Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for 2024

Did you know that 1.3 million Indian students studied abroad in over 75 countries last year? France, Denmark, and Germany are a few of the greatest nations you might think about for reasonably priced schooling. You can lessen the burden of student loans and your reliance on your family for financial support by living in one of these nations and managing your money wisely.

These nations have much cheaper tuition costs, and many of them also provide prestigious scholarships that pay for living expenses, housing, and tuition. 

Tuition Fees for Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for 2024

The countries listed below have far cheaper tuition costs, and many of them also provide prestigious scholarships that pay for living expenses, housing, and tuition.

Country	Average Tuition Fees for Bachelors (per year)	Average Tuition Fees for Masters (per year)
1. Germany	INR 20L to INR 23L	INR 35L to INR 37L
2. Malaysia	INR 1.5L- INR 4L	INR 4L-INR 9L
3. France	INR 2.5L INR 8.5L	INR 9L to INR 15L
4. Denmark	INR 5.5L  to INR 14L	INR 9.5L to INR 20L
5. Norway	INR 6.3L to INR 9.1L	INR 9.1L to INR 17L
6. Ireland	INR 6.3L to INR 10L	INR 12L to INR 25L
7. Canada	INR 6.5L to INR 16.5L	INR 10L to INR 30L
8. Sweden	INR 7.2L to INR 13.5L	INR 12L to INR 24L
9. New Zealand	INR 7.8L  to INR 9.3L	INR 11L to INR 15L
10. Australia	INR 9.5L  to INR 23L	INR 13L to INR 25L

Cost of Living for Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad

These ten least expensive countries might be worth your consideration if you’re thinking about studying abroad. Food, clothing, transportation, internet-related services, study materials, and other incidentals are all included in the cost of living.

Country	Cost of Living per month (Approx.)
Malaysia	INR 36,000 to INR 64,000
Canada	INR 50,000 to 68,000
New Zealand	INR 64,000
Sweden	INR 65,000 to INR 78,000.
Australia	INR 70,000
Ireland	INR 76,000
Germany	INR 70,000 to INR 80,000
France	INR 70,000 and INR 90,000
Denmark	INR 70,000 to INR 1,00,000
Norway	INR 80,000 to INR 90,000

Affordability is mostly determined by the cost of living in the nation and the tuition. International students can receive a top-notch education at a discounted rate from a plethora of well-known universities abroad. 

Germany

An increasing number of prospective engineering students are choosing to study in Germany. In the previous year, almost 34,000 Indian students studied in Germany. The nation’s education system is well known for providing free education to both native and foreign students. Indian students, who can now complete their undergraduate studies in Germany without having to worry about the cost of tuition, will particularly benefit from this.

Tuition fees

One of the most affordable countries in Europe for higher education is Germany, where the majority of public universities eliminate tuition for students of all nationalities. There can be processing and application fees, though.

Nevertheless, there are tuition costs associated with attending a private university. Let’s examine the tuition costs at Germany’s private universities.

Courses in Private Universities	Tuition Fees per Year (Average)
Bachelors	INR 20,00,000 to INR 23,00,000
Masters	INR 35,00,000 to INR 37,00,000

Scholarship

The following are a few German scholarships that Germany provides to all Indian students:

• DAAD financial aid
• The Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
• Graduate Scholarship for EMS
• Scholarship Heinrich Boll

Malaysia

Malaysia was the study abroad destination of choice for over 3000 Indian students in 2022, owing in large part to its reasonably priced living standards. Malaysia is a great destination for higher education because of its amazing landscapes, cutting-edge technology, and diverse cultural heritage.

Tuition fees

Studying in Malaysia is among the most affordable options for Indian students looking to study abroad when compared to many other nations. Although tuition costs for various courses and colleges in Malaysia could vary, they are often fairly reasonable. Malaysia is a desirable option for students seeking financial simplicity because it also has a far lower cost of living than other well-liked study-abroad locations.

Courses	Tuition Fees per Year (Average)
Bachelors	INR 1,50,00 to INR 4,50,000
Masters	INR 4,00,000 to INR 9,00,000

Scholarships

Malaysia provides the following scholarships to Indian students:

• Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)
• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
• Khazanah Global Scholarship
• JPA Scholarship Programme
• Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), MOHE

France

France is a well-liked study-abroad country in Europe because of its reasonably priced universities and high standard of living. Approximately 10,000 Indian students chose to study in France the year before. It is a popular alternative for international students and offers relatively lower tuition fees despite its image as an expensive country. Students particularly favour towns like Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Grenoble, Montpellier, and Nice; Paris is ranked among the world’s best student cities.

Tuition Fees

Depending on the university, the course, and the level of study, different tuition costs apply in France. However, France continues to rank among the most affordable study abroad destinations for Indian students. It’s advisable to do prior study on the course costs and your chosen college. Let’s now examine the Annual Average Tuition Fees.

Courses	Tuition Fees per Year (Average)
Bachelors	INR 2,50,00 to INR 8,50,000
Masters	INR 9,00,000 to INR 15,00,000

Scholarships

France offers various scholarships to support students financially, including.

• The École Normale Supérieure Master’s degree scholarship
• Grenoble INP Master’s degree scholarship
• Sciences Po Bachelor’s and Master’s degree scholarships
• Emile Boutmy Scholarship
• Eiffel Scholarship

Denmark

Indian students looking for a warm, inviting environment and high-quality education often study in Denmark. The nation is renowned for its excellent educational system, cutting-edge instructional strategies, and research-based methodology. Denmark has a good quality of living, and a sophisticated healthcare system, and is likewise a safe and tranquil nation.

Tuition Fees

The cost of tuition varies based on the university and the course of study. Let’s now examine the average tuition costs in Denmark.

Courses	Tuition Fees per Year (Average)
Bachelors	INR 5,50,000  to INR 14,00,000
Masters	INR 9,50,000 to INR 20,50,000

Scholarships

Denmark provides financial support to overseas students, including those from India, through a variety of scholarships. Among the scholarships that are offered are:

• Danish Government Scholarship
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarship
• Danish State Education Grant. 

Norway

For Indian students looking to study abroad, Norway is known to be among the most affordable countries. This nation is renowned for its many cultures, excellent standard of living, and plenty of English-language degree programs offered by Norwegian universities.

Tuition Fees

Depending on a number of variables, including degree level and location, tuition costs might vary dramatically. We have included a table with the average tuition fees in Norway to help you get an idea.

Courses	Tuition Fees per Year (Average)
Bachelors	INR 6,30,00 to INR 9,10,000
Masters	INR 9,10,000 to INR 17,15,000

Scholarships

Norway provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate scholarships in a range of subject areas.

Some scholarships are provided by the Norwegian government, while others are given by universities, foundations, and private businesses. These are a few of the scholarships that are listed:

• NTNU Scholarship
• SCAR Fellowships In Antarctic Research
• Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
• Mobility Grant for Norwegian Language and Literature
• A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship Programme
• BI Presidential Scholarship
• Scholarship Grant for Undergraduate Students 

Aspects to Take into Account When Selecting the Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad

There are a number of things to take into account when searching for the most affordable countries for Indian students to study abroad in order to make sure you can control your spending without sacrificing the standard of your education. 

1. Tuition Fees: As a student, you want to investigate and contrast the costs associated with attending universities or colleges across international borders. If you’re seeking affordable solutions, there are several nations, especially in Europe, that provide low-cost or free education to overseas students. These could be attractive choices.

2.Living Expenses- The cost of living must be taken into account while selecting a city or nation to call home, as these costs might differ greatly. You should budget for costs related to housing, food, travel, medical care, and other essentials of everyday life.

3. Financial Assistance and Scholarships- Investigating the availability of financial aid, grants, and scholarships as an international student can significantly lessen your financial load. Investigate these options and submit an application if you need assistance paying for your education.

4. Opportunities for Part-Time Work– While you’re studying, find out about the rules and any part-time job prospects. The ability to work part-time can lessen your financial stress and serve as a cash complement. Take into account the minimum wage and employment opportunities in the country of destination.

5. Life Safety and Quality- It’s important to think about safety and general quality of life in your chosen country in addition to pricing. Examine the nation’s safety records, medical facilities, social stability, and cultural diversity to make sure that the learning environment is favorable and pleasurable.

6. Language- Your experience and chances to study abroad in a particular nation can be impacted by your language skills. Examine whether you are comfortable taking the classes offered in the language you are interested in, or whether there is assistance available for language acquisition.

7. Employment Possibilities- After you graduate, think about your career options in your subject of study.” In the least expensive countries for Indian students to study abroad, research the employment market, work visa requirements, and the need for qualified professionals. 

8. Rate of Exchange for Currency.

Currency exchange rates can have a big impact on your costs as a student studying overseas. Living expenses, housing costs, and tuition might all go up in the event of a weak exchange rate. On the other hand, learning abroad might become more inexpensive and even cost-effective with a strong exchange rate.

9. Health Care Expense

When a student is studying overseas, medical expenses are a crucial consideration. Make sure you have enough health insurance to meet medical costs in the nation of residence. To make sure you can pay for medical care in an emergency, you should also find out how much it will cost in the destination country.

Indian students should also think about less expensive nations that provide affordable education and a variety of cultural experiences, such as Norway, Germany, Taiwan, France, and more. Financial strains might also be lessened with the aid of scholarships. For a well-rounded choice, safety, language, and employment opportunities should be carefully taken into account.

Also Read: Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan Portal: Application, Eligibility and More

FAQs

Can I study abroad for 5 lakhs?

You can study abroad on a shoestring with the right preparation, destination selection, and decision-making. How to do it is as follows: Financial Assistance and Scholarships: For many students hoping to study overseas for less than 15 lakhs, 10 lakhs, or even 5 lakhs, scholarships are their best chance.

Which country is safe for Indian students?

It is one of the best options for Indian students looking to study overseas due to its well-known universities, globally recognized degrees, and excellent career prospects upon graduation. Among the safest nations in the world for international students, Canada comes in first.

Which country is safe for Indian students?

It is one of the best options for Indian students looking to study overseas due to its well-known universities, globally recognized degrees, and excellent career prospects upon graduation. Among the safest nations in the world for international students, Canada comes in first.