Cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students: 2026 official figures
Compare published tuition and the money you must show for the visa, country by country, using official sources checked on 22 October 2026.
On published tuition alone, Germany is the lowest (most public universities charge no tuition, though Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester), followed by France at €3,950 a year for a public master’s in 2026–27. Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Canada sit much higher, and the visa funds you must show differ too: €11,904 for Germany, €10,000 for Ireland, CAD 23,448 for Canada, AUD 29,710 for Australia. Total cost also depends on living costs and the city.
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What do master’s programmes cost in each country?
| Country | Published tuition for international students | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Most public universities charge no tuition. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester. A semester contribution of €70–430 applies | DAAD |
| France | Public master’s: €3,950 a year (2026–27). Private and business schools: about €6,000–18,000 or more | Campus France |
| Ireland | From about €9,000 to €30,000 a year; University of Limerick lists most taught master’s at about €18,000–18,600 | UCC, UL fee schedules |
| Netherlands | Non-EU master’s: about €12,000–30,000 a year (EEA statutory rate is €2,684) | Nuffic |
| UK | UCAS reports international postgraduate fees from £11,400 to £38,000, with an average around £17,100 | UCAS |
| Canada | Average international graduate tuition about CAD 24,028 in 2025/26 (undergraduate about CAD 41,746) | Statistics Canada |
| Australia | Varies by provider and course; see the Australia cost guide | University fee pages |
| USA | Varies widely; see the USA cost guide | University cost of attendance |
Averages hide big differences between universities and programmes. Always read the programme’s own fee page.
How much money must I show for the visa?
| Country | Proof of funds (2026) | Visa fee or related charge |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | €11,904 in a blocked account for the first year (€992 a month) | Bank fees of €70–150 to set up the account |
| France | €877.50 a month from 1 August 2026 (up from €615) | Check the visa fee on France-Visas |
| Ireland | €10,000 a year for living costs; at least €6,000 of fees paid first if fees exceed €6,000 | Check Irish Immigration |
| Netherlands | €1,130.77 a month for 2026 | Orientation-year fee €254 in 2026 |
| UK | £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 outside, up to 9 months, plus first-year fees | £558 visa fee, £776 a year healthcare surcharge |
| Canada | CAD 23,448 for living costs, plus tuition and travel (applications from 1 Sept 2026) | Check IRCC for the study permit fee |
| Australia | AUD 29,710 financial capacity | AUD 2,500 visa charge from 1 July 2026 |
These are the visa minimums, not your real budget. Living costs are often higher, especially in big cities.
How should I read this comparison?
- Lowest tuition: Germany, then France. Both need strong preparation, and Germany often asks for specific language and APS steps.
- Middle band: Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK and Canada overlap widely, so programme choice matters more than country.
- Highest overall: the USA and Australia are usually the most expensive once living costs and visa charges are added.
- Funds are not costs: the amount you must show is a floor for the visa. Your actual cost includes tuition, rent, food, insurance and travel.
- Work rights matter: a cheaper country with weak post-study options can cost you more in the long run. Compare them in our post-study work visa comparison.
How do I pick the right one for my budget?
- List your real budget: tuition, living and a buffer, not just tuition.
- Shortlist two or three countries from the table, then compare programmes, not countries.
- Read the detailed cost guides: Germany, France, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, Canada.
- Check education loans and scholarships in the loan guide and scholarship guide.
- Book a free session and bring your marks and budget; we will give you an honest shortlist.
Official sources
Figures on this page were checked on 22 Oct 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm the current numbers on the official site before you pay or apply.
- DAAD: costs of education and living in Germany
- Make it in Germany: securing funding
- Campus France: tuition fees in France (2026–27)
- Campus France: student visa changes from 1 August 2026
- Irish Immigration: student finance requirements
- UCC: postgraduate EU and international fees 2026/27
- University of Limerick: postgraduate taught fees 2026–2027
- Nuffic: international students in the Netherlands 2026
- IND: income requirements for study
- UCAS: finance options for international students
- GOV.UK: money you need for a Student visa
- Statistics Canada: tuition in Canada 2025/2026
- IRCC: proof of financial support
- Study Australia: change to evidence of financial capacity
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Frequently asked questions
Which country is cheapest to study in for Indian students?
On published tuition, Germany is the lowest because most public universities charge no tuition, followed by France at €3,950 a year for a public master's in 2026–27. Total cost also depends on living costs, the city and the visa funds you must show.
Is Germany really tuition-free for Indian students?
Most public universities charge no tuition for most bachelor's and master's programmes, but Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester, some continuing-education master's programmes charge fees, and a semester contribution of €70–430 applies.
How much money must I show for the German visa?
For 2026 the blocked account minimum is €11,904 for the first year, which is €992 a month.
Is the UK cheaper than Canada?
Both are in a similar band. UCAS reports UK international postgraduate fees from £11,400 to £38,000, while Statistics Canada reports an average international graduate tuition of about CAD 24,028 in 2025/26. Compare specific programmes.
Do visa funds equal my total cost?
No. The amount is a minimum you must show. Your real cost includes tuition, rent, food, insurance and travel, and living costs are often higher than the visa minimum in big cities.
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