Cheapest Countries to Study in Europe for International Students 2023

Given the high level of educational attainment in Europe, it may surprise you to learn which nations are the least expensive to study in.

Everyone must have equal access to high-quality schools in order to raise educational achievement levels around the world. Unfortunately, due to financial limitations, this is challenging to accomplish. As a result, for people in less wealthy regions of the world, it could be desirable to study abroad to have a better educational experience.

Why Study in Europe?

Millions of students travel to Europe each year to study abroad. If you are from another continent and want to study in Europe or if you are European and want to travel abroad to get international experience, Europe is the place to be. Here are some of the best reasons to study in Europe:

Career opportunities

In recent years, having international experience has become increasingly vital. Both large and small businesses seek out personnel who have stepped outside of their "comfort zone." You chart the course for your professional success by studying abroad in Europe. Additionally, several European nations make an attempt to persuade international university graduates to remain after graduation. This means that if you choose to study in Europe, there is a good possibility you will receive a job offer and be able to stay for an extended period of time.

World-class education

Europe is home to many of the top universities in the world. European cross-border collaborations have produced a vibrant global academic community that carries out cutting-edge research.

Afforable tuition fees

Most public colleges in Europe have very affordable tuition rates when compared to nations like the US, Canada, or Australia. There aren't even any tuition expenses in several European nations; university education is free! There are numerous alternative ways to secure funding for your study, including scholarships.

Traveling and exploring the entire continent is simple

You should take advantage of the opportunity to visit more than one nation while studying in Europe. That is even feasible on a limited student budget and with constrained semester schedules because of the abundance of affordable flight, train, and bus connections and the generally short journey periods. If you are a non-European citizen studying in one of the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen Area, you can simply get a student visa that will let you travel to other Schengen Area nations. Consider all the wonderful experiences you can have even if you live far from school.

Study in English

You can select from thousands of English bachelor's and master's degree programs. English proficiency is typically quite strong in most European nations. This means that you can always get by with English in everyday settings, even if you find it difficult to grasp the fundamentals of Polish, Portuguese, or Swedish.

Cheapest Countries to Study in Europe

Consider these nations if you want to pursue your studies abroad in one of Europe's least expensive study abroad destinations below:

Study in Lithuania

Lithuania is a nation in Eastern Europe with a good standard of education. It offers a comfortable lifestyle to its guests at affordable rates for lodging and other costs. Each year, Lithuania welcomes thousands of international students to its numerous universities. Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipeda are among of its largest cities. The cost of tuition varies depending on the institution. However, Lithuania is often one of the most affordable nations in Europe to study in. The annual tuition at its universities is about 4,000 euros. This covers tuition as well as lodging, food, and other costs.

Study in Estonia

Between Scandinavia and Russia, a little Baltic country called Estonia can be found. It is the perfect location for international students who desire to study in Europe because it contains more than a thousand islands. Even though English is the primary language of instruction, Estonian is the official language.

Students from abroad who study in Estonia typically don't have to worry about paying tuition. If students meet the requirements, they can be eligible for scholarships, making Estonia one of the least expensive places to study in Europe. The majority of university graduates in Estonia make over 1,700 euros per year on average.

Study in Bulgaria

Because Bulgaria has so many medical schools and a reputation for welcoming international students applying to their medical schools, if you are thinking about studying abroad you might want to think about studying in Bulgaria.Bulgarian universities charge a minimum of 5000 euros a year for tuition. The nation offers a wide range of courses, including those in nursing, veterinary science, pharmacy, and medicine. In Bulgaria, lodging, meals, and transportation are all provided without charge to international students. They can take part in a variety of cultural events that the Bulgarian government sponsors.

Study in Cyprus

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is situated. Its northern border with Turkey, eastern border with Syria, southern border with Lebanon, western border with Israel, and southern border with Egypt. It is an island nation with three major and about 100 minor islands. Nicosia is the country's capital. Limassol is the largest urban area. There are roughly 1.1 million people living there. One of the least expensive places in Europe to study is Cyprus. In Cyprus, tuition for international students typically costs roughly 3,200 euros a year. Students majoring in medical sciences might have to pay an extra 2000 euros a year. Additionally, postgraduates must pay about 1900 euros annually.

Study in Belgium

International students can find reasonable housing and tuition in Belgium's capital city of Brussels and other major cities. Belgian towns also offer a high standard of living at a reasonable cost of living. Studying in Belgium costs about 2,400 euros a year in tuition, 800 euros a month for housing, and 400 euros a month for miscellaneous living expenses.

Study in Italy

The availability of affordable housing and Italy's comparatively low cost of living are advantages for international students who desire to study there. Italian universities provide financial aid to foreign students. Despite Italy's usually high educational standards, some subjects—like literature, art, and fashion—are more effectively taught at its colleges than others. The annual cost of studying in Italy, including all costs, is about 5,000 euros. The annual tuition cost is about 3000 euros. The cost of housing each month is about 800 euros. Each month, food costs about 500 euros. Each month, other expenses total roughly 200 euros.

Study in Hungary

If you are an international student looking to study in Europe, Hungary can be a good option. In addition to having some of the most reasonable university tuition in Europe, Hungary also has a high standard of living and is one of the least expensive places to study in Europe. Hungary's universities charge roughly 1,200 euros in annual tuition on average. Although the low cost of living in Hungary is excellent news for foreigners who want to study there, they can still use various grants to cover their tuition costs. The suggestion is that they can still receive scholarships from them even if they cannot afford to attend institutions in Hungary.

Study in Portugal

Portuguese offers low-cost, high-quality educational services to overseas students, but they also provide them with a comfortable standard of living. Portugal is one of the least expensive places to study in Europe since it is inexpensive compared to other European nations. The majority of Portuguese universities don't charge tuition to foreign students. International students can also take advantage of numerous scholarship schemes. International students also don't have to worry about housing costs because the majority of hostels in Portugal are incredibly affordable, with annual costs of only approximately 1500 euros.

Study in Finland

Finland had previously provided numerous fee-free scholarships to international applicants. Although these scholarships are no longer offered, Finland is still one of the least expensive places in Europe to study. Because of the high cost of living, it is not usually one of those nations where you can discover affordable costs for studying abroad. However, you should be aware that Finland offers affordable education if you choose to study there rather than at home in English. Finland charges about 4,500 euros a year for education.

Depending on the institution or college you choose to attend, tuition costs in Finland vary. Some colleges have higher tuition than others. Finland likewise has pricey lodging. You would need to pay between 2,000 and 8,000 euros in rent each year, depending on the kind of housing you select. Finland offers reasonably priced food when compared to other European nations. Around 1,800 euros should be budgeted annually for food.

Study in France

High-quality education can be had in France for as little as 2000 euros per year for foreign students. For international students, there are many economical housing options. Depending on where you live, studying and living in France will cost money. For instance, housing in the city of Paris is quite expensive, whereas it is less so in the outskirts.

In general, France has a higher cost of living than other countries in Europe. It is still far lower than in North America, though. For international students, tuition at French universities begins at around 2000 euros per year. France has comparatively pricey lodging. Rent alone costs students about 3,000 euros each year. In France, the cost of food is likewise high, coming in at about 1600 euros annually.

Study in Austria

Austria is one of the least expensive nations in Europe for international students to study since they may receive a high-quality education there for a very low price. Austrian universities provide its international undergraduates with a wide range of affordable facilities, including low-cost housing, health care, and even some scholarships, in addition to the reduced tuition rates for overseas students.

The cost of tuition varies significantly for overseas students. Although annual tuition fees might reach 11,000 euros, several colleges provide free education to students from outside the country. In Austria, lodging is also extremely affordable. Rent for international students is just about 1200 euros a year, or about one-third of what it would be in London or New York.

Study in Sweden

Sweden provides international PhDs with a high standard of living and free university tuition. In Sweden, tuition costs begin at 3,000 euros per year. After graduating, students who wish to remain in Sweden may petition for citizenship. They can therefore take advantage of all the advantages of living in the EU without having to pay high taxes. In Sweden, lodging rates are also affordable. Rent for international students only costs about 1500 euros per year. Sweden is one of the least expensive places in Europe for overseas students to study. Sweden has some of the greatest universities in the world.

Study in Germany

Germany is one of the greatest countries for international students looking to study in Europe since it offers inexpensive, top-notch education. International students as well as native Germans can often access top-notch educational facilities without paying a charge in various parts of Germany. However, in some areas of Germany, gaining top-notch instruction requires pupils to pay a nominal fee. The cost of attending school in Germany varies depending on where the student enrolls. Around 6,000 euros per year is spent on average in Germany on educational expenses. This covers tuition fees as well as lodging, food, travel, and other costs. In Germany, annual tuition costs range from 3,000 to 10,000 euros.

Study in Norway

Consider studying in Norway if you're seeking for a destination to study abroad where you won't have to pay high tuition costs. Norway has a decent standard of living compared to the cost of a comfortable lifestyle. However, living comfortably costs more than 3,500 euros a year due to higher food and lodging prices than in other nations. Choosing to live in Oslo rather than Bergen, the capital, can save you money if you have enough savings.

Study in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a popular travel destination for locals as well. International college graduates can live and work there with ease. Even if there are many universities in Europe that offer free tuition to international students, the Netherlands is not one of them establishments. However, the cost of living is quite low in the Netherlands. In reality, it only costs roughly 2000 euros per year for international students to live in Amsterdam. In the Netherlands, annual tuition costs begin at 3000 euros. Furthermore, it is simple for foreign students to acquire employment as English teachers in the Netherlands. These jobs are well compensated, with salaries ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 euros per month.

Study in Luxemburg

Luxembourg offers the cheapest university education in all of Europe. In fact, Luxembourg is one of the most affordable places in Europe to study. In Luxembourg, annual tuition starts at 1000 euros. Additionally, the government of Luxembourg offers financial aid to foreign students. Luxembourg's infrastructure is highly advanced, and its economy is secure. The cost of lodging in Luxembourg is relatively reasonable. Rent for international students only costs about 2,500 euros per year. As a result, foreign students in Luxembourg are able to live comfortably while also saving a lot of money.

Study in Turkey

Studying abroad in Turkey offers students a high standard of academic achievement and the ability to compare their courses to those of students from around the world. Both Turkish and English are options for their course options. The cost of tuition varies according to the university and the subject being studied. For international students, it is one of the least expensive nations to study in Europe with an average cost of roughly 2,500 euros per year. While studying in Turkey, international students can also apply for scholarships.

Study in Greece

Some of Europe's top universities are located in Greece. These are well-known throughout Europe, but international candidates favor them the most. Greeks pay very little for living expenses, therefore overseas students also get free housing, food, and transportation. Additionally, foreign students in Greece are eligible to apply for government-sponsored scholarships. In Greece, the cost of living is around 4,000 euros per year. This covers lodging, travel, and dietary needs. For international students, Greece is one of the most affordable countries in Europe to study in.

Study in Poland

Poland is a little yet stunning European nation sandwiched between Russia and Germany. It is renowned for having a vibrant past and present. Poland has many universities that provide top-notch education at reasonable costs. Poland's tuition costs begin at 1,500 euros annually. Poland is one of the least expensive places in Europe to study. However, tuition payments are not always required of foreign students in Poland. Instead, individuals might apply for grants or scholarships based on their academic standing. Additionally, free housing, meals, and transportation are available to foreign students in Poland. One of the most well-liked and affordable places to study in Europe is Poland.

Study Abroad Tips for International Students in Europe

Furthermore, here are the some of the best study abroad tips on how to study in Europe without breaking the bank.

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Apply early

Early scholarship applications help you stand out from the competition. Give yourself time to think about your application if you submit it in advance. This provides you time to think of original responses to the questions the scholarship committee may ask. Keep in mind that thousands of applications are submitted to these committees every year. You must therefore demonstrate to them your deservingness of selection.

Choose a university that fits your needs

When picking a university, you should pick one that suits your interests and academic ambitions. You'll be able to concentrate on your studies at a university that provides the curriculum you're interested in. On the other side, you will lose time if you select an institution that doesn't fit your needs.

Learn about other cultures

A common occurrence when studying abroad is culture shock. You'll be able to handle the change better if you have knowledge of other cultures. You can better prepare for the experience by learning about the culture of the nation you'll be studying. You'll not only have a better grasp of the language but also grow to care about the locals. You will adapt to new surroundings more rapidly if you are familiar with the local culture.

Staying healthy

One of the most important study abroad advice is to maintain your health while you are away from home. You'll probably spend more time indoors than outside during your visit. As a result, you should consume wholesome foods and get enough rest. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Additionally, endeavor to consume as many fruits and veggies as you can. They include vital elements that are frequently missing from our diets. Don't forget to work out frequently. Exercise increases self-esteem and mental clarity. Additionally, it maintains you healthy and fit.

Network with students and professors

Networking is a great way to connect with people who can help you succeed in your studies. Meet professors, tutors, and fellow students at your university. In addition, make connections with alumni and business leaders. Your network can prove invaluable when looking for internships or job opportunities.

Make friends

It's simple to make friends while studying abroad. Throughout your stay, you'll have access to a wide variety of social groups and events. Participate in clubs, sports, and student government. Make new friends and long-lasting relationships. You never know who might wind up being a lifelong buddy. One of the best study abroad advice for international students is to make friends.

Travel often and visit new places

A wonderful method to broaden your horizons is through travel. It facilitates meeting new people and visiting new places. Travel, above all else, broadens the mind. You'll develop a stronger respect for variety by getting to know new people and experiencing new cultures.
You will enjoy your host country much more if you travel to different areas. One of the numerous study abroad advice for international students is to venture to new areas. Visit historical places, parks, museums, and monuments. Get lost in the streets of the city. Take some time to savor the regional cuisine. When you travel to a new place, you'll learn so much more about it.