You do not have so much to go abroad to school but you really want to. Read further, I have a solution for you.
For a lot of Nigerians, studying overseas offers lucrative opportunities, and it is nothing short of a dream that can be very difficult to accomplish. Sadly, getting an education from abroad is incredibly expensive. This is made worse with the constantly changing exchange rate, the skyrocketing cost of living, and ever-increasing visa restrictions. The good news is that there are other countries that offer incredibly subsidized, or even free, education to foreigners and of course, this includes Nigerians as well. Excited? Most countries in the world always have some form of cheap tuition available for international students, making them perfect for foreigners wanting to attain a degree.
We will show you some of the cheapest countries that Nigerians can travel to for pursuing their education. We also covered all aspects that a student may face while living in a new country; these include the cost of attending school, cost of daily living, scholarship programs available, languages, and general culture of each country. So let us dive in.
- Germany: Also popularly known as the Land of No-Tuition expenses education. Germany is a dreamland for lots of international students, and it’s not hard to see the reason. Germany offers places in its public universities to international students without charging them tuition fees. Yes, FREE.
Why should you consider picking Germany?
- It’s a heaven for aspiring students as they don’t demand tuition fees for any of their undergraduate programs. Did you read that well? Go back of you didn’t.
- They charge only a small administrative fee per semester, which is about €250.
- Germany also boasts of a strong education system with well-ranked universities.
- Nigerian student community is also very strong. So you will definitely feel at home.
- There are favorable conditions in Germany for obtaining a job after studies.
What about the language barrier?
All courses offered to undergraduates are in German, however, English is gradually becoming more available for postgraduate courses. So if you’re going for bachelor’s, you’d have to do some German classes and get a certificate.
For the Living Expenses,
For food, rent, transport, and health insurance one would have to budget €850–€1,200 per month.
Popular Universities in Germany are:
- University of Freiburg
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Heidelberg
- Norway
Norway spends a good part of its Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) on education, thus offering a top-of-the-line standard of education. It remains amongst the few countries that offer no tuition fees or educational expenses for any international applicants.
Why should you study in Norway?:
- No tuition fees at public universities for both European Union countries and non-European countries students.
- There is strong emphasis on research and innovation.
- It has a safe, clean, and peaceful environment.
- There are courses in English, especially at the postgraduate level.
What is the Catch: The cost of living is very high. You’ll need between €1,200–€2,000 per month to survive, especially in Oslo and Bergen. But with a good part-time job opportunity, budgeting, and some scholarships, living on these expenses is suitable.
Some if their popular Universities are:
- University of Oslo
- Norwegian University of Science and technology (NTNU)
- University of Bergen
- Finland: Has Quality at a low Cost. Finland was amongst the few countries that offered free tuition to non-EU students till 2017. Now, there are moderate fees, but finances should not be a major concern with all the scholarship opportunities available, that sometimes even cover the entire fees.
Why should you study in Finland?
- It’s High-quality education system
- There are numerous scholarships for Nigerians and other international students
- It is safe, clean, and organized country
- They have innovative teaching methods and a tech driven environment
- Their average Tuition fees are: €5,000 to €18,000 per year depending on the program.
- Most universities offer 50-100% scholarships.
Cost of Living: Around €700–€1,200 per month.
Some of their popular Universities are:
- University of Helsinki
- Aalto University
- Tampere University
- France: You can study almost free in the land of wine and culture. Public universities do not have elaborate fees for international students; hence France still remains as one of the countries that offer moderate cost higher education. Unlike other countries, France’s public universities do charge a fee, but it is rather insignificant when compared to private higher educational institutes.
Why you should pick France?
- Their fees for public universities are comparatively low with a range of €170 to €600 per year for most undergraduate and master’s programs.
- There are plenty of scholarship opportunities like Eiffel Excellence Scholarship.
- They are rich in culture, history, and global networking opportunities.
- They cover a great deal of English spoken courses.
What languages Should Be Spoken?
Having some knowledge of French is beneficial, however a majority of postgraduate classes are in English. Even knowing a few words will make you feel comfortable. This will help students gain employment in part-time jobs.
Cost of Living: Around €800 to €1,200 during the month.
Their best Ranked Universities are
- Sorbonne University
- University PSL
- Sciences Po
- Sweden: Acquire education With a Purpose. Everyone knows Sweden has the most creative minded universities in Europe. Those coming from outside the EU will have to cater for their own living expenses and tuition costs, but there are available full fee and living stipend scholarships for the Swedish Institute.
Why pick Sweden?
- They have strong innovative strategies in education.
- Multidisciplinary studies in technology, innovation and sustainability have a place in Sweden.
- There are full scholarships available for students doing their master’s degree.
- There is a good quality of life in relaxed surroundings.
Their tuition Fees: From €7,500 to €25,000 per year depending on the program and university.
Scholarship Opportunities
- Swedish Institute Scholarships (fully funded).
- University-specific scholarships (e.g., Lund University, Uppsala University).
Cost of Living: €900–€1,300 per month.
6. Austria: Also known as the Little-Known Treasure in Europe. The advantages Austria offers to students are reasonably priced tuition fees, serene cities, and an efficient education system.
What is it about Austria?
- Tuition for non-EU students varies from €700 to €1,500 yearly.
- There are beautiful cities with students bustling about.
- There is a lot of cultural activities and places to visit.
Monthly Living Expenses: €800 – €1,200 monthly.
Solving The Language Problem?
Numerous master’s degrees are offered in English. German proficiency may be required for undergraduates.
Most Popular Schools there are:
- University of Vienna
- Vienna University of Technology
- University of Innsbruck
7. Czech Republic: Study in The Very Center of Europe. Czech is among the European countries that provide lower prices for international students. Plus, if studying in Czech, you’ll pay nothing in tuition. Fact!
Why study in Czech Republic?
- Tuition is free, if studying in Czech.
- There is a reasonably Low-cost of living.
- They have beautiful and historic cities for tourism.
- They possess lively student societies.
Monthly Living Expenses: €400–€800 monthly and that’s actually among the lowest in Europe.
In The Language Requirement,
- Studying in Czech = Free.
- Studying in English = Affordable (roughly €1,000-€4,000 per year).
Their Most Popular Schools Are:
- Charles University
- Czech Technical University
- Masaryk University
8. Brazil: Education Plus Tropic Vibe. Brazil is not all about samba and football. It is one of the most Nigerian friendly countries out there.
Why study in Brazil?
- Public universities there offer free education to international students as well.
- There is a big Nigerian and African population in places such as São Paulo.
- There are possibilities to learn Portuguese and travel to other parts of Latin America.
Any Language Barrier?
The vast majority of classes are conducted in Portuguese. Most people have to learn the language; however, one can attend a lot of universities that offer pre-course language classes.
Living Costs: €400–€800 per month.
Some Popular Universities there are:
- University of São Paulo
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
- State University of Campinas
9. Mexico: The Most Affordable Country in Latin America. Another great option for Nigerians looking to travel on a budget. Not only is the country a warm oven, but it is culturally rich alongside being very affordable.
Why study in Mexico?
- They have a very cheap tuition fees: Around €1000-2500 per year.
- Some other public universities there, offer close to free education as well.
- There is a warm climate and low-cost lifestyle.
What About the Language Barrier?
Most programs are taught in Spanish. However, some are increasingly being taught in English, especially at the postgraduate level.
Cost Of Living: €400–€700 per month.
10. Taiwan: Has the best financially accessible university In East Asia. Taiwan is emerging as an education hub in Asia. There are multiple scholarships provided by the government and the colleges.
Why study in Taiwan?
- They offer cheap tuition €1,500–€4,000 per year.
- They offer several courses in English.
- There are several available Scholarships from Taiwan Government.
- They focus on science, engineering, and business.
Monthly Living Costs: €500–€900.
Some other countries that can be added for notable Mentions are:
- Russia
Why pick Russia?
- Tuition costs are on the lower end. Nigerian students can apply for Russia’s Government Scholarship (fully funded).
- There may be a language barrier, but English is one of the languages used in some programs.
- Cost of living: €300–€600/month.
- Turkey
Why pick turkey?
- Tuition fees are lower: €1,000–€4,000/year.
- Burals Turkey Scholarships covers tuition, living costs, health insurance, and flight tickets.
- There is a warm reception for Africans.
Now that we have explored some countries Nigerians can go to access affordable education, let give guidelines on what Nigerians can do to get access to this affordable education.
Here are some suggestions for Nigerians looking to study abroad on a budget.
- Apply early. Scholarships and admission slots fill up quickly.
- Learning the language, be it French, Spanish, gives you an upper hand.
- Use DAAD, Campus France, Study in Sweden etc. They help you easily apply for these programs.
- Join Associations of Nigerian Students [ANS]. They alert members about valuable pieces of information.
- Living outside major cities can be more affordable than previously thought.
- Look into visa policies. Every country has different rules.
Studying abroad doesn’t have to mean selling a plot of land or borrowing money from ten uncles. It requires proper strategies and information, and high-quality education is attainable on low budget.
This is a decision that fundamentally changes one’s life and for good reason. it leads to global numerous opportunities, exposes one to different cultures, and presents varied ways of thinking. Sadly, to a lot of Nigerians, one still needs to be quite wealthy in order to be able to afford travelling overseas to study. But as we have seen, with the appropriate information, resources, and grit, it is possible to study in world class institutions without breaking the bank.
The countries mentioned in this article range from Germany to Norway which have totally eliminated tuition barriers. Likewise, Sweden, France, and Finland provide solid support systems for international students in the form of scholarships. Additionally, let’s not forget the lesser-known but equally valuable options like Taiwan, Czech Republic, Brazil, and Mexico which offer high educational standards at an affordable price.
There is no doubting that the path to achieving these goals is challenging. Initialy one has to figure out part-time jobs, visa applications, and even potential language barriers, and cultural differences. If one makes use of the right platforms, such as DAAD, Campus France, and Study in Sweden, they help shed light on how to tackle these issues.
Moreover, remember that communities can have a huge impact, too. Associations of Nigerian students, as well as alumni bodies
So, dear Nigerian student, dream without restraint. Do your research, apply with strategy, and prepare to board the plane because there’s a global classroom waiting for you.
