
Numerous universities across the globe provide high-quality education at reasonable tuition costs. The best choice depends on the country or region you prefer, your field of study, and your budget.
Thankfully, a small number of universities worldwide provide free tuition to students.
One of them is the University of Oslo in Norway, which provides all students with free tuition, regardless of nationality. This is a policy of most public universities in Norway, as higher education in the country is publicly funded. However, students are required to pay a small semester fee (around NOK 600–900, approximately $50–$80), which grants access to student welfare services, libraries, and other facilities.
While tuition is free, Norway has a high cost of living. Monthly expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and personal costs, can range between NOK 10,000–20,000 ($900–$1,800).
Many undergraduate programs are taught in Norwegian, so proficiency in the Norwegian language is required. However, several master’s programs are offered in English.
While tuition is free in Norway, you can apply for scholarships such as the Quota Scheme or other financial aid programs to help cover living expenses.
However, students may be exempt from paying tuition at the University of Oslo (UiO) if they meet the following criteria:
• They have worked full-time in Norway for at least two years
• They have been a resident in Norway and paid taxes there
• They had a residence permit as an employee during the qualifying period
• There are no gaps in the qualifying period or between the qualifying period and their further studies
To apply for exemption, students will need to provide the following documentation:
• A copy of their passport or national ID card
• A copy of their residence card from the UDI
• A decision letter from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) or police
• A certificate from their employer
• A printout of their income tax determination, salary and deduction statements, or payslips
• Students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees at UiO, unless they qualify for an exemption. Tuition fees for the 2023/2024 academic year are 198,000 to 286,000 NOK per year.
You can also apply here: https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission
Other universities that provide high-quality but reasonably priced tuition exist in addition to Oslo University.
Europe—
Germany: Public universities, such as the University of Heidelberg, Technical University of Munich, and LMU Munich, often charge no tuition fees or minimal fees for international students.
France: Universities like Sorbonne University offer affordable fees, especially for EU students, with courses in English and French.
Asia—
India: Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) offer quality education at low fees.
China: Tsinghua University and Peking University are highly ranked with relatively low fees.
Malaysia: Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) provide affordable fees for international students.
North America—
Canada: Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Manitoba are affordable compared to other Canadian universities.
Mexico: National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) offers low-cost education with global recognition.
Latin America—
Brazil: Public universities like the University of São Paulo provide tuition-free education for domestic and international students.
Argentina: The University of Buenos Aires (UBA) offers free education for everyone.
Africa—
South Africa: The University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University are affordable and internationally ranked.
Online and Distance Learning—
University of the People: Tuition-free, accredited online university offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs.
Open University (UK): Offers affordable distance learning programs globally.