How to study abroad for free? Study abroad attracts millions of students yearly. However, facing the extremely high cost of education and living, many students give up. In this blog, you will learn about the ways for students to study abroad for free, the free education countries for Indian students, and some budgeting tips. Let’s dive in!
Can I Study Abroad for Free?
Studying abroad has always been a dream for millions of students. However, when it comes to the cost of studying abroad, it can be daunting for many students. You may wonder can I study abroad for free? The answer is affirmative and positive. Numerous policies and programs that enable international students to study abroad at no cost or a significantly lower cost. How can I study abroad for free? Here are some ways for you.
Tuition-free Universities
Fully-Funded Scholarships
Education Exchange Programs
Part-time job
Budgeting
Tuition-free Countries
How to study abroad for free? One way is to apply to tuition-free universities. Many countries have tuition-free universities for both domestic and international students, for example, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, etc. These countries offer high-quality education at a low prices. They are the cheapest countries to study abroad.
Germany
Germany is one of the most affordable countries to study abroad, also one of the free education countries for Indian students. There are many German public universities you can choose from, offering high-quality teaching and faculty capacity. Many public universities in Germany charge no tuition fee for both domestic and international students. For example, the TUM, University of Cologne, University of Hamburg, TU Berlin, etc. But students need to pay the basic administrative, registration fees, which typically vary from €50-€250. Due to its free education, applying for German universities can be extremely competitive. And when you are applying for the student visa, you also need approximately €11,900 per year to proof your capability to live in Germany.
Norway
Norway is anothe one of the free education countries for Indian students. Tuition is free for all nationality. Students just need to pay only a semester fee of around NOK 300-600. Universities in Norway also provide courses in English, proof of English proficiency is required for international students.
Iceland
Iceland is one of the affordable countries to study abroad. In Iceland, there are four public universities that charge no tuition fees, students only need to pay the registration fee of around ISK 75,000 (approximately $600) a year.
Finland/Denmark/Sweden
These three countries offer tuition-free programs for students within the EU/EEA and Switzerland, so Indian students need to pay their tuition fee for bachelor’s and master’s programs if they want to study in these countries. However, international students from outside the EU/EEA region , who study in Finnish or Swedish can benefit from the tuition-free policy under the government’s “Finlandization”. The PhD programs in these three countries are fully funded, though.
Other Countries
There are also some other countries have tuition-free programs for international students. However, it is only available for students from specific regions. Indian students need to pay their tuition fees while studying in countries like France, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Spain, etc. Even though students need to pay for their tuition fees, these countries have other policies and financial aid to minimize students’ educational costs.
Scholarships and Grants
How to study abroad for free? Another alternative is to apply for scholarships. Scholarships are the best way to cover your education expenses and offer a free study in abroad for Indian students. Those free education countries for Indian students not only charge no tuition fee, some of them also offer various scholarships. Many universities and organizations, to encourage international education, offer various financial aids for international students. There is a wide range of scholarships available for international students. Merit-based scholarships, need-based government grants, special group scholarships ( for individuals from specific countries or ethnicities), etc. If you are lucky enough, you can get the fully-funded scholarships to cover your educational expenses.
Here are some popular fully funded scholarships:
| Scholarships | Countries |
|---|---|
| GKS Scholarship | South Korea |
| MEXT Scholarship | Japan |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany |
| Fulbright Scholarship | USA |
| Chevening Scholarship | UK |
| Erasmus Mundus | EU |
| Australian Awards | Australia |
Bursaries
Bursaries are financial-need-based awards for those who require financial support. Unlike scholarships, which are mostly merit-based, bursaries can be used for tuition fees, and living costs, and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Bursary is one form of government grants. Bursaris can also guarantee a free study in abroad for Indian students.
Education Exchange Programs (EEPs)
Applying to international universities independently can be both time-consuming and costly. Education Exchange Programs (EEPs) are another way to answer the question of how to study abroad for free. Many universities have exchange programs for students’ further academic pursuit. The Indian government has also signed MOUs, Education Exchange Programs (EEPs), and Joint Declaration of Intent (JDIs) with 54 countries globally. You can go to the official website of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) to check the detailed list of available countries. Countries like South Korea, China, Mexico, the UK, New Zealand, Israel, Hungary, and Italy offer scholarships like the Commonwealth Scholarship to Indian students to pursue higher education.
Working While Studying
Working while studying also gives you the answer to how to study abroad for free. Finding a part-time job is a good way to cover your daily expenses while studying abroad. There are on-campus Jobs and off-campus work options available. Doing a part-time job not only can guarantee your daily living, but also enables you to save quite a lot of extra money for emergencies. However, one thing that needs to be noticed is that make sure your student visa allows you to work in abroad legitimately. For example, students with a Canadian student visa or a New Zealand student visa can have a paid job for 20-24 hours a week. The rate of pay varies across countries, typically ranging from $10-$12 per hour.
Assistantship
Assistantship is usually open for master’s and PhD programs. Students can get positions like TA, RA, GRA, etc. on campus to receive financial support. Assistantship hours are around 15-20 hours a week, depending on the college, department, and the work they are assigned. These students can receive the remuneration in the form of a stipend.
Paid Internships
Finding a paid internship is another way of earning extra money. Many universities require students to have at least one internship experience. You can find a paid internship, and have multiple internships to support you financially. Some universities provide students with hire and employer information. You can visit the school’s website to find more information about internships.
Other Part-time Jobs
Except for the assistantship and internship. Many students choose to work in a restaurant, bar, supermarket, cafe, bookstore, etc. to earn extra money to cover their cost of living. These jobs are easier to find, the working hours and pay rate depend on the bosses.
Budgeting
How can I study abroad for free? Well, Proper budgeting is essential. Managing your cost of living, including rent, groceries, and other expenses. Below are some tips on how to save your money without cutting fun.
Track Your Monthly Expense
It’s a good habit to track your monthly expenses. How much do you spend on your rent, groceries, transportation, mobile phone and Internet, leisure and travel, shopping, etc. This can help you identify which aspects are overspent.
Cook at Home
To minimize your living costs, consider cooking at home instead of dining out. Cook at home is not only cheaper than dining out, but also healthier and it can bring you a lot of joy in the process.
Use Public Transportation
Use more public transportation, ride a bike or walk, it’s a cheaper and healthier way of to get around.
Take Advantage of the Student ID Card
There are so many benefits you can get from a student ID card. You can get a discounted tickets when you go to places like museums, gyms, and other services.
Rent Affordable Accommodation
Renting can be another huge expense. If you’re looking for student accommodation, consider renting an affordable place with well-maintained amenities and a guarantee of safety. uhomes.com offers a range of affordable student accommodations worldwide.
Control Frequency of Shopping
If you are a shopping enthusiast, consider controlling your shopping frequency. Do not buy those unnecessary things.
Buy Second-hand
If you are just living and studying abroad for a short period. There is a lot of stuff you can buy second-hand, which will cost you less and cause you less trouble when you leave this place. You can buy second-hand furniture, textbooks, even shoes, clothes, bags, etc.
How Can uhomes.com Help?
uhomes.com offers a diverse range of student accommodations across various international cities like New York, Boston, London, Liverpool, Birmingham, etc. in countries like the UK, the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, etc. Our platform offers affordable accommodation with modern furniture and convenient facilities like fitness centre, laundry rooms, etc. Our accommodations are close to major universities like Harvard University, University of Oxford, KCL, etc. Find your ideal student accommodation with us now!
Studying in Eastern Europe
How to study abroad for free? You can’t ignore Eastern Europe. While America and Western Europe are the sought-after destinations for studying abroad, many students ignore Eastern Europe. There are many good universities in Eastern Europe that offer a more affordable lifestyle.
High-quality Education
There are also many high-quality higher institutions in Eastern Europe. Over 73% of Lithuanians have a university degree. And in Eastern Europe there are world-famous universities like Charles University in Czechia, the University of Warsaw in Poland, and Jagiellonian University in Poland.
More Affordable Living
Compared to expensive Western Europe, Eastern Europe offers a high-quality of living at more affordable prices. The rent is cheaper in Eastern Europe, so are groceries and services. Living and studying in Eastern Europe is a good choice for international students.
Conclusion
How to study abroad for free? Choosing free-tuition universities, apply for fully funded scholarships, take part in your university’s education exchange programs, and find a paid job to offset your expenses. There are always some ways to achieve your dream. While paying too much physically and mentally, you should make sure your study abroad experience is both worthwhile and meaningful, which is your ultimate goal.
FAQs:
There are many ways for international students to study abroad for free. You can choose from tuition-free universities in countries like Germany, France and Finland, etc. You can also choose a fully-funded scholarship and grant programs. Except for the tuition fees, you can also find a part-time job at a restaurant, bar, etc. to cover your daily costs. If the cost of living is a problem that can’t be ignored, choosing an affordable country to study in is wise, where you can have a cheaper house rent, lower living costs, etc.
The cheapest countries to study abroad are those that provide tuition-free universities and also have a comparatively affordable cost of living. European countries like Germany, Norway, Poland are good choices, as many of their public universities offer no tuition fee which is a huge alleviation for Indian students. In addition, some universities also provide numerous financial aids and scholarships. Poland is known for the low cost of living.
There are several ways to reduce the cost of studying abroad. Students can apply for scholarships, government grants to get some financial aid. Besides, in some countries, students with a student visa are allowed to have a part-time job to cover their daily costs. While you are earning money, you can also budget your money wisely, find cheaper accommodation, cook at home, use public transportation, etc.
Yes, for many international students, studying abroad is costly. However, the cost varies across different countries. In the US, Canada and many European countries, studying abroad can be extremely costly in terms of tuition fees, and the cost of living. In many Asian countries like Malaysia, China, South Korea, etc, the cost of living is more affordable.
The best country for free study abroad depends on personal preference. However, Germany is the most recognized country for free study abroad. Many German public universities have no tuition fees for both domestic and international students. In addition, Germany provides many financial aids for international students. Other alternative options are Norway, Austria, Finland, Sweden, etc.
Wanting to study for free in one of the world’s most expensive countries seems a bit unrealistic. However, there are several ways to minimize your costs in the USA to the greatest extent. Choosing those tuition-free universities seem the most ideal option for you. You can apply for full scholarships to alleviate your financial burden, which can be hard but it’s still one option. In addition, you can find a part-time job to cover your daily costs. Although it’s challenging to study in the USA for free, these ways can help reduce your financial burden to some extent.
There are many reasons for students to choose to study abroad. The reasons vary among different people. For many students, studying abroad means accepting better quality education, experiencing a different culture, or having the plan of emigration in the future. Generally, studying abroad provides students with different values, and outlooks to perceive this world.
There are many countries that allow students with a student visa to have a part-time job. For instance, the US, Canada, UK, Australia, etc. But in countries like Italy, students need to apply for work permission. Always check the detailed policy in your study country before getting a job.
