Where in European countries can higher education be obtained almost for free, and where can its cost deter a foreign student? A correspondent for Deutsche Welle has compiled a short guide for those dreaming of a European diploma.
Starting from the 2017/18 academic year, Baden-Württemberg is introducing tuition fees for students from non-EU countries. 1500 euros will be the cost per semester for those starting their studies this fall. In the other federal states of Germany, first higher education will remain free for now. Although fees for foreigners are also being considered in North Rhine-Westphalia. And how are things in other European countries?
There are no common rules at the European level. Each country has the right to decide whether to charge students. The only legislative requirement is that the status of students from EU countries is equated to that of local students. That is, if in Germany no fees are charged from Germans, they are not charged from, for example, Danes or French either. Students from outside the EU are a separate category.
One of the few countries that provides everyone with the opportunity to get a university diploma for free is Norway. However, you will have to pay a registration fee of around 300-600 euros per semester. This amount covers the universities' costs for organizing meals for students, sports sections, and language courses. It should be noted that the cost of living in this country is the highest in Europe.
In French public universities, all students equally pay only a minimal semester fee — about 200 euros per year for bachelor's and master's students, 600 euros for future engineers, and about 400 euros for participants in PhD programs. It is not surprising that France is among the top five countries in the world with the largest number of foreign students.
But Luxembourg is not only a tax haven; students can also save their finances in this country. Education in most study programs here is free for everyone. However, a registration fee of 100 euros per semester is mandatory. True, the choice for students is small: this country has only one public university with three faculties.
In public universities in the Czech Republic, no tuition fees are charged for programs taught in Czech. Students in English-language programs pay up to 1000 euros per semester, depending on the chosen specialty and level of study. Additionally, the university may charge 20 euros for registration.
In Greece, only some public universities charge tuition fees for non-EU foreigners. This applies to both bachelor's and master's programs. In such cases, studies can cost 1500 euros per year. Combined with relatively low living expenses, studying in this country can be considered quite affordable.
Since summer 2017, Finland has introduced tuition fees for non-EU students. From 4 to 20 thousand euros per year will be the cost of first higher education in English. The new regulation does not affect bachelor's and master's students who started their studies earlier. Programs in Finnish or Swedish remain free, as does doctoral education. Finns and EU citizens do not pay for studies at public universities.
For students from non-EU countries, the cost of education in Austria is approximately 1500 euros per year. If a student (regardless of citizenship) exceeds the standard study period by more than two semesters, they will have to pay about 360 euros for each subsequent half-year. Mandatory for everyone is accident insurance — 20 euros per semester.
Denmark is a magnet for European students. High education standards and the absence of tuition fees are arguments in its favor. But not for non-EU students: they are charged fees that can reach up to 16 thousand euros per year. The exception is students with a residence permit in Denmark. European countries with the highest tuition fees (up to 20 thousand and above) also include Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The Netherlands is also on the list of countries with high tuition fees. Dutch citizens, as well as EU citizens, pay about 2000 euros annually. For students from outside the European Union, the fee at public universities ranges from 5 to 25 thousand per year.
Against this background, higher education in Switzerland seems quite affordable. Non-EU foreigners are charged tuition fees of 750-3500 euros per half-year. The registration fee at Swiss public universities is 50-80 euros per semester.