How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad?

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Making the choice to study abroad is exciting and, at the same time, exhausting. There are a lot of factors you need to consider- course, country, university, accommodation, among others.

For most students, however, affordability will be a deciding factor when making the decision to study abroad. So how does one do the math to know how much it costs to study abroad?

We’ve simplified the search for you. To help you in your research about the cost, we’ve cast our net wide. As the costs greatly vary, we’ve looked at the cost of study region-wise (continent-wise), i.e. Tuition Fee and Living Cost. These are approximates, because fee would vary according to the course – but it will give you a fair idea of the costs involved.

So let’s find out how much does study abroad cost on average.

1. How Much Does it Cost to Study in Europe?

how much does it cost to study abroad

With popular study global ed destinations like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France and Germany located in Europe, over 1.75 million international students are studying in Europe. To understand the cost of studying in Europe, let us look at the cost of studying in different countries because there is no set cost. From free to low tuition fees, one of these European countries could be your most affordable study destination.

Based on your university, course, level of study, accommodation type, and city, there will be a variance in the cost. Here’s an average cost-

COUNTRY COST BREAK-UP
The United Kingdom Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Starts from £11,000 up to £40,000 for medical degrees (per year) [approximately ₹10,22,000 to ₹ 37,16,000]
  • Postgraduate: For taught degrees, £11,000 per year up to £30,000 [for laboratory and clinical degrees, MBA programmes [approximately ₹10,22,000 to ₹27,87,000]

Living Cost: Estimated at around £12,200 per year [approximately ₹11,33,000] including accommodation costs, i.e.

  • Accommodation in Residence Hall: £400 – £600 per month [approximately ₹37,000 to ₹5500]
  • Private Accommodation: £320 – £530 per month [approximately ₹30,000 to ₹4900]

[estimation by Study UK British Council; Coventry University]

France Tuition Fees: (in Public Institutions after state waives ff two thirds of the fees)

  • Undergraduate: Estimated at €2,770 per year [approximately ₹2,30,000]
  • Postgraduate: Estimated at €3,770 per year [approximately ₹3,30,000]
  • Fees in Private institution: Estimated at €3,000 to €10,000 per year [approximately ₹2,49,000 to ₹8,30,000]

Living Cost: Estimated to a monthly budget of €600 to €800 Euros (food, transport & accommodation) [approximately ₹49,000 to ₹66,000]

  • Accommodation in CROUS building (Publicly owned): Estimated at €400 in Paris; €200 elsewhere [approximately ₹33,000; ₹16,000]
  • Private Accommodation: Estimated at €500 in Paris; €250 elsewhere [approximately ₹41,000; ₹20,000]

[estimation by Campus France]

Germany Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate (Public university): Free tuition fee except for the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, i.e. €1,500 per semester which is €3000 per year [approximately ₹1,25,000; ₹2,50,000]
  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate (Private university): estimated at €26,000 to €40,000 [approximately ₹21,61,000; ₹32,25,000]

Living Cost: On average, the living cost is estimated at €850 per month with cost variance per city [approximately ₹70,000]

  • Accommodation: Estimated at €290 and €560 per month depending on city & type [approximately ₹24,000 to ₹46,000]

[estimation by DAAD | Federal Ministry of Education & Research]

Switzerland Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate: Estimated at CHF500 and CHF2,000 per semester excluding possible additional fee for registration etc. [approximately ₹39,000 to ₹1,56,000]

Living Cost: Relatively high cost compared to the counterparts, it is estimated at CHF1850 per month including accommodation. [approximately ₹1,45,000]

  • Accommodation: Estimated at CHF700 per month [approximately ₹55,000]

[estimation by Study in Switzerland Plus]

Ireland Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Estimated to be from €9,850 up to €55,000 for Medicine and Health Sciences [approximately ₹8,17,000 to ₹45,64,000]
  • Postgraduate: Estimated to be from €3,800 up to €30,000 for business [approximately ₹3,15,000 to ₹24,90,000]

Living Cost: Estimated between €7,000 and €12,000 per year including accommodation [approximately ₹5,80,000 to ₹10,00,000]

  • Accommodation: An average estimate at €427 per month [approximately ₹35,000]

[estimation by Education Ireland | Enterprise Ireland]

Netherlands Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Estimated between €6,000 and €15,000 [approximately ₹4,98,000 to ₹12,45,000]
  • Postgraduate: Estimated between €8,000 and €20,000 [approximately ₹6,64,000 to ₹16,60,000]

Living Cost: Estimated at an average of €800€1,100 a month including accommodation [approximately ₹66,000 to ₹91,000]

  • Accommodation: Estimated at € 300 – € 600 a month [approximately ₹25,000 to ₹50,000]

[estimation by Study in Holland]

2. How Much Does it Cost to Study in North America?

how much does study abroad cost

Home to the two popular global ed destinations- the USA and Canada, North America remains a popular choice. It is known for its immigrant friendly nature and the great career prospects. In the case of Canada, it’s pathway to PR remains an attractive point. Here’s a look at how much it would cost to study in USA or Canada.

COUNTRY COST BREAK-UP
The United States of America Tuition Fees:

  • our-year course (Public): Estimated at $26,290 [approximately ₹19,78,000]
  • our-year course (Private): Estimated at $35,830 [approximately ₹26,96,000]
  • * Public/state run institutions are favorably more affordable

Living Cost: Estimated at around $41,950 per year [approximately ₹31,56,000] including accommodation

  • Accommodation (dorms): Estimated between $10,440 and $11,890 per year [approximately ₹7,85,000 to ₹8,94,000]
  • Accommodation (apartments): Estimated between $500 and $3,500 per month [approximately ₹37,000 to ₹2,63,000]

[estimation by College Board | Times Higher Education]

Canada Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Estimated at CAD 1,800CAD 20,000 per year [approximately ₹96,000 – ₹10,64,000]
  • Postgraduate: Estimated at CAD 2,500CAD 18,000 per year [approximately ₹1,33,000 – ₹9,58,000]
  • Doctoral:

Living Cost: Estimated at around CAD 12,000 per year [approximately ₹6,38,00] including accommodation

  • Accommodation (Private Housing): Ranges from CAD 400 – CAD 3,000 per month depending on whether you choose a room in house, an apartment or apartment rentals. [approximately ₹21,000 – ₹1,60,000]

[estimation by Edu Canada]

3. How Much Does it Cost to Study in Latin America?

cost of studying abroad

Vibrant and varied is what describes Latin America the best. What’s better? The study cost is relatively low in the overall region. A total of 88 Latin American universities also made it to the list of (top 1000) QS World University Rankings 2020; Mexico and Brazil are among its popular study destination. Let’s have a look at the cost of study at some of popular global ed destinations in Latin America:

COUNTRY COST BREAK-UP
Mexico Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate (public): Estimates from US$378 up to US$818 per year [approximately ₹28,000 to ₹61,000]
  • Undergraduate (private): Estimates between US$1,636 and US$16,353 per year. [approximately ₹1,23,000 to ₹ 12,34,000]

Living Cost: Estimated at US$400 – US$500 per month inclusive of accommodation, transport, food and drink [approximately ₹30,000 to ₹ 38,000]

  • Accommodation: Estimated at US$150 – 200 (or less) per month [approximately ₹11,000 to ₹15,000]

[estimation by QS Top Universities]

Brazil Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate: Estimated at £1,600 and £8,200 per year [approximately ₹1,50,000 – ₹7,65,000]

Living Cost:

  • Accommodation: Estimated at £170 and £252 a month [approximately ₹15,000 – ₹23,000]

[estimation by Times Higher Education]

4. How Much Does it Cost to Study in Oceania?

how much is it to study abroad

Home to over 43 globally ranked universities, Oceania could very well be the global ed destination you are looking for as Australia and New Zealand takes the lead. Surrounded by the beaches, here’s one place for those who love basking in the sun.

COUNTRY COST BREAK-UP
Australia Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Starts from AU$20,000 to AU$45,000* per year [approximately ₹9,25,000 to ₹ 20,81,000]
  • Postgraduate: Starts from AU$22,000 to AU$50,000* per year [approximately ₹10,17,000 to ₹23,13,000]
    * not inclusive of Veterinary or medicine

Living Cost: According to the department of Home Affairs Australia, students are required to show that they have at least AUD$21,041 which will be enough to cover the living cost for twelve months [approximately ₹9,73,000]

  • Accommodation on Campus: Estimated at AU$110 to AU$280 per week [approximately ₹5,000 to ₹13,000]
  • Accommodation (Rental): Estimated at AU$185 to AU$440 per week [approximately ₹8,000 to ₹20,000]

[estimation by Study in Australia | ATIC]

New Zealand Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Ranging from NZ$22,000 – NZ$32,000 per year [approximately ₹9,87,000 – ₹14,36,000]
  • Postgraduate: Ranging from NZ$26,000 – NZ$37,000 per year [approximately ₹11,67,000 – ₹16,60,000]

Living Cost: The New Zealand government has also made it compulsory for students to prove that you have at least NZ$15,000 to support yourself for the first year. [approximately ₹6,73,000]

  • Accommodation: Estimated at NZ$440 – NZ$510 per week [approximately ₹20,000 – ₹23,000]

[estimation by Education New Zealand]

5. How Much Does it Cost to Study in Africa?

how much is study abroad

With beautiful countries like South Africa and Egypt in its platter, there is no reason why Africa should not be considered as your study destination. Moving away from the typical choices (such as Australia, the US, the UK etc), let us also take a look at the possibility of making Africa your home for the next 2 to 3 years. What is the average cost of studying abroad in Africa?

COUNTRY COST BREAK-UP
South Africa Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Estimated at US$3,800 – US$4,600 per year [approximately ₹2,86,000 to ₹3,46,000]
  • Postgraduate: Estimated US$1,800- US$5,000 per year. [approximately ₹1,35,000 to ₹ 3,77,000]

Living Cost: Estimated at US$7,300 a year including accommodation, food, travel and others. [approximately ₹5,50,000]

  • Accommodation (Catered)*: Ranging from US$3017 – US$3907 per year [approximately ₹2,27,000 to ₹2,94,000]
  • Accommodation (Self-catered) *: Ranging from US$2380 – US$6912 [approximately ₹1,79,000 to ₹5,20,000]
    * Taken UCT’s residence cost as a point of reference

[estimation by QS Top Universities | University of Cape Town]

Egypt Tuition Fees: Here, students are charged per credit hour.

  • Undergraduate *: Charged flat $735 per credit hour [approximately ₹55,000]
  • Postgraduate *: Charged flat $735 per credit hour [approximately ₹55,000]
    * Taken from AUC Egypt’s fee structure as a point of reference

Living Cost: Estimated at US$796 or less per month [approximately ₹60,000]

  • Accommodation *: Ranged from US$281 – US$2,326 per year based on the type of accommodation [approximately ₹21,000 – ₹1,75,000]
    * Taken from AUC Egypt’s fee structure as a point of reference

[estimation by The American University in Cairo | Expatistan ]

6. How Much Does it Cost to Study in Asia?

how much money does it cost to study abroad

Land of dynamic metropolis, bestowed with beautiful landscapes and most importantly, a diverse culture, Asia has so much to offer. With China- Hong Kong – Japan among the big economy powerhouse as well as education powerhouse, we would be missing out a lot if we did not explore what Asia has in store for us. Here’s a quick look at the cost of studying in Asia’s top countries.

COUNTRY COST BREAK-UP
Hong Kong (SAR) Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate/Postgraduate: Estimated HK$90,000 – HK$265,000 per year [approximately ₹8,75,000 to ₹25,78,000]

Living Cost: Estimated at HK$30,000 to HK$50,000 per year inclusive of accommodation, transport, food and drink [approximately ₹2,91,000 to ₹ 4,86,000]

  • Accommodation (university provided): Ranges from HK$5,000 to HK$15,000 per semester [approximately ₹48,000 to ₹1,46,000]
  • Accommodation (rental): Ranges from HK$96,000 – HK$180,000 per year [approximately ₹9,34,000 to ₹17,51,000]

[estimation by Education Bureau | Study in Hong Kong]

Japan Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate: Estimated at J¥817,800 – J¥1,501,233 per year [approximately ₹5,72,000 – ₹10,50,000]

Living Cost: An average (nationwide) cost of J¥138,000 per month [approximately ₹96,000]

  • Accommodation: Estimated at J¥21000 – J¥46,000 a month [approximately ₹15,000 – ₹32,000]

[estimation by JSS | TUFS]

South Korea Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Ranges from US$1600 – US$10,800 per semester [approximately ₹1,20,000 – ₹8,14,000]
  • Postgraduate: Ranges from US$1100 – US$20,900 per semester [approximately ₹83,000 – ₹15,76,000]

Living Cost:

  • Accommodation (Dorm): Estimated at US$600 – US$1200 per semester [approximately ₹45,000 – ₹90,000]

[estimation by Ministry of Education | NIEE]

China (Mainland) Tuition Fees:

  • Undergraduate: Ranges from US$2000 – US$5000 per year [approximately ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,77,000]
  • Postgraduate: Ranges from US$2000 – US$6000 per semester [approximately ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,52,000]

Living Cost: Average of US$740 – US$830 per month for areas like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou [approximately ₹56,000 – ₹62,000]; Average of US$250 for other cities [approximately ₹19,000]

  • Accommodation (rental): Estimated at US$800 – US$8000 per month [approximately ₹60,000 – ₹6,03,000]

[estimation by SICAS]

By now you would have got a rough idea of average cost of study abroad programs. You must’ve also noticed how the cost greatly varies depending on the country, university, course and the type of lifestyle you choose (including your choice of accommodation). The good news is that many universities offer a variety financial assistance (loans) or scholarships, and even tuition-fee waiver to make it more affordable to you but we shall leave that discussion for another sunny day.

For today, we hope we’ve been able to help you put a finger on the study costs, and more importantly, covered your country of interest. With a rough overview on the cost, we believe that you will be a step closer to preparing your global ed journey.

Are you ready to see the world? Check out the best options such us:

Find out also the best reasons to study abroad.

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