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How to Study in Europe for Free

Europe is a dream destination for many tourists, thanks to its rich cultural history, historical sights, and stunning towns.

Europe is renowned for providing excellent schooling. The first university was founded in Europe nearly a thousand years ago, so this region of the world has a lot of expertise in developing and disseminating education for the rest of the world.

When you study at a European university, you will have the opportunity to visit famous and historical landmarks and sculptures, learn languages, and observe different cultures. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The best part is that many of them are free, including those for overseas students.

Why study in Europe?

European countries have some of the most prestigious educational programs globally, ensuring that you can graduate with a respected degree, including a lifetime of experiences and memories.

In reality, spending a summer or a year abroad in Europe is now a common choice for many students from countries like the United States.

Here is a list of few reasons to study in Europe:

1. Career Booster

International experience has become increasingly important in recent years. Employees who have left their “comfort zone” are sought after by both large and small companies.

By studying in Europe, you are charting the course for your professional success. Many European countries also make an effort to persuade foreign graduates to stay after graduation.

That means that if you decide to study in Europe, you are likely to get a job offer and stay for an extended period.

2. World-Class Education

Europe is home to many of the world’s top universities.

Cross-border collaborations within Europe have helped to build a significant international academic community that performs cutting-edge research.

3. Diversity in Education

Europe is home to thousands of colleges and tens of thousands of English-language research programs.

Programs in every academic discipline, from Arts to Zoology, can be found; remote, intimate universities or large foreign study centers; cutting-edge educational research programs or practice-oriented taught curriculum. All will find something they want.

4. Low Tuition fees

Tuition fees for most public universities in Europe are very modest compared to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In some European countries, there are no tuition costs at all – higher education is entirely free! There are also several grant programs and other financial assistance options available to you when studying.

5. Travel and explore the whole continent.

When studying in Europe, you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit more than one country. That is also feasible on a low student budget and with strict semester schedules, thanks to a plethora of cheap air, rail, and bus connections and comparatively short travel times.

If you are a non-European citizen studying in one of the Schengen Area’s 26 European countries, you can quickly receive a student visa to fly to other Schengen Area countries.

Consider all of the incredible opportunities you will have even though you are not on campus.

6. Respected and aligned education system

All European countries’ national higher education frameworks have been unified thanks to the Bologna reform process. Any Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Europe adheres to the same general academic structure.

As a result, obtaining a Master’s degree in Sweden is equal to getting a Master’s degree in Germany, Lithuania, or the United Kingdom.

7. Learn a new language

What better time to learn a foreign language than when you’re young and have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a city where it’s widely spoken?

Knowing more than one language will significantly boost your CV, opening up chances to work (and therefore live) in the future.

Furthermore, after you understand one language, it is often easier to learn another over time because they often share common characteristics or vocabulary.

8. Lifestyle

Europe has a reputation for maintaining a laid-back style of life; terms like “loose,” “bohemian,” and “liberal” are often used.

To some extent, this is correct; while some stereotypes of Europeans may be right, understanding European life firsthand is the best way to appreciate it for yourself. This is not to say that people in these countries don’t understand the value of hard work or that their higher education programs are inadequate (the opposite, in fact). Instead, this laid-back mentality can be seen in various situations and areas of European life, such as marriages, alcohol or drug use, workdays, socializing, and so on.

Study in Europe for free

For international students, Europe has a range of low-cost research opportunities. Education is also accessible for European students in many countries. There are also several institutions where non-European students can study for free.

European countries offering free education

If you wish to study in Europe, your parent’s wealth will not determine the standard of education you get.

In European countries such as Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and Finland, there are world-class tuition-free universities (also open to international students). Administrative fees of a few hundred Euros may be needed. If you want to study overseas, this might be the best way to get a degree from a top European university.

Please keep in mind that living expenses, health care, and so forth are not covered (you can also get grants depending on availability, but there is a near-zero tuition fee!)

Norway

Overseas students travel to Norway to study to get a high-quality education at a low or no cost.

The Norwegian government pays for schooling with tax dollars, meaning international students, including native students, can attend state universities for free.

The disadvantage of studying in Norway is that living expenses can be prohibitively expensive, with NOK 8,900 (approximately 1,200 GBP) needed only for subsistence each month.

That includes room and board, food, housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenditures.

There are eight universities in Norway, twenty state university schools, and sixteen private colleges.

Tuition-free universities include the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, the University of Stavanger, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), the University of Agder (UiA), and the University of Nordland.

Undergraduate enrollment is regulated by the Norwegian Universities and College Admission Service (NUCAS).

University of Oslo

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Ranking, has ranked it as the 67th best university globally.

The University of Oslo has many distinguished professors and graduates from a variety of disciplines.

The university has produced five Nobel laureates and is institutionally linked to some of the world’s most prestigious awards.

Between 1947 and 1989, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded at this institution.

Furthermore, it is the first university to hold a Nobel Prize ceremony.

Sweden

Sweden was one of the few European countries that did not charge tuition fees until 2010.

It made no difference what ethnicity they were because Swedish citizens would pay the bill.

Still, as with all great times, all good things must come to an end, and in 2010, the Swedish parliament passed legislation imposing tuition and registration fees on non-EU/EEA students.

Scholarship services were also available at the same time.

About the fact that there are no tuition-free universities in Sweden anymore, a substantial number of these institutions grant full scholarships (tuition waivers, etc.) to international students.

Top Tuition Free Swedish Universities

  • Lund University
  • Halmstad University
  • Uppsala University
  • Stockholm University
  • Stockholm School of Economics
  • Jonkoping University
  • Uppsala University

This Uppsala research university is the country’s oldest, having been founded in 1477.

It is placed among the best universities in Northern Europe, and it also ranks highly in international rankings.

During the growth of the Swedish Empire at the end of the 16th century, the university gained significant recognition.

Germany

Tuition fees for undergraduate research programs in Germany have just recently begun to be charged by universities.

Currently, only four of the sixteen Federal States – Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony – charge tuition fees as little as 500 Euros a course.

The other federal states only ask for a modest semester donation of about 50 Euros and do not charge tuition fees.

Tuition fees for Graduate Programs

For Master’s degrees, tuition is paid. The fees here vary from 650 to 3,000 Euros a semester. The average cost of studying and working in Germany is significantly lower than in the United States.

Denmark

In Denmark, the majority of colleges have free tuition (for Citizens, EEU, people with certain visa types)

The University of Copenhagen and the University of Kiel are also major universities (and among the best in Europe).

Tuition assistance/scholarships are also available to all Danish residents.

Finland

Tuition fees have been charged to non-European students at Finnish universities since the summer of 2017.

The universities set the fees, which vary from 5,000 and 20,000 euros a year.

Citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area continue to train for free in Finland.

Austria

While education in Austria is not accessible, tuition and fees are very limited! Tuition is virtually non-existent for EU/EEA citizens, and it is 1000 Euro per semester for non-Europeans.

The University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Innsbruck, and Vienna University of Technology are among the top-ranked universities in Austria.

Greece

Education in Greece is also accessible for EEU citizens for most programs. International tuition/fees are minimal compared to many other nations such as the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. In addition, the cost for international students is modest, averaging about 1,500 euros a year.

Greece is one of the more affordable studies abroad destinations due to its low cost of living.

France

While education in France is not accessible, tuition fees are minimal. If you are from the EU or a French citizen, your tuition would be a few hundred euros, which is very low!

International student fees are often very modest compared to the UK, US, Canada, or Australia.

Tuition payments (in public institutions) for international students will range about 3000-4000 Euros a year.

Essential points to consider if you want to study for free in Europe:

1. Free Education

Tuition fees for public universities in most European countries range from 0 to 500 Euros a course, including an international student from a non-European country.

If free tuition isn’t enough, traveling around the globe is simple and inexpensive.

Despite having free or low tuition rates, Europe is home to some of the world’s top universities, including the University of Munich, The University of Vienna, and Paris-Sorbonne University, to name a few.

German universities are under the government’s authority, which is why they charge very low to no tuition fees to students, making them the best option for international students with limited funds.

The University of Cologne, Technische Universität München, and the University of Augsburg both offer various English courses.

Since the Norwegian government funds education with tax dollars, universities and public university colleges in Norway do not owe tuition to all native and international students.

Such alternatives to explore include the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and the University of Adger.

Tuition fees at Finnish universities are non-existent, except for Student Union Fees, ranging from 80 and 90 euros a year.

The Ministry of Education is in charge of subsidized education.

This also refers to overseas students, as well as exchange and traveling students.

Look for opportunities at Aalto University, Abo Akademi University, Hanken School of Economics, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Tampere University of Technology, University of Eastern Finland, and other universities in Finland.

2. No IELTS

Admission to the best universities or colleges in Europe without an IELTS score requires you to meet some requirements that easily preclude you from the need for one such examination.

A student with an English language proficiency may demonstrate his eligibility by demonstrating:

  • One has been taught in English for the last five years and has offered English as a first language at the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) or O level (Ordinary Level).
  • They have proven that their previous education was entirely undertaken in English and strong listening skills.
  • This is accomplished by discussing with the student via Skype or the phone.
  • This is for potential students from non-English speaking countries like South Africa and India who want to study in the United Kingdom.
  • Applying to study at the same university where the first degree was obtained.
  • Having a degree that was entirely taught in English.

3. No GRE

Compare to US universities, where the GRE is a crucial part of the admissions process.

European universities prioritize undergraduate grades, followed by GRE scores.

Most universities in Europe do not require GRE scores to be submitted with the application.

GRE scores are optional at almost all universities, except for a few.

An extra GRE score will still help your profile and marginally raise your approval rate.

4. Language

Language is not a barrier, but when it comes to studying in Europe, the rich diversity of spoken languages in each country will bind you with a requirement of the local language.

Because most universities are not in English-speaking countries, the only disadvantage would be the inability to speak the country’s language. Still, I won’t disappoint you any further because many universities have risen to the occasion and offer courses in English.

There is also a strong emphasis on Master’s Programs that are taught entirely in English.

Plus, studying in a non-English speaking country allows you to quickly pick up a new language, making your resume appear even more international.

5. Work permit

Everyone wishes to work abroad and spend time with their families on their dime.

You have just been granted your wish to study abroad in Europe, which comes with its own set of benefits for obtaining a work permit for a period ranging from months to years while completing your studies at European universities.

Because of your degree, graduates can always come to the country to look for work. Europe is rich in innovation. Europe is home to some of the world’s leading technology and design firms.

European universities provide a wide range of internationally recognized programs.

The European Union accounts for more than 44% of all patent applications filed globally.

Besides exposing students to an international culture, Europe embraces education by providing students with career opportunities, experienced faculty members, and leaders in technology that provide in-depth information in their respective fields.

The world-class laboratories and high-end equipment used in research give a candidate an advantage over his competitors.

Other ways to lower your tuition in Europe

If you find the right university, education is not prohibitively expensive. Numerous universities in Europe provide free tuition for their courses. You only need to look. Here’s another thing to think about.

It is not the end of the world if you are rejected by these universities that provide free tuition. Scholarships allow you to continue your education in your chosen field.

These are frequently available through the school, city, or private company programs. They range from partial to full scholarships, with additional benefits such as free food or lodging.

Students can benefit from free tuition in universities and scholarship assistance to reduce the burden of daily expenses.

Scholarships to Study in Europe

Educations.com Study a Master’s in Europe Scholarship

A scholarship of €5000 is open for all international students studying a master’s degree at any European university, starting in autumn 2021.

Apply Now

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 

Initiative led by the European Commission to provide funding for students all over the world to study in Europe at selected institutions.

Apply Now

Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship 

A $2,000 prize is available to a student currently enrolled in the UK or any European Union (EU) country as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student. You will need to submit an essay to apply and the scholarship is open to all nationalities. 

Apply Now

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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