How to Study Abroad for Free

Quality education is by no means cheap, neither in terms of intellectual efforts nor in terms of tuition fees. While students have to work hard to pass exams, their parents/relatives have to pay a lot of money for such an opportunity.

Higher education is one of the most important components of life in the contemporary world because professional skills and profound knowledge are integral to a successful career, and those who realize the importance of higher education, realize the importance of studying abroad.

Moreover, education abroad is more than lectures and libraries (which can also be found in your country); rather, it is about the experience, opportunities, and relationships. Given the importance and benefits of studying abroad, while knowing it may be too expensive, you should consider ways to study overseas for free.

If you think that the only free cheese is in the mousetrap, take some time to read the 4 main facts about studying abroad for free prepared by the EssayShark essay writers team.

1. Why Free Education Is Important?

Take a look at the reasons why there are so many universities around the world that offer tuition-free education for both local and international students. The very fact that such a system exists and successfully functions support the notion that education abroad is vitally important, and governments and entrepreneurs realize its significance.

According to Afua Hirsch, the concept of free (or, at least, extremely cheap) education occurred after the World War II, when politicians and public figures realized that educated men and women are focused on the development of the country’s economy instead of fighting with each other; educated people are eager to cultivate society instead of destroying it.

However, due to poverty and economic instability after the war, state officials had to invest in free higher education, and that was the reason why the 1944 Education Act was signed in Britain. That document offered free education for students from different classes, including poor though talented ones.

Further, that initiative was supported by other European countries, and especially Germany. To illustrate the exceptional economic benefit of free education, Bernie Sanders writes that “a worker with an associate’s degree will earn about $360,000 more over their career than a worker with a high school diploma. And a worker with a bachelor’s degree will earn almost $1 million more.”

In other words, countries around the world are interested in tuition-free higher education because of two consequences it brings, namely, reduction of social problems and economic growth within a country.

2. Where Can You Study for Free?

Now, needless to say, that not all countries offer tuition-free education. Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of them, and you should get to know the list. It was already mentioned that Germany invites students from all around the world and offers them tuition-free education in one of the best and top-ranked universities in the country because Europe (the European Union and Germany as its most influential representative) needs skilled professionals.

For example, according to Lisa Goetz, you can freely study at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Technical University of Munich, and the University of Bonn. Or, you can study completely for free in the Czech Republic in such eminent institutions as Charles University and Czech Technical University in Prague.

Among other countries, notice Norway, Finland, Slovenia, Sweden, France, Mexico, and Brazil. For instance, the University of Oslo (Norway) grants international students with the scholarship and, if that is not enough, job opportunities so that undergraduates could finance their living expenses (accommodation, insurances, and transport). There are also some fellowships in Norway that sponsor both studying and living of Ph.D. students who cannot be distracted by part-time working to ensure a living for themselves and their families.

It is quite important that these universities specialize in various academic spheres, beginning from human sciences (liberal arts) and ending with hard science. That is to say, regardless of your preferences and academic abilities, you have a chance to find a university abroad according to your expectations; you can study whatever you want for free.

Find as much information about various universities as possible, speak to graduates or past participants of the international programs in order to get to know about their experience, compare different institutions and choose what you feel is the best for you. In other words, do not be afraid to try!

3. What is the Language of Study Abroad for Free?

Also, keep in mind that most of the European universities have programs in English because it is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world. Nevertheless, it is not the case in a few particular countries. For example, in France, you can study if only you can speak French fluently, and students in Mexico and Brazil have no options but to learn the basics of Portugees or Spanish. However, even if your language proficiency is somewhat poor, do not be discouraged from studying abroad for free.

You can take time to prepare for applying to university and, during that period of time, pass the IELTS or TOEFL exams. One of the greatest advantages of studying abroad is that you can practice a foreign language due to intense and deep immersion into a new culture and linguistic environment.

Nowadays, the extremely globalized world demands that professionals knew as many languages as possible, so your experience of studying in a foreign university would be gain in your career. IES Abroad suggests that “whether you’re learning a language for the first time or you’ve had years of classroom instruction, studying abroad invites you to take your language abilities to the next level.”

Therefore, studying abroad for free is impossible without any knowledge of the language of that country, but if you have at least some basic skills of language, the environment of that country will help you to improve your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency.

4. On What Basis Can You Study for Free?

There are several requirements for international applicants who want to study for free.

1. You should connect with the university directly, without intermediaries who, typically, do all the necessary application paperwork. Universities want to interact with the prospective students directly if these applicants count on free education.
2. Do some research regarding the classes you should take so that your home university might accept them for your degree.
3. Pass the aptitude test (it may vary, depending on your university).
4. If needed, get the VISA. Fifthly, prove your financial resources (for instance, according to German policies, you must have at least €10,236 per one academic year).
5. Pay for valid health insurance, if you do not need one. Therefore, if all the requirements are met and you are psychologically ready to study abroad for free, do it as soon as possible.

We hope we’ve helped you to find out more about the opportunities of studying abroad for free, keeping in mind the main countries to discover and some general requirements you need to know about. Good luck in finding the college of your dreams!