Top 10 Cheapest Countries To Study Abroad In 2023

For those of you who want to study abroad with a choice of low-cost countries,. Here are our recommendations for you. 

Unlike many would think, it is indeed possible to study abroad on a budget! Some of the best places to study abroad are also ones where tuition fees are low, or even nonexistent.

Read on to find out more about 10 of the cheapest countries to study abroad, in no particular order.

Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad

1. Italy

Although private tertiary institutions in Italy can find costs ranging from US $ 17,360 per year, state universities in Italy that are actually cheaper, pay between US $ 920-1,080 per year for undergraduate programs.

EU students are eligible to receive the same funding opportunities as Italian students, including loans, grants, scholarships and fee waivers. The cost of living in Italy is also not as high as you think, around US $ 1,300  per month. This year, Milan is ranked 36th in the QS Best Student Cities.

2. Spain

With the same educational rights as Spanish students, EU students are not required to pay higher education fees. International students, meanwhile, can study in Spain for prices between US $ 740-1,500 per year in public institutions. Fees are charged on a ‘per credit’ basis and can be higher at the postgraduate level.

To live in Spain you can spend between US $ 970-1,200 for living expenses. Barcelona and Madrid were both featured in the 2015 QS Best Student Cities ranking, at 19 and 39 respectively.

3. Greece

All students from within the European Union or EEA can study abroad for free in Greece at public universities and colleges at all levels, with the exception of several master’s degree programs. And if this doesn’t sound like it’s not enough, you can also get textbooks for free!

International students who also fulfill the requirements get opportunities for education at low prices, around US $ 1,630  per year. Greece offers one of the lowest costs living in the European Union.

4. Taiwan

Tuition fees in Taiwan with the nation’s leading universities offer affordable programs. For example, National Taiwan University (NTU), the leading university in the country 76 in the 2014/15 QS World University Rankings, was charged by students last year for only US $ 1,600-2,000  for this year. In the 2015 Best Student Cities QS, Taipei was ranked 25th in the world and the most affordable city for students in 2015.

5. Germany

Germany is one of the European countries which is a favorite destination for continuing education abroad. Last year from 16 countries, Germany abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students in all German public colleges. This means that both domestic and international undergraduate students at state universities in Germany can study for free, with only a small fee to cover administration and other costs per semester.

Based on official figures from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), the average learning cost in Germany is only US $ 10,520  per year, close to US $ 540 for school fees and US $ 9,980 for 12 months of life which includes food, transportation, accommodation, entertainment, course materials and other necessities.

6. Austria

Another country where students can study in Europe is free (or at a very low cost) is Austria. EU / EEA students enjoy the same rights as Austria regarding the cost of higher education, and can study for two semesters for free at every level. After this time, students pay a fee of only US $ 390 per semester.

International students from outside the European Union or EEA must pay a fee slightly higher than around US $ 790  per semester. Living costs will set all students back around between US $ 920-1,080 months. Vienna, the capital of Austria, was ranked 20th in the 2015 QS Best Student Cities.

7. Czech Republic (Czech Republic)

Students who can speak Czech will have the opportunity to study abroad for free in the Czech Republic at public universities. Students who want to learn English can also study cheaply, around US $ 1,080  per semester. Living costs are more affordable than in many countries in Western Europe, around US $ 350-750 per month. The Czech capital, Prague, is this year 49 ranked in the QS Best Student Cities.

8. Skandivania / Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland )

Known for their high quality of life, stunning nature, and liberal politics, Northern European countries, often referred to as Nordic countries, not only boast some of the strongest higher education systems in the world but also offer exceptional tours in Iceland for example, showcasing the region’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences.

While Iceland does not cost tuition, fellow Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden all offer the opportunity to study for free. However, there are certain conditions that students must fulfill.

In Norway, university studies are available free of charge to all students, regardless of education or nationality. The majority of undergraduate programs are taught only in Norwegian, and international students must show evidence of proficiency in Norway to study at this level.

In both Denmark and Sweden, international fees at undergraduate and master levels vary. In Denmark, university fees range from US $ 6,550- $ 17,500 per year, while in Sweden they fall between US $ 9,400-16,500

9. India

In India, international students at the undergraduate level will often pay a combined annual amount of US $ 1,200- $ 5,300 to cover both their tuition fees and their accommodation. While government agencies charge fees quite similar, undergraduate degrees tend to be more expensive and private schools charge significantly more.

The cost of living in India, for most students, might be very interesting. According to many reports, consumer prices are 236% cheaper than in the UK, while rental prices are 471% cheaper.

10. France

France may not be as well known as Germany for affordable higher education, but again, international students may be surprised to hear that they can also study in France for free (or, at a very low cost), regardless of their nationality.

Even though technically university fees do exist in public universities in France, they only pay US $ 250 per year to cover the administration alone.

As in Germany, most programs offer the opportunity to study in France for free taught in the native language. However, there are more opportunities to study in English, especially at the postgraduate level. You can also attend preparatory schools to perfect your French skills before starting your class.

Although it is possible to study in France for free, the cost of living is very large, especially in the popular capital. That said, despite the fame for the high cost of living, Paris is still quite affordable, with a living cost of around US $ 10,430  per year. The comparative affordability of the French capital, combined with a large selection of international university rankings, means continuing to the top of the QS Best Student Cities index.

Highest institution ranking: Paris ENS (24 at 2014/15 QS World University Rankings).