It’s no secret that college is expensive. The average student in the United States has roughly $38,000 in student loan debt at graduation. Tuition costs continue to rise making it increasingly more and more difficult to afford a college degree.
Students in the United States have options to help lower costs. They can attend a community college for the first two years and get their general education credits taken care of before attending a 4-year university (as long as they ensure the units are transferrable). Costs can be saved by attending an in-state public school, taking advantage of the lower in-state tuition rates. Even more money can be saved by living at home and letting mom and dad cover housing and food costs.
Combine all 3 strategies above and college can truly be significantly cheaper. It might even be possible to obtain a 4-year degree for less than the average student debt, if planned out well. However, that’s not the college experience most students are looking for. Not only do students want to get an education, but they also want to get away from home, spread their wings, practice being independent.
In the scenario above, the student lives at home while pursuing their degree to save money. What if you could move abroad, get away from home, practice your independence and still get a college education without incurring a huge cost? As it turns out, there are some countries that offer free college tuition to both their citizens and international students. If the education is free, the only costs then would be for housing and food. You could trade tuition for housing costs and not only experience life away from home but a whole new country and culture as well.
There are a number of countries that offer free or discounted tuition to its citizens and some that extend that offer to international students as well. Many of these countries are in the European Union (EU) and the offer is extended to students within the EU/EEA (European Economic Area). However, as an American from across the pond, there are counties where you too can also attend college for free and that might be something you want to consider as an alternative to an education here in the states.
Germany
Public colleges in Germany are free to international students, including students from the United States. If you are interested in studying in Germany, it’s important to research your educational options. Some schools teach in English, while others teach only in German. Like American universities, German schools have admissions requirements. This typically includes a high school diploma and potentially proof of fluency of the German language (depending on the school). If for some reason your high school studies don’t meet German standards, you’ll be asked to attend Studienkolleg, a one-year preparatory course (also free) to ensure your math and science skills meet their academic requirements.
Norway
If you want to live in Norway and attend public college, your only expenses will be living expenses which can be very enticing. Be sure to research schools here as well, because just like in Germany, if you need a school that teaches in English, you will have to identify it in advance. Upon acceptance into a Norwegian school, make sure you apply for your student resident permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). You will need to have this permit before entering the country.
Austria
Austria is another country that will teach American students at not cost for tuition in their public college. Attending college in Austria requires students meet certain prerequisites before being accepted. One such prerequisite is demonstrating competency equivalent to the Austrian Matura, officially known as Reifeprüfung. This is an exam is given to students before leaving secondary school to ensure they meet set criteria for leaving. A college-ready high school diploma from an accredited high-school in the United States should be sufficient to satisfy the Austrian Matura, but it’s advised you make sure and confirm your diploma is acceptable if Austria is where you want to study.
General Requirements for Students Studying Abroad
While tuition is free, living expenses, student visas and language proficiency all need to be considered and addressed but boarding the plane to attend school. Most countries and universities within those countries want to see that international students have proof of sufficient funds for living expenses. This may be done with a bank statement, scholarship or possible a sponsor’s letter.
While many schools around the world teach in English, it’s not a given that English will be used in all schools. If you aren’t fluent in the language of the country where you want to study, you either need to ensure the school you are looking at teaches in English or you will need to learn the language both written and verbally before applying, as proof of proficiency will be a requirement of acceptance.
Finally, if you’ve been accepted into a foreign university, it’s important that you look into that country’s requirements for student visa’s and/or residence permits. You will need to secure your visa or permit in advance because you will most likely be in the country for a significant period of time (greater than 90 days) to complete your education. Be sure to check and see if you will need to reapply after a time, as your visa or permit might expire before graduation.
Studying abroad can be not only a less expensive way to obtain an education, it’s also a great way to experience another country and culture, which could enhance your perspective within your career when you return to the United States.
The countries listed here are by no means the only countries offering free tuition at public universities. There are quite a few that offer free or nearly free (after some nominal fees) opportunities for students to get an education. If you’ve always dreamt of studying abroad, do some research, it might more affordable than you imagined.