Europe is a hotbed for free education, and these five countries are the best places to study abroad.
The “free masters in europe for international students” is a topic that has been updated. The article now includes 5 cool European countries where you can do a master’s for free.
Want to go to college, but worried about your budget? We’ll let you in on a little secret: you can get a master’s degree in Europe for free or for less!
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If you’re not sure whether you want to travel or continue studying after graduation, why not combine the two and get a master’s degree in Europe? The best part is that it can be completely free!
You can get a postgraduate loan to cover the cost of your undergraduate studies in the UK, but this will still increase your student debt, and you will probably have to pay living expenses as well.
Many European universities offer free study to EU students, but only a few offer free study to students from outside the EU. We have listed them below.
Are studies at European universities free of charge?
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There is no clear answer to the question of whether university in Europe is free or not – in some countries it is and in others it is not. Many European higher education systems are publicly funded, which means that higher education is often fully or partially subsidised by the government of the country concerned.
This allows them to offer a first class education for less than we currently pay in the UK, and in some cases they even offer free tuition.
But there’s a catch. These courses are generally only open to EU students. And since we are no longer part of the EU, this does not apply to British students. Fortunately, in some countries students from outside the EU can attend higher education for free or for a small fee.
Remember that the cost of living in some of these places is higher than in the UK, which means you can spend the money you save for your degree on rent and food. So make sure you do thorough research before choosing a destination!
Top 5 places to get a free master’s degree
Here are the best European countries where you can get a master’s degree for free:
Norway
Crystal clear fjords, picturesque towns and the chance to see the Northern Lights – Norway has it all. And, best of all, it’s the only European country where anyone can get a master’s degree for free, regardless of their country of origin.
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- Tuition fees for UK and non-EU students are free (and there are absolutely no hidden fees or charges).
- The best universities for international students are the University of Oslo and the University of Bergen.
- Financial aid for students from the UK – none, but you may be eligible for financial aid (Lånekassen) if you have studied in Norway for three years before starting your Master’s degree, or if you have a family member who is an EEA national and lives in Norway.
- The percentage of the population that speaks English is 90%.
- A pint of beer costs on average £6.00, in Oslo £7.00.
- Why choose Norway? – Not only does Norway offer completely free education, but it also has a high standard of living and a very low crime rate. And since most Norwegians speak fluent English, you don’t need to improve your Norwegian language skills before you go.
- What’s the catch? – Despite not paying tuition fees, Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to live in. It is not unreasonable to explore the many grants and scholarships available to international students to help them meet the costs.
Germany
Germany is home to some of the best universities in Europe and is an ideal place to study abroad. The capital, Berlin, is one of the most advanced cities in Europe. You’ll have no trouble finding great bars and clubs to keep you entertained. You will also be pleased to know that the cost of living in most German cities is also very low!
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- Tuition fees for students from Britain and other non-EU countries are free (except at universities in Baden-Württemberg).
- The best universities for international students are the Technical University of Munich and the Humboldt University in Berlin.
- Financial support for UK students – not unless one parent is a German national, you have a German spouse or have lived in Germany for five years. Apply to DAAD UK for postgraduate scholarships to study in Germany.
- The percentage of the population that speaks English is 56% (but most people living in urban areas speak English).
- A pint of beer costs on average £2.10, in Berlin £3.00.
- Why choose Germany? – Germany has been named one of the most affordable countries for international students in the world. Its prestigious universities and low cost of living make it an ideal place to study abroad.
- What’s the catch? – Most students must pay an administrative fee or a semester fee, which ranges from $50 to $100 per semester, depending on the university. However, it often also covers a ticket for public transport and entitles you to discounts, so it’s not free!
Iceland
The land of fire and ice is one of the most unique places in the world. But besides the glaciers and volcanoes, Iceland is also one of the best places to live and study. Iceland also offers some of the best master’s programmes in Europe taught in English, making it an ideal destination for British students.
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- The cost of undergraduate courses is free for UK and non-EU students (but there is a £550 annual enrolment fee).
- The best universities for international students are the University of Reykjavik and the University of Iceland.
- Financial aid for students from the UK – Financial aid is not normally available, but you can get it if you are married to an Icelandic citizen and have lived in Iceland for at least two years, if you are a family member of an EEA national or if you have a residence permit.
- The percentage of the population that speaks English is 98%.
- A pint of beer costs around £6.80 nationwide, £7.80 in Reykjavik.
- Why choose Iceland? – Iceland is one of the ten most liveable countries in the world. Besides the high standard of living, most Icelanders speak fluent English. Iceland’s geographical location also provides unique opportunities for research in the sciences.
- What’s the catch? – Iceland is even more expensive than Norway. Fortunately, there are scholarships available for specific fields and universities.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is home to some of the best universities in Central Europe and hosts international students in over 20 cities. Cities such as Prague and Brno offer a lively nightlife and you won’t find alcohol too expensive.
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- Fees for students from the UK and other non-EU countries – free, but only for master’s courses taught in Czech.
- The best universities for international students are Charles University and Czech Technical University in Prague.
- Financial aid for students from the UK – No, but there are some scholarships for international students.
- The percentage of the population that speaks English is 27%.
- A pint of beer costs about £0.90 on average, while in Prague it costs £1.40.
- Why choose the Czech Republic? – Studying in the Czech Republic not only allows you to enjoy low costs and a high quality of life, but also to explore neighboring European countries in your free time.
- What’s the catch? – Only Master’s programmes taught in Czech are free for students from non-EU countries. If you want to study in English, you will have to pay tuition fees. Additional registration fees may also apply.
Finland
Finland, with its high standard of living, low crime rate and fantastic education system, is one of the best places in Europe for free education. And even if you live in the city, it’s easy to take a few weekend trips to enjoy the beautiful Finnish countryside. These beautiful lakes and forests are the perfect place for a study break, right?
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- For students from the UK and other non-EU countries, master’s tuition fees are free, but only for master’s programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish.
- The best universities for international students – University of Helsinki.
- Financial aid for students from the UK – In general, you cannot receive financial aid if you are not a Finnish citizen. However, if you have obtained permanent resident status, you may be eligible.
- The percentage of the population that speaks English fluently is 70% (in general, but in urban areas this indicator is higher).
- A pint of beer costs on average £4, but in Helsinki it’s more than £6.
- Why choose Finland? – Finland is consistently one of the happiest countries in the world (if not the happiest). That’s not surprising, given its excellent health care, education, and scenic beauty.
- What’s the catch? – Unfortunately, English courses are not free for UK students. By the way, Finland, like the rest of Scandinavia, is not cheap! However, the salary depends on the cost of living, so a part-time job should provide more than enough money for a beer if you can combine it with your studies.
Remember to budget for travel expenses to and from your chosen residence each semester. Use our guide to find the cheapest flights and best deals.
“Free masters in germany” is a blog article that follows the author’s journey to Germany. The article features five European countries where you can do a master’s for free. Reference: free masters in germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country offers free masters?
A: The United States is the only country that offers free masters out of all.
Which European country is best for Masters?
A: Germany is the best European country for masters
Which is the cheapest European country to study?
A: As of July 2019, the cheapest country to study in Europe is Romania.
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