Study Abroad Tuition-Free: 9 European Universities You Can Attend at Virtually No Cost

Do you know many public universities in Europe are tuition-free even for international students? You can study abroad for free or nearly free in beautiful countries like Germany, Greece, and France. Some schools may charge a small administrative fee to help cover their costs, which usually amounts to a couple hundred dollars per semester. That’s less than the price of community college!

Plus, there are even scholarships you can apply for to help cover any fees or living expenses you might incur. If you’re ready to earn your degree and expand your horizons, here are 10 European universities where you may be able to study abroad for free.

1. The Sorbonne

Everybody’s heard of the world-renowned Sorbonne where Marie Curie studied. Believe it or not, the university doesn’t charge tuition since it’s a public school in France. International students earning their bachelor’s degrees only pay a small registration fee of 170 euros according to Study International.

However, there are some drawbacks to studying there. Since the university is located in Paris, you’ll have to pay relatively high living costs, unless you can secure a scholarship to cover your expenses. Although the Sorbonne offers a range of master’s programs taught in English, you’ll also need to speak French if you’re an undergrad.

2. Nord University

Go Abroad says that Nord University in Bodø, Norway doesn’t charge American international students any tuition. However, administrative fees can amount to $800 per semester, and students must prove they can afford to cover their living expenses in order to get a visa. Luckily the cost of living in this part of Norway is low and currently stands at a little over $1,000 per month.

If you don’t speak Norwegian, it’s no problem. Nord University reportedly offers many degree programs in English, including Animation, Biology, Games and Entertainment Technology, and English of course.

3. Technical University of Munich

According to the BBC, the Technical University of Munich is one of the most highly regarded universities in Europe. About 20% of the students who attend TUM are non-German, and the administration hopes to offer all graduate courses in English.

Hunter Bliss, a student from South Carolina, was able to attend TUM for a fee of just $120 per semester, which also covered his transportation costs. In total, he only spent around $6,000 per year on living expenses like rent, health insurance, and food. International students in Germany are usually allowed to work part-time, which can help cover these expenses.

4. Brandenburg University of Technology

American Master’s student Katherine Burlingame was reportedly able to study abroad for free at Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus, Germany. Her living costs totaled to a little under $600 per month, which were more than covered by her scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Council. She didn’t even need to learn another language to attend the university, as many German schools teach their classes in English.

5. Léonard de Vinci University College

The price to attend Léonard de Vinci University College in Brussels, Belgium is only $750 per year for international students. Despite Brussels being a world-class city, the cost of living is low. Students can usually expect to spend between $764 and $1,389 per month on living expenses without any scholarships.

6. University of Crete

Could you imagine how amazing it would be to study abroad for free in a beautiful coastal city in Greece? Your dream could be a reality at the University of Crete, which doesn’t charge international students any tuition. However, the only catch is that all classes are taught in Greek, so you’ll need to learn the language if you don’t already speak it.

Luckily there’s a large community of international students on campus, so you may be able to find English-speaking study buddies. The main programs offered by the university include philosophy, education, social sciences, engineering, and medicine.

7. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa

This small university in Pisa, Italy only has several hundred students and can be challenging to get into. However, if you’re admitted, you’ll receive tuition, housing, and meals at no cost, allowing you to study abroad for free. Keep in mind that Italian is the primary language classes are taught in, so applicants must be able to speak it.

The university has several academic divisions including humanities and mathematical and natural sciences, plus a doctoral program. Students can also take classes at the University of Pisa for extra enrichment.

8. Free University of Berlin

In keeping with its name, the Free University of Berlin in Germany doesn’t charge tuition. However, there’s a small fee of $313 that covers enrollment and registration, transportation tickets, and student support services. A little over 20% of the student body is from outside of Germany.

The university has a dozen departments including biology and chemistry, earth sciences, law, physics, and philosophy and humanities. There are many courses that are taught entirely in English, so you may not need to learn German to study here.

9. University of Luxembourg

The University of Luxembourg has over 6,000 attendees, many of whom are international students. Each semester only costs $235, but you will have to pay for your living expenses while studying. Luckily any student enrolled in the university is allowed to work part-time, enabling you to pay fees and other expenses out-of-pocket instead of taking out loans.

It’s Possible to Study Abroad For Free

Graduating without student debt gives you a big financial leg up in life. If you can’t afford the high tuition fees colleges in America charge, these affordable European universities offer a great alternative. They offer the same high-quality education you’ll find here in the US at a much lower price. You may even be able to study abroad for free if you have a strong academic record and apply to scholarships!

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