Studying abroad might be a deterrent for several aspirants due to apprehensions regarding budget, tuition fees, and other living expenses in the foreign land. So, here comes a myth buster: International education is not necessarily expensive!
As Indian students, you will be happy to know that there is no dearth of affordable options when it comes to studying abroad. With a bit of planning, you can find a study-abroad destination that’s both affordable and high-quality.Â
Some countries even offer free education to Indian students and other financial assistance to help cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. So, if you’re considering studying abroad, and if financial constraints are stopping you, do not worry any longer.Â
In this blog post, you can explore countries with the cheapest cost of living abroad for Indian students. Also, learn about critical factors that play into the decision-making process of studying abroad.
Education abroad for Indian students
With an increasing number of quality universities and programs, education abroad for Indian students offers many opportunities and benefits to boost their careers quickly.Â
So, here’s a list of the ten cheapest countries for Indian students to study abroad, hone their professional skills, and elevate their careers on a global level.
1. Norway
Norway is an excellent choice for international students who want to study abroad but don’t want to spend too much money. It is one of those countries offering free education to Indian students. One of the main reasons Norway is ranked as the best place to live by the UN is its high quality of life.
The Norwegian government has a very strong focus on education, which is why it’s one of the best free education countries for Indian students. It also has a well-developed infrastructure that makes studying there easy. In addition, the country offers many scholarships and grants for Indian students.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – University of Oslo – Norwegian University of Science and Technology – University of Bergen & many more | – Clinical medicine – Arts and Humanities – Engineering – Computer Science, etc. | 80,000 NOK to 150,000 NOK | 7,000 NOK to 9,000 NOK | – The ERASMUS+ Grant – SCAR Fellowships in Antarctic Research – Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship  & many more |
2. Germany
Germany has a long history of being an educational hub, and it continues to attract more and more students from all over the world. Germany has one of the highest standards of living, with a clean environment, low crime rates, cultural diversity, and a well-developed infrastructure.
Students at German universities pay relatively low tuition fees. The funded universities in the country typically provide free education but may charge a semester-based contribution between 150 to 250 euros.Â
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – The Technical University of Munich – Humboldt University of Berlin – Ludwig Maximilian University & many more | – Business and Economics – Computer Science – Social Sciences – Engineering – Medicine and Healthcare, etc. | € 300 to € 28,000 | € 800 to € 1,000 | – Erasmus Scholarship Program – DAAD Scholarship – Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship & many more |
3. Switzerland
The Swiss government offers scholarships to research and art students of different nationalities pursuing their studies in Switzerland.Â
Moreover, the universities offering scholarships hold a good global reputation, with 10 of them holding a good rank in QS World University Rankings 2023-2024. So, by choosing to study in Switzerland, you can leverage brilliant career opportunities by soaking yourself in the scenic natural beauty of this peaceful country.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – University of Zurich – University of Bern – ETH Zurich – University of Geneva & many more | – Computer Science – Engineering – Medicine – Business Administration – Social Sciences, etc. | € 100 to € 3,800 | € 1,200 to € 2,500 | – ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships – EPFL Excellence Scholarships – Swiss Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students & many more |
4. Denmark
One of the happiest countries in the world has some of the best universities in the world. The Danish university system has been ranked as one of the best in Europe by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
Studying in Denmark offers academic brilliance, and high quality of life. and is one of the countries offering free education to local students and students from the EU, Switzerland, and EEA. Nonetheless, the fees aren’t too high for Indian students or students coming from other countries.
Moreover, a lot of Danish universities offer scholarships or financial aid to foreign students, with some even providing free accommodation. So, do your research well and choose the university that suits your interests and budget the best.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – Technical University of Denmark – University of Copenhagen – University of Southern Denmark (SDU) – Aalborg University and many more | – Medicine and Public Health – Science and Technology – Engineering – Business Management – Law, etc.  | DKK 45,000 to DKK 120,000 | DKK 4,000 to DKK 13,500 | – IT University of Copenhagen State Scholarships in Denmark – Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s degree Scholarships in Media Arts Cultures & many more |
5. Belgium
Belgium is the heart of Western Europe and is the official headquarters of the European Union. NATO has its headquarters in Belgium, which makes it a political center. The country has a reputation for having good post-education job prospects.
The Belgian government has been offering scholarships and other incentives to encourage more and more international students to study in the country. Studying in Belgium is not just a cheaper study option for Indian students but an excellent opportunity to avail of international job opportunities.
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| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – KU Leuven – UCLouvain – Ghent University – UniversitĂ© Libre de Bruxelles, & many more | – Life Sciences – Social Sciences – Business Management – Computer Science – Engineering, etc. | €2,500 to €7,500 | € 800 to € 1,300 | – Master Mind Scholarships for International Students by the Government of Flanders – Google PhD Fellowship Program – VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program, etc. |
6. Italy
Italy is a dream study-abroad destination for international students owing to its rich cultural legacy, idyllic countryside, well-developed infrastructure, excellent academic support, and delicious cuisine.Â
The country is home to world-class universities, many of which offer top-notch yet affordable education facilities. Many public universities in Italy offer free accommodation, free healthcare services, scholarships, and many other benefits making it easier for international students to study abroad without having to worry about their finances.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – Alma Mater Studiorum – the University of Bologna – University of Milan – Sapienza University of Rome – University of Padua & many more | – Architecture – Design – Engineering – Computer Science – Data Science and Economics, etc. | €400 to €4,000 | € 800 to € 1,000 | – Bologna University Study Grants for International Students – Bocconi Merit and International Awards – Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme & many more |
7. Spain
The number of foreign students in the country has been increasing steadily since the beginning of the 21st century. The main reasons for choosing Spain are its high-quality education and low cost of living.
The Spanish government is committed to attracting foreign students to study in Spain by offering scholarships and other incentives. The government’s policy, multicultural environment, and lucrative career opportunities have all led to an increase in the number of foreign students in recent years.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona – Universidad AutĂłnoma de Madrid – Pompeu Fabra University – University of Valencia & many more | – Arts and Humanities – Architecture – Marketing and Finance – Hospitality – Law, etc. | €7500 to €3,500 | € 800 to € 1,000 | – Erasmus Mundus Scholarship – EADA Scholarship – UIC Barcelona Scholarship – The Fulbright Program & many more |
8. Poland
Poland has emerged as one of the popular study-abroad destinations for Indian students due to its rich history, world-class universities, unique programs, and vibrant student life.Â
There are several educational institutes in this country offering affordable courses in both English and Polish. In addition, there are many scholarships, internships, and work experience programs available for international students, which make Poland a great study-overseas destination for Indian students.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – University of Warsaw – Warsaw University of Technology – Jagiellonian University – University of WrocĹ‚aw & many more | – Engineering – Medicine – Life Sciences – Economics – Law, etc | €2,000 to €12,000 | € 350 to € 850 | – Poland Government Scholarships at Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa. – Poland Government funded Scholarships for International Students – Silesian University of Technology Poland Scholarships for International Students & many more |
9. Australia
Australia is the second-best country in the world in terms of high quality of life as per the United Nations report. The country is home to several top-ranked universities offering diverse courses, excellent learning facilities, and several scholarship opportunities.
Furthermore, Australia has several student-friendly industries and sectors including retail, tourism, and hospitality that offer part-time employment opportunities to students. All these factors make Australia a great place to study for Indian students.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – The University of Melbourne – Monash University Clayton Campus – The University of Queensland – The Australian National University & many more | – Engineering – Accounting – Nursing – Architecture – Computers and information technology, etc. | AUD 10,000 to AUD 50,000 | AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,500 | – Macquarie University Scholarship – Australia Awards Scholarship – Southern Cross University Scholarship  & many more |
10. Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students with a lower cost of living compared to many other countries, reduced tuition costs, diversified culture, and a secure environment.
Malaysia offers an idyllic blend of natural beauty and academic opportunities with its scenic landscapes and premiere educational institutions offering excellent learning and growth opportunities.
| Top universities | Popular courses | Approximate annual tuition fees | Approximate cost of living per month | Scholarships / financial aid |
| – Universiti Malaya – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia – Universiti Sains Malaysia & many more | – Business and Accounting – Computer Science – Culinary and Hospitality – Engineering, etc. | 5,000 RM to 24,000 RM | 300 RM to 1,200 RM | – Malaysian International Scholarship – Malaysia Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan – Malaysia International Bursaries at International Medical University & many more |
A final word
Indian students aspiring to study abroad need not crumble their dreams anymore only because of financial constraints. There is a range of affordable options available in terms of international institutes without compromising on the quality of education.
If you have any more questions or concerns regarding studying abroad, feel free to contact MSM Unify – the one-stop destination for personalized career guidance.Â
At MSM Unify, you can explore more than 50,000 diverse courses across 1,400+ campuses across the globe. Whether you wish to pursue further studies online, in person, or a hybrid mode, MSM Unify can help you explore a myriad of possibilities.Â
The expert consultants at MSM Unify can provide you with essential career advice depending on your preferences, requirements, and career aspirations. So, don’t delay any further and embark on a lucrative career journey!
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