7 countries where INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS can study at universities, in English, for free (or almost free)
Since 1985, U.S. college costs have surged by about 500 percent, and tuition fees keep rising. In Germany, they've done the opposite.
The country's universities have been tuition-free since the beginning of
October, when Lower Saxony became the last state to scrap the fees.
Tuition rates were always low in Germany, but now the German government
fully funds the education of its citizens -- and even of foreigners.
Explaining the change, Dorothee Stapelfeldt, a senator in the northern
city of Hamburg, said tuition fees "discourage young people who do not
have a traditional academic family background from taking up study. It
is a core task of politics to ensure that young women and men can study
with a high quality standard free of charge in Germany."
What might interest potential university students in the United States
is that Germany offers some programs in English -- and it's not the only
country. Let's take a look at the surprising -- and very cheap --
alternatives to pricey American college degrees.
Germany
Germany's higher education landscape primarily consists of
internationally well-ranked public universities, some of which receive
special funding because the government deems them "excellent
institutions." What's more, Americans can earn a German undergraduate or
graduate degree without speaking a word of German and without having to
pay a single dollar of tuition fees: About 900undergraduate
or graduate degrees are offered exclusively in English, with courses
ranging from engineering to social sciences. For some German degrees,
you don't even have to formally apply.
In fact, the German government would be happy if you decided to make use
of its higher education system. The vast degree offerings in English
are intended to prepare German students to communicate in a foreign
language, but also to attract foreign students, because the country
needs more skilled workers.
Finland
This northern European country charges no tuition fees, and it offers a
large number of university programs in English. However, the Finnish
government amiably reminds interested
foreigners that they "are expected to independently cover all everyday
living expenses." In other words: Finland will finance your
education, but not your afternoon coffee break.
France
There are at least 76 English-language undergraduate programs in France,
but many are offered by private universities and are expensive.
Many more graduate-level courses, however, are designed for English-speaking students, and one out of every three French doctoral degrees is awarded to a foreign student.
"It is no longer needed to be fluent in French to study in France," according to the government agency Campus France.
Public university programs charge only a small tuition fee of about 200
dollars for most programs. Other, more elite institutions have adopted a
model that requires students to pay fees that are based on the income
of their parents. Children of unemployed parents can study for free,
while more privileged families have to pay more. This rule is only valid
for citizens of the European Union, but even the maximum fees (about
$14,000 per year) are often much lower than U.S. tuition fees. Some
universities, such as Sciences Po Paris, offer dual degrees with U.S.
colleges.
Sweden
This Scandinavian country is among the world's wealthiest, and its
beautiful landscape beckons. It also offers some of the world's most
cost-efficient college degrees. More than 300 listed programs in 35 universities are taught in English. However, only Ph.D programs are tuition-free.
Norway
Norwegian universities do not charge tuition
fees for international students. The Norwegian higher education system
is similar to the one in the United States: Class sizes are small and
professors are easily approachable. Many Norwegian universities offer programs
taught in English. American students, for example, could choose
"Advanced Studies for Solo Instrumentalists or Chamber Music Ensembles"
or "Development Geography."
But don't expect to save money in Norway, which has one of the world's highest costs of living for expats. And
be careful where you decide to study. "Winters in general are quite
different in different parts of the country, with the north having hard,
arctic winters, and the southwest mostly having mild, wet average
European winters," the Norwegian Center for International Cooperation in
Education notes.
Slovenia
About 150 English programs are available, and
foreign nationals only pay an insignificant registration fee when they
enroll. Slovenia borders Italy and Croatia, among Europe's most popular
vacation destinations. However, Times Higher Education, a weekly
magazine based in London, did not list one Slovenian university in its recent World University Ranking.
Brazil
Some Brazilian courses are taught in English,
and state universities charge only minor registration fees. Times
Higher Education ranks two Brazilian universities among the world's top
400: the University of Sao Paulo and the State University of Campinas.
However, Brazil might be better suited for exchange students seeking a
cultural experience rather than a degree.
"It is worth remembering that most of USP activities are carried out in Portuguese," the University of Sao Paulo reminds applicants on its website.
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