10 Cheapest Country for Indian Students to Study a Master’s Degree

Pursuing a master’s degree abroad is a strategic academic decision for students aspiring for international exposure, recognised qualifications, and long-term career growth. For indian aspirants, identifying the cheapest country for Indian students plays an important role in turning this goal into a realistic plan. With rising tuition fees and living costs across global destinations, choosing the cheapest country to study a master’s degree requires early financial evaluation and careful comparison. In this process, guidance from Leverage Edu study abroad consultants helps students assess countries, universities, and expenses with greater clarity and confidence.

When evaluating affordable study destinations, it is important to recognise that expenses extend beyond tuition alone. Factors such as public or private university structures, programme level, city of study, and lifestyle choices significantly influence the overall cost. This guide explores the cheapest country to study masters degree, how studying and living expenses are structured across countries, what Indian students should budget for, and how informed planning supports sustainable academic decisions, allowing students to approach their study abroad journey with realistic financial expectations.

Key Takeaways

Before shortlisting countries and universities, the following points help clarify how affordability typically works for Indian students planning a master’s degree abroad:

●     The total cost includes tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and academic-related charges, not tuition alone.

●     Education costs vary by country, institution type, and programme level, with public and private universities following different fee structures.

●     Academic reputation, course specialisation, and city selection directly influence overall expenses.

●     Effective financial planning requires assessing both fixed costs, such as tuition, and variable costs, such as accommodation and daily living.

●     Early preparation and structured guidance from Leverage Edu study abroad consultants help students make informed and financially balanced decisions.

List of Top 10 Cheapest Countries for Indian Students to Study a Master’s Degree

For most international students, living expenses make up a larger portion of the annual budget than tuition fees. While academic costs may appear affordable, day-to-day expenses significantly influence the overall cost of studying abroad. The routine expenses are a concern, as universities and visa authorities require students to demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to support themselves throughout the entire duration of their master’s programme.

Living costs vary widely depending on where a student chooses to live. Metropolitan cities generally involve higher spending compared to suburban areas or smaller university towns. General expenses include accommodation, food, local transportation, study materials, clothing, and basic leisure activities. Keeping these cost factors in mind, the following table gives an overview of the 10 cheapest countries to study masters degree with a realistic picture of average living and studying expenses to help students make informed and financially sound decisions.

Cheapest Country for Indian Students to Study Master’s Degree

Average Tuition Fees of Public University (Annual)

Average Annual Living Cost

Mandatory Funds Proof to Study Master’s Degree

Germany

EUR 0 + semester fee EUR 250–350

EUR 11,000 to EUR 16,000

EUR 11,904

Italy

EUR 500 to EUR 4,000

EUR 7,000 to EUR 15,000

EUR 5,900 to EUR 6,000

Norway

NOK 0 + semester fee NOK 500–1,000

NOK 140,000 to 210,000

NOK 166,000

Poland

EUR 2,000 to EUR 4,000

EUR 5,000 to EUR 9,000

EUR 6,000 to EUR 7,000

France

EUR 243 (Master’s)

EUR 10,000 to EUR 15,000

EUR 7,380

Czech Republic

EUR 1,000 to EUR 4,000

EUR 6,000 to EUR 10,000

EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500

Spain

EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,500

EUR 7,000 to EUR 12,000

EUR 7,200

Malaysia

MYR 15,000 to MYR 40,000

MYR 20,000 to MYR 35,000

MYR 22,000 to MYR 27,000

Taiwan

TWD 90,000 to TWD 270,000

TWD 150,000 to TWD 240,000

TWD 180,000 to TWD 210,000

Belgium

EUR 900 to EUR 4,000

EUR 9,000 to EUR 13,000

EUR 7,500 to EUR 8,000

Cheapest Country to Study Masters Degree 2026

Below is the curated list of popular and affordable destinations for the country country for Indian students to pursue a Master’s degree abroad:

1. Germany

Germany is the land of ideas and is one of the most popular destinations for Indian students. The country offers tuition-free education at public universities. Students only pay a semester fee ranging from EUR 250 to EUR 350. The average annual living cost in Germany ranges between EUR 11,000 and EUR 16,000. Students must show mandatory funds of EUR 11,904.

Feature

Why Germany Is One of the Cheapest Countries to Study

Tuition Fees (Public)

EUR 0 (no tuition) + semester fee EUR 250 to EUR 350

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 10,000 to EUR 20,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, university-specific grants

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 11,904 per year (blocked account)

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 11,000 to EUR 16,000

Part-Time Work

120 full days or 240 half days per year; EUR 12 to EUR 15 per hour

2. Italy

Italy is a well-known destination for affordable education in Europe. Public universities charge low tuition fees ranging from EUR 500 to EUR 4,000 per year. Living expenses usually range between EUR 7,000 and EUR 15,000 annually. Students are required to show proof of funds between EUR 5,900 and EUR 6,000.

Feature

Why Italy Is Affordable for Study

Tuition Fees (Public)

EUR 500 to EUR 4,000 per year (often reduced to EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,800)

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 5,000 to EUR 20,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

Diritto allo Studio Universitario (DSU), Ente Regionale per il Diritto agli Studi Superiori (ERGO), Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (MAECI), Invest Your Talent

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 7,000 to EUR 15,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 5,900 to EUR 6,000 per year

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours/week; EUR 8 to EUR 15 per hour

3. Norway

Norway offers free education at public universities for international students. Students only pay a small semester fee of NOK 50 to NOK 100. Living costs are higher and range from NOK 12,000 to NOK 18,000 per year. Mandatory financial proof of NOK 166,000 is required.

Feature

Why Norway Is Cost-Effective

Tuition Fees (Public)

NOK 0 + semester fee NOK 50 to NOK 100

Tuition Fees (Private)

NOK 10,000 to NOK 18,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

Quota Scheme (limited), university awards

Mandatory Funds Proof

NOK 166,000 per year

Average Annual Living Cost

NOK 12,000 to NOK 18,000

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours per week; NOK 15 to NOK25 per hour

4. Poland

Poland is an affordable study destination with low tuition fees. Public universities charge between EUR 2,000 and EUR 4,000 per year. Living expenses range from EUR 5,000 to EUR 9,000 annually. Students must show financial proof of EUR 6,000 to EUR 7,000.

Feature

Why Poland Is Affordable

Tuition Fees (Public)

EUR 2,000 to EUR 4,000 per year

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 4,000 to EUR 8,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

NAWA, Visegrad Fund, University grants

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 5,000 to EUR 9,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 6,000 to EUR 7,000 per year

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours/week; EUR 6 to EUR 10 per hour

5. France

France offers very low tuition fees at public universities. Master’s programmes at public institutions cost EUR 243 per year. Annual living expenses range between EUR 10,000 and EUR 15,000. Students are required to show mandatory funds of EUR 7,380.

Feature

Why France Is Affordable

Tuition Fees (Public)

EUR 243 per year (Master’s programmes)

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 8,000 to EUR 20,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

Eiffel Excellence, Charpak, and Tuition waivers

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 10,000 to EUR 15,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 7,380 per year

Part-Time Work

Up to 964 hours per year; EUR 10 to EUR 14 per hour

6. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic provides affordable education in Central Europe. Public universities charge tuition fees ranging from EUR 1,000 to EUR 4,000 per year. Living costs usually fall between EUR 6,000 and EUR 10,000 annually. Mandatory funds proof ranges from EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500.

Feature

Why Czech Republic Is Affordable

Tuition Fees (Public – English)

EUR 1,000 to EUR 4,000 per year

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 5,000 to EUR 12,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

Czech Government Scholarships, university awards

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 6,000 to EUR 10,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500 per year

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours/week; EUR 7–EUR 12 per hour

7. Spain

Spain is a popular option for students looking for low tuition fees. Public university tuition ranges from EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,500 per year. Living expenses are estimated between EUR 7,000 and EUR 12,000 annually. Students need to show funds of EUR 7,200.

Feature

Why Spain Is Affordable

Tuition Fees (Public)

EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,500 per year

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 6,000 to EUR 15,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

MAEC-AECID, University Grants

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 7,000 to EUR 12,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 7,200 per year

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours per week; EUR 8 to EUR 12 per hour

8. Malaysia

Malaysia is a budget-friendly study destination close to India. Tuition fees range from MYR 15,000 to MYR 40,000 per year. Average annual living costs fall between MYR 20,000 and MYR 35,000. Students must show proof of funds ranging from MYR 22,000 to MYR 27,000.

Feature

Why Malaysia Is Affordable

Tuition Fees

MYR 15,000 to MYR 40,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

Malaysian International Scholarship, university waivers

Average Annual Living Cost

MYR 20,000 to MYR 35,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

MYR 22,000 to MYR 27,000

Part-Time Work

Limited; MYR 500 to MYR 1,000 per hour (approved sectors)

9. Taiwan

Taiwan offers affordable education, especially in technology-related fields. Tuition fees range from TWED 90,000 to TWD 270,000 per year. Living costs are estimated between TWD 150,000 and TWD 240,000 annually. Mandatory funds proof ranges from TWD 180,000 to TWD 210,000.

Feature

Why Taiwan Is Affordable

Tuition Fees

TWD 90,000 to TWD 270,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

Taiwan Scholarship, MOE Huayu

Average Annual Living Cost

TWD 150,000 to TWD 240,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

TWD 180,000 to TWD 210,000

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours per week; TWD 600 to TWD 1,200 per hour

10. Belgium

Belgium offers quality education at affordable public universities. Tuition fees range from EUR 900 to EUR 4,000 per year. Living expenses usually range between EUR 9,000 and EUR 13,000 annually. Students must show proof of funds between EUR 7,500 and EUR 8,000.

Feature

Why Belgium Is Affordable

Tuition Fees (Public)

EUR 900 to EUR 4,000 per year

Tuition Fees (Private)

EUR 8,000 to EUR 18,000 per year

Scholarship Opportunities

VLIR-UOS, ARES, university merit awards

Average Annual Living Cost

EUR 9,000 to EUR 13,000

Mandatory Funds Proof

EUR 7,500 to EUR 8,000 per year

Part-Time Work

Up to 20 hours/week; EUR 10 to EUR 14 per hour

Choosing the cheapest country for Indian students to pursue a master’s degree requires more than comparing tuition fees. Living expenses, financial proof requirements, part-time work options, and scholarship availability all play a vital role in determining overall affordability. With careful planning and expert support from Leverage Edu study abroad consultants, students can identify the cheapest country to study a master’s degree while ensuring strong academic outcomes and long-term career value.

FAQs

Q1. Which is the cheapest country for Indian students to study a master’s degree?

Ans. Germany is often considered the cheapest country to study masters degree for Indian students due to tuition-free public universities and reasonable living costs. Countries like Italy, France, Poland, and the Czech Republic also offer affordable options depending on lifestyle and course selection.

Q2. Is tuition-free education really available for international students?

Ans. Yes, several countries provide tuition-free or low-cost education at public universities. Germany and Norway are prime examples where international students, including Indians, can study with minimal or no tuition fees.

Q3. Does the cheapest country to study a master’s degree also offer good job opportunities?

Ans. The cheapest country to study masters degree does not mean limited opportunities. Countries such as Germany, France, and Belgium have strong job markets and post-study work options. The choice depends on the field of study and local employment regulations.

Q4. What expenses should Indian students consider apart from tuition fees?

Ans. Apart from tuition, students should budget for accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance, study materials, and personal expenses. Mandatory financial proof for visa purposes is also an important cost consideration.

Q5. How can Leverage Edu study abroad consultants help in choosing the right country?

Ans. Leverage Edu study abroad consultants assist students in comparing countries, understanding cost structures, identifying scholarships, and planning finances effectively. Their guidance helps students select the most suitable and affordable destination based on academic goals and budget.