15 Universities that offer free education to international students

If you want to study abroad at little to no cost, many universities in selected countries worldwide offer free education to international students. They do this either by charging no tuition or through fully-funded scholarships.

These scholarships cover your tuition, living expenses and any other necessary fees. You will find these tuition-free or cheap universities in countries like:

Countries where you can study for free (or nearly free)

The universities that offer free education to international students include:

Top Universities that offer free education to international students

First on our list is TUM, Germany.

• Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany

TUM is one of those schools that blends top-quality education with affordability.

As a student there, you don’t have to worry about tuition because there’s none – just a small fee of around €150–€250 each semester.

That means you’re paying for admin costs, not actual classes. If you’re into engineering, computer science, or the natural sciences, then you should consider this school because it’s a powerhouse in those areas.

Some courses are in German, but there are English-taught programs too, especially for master’s students.

If you are looking for affordable education, then Germany’s no-tuition rule works in your favour here.

You can get more information about the school here: https://www.tum.de.

• University of Oslo, Norway

Away from Germany, in Norway, public universities like the University of Oslo don’t charge tuition fees, not even for international students.

Certainly, this is great, however, your living expenses won’t be covered, although that can be managed with scholarships like the Quota Scheme or Erasmus+.

The university itself is known for subjects like social sciences, law, medicine, and education.

It’s one of the oldest in Norway and still ranks high in Europe. Students describe it as welcoming and very international-friendly.

If you’re okay with colder weather and stunning nature, this could be your spot. Norway’s teaching style leans toward independence, so you need to be self-motivated.

Check them out here: https://www.uio.no.

• University of Helsinki, Finland

The University of Helsinki keeps education free for students from the EU or EEA and those from elsewhere. They have a scholarship that can cover everything.

It’s called the Helsinki Scholarship, and it not only covers your tuition but also gives you a living grant.

You’ll find programs in both Finnish and English, especially at the graduate level. The school is big on research and regularly shows up in global rankings.

People often say it’s one of the most organised universities they’ve attended. If you’re not from the EU and you want to study there, then apply early – scholarships are limited and the competition is always tough.

For more info about them, head to https://www.helsinki.fi.

• Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany

If you’ve ever dreamed about studying in Berlin, Humboldt will be the right place. You won’t need to pay any tuition fees here, just an admin fee every semester.

It’s one of Germany’s most respected universities, especially strong in humanities, philosophy, and natural sciences.

The history here is rich; famous thinkers like Albert Einstein were connected to this place. Even though it’s rooted in tradition, the university keeps up with modern standards.

You’ll meet students from all around the globe and take part in engaging academic discussions.

Most undergrad programs are in German, but some graduate courses come in English.

If you want to find out more about them, go to: https://www.hu-berlin.de.

• University of Paris-Saclay, France

Paris-Saclay doesn’t charge much, around €243 a year for master’s students, which is much lower than private universities.

But what draws students is the International Master’s Scholarship Program, which gives €10,000 a year to help with expenses.

The university is especially known for its focus on science, engineering, and innovation. It’s part of a larger academic cluster, so you have access to shared resources and research facilities.

If you want to check them out, visit their website here: https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr.

• University of Vienna, Austria

Located in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, the University of Vienna is a great pick for students on a budget.

For non-EU students, the tuition is about €726 per semester, but there are many scholarships that you can apply for.

Many programs are taught in German, so it helps if you know the language, but there are English-language master’s courses available too.

The university has a strong history and is one of the oldest in Europe, going back to the 1300s.

You can get more information about the school here: https://www.univie.ac.at.

• Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy

This isn’t just another free university – Scuola Normale Superiore pays for almost everything. You won’t pay tuition, and they’ll cover your housing and meals, too.

That’s pretty rare, even in Europe. The university is super selective and mainly takes students who are serious about research and academics.

They’ve got a small student body, so expect close mentorship from professors. If you are interested in studying here, check their website here: https://www.sns.it.

• Czech Technical University, Czech Republic

Here’s a school where you can study for free if you’re okay with learning in Czech. But even if you prefer English, there are affordable programs available in that language too.

As you may already know, the cost of living in Prague is quite low compared to other European capitals. They have really strong programs in engineering, IT, and architecture.

Some students come with government scholarships, while others get help directly from the university.

The university is one of the oldest tech schools in Europe and has solid industry links. Labs are well-equipped, and they don’t take internships for granted.

If you want a mix of affordability, quality, and a really nice city, this school is worth checking out. Here’s their website: https://www.cvut.cz.

• University of the People, USA (Online)

This is not a typical university, it’s fully online and tuition-free. That means you won’t pay for lectures, but you do have to pay for exams, which cost about $120 per course.

The idea is to make higher education available to everyone, no matter where they live.

You can study business, computer science, education, or health science. It’s accredited in the U.S., so your degree will be recognised internationally.

Many people use it to earn a degree while working full-time or managing other responsibilities.

This school should be your choice if you want a flexible learning option. Their website is: https://www.uopeople.edu.

Other Universities that offer free education to international students include:

• University of Bergen, Norway
• RWTH Aachen University, Germany
• University of Bergen, Norway
• Karlstad University, Sweden
• University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
• University of Porto, Portugal
• University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil

How to apply to these universities

If you want to study in any of the institutions, start by choosing from their list of programs. Pick the one that interests you.

• Choose your preferred program: Go to the university’s website and check their list of available programs.
• Check entry requirements: Check each program’s admission requirements. If you meet the requirements, you can opt to apply for admission.
• Check the required documents for admission: To apply for admission, you will be asked to attach documents like:
  • • Passport
    • Academic transcripts
    • Motivation letter or SOP
    • Recommendation letters
    • Language test scores
• Apply online: Most universities have direct application portals where you can easily fill out the application form and submit all the required documents.

In some schools, you will automatically become eligible for their funding immediately after you get admission.

The truth is that you don’t need a wealthy background to get a good education abroad. If you can get admission into the right university and program, you can study at little or no cost.

In some cases, you pay a subsidised tuition fee or get full financial support.