The cost of education in the likes of the United Kingdom and the US is too expensive. Some people can afford it, some others cannot afford it. But if you are a foreigner and looking to have your education abroad, especially those who are considering Master’s programs, then there are some alternative countries where you could get high-quality education at a cheaper price. In this post, we will talk about the cheapest country to study masters degree.
Stop looking at the United Kingdom, stop looking at the U.S., stop looking at Australia because these places are really expensive. If you want to go to any of these countries for a Master’s program self-funded, you will need to actually save up a lot of money. In the UK, for instance, a school that will charge you £14,000 is considered a cheap school or considered one of the cheaper destinations for your master’s degree. There are some other schools in the UK that will charge as high as £27,000 for a one-year master’s program. In the U.S., you could get schools that charge you about $22,000 for one year, and your Masters is going to run for two years in most of the United States schools.
But the country I want to discuss with you today will make you realize that you can actually pay somewhere around 2,000 Euros, and you’ll be getting your master’s education. And a lot of these countries are in Europe, and mostly in the European Union. Let’s get started.
Cheapest Country to Study Masters Degree
1. Germany
So, Germany is the cheapest country to study masters degree. Many public German universities do not charge tuition fees; most master’s programs are tuition-free for both local and international students. Private schools can charge between €8,000 and €20,000 per year for Master’s degrees but those are private, and you shouldn’t be looking that way. What you’ll really be paying for your masters in Germany will be a one-time enrollment fee and a semester ticket fee for the duration of the program which costs around €138-€1500.
Germany’s leading universities offer a wide range of courses and specializations to students from all around the world. These universities often provide financial assistance, so, yes, Germany is an incredibly cheap option for a masters. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees, regardless of your nationality. The cost of living in Germany is also reasonable. You will need about €842 per month for expenses like food, transport, and utilities. Housing costs range from €400 to €600 per month, and there are ample job opportunities for international students.
2. Austria
The second cheapest country to study masters degree I want to talk about is Austria. When you visit Austria, the main language you will hear is German. However, when it comes to education, there are many master’s degree programs available in English. If you go to a public university, tuition fees are usually €750 per year for EU/EEA citizens and up to €1,500 per year for non-EU/EEA international students. However, private universities will charge up to €10,000 to €15,000 per year.
So, about the accommodation—if you budget 900 to 1,300 EUR per month, you will comfortably cover all your costs, including accommodation, food, social activities, and public transportation. Even €700 will do as long as you can cover your accommodations.
3. Lithuania
Number three, you need to consider Lithuania. Lithuania is a very small country in Europe and is also a member of the EU. The situation in Lithuania becomes even more intriguing because master’s degree students are allowed to work full-time while they are enrolled in their programs. Upon your arrival in the country, you can work full-time while pursuing your master’s degree. If this does not capture your interest, then I am unsure what else you are seeking in an overseas experience.
So, about the cost of masters, you should be budgeting between 1,000 to 2,500 EUR per year. It really depends on the university but you can find really cheap ones. As for the cost of living, you need just 90-300 EUR for your accommodation, 150-300 EUR for food and drink, 20-50 EUR for study materials, and 100-300 EUR for your activities and interests. So, in the end, you are looking at something around 700 EUR per year.
4. Norway
Norway is another cheap country to study masters degree, and it’s a European country. It’s home to high-quality universities that focus on skill-based education. In Norway, especially in public universities, education is free for everyone, including international students. This includes your master’s degree. Private universities charge tuition fees that start from €8,600 upwards per year for master’s degrees. So, about the living expenses in Norway, you will spend between €900 and €1500 per month, including student accommodation which costs between €300 and €700 per month.
5. Taiwan
The 5th cheapest country to study masters degree we will talk about is Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan is not incredibly cheap but it offers top-tier master’s education. I found that this country is favored a lot by international students. Taiwan’s universities offer many programs and degrees at an average tuition cost of $933 to $1,033 per semester for four semesters. One year has two semesters. In Taiwan, you can also find scholarship opportunities irrespective of your nationality, including scholarships from the Taiwanese Government for graduate students. The living expenses in Taiwan will cost you about 680–880 EUR per month, excluding tuition.
6. France
We will also talk about France in number 6—this country deserves this list. Moreover, France universities rank in the top 40 in the world according to Times Higher Education, so this country is not a pushover. Public universities in France have tuition rates ranging between €2,500 and €4,000 per year. Private universities, on the other hand, charge 10,000 EUR and up to 29,000 EUR per year.
As for the living expenses for students in France, the average is between €600 to €800 to cover food, transport, and housing expenses per month. Rent for student accommodation can be as low as €350 and as high as €900 per month, depending on the location. I have talked about Campus France student visa interview questions—so make sure to check that out if you choose France.
7. Malaysia
At number 7, we have Malaysia. In a public university, you should be looking at 5,000 MYR (996.35 EUR) per year, and in private universities, 55,000 MYR (10,959.84 EUR) per year for your masters. The cost of living in Malaysia is quite cheap, with monthly costs for international students being MYR 1,500 monthly or MYR 18,000 annually. Just convert that to € or $ and you’ll see it’s really affordable, despite the general level of life in this country.
8. India
At number 9, we have India. Yes, India is easily the cheapest country to study masters degree. Apart from its rich culture and vibrant festivals, education is another aspect to talk about. Education in India is world-class. Currently, Indian universities rank in the top 210th in the world, according to Times Higher Education. We have top schools here such as the Indian Institute of Science and Anna University.
For Masters in India, the tuition fees range from NR 50,000 to INR 220,000 annually. This depends on the course and the university you prefer. Convert this number to €, £, or $, and you’ll see just how cheap it is to get a masters in India. As for the cost of living, the estimate for foreign students is INR 220,000 ($2,700) per month. This is not a fixed amount, so it’s relative.
9. Poland
Finally, we have Poland, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. You can write Poland as the cheapest country to study masters degree where you can also study in the English language. For your masters, you should budget €2,000 to €6,000 per year. Generally, for public and private universities in Poland, the tuition fees can be as low as €1,000 to €5,000 per year. The cost of living in Poland is also reasonable. The monthly living expenses cost for students is between €350 to €550. The rent for student accommodation is €90 to €140.
Criteria for These Picks
If you carefully read through this list, you would have noticed that the focus was on the tuition fees and cost of living. Now, the cost of living typically spreads into the rent (student dormitory or off-campus apartment), public transportation, health insurance, phone, internet, TV subscription bills, groceries, and entertainment.
You can actually cut your costs according to your lifestyle. You will spend the most money on the tuition fees and then accommodation. Other fees come in, so you have to be smart about managing your finances. If you study in Germany for your master’s, many of the public schools won’t charge tuition, which is a plus for your pocket.
Conclusion
The cheapest country to study masters degree is Germany. Just make sure to do your masters in a public university. Apart from these countries, there are others I didn’t mention which you can also check out, including Romania, Hungary, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Malta. There is no need to delay your education plans by waiting to save enough money to study in the UK, the U.S., or Australia. The funds you plan to use for a master’s program in the UK could very well cover your education and possibly support a family member in the cheapest country I have given you in this post.
Read Also: Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students Without IELTS
