Posted by “When you study abroad every step is a learning experience” by Johan Asplund. Studying in Europe has been the dream of every international student, but they always get discouraged by the cost of tuition, accommodation, and other expenses. What if we told you that there are other affordable options for international students?
In this article, we will talk about the 10 cheapest universities in Europe for international students. These universities offer high-quality education at a low cost making it possible for low-income students to afford it.
Most universities in Europe are part of the top-ranked universities in the world, this is why most international students thrive to study there. By the end of this article, you will have enough information to make a good decision about the university to want to attend.
So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Affordable University
When choosing an affordable university, there are important factors that international students should consider apart from the tuition fee.
Cost of Living
It’s important to research the cost of living in your chosen location/area and put it in your budget. You will need to pay for accommodation food, and transportation, and you might also need to plan for much higher-cost items like a laptop.
Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
It’s important to seek scholarship opportunities because it reduces tuition costs and also provide stipends to international students.
There are different types of scholarships International students can apply for:
The merit-based scholarship provides financial aid to international students because of their good academic performance.
The need-based scholarship provides financial aid to low-income international students.
Program Offerings
It’s also important to consider the programs offered by the university to see whether you are interested in any of them.
By taking these factors into account you will find your desired university that suits your need.
List of 10 Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students
- Free University of Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
- RWTH Aachen University
- Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies
- Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
- TU Dresden
- University of Göttingen
- University of Mannheim
- Léonard de Vinci University College
10 Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students
1. Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of Europe’s leading research universities. Freie Universität Berlin does not award grants to international students. Freie Universität Berlin offers programs like law, medicine, veterinary medicine, computer science, Earth science, and more.
- Ranking: #118 (QS University Rankings, 2023)
- Tuition fee: FREE but both domestic and international students are to pay 628USD per year.
- Cost of living: About 934EURO per month.
Most of the notable Alumni are:
Andrea Fischer (Former Federal Ministry of Health)
Eberhard Diepgen (Mayor of West Berlin)
Fritz Teufel (Founder of Kommune)
Günter Rexrodt (Economics Minister of Germany)
Hans Eichel (Former Federal Ministry of Finance)
2. Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is a German public research university in Berlin. The Humboldt University of Berlin offers financial aid to international students to help with costs. They offer programs like Biophysics, Computational Neuroscience, Horticultural Sciences, Polymer Science, and more.
- Ranking: #117 (QS University Rankings, 2021)
- Tuition fee: 633USD per year
- Cost of living: About 750EURO per month
Most of their notable alumni are:
Walter Benjamin (German Philosopher)
Karl Marx (Philosopher and Economist)
Kurt Lewin (Phycologist)
3. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Catholic research university in Leuven, Belgium. International students can apply for grants/financial aid in Katholieke Universiteit Leuven to help with costs. They offer programs like philosophy, theology, engineering technology, social science, and more.
- Ranking: #76 (QS University Rankings, 2023)
- Tuition fee: 835EURO per year
- Cost of living: About 1000ERO per month.
4. RWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen University is a German public research university in Aachen, German. RWTH Aachen University provides scholarships to international students to help with costs. They offer programs like engineering, geography, geoscience, and more.
- Ranking: #147 (QS University Rankings, 2023)
- Tuition fee: 455EURO per year
- Cost of living: About 867EURO per month
Most of their notable alumni are:
B. J. Habibie (Former President of the Republic of Indonesia)
Necmettin Erbakan (Former Prime Minister of Türkiye)
Kemal Şahin (CEO of Şahinler Holding)
5. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is a public research university in Pisa, Italy. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies offers scholarships to International students in doctoral programs. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies offers programs like engineering, law, management, and more.
- Ranking: #201 (QS University Rankings, 2023)
- Tuition fee:
- Cost of living: About 878EURO per month.
Most of their notable alumni are:
Pierdomenico Perata (Italian physiologist)
Maria Chiara Carrozza (President of the National Research Council)
Giuliano Amato (Former Prime Minister of Italy)
6. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa is a public university in Pisa, Italy. All students admitted to doctoral programs are provided financial aid to help with costs. They offer programs like business, physical science, arts, life science, and more.
- Ranking: #246 (QS University Rankings, 2022)
- Tuition fee: 0 EURO
- Cost of living: About 670EURO per month
Most of their notable alumni are:
Alessio Figalli (Italian mathematician)
Umberto M. Zannier (Italian mathematician)
Jiyuan Yu (Philosopher)
7. TU Dresden
TU Dresden is a public research university in Dresden, Germany. Tu Dresden offers programs like engineering, computer science, and more.
- Ranking: #121 (QS University Rankings, 2021)
- Tuition fee: 255EURO per year
- Cost of living: About 680EURO per month
Most of their notable alumni are:
Katja Kipping (Senator for Integration, Labour, and Social Affairs of Berlin)
Günther Landgraf (German physicist)
Reimund Neugebauer (President of the Fraunhofer Society)
Uwe Tellkamp (German writer)
8. University of Göttingen
The University of Göttingen is a public research university in Göttingen, Germany. International students can apply for financial aid at the University of Göttingen to help with costs. They offer programs like engineering, law, social science, medicine, and more.
- Ranking: #204 (QS University Rankings, 2023)
- Tuition fee: 650EURO per year
- Cost of living: About 900EURO per month
Most of their notable alumni are:
Max Born (German physicist)
Luisa Neubauer (German activist)
Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission)
9. University of Mannheim
The University of Mannheim is a public research university in Mannheim, Germany. International students can apply for financial aid at the University of Mannheim to help with costs. The University of Mannheim offers programs like economics, business administration, sociology, and more.
- Ranking: #541-#550 (QS University Rankings, 2023)
- Tuition fee: 277EURO per year
- Cost of living: 1452EURO per year (on-campus)
Most of their notable alumni are:
Hans-Werner Sinn (German economist)
Stefan Lippe (Former CEO of Swiss Re)
Christoph M. Schmidt (President of RWI Essen)
Christine Lambrecht (Former Federal Minister of Defense of Germany)
10. Léonard de Vinci University
Leonardo de Vinci University Center is a private university cluster located at La Défense, French. Leonardo de Vinci University offers programs like business analytics, engineering, digital marketing, asset management, law, psychology, and more.
- Ranking: #168 (France) and #5940 (World)
- Tuition: 647 EURO per year.
- Cost of living: About 950EURO per month.
FAQs on Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students
1. Can international students apply for scholarships or financial aid at these universities?
It depends on the University, but most universities offer financial aid to international students to help them with costs.
2. Are there any additional costs, such as living expenses, that students should consider when choosing an affordable university in Europe?
Yes, of course, students should consider the cost of accommodation, food, and transportation in their chosen area.
3. Do these universities offer programs or courses in English for international students?
Many Universities offer programs in English check each university’s website for more info.
4. What is the application process like for international students applying to these universities?
The process mainly involves an online applications, transcripts, taking tests, letters of recommendation, and some other documents.
5. Can international students work part-time or full-time while studying at these universities?
It depends on the chosen country and university; some international students are allowed to work while studying.
Recommended Articles
- Top 10 cheapest colleges in the US
- Study in USA
- Study in the UK
- Study Abroad in Canada
- Study Abroad in France.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Students can pursue higher education abroad, but it comes with a high price tag. For international undergraduate students, this article lists the top 10 most affordable universities in Europe.
For those on a tight budget, there are numerous possibilities, ranging from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies to the Free University of Berlin. Prior to choosing a choice, it is crucial to take into account the tuition costs as well as additional expenses including living costs.
Share and Help us Reach out to Other Students