In this guide, you will find universities where you can be admitted to study free in 2023 in the following countries and universities:

• Austria
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Norway
• Poland
• Scotland
• Slovenia
• Sweden

Austria 

• Living in Austria costs about USD 1030 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 1580 per year in tuition fees.

Students from European Union and the European Economic Area are eligible for tuition-free universities for two semesters, after which they must pay almost USD 390 per semester.

International students from other parts of the world pay about USD 790 each semester.

These tuition fees only apply to public universities and universities of the arts. The universities of applied sciences and private schools are free to charge tuition.

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A USD 870 per semester is charged to students from third countries. Tuition at Applied Sciences universities is not inexpensive, and the amount charged to each student is at the university’s discretion.

Here are some of Austria’s public universities where you can study for free:

• Johannes Kepler University Linz
• Vienna University of Technology
• Graz University of Technology
• University of Salzburg
• University of Vienna

Czech Republic 

• Living in the Czech Republic costs about USD 750 monthly.
• University education for studying the Czech language is free for all.
• University education for studying English and other languages costs over USD 20000 per year.

The Czech Republic is very affordable for university students compared to other countries in Europe.

Prague, Liberec, Brno, and Olomouc are among the popular cities in the Czech Republic for international students.

However, with over 60 colleges and universities in more than 20 cities, there are many fascinating options for continuing studies in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic is also in central Europe, making travel to neighboring countries and exploring other parts of the continent simple.

These are some of the best tuition-free universities in the Czech Republic:

• University of Chemistry and Technology
• Palacky University Olomouc
• Czech Technical University
• Masaryk University
• Charles University

Denmark 

• Living in Denmark costs about USD 1300 monthly.
• University Students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 6500 to USD 17500 per year in tuition fees.

Denmark is one of the most sought-after destinations for university students because it provides tuition-free universities with a high-quality education.

Studying in Denmark is free for European Union and the European Economic Area citizens, permanent residents, exchange students, temporary residents who can be upgraded to permanent residency, children of non-EU/EEA parents with a resident visa, and Swiss citizens.

The following is a list of free universities in Europe for international students:

• Technical University of Denmark
• University of Southern Denmark
• IT University of Copenhagen
• University of Copenhagen
• Aarhus University

Finland 

• Living in Finland costs about USD 1200 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 5400 to USD 21700 per year in tuition fees.

Non-European students have been charged tuition fees at Finnish institutions since the summer of 2017.

Residents of the European Economic Area and the European Union continue to study in Finland for free.

These are some of the best Finnish universities for studying in Europe for free as an international student:

• University of Helsinki
• Aalto University
• LUT University
• Tampere University
• University of Oulu

France 

• Living in Paris costs about USD 2000 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 3000 to USD 4100 per year in tuition fees.

France attracts a considerable number of international students each year due to its world-class education and the increasing number of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs provided in English.

Tuition rates at public universities are meager since the French government subsidizes higher education.

Non-Europeans spend about USD 3000 per year for a bachelor’s degree and USD 4100 for a master’s degree, while European students pay USD 180 per year for a bachelor’s degree and USD 260 for a master’s degree.

Non-EU students, such as Quebec residents and overseas students participating in a Ph.D. program may be able to pay the same fees as French and EU students.

Some of the best universities in France:

• Sorbonne Universite
• Universite Paris Saclay
• Université de Paris
• Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)
• University of Aix-Marseille

Germany

• Living in Germany costs about USD 930 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students must deposit USD 11000 into a blocked account.

Germany is a popular destination among international students since it is one of the few countries that provides tuition-free universities for all students, regardless of their nationality.

You can study free in Germany, except for a few private universities, whether you are from Europe or outside.

A minor administrative semester fee is usually charged, but this includes a public transportation ticket at a fraction of the average cost.

These are some of the German universities:

• Technische Universität München
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Freie Universität Berlin

Greece 

• Living in Greece costs about USD 970 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 1630 per year in tuition fees.

Greece is one of the most affordable studies abroad locations due to its low cost of living.

Unlike the other countries on this list, Greece needs candidates to be fluent in Greek to attend its colleges. Students without a language certificate cannot enroll.

The followings are some of the best institutions for studying in Europe for free as an international student:

• National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• National Technical University of Athens
• University of Crete
• University of Ioannina

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Hungary 

• Living in Hungary costs about USD 1030 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 1500 per year in tuition fees.

Hungary quickly becomes one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and a popular study location for international students.

Even though Hungary does not offer free college tuition, tuition prices in this country are significantly lower than in other regions of Europe and the United States.

At the bachelor’s degree level, tuition rates can range from USD 650 to USD 4330 per semester, depending on the institution and program.

These are some of the best higher education institutions in this country:

• Eotvos Lorand University
• Semmelweis University
• University of Szeged
• University of Debrecen
• Central European University

 

Iceland 

• Living in Iceland costs about USD 1500 monthly.
• EU/EEA students pay USD 580 as the annual registration fee.
• International students pay USD 580 as the annual registration fee.

Tuition fees are not charged at Icelandic public institutions, which applies to all domestic and international students.

Furthermore, it may not be easy to find courses taught exclusively in English at the bachelor’s degree level.

While many universities offer English-language programs, these are typically master’s or doctoral programs.

If you do not speak the Icelandic language, you should contact the intended university to ask about the range of course options available.

These are the highest-ranked universities in Iceland:

• Reykjavík University (RU)
• University of Iceland
• University of Akureyri
• Bifröst University
• Iceland University of the Arts (IUA)

Norway

• Living in Norway costs about USD 1200 monthly.
• EU/EEA students receive free tuition.
• International students receive free tuition.

Norway has excellent tuition-free universities for students from Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts.

On the other hand, Norway is one of the most expensive countries. As a result, compare living costs to those in other countries you consider.

Most Norwegian universities and state colleges do not receive tuition fees.

Private universities charge tuition costs, but they are often lower than in other countries, and international pay the same rate as Norwegian students.

These are some of the high-ranked universities in Norway:

• University of Oslo
• University of Bergen
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• Nord University

Poland 

• Living in Poland costs about USD 600 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 1500 per year in tuition fees.

One of the reasons Poland is becoming a popular location for international students is the low cost of living, which is a fraction of what you would pay in other European nations.

There are almost 120 higher education institutions in Poland, with over 800 English-language programs. Some of them are:

• Jagiellonian University
• University of Warsaw
• Warsaw University of Technology
• AGH University of Science and Technology
• University of Zielona Gora

Scotland

• Living in Scotland costs about USD 2000 monthly.
• EU/EEA students receive free tuition.
• International students receive free tuition.

Studying in Scotland is less expensive than you think! If you are from Scotland or another EU country, the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will reimburse your tuition fees for undergraduate degree programs.

It implies that students from other parts of the UK, such as England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are not eligible for this considerable discount.

Some of the best free universities in Europe are located in Scotland:

• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of St Andrews
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Strathclyde

Slovenia 

• Living in Slovenia costs about USD 650 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 5400 per year in tuition fees.

Slovenia is one of the lesser-known study-abroad options. They provide free college tuition to EU citizens and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and the Republics of Macedonia and Serbia.

Many English-language programs are focused on business and tourism; they also offer subjects like physics, computer science, and mathematics.

Some of the Slovenian universities to consider:

• University of Ljubljana
• University of Maribor
• University of Primorska
• University of Nova Gorica
• University of Novo mesto

Sweden 

• Living in Sweden costs about USD 760 monthly.
• University students from the EU/EEA receive free tuition.
• International students pay about USD 9000 per year in tuition fees.

Europeans can study for free in Sweden. Other international students should expect high tuition fees and a high cost of living when studying in Sweden.

Swedish universities are well-known for their high-quality education and reputation in the sector.

Here are a few Swedish universities that provide free tuition to international students:

• Lund University
• Dalarna University
• Uppsala University
• Jönköping University
• University of Gothenburg

How to Apply to Study free in Europe

Different public universities across the European continent have different application processes or procedures. You can make further inquiries about other countries and the university you are interested in.

The first thing to do is to choose a university and the course you are going to study there. You have to consider the language of instruction in the respective university that you have chosen. Make sure your decision aligns with your interests and abilities.

The second step is to check the admission requirements. Before applying, check that your current qualifications are recognized by your chosen university.

As I said before, you’ll also need to check the language requirements. Most courses, for example in Germany, are taught in German, requiring international applicants to submit proof of proficiency in the German language. Two main tests are available for this purpose: the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, meaning “German language examination for university entrance”) and the TestDaF.

Likewise, if your course is taught in English, unless you are a native speaker or have previously studied in English, you will need to prove your knowledge of the language with a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Universities will usually state the score/s they require on their websites.

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The third step is proof of financial support. Even though you might be studying almost free and working as well, you will still need to demonstrate that you have the finances to support your application. To fulfill student visa requirements, you will need to show proof that you have, or have access to, around €8,700 per year (~US$10,000) to cover your living costs, although you may find you need more, depending on your lifestyle and spending habits (the average student spends €850/US$975 a month). Living costs also vary depending on the location.

The fourth step is to apply. For most subjects, you can apply directly to the international office of the university. You may wish to apply for numerous courses and universities separately to increase your chances of being admitted.

Application deadlines vary between institutions, and the same institution may set different deadlines for each program – be sure to carefully check the specific dates for your chosen course.

It’s recommended to submit applications at least six weeks before the deadline, to ensure time for corrections or additions if any information is missing. You should expect to receive a formal acceptance or rejection approximately one to two months after the deadline has passed.

The specific documents required and the application process will be set by each institution, but you’ll typically be asked to submit:

• A certified copy of your high-school diploma or previous degrees, and any other relevant qualifications in the original language
• A translated overview of your course modules and grades
• A passport photo
• A copy of your passport (personal information and photo ID page)
• Proof of language proficiency (a test certificate or online equivalent)

You may also need to pay an application fee.

When your application has been accepted and you have received your letter f admission, then you can proceed to get your visa and take out health insurance.

The requirements for obtaining a student visa for any European destination depend on your country of origin. You can find an overview of the countries for which a student visa is or isn’t required on the Foreign Federal Office’s website.

Also before you leave your home country you should ensure you’ve purchased health insurance to cover you during your stay in abroad. This is required before you enroll and get a student visa and/or residence permit.

Another thing to consider once you’ve gained a place on a course and your student visa (if applicable), is accommodation. Unfortunately,   many European universities, like German universities, do not offer accommodation to enrolling students. Rent is likely to be your biggest monthly expense, and will vary depending on the country you study and live in.

Lastly, enroll. You must enroll before you can start your course and use university facilities such as the library.  You’ll also need to re-register before the start of every semester.

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.

The usual documents you need for enrollment are:

• Your passport with visa or residence permit
• Several passport photos
• Completed registration form
• Proof of higher education entrance qualification, either original certificates or officially certified copies and translations
• Notice of admission
• Evidence of statutory health insurance
• Payment receipt for the semester fee

Once enrolled, you will receive a registration certificate which acts as a provisional student ID, allowing you to apply for your residence permit and register for classes.