If you are unable to obtain fully-funded university scholarships, consider enrolling in universities that are tuition-free or charge low tuition fees, or those that offer tuition fee waivers. Norway, Austria, Germany, Finland, and Sweden all provide various types of free/low tuition schemes and tuition waivers to international students.
Norway has tuition-free universities.
Tuition fees are generally waived at Norwegian state universities and university colleges for all students, including international students. This is true at all levels, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Students must, however, pay a semester fee of NOK 300-600 each semester.
It should be noted that some state universities and university colleges may charge tuition for a few specialized programs at the Masters’s level. Tuition fees are charged by the majority of private institutions for all programs and courses. However, the fees are typically significantly lower than those charged for comparable studies in the majority of other countries. Furthermore, foreign students do not pay higher tuition than Norwegian students.
Universities in Austria with No Tuition
If you are a non-EU/EEA student, tuition fees at Austrian federal/public universities are only about 726.72 Euros per semester, plus 20.20 Euros per semester for the student union membership fee “H-Beitrag” and the student accident insurance fee.
In exceptional circumstances, tuition fees may be waived or refunded entirely or partially (e.g. for holders of certain scholarships, for participants in exchange programmes and university partnerships, for students from certain countries). More information is available directly from the university’s website.
Cost of Studying in Austria: The monthly cost of living for students in Austria is approximately 800 Euros, which includes housing, food, and personal expenses.
Germany has tuition-free universities.
As of October 2014, all German universities, with the exception of Baden-Württemberg*, will waive tuition for bachelor’s and consecutive master’s degree programs for all students, including international students. Universities in some Federal States will charge a semester contribution (approximately 50 euros) and/or administrative fees (about 50 euros). This tuition fee structure may change in the future; you should check this page for up-to-date information on tuition fees in Germany’s various federal states. Non-EU citizens are currently charged €1,500 per semester in tuition fees (for Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diplom, and state examination degree programs) by the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.
In contrast to undergraduate studies, most Master’s programs in Germany have tuition fees, though they are not as high as in other countries.
Doctoral studies, on the other hand, are generally free at German universities. PhD students are only charged tuition after they have completed their first six semesters, but they must pay a semester contribution of approximately 150-200 euros per semester. Doctoral students are usually paid to work on a research project or receive a scholarship.
Cost of Studying in Germany: German students spend an average of 500-800 Euros on accommodation, transportation, food, and miscellaneous expenses.
Finland has tuition-free universities and scholarships.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students began in the autumn of 2017 for English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. Only doctoral studies will be exempt from tuition fees, regardless of nationality.
Scholarships are available at Finnish universities and UASs for talented non-EU/EEA students admitted to fee-paying Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs. EDUFI Fellowships are available to cover living expenses for up to one academic year of doctoral studies.
The cost of studying in Finland is estimated to be around 700-900 Euros per month for a single student.
