15 Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students

Studying in one of the European countries can be affordable and prestigious, even as an international student. Find a selection of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students and learn what fees to expect if you choose to apply for higher education in Europe.

Most universities in Europe, especially in Germany, offer tuition-free tertiary education to international students. According to our research, we’ve been able to compile the list of the top 15 cheapest and most affordable universities in Europe for international students.

With this, international students can now explore cheap education opportunities for studying in a European country for both bachelors degree and postgraduate degree. These are the European countries with low fees and affordable living cost:

Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students

Here is our selection of different higher educational institutions in Europe you can apply to if you are interested in studying abroad.

1. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Italy

This is one of the cheapest university in Europe that accept both European and International students. The university also offers zero Tuition fees and takes care of the students living cost as well as tuition fees. The university ranked number 184 in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking.

However, to be eligible to study here in Italy all international students have to bypass the university examinations and show their talents, research capabilities, and knowledge. Founded in 1810, the Scuola Normale Superiore has been a public university to offer higher education to all prosperous students worldwide.

2. Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy

Sant’Anna is among the cheapest universities in Europe with zero tuition fees for all undergraduate students regardless of nationality. The school takes care of the students living cost as well as tuition fees. However, admission selected process is highly competitive. The university is ranked number 155 in the Times Higher Education World University ranking.

This school has two main programs: experimental & applied sciences and social sciences. While some courses are taught in English, you’ll need to know a decent amount of Italian to study here.

3. Free University of Berlin, Germany

The Free University of Berlin is among the cheapest universities in Europe. The tuition at the Free University of Berlin is free except for some graduate or postgraduate programs. However, you’ll be responsible for living costs such as rent and food.

Your living costs mainly depend, of course, on your personal requirements and habits. You should count on spending a minimum of 600 to 700 Euro (rental fees, grocery, leisure time etc.). The university is ranked number 88 in the Times Higher Education World University ranking.

4. University of Göttingen, Germany.

The University of Göttingen is yet another of the tuition-free universities in Europe for international students. This university has programs in humanities, natural sciences, law, and social sciences some of which are in English. It’s also home to one of the largest libraries in all of Germany.

The only cost for this university is a small administrative fee of around 300 Euros per semester. The university is ranked number 113 in the Times Higher Education World University ranking.

5. University of Würzburg, Germany.

The University of Würzburg is among the cheapest universities in Europe. It’s totally tuition-free for both EU and Non-EU students. However, students must pay a semester fee of 137.90 Euros before they can be enrolled (Break down of the fee: Student Services fee: 62.00 Euros + semester ticket: 75.90 Euros). The university is ranked number 165 in the Times Higher Education World University ranking.

6. RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

RWTH Aachen University is one of the tuition-free universities in Europe for both European and Non-Europeans. However, each student including international students must pay a student body and social contribution fee, which include the cost of the Semester Ticket. The exact amount varies each year, but on average it is about 285 Euros per semester.

The entire cost of studies and life in Aachen, including rent, insurance, livelihood, etc, are on average at least 950 Euros per month or 11,400 Euros per year.

RWTH Aachen University specializes in architecture, georesources, and materials engineering. All bachelor study courses are taught in German, so you’ll need a certain amount of fluency to attend school here. The university is ranked number 79 in the Times Higher Education World University ranking.

7. University of Crete, Greece

In Greece, no public university charges tuition fees for EU students, and the University of Crete doesn’t charge tuition fees for international students either. International students can enrol from undergraduate to postgraduate students without paying tuition fees.

8. Nord University, Norway

As a publicly-funded Norwegian university, Nord University doesn’t charge tuition fees. However, students at Nord University must pay the semester registration fee each semester. This fee covers administrative costs and contributes to student welfare services. The Semester fee is currently NOK 725 (approx. 75 Euros) per semester.

Additionally, as a non-EU citizen, you are required to prove that you have the funds to support yourself for a year in Norway in order to get a visa to study there. Currently, the cost of living in Norway for a year is approximately 12,000 Euros.

9. Heidelberg University, Germany.

The University of Heidelberg is among the cheapest universities in Europe. International students from non-EU (European Union) and non-EEA (European Economic Area – Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway) countries with a foreign university entrance qualification will be required to pay a tuition fee of EUR 1500 per semester. The amount is due at the beginning of each semester upon re-registration or must be paid as part of matriculation.

10. University of Paris-Sud

Paris might be one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is also home to one of the cheapest universities in Europe. The University of Paris-Sud one of the cheapest universities in Europe; they charge only a small processing fee of around EUR 170, EUR 243 and EUR 380 per semester for undergraduate, masters and postgraduate programs respectively. Their English-taught programs include sciences and languages, physics, and economics and management.

11. The University of Vienna

The University of Vienna, Austria is one of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students. To study at the University of Vienna is tuition fee-free for EU students.

However, students who are citizens of a non-EU/EEA country (except Switzerland) pay a fee of 726.72 Euro plus the Students’ Union fee of 20.20 Euro per semester. Additionally, there is an exception for students from developing countries.

12. University of Basel

The University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland and among the cheapest in Europe. The University also has the largest library in the country. Most programs are taught in a mix of German and English.

International students studying at the University of Basel are charged a tuition fee of CHF 850 (approx. 800 Euros) each semester. Additionally, they are other administrative fees that students are required to pay per semester.

13. University of Freiburg, Germany

The University of Freiburg is one of the cheapest universities in Europe. Up until the 2017/2018 session, the university used to be tuition-free for international students. Non-EU students are expected to pay a tuition fee of 1,500 Euro per semester. On top of this, the usual semester contribution (currently 155 Euro per semester) will also need to be paid.

14. University of Mannheim, Germany

The University of Mannheim is one of the cheapest universities in Europe. All students studying at a higher education institution in Germany are required to pay a semester fee. The semester fee charged by the University of Mannheim is currently EUR 174.90.

Additionally, international students studying at the University of Mannheim, Germany are expected to pay a tuition fee of EUR1,500 per semester.

15. University of Athens

The University of Athens is the oldest university in Greece. The university is also among the cheapest in the whole of Europe. Interestingly, the university has been tuition-free to its students since it is funded by the government.

International students studying at the University of Athens pay 807 USD/year as tuition fee. Cost of living in Athens is also moderate between $456-834 USD/Month.