Scholarship Planet A Gateway To Shape Your Future
Looking for affordable countries to study abroad with quality education and low costs? You’re not alone; more students than ever are prioritizing value over prestige.
This guide is based on 2025 data and highlights tuition fees, living expenses, and universities that offer fully funded programs for international students.
Let’s dive into the top affordable study destinations for 2025.
Germany
Average Annual Tuition: €0 – €1,500 (public universities)
Average Living Expenses: €850–€1,100/month
Student Visa Cost: €75
Germany remains the gold standard for tuition-free education in Europe. Most public universities charge no tuition fees for international students, even at the postgraduate level. Postgraduate programs (especially MS degrees) are usually 2 years long and include research components, while PhD programs are fully funded in many institutions, often offering stipends through research assistantships.
Scholarship Tip: Look into DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarships that fund both Master’s and PhD students.
Universities offering fully funded or low-cost programs:
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- Heidelberg University
- RWTH Aachen University
Norway
Average Annual Tuition: €0 (public universities)
Average Living Expenses: €1,200–€1,600/month
Student Visa Cost: €590
Norway remains one of the only countries that offers free education for international students, regardless of nationality (non-EU). While the cost of living is higher, students benefit from top-tier research facilities and a high standard of living.
Postgraduate students in Technology, Energy, and Marine Studies can often continue into fully funded PhD programs, which are structured as paid research jobs.
Universities offering fully funded or low-cost programs:
- University of Oslo
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- University of Bergen
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Taiwan
Average Annual Tuition: $1,600–$2,500
Average Living Expenses: $300–$700/month
Student Visa Cost: $66–$100
Students interested in fully funded universities for international students will find several scholarship programs offered by the Taiwanese government. Taiwan is gaining attention for its balance of low tuition, modern infrastructure, and strong academic programs, especially in Science, Business, and Technology. Many institutions offer English-taught postgraduate programs, making it accessible for global students.
For PhD aspirants, Taiwan offers numerous fully funded doctoral fellowships, often sponsored by universities or the government.
Universities offering fully funded or low-cost programs:
- National Taiwan University (NTU)
- National Tsing Hua University
- National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Czech Republic
Average Annual Tuition (English programs): €3,000–€5,000
Average Living Expenses: €400–€750/month
Student Visa Cost: €100–€120
The Czech Republic is ideal for students open to learning a new language. Public university education in Czech is free for all, while English-taught programs are still highly affordable. PhD programs are often tuition-free and may come with monthly stipends through state-funded research.
Universities offering fully funded or low-cost programs:
- Charles University
- Czech Technical University in Prague
- Masaryk University
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague
Mexico
Average Annual Tuition (public universities): €2,770 (Master’s), €380 (PhD)
Average Living Expenses: €800–€1,200/month
Student Visa Cost: €99
France is a strong option for those seeking affordable master’s degrees in Europe, with heavily subsidized tuition at public universities. France offers a wide array of English-taught programs at public institutions. While France does charge tuition, it’s highly subsidized by the government. PhD programs are often research-based and fully funded.
Universities offering fully funded or low-cost programs:
- Sorbonne University École
- Normale Supérieure (ENS Paris)
- University of Paris-Saclay
- Université Grenoble Alpes
India
Average Annual Tuition: $600–$2,000 (public institutions)
Average Living Expenses: $200–$400/month
Student Visa Cost: ~$80
Many institutions in India allow international students to pursue postgraduate education without IELTS, provided certain conditions are met. India is popular for students pursuing degrees in Engineering, Technology, Business, and Humanities. Public universities like IITs and IIMs offer globally competitive education at a fraction of Western costs. Doctoral students often receive research fellowships from government agencies like UGC and CSIR, making PhDs a highly affordable route.
Universities offering fully funded or low-cost programs:
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bangalore)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- University of Delhi
Information for postgraduate scholars
Master’s Degrees (MS/MA) are typically 1–2 years long, course-based or research-intensive, and ideal for skill development, specialization, or professional advancement. Funded opportunities vary by country and field.
Doctorate (PhD) programs are research-focused and usually last 3–5 years. They are often fully funded through assistantships or stipends. Most suitable for academic, scientific, or high-level research careers.
Countries like Germany, Norway, France, and Taiwan offer some of the most generous funding options for PhD students, treating them as junior researchers rather than traditional students.
Now that you’ve got the facts, planning your next academic move just got easier.
Which of these countries feels like the right fit for your budget and goals?
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