Category: Study in Europe

  • Low Tuition Universities in Hungary, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

    Hungary  is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, and Austria to the west. Hungary has a population of nearly 10 million, mostly ethnic Hungarians and a significant Romani minority. Hungarian, the official language, is the world’s most widely spoken Uralic language and among the few non-Indo-European languages widely spoken in Europe. Budapest is the country’s capital and largest city.

    Although Hungary is a member of the European Union, generally, you cannot use Euros: the official currency is called Forint (Ft). Although in some places, you can still pay with Euro, expect to receive forints back..

    Hungary has a temperate seasonal climate with generally warm summers with low overall humidity levels but frequent rain showers and cold snowy winters.

    So today, we share with you the higher education system in Hungary, costs of living, tuition fees, admission requirements and the lists of low tuition universities in Hungary

    Higher Education System in Hungary

    The education system in Hungary is divided between colleges and universities:

    • College education: generally lasts for 4 years
    • University education: lasts for 4 to 6 years depending on the course undertaken.
    • Vocational curriculum: usually lasts 2 years, they are opened to secondary vocational school’s graduates and eventually vocational school students.
    • University PhD courses: usually take 3 years to complete.

     

    Costs of Living

    Hungary is a relatively cheap place to live, and it should costs around €200-500 per month for rent depending on where you live, and €200 per month for utilities (assuming they’re not included in your rent). Student halls are often the cheapest end of the spectrum, coming in at around €250 a month. Hungarian universities also tend to recommend international students take out health insurance which costs around €60 a month.

    If you’re an EU/EEA student, then you can use your EHIC card to access healthcare. You will have to pay a small (around €2) fee when you go to a health service, however.

     

    Tuition Fees

    Hungarian universities charge tuition fees, but compared to other countries in Europe they are very affordable. Depending on the university and the programme, you can expect to pay around 2,500 to 3,000 euros per year; Engineering programmes can be a bit more expensive at up to around 5,000 euros per year. Studying medicine or dentistry usually incurs tuition fees of around 6,000 to 8,000 euros per year.

    Admission Requirements

    This is generally what you’ll need to apply to schools in Hungary:

    • An undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of at least 3 years of study (it must include courses equal to at least 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to the programme you applied for)
    • An English proficiency test
    • A completed application form from the school’s portal
    • A copy of your passport
    • Copy of your grade transcripts
    • Your CV. You might also need to submit a professional CV for postgraduate study
    • Letter of motivation
    • Two letters of recommendation

    Low Tuition Universities in Hungary

    • University of Szeged
    • Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME
    • Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
    • University of Pécs (PTE)
    • University of Pannonia
    •  Corvinus University of Budapest
    • Semmelweis University
    • University of Debrecen
    • Pázmány Péter Catholic University
    •  Budapest Metropolitan University
    • University of Dunaújváros
    • Szent István University
    • University of Nyíregyháza
    • University of Debrecen
  • Low Tuition Universities in Norway, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

    Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, with borders to Sweden, Finland and Russia on the east side, and an extensive coastline facing the North Atlantic Ocean on the west side. The climate in Norway is wet and mild compared to the east and the north, where winters are colder and longer.

    Norway has two official languages: Norwegian and Sami. There are two main dialects of Norwegian: Bokmål and Nynorsk. English is widely spoken in Norway. It may be their second language, but many Norwegians speak it like natives.

    Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK) as its currency. The total population in Norway is estimated to be 5.4 million.

    This article will focus on the higher education system in Norway, tuition fees, costs of living, admission requirements, language requirements, and the lists of tuition free universities in Norway.

    Higher  Education System

    The Norwegian education system follows the Bologna Process, meaning that you can gain a bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree.

    Its higher education system is split into three levels, called tiers. These tiers are:

    • 1st Tier: This tier implies the first year in university. Bachelor’s degrees are usually completed in three or four years. Specialized topics, such as medicine and engineering, usually require an additional year.
    • 2nd Tier: This is the level of study after completing a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees are usually completed in two years. However, some credentials, such as teaching certifications, can be completed in as little as a year.
    • 3rd Tier: This is the Ph.D. level of education. PhDs are typically completed in three to five years. Some students choose to teach while conducting research, bringing their Ph.D. degrees to the five-year threshold.

    Tuition Fees

    Public universities in Norway do not charge tuition fees even for international students. Depending on where you choose to study, you may be required to pay a small fee each semester, but that is normally between NOK 300 and NOK 600. This semester fee gets you membership to the student union, access to health services, counselling and sports facilities as well as an official student card. Your student card can reduce your fees on public transport and give you a discount for museums and art galleries. There are some courses at public institutions that you may have to pay for, but these are rare, and tend to be at postgraduate level. If you choose to study at a private institution, you will be required to pay tuition fees, and these will vary at each institution. There are some scholarships available for EU/EEA students and international students, make sure to check with your chosen institution about your eligibility.

     

    Costs of Living:

    Transportation Costs: Public transportation is quite expensive. Depending on your location in Norway, a taxi fare from the airport to your student housing can vary from NOK 300 to 400 (35.36 to 47.15 USD) depending on distance. A single bus ticket costs NOK 50 on the bus if you pay cash. More information on this will be provided to you during orientation.

    Food Costs: Food is expensive in Norway, but a well-thought shopping list and an eye on daily special offers in supermarkets can save you a lot.  You should estimate to spend at least NOK 2000-3000 per month on food. Cigarettes and alcohol are very expensive in Norway because of specific taxes. Restaurants should be carefully chosen. The prices vary a great deal.

    Accommodation Costs: Cost of housing can vary from one region to another and depending on the type of apartment you decide to rent. The bigger cities will be more expensive than the smaller cities and towns. You may be able to apply to the Norwegian State Education Loan Fund for a grant to help you cover your costs. On average, you should budget for between NOK 9,500 and NOK 20,000 per month

    Admission Requirements

    The list of general application documents is pretty straightforward. A student has to present:

    • An undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of at least 3 years of study (it must include courses equal to at least 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to the programme you applied for)
    • An English proficiency test
    • A completed application form from the school’s portal
    • A copy of your passport
    • Copy of your grade transcripts
    • Your CV. You might also need to submit a professional CV for postgraduate study
    • Letter of motivation
    • Two letters of recommendation

     

    Language Requirements

    For courses where the language of instruction is English all applicants should expect to document their language skills according to the requirements set by the institutions. Beware that different English tests and scores may be required by different institutions.

    For courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian, proficiency in the Norwegian language is required and must be documented.

    Universities accept these official English exams:

    • PTE Academic
    • IELTS
    • TOEFL
    • C1 Advanced

     Tuition Free Universities in Norway

    • Volda University College
    • Oslo Metropolitan University
    • Arctic University of Norway (UiT)
    • University of Stavanger
    • The University Centre in Svalbard
    •  University of South-Eastern Norway
    • Nord University.
    • Norwegian University of Life Sciences
    • University of Bergen
    • Norwegian University of Science and Technology
    • Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)
    • Ostfold University College
    • University of South-Eastern Norway (USN)
    • University of Agder
  • Low Tuition Universities in Serbia, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

    Serbia, officially the Republic of Serbia, is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian. It borders Hungary to the north, Romania and Bulgaria to the east, North Macedonia and Kosovo to the south, and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro to the west. The capital city is Belgrade. Natural resources include coal, petroleum, natural gas and many metals; major industries include agriculture, food processing, metals, textiles, mining, automobiles and furniture.

    Serbia’s capital, Belgrade is also the largest city. Official language is Serbian written in Cyrillic. The national currency of Serbia is Serbian Dinar (RSD).

    Serbia is home to about 8.6 million inhabitants and it offers excellent education opportunities. Both the students from Serbia and International students can enroll.

    Today’s article will be about the higher education system, costs of living, tuition fees, admission requirements, and also the lists of low tuition universities in Serbia

    Higher Education System In Serbia

    Serbia’s higher education system adheres to European standards established by the Bologna Process and employs the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

    The typical three tiers of degrees in Serbia are bachelor studies, master studies, and doctoral studies (Ph.D.)

    Bachelor studies, which usually last 4 years with 240 ECTS, although 3-year/180 ECTS Bachelor programmes are also available,
    • Master studies lasting 1-2 years with 60 to 120 ECTS, and
    • Doctoral studies (PhD) with a minimum of three years of study or 180 ECTS.

    The majority of courses are taught in Serbian, but some programs and courses are offered in English. International students planning to study in Serbia are typically required to complete one year of language training in Serbia before starting studies in their academic field.

    The academic year typically begins in early October. Individual institutions have considerable leeway in determining the structure of the academic year, which must include 30 weeks of study.

    Semesters (two 15-week periods) and trimesters are the most commonly used systems (three 10-week periods). Schools, on the other hand, are free to create any system they want as long as they meet the 30-week total requirement.

     

    Costs of Living

    Living in Serbia is not expensive

    Renting a one-bedroom apartment can cost between 200 USD and 300 USD. This will depend on the area of the city and the size of the place.

    Eating is also affordable. Regarding groceries, a monthly budget of 130 USD will the job. A meal in a cheap restaurant costs 4 USD and eating a single meal in a nice restaurant can cost up to 17 USD.

    Utilities will definitely depend on the season and the place you are living in. During winter, you could pay around 70 USD in utilities because of heating. However, there are buildings with other facilities like parking, which could cost more.

    As for transportation, you would spend around 30 USD per month if you use public transportation every day.

    Tuition fees

    Studies of Serbian residents at public institutions (both universities and colleges) can either be financed by the State or the students pay tuition for their studies. Students who study at private higher education institutions pay fees as determined by the higher education institution.

    Foreign students pay tuition for their studies and in some cases there is a difference between the fee amount paid by local and foreign students.

    The tuition fee is determined by the institution and is usually within a range from EUR500 to EUR2500 per year.

    Admission Requirements

    Bachelor programmes:

    As a general requirement, to enter a Bachelor  programme one has:
    • to have completed four-year secondary education, and
    • to pass the entrance exam.
    Specific admission requirements usually include specific knowledge in certain disciplines and should be checked for each individual programme a student is interested in. Entrance exams are usually held in early July (the first round) and early September (the second round, if there are places left). The ranking of candidates depends on both the entrance exam and their results at the previous level of education.

    Master programme:

    • For Master programmes lasting one year, a candidate has to have obtained Bachelor diploma.
    • For Master programmes lasting two years, a candidate has to have obtained Bachelor diploma.
    • Admission requirements vary from programme to programme (usually regarding the area of previous education) and should be checked on the web pages with information on specific programs.

    Doctoral studies:

    • candidate has successfully completed a Master programme and obtained at least 300 ECTS.
    • Additional requirements, such as a minimum grade point average, number of papers published in scientific journals, etc. are determined by each institution and presented on the web pages of particular doctoral study programmes.

    Low Tuition Universities in Serbia

    • University of Belgrade
    • University of Novi Sad (UNS)
    • University of Nis
    • University of Kragujevac
    • State University of Novi Pazar
    • University of Pristina
    • Singidunum University
    • Union University
    •  International University of Novi Paza
    • John Naisbitt University
    • University of Arts
    • University of Defence
    • Alfa BK University
    • European University
    • Metropolitan University
    • Nikola Tesla – Union University
    • Educons University
    • Economics Academy

     

     

  • Low Tuition Universities in Luxembourg, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

    The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. The country shares international borders with Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe, yet it holds tremendous political and financial influence in the region, with its capital, Luxembourg City, even being one of the four official capitals of the EU.

    Carved out of France and Germany in 1839, Luxembourg has three official languages: French, German and Luxembourgish. Luxembourg uses the Euro (€) as its currency. The current population of Luxembourg is 647,922

    Although it is one of the tiniest countries in the world, Luxembourg offers a splendidly cosmopolitan environment and a home to plenty of top-ranked universities.

    International students choosing Luxembourg will have an enriching higher education experience in one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe.

    Today, we will be looking into the higher education system, admission requirements, living costs, tuition fees and the list of low tuition universities in Luxembourg.

    Higher Education System

    The higher education system in Luxembourg comprises universities, colleges, and institutes of learning. Higher education in Luxembourg is normally multilingual, with different classes being taught in one of the three national languages. Degree programs are offered in associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels conferring international degrees that are recognized worldwide.

    • Bachelor’s degrees normally take three years to complete, sometimes four, depending on the subject.
    • Master’s degrees normally take one or two years,
    • while PhDs can take up to five years – and will take a minimum of three years to complete. It’s also the norm for Luxembourgish degrees to include practical elements, like an internship or research experience at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

    Admission Requirements

    Listed below are the things and documents that you will need to study in Luxembourg :

    Undergraduate

    • High School Diploma
    • Motivation letter
    • Assessment of qualifications
    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (IELTS and TOEFL IBT score)
    • Proof of your nationality and identity such as a passport
    • University application or registration form
    • Application fee (General cost: 100 EUR)
    • Copy of Grades
    • Student Visa or Residence Permit
    • Curriculum Vitae

    Graduate

    For the graduate students, these are the things that are needed:

    • Proof of previous degrees (bachelor or any equivalent degree)
    • Motivation or cover letter
    • Identity photograph
    • Assessment of qualifications
    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (IELTS and TOEFL IBT score)
    • Application or registration form
    • Application fee (General cost: 100 EUR)
    • Passport or any proof of your identity and nationality
    • Student Visa or Residence Permit
    • Curriculum vitae

    Doctorate

    • Thesis or statement of purpose
    • A recognized master’s degree certificate is required

     

    Living Costs

    The cost of living in Luxembourg is generally dependent on the location within the country and individual lifestyle choices.

    A breakdown of the average expenses in Luxembourg;

    Accommodation costs

    There are two main types of accommodation available to international students:

    • university dormitories: the cheapest option, with prices ranging between 350 and 400 EUR/month. The costs of utilities are included.
    • renting a private flat: depending on the type of apartment and area, expect to pay anywhere between 600 and 1,000 EUR/month. You can lower expenses by sharing a 2 or 3-bedroom apartment with other students. The full cost of monthly utilities is around 180–250 EUR.

      Food costs

      Students usually spend between 250 and 350 EUR per month on food and groceries. But in the end, your eating habits will determine how much you end up paying. Eating out is very enjoyable, but so is cooking, especially when you get good at it!

      These are some of the average prices for food products in Luxembourg:

      • 1 loaf of bread: 2.35 EUR
      • 1 litre of milk: 1.40 EUR
      • 12 eggs: 4 EUR
      • 1 kg of local cheese: 17 EUR
      • 1 kg of apples: 2.50 EUR
      • 1 kg of bananas: 1.75 EUR
      • 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 17 EUR

      Transportation costs

      Since March 2020, public transport — trains, buses, trams — is free in Luxembourg! Therefore, students are free to travel and explore as much as they want. In the rare occasions where you might need a taxi, the starting fee is 3 EUR, and then you pay 3.50 EUR per km.

      Check out other living costs on Numbeo

     

    Tuition Fees

    The tuition fees you are required to pay will depend on what type of course you choose to study and at what level.

    Luxembourgers usually pay no more than €1200 (US$1850) per academic year in tuition fees. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are also entitled to these rates. In fact, if your program is taught in French, German or Luxembourgish, then it’s completely free.

    Schools are free to set their own tuition fees for students outside of the EU sphere. As such, these can vary greatly. The University of Luxembourg, for example, charges no more than €200 (US$235) per semester, while Sacred Heart University, a branch of an American school, charges considerably more.

    Low Tuition Universities

    • University of Luxembourg.
    • LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise, and Sports.
    • Luxembourg School of Business (LSB)
    • European Business University (EBU)
    • Business Science Institute.
    • Jack Welch College of Business and Technology (JWCBT) – Sacred Heart University.
    • International University Institute of Luxembourg
    • Miami University Dolibois European Center
    • United Business Institute
    • Open University Luxembourg
    • European Institute of Public Administration, Luxembourg
  • Low Tuition Universities in Estonia, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

    Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia , is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Lake Peipus and Russia.

    The climate in Estonia is mostly mild, with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in July is about 21 degrees with highs of about 30 degrees. The average temperature in the winter is about -8 degrees C, with lows of about 23 degrees C.

    Estonia is one of the least-populous countries in Europe, with just 1.3 million inhabitant The capital city Tallinn and Tartu are the two largest urban areas of the country. The Estonian language is the official language of Estonia. Estonia uses the Euro (€) as its currency.

    If you are interested in studying in Estonia and you want to know the its higher education system, living costs, tuition fees,  admission requirements and the lists of low tuition universities, this article is just for you.

    Higher Education in Estonia

    Estonian higher education has two cycles

    The first cycle is undergraduate education. Bachelor’s degrees normally take three or four years. The extra year can be necessary if you have to undertake a placement as part of your degree or if it’s a technical subject, like medicine or engineering. At this level, the basic knowledge and skills related to a specialty are obtained.

    The second cycle is postgraduate education. Master’s degrees take two years, no matter the subject. Master’s level studies are devoted to in-depth preparation for the specialty. Some schools also now offer accelerated postgraduate degrees which take only one year.

    The third cycle is PhD studies. A Doctoral degree takes at least four years to complete. Many PhD students choose to teach part-time whilst studying, meaning that a third cycle degree can take as long as six years to complete in Estonia.

     Living Costs

    Student accommodation costs

    These are the two most popular types of accommodation:

    • Student dormitories (single, double, or triple rooms): only offered by some universities. They are usually in great condition, and the monthly cost of 80–150 EUR also includes the utilities.
    • Private housing: rent costs between 200 and 550 EUR/month. You can pay less by sharing a larger apartment with other students. You also need to cover the monthly utilities (150–200 EUR) and the initial deposit (equivalent to 3 months’ rent).

      Food costs in Estonia

      On average, students spend around 300 EUR per month on food and groceries. All universities have cafeterias with good food at reasonable prices, and you can also look for daily specialities or discounts in pubs or cafes.

      These are some of the average prices for food products in Estonia:

      • 1 loaf of bread: 0.81 EUR
      • 1 litre of milk: 0.72 EUR
      • 12 eggs: 1.52 EUR
      • 1 kg of local cheese: 7 EUR
      • 1 kg of apples: 1.32 EUR
      • 1 kg of bananas: 1.09 EUR
      • 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 8 EUR

       

      Transportation costs

      In Tallinn, public transport if free for all students. In other cities, like Tartu, a monthly transport pass with a student discount costs around 7–8 EUR. Other transport options are:

      • taxi: 2.50 EUR at start, 0.65 EUR per km
      • bike renting: 10 EUR for a weekly membership, 30 EUR for an annual membership

    Check out other living costs in Estonia on numbeo

    Tuition Fees

    Tuition fees at Estonian institutions vary depending on whether you choose a public or private institution. It will also depend on what level you are studying at, as doctoral degrees in Estonia are free of charge to all students. On average, you should expect a bachelor’s or master’s degree to cost between €1,000 and €8,000 per year. If you choose to take a specialised degree, such as a medical degree, you should expect it to cost around €11,000 per year.

    Admission Requirements

    Bachelor’s degree course:

    • Secondary School Certificate (ISSC)
    • Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)
    • English Language Test is required to get admission in Bachelor’s degree courses. You can submit IELTS or TOEFL.

     Master’s degree course:

    • Secondary School Certificate (ISSC)
    • Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)
    • Bachelors Certificate & Transcript

    Other Important documents that are required to get admission for both bachelor’s and master’s degree courses are the following:

    • Passport
    • Recent Photo
    • CV & Motivation Letter
    • Completed and signed admission letter from the higher institution of Lithuania
    • Two Reference or Recommendation letters from teachers or employer (if you have worked).

    Low Tuition Universities in Estonia

    1. University of Tartu
    2. Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
    3. Tallinn University
    4. Nord University
    5. Estonian University of Life Sciences
    6. TTK University of Applied Sciences
    7. Estonian Business School
    8. Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
    9. Estonian Academy of Security Sciences
    10. Estonian Academy of Arts
    11. Pallas University of Applied Sciences
    12. Estonian Aviation Academy