From full scholarships to stipends with high salaries, there are many ways for deserving students to manage the financial requirements of pursuing a degree abroad. However, nothing beats going to a university where the costs of studying are less. Not many students are aware of the wide range of such options available to them. Read our article about Affordable countries to study abroad.
Here are some facts that you must know before you read further:
- Public universities in Norway and Germany don’t charge any tuition fees, even for non-EU students.
- Most French public universities charge €170 per year for a bachelor’s degree program, about €243 per annum for a master’s degree program, and €380 per year for a doctoral program. The fee may vary in some cases.
- State-funded universities in Argentina offer free education, while private institutes charge international students around $5,100 per year.
And there are many more options for you.
So, you can get an affordable international education from a university in one of the countries that offer such options. However, your search for the right one may be quite time-consuming. That’s why we have curated a list of the 11 cheapest countries to study abroad by tuition and living cost. This will cut your research time in half and give you an in-depth idea of your budget.
Read the full blog below and explore your future options.
Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024
11 affordable to study abroad by tuition fees
Affordable countries to study abroad – Norway
Low cost and high-quality education—that is the dream of any international student. Public universities in Norway don’t charge any tuition fees, regardless of the nationality of their students. Apart from exceptional courses in specialized areas and English-taught programs, Norway offers a high quality of life
Here’s a list of the most affordable courses and universities in Norway that you can explore:
| Top Universities | Popular Courses | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| University of Oslo | Environmental Sciences | Free |
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) | Information Technology | Free |
| University of Bergen | Social Sciences | Free |
| University of Tromsø | Law | Free |
| Oslo Metropolitan University | Engineering | Free |
| University of Stavanger | Marine Biology | Free |
| BI Norwegian Business School | Economics | Free |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Germany
Germany is yet another country whose public universities offer free tuition. This affordability does not imply a compromise on the quality of education. According to the QS World University Ranking 2025, three German universities made it to the top 100, including:
- Technical University of Munich (#28)
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (#59)
- Universität Heidelberg (=84)
Although there is no tuition fee at public universities, international students incur some additional charges like administration fee. However, the universities in this country offer English-taught STEM programs with strong focus on development and research.
Here’s a list of some affordable German universities, along with their tuition cost:
| Top Universities | Popular Courses | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| Technical University of Munich | Engineering | €0 – €500 |
| University of Heidelberg | Computer Science | €0 – €500 |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | Business Administration | €0 – €500 |
| Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin | Medicine | €0 – €500 |
| Humboldt University | Humanities | €0 – €500 |
| University of Stuttgart | Architecture | €0 – €500 |
| University of Göttingen | Physics | €0 – €500 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Mexico
Emerging as a popular study-abroad destination, Mexico houses many public institutions that offer affordable higher education to international students. You get a beautiful blend of low living cost, affordable education, and rich culture in the country.
While private universities in Mexico may charge a high fee, you can find affordable degree options at public institutions. Here are some of the options you can explore:
| Top Universities | Popular Courses | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) | International Relations | $400 – $900 |
| Monterrey Institute of Technology | Engineering | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| University of Guadalajara | Spanish Language and Literature | $500 – $1,200 |
| Universidad Panamericana | Business Administration | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Universidad Anáhuac | Architecture | $500 – $1,200 |
| Autonomous University of Yucatán | Environmental Sciences | $400 – $900 |
| Universidad de Guanajuato | Medicine | $1,200 – $3,000 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Poland
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly education in a European country with rich culture and history, Poland is the place for you. If you can speak Polish, you can study there for free. The country also offers English-taught programs costing around €2,000-3000 per annum or more.
Here’s a list of Polish universities you can check out:
| Top Universities | Popular Courses | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| Jagiellonian University | Medicine | €2,000 – €4,000 |
| Nicolaus Copernicus University | Environmental Sciences | €1,500 – €3,000 |
| Warsaw University of Technology | Engineering | €1,500 – €3,000 |
| University of Gdańsk | Law | €1,500 – €3,000 |
| AGH University of Science and Technology | Information Technology | €2,000 – €4,000 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Taiwan
Taiwan has many affordable and high-ranking institutions, making it a great study-abroad destination. QS World University Ranking 2025 ranked the National Taiwan University (NTU) at #68. Other than this, National Tsing Hua University – NTHU and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) also ranked high on the list.
The country offers over 120 English-taught courses at more than 40 universities. Here are some of them:
| Top Universities | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| National Taiwan University (NTU) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| National Chiao Tung University | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| National Chengchi University | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Taipei Medical University | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| National Taipei University of Technology | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| National Taiwan University of Science and Technology | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| National Tsing Hua University | $1,500 – $3,500 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Czech Republic
The Czech Republic offers affordable education with a rich cultural experience. International students can study in English or Czech, and those who speak Czech can even study for free at public universities.
Here’s a list of affordable Czech universities you can explore:
| Top Universities | Popular Courses | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| Charles University | Computer Science | €1,000 – €5,000 |
| University of Economics, Prague | Business | €1,500 – €4,000 |
| Masaryk University | Medicine | €3,000 – €8,000 |
| Czech Technical University in Prague | International Relations | €1,000 – €3,500 |
| Brno University of Technology | Architecture | €1,000 – €4,000 |
| VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava | Engineering | €1,500 – €4,000 |
| Palacký University Olomouc | Humanities | €1,000 – €3,500 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Austria
Here are some universities in Austria where students can enjoy affordable tuition fees with good quality of education:
| Top Universities | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| Vienna University of Economics and Business | €1,500 – €3,000 |
| Medical University of Vienna | €1,500 – €3,500 |
| Vienna University of Technology | €1,500 – €3,500 |
| University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna | €1,000 – €3,000 |
| University of Innsbruck | €1,500 – €3,000 |
| Graz University of Technology | €1,500 – €3,500 |
| University of Applied Arts Vienna | €1,500 – €3,500 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Argentina
Argentina is slowly becoming a popular study-abroad destination due to its affordable education. It is also considered the safest country in the South American region. Here are some universities in Argentina you can explore:
| Top Universities | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| University of Buenos Aires | $500 – $2,000 |
| National University of Córdoba | $500 – $2,000 |
| National Technological University | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| National University of La Plata | $500 – $2,000 |
| University of Belgrano | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| National University of Rosario | $500 – $2,000 |
| University of Salvador | $1,000 – $3,000 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Malaysia
Malaysia is known for its affordable tuition fees and low cost of living. The country offers a wide range of programs, many of which are taught in English.
Explore a list of Malaysian universities offering affordable education below:
| Top Universities | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| University of Malaya | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| International Medical University | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Multimedia University | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| HELP University | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Taylor’s University | $2,500 – $6,000 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Hungary
Hungary is becoming increasingly popular for international students due to its affordable tuition fees and high-quality education.
The table below shows the top 7 universities in Hungary that offer affordable higher education to international students:
| Top Universities | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| Semmelweis University | €5,000 – €10,000 |
| University of Szeged | €2,000 – €4,500 |
| Budapest University of Technology and Economics | €2,500 – €6,000 |
| University of Debrecen | €2,000 – €5,000 |
| Corvinus University of Budapest | €2,000 – €5,000 |
| University of Pécs | €2,500 – €5,000 |
| Eötvös Loránd University | €2,500 – €5,500 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Affordable countries to study abroad – Portugal
Portugal offers a blend of affordable education, a rich cultural history, and a warm climate. The country has several universities with strong international reputations.
Here are some universities in the country that you can explore:
| Top Universities | Estimated Tuition Costs (Per Year)* |
| University of Porto | €1,500 – €3,000 |
| Instituto Superior Técnico | €2,000 – €4,500 |
| University of Lisbon | €2,000 – €4,500 |
| University of Aveiro | €2,000 – €4,500 |
| University of Coimbra | €2,500 – €5,500 |
| Nova School of Business and Economics | €1,500 – €4,000 |
| Catholic University of Portugal | €2,000 – €5,000 |
*The tuitions may vary. Please visit the official websites of the institutions for precise information.
Also Read: 5 Most Affordable Universities in the USA for Indian Students
11 Affordable countries to study abroad by living cost
The cost of living in a country can become a very important factor even if you are paying negligible tuition fees. From accommodation to food to transportation, you have to ensure that all the costs are under your budget.
So, we have curated a list of 11 cheapest countries that offer low cost of living:
| Cheapest Countries | Accommodation Cost (Per Annum)* | Cost of Food (Per Week)* | Cost of Public Transportation (Per Week)* | Miscellaneous (Per Annum)* |
| Mexico | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 | ₹200 – ₹400 | ₹40,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Poland | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹50,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Malaysia | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 | ₹1,800 – ₹3,000 | ₹200 – ₹400 | ₹50,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Taiwan | ₹1,80,000 – ₹2,80,000 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,200 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹40,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Czech Republic | ₹2,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹60,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Hungary | ₹1,80,000 – ₹2,80,000 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹50,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Argentina | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 | ₹150 – ₹300 | ₹40,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Portugal | ₹2,50,000 – ₹3,50,000 | ₹2,500 – ₹4,000 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹60,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| Vietnam | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 | ₹200 – ₹400 | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Thailand | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 | ₹1,800 – ₹3,000 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹50,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Bulgaria | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 | ₹200 – ₹400 | ₹40,000 – ₹70,000 |
*The costs are estimates and may vary based on your lifestyle and other relevant factors.
Till now, we have explained how you can minimize your expenses for pursuing higher education by choosing a university in a country with low tuition fees and a low cost of living.
However, many students aim to attend a university that not only offers affordable education but also provides a high-quality learning experience and the potential for high-paying job opportunities.
Moreover, the top countries that offer free or low-cost public university programs, such as Germany and Norway, often come with a high cost of living. For example, while tuition at public universities in Germany and Norway may be free, the cost of living for an international student can exceed INR 10 lakhs per annum.
These two realities can make finding affordable international education more challenging than expected.
For many students, the real challenge lies in reducing costs at universities outside these countries. That’s where obtaining an affordable education loan becomes crucial. Students often face expenses even before their first day in the classroom, such as flight tickets, initial accommodation, health insurance, and even food. This is where GradPack helps.
Also Read: Cost of Studying in Australia for an Indian Student
How to save money on studies, accommodation, health insurance & forex with GradPack?
GradPack is an all-in-one package that covers all your study abroad needs while helping you save as much as INR 23 lakhs. From getting low-interest education loans to receiving scholarships to affordable travel guides and Forex cards with low markup, GradPack makes your study abroad journey easy, smooth, and affordable.
Here are the services you get with GradPack that help you save up to INR 23,00,000:
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FAQs
Studying abroad with INR 5 lakhs can be difficult, but possible. You will have to target countries that offer low tuition fees and living costs, like Hungary, Mexico, and Poland. Then, you will have to either go for scholarships or education loans to get started with your education. This may still not cover your living expenses while completing your education. In that case, you will have to go for part-time jobs to manage your expenses further.
The cheapest countries for Indian students to study can vary based on tuition and living cost. However, if you look at the overall package – low living cost and tuition – some affordable countries that you can explore are Poland, Mexico, Malaysia, Hungary, etc.
There are many countries that house public universities charging zero to low tuition fees. However, you may have to pay the administration fee as an international student. You can explore countries like Germany and Norway for the same.
There are many scholarships and fellowships for Indian students that help you study abroad for free. Other than that, if you’re looking for countries with zero to low tuition fees, you can explore universities in Germany and Norway. However, the living expenses in these countries can be quite high.
Yes, INR 20 lakhs can be enough for your education abroad if you aim for affordable countries and universities like Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Hungary, etc. However, even after budgeting wisely, you may also have to opt for education loans or scholarships.
You can absolutely study abroad with a low budget. However, this will require a lot of smart planning. If you want to save lakhs of rupees on your study abroad journey, you should check out GradPack. From finding you the best education loan offers to scholarships to Forex cards with affordable deals – GradPack can help you save as much as INR 23,00,000. You can find out more about GradPack here.
