How to do PhD Abroad for Free?

Pursuing a PhD abroad can be an incredible opportunity that offers you the chance for exceptional education, advanced research, and an opportunity to learn a new culture. However many students feel anxious about the finances involved in pursuing a PhD abroad since tuition and living costs can be high. Some even wonder how to do PhD abroad for free. Studying abroad for free is somewhat not practical as even though the cost of studying might be free but, students need to incur the cost of living. However, you can study abroad with a minimal amount invested. There are plenty of options available, such as scholarships, tuition-free programs, and research assistant roles that can help cover your PhD expenses.

This Story also Contains

1. Countries to Study PhD Abroad for Free
2. Scholarships to Study PhD Abroad for Free
3. Conclusion

Countries to Study PhD Abroad for Free

Did you know that several universities across the globe provide PhD programs without any tuition fees? These best universities for PhD abroad often focus on maintaining high academic standards and believe that financial burdens should not keep students from pursuing higher education. Countries that offer tuition-free or low-cost PhD options with a list of best universities for PhD abroad are mentioned below.

Germany

Germany is famously known for its high-quality education system and public universities in Germany that do not charge tuition fees for international students. In Germany, all public institutions provide free tuition for PhD for a maximum of three years. However, if you need more time to complete your PhD, you may have to pay. Even though tuition is free, you will still be required to contribute a semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) that covers administrative costs, student government activities, and various student services (Studentenwerk). This fee can be around EUR 100-350.

Some of the best universities for PhD in Germany are -

• Technical University of Munich

• Ludwig Maximilian University

• Free University of Berlin

• Georg August University of Göttingen

• RWTH Aachen University

Norway

Norwegian universities offer tuition-free education for both local and international students. The cost of living in Norway can be expensive which is somewhere between NOK 20,000 to 40,000 per month. Additionally, you will need to pay a small semester fee for the student union, which helps cover things like exams and access to sports facilities. This fee typically ranges from NOK 300 to 600.

Following are the best universities in Norway to study PhD for free.

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology

• University of Oslo

• Norwegian University of Life Sciences

• University of Bergen

• University of Tromso

Finland

In Finland, you can pursue a PhD for free, even if you're not a citizen. But, you will still need to pay for other living expenses. The cost of living in Finland usually ranges between EUR 700 - 1,000 per month. Fortunately, there are several scholarships for international PhD students, which can help cover living costs either fully or partially.

Best universities for PHD students in Finland are -

• University of Helsinki

• University of Turku

• Tampere University

• University of Oulu

• University of Jyväskylä

Sweden

Sweden is another country that can answer how to do PhD abroad for free? Sweden offers an excellent opportunity for PhD students by not charging any tuition fees for PhD. However, you will still need to pay for housing and living expenses. But, many universities often employ students to work as research assistants, which can help cover their living costs while they focus on their PhD.

Best universities for PhD in Sweden are as follows.

• Uppsala University

• Stockholm University

• University of Gothenburg

• KTH Royal Institute of Technology

• Lund University

Czech Republic

Czech Republic is an emerging study abroad destination. To study PhD in the Czech Republic for free, you need to know the Czech language. However, studying PhD for free in the English language will cost you EUR 18,500 per year. In addition, the cost of living in the Czech Republic is somewhere between EUR 300 - 750 per month. This might not be the most pocket-friendly option but in comparison to other countries, it is considered cheaper.

Some of the best universities for PhD are -

• Charles University

• Masaryk University

• Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

• Brno University of Technology

• Palacký University Olomouc

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New Zealand

Pursuing PhD for free in New Zealand is not possible as universities charge fees for the same. However, the cost of pursuing PhD in New Zealand is affordable as compared to other countries. The tuition fee for PhD in New Zealand ranges from NZD 6,500 to 9,000 per year. Apart from this one can apply for the scholarships available for international students to help with the cost of living and tuition fees. The average cost of living in New Zealand is around NZD 15,000 to 20,000 per year.

New Zealand is home to some of the best universities for PhD -

• University of Auckland

• University of Canterbury

• University of Otago

• University of Waikato

• Victoria University of Wellington

Hungary

Hungary is considered one of the countries where you can find free or affordable PhD programs. They also offer a limited number of state-funded PhD seats. If you get accepted into one of these programs, you won’t have to pay tuition fees. Instead you will receive a maintenance grant to help with your living costs. The government also provides a variety of scholarships that can cover either all or part of your tuition and living expenses.

Below mentioned are some best universities for PhD in Hungary -

• University of Szeged

• University of Debrecen

• University of Pécs

• Corvinus University of Budapest

• Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Netherlands

The Netherlands consider their PhD students as university employees during their studies. This means that you do not have to pay the usual PhD fees instead, you can receive a salary or other perks. These positions follow the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO), which means international students are compensated based on a pay scale that grows with their experience. However, if you’re not employed by a university, you will need to cover tuition fees.

Universities in Netherlands that offer PhD to international students -

• University of Amsterdam

• Leiden University

• Delft University of Technology

• Erasmus University Rotterdam

• University of Groningen

Scholarships to Study PhD Abroad for Free

PhD scholarships are an excellent way to finance your studies abroad. Many organizations, universities, and governments offer scholarships specifically for international PhD students. Another popular way to pursue fully funded PhD abroad is by doing a research or teaching assistantship. Students can take on roles as research assistants (RAs) or teaching assistants (TAs) in return for a stipend or salary. These assistantships not only offer valuable experience but also provide financial support throughout your studies.

Some notable PhD scholarships are mentioned below if you aspire to pursue scholarships from popular study abroad destinations.

• DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Program (EU)

• Fulbright Program (USA)

• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

• Australia Awards Scholarships

Conclusion

It is possible to pursue a PhD for free or for a lower price from universities abroad. There are plenty of ways to receive a fully funded PhD abroad, from discovering tuition-free universities to landing scholarships and assistantships. With dedication and smart planning, you can reach your academic aspirations without emptying your wallet and need not worry about the PhD in abroad fees.

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