Isn’t it surprising that despite a sharp increase in tuition fees, many countries offer free education to Indian students? Several prestigious universities worldwide offer 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. So whether you want to pursue your bachelor’s or go with the master’s, you will always find a wide range of options. You can choose the right career that aligns with your goals and study without financial burden.
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10 Free Education Countries for Indian Students
Countries worldwide have started funding international students. Their main goal is to provide all potential students with a quality and affordable education. They charge lower tuition fees or provide 100% scholarship options.
Note: The term ‘free education’ doesn’t mean that education will be directly free. It is made accessible through scholarships and grants offered by the government or the institutions.
Below, we have listed some top countries with free to low education fees and popular courses.
| Countries | Universities |
| Germany | -TU Munich -LMU Munich -TU Berlin -University of Muenster -University of Berlin |
| Canada | –University of Alberta –University of Waterloo -Carleton University –University of British Columbia -University of Calgary |
| USA | -Alice Lloyd College -Berea College –Washington State University -City University of New York (CUNY) -College of the Ozarks |
| UK | –Warwick University –Manchester University –The University of Cambridge –University of Bristol –University of West of Scotland |
| Australia | –University of Melbourne -University of Sydney –University of New South Wales (UNSW) -University of Queensland (UQ) -University of Western Australia (UWA) |
| Brazil | -Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) -Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) -Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) -Universidade de São Paulo (USP) -Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) |
| Finland | -University of Eastern Finland -Tampere University -University of Vaasa -Diaconia University of Applied Sciences -Kajaani University of Applied Sciences |
| Sweden | -Stockholm University -University of Gothenburg -Chalmers University of Technology -The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences -Karlstad University |
| Belgium | -University of Namur -Katholieke Universiteit -Leuven University of Antwerp -Vesalius College -Boston University |
| France | -University of Paris -University of Strasbourg -Aix Marseille University -Université Paris-Saclay -University of Bordeaux |
These were the free education countries for Indian students, which provided a diverse range of courses. We will discuss them in detail and learn about various universities and their courses across these countries.
1. Germany
Germany is one of the top free education countries for Indian students. It is well known for its quality and affordable education. German degrees are highly recognised and given preference in top European countries, the US, and the UK.
Moreover, public universities are free for International students, and for other institutions, the tuition fees are as low as INR 15,000 – INR 70,000 per semester.
Universities in Germany offering free to low tuition fees for International students:
| University Name | Courses |
| TU Munich | -BS -MS -BA -MA -Executive MBA |
| LMU Munich | -MA -MBA -BJMC -Executive MBA/PGDM -M. Agriculture |
| TU Berlin | -MS -BE/B.Tech -Bachelor of Architecture -BBA -BJMC |
| University of Muenster | -MS Biotechnology -MS Medicines Sciences -B.A Politics and Law -MS Geophysics -MS Medicines Sciences |
| University of Berlin | -MA -BA -BDS -B.Tech -MBBS |
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2. Canada
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students. The Government of Canada manages around 80% of all institutions to make study affordable. Various study grants are provided by organisations or businesses that can cover 100% of tuition fees.
Besides this, many universities offer international students free management, engineering, arts, or science courses, making it one of the best free education countries for Indian students.
Universities in Canada offering free to low tuition fees for International students:
| University Name | Courses |
| University of Alberta | -MBA/PGDM -BE/B.Tech -BS -B. Agriculture -LLM |
| University of Waterloo | -BS -BE/B.Tech -BBA -B.Pharma -B.Arch. |
| Carleton University | -MBA -MS -BS -BBA -B.Com |
| University of British Columbia | -MBA/PGDM -MS -MA -BE/B.Tech -M.Arch |
| University of Calgary | -MBA/PGDM -MS -BE/B.Tech -M.Arch -BJMC |
3. USA
The USA is well known for its academic excellence globally. Over 4,000 educational institutions provide various courses accessible to International students.
Cities in the USA, such as Boston, New York, and Chicago, are ranked among the best student cities in the world and offer a plethora of job opportunities for students.
Universities in the USA offering free to low tuition fees for International students:
| University Name | Courses |
| Alice Lloyd College | -Biology -History -Business Administration -Liberal Arts -Social Sciences |
| Berea College | -Business Administration -Computer Science -Bachelor of Arts -BS Nursing -BA Economics |
| Washington State University | -Computer Engineering -Chemical Engineering -Political Science -Business Administration -Nutrition |
| City University of New York (CUNY) | -Business Administration -Bachelor of Science -B.Tech/BE -MA -BA |
| College of the Ozarks | -Arts -Biology -Business -Health Studies -Environmental Studies |
4. UK
The UK is one of the popular free education countries for Indian students. It offers various degree programs, including science, arts, and professional studies. The country also offers many scholarship options to Indian students, like the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship, the Rhodes Scholarship, and more.
Universities in the UK offering free to low tuition fees for International students:
| University Name | Courses |
| Warwick University | -BE/B.Tech -BA -MA -BBA -M.Phil |
| Manchester University | -MA -BA -BS -BE/B.Tech -BJMC |
| The University of Cambridge | -Archaeology -Modern Languages -Classics and Ancient History -Social Policy and Administration -Statistics and Operational Research |
| University of Bristol | -MBA/PGDM -BBA -BE/B.Tech -BEd. -LLM |
| University of West of Scotland | -BBA -BE/B.Tech -MS -BS -MIM |
5. Australia
Australia ranks 8th out of the 48 countries recognised for their global measure for higher education. It is also home to famous universities that provide quality education and scholarship grants to make your education accessible in the country, like the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Queensland.
Universities in Australia offering free to low tuition fees for International students:
| University Name | Courses |
| University of Melbourne | -MS -MBA/PGDM -PG Diploma -BS -LLM |
| University of Sydney | -MBA/PGDM -MS -BA -BE/B.Tech -M.Arch |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) | -BE/B.Tech -BS -MBA/PGDM -B.Com -BJMC |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | -MBA/PGDM -MS -MA -BA -M.Eng |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | -BS -BA -BE/B.Tech -LLM -BBA |
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:
| Country Name | Scholarships for International Students | Benefits Covered |
| USA | -Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship -TATA Scholarship for Cornell University | -Tuition fees -Living expenses -Travel expenses |
| Germany | -SBW Berlin Scholarship -Heinrich Böll Foundation | -Tuition Fee -Cost of Living |
| UK | –Chevening Scholarships –Commonwealth Scholarship | -University 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 postgraduate course at an overseas university, you might be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). 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 that you look into the specific requirements, do the best preparation, and lock a seat for you 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 PassportAdmission Approval by the University/College Financial thresholdHealth 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.
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 (FAQs)
Q. Which country offers free education for Indian students?
A. Many free education countries for Indian students offer various business management, healthcare, life sciences, technical and engineering courses. The most prominent universities are in the USA, Germany, Norway, Brazil, the UK, Finland, France, Canada, Sweden, and Belgium.
Q. Is taking a language proficiency test compulsory to take admission to free colleges?
A. Language proficiency tests like the IELTS and TOEFL are compulsory. Many countries have set their eligibility criteria, including language proficiency. But don’t worry—we have a free IELTS Masterclass to help you prepare for the test and secure admission to a good institution.
Q. How can I find free education countries for Indian students after 12th?
A. If you are looking for countries with free education, you must set your goals first. You should figure out which career you want to pursue. Then, depending on your course selection, you can search the internet for free education countries and shortlist the ones that fit your needs.
Q. Which country has the most significant international student population?
A. Every year, lakhs of students flock to the United States to pursue their study abroad goals. However, there are many top destinations where students can discover a high-quality education at affordable rates. These destinations include Germany, Norway, France, Belgium, Brazil and Finland.
Q. Can I study for free in Europe?
A. Yes, many countries in Europe offer free education. The most popular ones are the Nordic countries, which provide a good option for students studying abroad. These include Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. They offer free to low fees, which can be further reduced by applying for various scholarship opportunities.
Q. Which country gives the fastest student visa?
A. Germany is one of the fastest visa-providing countries for international students. Its hassle-free visa process makes studying more convenient for students. Another fact is that many top educational institutions in Germany offer free education or charge minimal tuition fees for various courses.
Q. Where can I find free education countries for Indian students after 12th?
A. There are numerous free education countries for Indian students. However, you should do extensive research to find the best options available. Allocate some time to identify the universities that offer the courses you want to pursue. Now, check out their eligibility criteria and prepare to secure a seat.
Q. Which countries allow international students to work?
A. Many countries offer work opportunities to international students, such as Australia, Germany, the UK, France, the US, Canada, and New Zealand. While choosing these countries as their study destinations, the students can use their part-time to earn money and manage their needs along with their education.
Q. What are the best and most free education countries for Indian students without IELTS?
A. There are some selective countries where Indian students can be admitted without the IELTS. However, they might ask for alternative test scores like the TOEFL and PTE. To name a few France, Ireland, Sweden, China, Japan, and Italy are the countries that might not ask for the IELTS to take admission.
Q. Which countries have the lowest tuition fees for international students and offer bachelor’s programs in English?
A. Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are some countries that offer low-cost bachelor’s courses for international students. Many public institutions across these countries also offer free courses. Various grants and scholarships make them the best free education countries for Indian students.
Q. What is the minimum mark for studying abroad after the 12th grade?
A. The scores vary from university to university, but they usually require an average score of 60%—70% as an aggregate in Class 12th. Please refer to your university’s eligibility criteria to determine the exact percentage of marks you should have to gain admission to your chosen course.
