Cheapest Countries to Study for Indian Students

India’s students are starting to like Europe as a place to get a good education at a price they can afford. Since tuition and living costs are going up in places like the US, UK, and Australia, students are moving to European countries that offer degrees that are worth the money, different cultures, and job opportunities that won’t drain your savings.

Let’s look at the pros, cons, and special features of the top 10 most affordable European countries for Indian students.

Top 10 Low-Cost Countries for Indian Students

There are a few countries that give degrees that are recognized all over the world, and are the cheapest places to live and study as per various resources. Let us take a look at the list:

Austria

• Living on a Budget: In places like Vienna and Graz, flats outside of campus cost between €250 and €700 per month. On-campus housing costs between €250 and €1,000 per month. It costs between €350 and €1,200 a month to live in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
• Good Education: The University of Vienna and the Technische Universität Wien offer classes in both engineering and social studies.
• Job opportunities: Graduates can apply for a 12-month Jobseeker’s Residence Permit to look for work after they graduate.
• Language Barrier: Many schools are in English, but you may need to know German for daily life and some classes.
• Cultural Adjustment: Some students may find it hard to get used to the local traditions and social norms.

Malta

• Affordable Places to Stay: It costs between €250 and €700 a month to live on campus. Flats off-campus cost between €300 and €1,200 a month, and PBSAs begin at €600.
• Classes Taught in English: The University of Malta has business, IT, and health sciences classes.
• Post-Study Job Opportunities: Recent graduates can get a work visa that lasts for one year and can be extended if they get a job offer.
• Cons: Not as many course options as in bigger countries; Malta may not have as many school choices.
• Smaller Job Market: Because the country is smaller, there may not be as many job possibilities.

Portugal

• The cost of living is low: The cost of living on campus is between €150 and €800 per month. They range in price from €250 to €1,000 for flats outside of schools.
• Quality Schools: The University of Porto and the University of Lisbon are both good at management and data science.
• Post-Study Job Opportunities: Graduates can get a pass to look for work that lasts for 18 months.
• Startup Visa: Portugal has a startup visa for students who want to start their own tech businesses after they graduate.
• Language Barrier: Many classes are in English, but knowing Portuguese can help you in your daily life and at work.
• Economic Factors: The job market can be tough, and the jobless rate is higher than in other EU countries.

Spain

• Opportunities to Work After Graduation: Graduates can get a one-year pass to work after graduation, which can be renewed for high-demand jobs.
• Wide range of programs: For example, the University of Barcelona and the Complutense University of Madrid give classes in architecture, medicine, and the social sciences.
• Cons: It costs more to live off campus. Flats off campus cost between €400 and €1,300 per week, which makes some places pricey to live.
• Language Barrier: A lot of classes are in English, but many jobs require you to know Spanish.

Germany

• Cheap Living: In Berlin and Munich, it can cost between €350 and €1,200 a month to live away from school. The cost of living on campus is between €250 and €700 per month. It usually costs between €400 and €1,100 for purpose-built student housing (PBSA).
• A good education: well-known universities like Technische Universität München and Heidelberg University offer well-known business, humanities, and STEM studies.
• Job Opportunities: Graduates can stay in Germany for up to 18 months on a visa that lets them look for work in their field.
• Cons: Many master’s programs are taught in English, but most jobs and everyday life outside of education require German skills.
• Cultural Adjustment: Some foreign students may find the structured and formal German way of life hard to get used to. It can take time to get used to being on time and following the rules of the government.

Poland

• Cheap Living: Flats away from school cost around €200 to €700 a month. The cost of living on campus is low, at around €150 to €500 per month. Every month, PBSA plans cost between €300 and €800.
• Good Schools: The University of Warsaw and the Warsaw University of Technology both offer English-language business, medicine, and engineering classes.
• Job Opportunities: Graduates can get a temporary residence pass to look for work or start working right away after finishing school.
• Barriers caused by language: Many programs are in English, but knowing Polish is very helpful for internships, part-time work, and everyday life.
• Cultural Adjustment: It might be hard for students to deal with winter, and they will need time to get used to the Polish language and local practices in public places.

Hungary

• Cheap Living: Flats off-campus cost around €200 to €700 a month, and living on campus costs around €100 to €400. It costs between €300 and €750 a month to use a PBSA.
• Good Education: Courses in health studies, IT, and engineering are taught in English at universities such as Semmelweis University and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
• People who have graduated from school can stay in Hungary for 9–12 months to look for work with a post-study visa.
• Language Barrier: Most classes are taught in English, but most people speak Hungarian, which can make daily life difficult.
• Cultural Adjustment: At first, it may be hard for international students to get used to the language and the slower pace of government processes.

The Czech Republic

• Cheap Places to Live: Flats outside of school cost between €250 and €800 a month. It costs between €150 and €400 a month to live on campus. It takes between €300 and €850 to join PBSA.
• Good Education: In Prague, Charles University and the Czech Technical University both have English-language classes in business, engineering, science, and technology.
• Students with legal residence permits can work part-time, and graduates can apply for an extended residence permit to look for full-time work.
• Language Barrier: Many classes are taught in English, but people need to know Czech for work and everyday life.
• Cultural Adjustment: Prague is a friendly place, but it may take students a while to get used to the language and the quieter social scene.

Bulgaria

• When it comes to budgeting, this is one of the best places to live in the EU. Off-campus apartments cost around €150 to €600 a month. Housing on campus costs between €100 and €300 a month. Options for PBSA start at about €250.
• There are good schools in Bulgaria, like Sofia University and the Medical University of Varna, that teach health, IT, and business in English.
• Job Opportunities: Students can work part-time while they are in school and can apply for a temporary residence card to look for work after they graduate.
• Language Barrier: In everyday life, most people speak Bulgarian, and only a few know English outside of school.
• Cultural Adjustment: It might take some time for students from outside of Europe to get used to the local language, food, and customs.

Lithuania

• How to Spend Less: It costs between €100 and €400 a month to live on campus. From €200 to €600, you can find a flat off campus. Prices for PBSA choices range from €250 to €700 per month.
• Get a good education: IT, management, and business courses are offered in English at Vilnius University and Kaunas University of Technology.
• Getting a job: Graduates can look for work in Lithuania for one year with a temporary residence card.
• Language Barrier: Many schools use English, but being able to speak Lithuanian is useful at work and when interacting with people in your area.
• Cultural Adjustment: It can get very cold in the winter, and it may take international students some time to get used to the society and way of life.

How to Choose the Right Country?

Choosing the cheapest country to live and study isn’t only about the price. Consider:

• Language barrier
• Visa approval rate
• Job opportunities post-study
• Cultural fit
• Safety and healthcare

Read this amazing guide covering all Study Abroad Exams.

Conclusion

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to study abroad. Europe is open to Indian students because it offers cheap fees, a chance to learn about other cultures, and good job opportunities after graduation. There is a place for everyone, whether you want to go because of the free education in Germany, the low cost of living in Poland, or the thriving startup scene in Portugal.

To answer the question, “Which is the cheapest place for Indian students to study?” keep in mind that it’s not just about cost, but also about what fits your needs, goals, and future. Make a smart choice, and then start your trip around the world!

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