How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad? Find Out Here!

Studying abroad has emerged as one of the best options for those students who wish to diversify, get an international education experience, and develop a strong working background for their future practice. However, one of the first questions students ask is: How much does it cost to study abroad? The cost of studying abroad differs greatly based on several factors, including the study destination, the university, the time duration of study, and even personal aspirations regarding living standards.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the costs of studying abroad by exploring some of the most affordable destinations, analysing what makes them budget-friendly, and discussing why more students opt for international education. Of course, we’ll also examine to what extent the attitudes regarding studying abroad have changed and why students view it as an investment in their future. This detailed information will help you understand the studying abroad average cost and make informed decisions regarding your academic journey.

Top Countries Offering Affordable Education

One of the primary concerns when evaluating the costs of studying abroad is choosing a destination that offers quality education without burdening your finances. In the following article, we will highlight the most budget-friendly destinations for international students and examine how much does it cost to study abroad mentioned below:

1. Germany

German public universities are famous around the world due to their policy of having little or no tuition fees for any student, regardless of whether they are from Germany or other parts of the world. This relatively low educational cost exceeds quality education, making Germany a perfect destination for students. Germany does provide a lot of money for its education system, so even without paying tuition fees, you can get a quality education from anywhere in the world. Thirdly, the German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, provide good living conditions, well-developed transport systems, and many ways to touch with the culture. You can also get a student visa easily.

German Universities are well-known worldwide, and some of the most famous public Universities include Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Humboldt University of Berlin, and Heidelberg University. These institutions have always been included among the best universities worldwide and offer programmes in English that make it easier for international students to attend them and also one of the top benefits of studying abroad.

Living Costs and Scholarships: Housing costs are still comparably affordable within the EU and Germany compared to other European countries. Daily expenses can be between €800 and €1,200 per month. Beneficiaries of scholarship include international students; fortunate for them, organisations such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fund students wishing to study in Germany.

Average Tuition Fee: €0 – €3,000 yearly (applicable to public universities)
Cost of Living: €800 – €1,200 per month

2. France

France attracts many students who want to study arts, design, fashion, business, and culinary universities. The French government has set tuition fees in all public universities to make the country one of the most affordable places to pursue higher education. The recent changes in the French education system have made the tuition fees of public universities one of the lowest in European countries. The question ‘how much does study abroad cost’ will no longer haunt you with the new French policies. Besides, the educational system in France has always been considered liberal and multicultural, offering students a great opportunity to have both unforgettable student experiences and rather high academic recognition.

Some of the best-known public universities are Sorbonne University, University of Paris, and Ecole Normale supérieure. These institutions also provide a wide and diverse portfolio of courses available in French and English.

Living Costs and Scholarships: Paris is a little expensive compared to other European cities. However, most students prefer it because of the great student activity and the numerous learning opportunities. The monthly living costs range from €900 to as high as €1,400. Other scholarships include the Eiffel Excellence, which also offers tuition and a living allowance, and the Charpak scholarships for Tuition fees plus allowances.

Average Tuition Fee: €200 – €3,500 yearly (for public universities)
Cost of Living: €900 – €1,400 per month

3. Italy

Italy is among the best destinations for students, especially those leaning toward history, arts, and humanities. Since the international admission process is not expensive and many scholarships are offered to students, Italy is comparatively more affordable to study in. Italian universities strongly emphasise research and innovations, making it appropriate for students with such goals.

This school is among the leading institutions in Italy; other institutions include the University of Bologna, the University of Milan, and the University of Rome La Sapienza. They offer relatively affordable and numerous programmes that meet most of the education needs of society.

Living Costs and Scholarships: Many Italian cities, such as Bologna, Milan, Rome, etc., make learning an interesting experience. There are general scholarships offered by the Italian government and universities, for instance, Italian Government Scholarships and Invest Your Talent in Italy which will solve the question about how expensive is it to study abroad, which consist of tour scholarships ‘tuition fee scholarships, and partial fee scholarships, which help students by exempting their entire or partial tuition fees or partial living expenses depending on the type of scholarship offered.

Average Tuition Fee: €500 – €4,000 per year
Cost of Living: €700 – €1,200 per month

4. Spain

Education in Spain is affordable and has good coverage where you can study architecture, business, and tourism, among others. Spanish universities offer a high degree of flexibility in their programmes; courses might be taken according to the student’s preference.

International students prefer the University of Barcelona, the Complutense University of Madrid, and the University of Valencia. These universities have Spanish and English programmes, giving a multicultural feel to your learning.

Living Costs and Scholarships: The cost of living in Spain’s big cities, especially Madrid and Barcelona, is moderate, whereby one can survive every month on $800-$1200. This budget is for food, rent, and other necessities. Some of these scholarships include the Erasmus program and scholarships supported by Spanish Ministry of Education grants.

Average Tuition Fee: €2000 to €25000 per year for every public university student.
Cost of Living: €800 – €1,200 per month

5. Norway

However, the fact that Norway has adopted an education policy that ensures no tuition fees are paid in all public universities makes it a country most favoured by students in their quest for quality education at an unbelievably low price. As much as the cost of living in Norway is high, education in most universities is free of charge. All Norwegian universities are research-based; most teach in English and have many programs.

The best universities that offer quality education with advanced research infrastructure are the University of Oslo, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and the University of Bergen.

Living Costs and Scholarships: Monthly living studying abroad cost in Norway differ depending on the city and cost of living preferences and vary between €900 and €1,500. More on the Norwegian Quota Scheme, the Norwegian government and universities offer scholarships for students from developing countries.

Average Tuition Fee: Free (in public universities)
Cost of Living: €900 – €1,500 per month

6. India

India has a strong educational foundation, and its academic segment is expanding quickly; hence, education costs are affordable. The spirit of cultural diversification, its emphasis on technology and research, and the abundance of opportunity are why many students from neighbouring and foreign countries consider India their study destination.

The program is offered at prestigious universities, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Living Costs and Scholarships: A further factor favouring doing business in India is the low cost of living. The living costs or expenses of the students per month depend on their financial ability, and costs may vary between ₹15,000 to ₹30,000. Scholarship schemes like the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Scholarship keep on offering various types of scholarships to students of the partnering country.

Average Tuition Fee: ₹50,000 – ₹200,000 per year
Cost of Living: ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 per month

Study Abroad Options for International Students

• Short-term Programs: These are summer schools, language courses, and internships abroad, which are relatively affordable for students.
• Exchange Programs: Most institutions partner with organisations in other countries, allowing students to study for a semester or two in another country.
• Degree Programs: Full-time can be more costly. Providing an in-depth education experience may be done through an undergraduate or postgraduate course, and you can take exams to study abroad.
• Each option comes at a price: Costs and benefits are associated with all of them. For example, exchange programmes may be more affordable since they normally can utilise funds from subsidies or grants, whereas full-time programmes might call for greater expenses.

Conclusion

As the studying abroad cost is higher in other countries, students must choose the right country of study and look for scholarships to fund their dreams. To fulfill this dream, Metafinance, a financial assistance service provided by MetaApply gives you proper guidance and the best possible solutions to go ahead with your study abroad journey and solve your query about how expensive it is to study abroad. Whether learning in Germany with little or no cost or an affordable option in India, it all takes planning and research.

When determining the intensity of studying abroad, one must consider tuition fees, living expenses, travel expenses, etc. Studying abroad is your way of investing in your future; therefore, it is full of numerous opportunities that can dramatically change your life in the sphere of your choice.