The Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for International Students

Are you wanting to widen your academic experiences? Craving the adventure and challenge of studying abroad? Then, you take a look at the reality of the cost of studying abroad and it starts to seem out of reach.

Luckily the world is large and there are many options beyond those you might first think of. If it is exploration and unique experiences you seek, there are some countries perfect for adventuring, with very low costs of living. Or, look for a country which offers free tuition to keep the costs down.

Here is our list of some great countries for study abroad which aren’t going to send you broke. Or, at least keep the costs to a minimum. Do your budget, and then take a look at our recommendations.

Germany

Public university education is basically free for German and other EU/EEA citizens. There is just a small yearly administration fee. A small number of public universities now charge a tuition fee to international students. However, these are incredibly reasonable, at around €1500 per semester. More and more degree programs are now available in English.

Berlin is becoming increasingly popular as a study abroad destination, with it regularly being listed as one of the best student cities in the world. Berlin is buzzing and changing. It is full of complex history and continues to evolve, whilst maintaining a social and progressive edge. The city is packed with museums and art galleries, as well as the outstanding universities and research institutes.

The capital still has very reasonable costs of living, but you can also find great universities in many other cities in Germany, where the cost of living is even lower. Look at Freiburg in the Black Forest region, the port city of Hamburg, or Aachen. All cities in Germany are very well connected by train, so it is easy to get around and explore.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a real mix of cultures. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a major international hub in Asia. It is a busy, vibrant city with mild tropical weather and a good mix of parks and high rises. English is also is surprisingly widely spoken in Malaysia, especially in the capital.

You will find that a number of foreign universities have set up branches in Malaysia—by invitation of the Malaysian government. You can actually obtain a degree from The University of Nottingham, or the University of Southhampton from the UK, or Monash University, Curtin University or the Swinburne University of Technology from in Australia.

The advantages here are clear. You will be awarded the same qualification as if you studied in the host university’s country of origin, but you will pay substantially lower tuition fees. In some cases, you may even be able to complete a semester in the home country of the institution.

Poland

Get acquainted with Pierogi by studying in Germany’s neighbor, Poland. You will find a high standard of living at very affordable prices. It is one of the most affordable countries to study abroad in Europe.

Krakow and Warsaw are incredibly student friendly cities, both with a number of higher education institutions. It is easy to get around and they are vibrant and interesting places to live and study. Jagiellonian University in Krakow is one of the oldest surviving universities in the world—established in 1364.

Argentina

This is a fantastic study away destination, with a rich and festive culture—a unique blend of European and South American influences—to immerse yourself in. The capital, Buenos Aires, is the popular destination of choice, but the country also boasts amazing natural scenery to explore.

It is generally possible to study at public universities without paying tuition fees. If you opt to attend a private institution the fees are very reasonable. Better yet, the country is one of the safest in South America and the cost of living low.

The locals are incredibly friendly and you will find many of the traditions are very social—like sharing a gourd of mate, a special tea. You should have no trouble making many new friends, and you’ll surely improve your Spanish. There’s a chance to take up Tango in the birthplace of this passionate dance. Though be careful you haven’t swept away from your studies with so much on offer.

South Africa

This is a country you may not have considered for your study abroad. South Africa is incredibly diverse— in contrast to the prosperous cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, many areas are still underdeveloped. How affordable it will be to live there will depend on where you choose to stay.

There are 11 official languages here, a consequence of its complex cultural and political history. Archeologically it is also incredibly important.

Apart from your airfare, you will find that the cost of studying in South Africa is very reasonable. You will need to pay tuition fees, but they are generally quiet very affordable—considerably less than you would pay per semester in the US.

Morocco

Are you looking to study Arabic or French? This is one of the cheapest destinations to do it. French is not an official language, but owing to it being a former colony, the language is widely spoken here. Governed by a constitutional monarchy, Morocco is one of the more stable countries in the area. It is a good opportunity to build cross-cultural relationships and gain a better understanding of the Muslim world.

Morocco has a rich and fascinating culture which blends North African and European influences. It has long been a country with that holds a mysterious allure, and which has attracted many expats. Just the names Casablanca and Marrakech stir ideas of the exotic, of markets and bargaining over decorated treasures. Did we mention that the food is also amazing?

China

When you think of study abroad and China, you might initially think of the Chinese students who have completed their degrees abroad, in the US or Europe. But, have you considered doing your own study abroad program at a Chinese university?

In the newest rankings, a Chinese university has just been listed as the top university in Asia—Tsinghua University rose to overtake the National University of Singapore. Chinese universities rate very highly in the area of mathematics and computing.

It will definitely cost less in China than study abroad at European universities. Both Beijing and Shanghai have large student populations and cited as good student cities.