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Destinations, Universities

Top Free Universities in Europe for International Students (2022 Guide)

December 15, 2022

If you wish to study in Europe, you should know there are excellent free universities in Europe for both domestic and international students. You could have just pay a few hundred Euros in administrative expenses. It may be the most cost-effective way to obtain a degree from one of world's finest educational institutions. This article provides you with a list of European countries with tuition free universities in them. In this guide:

Austria | Studying in Europe for Free

Living in Austria costs about USD 1030 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 1580 per year in tuition fees.

Students from European Union and the European Economic Area are eligible for tuition free universities for two semesters, after which they must pay almost USD 390 per semester. International students from other parts of the world pay about USD 790 each semester. These tuition fees only apply to public universities and universities of the arts. The universities of applied sciences and private schools are free to charge tuition. A USD 870 per semester is charged to students from third countries. Tuition at Applied Sciences universities is not inexpensive, and the amount charged to each student is at the university’s discretion. Here are some of Austria’s public universities:

Johannes Kepler University Linz
Vienna University of Technology
Graz University of Technology
University of Salzburg
University of Vienna

Czech Republic | Tuition Free Universities

Living in the Czech Republic costs about USD 750 monthly.
University education for studying the Czech language is free for all.
University education for studying English and other languages costs over USD 20000 per year.

The Czech Republic is very affordable for university students compared to other countries in Europe. Prague, Liberec, Brno, and Olomouc are among popular cities in the Czech Republic for international students. However, with over 60 colleges and universities in more than 20 cities, there are many fascinating options for continuing studies in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is also in central Europe, making travel to neighboring countries and exploring other parts of the continent simple. These are some of the best tuition free universities in the Czech Republic:

University of Chemistry and Technology
Palacky University Olomouc
Czech Technical University
Masaryk University
Charles University

Denmark | Free Universities in Europe

Living in Denmark costs about USD 1300 monthly.
University Students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 6500 to USD 17500 per year in tuition fees.

Denmark is one of the most sought-after destinations for university students because it provides tuition free universities with a high-quality education. Studying in Denmark is free for European Union and the European Economic Area citizens, permanent residents, exchange students, temporary residents who can be upgraded to permanent residency, children of non-EU/EEA parents with a resident visa, and Swiss citizens. The following is a list of free universities in Europe for international students:

Technical University of Denmark
University of Southern Denmark
IT University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
Aarhus University

Finland | Studying in Europe for Free

Living in Finland costs about USD 1200 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 5400 to USD 21700 per year in tuition fees.

Non-European students have been charged tuition fees at Finnish institutions since the summer of 2017. Residents of the European Economic Area and the European Union continue to study in Finland for free. These are some of the best Finnish universities for studying in Europe for free as an international student:

University of Helsinki
Aalto University
LUT University
Tampere University
University of Oulu

France | Tuition Free Universities

Living in Paris costs about USD 2000 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 3000 to USD 4100 per year in tuition fees.

France attracts a considerable number of international students each year due to its world-class education and the increasing number of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs provided in English. Tuition rates at public universities are meager since the French government subsidizes higher education. Non-Europeans spend about USD 3000 per year for a bachelor’s degree and USD 4100 for a master’s degree, while European students pay USD 180 per year for a bachelor’s degree and USD 260 for a master’s degree. Non-EU students, such as Quebec residents and overseas students participating in a Ph.D. program may be able to pay the same fees as French and EU students. Some of the best universities in France:

Sorbonne Universite
Universite Paris Saclay
Université de Paris
Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA)
University of Aix-Marseille

Germany | Free Universities in Europe

Living in Germany costs about USD 930 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students must deposit USD 11000 into a blocked account.

Germany is a popular destination among international students since it is one of the few countries that provides tuition free universities for all students, regardless of their nationality. You can study free in Germany, except for a few private universities, whether you are from Europe or outside. A minor administrative semester fee is usually charged, but this includes a public transportation ticket at a fraction of the average cost. These are some of the German universities:

Technische Universität München
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin

Greece | Studying in Europe for Free

Living in Greece costs about USD 970 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 1630 per year in tuition fees.

Greece is one of the most affordable studies abroad locations due to its low cost of living. Unlike the other countries on this list, Greece needs candidates to be fluent in Greek to attend its colleges. Students without a language certificate cannot enroll. The followings are some of the best institutions for studying in Europe for free as an international student:

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
National Technical University of Athens
University of Crete
University of Ioannina

if you want to know more about living costs in canada read this article:

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Hungary | Tuition Free Universities

Living in Hungary costs about USD 1030 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 1500 per year in tuition fees.

Hungary quickly becomes one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and a popular study location for international students. Even though Hungary does not offer free college tuition, tuition prices in this country are significantly lower than in other regions of Europe and the United States. At the bachelor’s degree level, tuition rates can range from USD 650 to USD 4330 per semester, depending on the institution and program. These are some of the best higher education institutions in this country:

Eotvos Lorand University
Semmelweis University
University of Szeged
University of Debrecen
Central European University

Iceland | Free Universities in Europe

Living in Iceland costs about USD 1500 monthly.
EU/EEA students pay USD 580 as the annual registration fee.
International students pay USD 580 as the annual registration fee.

Tuition fees are not charged at Icelandian public institutions, which applies to all domestic and international students. Furthermore, it may not be easy to find courses taught exclusively in English at the bachelor’s degree level. While many universities offer English-language programs, these are typically master’s or doctoral programs. If you do not speak the Icelandic language, you should contact the intended university to ask about the range of course options available. These are the highest-ranked universities in Iceland:

Reykjavík University (RU)
University of Iceland
University of Akureyri
Bifröst University
Iceland University of the Arts (IUA)

Norway | Studying in Europe for Free

Living in Norway costs about USD 1200 monthly.
EU/EEA students receive free tuition.
International students receive free tuition.

Norway has excellent tuition free universities for students from Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts. On the other hand, Norway is one of the most expensive countries. As a result, compare living costs to those in other countries you consider. The most Norwegian universities and state colleges do not receive tuition fee. Private universities charge tuition costs, but they are often lower than in other countries, and international pay the same rate as Norwegian students. These are some of the high ranked universities in Norway:

University of Oslo
University of Bergen
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Nord University

Poland | Tuition Free Universities

Living in Poland costs about USD 600 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 1500 per year in tuition fees.

One of the reasons Poland is becoming a popular location for international students is the low cost of living, which is a fraction of what you would pay in other European nations. There are almost 120 higher education institutions in Poland, with over 800 English-language programs. Some of them are:

Jagiellonian University
University of Warsaw
Warsaw University of Technology
AGH University of Science and Technology
University of Zielona Gora

Scotland | Free Universities in Europe

Living in Scotland costs about USD 2000 monthly.
EU/EEA students receive free tuition.
International students receive free tuition.

Studying in Scotland is less expensive than you think! If you are from Scotland or another EU country, the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will reimburse your tuition fees for undergraduate degree programs. It implies that students from other parts of the UK, such as England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are not eligible for this considerable discount. Some of the best free universities in Europe are located in Scotland:

University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
University of St Andrews
University of Aberdeen
University of Strathclyde

Slovenia | Studying in Europe for Free

Living in Slovenia costs about USD 650 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 5400 per year in tuition fees.

Slovenia is one of the lesser-known study abroad options. They provide free college tuition to EU citizens and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and the Republics of Macedonia and Serbia. Many English-language programs are focused on business and tourism; they also offer subjects like physics, computer science, and mathematics. Some of the Slovenian universities to consider:

University of Ljubljana
University of Maribor
University of Primorska
University of Nova Gorica
University of Novo mesto

Sweden | Tuition Free Universities

Living in Sweden costs about USD 760 monthly.
University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
International students pay about USD 9000 per year in tuition fees.

Europeans can study for free in Sweden. Other international students should expect high tuition fees and a high cost of living when studying in Sweden. Swedish universities are well-known for their high-quality education and reputation in the sector. Here are a few Swedish universities that provide free tuition to international students:

Lund University
Dalarna University
Uppsala University
Jönköping University
University of Gothenburg

if you want to know more about Free Universities in Europe read this article:

Free Universities in Europe for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Final Thoughts

Europe has a wide range of cheap and free study possibilities for international students. European students may have a free education in several countries. Non-European people may even be able to studying in Europe for free in some regions. Read this article to learn where you can find free universities in Europe if you do not qualify for a scholarship. Sources: https://www.edmit.me/blog/countries-with-free-or-virtually-free-college-tuition https://www.study.eu/article/study-in-europe-for-free-or-low-tuition-fees https://europe.graduateshotline.com/free-education.html https://uscollegeinternational.com/tuition-free-universities-europe/ https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2018/02/05/tuition-free-universities-europe-international-students/ https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/2908/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-in-the-czech-republic-in-2022.html https://www.educations.com/study-guides/europe/study-in-czech-republic/ https://www.study.eu/best-universities/czech-republic https://www.mastersportal.com/ranking-country/9/finland.html https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/355/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-in-france.html https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/top-universities-germany-2021 https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/442/7-reasons-to-study-abroad-in-greece-in-2022.html https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/greece https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/france https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/hungary https://uscollegeinternational.com/best-universities-iceland/ https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/norway/guide https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/poland https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/united-kingdom/top-universities-scotland https://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/usa/costofliving https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/2875/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-in-slovenia-in-2021.html https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/46019/25-free-universities-and-colleges-in-sweden https://studyinslovenia.si/study/universities-and-institutions/

FAQ

Which are the top free universities in Germany for international students?

Germany hosts several top free universities for international students, including Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the University of Berlin, renowned for their high-quality education and research opportunities.

What are the requirements for studying at tuition-free universities in Norway?

To study at tuition-free universities in Norway, such as the University of Oslo, students need to meet academic qualifications, demonstrate proficiency in English or Norwegian, and cover their living expenses.

How can international students benefit from studying at free universities in Finland?

International students in Finland can benefit from free education at universities like the University of Helsinki, along with available scholarships to help with living expenses, providing a cost-effective and high-quality education experience.

What are the general application steps for free universities in Europe?

The application process typically involves selecting a suitable program, fulfilling language and academic requirements, preparing necessary documents (transcripts, recommendations), and applying through the university’s online portal or national application systems.

Are there additional costs associated with studying at free universities in Europe?

While tuition is free, students must budget for living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance, and other personal costs, which vary by country and city.

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