Study Abroad costs are determined by a number of factors so it is important to have a good idea about your budget before beginning the process of narrowing down the options to match your budget and balance that with your needs, wants, and aspirations.
Study abroad costs include both tuition fees and your everyday living costs, which differ from country to country and then city to city.
University tuition fees can range from free/no fees to extremely expensive. Here are some guidelines for studying abroad costs, however it all depends on the final country choice, your course, and available scholarships and grants:
Study in the USA has everything to offer for those who can afford it. Tuition fees can range from $25,000 – $60,000
Denmark: Free for EU nationals
Netherlands: EUR 2,200
Ireland: EUR 3,000
Italy: EUR 4,000
UK: GBP 11,000 – GBP 40,000
USA: USD 25,000 – USD 60,000
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However, there is a paradox to study abroad costs. Some of the best universities in the world, namely the US Ivy League, offer full scholarships however, getting accepted is extremely difficult. Alternatively, it is much easier to study abroad for free as an EU resident in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Germany, or France but is that the best choice for you? While these countries offer some great universities, there is not the depth of course choice that the typically more expensive options like the UK or the USA have to offer. In addition, some highly ranked universities and specialised courses have higher tuition fees for that very reason – high ranking, first rate facilities, great demand for places, better career path.
When thinking whether to study abroad and costs, students should not forget that university is about an investment in your future and costs are only one element of the equation. The benefits in the marketplace after graduation from a prestigious university is far greater than graduating from what could be classified as a cheap or easy option. We all don’t have the luxury of a wide choice however, Elab will work hard to get each student into the best university available which meets our student’s profile.
Study Abroad – For free
Study abroad for free is an option however requires further investigation and understanding. Some countries such as Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and France do offer zero tuition fees however the range of courses in English and places may be limited.
Many students do study abroad for free however, the application process is still quite complicated and students must also consider the living costs. For example the study abroad costs in Norway and Sweden are relatively high. There are interesting alternatives with very reasonable tuition fees to consider in the Netherlands, Ireland, and Italy.
Study abroad in the USA can also technically be for free however, students still need to complete a complex application process and meet certain criteria to obtain scholarships (see below).