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Are there any other countries where the budget for studying masters will be less than Australia?

31 Aug 2026 · Answered by Smitha Satish S · 2 min read
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Yes, Australia's Master's tuition runs AUD 20,000 to over AUD 45,000 a year, but Germany, France and Malaysia cost far less. Germany's public universities are tuition-free aside from a small semester fee, France charges around €243 a year, and Malaysia offers accredited degrees at reduced local costs.

Smitha Satish S
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Australia sits among the more expensive study-abroad destinations, but you have real alternatives that cost a fraction of its typical budget. Depending on how much you want to save, options range from Germany's near-free public tuition to Malaysia's low-cost branch campus degrees, so here is how the numbers stack up.

Estimated Annual Budget Compared To Australia

CountryAverage Annual Cost (USD Equivalent)Medium Of Instruction
Australia$25,000 to $55,000+English
Germany$11,000 to $16,000 (living costs only)English or German
France$8,000 to $15,000 at public universitiesEnglish or French
Malaysia$6,000 to $12,000English

What Drives The Cost Down In Each Country

Germany's public universities charge no tuition at all in most states, only a semester contribution of roughly €250 to €350, though you still need to budget €900 to €1,200 a month for living costs, usually managed through a blocked bank account. France's public universities charge around €243 a year for most Master's programs, even for non-EU international students, though private Grandes Écoles cost significantly more. Malaysia hosts international branch campuses of institutions like Monash University and the University of Nottingham, letting you earn a globally recognised degree while your tuition and everyday living costs stay at local Asian rates.

My Advice

If eliminating tuition entirely matters most, Germany is your strongest option despite its living costs. If you want a low-cost public university with an English-taught program, look closely at France, and if you specifically want a Western-accredited degree at the lowest possible overall cost, Malaysia's branch campuses are worth serious consideration.

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