A varied cultural experience, top-notch education, and excellent career opportunities are few of the perks of studying in Europe. However, living costs and tuition fees can be major worries for international students. This is why, some European nations provide reasonably priced education costs, that increase flexibility to complete study goals.
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Students planning to save money on education fees should opt for a public or government university instead of a private one. Also, living in smaller cities rather than popular ones can help in cutting down the expenses for students. Read this article to learn more about the cheapest countries to study in Europe for international students.
Also Read: Top 5 Countries With Cheaper Master''s Degrees than India
Indian or international students believe in the European country's study-abroad goal because of its outstanding academic system, mixed community and low-cost universities. The following countries provide students with affordable preferences in 2025:
Germany
Poland
France
Netherlands
Italy
Norway
Slovenia
Greece
Portugal
Hungary
Many international students study in Germany, because of the cost-effective and various scholarship options. In the QS Rankings 2025, the public research universities hold the top 100 position globally. Most of the public universities in Germany, do not charge tuition fees. They are required to pay only semester fees. The German living expenses range from Rs 77,974 to 91,734 (EUR 850 - 1,000) per month.
German University Name | QS World University Rankings | US News Rankings |
28 | 82 | |
59 | 53 | |
=84 | 55 | |
Free University of Berlin | 97 | 66 |
Also Read: Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students
Poland is regarded as one of the most affordable study-abroad countries in Europe. Numerous universities are ranked among the top universities in the world with lower tuition fees, the average cost of studying in Poland is approximately EUR 2000 to 4000. Students need around EUR 7700 per year to manage their living expenses in the country.
Poland University Name | QS World University Rankings | US News Rankings |
258 | 479 | |
=312 | 391 | |
Warsaw University of Technology | =527 | 946 |
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań | 761-770 | 935 |
Also Read: Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian students
Around 10,000 students are from India due to its cheapest tuition fees, which is a major consideration for choosing to study in France. The universities in France do not compromise their educational value and provide more career pathways in top companies. The average cost of studying in France is EUR 2,700 - 20,000 per annum and living expenses range EUR 2000 - 3000 per month.
France University Name | QS World University Ranking | Times Higher Education World Rankings |
|---|---|---|
Université Paris-Saclay | 73 | 58 |
Université Paris Cité | =302 | 43 |
=448 | 301 - 350 | |
Université de Strasbourg | 456 | N/A |
Also Read: Scholarships in France for Indian
Overseas students from over 160 countries study in Netherlands to seek favourable degrees at reasonably priced education fees. For Indian students, the cost of studying Netherlands ranges between Rs 5.51 lakhs to 13.77 lakhs per year and living expenses range from EUR 3,000 to 4,500 per month.
Netherland University Name | QS World University Rankings | US News Rankings |
55 | 33 | |
Utrecht University | =105 | 46 |
Leiden University | =141 | 56 |
Wageningen University | 155 | 113 |
Also Read: Top Scholarships to Study in Netherlands
More than 1.0 lakh international students are currently enrolled in universities to top 10 universities in Italy. Italy has 500 programs taught in English in 61 public universities and 30 private universities. The average cost of studying in Italy ranges from EUR 1,000 to 20,000 lakhs per year and living expenses are EUR 600 to 1,200 monthly.
Italy University Name | QS World University Rankings | US News Rankings |
285 | 146 | |
University of Florence | 375 | 345 |
University of Siena | 691-700 | 586 |
Also Read: Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students
To study in Europe majority of Indian students select public universities over private ones due to their low costs. The less expensive universities provide a high standard of education.
Scuola Normale Superiore
Free University of Berlin
RWTH Aachen University
University of Gottingen
University of Vienna
The USA and UK are well-known for offering top-notch MBA education. Still, the European countries including Germany, Australia, and Canada are more affordable and offer excellent teaching in MBA. The following lists a few well-liked locations with reasonably priced MBA programs overseas for Indian students:
University | Tuition fee for MBA program |
Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) | Rs 10 to 30 lakhs |
Rs 24.18 lakhs | |
Cologne Business School | Rs 17.73 lakhs |
University | Tuition fee for MBA program |
Rs 38.80 lakhs | |
Rs 43.81 lakhs | |
ANU College of Business & Economics | Rs 41.86 lakhs |
University | Tuition fee for MBA program |
Rs 23 to 29 lakhs | |
Rs 23 to 28 lakhs | |
Wilfrid Laurier University | Rs 23 to 29 lakhs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Germany is considered the cheapest for international students in Europe. It is known for superior educational criteria, so many foreign learners pick public universities because of their cheap semester fees or free education, still private universities also offer more useful choices for students.
Pursuing studies in Rs 5 lakhs for international students is difficult but possible. Applicants planning to study in Europe can choose an affordable destination that includes Poland, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Italy.
Most of the students prefer Germany as a study abroad destination, because of no tuition fee for domestic and international students. Followed by the cheapest university fees countries are Poland, France, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Greece, Portugal and Hungary.
The best European countries to study for free include Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. You can also apply for scholarships to reduce your expenses in education and living.
On Question asked by student community
Hello aspirant,
Indeed, even if you have health insurance from India, you may still need to get German health insurance because everyone in Germany is required to have it, and Indian insurance isn't often accepted as enough by German requirements. You will require a German policy for your visa, university enrollment, and extended stay; your Indian insurance is merely a temporary fix for the first few months of your trip.
Thank you
Hello ,
Yes , It's possible to study B arch in Germany for free since most public universities don't charge tution fees but you need to meet certain requirements. A strong portfolio and you will have to show proficiency in the German language by passing exam like TestDaH or DSH.
Some universities conduct an aptitude test or interview to evaluate your understanding of architecture before granting an admission.
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, you can definitely pursue B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Physics from IISc Bengaluru and then later aim for your Ph.D. (Doctorate) at Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany.
Choosing, the Physics programme from IISC has a strong international reputation, and its degree is well-recognized globally, including in German universities. After completing your M.Sc., you can apply for Ph.D. positions in TUB or any other German institutes through programs like DAAD scholarships or direct university applications.
ALL THE BEST.
1. TUM (Munich) – Engineering, Computer Science
2. LMU (Munich) – Medicine, Humanities
3. Heidelberg University – Medicine, Life Sciences
4. Humboldt University (Berlin) – Humanities, Social Sciences
5. KIT (Karlsruhe) – Engineering, Natural Sciences
6. RWTH Aachen – Engineering
7. University of Freiburg – Environmental Science
8. University of Stuttgart – Engineering, Automotive
9. Free University of Berlin – Political Science, Medicine
10. University of Mannheim – Business, Economics
These universities offer affordable or tuition-free education for international students.
Hello,
yes you can study for a bachelor's degree in Germany, as your diploma in nautical science may be considered equivalent to the 12th year for admission purposes. However each university may have specific requirements, so its important to check their entry criteria you might also need to provide additional documentation, like your diplomas' equivalency to German standards.
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