Top 15 Countries with Free Education For Indian Students 2025: Universities & Scholarships
Updated On
-
Copy link
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Table of Contents
When searching for options for higher education abroad, many students are drawn to countries with free education. These countries offer high-quality academic programs without the burden of tuition fees, making them an attractive choice for students worldwide.
From Germany and Norway to Austria and Sweden, these are the countries that offer free education to international students to pursue their academic dreams without the financial stress.
Countries with Free Education for International Students
The countries that offer free education have made significant strides in providing a haven for free education to Indian students, marking a crucial milestone toward ensuring equitable access to education for all. So which country provides free education for Indians?
| Country | Tuition Fee | Average Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Free | EUR 1,040 - EUR 1,277 |
| Norway | $13,000 | EUR 1,211 - EUR 1,578 |
| Finland | EUR 4,000 | EUR 978 - EUR 1,296 |
| Sweden | EUR 7,500 | EUR 924 - EUR 1,217 |
| Czech Republic | Free (Czech taught courses); EUR 6,250 (English taught courses) | EUR 823 - EUR1,071 |
| France | EUR 2,770 - EUR 3,770 | EUR 1,039 - EUR 1,249 |
| Italy | Starting from EUR 900 | EUR 894 - EUR 1,103 |
| Spain | Starting from EUR 1,200 | EUR 805 - EUR 1,098 |
| Belgium | EUR 2,505 | EUR 963 - EUR 1,297 |
| Austria | EUR 762 per semester | EUR 1,048 - EUR 1,304 |
| Greece | Starting from EUR 1,500 | EUR 761 - EUR 895 |
| Denmark | Starting from EUR 6,000 | EUR 1,215 - EUR 1,484 |
| The Netherlands | EUR 6,000 | EUR 1,165 - EUR 1,646 |
| United Kingdom | Starting from EUR 11,980 | EUR 1,198 - EUR 1,797 |
| Switzerland | EUR 13,000 | EUR 1,211 - EUR 1,578 |
Let us now understand these countries with free education in more detail
1. Germany
Germany is one of the countries that offer 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.
Germany offers a remarkable combination of international universities, high-quality education, and an excellent high standard of living. With over 300 public universities and a wide range of study programs, students can enjoy the benefit of free education and numerous options.
Top Universities in Germany for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Technische Universität München Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Freie Universität Berlin |
| Scholarships | DAAD Scholarships Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships Erasmus+ Program |
2. Norway
Norway is a country in Northern Europe and one of the countries for free education for Indian students. Norway has a very high income per capita, making it one of the richest countries in the world today.
There is no tuition fee in some of the best universities in Norway, however, only a small registration fee must be paid. Talking about the countries with free undergraduate education, Post-Graduate, and Doctorate level Programs Norway offers free of cost education irrespective of your nationality, but you need to be proficient in Norwegian.
Top Universities and Their Rankings in Norway
| Particulars | Details |
| Top Universities | University of Oslo University of Bergen Norwegian University of Science and Technology UiT The Arctic University of Tromso Norwegian University of Life Sciences |
| Scholarships | Norwegian Quota Scheme Erasmus+ Program BI Presidential Scholarship |
3. Finland
Finland is one of the best countries considering which country provides free education for Indian students. 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 free education countries for Indian students after 12th in terms of quality and affordability.
Top Universities in Finland for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Helsinki Aalto University University of Turku University of Jyväskylä Lappeenranta University of Technology |
| Scholarships | Finland Government Scholarship Pool University of Helsinki International Grant EDUFI Fellowships |
4. Sweden
Sweden is good and among the best Countries with free education. The country has many universities, colleges, and schools that offer affordable quality education.
Sweden is one of the best countries offering free education to international students well renowned for its excellent public universities, although students are required to pay tuition fees for most programs.
However, Indian students have the benefit of pursuing a Ph.D. without any tuition fees. Additionally, Ph.D. students can avail themselves of financial support offered by the country to aid their research endeavors.
Top Universities in Sweden for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Karolinska institutet Lund University Stockholm university Uppsala University University of Gothenburg |
| Scholarships | Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) Chalmers IPOET Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarships |
5. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the best countries to study abroad for free. It has a good reputation for education, with its universities ranking among the top 100 in Europe.
In the Czech Republic, free higher education is available to students of all nationalities, provided they have proficiency in the local language. Additionally, the tuition fees for English programs are very affordable, making education in the country accessible to a wider range of international students.
Top Universities in Czech Republic for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Charles University Prague Masaryk University Brno Palacky University Olomouc Czech Technical University Prague Czech University of life sciences |
| Scholarships | Czech Government Scholarships South Moravian Center for International Mobility Erasmus+ Program |
6. France
France is a sought-after destination for students when it comes to Countries with free education. It offers immense opportunities to study in France for Indian students.
Answering the question of how to study abroad for free, 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.
Top Universities in France for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres) Ecole Polytechnique Sorbonne University CentraleSupélec Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
| Scholarships | Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program Charpak Scholarships Emile Boutmy Scholarship |
Explore: All You Need to Know About France Student Visa Requirements
7. Italy
Italy is a beautiful country with free education for International Students. 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.
Top Universities in Italy for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Padua University of Bologna Sapienza University Rome University of Milan University of Naples Federico II |
| Scholarships | Invest Your Talent in Italy Italian Government Scholarships Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships |
Explore: MBBS in Italy: Tuition Fee, Application Process, and More
8. Spain
The Spain education system is top-notch and is one of the top countries with free UG courses for Indian students, ranging from UG, master’s, and Ph.D. levels.
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 document translation and registration fee waivers etc., which makes it very easy for them to apply for visa or residence permit at any time during their stay here.
Top Universities in Spain for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Barcelona Autonomous University of Barcelona Pompeu Fabra University University of Valencia Autonomous University of Madrid |
| Scholarships | Erasmus+ Program Spanish Government Scholarships Fundación Carolina Scholarships |
9. 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 student food and transport facilities.
Belgium offers affordable education to EU students, with tuition fees capped at €906 per year, irrespective of their language community. Non-EU international students, although not eligible for free education in Europe, still benefit from relatively economical tuition fees, averaging around €4,175 annually.
Top Universities in Belgium for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | KU Leuven Ghent University Universite Catholique University of Antwerp Universite Libre de Bruxelles |
| Scholarships | VLIR-UOS Scholarships ARES Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarships |
10. Austria
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.
International students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or European Union (EU) who choose to study in Austria are subject to a tuition fee of €730 (equivalent to INR 62,637) per semester.
However, this fee is reasonable considering Austria's education system is world-renowned, which makes it an attractive destination for students worldwide.
Top Universities in Austria for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Medical University of Vienna University of Vienna Medical University of Graz Medical University of Innsbruck Technische Universitat Wien |
| Scholarships | Austrian Government (OeAD) Scholarships Helmut Veith Stipend Erasmus+ Program |
11. Greece
Greece is a Mediterranean country known for its affordable education to International students. Greek universities are recognised for free European universities, quality education and focus on research and innovation.
Since the country is a part of the Schengen Area, this allows students to travel across Europe with ease. With its affordable living costs and welcoming environment, Greece is an attractive destination for international students.
Top Universities in Greece for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Aristotle University of Thessaloniki University of Crete University of Patras Athens University of Economic and Business (AUEB) |
| Scholarships | Greek State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) Aristotle University Scholarships Erasmus+ Program |
12. Denmark
Denmark stands out when considering which country provide free education. It 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.
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.
Top Universities in Denmark for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Copenhagen Technical University of Denmark Aarhus University Aalborg University University of Southern Denmark |
| Scholarships | Danish Government Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarships Aalborg University Scholarships |
13. 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 Netherland’s educational system was founded on 3 pillars:
- Universalism (it provides education for everyone)
- Accountability (it monitors schools and teachers)
- Diversity (it allows students from different backgrounds to learn together)
Read this article to understand why Indian students go abroad to study
Top Universities the Netherlands for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | Delft University of Technology University of Amsterdam Wageningen University & Research Center Eindhoven University of Technology Utrecht University |
| Scholarships | Holland Scholarship Orange Tulip Scholarship Erasmus+ Program |
14. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a good education system. It is also one of the top destinations for Indian students who want to pursue their dreams by studying abroad.
Study abroad scholarships for colleges can be a great support for international students pursuing their education in the UK. Although there are no tuition-free universities in the UK, both private and government scholarships are available to assist international students.
Top Universities in the UK for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | University of Oxford University of Cambridge Imperial College London UCL (University College London) University of Edinburgh |
| Scholarships | Chevening Scholarships Commonwealth Scholarships GREAT Scholarships |
Read this article to learn how to get a scholarship to study in the UK
15. Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the best countries to study in Europe. The majority of the public universities in Switzerland offer free education, however, private schools charge tuition fees for their courses.
The 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.
Top Universities in Switzerland for International Students
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Universities | ETH Zurich École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne University of Zurich University of Bern University of Basel |
| Scholarships | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships UNIL Master's Grants |
Why Do Some Countries Offer Free Education?
Now that we have unveiled the list of free education countries for international students, let us further understand why certain countries provide affordable or free education to international students. The top reasons include:
- To Attract Global Talent: By providing free education, countries attract bright minds from across the globe to enhance their workforce and economy. International students contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that can positively impact local industries.
- To Strengthen International Relations: Free education helps foster Goodwill and build stronger ties between nations. It creates opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to connect, promoting cultural exchange and global understanding.
- To Boost Local Economy: Even without paying tuition fees, international students contribute significantly to the local economy through expenses like housing, food and daily essentials, with support businesses and generate jobs
- To Drive Solutions to Global Challenges: A diverse student population encourages collaboration on pressing global issues such as climate change, fostering innovative solutions that benefit everyone.
Embark on a Journey of Knowledge with Our Guide to Countries with Free Education
In conclusion, the availability of countries with free education for International students in various countries opens up incredible opportunities for pursuing higher studies without the burden of exorbitant tuition fees.
To navigate the process and make the most informed decisions, Immigration consultants like GetGIS can provide valuable guidance and assistance in understanding the requirements, application procedures, and available scholarships for study abroad.
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to study abroad for free?
Which Countries Pay You to Study?
Is Education Free in the USA for Indian Students?
Which Country is No 1 for Study?
How Can I Get a Full Scholarship to Study Abroad?
