Students whose dream is to study abroad are always on the lookout for the cheapest study abroad destinations. Well, believe it or not, it is feasible to study abroad on a budget. There are many affordable countries in the world where you can study without stressing about the study abroad expenses. All you have to do is plan carefully and be financially savvy and studying abroad can be more inexpensive than you ever imagined.
So, in order to help students, like you who are on a tight budget, in curbing that financial burden a little bit we have compiled a list of study abroad destinations that are affordable along with their approximate costs and top universities to help you make your choice. Let’s get started then!
Top Most Affordable Countries to Study Abroad
For those who are seeking their future in international academics, there are countries that are peaceful, affordable and have quality educational systems as well. Here is a list of some of the cheapest countries in the world where you can be stress-free regarding your educational expenses.
Study in Norway
Norway is one of the most beautiful and affordable educational countries in Europe for study. As all the Nordic countries are fairly priced study destinations, we picked Norway first as with the exception of a few specialised programs, public universities in Norway are free to all international and domestic students.
One more advantage of this beautiful scenic country is that there are many native English speakers and many English-taught programs. However, like other Nordic countries, Norway has a somewhat high living cost. A student may have to pay $17200 annually as a living cost. There is an option of scholarships as well though.
Top Universities of Norway
| University | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
| University of Oslo | 102 |
| University of Bergen | 199 |
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology | 369 |
| University of Tromsø the Arctic University of Norway | 440 |
Study in Germany
You and I both knew; Germany will be on this list. Germany is undoubtedly one of the best study destinations to study abroad. Everyone who is planning to study abroad has thought about Germany as an option because of its free of cost high-quality educational system. Germany like Norway has waived off their tuition fees for both national and international students. The universities are renowned for providing world-class education and are popular for courses like engineering and management programs. Masters’ students need to pay tuition fees if they haven’t completed their bachelor’s from Germany. The yearly living cost is approximately €10200 which means €850 every month, it can be possibly more but at the end of the day, it depends on your lifestyle, location, and spending habits.
Top Universities in Germany
| University | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
| Technical University of Munich | 50 |
| Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg | 63 |
| Ludwig Maximilian Universitat | 64 |
| Free University of Berlin | 127 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 128 |
| KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 136 |
| Technische Universität Berlin | 159 |
| RWTH Aachen University | 165 |
| Albert- Ludwigs Universität Freiburg | 172 |
| Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen | 177 |
Study in Taiwan
Another country that is on the list is Taiwan, a beautiful flourishing country in Asia. It is one of the most low-cost study abroad destinations. Taiwan is a popular study destination in Asia because it offers programs taught in the English language. The tuition fees vary between $1650 to $4700 per semester depending on the courses and the level of study. There is also the option of scholarships available funded by both universities and the government.
Taiwan also provides a high-quality life at a cheap cost of living, annually you have to pay as little as $2900 for accommodation.
Top Universities in Taiwan
| University | QS Asia University Ranking 2022 | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
| National Taiwan University (NTU) | 19 | 77 |
| National Tsing Hua University | 34 | 177 |
| National Cheng Kung University | 41 | 224 |
| National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | 47 | 202 |
| National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) | 50 | 327 |
| National Taiwan Normal University | 61 | 332 |
| National Sun Yat-sen University | 68 | 428 |
| National Taipei University of Technology | 76 | 436 |
| National Central University | 87 | – |
| National Chengchi University | 90 | – |
Study in France
France is also on the list for being one of the cheapest countries for education in public colleges and universities for national and international students. National and international students pay the same tuition fees in France. The tuition fee is set for all levels of studies: for bachelor €170 ($200) a year, for most master’s programs €243 ($285) and doctoral programs €380 ($445) in 2020/21.
As Grandes Ecoles and grand establishments determine their own fees, their fees are extremely selective. The living cost is the highest in Paris but it will be a worthwhile experience as it has been crowned the top student city four times in a row and is currently number 5. There is also a plethora of English-taught programs found at the postgraduate level, in case you are not really good at French you can take programs taught in English.
Top University in France
| University | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
|---|---|
| Universite PSL | 26 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 48 |
| Sorbonne University | 60 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 69 |
| Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon | 111 |
| Ecole des Ponts Paris tech | 174 |
| Universite Paris Cite | 248 |
| Sciences Po | 259 |
| Universite Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne | 300 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 317 |
Study in Mexico
Mexico is one of Latin America’s most-visited countries, full of interesting cultures to explore. The country has a lot to offer to its international students. Mexico is one of the popular and cheapest countries to study abroad. Tuition fees in Mexico vary depending on the subject, university, and level of study. However, on average public universities cost between $378 to $818 annually for a bachelor’s program. The tuition fees of private universities are much higher, costing between $1636 to $16353 annually.
Mexico’s cost of living is considerably low, a student will have to spend $400 to $500 in total per month.
Top Universities in Mexico
| University | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
| Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) | 104 |
| Tecnológico de Monterrey | 170 |
| El Colegio de México | 402 |
| Universidad Panamericana (UP) | 541-550 |
Study in Argentina
The second-largest country in South America, Argentina, is surrounded by stunning, serene natural beauty with a diverse landscape. As one of the safest countries in the region, it is renowned for its vibrant culture and a strong sense of national identity.
A state-funded university is usually free to attend, but private universities charge $5100 or more annually. Rent can be as little as $350 per month, so your living expenses will only cost you about $5100.
Top University in Argentina
| University | QS World University Ranking 2023 |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) | 67 |
| Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina | 323 |
| Universidad de Palermo (UP) | 390 |
| Universidad Austral | 432 |
| Universidad de Belgrano | 461 |
Study In Poland
Poland is the land of rich cultural heritage and offers high-quality education with comparatively low living costs. So, it comes as no surprise that it is on our list of cheapest countries to study abroad in Europe. Poland offers its citizens higher education free of cost, international students on the other hand are charged between $2230 to $4180 per year. But there is a catch! You can study in Poland for free if you speak Polish and complete the same admission examination as a Polish student and study your course in Polish.
Top Universities in Poland
| University | QS World University Rankings 2023 |
| University of Warsaw | 284 |
| Jagiellonian University | 293 |
| Poznan University of Life Science | 521-530 |
| Warsaw University of Technology | 521-530 |
Study in Malaysia
Study in Malaysia is undoubtedly one of the low-priced countries for international students. It is made up of beautiful beaches and rainforests. And its capital city, Kuala Lumpur is one of the livable cities for international students.
Along with the average tuition charge of roughly $4000 for each academic year, students will only need to keep $3550 each year to live comfortably there. Even more affordable courses are available than this. International universities with branches in Malaysia include the University of Nottingham in the UK and Monash University in Australia, which provide degrees of the same calibre at less expensive prices.
Top Universities in Malaysia
| University | QS World University Rankings 2023 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | 70 |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 123 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | 129 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | 143 |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | 203 |
| Taylor’s University | 284 |
| Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) | 361 |
| Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | 481 |
Study in South Africa
South Africa is another reasonable option for studying abroad when it comes to money. The living expenses and tuition fees are affordable and reasonable. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to experience life in a nation renowned for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and intriguing history. In addition to this, the travelling cost is comparatively quite low as well. If you have a passion for outdoor roaming this is the place for you.
Fees may vary depending on the program and university you choose, but, if you’re an international undergraduate willing to take admission to the University of Cape Town or the University of the Western Cape, you won’t have to spend more than $6000. In terms of living costs, you will need around $9150 annually.
Top Universities in South Africa
| University | QS World University Rankings 2023 |
| University of Cape Town | 237 |
| University of Johannesburg | 412 |
| University of Witwatersrand | 428 |
| Stellenbosch University | 454 |
| University of Pretoria | 591-600 |
So, folks, these were some of the destinations that are affordable and provide quality education. I hope it helps you with making one of the most important decisions of your life. And if you want more information regarding these countries or any other countries then without delay book a session with Edvise Hub’s expert consultants and they will help you with everything from choosing the location and the university to the visa process.
