Why should you pay expensive fees to study in your native country when you may get a free education in some of the top countries in Europe? According to the statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees for attending a public college in the US is $9,410, while the cost of attending a private institution was a staggering $32,405. Students from the United States are increasingly opting to study in Europe, a continent that is well-known for its culture and history and is becoming more well-known for its free degree programs. One of the reasons for this trend is the high cost of education in the United States. The following is a list of the eight countries in Europe where students from the United States are eligible to receive free higher education:
1. Germany
Germany, one of Europe’s economic powerhouses, is renowned for being hospitable and kind to foreign tourists. A nation is an excellent option for US students since it boasts some of the greatest and most affordable student cities in the world and because of how widely spoken English is there.
Due to the institutions’ total elimination of tuition costs for students of all nationalities, Germany is the fourth most popular destination in the world for foreign students.
Germany is setting the standard for ensuring that everyone has access to university education because it views education as a right rather than a luxury. Over 4,600 US students were enrolled full-time at German institutions as of June 2015, an increase of 20% over the preceding three years. German universities offer more than 1,000 programs that are taught in English, so you need not worry about language barriers while pursuing a degree.
Students in Germany presently spend around $960 per month on living expenditures, according to data from the German Academic Exchange Service. Rent, transportation, food, and entertainment are all included. Although tuition at German public institutions is entirely free, there will be a minor semester charge to help fund the student union and associated activities. It ranges in price from $55 to 280 each semester.
Among the top-ranked German institutions that don’t charge American students tuition are the Technical University of Munich and Berlin’s Humboldt University.
2. France
One of the greatest cities in the world for students, Paris consistently ranks at the top of surveys. If you want to combine academic life with a dash of the old, you may look outside of the capital to the historic cities of Lyon or Toulouse. The second main student city in France is Montpellier, which is an hour’s drive from the Mediterranean coast and has a university enrollment rate of 25%. You may also go through all of our possibilities for student housing in France; we have listings for flats in more than 50 cities!
You must submit an application to the institution you want to attend, together with verification of your grades and passport information, to enroll as a student in France. To study in France, American students must get a visa. According to French legislation, you must provide proof that you have the money to pay for your tuition and living costs while studying there. If your course is conducted in French, you must additionally demonstrate your language skills.
Recommended: Browse all UPCOMING study abroad opportunities here, and mark the ones you are interested in so that we will update you immediately they open for applications and also help you through the application process.
3. Iceland
For US students who wish to reduce their tuition costs, the actual country of ice and fire is an excellent option. Where else is it possible to combine studying with a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring while seeing the northern lights?
Amazingly, American students may attend any public college in Iceland for free. 5% of all students in the nation are from other countries. One of Iceland’s biggest universities, the University of Iceland, is situated in the nation’s capital, Reykjavik, and it is tuition-free. For American students, there is a $600 yearly registration cost. Candidates must possess a level of education comparable to the Icelandic matriculation test. Although most courses are taught in Icelandic, the University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, and the University of Akureyri offer a few postgraduate programs in English.
For housing and living costs, students are informed that they would require around $980 per month in Iceland. Once they acquire a spot at a university, Americans wishing to study in Iceland for a period longer than three months must apply for a resident visa.
4. Norway
At any of the public colleges in the US, students might benefit from paying no tuition. Some of the universities that are free for US students include the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, the University of Stavanger, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, the University of Agder, and the University of Nordland.
However, Norway’s cost of living might be considerable. To pay for housing, food, transportation, and extracurricular activities, students will require around $1700 each month. A $35–$ 75 semester fee is often charged as well.
The organization in charge of overseeing undergraduate admission is called NUCAS, or Norwegian Universities and College Admission Service. According to the admissions guide GSU-list, US applicants must provide documentation of their high school diploma, one year of academic university or college study, or three AP exams with at least a grade of three. Proof of Norwegian language fluency is also necessary for courses when the teaching is given in that language.
Although Oslo is the obvious option in Norway, Troms is also a fantastic place for students to live. The ‘Paris of the North’ is home to Universitetet I Troms, the world’s most northern university, and also has all the traditional Norwegian attractions like reindeer, huskies, and an ice shoreline frequented by whales.
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5. Finland
Finland presently provides free undergraduate and graduate tuition to US citizens attending any of its institutions. This is anticipated to alter considerably starting in 2017. Some Doctoral level courses and all programs taught in Finnish or Swedish will continue to be free, even though some institutions will charge additional tuition to American residents.
US citizens may submit an online application to a Finnish institution directly or via the unified admissions agency University Admissions Finland (UAF). Before coming to Finland to study, you must apply for a residence visa and have access to money of at least $7,375 to cover one year’s worth of living costs (although the cost of living in Finland is likely to be higher than this).
The biggest city in Finland is by far Helsinki, which is located on its southern shore. The top two universities in Finland, the University of Helsinki and Aalto University, are located in the city. It’s a wonderful location to take advantage of the recognized high standard of living, modern conveniences, and dramatic seasons of this Nordic jewel.
6. Sweden
American nationals may get free Ph.D. tuition from several Swedish institutions, and what’s even better is that the majority of the courses are offered in English. In Sweden, Ph.D. jobs are often given as paid posts by universities or outside funding organizations, allowing you to earn a salary while still receiving free education. As an alternative, American students have access to a variety of financial opportunities.
To apply to study in Sweden, US students must pay $110 as of February 2016. Additionally, you’ll need at least $1,000 each month to meet living costs. Through Universityadmissions.se, Sweden’s consolidated application platform for university admissions, Americans may apply. You must have a resident permit to enter the nation.
Several top universities in the world are located in Sweden. Uppsala is the oldest research university, having been established in 1477. It is regarded as one of the top colleges in Northern Europe and is well-known elsewhere as well. The top 100 universities in the world include Lund University and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
7. Slovenia
Compact Slovenia offers the finest of the mountains and the seaside, with fantastic travel chances to neighboring countries. Slovenia is a little-known region of Europe wedged between Italy and Croatia. In reality, Slovenia’s education system is regarded as one of the finest in the EU and is highly ranked. One of the biggest colleges in the world, the University of Ljubljana is regarded as Slovenia’s primary university and is located in the same city. Up to the 1975 opening of the University of Maribor, it was the sole university in Slovenia. Unquestionably, Ljubljana is one of the most attractive university cities in Europe.
For undergraduate study, Slovenian colleges often charge American students tuition fees; however, much like in Sweden, there are several chances to get a doctorate degree at no cost. With a high school diploma or a degree from an accredited institution, submit a direct application to the university you desire to attend. There are over 150 English programs accessible, and enrolling Americans sometimes have to pay a minor registration fee.
Slovenia offers inexpensive housing for students. While university accommodation costs less than $150 per month, private housing begins at $220. A coffee costs $1.60, while a lunch at a restaurant with modest prices costs no more than $15.
8. Czech Republic
Any public university in the Czech Republic will let students study there for free if they speak Czech or are eager to learn. English-language learners may also enroll in classes for around $1,080 each semester. Frequently, tiny registration fees of slightly over $20 are assessed by public colleges. The application process is very simple and may often be completed online; all that is needed is documentation of secondary school completion.
The Czech Republic has a lot to offer American students, including the architecturally gorgeous city of Prague, the medieval castles of Brno, and the unknown former industrial powerhouse of Ostrava. There are more than 70 universities to select from, including the top-ranked institutions in developing Europe, Czech Technical University, and Charles University in Prague. Living expenses in the Czech Republic, which range from $350-750 per month, are much lower than in most of Western Europe.
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