Most Affordable Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students: Studying abroad can be very expensive, especially if you are targeting the top destinations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. Hence, planning your education abroad can be a hectic task with factors like loans, high living costs, and difficult job conditions. However, various countries offer cheap education to international students and courses with low tuition fees, thus, lowering the overall cost of studying abroad for Indian students.
Some other countries offer low-cost study programmes that international students can easily afford, thereby establishing themselves as the most affordable country to study abroad for Indian students. Other countries offer different types of financial aid to help reduce the cost of studying abroad for Indian students, with some offering scholarships while others remove different application fees. In addition to this, some universities may also reduce the cost of studying abroad for Indian students, by offering different types of financial assistance.
Before we move forward to exploring the countries that offer low-cost education opportunities to international students, let us understand what the average cost of attendance to study abroad means.
Cost of Attendance in Affordable Countries
The total cost of attendance while studying abroad is the sum of education costs and living expenses. These can further be understood as academic and non-academic costs.
Academic Costs: These costs are directly related to study expenses that are payable to the university or college of study. These comprise tuition fees, student fees, administration costs, student fees, university costs, books and supplies, other study materials, project fees, etc.
Non-Academic Costs: These refer to the other expenses that apply to international students living in a foreign country. These include but are not limited to living expenses, food and travel costs, room and board costs, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Now that we know the differences between Academic and Non-academic cost of studying abroad for Indian students, the table below highlights a breakdown of average annual costs divided into 2 sections, viz. academic costs (education) and non-academic costs (living) for countries offering low-cost education through public universities to international students:
Country |
Academic Cost (Education) |
Non-Academic Cost (Living) |
Germany |
Free of cost | EUR 867 per month |
France |
EUR 380-2,770 per year | EUR 600-800 per month |
Norway |
EUR 7,000-9,000 per year | EUR 800-1,400 per month |
Mexico |
USD 400-850 per year | USD1,000-2,500 per year |
Argentina |
Free of cost | USD 5,000 per year |
Poland |
EUR 500-8,000 per year | EUR 330-430 per month |
Malaysia |
EUR 1,350-4,500 per year | EUR450-800 per month |
Note: The expenses outlined in the table refer to the cost of studying abroad for Indian students as of 2022 and are subject to change with progressive years.
Financial matters go way beyond tuition fees and accommodation while studying abroad and vary drastically as the country, state, or city changes. Stay tuned to learn the insider tips and tricks to manage money matters.
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German Universities Offering Free Education
Germany is a popular study-abroad destination, especially for engineering students. One of the best parts about getting admission to one of the colleges in Germany is that there is no tuition fee at German public universities for international students. However, education is not completely free. At most public universities, you need to pay an amount in the form of a semester contribution that may cost around 150 to 350 Euros.
While the cost of studying abroad for Indian students in Germany can be lower if they are able to enrol in a public institution, those applying to private institutions will be subject to paying the respective tuition fees. Regardless, with numerous scholarships, fellowships and other financial aid opportunities in Germany, the overall financial commitment comes down.
Overall, average course fees and living costs per year for international students in Germany are as follows:
Most Affordable German Universities
The cost of studying abroad for Indian students in German universities has been outlined in the table below, exclusive of living costs:
University Name |
Bachelors Tuition Fees (in EUR) |
Masters Tuition Fees (in EUR) |
308 per semester |
308 per semester |
|
307 per semester |
8,000 per year |
|
849 per year |
849 per year |
|
University of Cologne |
Does not charge tuition fees.However, all students need to pay a social contribution fee of around EUR 250 per semesteror EUR 500 per year. |
Does not charge tuition fees. However, all students need to pay a social contribution fee of around EUR 250 per semesteror EUR 500 per year. |
Technische Universitat Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Does not charge any tuition fee (Semester and administration fee payable) |
144.40 per semester |
144.40 per semester |
|
University of Stuttgart |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
University of Mannheim |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
RWTH Aachen University |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
The actual cost of studying abroad for Indian students at these German universities or any other universities will be determined based on the lifestyle that a candidate wishes to pursue. While the living costs can be slightly expensive in some cities in Germany, there are methods to reduce the overall costs.
French Universities at Affordable Prices
The government of France supports the education of international students in France. Students from around 33 countries, including India can apply at universities in France using the online CEF process provided by the government agency Campus France. It is a single online service for all procedures. Both at the government and university levels, the cost of studying abroad for Indian students comes down with the numerous scholarship and fellowship opportunities available each year.
Most Affordable Universities in France
The most affordable universities in France offer bachelor's and master's courses to international students at the following prices:
University Name |
Annual Bachelors Tuition Fees (in EUR) |
Annual Masters Tuition Fees (in EUR) |
Ecole Normale Superieure |
184 |
243 |
Ecole Polytechnique |
16,800 |
12,500 |
Pierre and Marie Curie University |
350 |
2,595 |
University of Paris |
177.63 |
250 |
Blaise Pascal University |
2,000-2,600 |
500-750 |
Jean Monnet University |
500-750 |
2000-2600 |
While the table above highlights the cost of studying abroad for Indian students at select French universities, there are hundreds of universities you can choose from. However, even these tuition fees are subject to change at the discretion of the university offering the course.
Study in Norway at Minimal Costs
Education in Norway is free not only for Norwegian students but also for international students. But there is a small amount that international students need to pay in the form of a semester fee for each semester for pursuing graduate courses. However, like any other country, there are other parameters attached to the cost of studying abroad for Indian students, as has been outlined below.
The application portal at Norway University opens in October and ends in December. Candidates wishing to study in Norway at almost no tuition fee must apply within the application timeline.
Most Affordable Universities in Norway
Studying as an international graduate or undergraduate student in the most affordable universities in Norway costs:
University Name |
Tuition Fees (in NOK) |
University of Oslo |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
NHH Norwegian School of Economics |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
University of Bergen |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Nord University |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
UIT The Arctic University of Norway |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
If you are interested in learning more about the cost of studying abroad for Indian students at Norwegian universities, then we recommend registering with us and consulting our team of experts.
Mexican Universities at Low Cost
Mexico, a country in the southern part of North America is another affordable country for higher education. The tuition at public universities in Mexico starts at just around USD 375 per year.
Most Affordable Universities in Mexico
The most affordable universities in Mexico charge the following tuition fees for international bachelor's and master's aspirants:
University Name |
Bachelors Tuition Fees (in MXN) |
Masters Tuition Fees (in MXN) |
Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) |
19,890 per year |
19,890 per year |
Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL) |
19,890 per year |
19,890 per year |
Anahuac University in Mexico |
1,230 per credit |
19,891-49,727 per year |
Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) |
16,905 for6 credits |
16,905 for6 credits |
Note: Be sure to check the tuition fees before sending in your applications to learn of any tuition fee hikes that the university reserves the right to make.
Study in Argentina at Nominal Prices
Argentina, the second-largest country in South America is home to more than 90,000 international students. There is no tuition fee for undergraduate degree programmes in public universities in Argentina for international students. However, private universities' tuition fees cost around USD 3,000 to USD 20,000 per undergraduate programme and around USD 2,000 to USD 27,000 per year for postgraduate programmes.
Most Affordable Universities in Argentina
Studying any level of programme, whether bachelor's, master's, or research courses, at the most affordable universities in Argentina, may lead to the following cost of studying abroad for Indian students.
University Name |
Average Annual Tuition Fees (in ARS) |
University of Buenos Aires |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Universidad Nacional de la Plata |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Universidad Nacional de Quilmes |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Universidad Nacional de General San Martn |
Does not charge any tuition fee |
Universidad Tecnologica Nacional Facultad Regional Cordoba |
4,851 |
Universidad del Cema |
223,041 |
The cost of studying abroad for Indian students in Argentina, as outlined in the table above is subject to change at the discretion of the universities offering the course and other parameters.
Polish Education at Economic Costs
The cost of studying abroad for Indian students like in Poland, a country located in Central Europe can be considered an affordable choice for higher studies. The country offers free education to international students if they choose to study in the Polish language. The courses that are offered in English have a tuition fee of around USD 4,180 per year at public universities.
Most Affordable Universities in Poland
The most affordable universities in Poland offer graduate and undergraduate degrees to international students at the following costs:
University Name |
Annual Bachelors Tuition Fees (in PLN) |
Annual Masters Tuition Fees (in PLN) |
AGH University of Science and Technology |
5,366 |
6,259 |
Jagiellonian University |
21,019 |
10,126 |
University of Warsaw |
9,128 |
13,684 |
University of Wroclaw |
12,552 |
12,544 |
Warsaw University of Technology |
22,822 |
22,808 |
The cost of studying abroad for Indian students, especially at the above-mentioned universities is also affected by the lifestyle choices of the students. Therefore, it is important for students to earmark their finances for different needs and requirements.
Malaysian Universities at Feasible Prices
If higher studies at an affordable cost of studying abroad for Indian students is a crucial aspect, then Malaysia can be the right choice. The tuition fee for international students in Malaysia is quite low. For a bachelors programme, the annual fee ranges from MYR 7,000 to MYR 8000. The tuition fee for a masters programme may range between MYR 11,000 and MYR 12,000 per year.
Most Affordable Universities in Malaysia
The tuition fees that international students might incurfor joining a bachelors or a masters degree in the most affordable universities of Malaysia are:
University Name |
Bachelors Tuition Fees (in MYR) |
Masters Tuition Fees (in MYR) |
University of Malaya (UM) |
41,000 entire programme |
23,000 entire programme |
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) |
4,823 per year |
17,106 per year |
Open University Malaysia (OUM) |
1,885 per semester |
1,885 per semester |
USCI University |
15,256 per year |
16,952 per year |
University of Malaysia, Perlis (UniMAP) |
3,000 per year |
3,000 per year |
In addition to the tuition fees, parameters outlining the cost of studying abroad for Indian students will also include the daily, monthly and yearly living expenses. These costs are heavily dependent on the lifestyle choices students choose to live.
While affordability cannot be the only parameter for you to choose your study abroad destination, prioritising the cost of studying abroad for Indian students should be an important parameter. Before finalising countries and universities for study abroad opportunities, you must also find out about the visa conditions and other costs such as transportation, food costs, etc.
As part of reducing the cost of studying abroad for Indian students, it is important to settle their finances before they shortlist their dream university abroad. Many countries reject visa applications simply based on the financial abilities of a candidate, therefore, be sure to have enough resources to satisfy crucial elements pertaining to the cost of studying abroad for Indian students.
Even in the most affordable study-abroad destinations, the application process is not simple. Write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com to gather more information on funding your studies or the admission process at foreign universities.
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