Budget Countries

GERMANY

No tuition fees
Rich in culture and tradition
Many stipends and student jobs available

From its rich culture and history to its world-renowned universities standing at the forefront of modern research, Germany has a lot going for it. There are many reasons why Germany is our first recommendation as one of the cheapest countries to study in Europe.

First of all, most public universities are completely free, barring a small student union semester fee, which covers things like university services and transportation. 

Then, the international student community in Germany is very large, so there are many programs fully conducted in English, even at an undergraduate level. Most German universities also organize language learning courses for those that would like to invest time and energy into learning German.

There are many scholarships, grants, and employment opportunities in Germany. German nationals and EU citizens, as well as internationals in certain cases, have access to the Federal Student Financial Aid Program, which offers numerous grants and interest-free loans.

International students (EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU/EEA/Swiss) can work up to 20 hours per week while studying. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss are allowed to work up to 140 full days or 280 half days. According to the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF):

“The previous annual working time account of 120 full days or 240 half days will be increased to 140 full days or 280 half days. Alternatively, the new rule will allow student employees to work up to 20 hours per week”

Lastly, Germany has a very long and rich history as one of the educational, cultural, and technological centers of Europe. Not only will you be getting quality education, but you’ll also get to see and experience many cultural and historical landmarks and events.

If you’d like to see how studying abroad in Germany looks first-hand,  many.

Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Cost of living (per month)

Free

Free (Private universities are paid and cost more)

€800 – 1,000

Public Universities

As of 2014 German universities are fully funded by the German government, meaning that neither home nor international students pay tuition fees. Students need only to pay a fee of around 60-200 EUR per semester for administration, travel, and food facilities. This has greatly increased Germany’s population as a destination for studying abroad – it is now the world’s third-most popular destination for international study.

Private Universities

Private institutions do not receive subsidization from the government and are therefore dependent on tuition fees. These are not regulated by the government and can cost up to 20,000 EUR per year. This fluctuates depending on the institution of study and chosen degree program – engineering or business degrees are usually higher in cost than social sciences, for instance.

Master’s Programs

Master’s courses in Germany are either ‘consecutive’, meaning that they follow directly on from a related Bachelor’s degree, or ‘non-consecutive', meaning that they are standalone courses in a more specialized area. Consecutive courses are usually free of charge in Germany for home, EU, and international students. Non-consecutive Master’s courses can cost up to around 5000 EUR per year for public universities, and up to 30,000 EUR per year for private universities.

PhD Programs

For the first six semesters of study, tuition fees do not apply for Doctorate programs at public universities. However, as with Master’s and Bachelor’s options, PhD students are required to make a contribution of no more than 300 EUR per semester.

GREECE

Free or affordable tuition fees
Affordable living cost outside of tourist areas
Beautiful nature, sunny beaches

From its shimmering beaches, warm weather and tasty Mediterranean food, to the long history and tradition of high-quality education, it’s no surprise that Greece is a popular choice for many international students. 

There are no tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss students at Greek universities, and those that do pay fees only pay around €1,500 to €3,000 per year on average. There are many programs in English in Greece, but Modern Greek language courses are also available around the country for those wishing to get the complete international experience.

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, or up to 40 hours (full-time) during summer holiday season. The average pay is between €500 and €700 per month depending on the city and job. 

Greece offers plenty of scholarship opportunities to its students, some being country-wide (like those offered by the Greek State Scholarship Foundation), and some from specific universities. For example, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers up to €10,000 to undergraduate students. 

What’s more, the prices in Greece tend to be very cheap outside of the biggest tourist destinations. On average, you can expect to spend €450 – 750 per month on living expenses, most of which will go towards paying for accommodation.

Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Cost of living (per month)

Free

€1,500 – €3,000

€400 – 750

One of the top reasons to study abroad in Greece is that tuition fees in Greece are quite low. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland don’t pay any tuition fees for bachelor’s studies in Greek public universities, and many master’s programs are cost-free to this group as well.

All non-European international students are expected to pay fees of around €1500 per year for undergraduate studies, which includes the cost of course books. For Master’s studies in public universities, the fees are around €1500-€2000 per academic year/semester. Private schools in Greece are a slightly different story.

For both European and non-Europeans, the cost of studying in private institutions or colleges is higher and can reach up to €10,000 or more annually. Have a look at the websites of the schools you’re interested in to find out more .

POLAND

Free for PhD and Polish-speaking programs
Low cost of living
Rich culture and history, tasty

Poland is an excellent study abroad destination for international students aiming to fully immerse themselves in a rich and exciting culture at a cheaper price point.

Students who study in Polish don’t have to pay any tuition fees regardless of nationality, which is great for students looking for a unique international experience. Most PhD programs are also free. Programs in English, on the other hand, can cost a few thousand euros per year depending on the university and program. There are many scholarship and loan opportunities available to help international and exchange students pay for their studies. 

What you’d pay in tuition is offset by what you save on the living costs, however, as prices in Poland are some of the lowest in Europe, especially compared to the rest of the EU. You’ll need between €300 and €700 per month on average, and this makes it one of the cheapest countries to study abroad in Europe. 

Students in Poland can work up to 20 hours per week while attending classes or full-time during the three months of summer vacation.

Tuition fees for programs in Polish

Tuition fees for programs in English (regardless of nationality)

Cost of living (per month)

Free

€2,000 – 5,000 (MBAs are €8,000-12,000/year) and PhD is Free

€400 – 700

Tuition fees in Poland are applied for non-European students, but they are very affordable compared to other popular European study destinations. The total cost of a Bachelor’s degree for an international student can reach 1,500 – 5,000 USD, and for Master’s, up to 2,000 – 6000 USD. It all depends on the discipline and the level of studies.

Some approximate tuition fees in Poland for international students are:

  • For first, second, and long-cycle studies: 1,500 – 5,000 USD per year. 
  • For Master’s studies, postdoctoral internships, vocational courses, and apprenticeships: 2,000 – 6,000 USD per year. 
  • For annual preparatory Polish language courses: 2,400 USD per year. 
  • For PhD degrees: Many PhD students in Poland study free of charge and receive a scholarship. Otherwise, tuition is around 3,000 USD