Studying abroad lets you spread your wings, experience new cultures and gain a new perspective – the trouble is, higher education can be costly, depending on where you go.
Fees for higher education in the UK are currently up to £9,250, while US university fees were between $10,662 and $42,162 in 2023 (depending on whether you attended a public or private college). By comparison, a number of countries offer high-quality education for a much lower price.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best examples below, including how much it costs to study.
Germany
Cost of Tuition: About 70% of German universities are tuition-free for international students. While public universities in the country only have fees per semester/term (ranging from €100-350), private universities can have annual fees between €5,000 and €20,000.
Why study in Germany?
Germany's rich cultural heritage includes numerous landmarks and museums. Cities offer various vibes, from bustling urban centers to serene countryside. Beyond its countryside castles and beerhouses, Germany has more than 400 universities and colleges offering more than 20,000 different degree programmes.
The country’s strong economy also provides numerous job opportunities for graduates, many of which are from around the world – the country hosted 458,210 international students in the 2022/2023 academic year.
Taiwan
Cost of tuition: Tuition fees for international students are usually twice those for domestic students. However, Academia Sinica (the leading academic institution in Taipei) subsidises the difference for five consecutive years, making tuition costs between $933 and $1,033 per term for the first four terms, and $533–666 thereafter.
Why study in Taiwan?
Taiwan’s vibrant culture and stunning cuisine make it a fantastic destination to live and study, with nearly 150 higher education institutions to choose from. The country is considered safe and welcoming for travellers, with English spoken by around 28.5% of the population as a second language – though many international students will take the opportunity to learn Mandarin.
Mexico
Cost of tuition: International students pay between approximately $1,085 and $10,857 per year (based on converted figures using current FX rates from university degree information site MastersPortal.com) for most public and private universities, though some private universities are more expensive.
Why study in Mexico?
If you’re looking to sink into a new culture and enjoy beautiful varied surroundings, Mexico is a perfect fit. The country’s wide range of landscapes, from the Sierra Madre mountain range to world-famous beaches along both the Atlantic and Pacific coast, means there is an abundance to explore in the country (or next-door US), and it is home to 35 out of 147 World Heritage sites in Latin America.
Many Mexican universities have partnerships with leading colleges in the US, meaning there are now plenty of study abroad programmes and student exchange programmes to choose from.
Poland
Cost of tuition: Tuition fees range from €2,000 to €6,000 per year, depending on the institution and programme.
Why study in Poland?
Home to more than 400 universities, Poland’s heritage (spanning over a thousand years) will be of particular interest to those studying degrees in history or architecture, while cities like Krakow and Wroclaw offer premium universities alongside bustling nightlife, cheaper accommodation and travel. The country also features over 800km of coastline and numerous national parks.
Argentina
Cost of tuition: Public universities are tuition-free for foreign students, while private universities charge between $3,000 and $20,000 annually.
Why study in Argentina?
The second largest country in Brazil, Argentina rivals Mexico for its topography, which covers everything from tropical forest and high-altitude plains in the North, to the Andes mountains, to Patagonia in the south.
Through the port city of Ushuaia, it's even possible to book tours of Antarctica, making the country the perfect destination for hardcore explorers. It’s home to more than 39 public universities and 42 private colleges, with Buenos Aires being a major draw due to the country’s leading higher education institutions and vibrant culture – though learning Spanish comes highly recommended.
Hungary
Cost of tuition: Public universities charge between €1,200 and €5,000 per year for most degrees, and €12,000-16,000 for medicine and dentistry degrees.
Why study in Hungary?
It’s not just the education that is affordable in Hungary, with the country offering a variety of student incentives (i.e. travel discounts) and generous scholarships. The capital, Budapest, is one of the most exciting cities in Europe and a hub for travellers looking to experience delicious food and ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter.
Hungary’s central location in Europe also means students can travel to plenty of other countries in the region quickly, creating a diverse, international community of students.
Malaysia
Cost of tuition: Tuition fees vary but are generally affordable compared to the UK, US and Australia, averaging around $5,000 per year for postgraduate courses.
Why study in Malaysia?
Another thriving epicentre for travellers in Southeast Asia, Malaysia houses cosmopolitan cities (e.g. Kuala Lumpur), national parks with an abundance of wildlife, sandy beaches and islands to visit.
The country is a melting pot of cultures, though is welcoming to travelers with Malay, Mandarin and English all well spoken (though be aware that some undergrad courses may only be available in the local language). Malaysia is also known for being safe, ranking 18th on the World Population Review’s Safest Countries in the World list for 2024.
India
Cost of tuition: Tuition fees for international students range from $3,300-7,800 per academic year.
Why study in India?
The seventh largest country in the world, with a population of over 1.4 billion people, India is a hotbed of different communities, languages and religions. It is home to the third-largest higher education system in the world, with more than 1,000 universities and more than 42,000 colleges across nearly 300 cities (with the big ones for students including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata).
Affordable living, boundless opportunities for adventure and some of the finest food on the planet fresh from source – these make India a great location to study abroad.
Portugal
Cost of tuition: Public university tuition fees average €1,250 per year for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and €2,500 to €3,000 for PhDs.
Why study in Portugal?
Known for its friendly locals and warm climate, Portugal offers many public and private scholarships to students as well as a low cost of living – even in its capital city of Lisbon, which is a favoured hotspot due to its relaxed culture, iconic yellow trams, thriving nightlife and friendly people.
The country’s coastlines stretch over 1,000 miles along the Atlantic, with the Algarve being a hotspot due to its countless picturesque towns with red roofs and cobbled streets to explore. It’s not surprising that 74,000 international students attended higher education institutions in Portugal in 2022/2023.
Your guide to studying abroad
If you’re thinking about taking the leap to study abroad next year, that’s very exciting! However, there are a number of considerations you’ll need to make when taking your next steps towards studying abroad – from dealing with student visas to sending money securely and safely to your financial institution of choice.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to studying abroad here.
