students.

As an international student, it can be pretty expensive to move to another country for a year or more. The relocation, accommodation, food and other expenses are unavoidable but what about expenses beyond your control? Falling sick because of new foods and weather, or facing unexpected troubles here can cost you a hefty sum. If you buy student travel insurance for Germany, you will be covered for several emergencies like medical expenses, personal liability, passport loss, laptop loss, sponsor protection, and more.

Norway

Norway offers free education through several public universities to all students, including non-EU international students. Indians can apply for several undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

Top Universities in Norway:

• University of Oslo
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• University of Bergen
• Bergen Academy of Art and Design

Like most European countries, Norway is a very well-developed nation with high cost of living. Boarding and living expenses still need to be managed, which can be high for several Indian students. They should try securing financial aid to make the most of their free international study program. You should also get a travel insurance policy for your stay in Norway, as it will cover a lot of unexpected costs that you may face as a student.

There are several university-specific as well as government scholarships available for Indian international students:

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships– For those pursuing joint masters
• NORAM Scholarships– Offers financial support to international students
• NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)– For international students who need financial aid
• BI Norwegian Business School– Available for UG and PG programs. Covers tuition as well as provides a monthly allowance.

Finland

Finland offers tuition-free education for students from the EU/EEA, but non-EU students (including Indians) may have to pay tuition fees. However, there are extensive scholarships to cover these costs.

Top Universities:

• University of Helsinki
• Aalto University
• University of Oulu

The Finnish Government has several provisions for international students, many offering 100% tuition waiver. Here are some of the most popular scholarships available for Indians who wish to study in Finland:

• Finland Scholarship – Covers 100% tuition fee waiver and relocation grant of EUR 5,000 during the first year.
• University-Specific Scholarships – Many Finnish universities offer full or partial scholarships. Famous universities include Aalto University, the University of Vassa, and the University of Helsinki.
• Sitra Fellowship: Available for Indians with a Master's or Doctoral degree. Covers PG research at Finnish universities.
• EDUFI Fellowship: Provides support for short-term research programs in Finland.
• Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships: A merit-based scholarship for Indian students enrolled in postgraduate studies abroad, including Finland.

Austria

Austrian public universities provide free education to students, including Indians. However, they charge semester fees and a few other associated costs. They still charge minimal tuition fees, making it an affordable destination. You can easily cover these by working while studying or getting scholarships.

Top Universities in Austria:

• University of Vienna
• Graz University of Technology
• University of Innsbruck

You can apply for scholarships aimed at helping international students in Austria. A few of them are:

• Austrian Government Scholarships – These are provided through the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD).
• Erasmus+ Programme – Offers funding for exchange students.

France

Public universities in France offer highly affordable education, with tuition fees of around EUR 170– EUR 650 per year for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Even this can be waived off or covered by several grants and scholarships available in France. Many universities also provide courses in English. Once you are accepted into a program, you can apply for a France student visa and prepare for your move here.

Top Universities in France:

• Sorbonne University
• University of Paris
• École Normale Supérieure

Despite low tuition fees, you can easily get free education in France through scholarships and grants offered by the French government and other institutions:

• Emile Boutmy Scholarship – Available for science students whose profiles match the admission criteria
• Eiffel Excellence Scholarship – Covers tuition, living costs, and travel expenses in several public and private universities
• Raman Charpak Scholarship – Offers monthly stipend to Indian students along with a tuition fee waiver

Sweden

Sweden provides all doctoral programs at free tuition, including international students. Sweden offers free education to EU/EEA students, while international students must pay tuition. However, there are several scholarships available for Indian students to study tuition-free. Make sure you have suitable travel insurance for Sweden that covers you throughout your stay here.

Top Universities:

• Karolinska Institutent
• Uppsala University
• Stockholm University

Sweden has a high cost of living, so you must factor in those expenses as well. Many scholarships cover living costs, tuition and other expenses:

• Swedish Institute Scholarships – Covers tuition fees and living expenses for master's students
• University-Specific Scholarships – Many institutions provide merit-based financial aid including Chalmers University, Stockholm University, Dalarna University, Karlstad University and more

Czech Republic

Public universities in the Czech Republic offer free education in Czech, but courses in English have tuition fees. However, scholarships are available to cover these expenses. Indians can also opt for courses in Czech if they fulfil the language requirements.

Top Universities:

• Charles University
• Czech Technical University
• Masaryk University

The Czech Republic government offers several scholarships to Indians under its bilateral agreement with the Indian government. Under bilateral relations, there is no Czech Republic visa application fee required by eligible students. It also offers other scholarships.

• Government Scholarships under Bilateral Agreement– Offered under a bilateral agreement with India. Available for graduate and postgraduate students who wish to study in the Czech Republic. Available for college, university, graduate and PhD students. Monthly allowance of 500-540 USD per month along with discounted accommodation.
• Erasmus+ Programme – Provides funding for exchange students.

Over to You

Studying abroad doesn't always have to be expensive. These countries provide excellent opportunities for Indian students to access quality education at little to no tuition cost. Scholarships offered by governments and universities further ease financial burdens, making higher education more accessible.

If you're planning to study abroad for free, research scholarship deadlines and application requirements increase your chances of receiving financial aid. With proper planning, you can make your dream of studying abroad a reality!