Many European countries advertise free or cheap university education, but those offers often apply only to EU and EEA citizens. Students from Nigeria usually pay non-EU fees. This guide shows what each of eight countries charges now, and where low-cost study is still possible.
Fees for non-EU students at a glance
| Country | What non-EU students pay | Free or low-cost option |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Mostly no tuition. Baden-Württemberg charges EUR 1,500 per semester, and TUM charges per semester | Public universities in most other states, plus a semester contribution |
| Austria | EUR 726.72 per semester, double the EU rate, plus the student union fee | Lower than most Western Europe |
| France | From September 2026, EUR 2,895 a year (bachelor’s) and EUR 3,941 (master’s) for new students | Up to 10% of students can be exempt, mostly scholarship holders |
| Czechia | Free for Czech-language programmes. English-language programmes may charge fees | Learn Czech and study in Czech |
| Norway | Fees apply. NTNU charges NOK 176,300 to NOK 205,600 a year for most programmes in 2026/27 | Exemptions for specific groups only |
| Finland | Tuition for English-taught degrees. Helsinki master’s is about EUR 13,000 to EUR 18,000 a year | University scholarships can waive 50% or 100% |
| Sweden | Tuition applies to non-EU students. Amount depends on the programme | Scholarships exist but are competitive |
| Denmark | Tuition applies to non-EU students. Amount depends on the programme | Scholarships exist but are competitive |
Country by country
1. Austria
Public universities charge non-EU students EUR 726.72 a semester, which is EUR 1,453.44 a year, plus the student union fee that includes insurance. Well-known universities include the University of Vienna, TU Wien and the University of Graz.
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2. Finland
Non-EU students pay tuition in English-taught master’s programmes, at the University of Helsinki about EUR 13,000 to EUR 18,000 a year. The University of Helsinki Scholarship waives 50% or 100% of tuition for the two-year master’s, and most awards cover half. You still pay the rest and your living costs. Applications usually close in January, so check each programme page.
3. Norway
Norway no longer offers free tuition to most international students. Fees apply to non-EU/EEA students who started from 2023. At NTNU the 2026/27 fee is NOK 176,300 a year for humanities, social sciences and business, NOK 205,600 for natural sciences, technology and education, and NOK 528,650 for medicine. NTNU does not offer scholarships that cover tuition. Some groups are exempt, such as PhD students and students funded by certain schemes.
4. France
French public universities used to charge most non-EU students EUR 178 a year for a bachelor’s and EUR 254 for a master’s. From September 2026, new non-EU students pay EUR 2,895 and EUR 3,941 a year. Current students are not affected. No more than 10% of students can be exempt, and most exemptions go to scholarship holders and hardship cases.
5. Czechia
Public universities do not charge tuition for programmes taught in Czech, for students of all nationalities. English-language programmes may charge fees. Public institutions can also charge for admission processing and for studying beyond the standard length. You need good Czech to use the free route.
6. Sweden
Non-EU students pay tuition, and the amount varies by programme. Lund, Uppsala and Stockholm are the best-known universities. Check each programme page for the fee and for scholarship options. See our Sweden visa guide for the permit steps.
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7. Germany
Most states charge no tuition at public universities, but not all. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students EUR 1,500 a semester at every public university. The Technical University of Munich charges new non-EU students EUR 2,000 or 3,000 a semester for a bachelor’s and EUR 4,000 or 6,000 for a master’s. Everyone pays a semester contribution of roughly EUR 100 to EUR 430. DAAD scholarships do not cover the Baden-Württemberg tuition fee.
8. Denmark
Tuition is free for EU/EEA students only. Non-EU students pay, with amounts that depend on the programme. The University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and DTU are the best-known options.
Worked example: yearly cost in Austria
Hypothetical example for illustration only: a non-EU master’s student in Vienna pays EUR 726.72 tuition each semester, so EUR 1,453.44 over two semesters, plus the union fee. Rent and food are on top, and the visa will require proof of funds. Compare that with Finland, where tuition alone could be EUR 13,000 or more before any scholarship.
Yearly Tuition Compared
This table converts the published fees into a yearly figure for a master’s student, using two semesters a year. Norway is shown in kroner because the figure is published in that currency. Fees are for new non-EU students and can change.
| Destination | Yearly tuition for a master’s | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Czechia (Czech-taught) | None | Needs good Czech |
| Germany (most states) | None; semester contribution about EUR 200 to 860 a year | Proof of funds EUR 11,904 for the visa |
| Austria | EUR 1,453.44, plus the student union fee | EUR 726.72 per semester |
| Baden-Wurttemberg | EUR 3,000 | EUR 1,500 per semester |
| France (from September 2026) | EUR 3,941 | Up to 10% of students exempt |
| TUM, Germany | EUR 8,000 or 12,000 | EUR 4,000 or 6,000 per semester |
| Helsinki, Finland | About EUR 13,000 to 18,000; EUR 6,500 to 9,000 with a 50% waiver; nil with a full waiver | Waivers are competitive |
| NTNU, Norway | NOK 176,300 or 205,600 for most programmes | NOK 528,650 for medicine |
| Sweden and Denmark | Varies by programme | Check each programme page |
Worked Example: A First-Year Budget
Hypothetical example: a student compares Germany and Finland for a master’s. Tuition is only part of the picture, so the student builds a first-year budget with the same line items for each.
| Line item | Germany (public university, no tuition) | Finland (Helsinki, 50% waiver) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 0 | About EUR 6,500 to 9,000 |
| Semester contribution | About EUR 200 to 860 | Student union fee, check the university |
| Visa proof of funds | EUR 11,904 for a year | Check the Finnish migration service |
| Housing, food, transport, insurance | Included in the proof of funds, but check real rents in your city | Check real rents in your city |
Germany lets the student cover mostly living costs, while Finland adds a large tuition bill even after a 50% waiver. If funds are tight, the first question is whether a full waiver is realistic, since only a share of applicants receive one.
Which Route Fits Which Student
| If you… | Look at | Be aware |
|---|---|---|
| Have strong savings and want English-taught options | Austria, Finland, Sweden, Denmark | Fees are real; scholarships are competitive |
| Have limited savings but can learn a language | Czechia (Czech), Germany (German) | A preparation year may be needed |
| Want a scholarship-led route | Finland waivers; DAAD for Germany; Poland’s Banach programme | DAAD does not cover Baden-Wurttemberg tuition |
| Need predictable fees | Austria | Budget separately for housing in the city you choose |
Red Flags in Free-Tuition Adverts
- The advert says “free” but does not say for whom. Many offers are for EU and EEA citizens only.
- The page has no date. Fee rules in Norway, France and parts of Germany have all changed in recent years.
- The agent charges a large fee for “guaranteed free admission”. No agent can guarantee admission or a fee waiver.
- The advert leaves out the language of instruction. A free programme in a local language is not an English route.
A Simple Application Timeline
| Months before the course starts | Step |
|---|---|
| 12 to 10 | Shortlist countries, read fee pages, check language requirements |
| 10 to 8 | Take language tests; request transcripts |
| 8 to 6 | Apply to universities and for scholarships; for Finland, check that the January deadline is met |
| 6 to 3 | Accept an offer; arrange funds and accommodation |
| 3 to 1 | Apply for the visa and plan arrival |
Deadlines differ by country and programme. Confirm each date on the programme page.
How to keep the cost down
- Ask each university for the non-EU fee in writing before you apply.
- Look at Iceland, where public universities charge a registration fee instead of tuition. See study in Iceland.
- Apply for scholarships and fee waivers at the same time as admission.
- Add living costs and visa proof of funds to your tuition budget. See visa financial requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which European country is cheapest for Nigerian students?
Germany outside Baden-Württemberg and TUM, and Czechia for Czech-taught programmes, are the lowest on tuition. Austria is low on a per-semester basis. Always compare the full yearly cost.
Is Norway still free?
Not for most non-EU students. Fees apply from 2023, with exemptions for specific groups.
Will France stay cheap?
New non-EU students pay the higher fees from September 2026. Existing students keep the old rate.
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