Schools in Europe that are 100% Free to Attend and How to Apply
Europe boasts excellent universities that provide high-quality education to both local and international students. Some countries offer tuition-free education, which appeals to students looking for a cheap higher education.
Even though many colleges provide free tuition, there may be other fees, such as semester fees, administrative fees, and housing expenses. The availability of programs and free tuition may differ depending on the program and the student’s country.
Germany, Norway, and Finland are some of the countries that offer tuition-free institutions to overseas students. It is recommended that you explore and confirm the specific requirements and conditions for overseas students at these nations’ universities.
Top schools in Europe that are 100% free to attend and how to apply
1. Free University of Berlin
The Free University of Berlin is ranked among the top universities in Germany. It is a public research university founded in 1948. It is recognized for its humanities and political science departments. Of the total of nearly 36,000 students, 22% are international students from outside Germany.
Except for a few graduate and postgraduate programs, the majority of the Free University of Berlin programs are tuition-free. In addition to their living fees, students may be required to pay for various expenses throughout the semester. Students who receive funds from other organizations are not permitted to work while enrolled at the university.
2. Fullbright foreign student program in the USA
This is an international scholarship program that accepts applications from students all over the world. If you are an international student looking to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, you can apply for this scholarship.
This is specifically for European and international students who desire to study in the United States.
This stipend covers everything, including tuition, living expenses, and health insurance. It is a fully paid financial aid package that will span the entire study period. You can choose any course/major offered by your preferred university in the United States.
3. British Chevening Scholarships
The UK government provides a scholarship stipend to individuals with leadership potential to pursue a master’s degree program of their choice. It is a fully financed stipend, and scholars may pursue any field/major of their choice at their desired university.
4. University of Sussex postgraduate scholarship in England
This fully financed scholarship is open to students pursuing a master’s or postgraduate degree. Everyone from all around the world, including its nationals, is welcome to participate; simply submit your application as soon as possible as the deadline approaches.
You can pursue any degree provided by the University of Sussex, and the financial aid will cover your tuition, living fees, and health insurance.
5. Technical University of Munich:
The British magazine “Times Higher Education” named the Technical University of Munich one of the finest universities in Germany and the European Union. For the second year in a row, the university has been ranked among the top 30 universities in the world.
The university has a strong reputation for its teaching and research facilities, particularly in medicine, applied sciences, and engineering. It also works with worldwide academic agents such as EuroTech and EUA to ensure that its education matches global industrial requirements.
Studying at a tuition-free institution in Europe can provide access to world-class education without the financial burden of tuition.
These universities provide international students with a unique and enriching academic experience, allowing them to immerse themselves in dynamic cultural contexts while earning their degrees.
6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, Switzerland
Every year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research collaboration among Switzerland and over 180 other countries. The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) chooses the beneficiaries. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are intended for young international researchers with master’s or doctoral degrees, as well as foreign artists with bachelor’s degrees.
The research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) is offered to post-graduate researchers in any area (a master’s degree is required) who want to come to Switzerland to conduct research or extend their studies at the doctoral or postdoctoral levels.
Art students interested in pursuing an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland can apply for scholarships. Art scholarships are available to students at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. Only students from a few countries are eligible for this scholarship.
7. University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships in the UK
The Clarendon Scholarship Fund offers a fully financed scholarship plan to around 140 scholars each year. This scholarship appears to be unique because it is offered to applicants based on excellence and promise in all degree-bearing areas at the graduate level.
The fund covers tuition, living expenses, and health insurance and is now accepting applications.
8. Adelaide Scholarships: International in Australia
This is a fully-funded prize available to all nationalities, created by Adelaide Scholarships International to encourage high-quality students to support the University of Adelaide’s research initiatives. The stipend covers the annual living allowance, health insurance, and tuition expenses.
9. University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarship in the Netherlands
The UM has established this scholarship to encourage high-potential academics from throughout the world to pursue a master’s degree at the UM. The fund covers living expenses, health insurance, and tuition.
10. Dalama University
Dalarna University, a public institution in Sweden, offers free tuition. They have around 15,000 students per year, and their courses are more technology-focused. The campus is also surrounded by lush woodlands that provide fresh air, solitude, and clear skies. This can be an excellent option for people looking for something more outside of the classroom setting.
11. Humboldt University of Berlin
Humboldt University of Berlin is a highly regarded and free public research institution in Germany. Humboldt University of Berlin is now the country’s sixth-best university, ranking #120 in the QS World Rankings for 2024.
The university offers free education to international students. Humboldt University offers courses in business management, art, philosophy, and sociology exclusively in English. This means that no matter what program you choose here, you can be confident that it will be approved around the world.
12. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto, Canada.
This is a scholarship program at the University of Toronto for international students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and innovation and are regarded as leaders in their institution. The fund will pay for tuition, incidental fees, books, and living expenses for up to four years.
13. Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students (Denmark).
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) provides a limited number of tuition waivers and grants under the Danish Government Scholarship Program. Scholarships are competitively awarded to highly brilliant individuals with great academic records from non-EU/EEU countries. All non-EU/EEA applicants granted admission will be automatically eligible for the scholarship. The Danish Government Scholarship provides full or partial tuition fee waivers, as well as funds to meet basic living expenses.
14. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France).
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs launched the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program to help French higher education institutions attract top international students to their master’s and doctoral programs.
It provides chances for future foreign decision-makers in the corporate and governmental sectors in priority fields of study, and it promotes applications from foreign nations up to 25 years old at the master’s level and up to 30 years old at the doctoral level.
15. VLIR-UOS Scholarship Awards (Belgium)
They provide scholarships to students and professionals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to study in Flanders, as well as travel grants to Flemish/European students to conduct fieldwork/internships in those regions. They provide scholarships to students from 29 qualifying African, Asian, and Latin American countries to pursue one of the 15 master’s programs offered in English at one or more Flemish universities. VLIR-UOS offers ten new first-year scholarships per ICP each year.
16. University of Cologne
The institution of Cologne in Germany is a multinational institution that was founded in 1798. It is not just one of the country’s oldest universities but also one of the largest, with over 35,000 students enrolled; one-fifth of them are international students.
The university offers a varied range of courses through its six faculties. The University of Cologne does not impose tuition fees, except for a yearly social contribution fee of approximately € 250.
17. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship program was founded in October 2000 with an unprecedented US$210 million contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. In October 2001, the first class of scholars moved in. Since then, the Trust has given out over 2,000 scholarships to learners from more than 100 countries.
Every year, Gates Cambridge provides roughly 80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding students from countries other than the United Kingdom to study for a postgraduate degree in any subject offered by the University of Cambridge.
Approximately two-thirds of these scholarships will go to PhD applicants, with 25 accessible in the US and 55 available in the international round. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the complete expense of attending Cambridge. It also provides additional discretionary funding.
18. University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is a tuition-free institution that allows overseas students to pursue undergraduate courses in a variety of disciplines, including social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and engineering.
The university is renowned for its robust research programs and dedication to academic success. International students can also benefit from Iceland’s distinct cultural and natural surroundings, which provide a rich and varied experience both inside and outside the classroom.
How Can International Students Successfully Apply for Scholarships to Study in Europe?
As an international student who wants to study in Europe with a fully-funded scholarship, or at least with a full-tuition scholarship, you must consider the following factors:
1. Start early research.
It is best to begin investigating scholarships as soon as possible because accumulating information ahead of time will help you understand how to proceed.
When applying for scholarships, time is critical; the earlier you submit your applications, the better. Overall, attempt to fulfill the deadline of whatever scholarship you are looking for.
Aside from meeting deadlines, we recommend that you apply earlier, especially for fully funded scholarships, because competition is always fierce here, and the majority of international students are heading to Europe, just like you, looking for scholarship opportunities.
2. Register for a scholarship search
Registering for a scholarship search will assist you in finding scholarships that fit your interests, abilities, and hobbies. You can also set up tailored notifications to alert you when fully funded scholarships in Europe that match your profile become available.
3. Inform those close to you about your scholarship search.
Talk about it with your school counselor, teachers, parents, and others. Scholarships are chances that can come from anyone, so it is a good idea to discuss it with those around you in case one comes up.
4. Ensure you make the right application decision always
Applying to a university/college that matches your profile is the most effective strategy to earn a scholarship.
Most foreign scholarships require applicants to first apply and be accepted to a certain school before being considered for grants.
Several international scholarships in Europe are offered immediately based on a student’s previous academic performance, without requiring the student to take a scholarship exam.
Conclusion
For individuals looking for scholarships for international students in Europe, following these recommendations will be quite beneficial, as earning European scholarships is sometimes very difficult, and extra effort is required to stay ahead of the competition.
So, after conducting extensive research, I was able to compile a list of 18 fully funded scholarships for international students in Europe, which I chose to list and describe in detail above.
The main goal of this post is to bring to your attention certain scholarships for international students in Europe, particularly those that are completely supported to alleviate the financial stress of studying abroad.
