Do you know that studying abroad is not as expensive as you think? Sure, there are pricey options, but you’ll also see countries that won’t make your study dream feel out of reach. Most of these places offer quality education at affordable tuition fees, with reasonable living costs to match.
So, which is the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students? You could say Germany, Norway, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, and many others, which we’ve explored in this article. It’s time to pick and dust your abroad study dreams as you discover where you can get a great education at a fraction of the cost. Let’s go!
Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Check out countries like Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Canada, France, and Poland. Some even pass as free education countries for indian students. Here is what to expect in each of the countries:
Germany
- Affordable Universities: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Heidelberg University, RWTH Aachen University, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin and Technical University of Munich.
- Scholarships: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and Heinrich Böll
- Work-Hour Limit: Work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks.
- Job Opportunities: Retail, hospitality, tutoring, internships. Post-study work permits are needed for full-time roles in high-demand sectors such as IT, engineering, and healthcare.
Indian students can study in Germany without spending a fortune. In fact, most public universities charge no tuition, even for international students. You only need to pay a small semester fee and, of course, take care of your living expenses.
Even at that, the cost of living is quite reasonable, especially if you’re living in smaller cities like Leipzig and Dresden.
Norway
- Affordable Universities: University of Oslo, University of Bergen, University of Tromsø, and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
- Scholarships: NTNU Scholarship, BI Presidential Scholarship, Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship, and SCAR Fellowships in Antarctic Research.
- Work-Hour Limit: 20 hours per week during the semester and Full-time during breaks.
- Job Opportunities: Hospitality, IT, research, construction, agriculture, and retail.
Norway is another cheapest country to study. The public universities don’t even charge tuition fees. You’re only spending a little on the semester fee, transportation, accommodation, and food.
Cities like Tromsø and Bergen are usually cheaper compared to the capital, Oslo. You’ll enjoy Norway’s excellent quality of life, cultural diversity, and wide range of English-taught programs across different fields.
After graduation, you can easily get employed in industries like fishing, hydropower, petroleum, shipping, and tourism.
Malaysia
- Affordable Universities: Universiti Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
- Scholarships: Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), Khazanah Global Scholarship, JPA Scholarship Programme, and PTPTN (MOHE).
- Work-Hour Limit: 20 hours per week (during holidays only)
- Job Opportunities: Growing prospects in IT, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Kuala Lumpur is a hub for multinational corporations offering internships and career opportunities.
Malaysia is a hub for affordable universities. The reason? Many Malaysian universities partner with institutions in the UK and Australia so that students can earn recognized degrees at a much lower cost. How thoughtful!
The cost of living is also very budget-friendly. Add to the multicultural environment, modern facilities, and a thriving job market, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT, and you’ll see why you can’t miss this country.
Canada
- Affordable Universities: Brandon University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Winnipeg, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, and Dalhousie University.
- Scholarships: Canada Graduate Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS), and Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence (IC-IMPACTS).
- Work-Hour Limit: 20 hours per week during semesters. Full-time during scheduled breaks
- Job Opportunities: Strong demand in technology, healthcare, finance, and engineering. High-growth areas include computer science, AI, and cybersecurity.
You’ll find many Indian students trooping to Canada, even though their tuition fees are a bit higher compared to some European countries. But at least, the country balances it with excellent work opportunities, scholarships, and post-study work permits.
You’ll spend less on the cost of living if you’re in cities like Edmonton and Waterloo. After graduation, you have opportunities to acquire permanent residency.
Ireland
- Affordable Universities: Atlantic Technological University (ATU), the University of Limerick (UL), Maynooth University, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), the National College of Ireland (NCI), University of Galway, University College Cork (UCC), and Dublin Business School (DBS).
- Scholarships: Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES), Trinity College Dublin Scholarship Programme, The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme, and Ireland-Africa Fellowship Programme.
- Work-Hour Limit: 20 hours per week during semesters. 40 hours per week during holidays.
- Job Opportunities: Growing demand in technology, finance, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Career openings with multinational companies in software development, pharmaceuticals, and banking.
Ireland has quickly become the cheapest country to study for indian students. The tuition is affordable, plus plenty of scholarships and career opportunities in global companies.
After graduation, you can easily integrate into the country’s workforce as it’s home to many multinational companies in IT, finance, and healthcare.
New Zealand
- Affordable Universities: Lincoln University, Massey University, University of Waikato, AUT (Auckland University of Technology), University of Canterbury, and the University of Auckland
- Scholarships: Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship, University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship, and Tongarewa Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington.
- Work-Hour Limit: 25 hours per week during term time
- Job Opportunities: Strong demand in IT, engineering, hospitality, agriculture, business, and medicine with a growing economy.
Affordability aside, New Zealand is considered one of the safest destinations for Indian students. In fact, according to the global peace ranking of 163 countries, New Zealand sits as the 4th safest country in the world. Incredible right?
The best part is that the country allows students who wish to bring their dependents.
They can apply for the Dependent Partner Work Visa, while the dependents go for the Dependent Child Student visa to allow them to study as domestic students, sometimes without paying international tuition fees.
Singapore
- Affordable Universities: the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Scholarships: Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) and NUS Global Merit Scholarship.
Work-Hour Limit: 16 hours/week during term and full-time during holidays - Job Opportunities: Strong demand in IT, finance, healthcare, and business. International students also have high employability prospects after graduation.
Singapore is one of those countries where your career is secured even before graduating from the university. The job market is strong and supported by many global companies. Even the world-class universities there are super affordable, plus it’s even close to India.
The public transport is super efficient, and the atmosphere is friendly. You can easily adjust to life here as long as you’re mindful of the local customs. More so, the country ranks high as one of the safest countries in the world. A strong police presence, low crime rate, and a reliable legal system guarantee your peace of mind.
Australia
- Affordable Universities: University of Southern Queensland, Charles Darwin University, Federation University Australia, University of the Sunshine Coast, Southern Cross University, and Central Queensland University.
- Scholarships: Australian Government-funded programs like the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships and the Research Training Program (RTP).
- Work-Hour Limit: 48 hours per fortnight (two weeks) during term time.
- Job Opportunities: Finance, healthcare, and technology.
Australia is one of the affordable countries to study abroad. The east coast, particularly New South Wales, is home to many of the country’s top universities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane.
The international student communities are strong with cultural diversity. The best part is that after graduation, your temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) allows you to work in the country for up to 18 months. At least, you can get more practical exposure in your career path.
France
- Affordable Universities: University of Orléans, Université Paris-Saclay, University of Strasbourg, Université de Montpellier, and University of Angers.
- Scholarships: The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme for master’s and PhD studies, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees for master’s students, the Emile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po, and the Ampère Excellence Scholarships at ENS de Lyon
- Work-Hour Limit: 964 hours per year – equivalent to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays.
- Job Opportunities: Fashion, film, law, and creative writing.
France’s affordable tuition, combined with its rich culture and world-class education, makes it one of the best countries for Indian students. Although the cost of living can be high, especially in Paris but you’ll get by fine in other cities like Lyon, Grenoble, and Montpellier.
The residents have a welcoming attitude towards foreigners. You can also bring your dependents, like your spouse or minor children. After your studies, you may apply for a post-study work visa, skilled work permit, or even a family-based permit, depending on your needs.
Poland
- Affordable Universities: the University of Wrocław, Adam Mickiewicz University, the University of Warsaw, and the Jagiellonian University.
- Scholarships: Stefan Banach Scholarship, General Anders Scholarship, UNESCO Poland Fellowship Program, and Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
- Work-Hour Limit: 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during official holiday periods.
- Job Opportunities: Engineering, medicine, IT, and the arts.
Poland is a fantastic choice for Indian students looking for budget-friendly tuition fees. You’re also in for an exciting ride because there’s a lot to assimilate from the charm of Central Europe.
For a more affordable standard of living, go to cities like Kraków and Wrocław. They are considered cheaper than Warsaw. Your dependents even have the opportunity to come live with you. Quite refreshing!
How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad from India?
To be honest, this largely depends on your country of study. Some countries, like Germany and Norway, offer free or very low tuition at public universities. While others like Australia, Canada, and Ireland can be more expensive, but offer higher post-study work opportunities. Here’s an overview:
| Country | Annual Tuition Fees | Average Monthly Living Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Free at public universities (semester fee INR 13,650 – INR 27,300) | INR 77,350 |
| Norway | No tuition at public universities (semester fee INR 4,800) | INR 100,800 |
| Malaysia | INR 3,06,000 – INR 5,40,000 | INR 27,000 – INR 45,000 |
| Canada | INR 12,81,000 – INR 21,96,000 | INR 76,250 |
| Ireland | INR 6,82,500 – INR 10,92,000 | INR 67,761 |
| New Zealand | INR 7,39,500 – INR 8,82,300 | INR 63,546 |
| Singapore | INR 9,92,000 – INR 14,88,000 | INR 95,232 |
| Australia | INR 9,57,600 – INR 23,18,400 | INR 70,560 |
| France | INR 2,00,200 – INR 8,50,850 | INR 1,00,100 – INR 1,50,150 |
| Poland | INR 1,77,840 – INR 2,66,760. | INR 44,460 |
What to Consider When Choosing the Most Affordable Countries to Study Abroad
Finding the most budget-friendly country to study abroad isn’t just about low tuition fees. Other factors like cost of living, scholarships, part-time job opportunities, and even future opportunities must align too. Here are the main things to keep in mind:
- Check if you can afford the tuition fees. Countries like Germany and Norway offer free education at public universities.
- Ensure you can handle the cost of living, like the rent, food, transport, and healthcare. This depends on the country and even the city. For example, in France, Paris costs more than cities like Lyon.
- Check scholarships and financial aid available. Also, apply early so you have a better chance at reducing cost.
- What are the work hours like for part-time jobs? You need all the funds you can get to support your studies. Always check the rules for international students in that country.
- Safety is also important. So, choose a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and supported with good healthcare.
- Most importantly, make sure your course is taught in English. And if it’s not, that you’re willing to learn the local language.
- If you’re considering residing in the country after schooling, look into the job opportunities available. And if the country allows international students to stay and work.
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Conclusion
Wrapping it up, the cheapest country to study abroad for indian students depends on what you value most. We’ve given you a breakdown of countries with lower tuition, affordable living, good scholarships, and post-work opportunities. Try and weigh all these factors before making a choice. You’ll see that studying abroad is possible without breaking the bank.
FAQ on the Cheapest Country To Study Abroad For Indian Students
International students can usually work part-time while studying abroad, but the rules differ from country to country. Some places allow only on-campus jobs in the first year, while others permit limited off-campus work. Always check the latest visa and university regulations before making plans.
Germany is affordable for Indian students interested in studying engineering. Public universities often charge little to no tuition fees, and living costs are relatively affordable compared to other countries.
They include Germany, Norway, Malaysia, Poland, and France. They have very low tuition fees for international students. In fact, public universities in Germany and Norway often charge no tuition at all. These countries also provide affordable living options.
Germany and Norway are the top countries that provide free education for international students, including Indians. Public universities in these countries charge no tuition fees, only a small semester fee. Other countries like the Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, France, and Greece also offer free or very low-cost education, especially for certain programs or with scholarships.
Many affordable countries to study abroad are also safe. Examples are Germany, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand. They all combine reasonable tuition fees with a secure environment and welcoming communities.
Scholarships are widely available for Indian students studying in affordable countries. Some include DAAD in Germany, Chevening in the UK, Vanier in Canada, and Commonwealth Scholarships. Even universities in countries like Germany, Norway, France, Malaysia, and Canada all provide opportunities too.
Affordable doesn’t mean low quality. Countries like Germany, Norway, Poland, and even Mexico offer world-class education at little to no tuition cost. Many have English-taught programs, recognized degrees, and chances to work part-time.
