10 Countries With Free Education For International Students

Isn’t it surprising that despite a sharp increase in tuition fees, many countries offer free education to Indian students? This isn’t a nightmare we are talking about but a reality! 

Many prestigious universities worldwide offer free courses in various disciplines, such as business management, law, and public administration. These institutions present an excellent opportunity for all those who wish to pursue higher education abroad without huge expenses. 

Though they do not charge tuition fees, they charge minimal administrative charges to fund the services of administering and supervising the students. For example, in Germany, the universities charge €250(INR 22000) per semester for these administrative charges.

Key Highlights

• Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Iceland and Poland are the countries that provide free tuition fees, which vary according to course and student nationality. For example, many countries offer free education to EU students, whereas many keep it open for students from other nationalities, like India. 
• Germany, Australia, France, and Canada offer numerous scholarship opportunities making the study abroad free for Indian students.
• The United States, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK provide various part-time opportunities to international students.

10 Free Education Countries for Indian Students

There are many ways through which countries make education affordable for international students. A large number of countries provide scholarships or financial aid to international students. 

On the other hand, some countries may offer full or partial tuition waivers, while others might provide stipends for living expenses. Remember, not all countries or universities will provide 100% scholarships or tuition fee waivers. But yes, they will always make education more affordable. 

Note: While you can get a significant reduction in fees, studying abroad can involve other expenses, such as travel costs, housing, and living expenses. Hence, you should carefully research these costs before deciding where to study.

Why do Countries Offer Free Education to International Students?

There are many reasons why some countries offer free or subsidised tuition to international students:

1. Bringing in Smart People from Everywhere: Some countries invite smart students worldwide to study for free. This helps make the country’s workforce better and its economy more robust. These students also bring in new ideas that can make businesses better.

2. Making Friends Around the World: Free education can make other countries like us more. When students from different places study together, they learn about each other’s cultures and become friends. These friendships help maintain peace between countries.

3. Helping the Local Economy: Even though international students don’t pay tuition, they still spend money in the country. They buy things like food, rent, and transportation, which helps local businesses and creates jobs.

4. Learning Together, Solving Big Problems: When students from different countries study together, they can work together to solve important global problems like climate change and poverty. This teamwork makes the world a better place for everyone.

Free Education Countries for Indian Students

Now that we have understood the key concepts of free education, let’s look at some countries where it is affordable. 

Below, we have listed some top 10 countries with free to low tuition fees and popular courses.

Countries	Average Tuition Fees	Cost of Living (including rent) yearly
Germany	Free	INR 12 L – 16 L
Norway	INR 1 L – 1.5 L13,000	INR 14 L – 20 L
Finland	INR 1 L – 1.5 L	INR 14 L – 20 L
Austria	INR 70 T – 1.2 L	INR 10 L – 14 L
Czech Republic	INR 75 T – 95 T	INR 6 L – 8 L
Iceland	INR 1.2 L – 1.6 L	INR 18 L – 22 L
France	INR 92 T – 1.2 L	INR 12 L – 16 L
Belgium	INR 93 T – 1.4 L	INR 10 L – 12 L
Greece	INR 68 T – 82 T	INR 8 L – 10 L
Spain	INR 72 T – 90 T	INR 8 L – 12 L

Other Popular and Affordable Countries among International Students

Countries With Region	Average Tuition Fees	Cost of Living (including rent)
USA	INR 15 L – 30 L	INR 10 L – 20 L
Canada	INR 10 L – 18 L	INR 8 L – 16 L
UK	INR 20 L – 35 L	INR 12 L – 20 L
Australia	INR 18 L – 25 L	INR 14 L – 22 L

These were the free education countries for international students, including Indian students, which provided a wide range of courses. We will discuss them in detail and learn about various universities and their courses across these countries. 

1. Germany

Germany is a top choice for Indian students seeking free education. Its quality education is affordable and widely respected. Public universities in Germany offer tuition-free undergraduate programs to international students. 

Instead, students pay a semester contribution, usually between €150 to €350, which covers various services. Some institutions charge low tuition fees, ranging from INR 15,000 to INR 70,000 per semester.

 Currently, Germany hosts over 440,000 international students. These students can work part-time or full-time during their studies and have the opportunity to stay for 18 months after graduation to find employment.

Universities in Germany offering free to low tuition fees for International students: 

University Name	Courses
Humboldt University of Berlin	Business, Economics, Arts & Humanities, Law, Mathematics, Language, and Life Sciences
University of Hamburg	Law, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Industrial Engineering
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich	Data Science, Technology Management, Neuro-Cognitive Psychology, and Quantitative Economic
Technical University of Munich	Data Engineering and Analytics, Management, Computer Science, and Business & Economics
Free University of Berlin	Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems, Molecular Medicine, Medical Neurosciences, and Business Law

Also Read: Study in Germany for Free for Indian Students in 2024

2. Norway

Norway is another attractive option for Indian students seeking tuition-free education. Renowned for its high-quality education system, Norway offers a chance to obtain a valuable degree at minimal cost. 

Public universities in Norway do not charge tuition fees for international students, including those from India. However, semester registration fees typically range from NOK 300 to NOK 600 (around INR 3,300 to INR 6,600), which cover administrative costs. 

The cost of living in Norway can be substantial, but scholarships and part-time work opportunities can help ease the financial burden.

Universities in Norway offering free to low tuition fees for International students: 

University Name	Courses
Norwegian University of Science and Technology	Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, Renewable Energy, Social Sciences
Nord University	Nursing, Education, Business, Psychology, Arctic Studies
Norwegian School of Economics	Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Management, Accounting
University of Agder	Information Technology, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Psychology
University of South-Eastern Norway	Health Sciences, Teacher Education, Business Administration, Engineering, Media Studies

3. Finland 

Finland offers Indian students an attractive destination for quality education with accessible fees. Finnish universities extend tuition-free undergraduate programs to international students at both public and some private institutions. 

Instead of imposing tuition fees, students typically contribute a small semester fee, varying by institution but generally ranging from approximately INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 (€80 to €150). This fee covers administrative costs and access to student services.

Finland’s diverse range of programs taught in English makes it highly accessible to international students. The country’s education system prioritises innovation, research, and practical learning, offering students a holistic educational experience.

Universities in Finland offering free to low tuition fees for International students: 

University Name	Courses
University of Helsinki	Data Science, Environmental Law and Policy, Finnish Language and CultureArtificial Intelligence, Global Health
Aalto University	Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Sustainable Design and Business, Digital Marketing StrategyUser Experience Design, Quantum Computing
University of Turku	European Social Law, Baltic Sea Studies, Human Rights in International Relations, Food Chemistry, Peace and Conflict Studies
University of Jyväskylä	Educational Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Finnish Education System, Sustainable DevelopmentAstrophysics
University of Oulu	Machine Learning, Arctic Environmental Protection, Wireless Communications, Materials Science, Entrepreneurship in Technology Industries

4. Austria 

Austria warmly welcomes Indian students, offering top-notch education without hefty fees. Public universities in Austria don’t charge a traditional “tuition fee” for EU/EEA students. 

For non-EU students, there’s a standard administration fee of about INR 61,000 to 1,22,000 (€726.72 to €1,453.44) per semester. This fee is the lowest non-EU students usually pay at public universities in Austria.

Outside of studies, Austria has many charming cities to explore. From Vienna’s historic streets to Innsbruck’s stunning Alps, students can enjoy a rich cultural experience while pursuing their education.

Universities in Austria offering free to low tuition fees for International students: 

University Name	Courses
University of Vienna	Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences
University of Graz	Law, Social and Economic Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Engineering
Johannes Kepler University Linz	Social Sciences and Economics, Engineering and Natural Sciences, Medicine
University of Innsbruck	Law, Social and Economic Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Medicine
Klagenfurt University	Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, Natural Sciences, Engineering

5. Czech Republic 

The Czech Republic is also among the top countries that offer free education for international students. The country’s public universities offer various courses taught in English with low tuition fees.

 The average low end starts around €2,000 (approximately ₹1,80,000 INR) per year, but this can vary depending on the university and program.

Universities in Czech Republic offering free to low tuition fees for International students: 

University Name	Courses
Charles University	History, Law, Medicine, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Masaryk University	Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine
Czech Technical University in Prague	Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Information Technology
Brno University of Technology	Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology
Palacký University Olomouc	Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine

These are some of the best free education countries for Indian students that have made studying abroad free. Some universities charge lower fees, but even that can be reduced or eliminated with scholarships. 

Scholarship Opportunities for International Students

Several governments, universities, NGOs, and private organisations offer scholarships to students who wish to study abroad. Thus, you will always have the option to get your fees waived through university scholarships or government funding. 

We have listed down some of the best scholarship schemes which can make study abroad accessible for Indian students:  (add some internal scholarships, too)

Country Name	Scholarships for International Students	Benefits Covered
Germany	–SBW Berlin Scholarship -Heinrich Böll Foundation	-Tuition Fee -Cost of Living
Norway	-Foundation for Internationalisation of Higher Education (SIU) grants-NTNU Scholarship	-Tuition Fee
Finland	-The Finnish Cultural Foundation (SKR) Scholarships -Aalto University Scholarship Programme	-Tuition fees -Living expenses
Austria	-OeAD Ernst Mach Grant -University of Graz Scholarships	-Tuition fees -Monthly stipend -Health insurance
Czech Republic	-Gregor Mendel Scholarship Programme -Charles University Scholarships	-Tuition fees -Accommodation  -Living stipend
USA	-Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship –TATA Scholarship for Cornell University	-Tuition fees -Living expenses -Travel expenses
UK	–Chevening Scholarships –Commonwealth Scholarship	-Tuition Fees -Allowances (Travel, Visa, etc).
Canada	–President’s International Distinction Scholarship –UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award	Tuition Fees
Australia	-UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate -Coursework Scholarship –Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship	Tuition Fees

These scholarship opportunities are alternative measures to study for free in a country. Please note that each of these scholarships will have some eligibility criteria to meet, like securing a score of 80% in the previous exams or an english language proficiency score.

Before applying, you must check the eligibility criteria to determine whether you can benefit from it. 

Free Education Countries for Indian Students: Admission Criteria

Each institution in the free education countries has its eligibility criteria for admission. 

If you plan to be admitted to a bachelor’s degree program, you need to obtain a minimum academic score. Most of the universities ask for a GPA of 3.0 – 4.0. You will also be required to obtain a specific number in the language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL. 

 You might be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be admitted to a postgraduate course at an overseas university. Similarly, if you wish to pursue an MBA abroad, the institution might ask for your Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) score when you apply for admission.

Here is a brief overview of the eligibility criteria for admission to these countries.

Minimum Education Qualification

• You should have completed Class 12th (Higher Secondary Education) for the Bachelor’s Course with the minimum required marks.
• For Masters courses, you should have cleared the bachelor’s with minimum required marks.
• For a PhD, you should have completed the Master’s with the minimum required marks for taking admission. 

General Exams Requirements

Exam	Courses
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)	Undergraduate
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)	Postgraduate
Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)	MBA/Business Management Courses (PG Level)
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)	Integrated LLB, LLB, or LLM
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)	MBBS

The eligibility criteria might vary depending on the course requirements and the university laws. We request you look into the specific requirements, prepare well, and lock a seat in your dream university.

English Proficiency Test Score

Educational institutions require an English proficiency test score to ensure the candidate can speak, write, and understand English. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are globally recognised English language tests you should take to gain admission to your dream institution. 

Here are the minimum scores which you should have to get admission in the free education countries: 

IELTS	6.5
TOEFL	80
PTE	60-70

Note: The above is an average minimum score, and the actual score might vary from university to university. For example, To get admission to Warwick University, you should have an IELTS band score of 6.5, whereas in Cambridge, the minimum band score required is 7.0.

Visa Requirements

You should have an active student visa from the respective country to be eligible to be admitted to free education countries for Indian students. For example, if you wish to study in the USA, you should have an active US Student Visa to study at UK universities.

Eligibility	-Valid Passport -Admission Approval by the University/College -Financial threshold -Health Requirements
Processing Time	3-5 weeks
Fees	INR 10,000 – 50,000

The above were the standard eligibility criteria to opt for a visa. However, specific requirements for getting a student visa depend on the country’s rules and regulations. 

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Conclusion

Many students are afraid to go abroad due to the enormous expenses involved in studying. However, many countries offer free education opportunities to Indian students. This will enable them to make the right decisions for their future, open up global opportunities, and make their careers grow and shine. 

If you also wish to study abroad, talk to our counsellors, who will guide you through the various options for free study abroad. 

Frequently Asked Questions