If you don’t qualify for fully-funded university scholarships, consider options like universities that are tuition-free, have low tuition fees, or offer fee waivers. Several countries, including Norway, Austria, Germany, Finland, and Sweden, provide such schemes for international students.
Tuition-Free Universities in Norway
According to Study in norway, Norwegian state universities and university colleges generally do not charge tuition fees, including for international students. This applies across undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs, though students must pay a semester fee ranging from NOK 300-600. Some specialized programs at the Master’s level might incur fees, and private institutions usually have lower but still present tuition fees. Living expenses in Norway are relatively high, ranging from NOK 90,000-100,000 per year.
Tuition-Free Universities in Austria
As stated on studyinaustria.at, non-EU/EEA students at federal/public universities in Austria typically pay around 726.72 Euros per semester, plus a 20.20 Euro fee for student union membership and insurance. There may be exemptions or refunds available in certain cases, such as for scholarship holders or participants in exchange programs. The cost of living in Austria is about 800 Euros per month.
Tuition-Free Universities in Germany
According to internationale-studierende.de and study-in.de, most German universities do not charge tuition fees for bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s programs, except in
Baden-Württemberg, where non-EU students pay 1,500 Euros per semester. Some federal states may impose a semester contribution or administration fee. While undergraduate programs are generally free, many Master’s programs do charge fees. Doctoral studies are usually free, with students paying a semester fee of around 150-200 Euros after six semesters. Living costs in Germany average 500-800 Euros per month.
Tuition-Free Universities and Scholarships in Finland
As noted on studyinfinland.fi, since autumn 2017, non-EU/EEA students must pay tuition fees for English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, but doctoral studies remain tuition-free. Finnish universities offer scholarships for non-EU/EEA students in fee-paying programs and EDUFI Fellowships for doctoral students covering living expenses for up to one year. Living costs in Finland range from 700-900 Euros per month.
Tuition Scholarships in Swedish Universities
According to studyinsweden.se, students from non-EU/EEA/Nordic countries or Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees for Bachelor’s or Master’s programs in Sweden.
However, there are numerous scholarships and tuition waivers available through various universities and the Swedish Institute that can cover all or part of these costs. For Ph.D. positions in Sweden, students typically receive funding in the form of a monthly salary, which means they do not need to pay tuition fees.
Online Tuition-Free Universities
Several institutions now offer free online degrees or courses, making higher education more accessible. The University of the People is a notable example, offering tuition-free, accredited online degrees in fields such as Business Administration, Health Science, Computer Science,
and an MBA. In addition, edX, a platform created by MIT and Harvard, provides free online courses from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley, among others, allowing learners to gain knowledge from top institutions without financial barriers.
