which is the cheapest country in europe to study
UK university fees are painful up to £9,535 a year in England. That’s why many UK students are looking for affordable options. There are several countries in Europe that offer genuinely low tuition fees, affordable living costs and quality education.
- Germany → Cheapest (almost free education)
- France → Low tuition + high-quality universities
- Poland & Hungary → Low tuition + low living cost
- Greece → Affordable lifestyle + growing study options
1. Germany — The Best Deal for UK Students in Europe
Germany is almost certainly the best option in Europe for British students right now. Germany’s public universities charge no tuition fees for international students, including UK students. You don’t pay based on nationality. You simply pay a small administrative semester fee, usually between €150 and €350, which at many universities includes a free public transport pass — genuinely useful in cities like Berlin.
Germany also offers an excellent 18-month post-study work visa for graduates, making it smart for career planning too.
Top universities: Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University, University of Cologne, University of Hamburg, RWTH Aachen
Main scholarship: DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) — open to UK students at postgraduate level
2. France — Surprisingly Low Fees Even for British Students
France is one of the most surprising entries on this list. Despite its reputation, France’s public universities are genuinely affordable. UK students at French public universities pay a standardised fee of around €2,770 per year for a bachelor’s degree and €3,770 for a master’s — set by the French government rather than individual universities. Compare that to a UK university charging £9,535, and France suddenly looks very reasonable, especially given the quality of institutions on offer.
France also has a strong scholarship called the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship for postgraduate students, which is open to international students including those from the UK.
3. Poland — Lowest Total Cost of Living in Europe
Poland won’t give you free tuition the way Germany does, but it has something very compelling: the lowest cost of living in this entire guide. A student in Krakow or Wrocław can live comfortably on €400–€700 a month including accommodation, food, and transport. That’s roughly £340–£600 — a fraction of what you’d spend in London or even many UK regional cities.
Tuition fees for international students at Polish public universities typically range from €2,000 to €6,000 per year, depending on the programme. English-taught degrees are widely available in fields like business, engineering, medicine, and computer science.
4. Hungary — Best Scholarship Option for British Students
Hungary’s headline number is low tuition — €1,500 to €5,000 per year — combined with some of Europe’s cheapest student living costs. Budapest is a genuinely beautiful, affordable city where you can find a flat for €250–€350 per month and live comfortably on €500–€700 a month in total.
But the real draw is the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship — a Hungarian government programme that covers full tuition fees and provides a monthly living stipend. It’s open to students from many countries, and UK students are eligible to apply. If you get it, your total study cost in Hungary drops dramatically. It’s one of the most accessible full scholarships available to British students for European study.
5. Greece — Low Fees, Great Lifestyle, Warm Welcome
Greece is consistently underrated as a study destination for British students. Non-EU international students (which now includes UK students) typically pay around €1,500 to €3,000 per year at Greek public universities — still among the lowest in Europe. Monthly living costs of €500–€700 are very manageable, especially outside Athens.
English-taught programmes are available across Greece, particularly at postgraduate level. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time over the summer, giving you a genuine opportunity to cover a meaningful chunk of living costs. The Greek State Scholarship Foundation also offers grants to international students.
Cheapest Countries in Europe to Study (Cost Comparison)
| Country | Tuition for UK Students | Monthly Living Cost | Est. Annual Total | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | €0 – €300/semester fee only | €800 – €1,100 | ~£9,000 – £14,000 | Best deal |
| 🇫🇷 France | ~€2,770/yr (bachelor's) | €800 – €1,200 | ~£12,000 – £18,000 | Excellent value |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | €2,000 – €6,000/yr | €400 – €700 | ~£7,000 – £13,000 | Low overall cost |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | €1,500 – €5,000/yr | €400 – €600 | ~£7,000 – £12,000 | Great with scholarship |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | €1,500 – €3,000/yr | €500 – €700 | ~£8,000 – £12,000 | Affordable + lifestyle |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | €8,000 – €20,000+/yr | €1,000 – €1,500 | ~£22,000 – £38,000 | Now expensive |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | €7,500 – €18,000/yr | €900 – €1,300 | ~£20,000 – £35,000 | Not cheap post-Brexit |
Don't Forget the Turing Scheme — Free Funding for UK Students Abroad
The Turing Scheme: The UK’s Replacement for Erasmus+
When the UK left the EU, it also left the Erasmus+ programme. In its place, the UK government launched the Turing Scheme — a grant programme for UK students to study or work abroad, including in Europe.
If you’re a UK student enrolled at a UK university and going on a study abroad placement in Europe, your university can apply for Turing funding on your behalf. Grants typically cover travel costs and can provide a maintenance allowance of up to £490–£490 per month, depending on destination and personal circumstances. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds and care-experienced students receive higher awards.
The Turing Scheme is also available to students doing work placements abroad — not just academic study. Check with your university’s international or study abroad office to see whether they’re participating and what’s available for your programme.
Practical Tips for UK Students Studying in Europe on a Budget
How to keep your costs down
- Apply for the Turing Scheme through your UK home university — it can provide several hundred pounds per month toward living costs while you’re abroad.
- Choose Germany if tuition is your biggest concern — it’s the only major European country where UK students genuinely pay nothing in tuition at most public universities.
- Consider smaller cities. Studying in Krakow instead of Warsaw, or Lyon instead of Paris, can cut monthly costs by 20–30% with minimal sacrifice in quality of life.
- Apply for university dormitories early — they typically cost €200–€400/month versus €600+ for private rentals in most European cities.
- Use your student card religiously. Student discounts on transport, museums, cinemas, and even supermarkets are widespread. In Germany, your semester fee may include a free public transport pass.
- Check if your UK degree programme includes a year abroad — many do, and your home university will handle much of the admin for you, including Turing Scheme applications.
- Sort health insurance early. As a non-EU student, you’ll need private health insurance in most European countries, or a local equivalent once enrolled. Budget €50–€100/month for this.
FAQs
Germany is the cheapest country in Europe to study for UK students. Germany is the only European country that does not impose tuition fees on British students you just pay a small semester admin fee of around €150–€350. When you factor in overall living costs too, Poland and Hungary are also very competitive, with monthly expenses as low as €400–€700.
Yes, but the rules have changed. Post-Brexit, UK students are classified as international students, resulting in significantly higher tuition fees in many countries.However, Germany still offers free tuition, France charges a government-set fee of around €2,770/year at public universities, and countries like Poland, Hungary, and Greece remain affordable even at international student rates.
No. The UK left the Erasmus+ programme after Brexit. The UK government replaced it with the Turing Scheme, which provides grants for British students to study or work abroad in Europe and beyond. Apply through your UK university’s international office. Some individual European universities also offer their own scholarships open to UK students.
Absolutely. Many master’s courses in Germany are conducted in English, making it ideal for British students whose German language skills may be limited. Germany also offers an 18-month post-study work visa, globally ranked universities, and a thriving international student community — all at zero tuition cost at most public universities.
Yes. Countries like Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania offer English-taught medicine degrees that are significantly cheaper than UK medical school fees — typically €7,000–€15,000 per year.
It depends heavily on the country. The cost of living in Poland is low, making it an affordable option for international students — accommodation, food, and transport are budget-friendly, with monthly expenses around €400–€700.Hungary is similarly affordable at €400–€600 per month. Compare this to average UK student living costs of £900–£1,400/month in most cities, and the savings are significant.
