Studying abroad is expensive, let alone if you want to pursue higher education in one of the renowned universities in the world. It is an investment that will transform one’s life but unfortunately, not everyone is as privileged or can afford to do so. This is often a reality for even some of the most brilliant students who lack financial means.

To alleviate the burden, the government and the education sector of several countries work hand in hand and put huge effort into providing tuition-free education. These are in the form of backing up public institutions, enrolling in the local language, and providing full financial assistance to international students.

We’ve compiled a list of tuition-free universities you can enroll in. Here are some of the global universities that provide high-quality education in different academic disciplines.

Global Universities with No Tuition Fees

Germany: 19 Universities with No Tuition Fees

Most German universities charge no tuition at all levels for international students. Public universities in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich can obtain a degree without having to worry about academic costs. Here are some of the universities with no tuition:

UNIVERSITY NAME LOCATION TUITION-FREE PAGE APPLICATION DEADLINES
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Munich Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Television and Film Munich Munich Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Music and Performing Arts Munich Munich Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Hamburg Hamburg Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Hamburg University of Technology Hamburg Free Tuition Application Deadlines – Bachelor’s
Application Deadlines – Master’s
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Hamburg Free Tuition Application Deadlines
HFBK University of Fine Arts of Hamburg Hamburg Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Academy of Music and Theatre Hamburg Hamburg Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin Berlin Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of the Arts Berlin Berlin Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Technical University of Berlin Berlin Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Free University of Berlin Berlin Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Humboldt University of Berlin Berlin Free Tuition Application Deadlines
RWTH Aachen University Aachen Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Bonn Bonn Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Göttingen Göttingen Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Cologne Cologne Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Goethe University Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main Free Tuition Application Deadlines

USA: 5 Universities with No Tuition

Surprisingly, there are also tuition-free universities in the USA for international students. Most of these colleges have several restrictions to follow, nonetheless, not having to pay for tuition is already a win for aspiring international students. Check out these institutions that offer free education:

UNIVERSITY NAME LOCATION TUITION-FREE PAGE APPLICATION DEADLINES
Berea College Berea Free Tuition Application Deadlines
College of the Ozarks Point Lookout Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Barclay College Kansas Free Tuition
Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Deep Springs College California Free Tuition Application Deadlines

Czech Republic: 4 Universities with No Tuition

If you are up for a challenge, consider the Czech Republic. The catch? you need to be fluent in their local language. Most of its institutions do not charge tuition if you enroll in a Czech-taught program. So, this is a great opportunity for those who want to expand their knowledge beyond their limitations. Here are some schools you can check:

UNIVERSITY NAME LOCATION TUITION-FREE PAGE APPLICATION DEADLINES
Charles University Prague Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Prague Free Tuition Application Deadlines
Masaryk University Brno Free Tuition Application Deadlines
University of Pardubice Pardubice Free Tuition Application Deadlines

You can also study in an English-taught program but expect to pay for academic fees. Several affordable Czech universities provide quality education like Masaryk University, which is considered to be one of the best in the country.

Saudi Arabia: 3 Universities with No Tuition

Some countries, like Saudi Arabia, offer free education if you practice the same religion. This would be favorable, especially for Muslim students who are planning to study abroad. Here are some reputable Saudi institutions you can consider:

UNIVERSITY NAME LOCATION TUITION-FREE PAGE APPLICATION DEADLINES
Umm Al-Qura University Makkah Free Tuition
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Dhahran Free Tuition Application Deadlines
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Thuwal Free Tuition Application Deadlines

FAQs: Studying in a Tuition-Free Institution

Which Country Has the Most Tuition-Free Options for International Students?

Many European universities are funded by the government which is why most of its public universities offer free tuition to its local citizens, EU/EEA, and Swiss citizens. This policy can be extended to some nationalities, especially for countries that have bilateral agreements with these European countries. But for international degree-seeking students, Germany would be the top choice. Public German universities are free to all nationalities, some of the schools would even offer scholarships to cover other academic and living expenses.

 

We hope that this article on free universities was helpful! To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hi! I am Hyun, and I am the founder at Global Scholarships. I've received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College and a $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for my undergraduate degree and was offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. You can read more about my scholarship journey here. If you are interested, you can follow me on Linkedin where I regularly write about scholarships. I also provide consulting services as well, and you can check the consulting services page for more information.

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8 Comments

  1. Thomas samuel September 4, 2023 9:33 pm - Reply

    When does the programs for the Master’s degree start?

    • Hyun Lee September 5, 2023 12:00 pm - Reply

      Hello, that depends on the country!

  2. Norman Kauta October 6, 2024 5:36 am - Reply

    When does the date or month release for apply the university

    • Hyun Lee October 10, 2024 1:54 pm - Reply

      The application dates are all different by universities and countries. Check the specific universities admissions page for more information

  3. Rahma November 3, 2024 9:50 pm - Reply

    Hi! I’m from Tunisia and I’m graduating from high school this year. Do I need good grades to get financial support or more opportunities?

    • Hyun Lee November 11, 2024 10:37 am - Reply

      Hello, although some scholarships are offered based on financial need alone, you would need to meet the university’s admission requirements. Good grades are usually a requirement for admission. You would need to check universities’ websites for more information on the admission requirements.

  4. precious November 20, 2024 9:32 pm - Reply

    What are the requirements for getting scholarships for international students, specifically Africans?

    • Hyun Lee November 27, 2024 2:59 am - Reply

      The requirements are University/Government/Organization dependent. Please check out the eligibility criteria for the scholarships you are interested in on their respective web pages.

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