Top 10 free education countries for Indian students

While you set your dreams high for higher education abroad, your budget for the education programme will certainly be a major concern. And if you are on a limited budget, you can discover which country provides free education for Indian students right away with us here!

While education may not be completely free in these countries, it can be affordable and easily accessible. In addition, you can avail of the numerous financial aids offered through grants and scholarships to international students in various universities worldwide.

The university’s official website will provide information specific to the tuition fee, whether it is free or applicable to select countries.

Top 10 Countries With Free Education For Indian Students 

Top 10 Countries With Free Or Lower Tuition Fees For Indian Students 

1. Germany 

Germany stands out as one of the best countries to study abroad for Indian students for free, with its high-quality academic resources and accessible opportunities. Germany offers diverse educational institutions, both public and private, with unique courses and fees.

Tuition Fees

While public universities are generally tuition-free, certain specific courses can cost around €1,500 – €3,500 per semester. Private universities’ tuition fees can range between €10,000 and €20,000 per year, depending on the degree level, Bachelor’s or Master’s, and the education programme.

Part-time Jobs

Germany also allows part-time work. Without a work permit, you can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year.

Average Cost of Living

€850 – €1255 per month

Popular Courses 

• Architecture
• Business Administration
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Law

2. Norway 

Norway’s stunning scenery makes it a wonderful place to live and explore.It is also home to some of the best universities in Europe and affordable study destinations for Indian students.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees can range from €7,000 – €13,000 per year and even higher depending on the degree level, educational programme, and university.

Part-time Jobs 

If you have a valid study permit, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week and full-time during holidays in addition to your studies.

However, as Norway is one of the most expensive countries, the cost of living is generally higher.

Average Cost of Living

€1200 – €1600 per month

Popular Courses 

• Engineering
• Aquaculture
• Environmental Studies
• Biology

3. Sweden 

The education system in Sweden is known for its focus towards student innovation and independence. It offers wide-ranging higher education opportunities for Indian students abroad.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees vary between €7,500 and €25,000 per year, depending on the education program and degree level.

Part-time Jobs 

Students can work while studying in Sweden. If they have a residence permit, they can work for the duration specified in the residence permit. Full-time studies require students to dedicate 40 hours per week, which can make balancing full-time work challenging. Part-time job opportunities are limited and typically require proficiency in the Swedish language.

Average Cost of Living

€700 – €1200 per month

Popular Courses

• Engineering
• Business Administration
• Social Sciences
• Architecture
• Technology

4. Finland

Finland’s education system is known for providing innovative opportunities supported by highly trained educators. It is a popular option among countries with free education for Indian students.

Tuition Fees 

For international students, the tuition fee for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree-level education programmes taught in English can range between €5,000 and €18,000 per year. However, it can be exempt in specific scenarios, such as being married to a Finnish citizen and having a residence card, having a long-term resident’s EU residence permit, having a permanent Finnish residence permit, applying for doctoral studies, etc.

Part-time Jobs

All students must apply for a residence permit to study in Finland. Students with the residence permit can work an average of 30 hours per week.

Average Cost Of Living 

€700 – €900 per month

Popular Courses

• Engineering
• Business Administration
• Architecture
• Computer Science
• Education
• Nursing

5. Denmark

Denmark’s education system is known for its student-centred learning approach, which involves students in group activities rather than standardised tests. It is another popular, cost-effective study-abroad option for Indian students.

Tuition Fees 

The tuition fee for the various educational programmes ranges between €6,000 and €16,000 per year, depending on the course and the degree level.

Part-time Jobs 

Students can work part-time for about 20 hours a week and full-time during vacations while studying in Denmark.

Average cost of living

€750 – €1,200 per month

Popular courses 

• Social Sciences
• Business Administration
• Life Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Engineering
• Geography

6. France 

The French education system is known for its esteemed higher education opportunities, which offer options for elite careers in various industries. It also prioritises education that focuses on cultural enrichment and arts.

Tuition Fees 

On average, the tuition fee for a bachelor’s degree is €2,770, and for a Master’s Degree, it is €3,770 per year in France.

Part-time Jobs

Students can work for up to 964 hours a year while working to fund their expenses. France also offers a range of scholarship options for Indian students, such as the Charpak Scholarship Programme, La Femis, and Erasmus + Mobility Scholarships for International Students to cover their education and living expenses.

Average Cost of Living

€600 – €800 per year

Popular Courses

• Film Studies
• Engineering
• Business Administration
• Culinary Arts
• Fashion Design
• Computer Science

7. Czech Republic 

The Czech Republic emphasises a well-rounded education tailored to excel in academics and professional endeavours. It offers free higher education for those willing to study in Czech. Therefore, it is yet another option for free education abroad for Indian students.

Tuition Fees 

The tuition fee for courses taught in English will depend on the course, university, and degree level, but it can be up to €18,500 per year on average.

Part-time Jobs

Students can work part-time only after obtaining an employment permit, residence permit, Blue Card, or Employee Card.

There are two exceptions to this condition:

• Students studying in a present or daily form in a university for a degree programme accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports will not need a work permit.
• Exchange students or students who study in a distance form can also work without a work permit. However, they should be up to 26 years of age, and their total work duration should not exceed 7 consecutive calendar days or a total of 30 days throughout the year.

Average Cost of Living

€300 – €750 per year

Popular Courses 

• International Relations
• Economics
• Architecture
• Engineering Information Technology
• Humanities
• Medicine
• Natural Science

8. Austria

Austria is known for its high-quality and accessible educational programmes that providesstudents with practical learning experiences and valuable skills.

Tuition Fees 

The tuition fee ranges from €1,452 per year for Public Universities, €752 – €7,500 per semester for the University of Applied Sciences, and €3000 – €23,000 per year for Private Universities. In addition, students may have to provide €20 for the union membership and student accident insurance.

Part-time Jobs 

Students with valid student visas can work up to 20 hours a week, and the number of working hours during vacations is not limited.

Average Living Cost 

€900 – €1,500 per month

Popular Courses

• Engineering
• Applied Science
• Agricultural Science
• Law
• Clinical Medicine
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Journalism

9. Belgium

Education in Belgium is known for its bilingualism. Students can opt to study in the Dutch-speaking region or the French-speaking region.

Tuition Fees

Indian students may have to pay a fee ranging from €2,500 and €7,500 per year for public universities and from €970 and €8,000 per year for private universities based on the region.

Part-time Jobs 

Students can work in Belgium for up to 20 hours per week.

Average Cost of Living 

€700 to over €1,000 per month

Popular Courses 

• Political Science
• International Relations
• Economics
• Medicine
• Information Technology
• Marketing

10. Iceland

One of the popular free education countries for Indian students, Iceland is renowned for its high quality of life and education system. It has four public universities and three private universities.

Tuition Fees

Indian students don’t have to pay a tuition fee for public universities. However, they have to pay €499 as an annual admin fee and €53 as an application fee.

Note: Rates for the annual admin fee and the application fee are taken on 08/04/2024 at 2:45 PM.

For private universities, you may have to pay a fee based on the course, degree level, and the university. However, the fee can be minimal compared to other countries.

Part-time Jobs 

Indian students can work for up to 15 hours a week with a valid work permit.

Average Cost of Living 

€1,300 – €2,000 per month

Popular Courses

• Environmental Studies
• Social Sciences
• Business Administration
• International Business
• Computer Science
• Engineering

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Which country offers free education to Indian students for master’s?

Indian students can find free education opportunities to pursue their master’s degree in countries such as Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and France. The education programme can be available for free or affordable at the universities. In addition, students can also apply for grants and scholarships to cover their education expenses and study for free.

Which country provides free education without IELTS?

Many countries worldwide offer courses that do not require IELTS. Some of the best free education countries for Indian students without IELTS are France, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, and China.

While education may not be completely free, you can apply for scholarships and other financial assistance in these countries to fund your education expenses.

Can I study abroad after the 12th for free?

Yes, you can study abroad for free after the 12th by opting for tuition-free universities worldwide. You can also take advantage of grants, apply for scholarships or financial aid, or engage in work-study programmes to fund your expenses. Some of the free education countries for Indian students after 12th are Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and France.

Can I study abroad for 5 lakhs?

The expenses for your education abroad will depend on your education programme, degree level, and the country. You can afford to study abroad for 5 lakhs by opting for universities that offer tuition-free education or applying for grants or scholarships to fund your financial needs. You can also choose to work while studying subject to the country’s laws governing the work permits.

Which country gives money to study?

Many countries worldwide offer financial assistance to Indian students in the form of grants, scholarships, and other types of financial assistance.

Some popular countries that offer tuition-free education and other financial assistance to international students are Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic.

In which country study is totally free?

Education at the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree level can be offered free at select universities in specific countries such as Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. However, it is based on the nationality of the students.

If tuition fees are applicable, students can avail of scholarships, grants, and other financial assistance at the respective universities to cover education expenses.

Is education free in Canada?

Universities in Canada generally do not provide free education. However, it is possible to apply for fully funded or full-tuition scholarships to pay for education expenses and be tuition-fee-free.

Is education free in the US?

The US offers wide-ranging opportunities to benefit from tuition-free universities that offer full-tuition scholarships.

However, it is subject to the university’s terms and conditions and individual profile. Therefore, check with the official website of the University of the Financial Assistance Head to understand the applicable conditions.

Is education free in the UK?

Education is generally not free for international students in the UK. While there are no tuition-free universities in the UK, international students can avail of tuition waiver options, scholarships, and other grants applicable to the specific universities to help them reduce their financial burden towards paying the tuition fees.

Is education free in Australia?

International students will have to pay tuition fees to pursue their education in Australia. The fees depend on the university, course, and degree level. Although scholarships are available to cover tuition and living expenses, they are highly competitive. Students may have to go through the eligibility criteria to understand if they can qualify for the scholarships.

Disclaimers:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with the products or vendors mentioned.

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@ When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. Credit card funding and bank transfer fees can differ significantly.

Note: Fees and average cost of living are taken from different websites on 05th and 08th April 2024 and are subject to change.