Contrary to popular belief, studying abroad doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. There are plenty of countries with free universities or colleges where you, as an American, can find it affordable (and comfortable) to study. Here’s a list of five such countries, around the world.
We had a look at dozens of countries with free or affordable college opportunities and distilled the list to five. These are all countries where universities provide English language programmes, and enjoy student hubs with a vibrant international life.
We have checked out what are the best study abroad destinations for you in terms of tuition, and we can confidently say that you have plenty of options for your graduate or undergraduate studies.
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Except for Australia and the UK, where tuition fees are comparable to those in the US, you are likely to find cheaper study programmes in many countries, especially European ones. But here we are going to talk about the most affordable of them all: countries that have no tuition fees or extremely low ones.
When having to decide where to study as an American international student, besides the pragmatic criteria (language and money), there are a couple of others that are more subjective and depend on your person and your view of the world. The first is culture: do local traditions, mentalities and ideologies coincide or are compatible with yours? If not, you may not want to spend years in that place. The second is the environment: do you have any health restrictions regarding cold or hot, arid or damp habitats, or do you feel uncomfortable with certain types of climate?
Based on all the above, here is our list of 5 countries we recommend.
Norway: Top Quality Education and Breath-taking Coastal Landscapes
Norway is known for its stable economy and high living standards. But did you know the country also provides excellent quality higher education taught in English? On top of that, all of the public universities in Norway offer free studies for international students!
Similarly to other Scandinavian countries, people in Norway speak fluent English. However, if you want to embrace their culture, universities offer a range of Norwegian language courses that will boost your language game in no time.
Furthermore, accepting chilly weather is a prerequisite for studying in Norway. For those that may be discouraged, the country's natural landscapes will take your breath away and make the challenging weather conditions worth it.
Regarding more practical matters, living in Norway can get quite expensive. To combat this, Norway’s study visa allows international students to work part-time alongside their studies. Moreover, finding accommodation through student organisations will help you find housing in the proximity of your university at the best price in the market.
If all these points made you curious about studying in Norway, look no further and check out the following universities:
- Famous for its innovative and international profile - The University of Stavanger.
- NHH Norwegian School of Economics, creating values for a sustainable future.
- Offering more than 800 English courses - The University of Oslo.
Check out our Norway country page for more insights about the international student experience there.
Also here you have the complete Studyportals lists of international Master’s programmes and Bachelor’s programmes available in Norway.
Germany: Europe’s Central Destination
One of the other European countries with free college options is Germany. This study destination has a wide range of public universities that are free of charge for all foreign students. The only exception is universities in the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg. In this area, you can expect a study fee of about 3,000 EUR/year for non-EU/EEA students.
In addition to the free education options, Germany is also an affordable place to live in. Monthly expenses can range between 700 and 1,100 EUR, depending on the type of housing you prefer. Choosing a student dormitory will allow you to save the most on accommodation.
Moreover, there is no better time to explore Europe than while studying abroad in its centre. Plenty of airports and a great railway system will allow you to reach other European destinations from any point in Germany.
Ever noticed that many well-known philosophers originate from Germany? Perhaps you will be one of them… Or at least cross the paths that they have walked by studying in one of these German universities:
- Top-level education at IU International University of Applied Sciences.
- The University of Cologne and its excellent international reputation.
- Study in the capital at the Berlin School of Economics and Law.
Check out our Germany country page for more insights about the international student experience there.
Also here you have the complete Studyportals lists of international Master’s programmes and Bachelor’s programmes available in Germany.
France: Chic, Free and Affordable Universities
Fancy embracing the Parisian lifestyle? You might be surprised, but studying in France can be economical! The French government has set a fixed tuition fee for all public universities in the country, resulting in some study options being less than 300 EUR/year. And if you can’t find any suitable options there, private colleges also offer excellent education only for higher tuition fees.
Furthermore, in French universities, there are many English-taught programmes for Master’s and Bachelor’s students. You can discover degrees ranging from history and literature to business and tech. There are plenty of options to choose from!
Studies in France and affordable are two key phrases that should be enough to consider moving to the love country of Europe. And in case you’re still contemplating, check out these universities where you are sure to find studies for a great price:
- Be 20 minutes away from Paris in UPEC - University Paris-Est Créteil.
- Télécom Paris - highly specialized in digital technology university.
Check out our France country page for more insights about the international student experience there.
Also here you have the complete Studyportals lists of international Master’s programmes and Bachelor’s programmes available in France.
Taiwan: Rich Culture and Vibrant International Community
Ever thought of stepping outside the Western culture? Studying in Taiwan can give you a unique cultural experience.
Taiwan’s academic resources and future job prospects have made Taiwan an attractive study destination for many foreign students. Taiwanese public colleges start from around 700 EUR per academic year! Meanwhile, the government of Taiwan offers numerous scholarships to make the study experience even more affordable.
Furthermore, people in Taiwan are generally described as welcoming and friendly, making foreigners feel at home. And if not the locals, Taiwan’s rich cuisine will likely make you fall in love with the country.
Lastly, Mandarin Chinese is the official language in Taiwan. In the past years, the advantage of knowing this language has grown in the labour market. By studying in Taiwan, you’ll get a chance to learn and practice speaking Mandarin with its native speakers.
To further consider study options in Taiwan, take a look at these colleges:
- Explore the beautiful campus of Providence University.
- National Chin-Yi University of Technology, located in central Taiwan.
Check out our Taiwan country page for more insights about the international student experience there.
Also here you have the complete Studyportals lists of international Master’s programmes and Bachelor’s programmes available in Taiwan.
Brazil: Excellent Public Higher Education and Colorful Lifestyle
In Brazil, most federal and state institutions are universities charging no tuition fee. Apart from that, some municipal governments tend to run smaller institutes where tuition payment is asked. Nonetheless, Brazil can still be an inexpensive country to study in.
Brazil is the largest South American country and has many big cities with international universities where living costs begin from 630 USD/month. Of course, if you opt for a smaller city, you can expect to find even more affordable living conditions.
Lately, the labour market in Brazil has increased the demand for international people with a great command of English. Therefore, after your studies, you can continue to pursue your career in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or another international city. Important to note is that Brazil allows a study visa which expires as soon as the studies end. To be able to continue working, you would have to leave the country after you graduate and re-enter it again with a working visa.
Beautiful beaches, exciting carnivals and other festivities are just a few charming things that make studying in Brazil a lot of fun. To learn more, take a look at these examples of high-quality education in the country:
- The University of Sao Paulo - is one of the most important institutions of research in Brazil.
- Among the top 10 best universities in Latin America - The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Check out our Brazil country page for more insights about the international student experience there.
Also here you have the complete Studyportals lists of international Master’s programmes and Bachelor’s programmes available in Brazil.