How to Study Abroad for Free: Countries and Scholarships

Although academic costs are rising worldwide, several popular study-abroad destinations still offer free or very low-cost public university tuition to international students. Most free programmes are at public institutions. Before your course begins you may be asked to prove your language skills and pay a modest registration or semester fee, but often that is the only amount you pay.

How Can You Study Abroad for Free?

Directly Enroll in a Foreign University

Volunteer Abroad for Free

Apply for Scholarships and Grants

Complete a Work-Study

Choose Affordable Programs Abroad

• Lorenzo de' Medici, Florence, Italy (approximately 5,500 USD)
• FUBiS, Berlin, Germany (starting around 2,000 USD)
• Equine Summer Program, Edinburgh, Scotland (about 4,895 USD)
• Hutong School, China (approximately 881 USD)
• John Cabot University Summer Program, Rome, Italy (about 2,830 USD)

Earn While You Study

Where Can You Study Abroad for Free?

Germany

Brazil

Greece

France

Sweden

Which Countries Now Charge Non-EU Tuition Fees?

How Can Indian Students Study Abroad for Free?

1. Undergraduate study in countries like Germany is largely free, while later degrees can cost more; look into graduate assistantships and paid internships to cover them.
2. Apply for scholarships such as the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships for students from India.
3. A strong GRE or GMAT score unlocks a wider range of scholarship options in many countries.
4. Bursaries are need-based monetary awards, unlike merit-based scholarships, and are worth applying for if funds are tight.
5. Paid internships build formal work experience that gives you an edge; relevant prior experience also improves your scholarship chances.

How Do You Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad?

1. Ask for help early: contact the university's study-abroad office, financial-aid office and similar bodies to understand routes into the country on a scholarship.
2. Research and apply to many scholarships; casting a wider net raises your chances of a strong award.
3. Contact the scholarship or grant funder directly, in person where possible, to improve your odds.
4. If you are a working professional, you may secure a sponsored study opportunity through your employer.
5. Tailor your resume to highlight the achievements that will catch a selection committee's attention.
6. Add references wherever allowed, as they strengthen an application.
7. Include a strong statement of purpose along with letters of recommendation; two letters usually help most.
8. Note that some universities run their own entrance exams to decide scholarship holders.
9. Governments in countries such as Sweden and Norway also fund scholarships for international students.