Studying a PhD for free? – 14 countries that charge very little (or nothing) for PhD degrees
Despite the current problems facing international study, there are still plenty of incentives to go abroad to do a PhD. Many countries offer free or very low-cost PhD courses, and it is worth checking out.
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There are many reasons to study a PhD abroad:
Access to unique research opportunities, study at world-renowned universities, broaden your horizons and live new experiences, but the possibility of paying less for your degree is certainly one of them.
In fact, you may have heard that some places allow PhD students to study for free. Is this true? Well, sort of. There are several countries that do not charge any “tuition” to PhD students and I will list a selection of them on this blog.
But before you do, it’s important to understand that “no fees” is not the same as “free.” In addition to tuition fees, there are many other expenses associated with a PhD, such as the cost of supporting yourself for three (or more) years of postgraduate research.
You may also need to pay for research trips or materials during your PhD, and some universities also charge small fees for registration or membership of the student union. In short, you may need some funding even if the PhD itself is “free”.
But paying nothing (or very little) for PhD fees will make it easier to finance your PhD. Let’s look at some of the places where you can do this.
Places that allow PhD students to study for free or pay little
1. Austria
Austria does not charge PhD fees at public research universities. However, this condition only applies to EU and EEA students who complete their PhD on time (additional semesters cost 363.36 euros each). International students pay fees throughout their degree, but the Austrian government limits the maximum cost to 726.72 euros per semester.
EU and EEA students do pay fees to study at Austrian universities of applied sciences and all students pay a small student union contribution.
2. Germany
The country that invented the PhD is also one of the most affordable places to study for a PhD in Europe. German public universities do not charge PhD fees to any student (unlike master’s degrees, which do charge fees to international students in some cases).
Please note that PhD students do have to pay a small administrative fee of 150-200 Euros per semester. You may also have to pay fees if your PhD lasts more than three years.
3. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is home to some of Europe’s most historic universities, and its public institutions do not charge fees for PhD students. There is one catch, however: you will have to complete your PhD in Czech. English-language programmes are available, but they often charge additional fees.
4. Denmark
Denmark is another European country that does not charge PhD fees to EU, EEA and Swiss students at public universities. However, international students pay relatively high fees.
5. Finland
Public universities in Finland do not charge PhD fees to any student, regardless of their nationality. This is in contrast to Finnish master’s programmes, which do charge fees to international students.
6. Norway
Norway is another Nordic country that does not charge fees to students at its public universities (including those from outside the EU and EEA). However, you will have to pay a small semester fee while you study.
7. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia takes a rather unique approach to funding PhDs. All student fees are automatically covered by scholarships (which also help cover living costs). Basically, if you get accepted into a university, they will fund you too.
8. Sweden
A Nordic country that – you guessed it – does not charge PhD fees at public universities. Sweden also goes a step further and pays some PhD students a scholarship to help cover living expenses.
Honorable mentions
There are also some countries where PhD studies are not automatically “free”, but where the fees charged are very low, or some students may be exempt from paying them.
9. Brazil
PhD studies in Brazil are free for national students at public universities, but many institutions also extend this offer to international graduates.
10. France
PhD studies are not free in France, but they are remarkably cheap. All students pay 380 euros per year at public universities. This is unlike master’s degrees, which charge a higher fee to international students.
11. Hungary
Hungarian universities offer a limited number of state-funded PhD places to students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland. If you are accepted into one of them you will not pay any fees and you will also receive a maintenance grant.
12. Israel
The cost of a PhD in Israel varies, but it is quite common for universities to waive PhD fees for students they accept.
13. Netherlands
Students who are accepted for a PhD in the Netherlands are usually classified as employees of the university during their PhD. If this is the case for you, you will not pay traditional PhD fees and may also receive a salary and/or other benefits.
14. New Zealand
Students do pay fees to study for a PhD in New Zealand. However, there is no higher fee for international students, making the country a relatively affordable option for studying abroad (and a very attractive and exciting one at that!).
Remember. . .
As I said at the beginning of this post, a free PhD is about much more than just low fees. With a few exceptions, most of the countries mentioned expect students to support themselves, which often means finding additional funding for accommodation and living expenses.
