Top Universities with Zero Tuition Fees for International Students

Studying abroad is fantastic, although the challenge usually lies in the tuition fees and many other expenses which makes the opportunity limited for certain individuals who can not cover the costs. The good news for this category of individuals is that there are tuition-free schools you can apply to.

Some schools decide to waive tuition fees for a number of reasons. For some, it is their corporate social responsibility, or religious beliefs or maybe they have sponsors who can cover the cost of running their institution. If you want to explore this life-changing opportunity, Here is a list of tuition-free universities abroad that you may want to look into:

University of Munich: This university is based in Germany, which is like a home for free education. They require proficiency in English and if you can dedicate time and effort, learning German can be an added advantage. Study programs available include Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in various fields.

University of Berlin; Another German university that offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programs in business, law, medicine and more for free.

Technical University of Munich: This university offers free tuition and their programs are more technical as the name suggests. So if you are in the engineering field, natural sciences or mathematics, you can explore this option

Norway is another country that offers free education, some universities to consider in Norway are;

University of Oslo

University of Bergen

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Sweden too offers free-tution education for some international students and only selected courses are being offered for free. Some universities to check out are:

Uppsala University

Lund University

Stockholm University

Iceland too offers a unique opportunity for international students via the University of Iceland. Programs available include Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programs in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

How Can You Get Started

So I have listed some interesting schools that you can choose from but you have no clue about how to begin; I’ve got you covered.

If you have seen a good university choice that suits your academic needs, your next step is to apply but before you do so, you will need:

A valid Nigerian passport: you can begin this application in the Nigerian Immigration Service office. You can search for the office location closest to you. This will require a fee, so put that into consideration before you begin

Language proficiency: You will be traveling to another country where English is the primary language of communication. You will need to have proof that you are proficient in your English language skill. I personally feel this is unnecessary for Nigerians since our official language is English. Some English language proficiency tests are TOEFL and IELTS.

Some other important documents needed include your academic qualifications; WAEC, NECO or NABTEB results for undergraduate programs; Bachelor’s degree for graduate programs and transcripts from previous institutions. Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees and a personal statement or motivation letter.

How To Apply

The application procedures for these universities are pretty straight forward. You can apply through your chosen university website and pay an application fee if it is required. Unlike many Nigerian Universities, you will not have to wait so long to be offered or denied admission. If you are accepted, the next thing to do is to get a visa. You can apply for one at the embassy or consulate of the host country, which may be located in Abuja so put travel costs into consideration as well. You will need to provide documents during this application which may include an admission letter, passport, proof of funds, etc and attend interviews before your application is approved. For Germany, you will need to register with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) located in Abuja and apply for a student visa (Type D). This is a preferred option for many since proof of funds is not needed.

Norway, Sweden and Iceland may require proof of funds which may run into millions of Naira.

Additional Tips:

If you are planning to study abroad,it is important to start your application process early (6-12 months before the program starts), ensure all your documents are ready before you begin or make sure they will be ready when you need them. Research living costs and plan how you intend to adjust to your new life in a new country. If you will need to work while you study, you have to research the kind of jobs that will be flexible for your academics. I hope you found this useful and I wish you success.