Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study in the World

Finding the cheapest countries to study can be a difficult process, however, with careful planning and financial knowledge, studying abroad can not only be more affordable than you ever thought possible, but it can also be less expensive than enrolling in a semester or year of university at home.

You might potentially save thousands of dollars by choosing a cheap study abroad program instead of paying your university’s exorbitant tuition and high living expenses in a college town.

Your study abroad program’s location will have a significant impact on your expenses. This is due to the fact that it will affect how much you’ll have to spend on your living expenses and, in turn, how much you’ll have to spend on university tuition.

We have looked into the most affordable study abroad locations for you, and we can say with certainty that you have a wide range of possibilities for graduate or undergraduate programs.

You may probably find cheaper study programs in many countries, notably European ones, with the exception of Australia and the UK, where tuition costs are comparable to those in the US. However, in this article, we’ll focus on the nations with the lowest or no tuition fees among them all.

The most affordable study abroad destinations are those that provide foreign students with affordable tuition and living expenses.

To your surprise, the most affordable nations for studying abroad also have universities that are ranked highly in prominent international publications like THE Young University Rankings and QS World University Rankings.

Furthermore, some low-cost study abroad destinations don’t charge any tuition at all and even provide a wealth of grants and scholarships for students.

Read More about the list of Profitable Courses to study in the World

Top Cheapest Countries to Study in the World

The ten most affordable countries to take into account while organizing your study abroad vacation are listed below.

These are all nations whose colleges provide English language programs and have thriving international student hubs.

1. Norway

Norway is renowned for its strong economy and excellent standard of living. But did you know that the nation also offers top-notch, English higher education?

Additionally, all of Norway’s public colleges provide free tuition to foreign students. Norway is one of the Scandinavian nations where English is widely spoken.

Despite the fact that all of the Nordic nations are reasonably priced study abroad options, Norway is our top choice since, with the exception of a few specialized programs, public university tuition is still free for all students from inside and outside the EU.

The availability of English-taught programs at all study levels and the large number of native English speakers are two additional benefits of studying in Norway.

However, Norway has high living expenses, same like the other Nordic nations; you’ll require about NOK 139,680 (about US$17,200) per year.

2. Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the least expensive places to study abroad in Asia. For instance, tuition at National Taiwan Institution, the nation’s top university and 72nd in the 2019 QS World University Rankings®, starts at TW$100,920 (about US$3,300) per year for liberal arts programs and goes up to TW$124,200 (about US$4,050).

More than 40 colleges in the nation offer more than 120 English-taught courses, and Taiwan is a well-liked place to study Mandarin.

A excellent quality of life is also available in Taiwan, where housing may be had for as little as TW$88,000 (about $2,900) year. 

Taiwan has been a popular study destination for many international students due to its academic resources and promising job prospects. Public universities in Taiwan cost roughly 700 EUR per academic year!

The Taiwanese government, meanwhile, provides a variety of scholarships to further reduce the cost of the educational experience.

Additionally, Taiwanese citizens are known for being hospitable and friendly, which helps foreign visitors feel at home.

3. Germany

Germany is another European nation that offers free college alternatives. There are many public universities in this study destination that are open to all international students without fee.

Universities in the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg are the lone exception. For non-EU/EEA students, you can anticipate paying a study cost in this area of roughly 3,000 EUR per year.

Germany offers economical housing options in addition to free educational options. Depending on the kind of housing you want, monthly costs can range from 700 to 1,100 EUR.

Germany, known as “the land of ideas,” is growing in popularity among international students, and it’s simple to see why: it boasts esteemed universities, reasonable costs, and a respectable level of living.

Although there is a chance of obtaining a grant for assistance, an M.sc. student who did not complete their undergraduate degree in Germany could spend up to €20,000 (US$23,450) annually.

 Additionally, a wide range of English-taught courses are offered, particularly at the graduate level. 

4. France

Interested in adopting the Parisian way of life? You might be shocked to learn that studying in France can be affordable!

Due to the French government’s fixed tuition rate for all public universities in the nation, several study options are available for less than 300 EUR per year.

In addition, there are numerous Master’s and Bachelor’s programs taught in English at French universities.

The cost of attending college in France is the same for both domestic and foreign students; it is €170 (US$200) a year for bachelor’s (licence) programs, €243 (US$285) for the majority of master’s programs, and €380 (US$445) for doctoral programs.

You can study in France in English if you don’t speak French fluently; the majority of English-taught programs are available mostly at the postgraduate level.

5. Mexico

Mexico, one of Latin America’s most visited countries, is full of intriguing and distinctive cultures to discover and has a lot to offer international students.

The average tuition cost for international undergraduate students attending private universities in Mexico City, the nation’s capital and one of the top 100 student cities in the world, is about US$6,300 per year.

Private universities typically charge higher tuition. Living costs are also quite inexpensive in Mexico; a typical budget there would total about $9,250 in the capital or $6,450 elsewhere.

Although Spanish is the primary language of instruction, colleges in Mexico are increasingly offering courses in English to draw in foreign students.

6. Brazil

Most state and federal institutions in Brazil are universities with no tuition fees. In addition, certain municipal governments typically manage smaller institutions where tuition is charged.

Brazil might still be an affordable destination for students. Brazil is the largest country in South America, and it has a number of large cities with international colleges where rent starts at USD 630 per month.

Naturally, you can anticipate to find even more economical living conditions if you choose a smaller location.

Brazil’s labor market has recently seen a rise in demand for foreigners with strong English language skills. As a result, after finishing your courses, you can continue to work in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, or any global metropolis.

7. India 

Next on our list of the world’s least expensive countries to study abroad is India, which is a great option for anyone seeking both affordability and cultural diversity.

While English is regularly used as the language of instruction in Indian colleges, especially at the postgraduate level, Hindi is still the most widely spoken among the country’s roughly 100 languages.

The cost of living is incredibly low; a single public transportation ride can be as cheap as 29 cents. Depending on the university and your study program, tuition costs might range from US$4,600 to US$7,880 annually, and you should be able to live comfortably on less.

8. Argentina

The second-largest nation in South America after Brazil is Argentina, and it is a great destination for students interested in leisurely exploration and adventure because of its gorgeous beauty and expansive environment.

Argentina is regarded as one of the safest countries in the region and is also well known for its vibrant culture and strong sense of national identity.

You can typically attend a state-funded (public) university for free, whereas private universities charge around US$5,100 per year or more.

You’ll need about $5,000 for living expenses, and rent can be as little as US$350 per month.

9. Poland

Another great option for students on a budget who want to study abroad is Poland, which offers both top-notch education and a ton of interesting culture and history to explore.

You can receive a free education if you are able to communicate in Polish, pass the same admission tests as Polish students, and finish your coursework in Polish.

However, there are a number of English-taught programs available, with annual costs ranging from €2,000 to $3,500 (US$2,340 to $3,500).

The annual budget for living expenditures is only €6,600 (around $7,700). The capital of Poland, Warsaw, was ranked among the top 20 cities for affordability in the 2018 QS Best Student Cities study.

Read more about the Top Universities to Study in the World

10. South Africa

South Africa is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and turbulent history.

It is one of the best places to study abroad on a budget. It’s a fantastic option for those who enjoy the outdoors and is also fairly priced with affordable housing and tuition rates.

The University of Cape Town, which is ranked first in South Africa in the QS World University Rankings, and the University of the Western Cape charge on average US$6,000 per year for overseas undergraduate students.

To pay living expenses, you’ll need about R 120,000 ($9,150) annually.

Conclusion

We have looked into the most affordable study abroad locations for you, and we can say with certainty that you have a wide range of possibilities for graduate or undergraduate programs.

Below is a comprehensive list of cheapest countries to study in the world

• Norway
• Taiwan
• Germany
• France
• Mexico
• Brazil
• India
• Argentina
• Poland
• South Africa

Read More:

Cheapest European Countries to Study in the World

Countries you can Study Abroad for Free

Top Universities to Study Medicine in the World

Sources:

Topuniversities.com

bscholarly.com