Top 13 Tuition Free Universities In The World
Some countries around the world consider the value of education as priceless to the society. As a result of this, they have made education cheap and accessible to everyone including international students. In this blog post, I am going to reveal 13 universities in the world that are tuition free. I would also share information about the cost of living in each university and the amount of other relevant expenses if necessary. You need to read this if you want to access a higher quality education at a subsidized rate.
Tuition free Universities allow you to pay little or nothing for lectures, while you cover other expenses of your education. Some tuition free universities offer additional support for students in form of scholarships or grants. Nevertheless, you should have some money to meet your living expenses too.
List of Tuition Free Universities
1. Berea College
Berea College is a private college of liberal arts and sciences. It was established in 1855 and currently operates in Berea, Kentucky. It is the first interracial coeducational college in the South. Berea college has an enrollment of 1,652 undergraduates. The college welcomes international students from all over the world and currently has students from over 70 countries to study in the US. However, the university has limited new international student enrollment to 30 students per year.
Berea College admits students for only bachelor degree programs within 33 majors. It is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the US. The college is the only institution in America that provides a Tuition Promise Scholarship to all enrolled students. As a result, students pay no tuition fee. International students receive scholarships that cover 100% of the expenses for the first year at the university. Many regard it as one of Kentucky’s most selective institutions. In 2023, the college had a selectivity rate of 30%. Berea made its position in the Best 386 College in the U.S. in the Princeton Review 2023 Guide. To make life easy for students, Berea college provides employment opportunities for students so you get to earn while studying to support other bills.
Cost of living: The cost of living for students living on a tight budget is approximately $6,018 for the average student receiving need-based aid.
2. University of Oslo
The university of Oslo is a public research University located at Oslo It is the oldest University in Norway and is rated as the country’s leading university. Originally, it was named after the Royal Frederick University, which was founded in 1811 as the de facto Norwegian continuation of Denmark Norway. It was named for King Frederick VI of Denmark and Norway, and received its current name in 1939. The university was commonly nicknamed “The Royal Frederick’s” before it was changed.
The University of Oslo receives its funding from the State. Thus, it does not require its students to pay for their study material or tuition, asides 70 Euro fee to be paid every semester.
Cost of Living: As an Oslo University student, you will need a minimum of approximately NOK 12600 per month in order to cover basic expenses.
3. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is Finland’s largest and oldest academic institution and an innovative centre of science and thinking. Since 1640, we have contributed to the establishment of a fair and equal society that is considered one of the best in the world. Today, Helsinki’s multidisciplinary academic community solves problems that affect all with the power of knowledge, for the world.
More than 31,000 people study and nearly 10,000 people work at the University. Since 1640, the University has helped to build a nation and sustain its education and welfare through the power of science and scholarship. The University of Helsinki is the only university in Finland to consistently rank in the top 1% of the world’s approximately 18,000 universities. Helsinki houses 11 faculties and 1 Swedish school of social sciences.
Cost of Living: Depending on your spending habits, the total monthly living expenses of a single student average from 900 to 1250 euros including accommodation.
4. Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich is a public research university in Munich, Germany. It specializes in engineering, technology, medicine, and applied and natural sciences. The Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) offers a wide range of studies in engineering, natural sciences, life and medical sciences and economics. TUM covers a wide spectrum of fundamental and applied research. The course program contains about 160 courses of study, 98% with bachelor and master degrees. TUM has drawn up double degree agreements with more than 20 universities and maintains partnerships with around 170 universities worldwide. Today TUM comprises thirteen faculties with about 37,000 students (about 20 percent of whom come from abroad), 475 professors and roughly 10,000 members of staff, academic and non-academic.
Cost of Living: Although TUM is a tuition free university, living in Munich is quite expensive. You will need approximately € 830 per month including rent, for living in the Bavarian capital Munich. However, when applying for your visa you will only need to present proof that you will have €659 at per month at your disposal. Ensure that you have sufficient funds available for the entire duration of your studies, as scholarships cannot be relied upon, and working alongside your studies is only permitted under certain conditions.
5. University of Heidelberg
They established Heidelberg University in 1936. It is the number-one spot German university and 46th-ranked international university is the oldest university in Germany. Located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, Heidelberg supports eleven faculties: Theology, Law, Medicine, Philosophy, Modern Languages, Economics and Social Sciences, Behavioral and Cultural Studies, Mathematics and Computer Science, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, as well as Biosciences.
1 in every 6 students is an international student and the language of teaching for all undergraduate programs is in Deutsch, requiring students to score a minimum of 2 in German language examination. However, it also provides fourteen English-language Master’s programs taught either partially or entirely in English. Although a residence permit for study purposes is required for all international students, those from the United States, Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, and Switzerland do not need a visa before arriving.
There is no general tuition fees at Heidelberg University for undergraduate study programmes, nor for consecutive master’s programmes or PhD programmes. Continuing-education master’s programmes may charge special tuition fees.
Cost of Living: Heidelberg University estimates the cost of living to be around €630 per month.
6. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Established in 1472 as the University of Ingolstadt, it later became Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) in 1802. Today, known as LMU, it ranks as the third-best German university and 52nd internationally. Located in historic Munich within the German state of Bavaria, LMU’s eighteen faculties offers a classical academic profile with liberal arts disciplines in the humanities, cultural sciences, law, economics, social sciences, medicine, and the natural sciences. Its prestigious Medical Center houses 2,300 beds, second only to Berlin’s Charité medical center as the second largest of its kind in Germany. With over 7,000 international students and an active exchange program, the university earns recognition from its international network as a top-tier research university, precisely due to its inclusive global policies and initiatives.
Most programs do not require students to pay tuition fees. There are tuition fees for summer programs and some English-taught Master programs, so you should check the individual course for details. However, all students must pay a fee of €114.50 for student services, including €52 for the basic “semester ticket” costing €62.50. You can also obtain an IsarCard Semester 24/7 top-up card for €146.50 per semester, offering unlimited travel.
Cost of living: To cover your living expenses, you should budget €1500 per month to cover accommodation, feeding, transportation, health insurance and mobile phones.
7. The University of Bonn
Founded in 1818, Bonn University ranks fourth in Germany and 97th internationally, alma mater to notable figures like Pope Benedict XVI. The university also offers several international degree programs in Agricultural Sciences, Humanities & Cultural Studies, Law, Economics and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, as well as Natural Sciences and Mathematics, all of which are partially or fully taught in English. The university boasts a percentage of international students well above the national average, with 4,095 students from 135 countries. Therefore, international students enjoy better representation among the student population at Bonn compared to other German universities.
Cost of living: The average cost of living at Bonn University is around €800-1000 per month.
8. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Founded in 1996, Norwegian University ranks between 101 and 150 internationally and stands as the second largest of Norway’s eight institutions of higher learning. Although the university requires proficiency in Norwegian, English is the primary language of instruction. The university houses seven faculties and 48 departments, as well as 60 international master’s programs, all taught entirely in English. On January 1, 2016, Norwegian University merged with three other universities to create the largest university in Norway, offering even more opportunities for international study. Before arriving in the country, accepted students who are not citizens of the EU must apply for and possess a valid visa or residence permit.
Cost of living: The cost of living at Norwegian University is quite expensive. As a student, you should budget at least NOK11,500 to cover for you living expenses, including, feeding, accommodation, transport and other expenses.
9. Aalto University
Located in Finland, Aalto University’s mission is to build a better and stronger Finland. Here science and arts embraces technology and business. Aalto University emerged in 2010 through merging three renowned universities in the Helsinki metropolitan area in Finland. Aalto University is about cross-disciplinary projects and learning in practice. The university encourages and supports students to excel in both their studies and future careers. Many students possess a vast work experience before they are due for graduation. Aalto University offers more than 90 degree programmes at bachelor, master and doctoral level, leading to degrees in the fields of technology, business, art, design and architecture.
Cost of Living: Aalto expects students to cover all living expenses and study-related costs from their own financial resources. This is approximately €800 per month.
10. The Goethe University of Frankfurt
The Gothe University of Frankfurt was established in 1914. Named after the famous German polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and situated in the German state of Hessen, the university primarily instructs in German. However, numerous individual courses and degree programs, including four master’s programs in economics, are taught in English. One of these is bilingual, catering to those interested in instruction in both English and German.International students represents some 130 different countries on campus. The university has sixteen faculties and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, with many taught in English.
Cost of living: The average cost living for Gothe University of Frankfurt is around €833 including €59 semester fees.
11. University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is Norway’s urban university, with most of its premises concentrated in two areas. Årstadvollen is the University’s “health campus”, where dentistry, medicine and health-care lie close to the Haukeland and Haraldsplass university clinics. Nygårdshøyden hosts various subjects like natural and social sciences, psychology, arts, and law in a diverse environment. The city’s geographical, historical, and cultural fabric intricately integrates the University of Bergen.
The University of Bergen is tuition-free; students only pay the semester fee to the Student Welfare Organization (SiB). Students on exchange programmes do not have to pay the semester fee. This is why the University of Bergen is attractive for graduate study. About one in three graduating doctors are from outside Norway.
Cost of Living: Despite the high cost of living, you can do well on an average student budget. The average university student’s budget is approximately NOK 11,000 per month. This amount should cover most monthly expenses such as housing, food, clothing, study materials, books, transport and social activities.
12. RWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen University is the largest university of technology in Germany and one of the most renowned in Europe. Every year, the university attracts numerous international students and scientists who come to benefit from its high-quality courses and excellent facilities, both of which enjoy international recognition. The engineering department of the university aligns with the natural sciences and medicine. Arts, social sciences, and economics contribute significantly to the university’s teaching and research profile, structurally linked to core disciplines.
With its 260 institutes in nine faculties, RWTH Aachen is among the leading European scientific and research institutions. In the winter semester of 2015/16, the university enrolled 43,721 students in 144 courses, with almost 8,000 international students. Students are exempt from tuition fees but must pay a €239.75 Semester Fee for student body and social contributions.
Cost of Living: The average cost of living for students at RWTH Aachen is €700 per month including accommodation fees.
13. Freie Universitaet
At Freie Universitaet, educating young academics focuses on granting freedom for idea pursuit, combining personal liberty with strong support. The university encourages graduate students to pursue their studies with a high degree of autonomy and independence. Freie Universitaet offers individual faculty supervision and regular peer reviews for graduate students. The high institution is among the top tuition free universities around the world.
Cost of living: The average student spends at least €700 per month. During your student visa application, you will proof that this amount is at your disposal monthly, irrespective of any job.
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