If you are not eligible for fully-funded university scholarships, you might want to think about enrolling in schools that waive tuition, have reduced tuition, or offer free tuition. Top 5 Universities Countries including Norway, Austria, Germany, Finland, and Sweden provide various kinds of free or reduced tuition programs as well as tuition exemptions for international students.
Norway’s Tuition-Free Universities
In general, tuition is not charged in Norwegian public universities or other higher education establishments for any student, including international students. This applies to all educational levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and PhD. Students will still be required to pay a NOK 300–600 semester fee each semester.
Be advised that a small number of specialized programs, the majority of which are provided at the master’s degree, may incur tuition fees at some university colleges and state institutions. Most private institutions have tuition associated with them for all degrees and courses offered. Still, the expenses are usually far lower than for comparable research done in most other countries. In addition, Norwegian students pay the same tuition as students from other countries.
Austrian Universities with Free Tuition
In Austria, the tuition for non-EU/EEA students at federal and state institutions is only around 726.72 euros each semester. In addition, there is a 20.20 euro fee for student accident insurance and the “ÖH-Beitrag” student union membership.
Tuition waivers or whole or partial reimbursement of tuition expenses may be granted under specified conditions (e.g., holders of specific scholarships, participants in exchange programs and university collaborations, students from specific countries). Direct access to further information is available on the university’s website.
Cost of Studying in Austria: Accommodation, food, and personal expenditures add up to around 800 euros per month for students residing in Austria.
Germany’s Tuition-Free Universities
Starting in October 2014, all German institutions, with the exception of Baden-Württemberg*, will waive tuition for any student enrolling in bachelor’s and subsequent master’s degree programs, regardless of nationality. In addition to the semester contribution (about fifty euros), universities in a few Federal States may charge an administrative fee (roughly fifty euros). Since the tuition pricing schedule is subject to change, you should check this page frequently to get up-to-date information on tuition prices in Germany’s federal states. In the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, tuition costs for non-EU nationals enrolling in Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diplom, and state examination degree programs are now €1,500 each semester.
Although tuition is required for the majority of Master’s programs in Germany, it is not as costly as in other countries. Courses at the undergraduate level are not like this.
On the other hand, German institutions often provide free doctoral programs. A semester payment of around 150–200 euros is required of PhD applicants each semester; however, tuition is not charged until the first six semesters are finished. PhD applicants usually get funding or are assigned to a research project (paid PhD position).
For German students, the average monthly cost of living, transportation, food, and other incidentals while studying in Germany is between 500 and 800 euros.
Finland’s Tuition-Free Universities and Scholarship Program
Tuition fees were introduced for non-EU/EEA students participating in bachelor’s or master’s programs taught in English starting in the autumn of 2017. Only doctorate-level courses will remain tuition-free, regardless of your nation.
Talented non-EU/EEA students admitted into Finnish universities’ and UAS’s tuition-paying bachelor’s and master’s degree programs can apply for scholarships. EDUFI Fellowships can pay living expenses for PhD research for up to one academic year.
Cost of Studying in Finland: It is expected that living expenditures for a single student in Finland would be between 700 and 900 euros per month.
Scholarships for Tuition at Swedish Universities
Tuition and application fees are necessary for students seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree who are not nationals of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or a Nordic country. However, the Swedish Institute and a great deal of other colleges provide full and partial scholarships—that is, tuition waivers—to foreign students.
In Sweden, paid PhD opportunities are mostly offered by institutions or external funding bodies. This suggests that if you are hired as a PhD candidate, you will receive a monthly salary and won’t have to pay any expenses.
