Universities Without Tuition Fees: Which Countries Offer Free Education?

Free education abroad – for many people these words sound very unconvincing. The idea that it is possible to study abroad for free or almost free seems to potential students as something fantastic, far from reality. However, this is not the case at all. In this article, we will tell you what you need to do in order not to pay for studying abroad.

Countries with free higher education

In some countries, it is possible to enter “on a budget”. Public universities in France, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Latin America do not charge tuition, even for foreigners. True, there are a few nuances:

• Students at state universities pay for their own room and board. In the case of universities located in large cities in Germany, Austria, France, or Saudi Arabia, where prices for food, public transportation, and rent are quite high, tuition can be a really costly affair. In addition, undergraduates also have to pay university fees and buy their own study materials.
• To study abroad on a budget, you must be fluent in the language of the country in which the university is located. Programs in English at public universities are rare, and tuition is always charged.
• In most countries of the world, universities do not accept diplomas from national schools. Because of the differences in educational systems, to enter a foreign university, a foreigner must enroll in a preparatory program at the university or pass the missing subjects at the entrance exam. 

Cheap destinations

You can get an international diploma not only in a European country or in the States. There are many countries that offer quality higher education at affordable prices for foreigners.

For example, the cost of education, accommodation, and meals at a university in South Africa is about $ 5,000 per year.

Similar prices for education in the Asia-Pacific region. A pleasant exception is the Philippines: here a year of study costs only $ 2,000. Students of European universities spend a similar amount per year only on food and accommodation.

If you could not get a free program in a state university in South America, you can try your luck with private universities. They cost 2 to 3 times less than American or British universities. You can also find many affordable online companies which provide a cheap essay writing services. These usually offer quality work for a much lower price than universities, them more accessible for students with limited budgets.

Academic scholarships

Academic scholarships are available to give you the opportunity to study abroad for free or at most free of charge.

Academic scholarships are awarded to students at the time of enrollment or during the course of their studies. The basis for this type of funding is the candidate’s outstanding academic achievements, contributions to science, as well as many incidental factors such as volunteer work, active lifestyle, etc.

Academic scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students as well as to future master’s and doctoral candidates. And, as a rule, those entering postgraduate programs have a much better chance to receive education abroad completely free of charge. Bachelors most often can only count on partial funding. 

Academic scholarships from universities

Most large foreign universities have their own scholarship programs for talented students. Typically, academic scholarships from the university cover only a certain percentage of tuition. There are, however, a few exceptions. Some universities are willing to pay not only for tuition itself but also for room and board and a reasonable amount for personal expenses.

Government scholarships

Some governments have major scholarship programs for international students funded by the national government, including Endeavor Scholarships in Australia, the Fulbright Program in the United States, and Chevening Scholarships in the United Kingdom. Students who participate in such programs usually receive the opportunity to study abroad completely free of charge.

Scholarships from a private foundation/company

It is not uncommon for scholarship and exchange programs to be funded by non-governmental organizations such as private foundations, associations, and large businesses. Companies interested in training qualified personnel in a particular industry attract talented young people through grants and scholarships. The amount of funding and conditions of such scholarships are individual for each case.

Sports scholarships

Scholarships from foreign universities are not the only means for students with high grades. For example, many institutions in the United States, which have a strong university sports culture, are willing to pay for the education of students who excel in sports.

Sports scholarships at U.S. institutions of higher learning come in two varieties:

• Full-ride scholarship. This type covers tuition, room, and board.
• Partial scholarship. It covers from 50 to 100 percent of tuition costs. You should pay for your own food and lodging.

Sports scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduate students (4 years).

Requirements for scholarship eligibility

Each program, whether it is a university scholarship or a grant from a commercial organization, has its own requirements for applicants.

In the case of academic scholarships, the following documents are usually required:

• Copies of educational documents and their certified translations (high school diploma, undergraduate diploma);
• Transcripts of grades from the previous place of study;
• Certificates confirming knowledge of foreign languages;
• A letter of motivation and/or CV.

Sometimes the organizers ask to attach a portfolio of work, a list of publications in various publications, a certificate of GMAT or other specialized tests, etc. The higher the test scores, better grades, and more extensive the portfolio, the better the student’s chances of receiving funding.

In the case of athletic scholarships, the admissions committee is not particularly concerned about a student’s academic performance. Although the list of documents includes a translation of high school diplomas and GPA, a resume with sports results, videos of performances, and other documents illustrating the applicant’s athletic success are much more important.