Top 15 Free Education Countries For Indian Students
12 min read
Updated On
-
Copy link
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Table of Contents[Show]
Indian students are always looking for countries that offer free education to them. But the truth is that not all countries offer this facility. Some countries provide free education for Indian students but only for the people who can enroll themselves in their educational institutes or universities. We have compiled a list of the 15 most popular free Education Countries For Indian Students, but before, let’s see what free education means and if it is possible to obtain free education in a foreign country.
What is free education?
Free education is a system under which students do not have to pay any fees for their education. This system can be funded through government-funded programs or charitable associations. Now let’s see if is it possible to obtain free education in a foreign country.
Is it possible to study abroad for free?
According to international human rights law, primary education must be free for every kid. However, secondary and higher education can have particular tuition fees but governments should take progressive steps to make education free of charge. In certain countries education till under graduation level is free of cost. Let’s learn about these countries.
Top 15 Free Education Countries For Indian Students
1. Denmark
Denmark is a country in Europe and has been a member of the European Union since 1973. The country also belongs to the Schengen Area, an area where there are no internal borders between countries. Denmark has a population of 5.6 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.
The ministry works closely with individual schools and universities on matters such as curriculum planning and teacher training. It also provides financial support for students who wish to attend university but cannot afford tuition fees.
National Ranking |
World Ranking |
University |
1 |
76 |
University of Copenhagen |
2 |
103 |
Technical University of Denmark |
3 |
147 |
Aarhus University |
4 |
305 |
Aalborg University |
5 |
353 |
University of Southern Denmark |
(Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/denmark/top-universities-denmark-2020)
2. Finland
Finland is one of the best countries considering which country provides free education for Indian students. It is also a country in Northern Europe, with a population of 5.5 million people and a GDP per capita of $52,000.Finland has one of the highest literacy rates in Europe when compared to other nations that offer free education to Indian students, like France or Germany.
Finland has been ranked as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for international students who want to pursue higher education. The country has also been ranked as one of the best countries for Indian students to study abroad in terms of quality and affordability.
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 106 |
University of Helsinki |
2 | 116 |
Aalto University |
3 | 291 |
University of Turku |
4 | 347 |
University of Jyväskylä |
5 | 388 |
Lappeenranta University of Technology |
3. Germany
Germany is a country that offers free education for Indian students. Students are eligible for free education in Germany if they have a valid student visa and can apply for it if they are enrolled in a degree program at a university or college.
National Ranking |
World ranking |
University |
1 |
50 |
Technische Universität München |
2 |
63 |
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |
3 |
64 |
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg |
4 |
117 |
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
5 |
130 |
Freie Universität Berlin |
4. The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the best countries for free education countries for Indian students. It has a high-quality and affordable system, providing free public education to all citizens. The country's educational system was founded on three pillars: universalism (it provides education for everyone), accountability (it monitors schools and teachers), and diversity (it allows students from different backgrounds to learn together).
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 57 |
Delft University of Technology |
2 | 61 |
University of Amsterdam |
3 | 115 |
Wageningen University & Research Center |
4 | 120 |
Eindhoven University of Technology |
5 | 121 |
Utrecht University |
5. Norway
Norway is a country in Northern Europe and one of the countries to consider if you are considering which country provides free education for Indian students. It has a population of 5.2 million and borders Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The capital of Norway is Oslo. Norway has a very high income per capita, making it one of the richest countries in the world today!
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 89 |
University of Oslo |
2 | 199 |
University of Bergen |
3 | 267 |
Norwegian university of science and technology |
4 | 475 |
UiT The Arctic University of Tromso |
5 | 736 |
Norwegian university of life sciences |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/norway)
6. Sweden
If you are thinking about which country offers free education for Indian students, then your answer is Sweden. Sweden is a good country for free education. The country has many universities, colleges, and schools that offer affordable quality education.
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 51 |
Karolinska institutet |
2 | 112 |
Lund University |
3 | 127 |
Stockholm university |
4 | 172 |
Uppsala University |
5 | 146 |
University of Gothenburg |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/sweden)
7. The UK
The United Kingdom has a good education system and is one of the best countries to study in. It is also one of the top destinations for Indian students who want to pursue their dreams by studying abroad. The UK offers great value for money in education, making it an attractive option for students from around the world. The country also offers excellent job opportunities after graduation, so you can look forward to landing a job as soon as your studies are over!
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 5 |
University of Oxford |
2 | 7 |
University of Cambridge |
3 | 8 |
Imperial College London |
4 | 10 |
UCL (University College London) |
5 | 20 |
University of Edinburgh |
8. France
France has a long history of providing free education to its citizens, and now they also provide free education countries for Indian students. Students can get free education at public universities and private universities, as well as technical schools. France has a long tradition of offering free education to its citizens. The French educational system is one of the best in the world, and it's been ranked as such by many international organizations.
French students have access to a wide range of options, including public and private universities, as well as technical high schools and vocational training programs. They also have the option to attend courses at foreign universities and colleges. In addition to this, France also offers students grants for living expenses. These grants are available for all students who wish to study at French universities or colleges.
National ranking |
World ranking |
University |
1 |
52 |
Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres) |
2 |
68 |
Ecole Polytechnique |
3 |
83 |
Sorbonne University |
4 |
138 |
CentraleSupélec |
5 |
161 |
Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
9. Russia
Russia is a popular destination for international students. It's not just because they can get a degree at one of the best universities in Eastern Europe and earn a world-class education but also because Russian universities are often ranked among the best in their respective fields.
Russia provides free education to students from developing countries under agreements signed with those countries governments. For example, if you're from India or another country that has signed an agreement with Russia (such as China), then your tuition cost will be covered by your home country's government through its bilateral agreements with Russia.
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 74 |
Moscow State University |
2 | 225 |
St. Petersburg State University |
3 | 228 |
Novosibirsk State University |
4 | 250 |
Tomsk State University |
5 | 281 |
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology |
(Source: https://www.universityrankings.ch/results/QS/2022?ranking=QS&year=2022®ion=&q=Russia)
10. Switzerland
If you are thinking about which country offers free education for Indian students, then your answer is Switzerland. Switzerland is one of the best countries to study in Europe. It has a high standard of living and a beautiful country with good weather and educational institutions. Switzerland's education system is free at public universities, but private schools charge tuition fees for their courses.
The majority of students receive grants or scholarships from the government to help cover their costs. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues cash cards that can be used like debit cards and credit cards; however, they do not work overseas except when traveling through certain countries like France or Italy, where there are agreements between those countries' central banks and SNB (see below).
National Ranking |
World Ranking |
University |
1 |
15 |
ETH Zurich |
2 |
40 |
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne |
3 |
75 |
University of Zurich |
4 |
101 |
University of Bern |
5 |
103 |
University of Basel |
(Source: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-switzerland)
11. Spain
Spain is one of the most popular study destinations for Indian students. It has a high quality of education and attracts more than 1,000 Indian students every year. The Spanish government has made it easier for Indian students to get admission to universities by providing them with free language courses and other visa-related services like documents translation and registration fees waiver etc., which makes it very easy for them to apply for visa or residence permit at any time during their stay here.
National Ranking | World Ranking |
Universities |
1 | 86 |
University of Barcelona |
2 | 143 |
Autonomous University of Barcelona |
3 | 196 |
Pompeu Fabra University |
4 | 212 |
University of Valencia |
5 | 231 |
Autonomous University of Madrid |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/spain)
12. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the best countries to study in Europe. It has a good reputation for education, with its universities ranking among the top 100 in Europe. The country also has the highest number of international students in Europe, so you'll be able to learn from other cultures and languages here too.
Suppose you're looking for an English-speaking university experience or want to improve your German skills before moving on to another European country. In that case, this may be an ideal choice for you! It's one of our top places where Indians go because they want their children to study abroad while still being close enough so they can visit home often!
National Ranking | World Ranking |
University |
1 | 226 |
Charles University Prague |
2 | 605 |
Masaryk University Brno |
3 | 611 |
Palacky University Olomouc |
4 | 698 |
Czech Technical University Prague |
5 | 930 |
Czech University of life sciences |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/czech-republic)
13. Italy
Italy is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. It was one of the first countries to offer free education to Indian students, and it remains an excellent choice for those who want to study abroad. Italian universities have a good reputation, which makes them one of the best places in Europe for students from all over the world.
The country is also known for its high-quality education system that offers everything from undergraduate programs to doctorates in various fields, including medicine, engineering, and humanities. The Italian government has made efforts towards promoting technology by improving infrastructure such as highways and airports. They can serve more people efficiently by reducing traffic congestion during peak hours, holidays/weekends, etc.
Universities |
Enrolment fees |
QS Ranking |
University of Padua |
USD $ 48,524 |
115 |
University of Bologna |
N/A |
122 |
Sapienza University Rome |
USD $ 74,149 |
125 |
University of Milan |
N/A |
156 |
University of Naples Federico II |
N/A |
185 |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/italy)
14. Belgium
Belgium is a great country to study in, as it offers free education for Indian students. It has excellent infrastructure and job opportunities after graduation. The weather is also quite pleasant, with good food and transport facilities for students.
Belgium is a nation in Western Europe. It is bordered by France, Luxembourg, and Germany to the north, the Netherlands and Germany to the east, France to the southeast, and Switzerland to the southwest. The country has a population of 11 million people.
Belgium offers free education to students from India who has been studying at a Belgian university for at least three years. Students can apply for this scholarship from their home country or Belgium or any other country with an embassy in Belgium. Students must have a valid passport and residence permit for Belgium before applying for this scholarship. They must also be between 18 and 30 during the application period.
Universities |
Enrolment fees |
QS Ranking |
KU Leuven |
USD $47,663 |
50 |
Ghent University |
USD $39,437 |
95 |
Universite Catholique |
USD $24,523 |
171 |
University of Antwerp |
USD $15,857 |
223 |
Universite Libre de Bruxelles |
USD $28,290 |
226 |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/belgium)
15. Austria
If you are thinking about which country offers free education for Indian students, then your answer is Austria. Austria is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. With a population of 8.8 million people and an area of 83,813 square kilometers (32,000 square miles), it's one of the smallest European countries by size but one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, with over 1 million inhabitants per square kilometer. Austria has a strong economy and high standard of living because they provide free education countries for Indian students who want to study abroad or else want to study locally.
Universities | Enrolment fees | QS ranking |
Medical University of Vienna |
USD $7,274 | 206 |
University of Vienna |
N/A | 208 |
Medical University of Graz |
N/A | 333 |
Medical University of Innsbruck |
N/A | 379 |
Technische Universitat Wien |
N/A | 416 |
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/austria)
Conclusion:
We hope you enjoyed reading our list of free education countries for Indian students and found some useful information on free education abroad. We know it can be stressful to plan for a move abroad and find the right school, but we're here to help. If there's anything else you'd like us to cover, please feel free to reach out and let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is free education in Europe?
You can study for free in many European countries like Germany, Sweden, France, and Austria. In Germany, both EU and international students enjoy free education at their undergraduate level from most public universities. France also offers free or low-cost education to students, however, the public universities of France do charge tuition fees of nearly $3065 per year but given the scholarship programs by the French government, the cost of education comes down to a very affordable amount. Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland also offer very affordable education for international students.
2. Where is higher education free?
In Germany, tuition is free for undergraduate students in many public universities. In some universities, there are tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students pursuing their undergraduate degree or a master’s but pursuing a Ph.D. is inexpensive in Germany. You can also get free higher education in Sweden and Austria with certain conditions.
3. When was education free in Australia?
On 1st January 1974, the Whitlam Labor government abolished university fees. However, in 1994 the government allowed the universities to start charging for courses up-front.
4. What is free tuition?
Free tuition means that a college or university does not charge any money for tuition. However, this does not mean that you don’t have to spend any money on your education. Free-tuition universities or colleges do charge a nominal processing and examination fee for the completion of your degree or diploma.
5. Which country is best for education for Indian students?
Germany is quite popular among Indian students as a study-abroad destination for its low-cost education system. Canada is also a favorite destination for Indian students looking to study abroad for the wide variety of courses offered by the country and the provision to work alongside studying. Indian students also prefer to migrate to France for the country’s affordable living standards, low tuition fees, and multiple scholarship programs.
6. Which country has totally free education?
Some public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees for students pursuing their undergraduate degrees. However, these universities do charge a small university fee to their students.
7. Can I move to a free education country without clearing IELTS?
If you are looking to migrate to a different country for academic purposes a good IELTS score will be required. However, some countries do not need proof of your English language proficiency to grant you admission to the university. These countries are Australia, Germany, Italy, etc.
8. What are the free master's education countries for Indian students?
Countries like Germany, France, and Sweden charge a tuition fee for students aspiring for a post-graduation or a second degree. However, there are multiple scholarship programs for students to help them in making education more affordable. The Ph.D. programs in Sweden are fully funded. This offers exceptional candidates the opportunity to get their degrees.