17 Best Cheap Universities in Europe for International Students
More than 6.4 million international students are studying all over the planet — that’s 4 times higher than the number of international students worldwide back in 2000.
Based on the most recent data from the European Commission (EC), there are 1.46 million international students attending college in Europe.
It goes without saying that Europe is a popular destination for degree-seeking students from various parts of the world.
Planning on becoming one of them because you heard that tuition costs are lower in Europe?
Below are 17 of the cheapest yet some of the best European universities:
| University | US News Ranking | Times Higher Education |
|---|---|---|
| Free University of Berlin | #35 in Europe | #83 in the World |
| University of Gottingen | #55 in Europe | #119 in the World |
| RWTH Aachen University | #80 in Europe | #108 in the World |
| University of Basel | #51 in Europe | #103 in the World |
| University of Wurzburg | #74 in Europe | #165 in the World |
| Heidelberg University | #15 in Europe | #165 in the World |
| University of Vienna | #83 in Europe | #137 in the World |
| Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies | #287 in Europe | #14 in Young University |
| Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa | #129 in Europe | #197 in the World |
| University of Mannheim | #310 in Europe | #146 in the World |
| University of Pisa | #84 in Europe | |
| ETH Zurich | #5 in Europe | #15 in the World |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | #23 in Europe | #74 in the World |
| Nord University | #553 in Europe | |
| TU Dresden | #74 in Europe | #172 in the World |
| Novosibirsk State University | #211 in Europe | |
| University of Cologne | #98 in Europe | #172 in the World |
1. Free University of Berlin
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Founding date: 1948
- School type: Public research university
- Student body: 31,500
- Campus type: Suburban
- Estimated tuition: $1,022
- Acceptance rate: 15%
Popular academic programs: Agriculture, computer science, education, engineering, humanities, journalism, languages and literature, mathematics, medicine, natural sciences, social studies
Making the Free University of Berlin a great school for international students is that it welcomes applicants from abroad.
As a matter of fact, it is estimated about a fifth of all its current students are from outside of Germany.
But be warned: the acceptance rate at the public research university is only 15% — it’s very selective.
Times Higher Education ranks the Free University of Berlin #83 in the World University Rankings.
US News ranks it #95 in Best Global Universities.
The well-known college ranker also ranks it #35 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #5 in Best Global Universities in Germany.
The school is #152 in Best Universities in the World by EduRank.
2. University of Gottingen
- Location: Gottingen, Germany
- Founding date: 1734
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 27,556
- Estimated tuition: $654
- Acceptance rate: 17%
Popular academic programs: Chemistry, computer science, education, engineering, humanities, law, mathematics, natural sciences, neuroscience, physics, psychology, social studies
Although many degree programs at the University of Gottingen cost below $1,000 only, students may still apply for financial aid. International students, which make up about 12% of the institution’s studentry, may do the same.
As a matter of fact, Emergency Grants are available for them, which cover the cost of living for up to six months.
The public research university is ranked #119 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.
It’s #149 in Best Global Universities by US News as well as #7 in Best Global Universities in Germany and #55 in Best Global Universities in Europe for the same year.
Meanwhile, EduRank ranks it #130 in Best Universities in the World.
3. RWTH Aachen University
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Founding date: 1870
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 47,173
- Estimated tuition: $511
- Acceptance rate: 10%
Popular academic programs: Chemical engineering, chemistry, geosciences, materials science, mechanical engineering, natural sciences, nanotechnology, nuclear medicine, physics, radiology
With an acceptance rate of only 10%, RWTH Aachen University is a highly selective school. But it’s worth it for competitive international students as tuition is just a little over $500.
Proof that many degree-seeking students from various countries are attracted to the public research university is that 30% of its studentry are foreigners.
In the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education, RWTH Aachen University is #108.
Meanwhile, it’s #192 in Best Global Universities, #80 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #13 in Best Global Universities in Germany by US News.
The college ranking site has also ranked many of the school’s academic programs.
4. University of Basel
- Location: Basel, Switzerland
- Founding date: 1460
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 13,039
- Estimated tuition: $1,756
- Acceptance rate: 46%
Popular academic programs: Arts, biochemistry, biology, humanities, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology, neuroscience, occupational health, psychiatry, psychology
It’s not just the oldest universities in Switzerland — the University of Basel is also considered one of the oldest surviving universities in the world!
Approximately 23% of the school’s attendees are international students, and a large percentage of the more than 1,000 faculty members are foreign specialists.
The public research university is #103 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.
For the same year, US News ranks it #135 in Best Global Universities, #51 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #6 in Best Global Universities in Switzerland.
EduRank, meanwhile, ranks it #244 in Best Universities in the World.
5. University of Wurzburg
- Location: Wurzburg, Germany
- Founding date: 1582
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 28,375
- Estimated tuition: $254
- Acceptance rate: 18%
Popular academic programs: Animal science, biology, cell biology, ecology, endocrinology, materials science, microbiology, oncology, physics, plant science, radiology
Around 7% of all students attending the University of Wurzburg, which is also known as the Julius Maximilian University of Wurzburg are from overseas.
It isn’t surprising as it’s a highly ranked institution not only in Germany but also in Europe and all over the globe.
What’s more, tuition can be as low as $254, depending on the program.
The University of Wurzburg is #165 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.
Meanwhile, it’s #185 in Best Global Universities, #74 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #11 in Best Global Universities in Germany, all of which by US News.
6. Heidelberg University
- Location: Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
- Founding date: 1386
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 18,000
- Estimated tuition: $1,022
- Acceptance rate: 81%
Popular academic programs: Biology, computer science, law, neurosurgery, nuclear medicine, ophthalmology, physics, psychology, radiation therapy, social sciences
In all of Germany, Heidelberg University is regarded as one of the biggest and oldest, too.
The well-known public research university is also considered one of the most prestigious, which is why it attracts a lot of international students — around 21% of those who attend it are foreigners.
Also, most of its 4,000 faculty members are foreign specialists.
Times Higher Education gives Heidelberg University a ranking of #165 in the World University Rankings.
It’s #54 in Best Global Universities, #15 in Best Global Universities in Europe, and #2 in Best Global Universities in Germany, all of which are by US News.
It has a high ranking by EduRank: #74 in Best Universities in the World.
7. University of Vienna
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Founding date: 1365
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 90,216
- Estimated tuition: $781
- Acceptance rate: 34%
Popular academic programs: Animal science, arts, astrobiology, biochemistry, biology, ecology, humanities, microbiology, neurosurgery, public health, social sciences,
There are more than 180 degree programs available at the University of Vienna, which is a very large school in terms of enrollment — it has more than 90,000 enrollees, as of this writing.
Foreign students who are looking to earn a degree from it will be happy to learn that almost 50% of the school’s attendees are international ones.
According to Times Higher Education, the University of Vienna is #137 in the World University Rankings.
US News, on the other hand, gives it the following rankings: #201 in Best Global Universities, #83 in Best Global Universities in Europe, and #1 in Best Global Universities in Austria.
8. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies
- Location: Pisa, Italy
- Founding date: 1987
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 1,652
- Estimated tuition: $664
- Acceptance rate: 30%
Popular academic programs: Agriculture, business, economics, industrial engineering, information engineering, legal science, management, medicine, political science
Also known as Saint Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa (SSSA), Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is a small university accommodating less than 2,000 students per year.
Established only in the 1980s, the public research university accepts international students and encourages its local attendees to study abroad during summer.
Because it’s a relatively new institution, Times Higher Education ranks Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies #14 in Young University Rankings.
US News ranks it #689 in Best Global Universities, #287 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #42 in Best Global Universities in Italy.
9. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
- Location: Pisa, Italy
- Founding date: 1810
- School type: Public institution
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 488
- Estimated tuition: $666
- Acceptance rate: 5%
Popular academic programs: Archaeology, art, business, chemistry, economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, performing arts, philosophy, physics, space science, statistics, theology
For many English-speaking students, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa is the Teacher Training School of Pisa. Around 16% of its very small population consists of international students.
Those who are interested in flying and attend the Pisa, Italy-based school should have competitive applications as it’s very selective, with a low acceptance rate of 5%.
It’s #197 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.
Meanwhile, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa is ranked by US News #303 in Best Global Universities, #129 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #16 in Best Global Universities in Italy.
10. University of Mannheim
- Location: Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
- Founding date: 1907
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 12,054
- Estimated tuition: $1,022
- Acceptance rate: 35%
Popular academic programs: Accounting, business, computer science, economics, education, finance, law, management, mathematics, public health, social sciences, statistics, psychiatry, psychology
Known as the Harvard University of Germany, the University of Mannheim is considered one of the most prestigious schools in the Land of Poets and Thinkers.
Around 25% of its attendees are foreign students. Nearly 30 years after its founding in 1907, it merged with the University of Heidelberg.
Times Higher Education ranks the University of Mannheim #146 in the World University Rankings 2022.
And the following are its local and global rankings by the well-known college ranking site, US News: #756 in Best Global Universities, #310 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #47 in Best Global Universities in Germany.
11. University of Pisa
- Location: Pisa, Italy
- Founding date: 1343
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 49,108
- Estimated tuition: $1,750
- Acceptance rate: 25%
Popular academic programs: Aerospace engineering, agriculture, animal science, electronic engineering, endocrinology, food science and technology, horticulture, nuclear engineering, physics
In 1959, Galileo Galilei, the Italian mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, became Chair of Mathematics at the University of Pisa. Consisting of 20 departments and with high research activity, it’s considered one of the top institutions in Italy.
The school employs over 1,700 faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1.
EduRank gives the University of Pisa the following rankings: #238 in Best Universities in the World, #87 in Best Universities in Europe and #6 in Best Universities in Italy.
Meanwhile, it’s #203 in Best Global Universities, #84 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #6 in Best Global Universities in Italy by US News.
12. ETH Zurich
- Location: Zurich, Switzerland
- Founding date: 1854
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 20,428
- Estimated tuition: $1,136
- Acceptance rate: 27%
Popular academic programs: Agriculture, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, geosciences, materials science, mathematics, microbiology, optics, physics
English-speaking students call ETH Zurich either Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich or Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.
In any case, the fact remains that it’s one of the leading institutions in Switzerland. And this is the reason why it attracts a lot of international students — a whopping 41% of its attendees are from abroad.
Times Higher Education ranks ETH Zurich #15 in the World University Rankings.
On the other hand, it’s US News’ #26 in Best Global Universities, #5 in Best Global Universities in Europe, and #1 in Best Global Universities in Switzerland.
EduRank gives it a ranking of #62 in Best Universities in the World.
13. Humboldt University of Berlin
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Founding date: 1809
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 33,868
- Estimated tuition: $1,022
- Acceptance rate: 18%
Popular academic programs: Arts, biochemistry, biology, forensic science, humanities, medicine, molecular biology, quantum physics, particle physics, psychology, radiology, theoretical physics,
There are different Humboldt University of Berlin campuses, each one known for a particular discipline.
Its Adlershof campus, for instance, is known for natural sciences. Meanwhile, its Mitte campus is known for arts and humanities.
All in all, the institution has more than 2,000 faculty members. Up to 18% of its attendees are international students.
The public research university is #74 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.
In various US News rankings, it’s #78 in Best Global Universities, #23 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #4 in Best Global Universities in Germany.
Meanwhile, it’s #153 in Best Universities in the World by EduRank.
14. Nord University
- Location: Nordland, Norway
- Founding date: 2011
- School type: State university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 11,000
- Estimated tuition: $950
- Acceptance rate: 25%
Popular academic programs: Biology, cardiology, early childhood education, English, exercise science, film and TV production, games and entertainment technology, sports science
International students planning on attending Nord University will be happy to learn that the school offers courses and programs on all levels — including one-year and online ones.
The state university also has the International Students Union (ISU), which aims to focus on the social, academic and political situation of international students in Norway.
EduRank gives Nord University the following rankings: #15 in Best Universities in Norway, #819 in Best Universities in Europe and #2763 in Best Universities in the World.
On the other hand, SCImago Institutions Rankings ranks it #38 in Research, #41 in Societal and #48 in Overall.
15. TU Dresden
- Location: Dresden, Germany
- Founding date: 1828
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 37,000
- Estimated tuition: $545
- Acceptance rate: 52%
Popular academic programs: biochemistry, biology, cell biology, chemistry, computer science, condensed matter physics, endocrinology, industrial engineering, materials science, physical chemistry, radiology
Technische Universitat Dresden is also known as TU Dresden. Some English speakers refer to it as the Dresden University of Technology.
In any case, the fact remains that it’s the largest institution of higher education in Dresden and one of the biggest in all of Germany.
Around 17% of all students attending it are from abroad.
The institution is ranked #172 in World University Rankings and #72 in Impact Rankings: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by Times Higher Education.
Meanwhile, it’s #185 in Best Global Universities, #74 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #11 in Best Global Universities in Germany, all of which are by US News.
16. Novosibirsk State University
- Location: Novosibirsk, Russia
- Founding date: 1958
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Suburban
- Student body: 7,157
- Estimated tuition: $3,000
- Acceptance rate: 15%
Popular academic programs: Chemical engineering, chemistry, geosciences, materials science, mathematics, nuclear physics, optics, petrology, physical chemistry, physics
The admissions officers at Novosibirsk State University welcome applicants from abroad. So much so that almost 1 in every 4 attendees is an international student.
The public research university is primarily known for its various STEM-related courses and programs, which can be very competitive — it’s no wonder why it has a low acceptance rate of 15%.
#4 in Best Universities in Russia, #334 in Best Universities in Europe and #875 in Best Universities in the World — these are the rankings of Novosibirsk State University by EduRank.
For the same year, meanwhile, US News ranks it #503 in Best Global Universities, #211 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #4 in Best Global Universities in Russia.
17. University of Cologne
- Location: Cologne, Germany
- Founding date: 1388
- School type: Public research university
- Campus type: Urban
- Student body: 32,405
- Estimated tuition: $511
- Acceptance rate: 20%
Popular academic programs: Animal science, arts, cell biology, humanities, infectious diseases, microbiology, neurosurgery, oncology, pharmacology, public health, social sciences, toxicology
One of the things that make the University of Cologne popular is that it offers extensive double-degree programs where students who seek them can attend partner schools, including international ones.
Considered one of the oldest and largest institutions in Germany, the university has many international attendees, making up 18% of its studentry.
In the World University Rankings of Times Higher Education, the University of Cologne ranks #172.
It’s #230 in Best Global Universities by US News as well as #98 in Best Global Universities in Europe and #17 in Best Global Universities in Germany.
The well-known college ranker has also ranked many of its programs.
Most Affordable English Speaking Universities in Europe
You probably heard a million times how college is getting expensive in the US every year. Or maybe you are dreaming of studying abroad. Or perhaps you want to live as far as possible from your parents, and Hawaii still feels too close.
No matter your intentions, you should know that you are not alone.
Based on the latest data, there are 1.46 million students from abroad who are attending colleges and universities in Europe.
The biggest percentage of them, which amounts to 23%, are studying in Germany.
Thinking about following suit and earning an international degree? Don’t stop reading now!
Above we discussed 17 of not only some of the cheapest but also some of the most highly ranked institutions of higher education in Europe.
You will be surprised that you can study abroad by paying tuition as low as around $250!
Read Next: Best cheap universities in Canada
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.
