Top Countries to Study Abroad for Free for International Students: Studying abroad for free is literally a dream come true for many people. As the fees for higher education in increasing, there are many countries that offer courses for free like Germany, Norway and many more. Students choose to study abroad when they either are not eligible or score low rank in the entrance exams, so they should know about the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad. Students must be very careful while choosing a course to study abroad as well.
There are many countries to pursue your dream course but people only follow in others’ footsteps while choosing a country. There are several opportunities for aspirants to study abroad for free if they have high ambition, a strong academic record, and a competitive mentality. Through this article, readers will learn about top countries to study abroad for free for international students.
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Top 7 countries to study abroad for free for International Students
It is the dream of nearly every Indian student to study abroad. From scope and infrastructure to lifestyle, the education prospect in foreign countries are much more developed, and there are thousands of courses that one can take up there. The good news is there is. Certain countries offer free education to international students, which means you can continue your higher education free of cost, and all you need to pay for is the living. Let’s learn more about the top countries which offer free education abroad for international students in this article.
Students may pay the amount depicted here as their projected cost of living while attending that university and staying in Germany, but it may vary for every individual according to their choice and preferences. It is an average cost of Living.
1. Germany
Undoubtedly, Germany tops the list of countries where one can pursue higher education at study abroad for free. Almost all public universities do not charge any tuition fees. The students sometimes need to pay the administration fee, which is very minimal and quite less than what is charged in our own country. English is commonly spoken in Germany, and the courses offered here are also in English, making it easier for international students to pursue higher education in the country. It is one of the best countries to study abroad.
Scholarship Offered by German Government for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Germany offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience German culture.
DAAD Scholarship Programs
International students can receive the most well-known scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes in Germany. The primary means by which this organisation promotes cross-national intellectual ties is through student exchange initiatives.
Eligibility: Students of all nationalities are eligible for these scholarships and are selected based on their academic proficiency.
Erasmus+ scholarships
One of the best and largest awards for studying in Europe are Erasmus+ scholarship. The European Commission oversees the entire ERASMUS+ scholarship scheme. As Erasmus + Partner countries, more than 4,000 higher education institutions from nearly 37 nations take part.
Eligibility: Students of all nationalities pursuing the Erasmus study program are eligible for these grants and they are selected based on their academic proficiency.
2. Norway
Norway is another country where you don’t have to spend a penny to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral degrees. This is because the government finances education in the country with taxpayers’ money. However, most top universities in Norway offer education in the Norwegian language, so you need to learn the language and pass a proficiency test. Most universities have well-equipped computer facilities with high-speed internet services. for students studying abroad, safety is one of the major concerns and Norway is considered one of the safest countries.
Scholarship Offered in Norway for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Norway offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience Norwegian culture.
NTNU Scholarship
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology provides overseas students with a special scholarship that pays the complete course cost and the students get to experience study abroad for free. Norway exclusively offers scholarships for master’s level courses. The expense of living is excluded. Your bachelor’s degree must have a minimum grade of C. Scores on the GMAT and GRE are taken into account during the hiring process. Before the deadline, applications for the same may be submitted either in conjunction with the university application form or individually.
Grant – Covers entire tuition fee
BI Presidential Scholarship
Awarded to candidates with exceptional academic records, this scholarship in Norway is for all Master of Science students enrolled in the university. It is mandatory to have a grade A on the ECTS scale or equivalent to apply for this scholarship. It is mainly offered to the 3rd year MS students. You have to submit a 1-page long scholarship essay covering all the essential points regarding your career plans and economic status. GMAT/GRE scores are also considered in the selection process.
Grant – Covers entire tuition fee + Provides a stipend to cover the cost of living
3. Sweden
Swedish universities offer education with no tuition fees. This applies to students from both Swedish and non-Swedish nationalities. If you pursue a PhD from any Swedish university, you also get paid for your research work. Apart from this, many universities in Sweden offer scholarships to international students. Sweden is famous for its culture and food so students studying abroad in Sweden will get a great opportunity to explore and boost their confidence.
Scholarship Offered in Sweden for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Sweden offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience Swedish culture.
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) target highly qualified students from selected countries and are awarded for full-time master’s level studies in Sweden. It covers tuition fees, living costs, and insurance.
The Visby Programme Scholarships
The Visby Programme provides a number of full scholarships for master’s programmes in Sweden to students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. The scholarship covers the tuition fee, living expenses of SEK 9,000 per month, insurance, and a one-time travel grant of SEK 5,000.
4. Austria
The cost of education in Austrian universities is very lower. International students only need to pay a nominal fee during their enrolment. Austria offers degree programs in many advanced subjects. The favourable environment and the affordable cost of living make Austria an ideal place for students of all countries to come for higher education.
Scholarship Offered in Austria for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Austria offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience Austrian culture.
The Republic of Austria for Undergraduates, Graduates, and Postgraduates (International)
This Scholarship is available to all International students worldwide for Undergraduates, Graduates, and Postgraduates.
Target group: Undergraduates, Graduates, and Postgraduates
Scholarships of the Scholarship Foundation of the Republic of Austria for Master’s Degree Studies in the Field of International Relations (International)
This Scholarship is available to all International students worldwide for the Master’s Degree program in the field of International Relations
Target group: Graduates
5. Finland
Higher education is free in Finland, especially at the Post Graduate and Doctoral levels. Finland is popular for offering courses in design, architecture, communication etc. This country also has some great polytechnic colleges offering more practical-based education.
Scholarship Offered in Finland for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Finland offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience Finnish culture.
The University of Helsinki International Master’s Programme Scholarships
Scholarships are offered for excellent students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who want to complete a Master’s programme at the University of Helsinki.
Eligibility
- You are eligible for the Master’s programme at the University of Helsinki.
- You are liable for tuition fees: Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries who do not have permanent residence status in the EU/EEA area are liable for tuition fees.
- You meet the requirements for obtaining an entry visa and residence permit for Finland.
- You have obtained excellent results in your previous studies and can prove this in your application.
Finnish Government Scholarship Pool
The Finnish government gives scholarships for three to nine months for doctoral-level studies and research in any academic discipline at Finnish universities or state research institutions. The scholarship cannot be used for post-doctoral studies or research or Master’s level coursework. Young researchers from Australia, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States are welcome to apply for the Finnish Government Scholarship Pool programme. The scholarship comes with a EUR 1500 monthly stipend.
6. Belgium
Belgium offers quality education with advanced infrastructure that allows students to gain both practical and theoretical education. The tuition fee is also very affordable, and one can also get a good placement after completing their courses.
Scholarship Offered in Belgium for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Belgium offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience Belgian culture.
Belgium Government Scholarships
220 fully funded scholarships are provided to international students each year by the Belgian government. Short courses and Master’s degree programmes are eligible for the scholarships in Belgium. You are eligible for this scholarship if you are from a developing nation.
International students can also enrol in a practical training programme through the scholarship. The full cost of tuition, a monthly grant, living expenses, airfare, and other costs are all covered by this programme.
VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program
Numerous scholarships from more than 31 countries are available through the VLIR-UOS Scholarship to study in Flanders. One of the best scholarship programmes available in Belgium is VLIR-UOS. Every year, 31 international students are accepted through this programme to study at a Flemish college or university.
The best feature of this scholarship in Europe is that it covers all costs, including full tuition, a monthly grant, living expenses, air travel, and other expenses.
7. Greece
Greece has a minimal cost of living. One can go for postgraduate and Doctoral degrees in the top colleges in Greece. Most of the courses offered here are in the English language. This country has a rich history with philosophers like Plato and Aristotle born here and contributed greatly to the ancient education system. The modern-day higher education in Greece is also at par with that of ancient times, and it offers free education to international students and has a lot of scholarship options for international students so they can have a high quality of education free of cost.
Scholarship Offered in Greece for International Students
As an ideal destination for international students, Greece offers some of the best scholarship programmes to pursue a degree and experience Greek culture.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens – Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
Greece’s National and Kapodistrian University, also referred to as the University of Athens, is regarded as the country’s first and oldest university. Additionally, it ranks among the best public colleges in the nation. They offer scholarships to entering undergraduate international students enrolled in the “BA degree in the Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece” as well as instruction to its domestic and international students.
Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Scholarships
The largest university in Greece and a higher educational institution is Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University. Additionally, they offer programmes to foreign students who want to study in this nation. They have various Greece scholarships for these incoming, current undergraduate, and postgraduate international students.
Scholarship Amount: A monthly stipend of €345 for the undergraduate and €450 for the postgraduate students.
Eligible Degree: Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which nation offers free education to foreign students?
The countries like Greece, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden all have options for free or inexpensive higher education. In Norway, all students, regardless of study level or nationality, are eligible for free university education.
Which nation doesn’t charge tuition?
The first nation to provide free education to all foreign students in Germany. Germany is known as a tuition-free country, and all of its universities are tuition-free as well. It indicates that you are exempt from paying the tuition fee
How is it possible for a struggling student to
pursue their education abroad?
Applying for reputable overseas scholarships is an excellent method to avoid taking out loans to pay for your higher education abroad if you don’t have enough money. You should submit an application to some economical or cost-effective nations, like Canada and Germany if you don’t have enough money.
Which country is best for full scholarship?
Germany is the best country as the public universities offer courses with no charges except for the administration fee, which is very low.