For Indian students, studying overseas opens up a world of job options. A degree earned abroad enhances your career, exposes you to different cultures, and aids in your personal growth. However, studying abroad is still a faraway dream for more than 50% of Indian students who come from middle-class families.
Tuition costs, living costs, medical costs, and a number of other expenses all add to the cost of studying abroad. Although taking out loans and applying for scholarships are two options, not everyone is qualified for these financial aid program
We have developed a list of the least expensive nations for Indian students to study abroad, keeping all of these criteria in mind. These nations provide cheap access to a top-notch education from the greatest colleges, a diverse cultural experience, degrees that are recognized throughout the world, and much more.
- Mexico:
Mexico offers unique cultural experiences and fascinating adventures. Mexico offers a top-notch educational system and a robust educational infrastructure, but because of its low cost of living, it is one of the most affordable countries to study abroad.
Private institutions cost more than public universities do. The cost of attending Mexican institutions also varies by geography and academic program. Living in Mexico is fairly reasonable, with an average annual cost of $6450 in the suburbs and $9250 in the city center.
- France:
The cost of tuition in France is the same for both domestic and international students, and it is €170 ($200) per year for bachelor’s (license) programmes, €243 ($285 approximately) for the bulk of master’s programmes, and €380 ($445 approximately) for doctoral programs. The tuition costs are substantially higher at the exclusive grandes écoles and major institutions, which set their own tuition costs.
The most expensive city will be the capital, Paris, but you might think it’s worth it because it’s frequently rated as the best city in the world for students (and currently stands at fifth). Even if you don’t speak French well, you can enroll in a postgraduate programme in France because the majority of English-taught courses are found there.
- Poland:
Poland is known as an affordable European country with a rich history and a large selection of top-notch university degrees offered in the English language. It is home to some of the oldest colleges in Europe. It is one of the top educational locations for Indian students due to its low living costs and other costs (such as food and transportation).
You can study for free if you speak Polish, complete the same entrance exams as Polish students, and attend your course in Polish. But the average annual cost of many English-taught programmes is between €2,000 and €3000 (about $2,340 and $3,500). Additionally, the cost of living is rather low; you shouldn’t need more than €6,600 (about $7,700) annually. In the most current QS Best Student Cities index, Warsaw’s capital city was ranked 53rd overall and among the top 20 cities for cost.
- Norway:
Because of their affordable educational prices, nearly all of the Nordic countries are included among the least expensive for Indian students to study abroad. Norway is a country where there are essentially no tuition fees because its public institutions offer free teaching to its pupils.
However, the expense of living in Norway is intolerably high. The least expensive way to live in Norway is $12,000 per year.
- Germany:
Given that it offers reputable colleges, reasonable living expenditures, and a high standard of living, Germany, often known as “the land of ideas,” is growing in popularity among international students. All public universities, with the exception of those in Baden-Württemberg, do not charge tuition for undergraduate or PhD programs. For master’s students who did not finish their undergraduate studies in Germany, the annual cost exceeds €20,000 (about US$23,450); however, you may be able to find financial assistance through scholarships.
To cover living expenses, you’ll need at least €10,200 (about US$11,950) annually. However, depending on your lifestyle, where you reside, and your spending habits, you might need more. Additionally, a lot of courses, particularly graduate-level courses, are taught in English.
- Taiwan:
Is the third-cheapest country for Indian students to study abroad, and it is a very popular study destination for international students in Asia. More degrees are offered in this nation that are taught in English. Various colleges, courses, and study areas have different tuition costs in this nation. Asian nation Taiwan is a low-cost study abroad location and offers very economical academic programmes. All institutions offer affordable tuition, and students can also find inexpensive housing through their universities, further reducing their expenses.
At more than 40 universities in the Asian nation, there are more than 120 English-taught courses available. Students who want to learn Mandarin frequently travel to the nation.
- Malaysia:
One of the most sought-after locations in the world for international education is Malaysia. Malaysia, which is a country in southeast Asia, is well-known for its forests, beaches, and modern cities. Due to the recent rapid advancements in technology and commerce, Malaysia is now home to thousands of immigrants from many origins.
Malaysia, an economically secure and culturally diverse nation, has a strong educational system that has been created to meet the needs of students from all backgrounds. The country draws a sizable number of international students because of the excellent standard of instruction, the ease with which visa applications can be made, the immigration process, and the low cost of tuition.
Malaysia is among the most affordable nations for students because of its good quality of life and low cost of living.
In Malaysia’s public colleges, annual tuition costs range from EUR 2000 to EUR 4500 (INR 1,61,944 to INR 3,64,374). The annual tuition at private institutions can range from EUR 1,500 to EUR 9,500 (INR 1,21,458 to INR 7,69,234). Students typically pay between EUR 450 and EUR 800 (INR 36,437 and INR 64,777) per month for living expenses. This includes food, accommodation, insurance, transport, and other expenses.
- Argentina:
Argentina, the second-largest nation in South America, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse topography, making it the perfect destination for college students interested in outdoor exploration and adventure. Argentina is renowned for its vibrant culture, being one of the safest nations in the region, and its strong sense of national identity. Tuition at state-funded (public) universities is normally free, but private universities charge upwards of $5,100 USD in annual tuition. Rent might be as little as US$350 per month; therefore, your living expenditures will require roughly US$5,000.
- Switzerland:
A scholarship programme for science and the arts has been announced by the Swiss government. Students from 180 different nations are eligible for the scholarship if they want to continue their education in Switzerland.
This project seeks to increase international collaboration between Switzerland and other nations while also enhancing Switzerland’s status as a top location for higher education. Additionally, the scholarship programme aims to draw talented researchers and artists to Switzerland.
- Belgium:
Last but not least, Belgium, which has long been regarded as the geographic core of Western Europe, is home to the official headquarters of the European Union (EU). Since it is the political center, there are bases for the EU and NATO. French, Dutch, and German are just a few of the numerous languages you can study here, in addition to learning about various cultures. If you earn your degree from a Belgian university, your chances of landing a job abroad will rise.
This country boasts the best cultural diversity and natural beauty. As a student in Belgium, you have the chance to visit all of Europe since it only takes two hours to drive to Paris, London, and Amsterdam. The majority of courses in the country are taught in either Dutch or French, despite the fact that several master’s-level courses are available in English. Belgium is a great alternative for international students as a result. According to the QS World University Rankings for 2022, these are the top universities in Belgium.