As an international student, you have the liberty to choose from many European universities for your studies. However, while some can be expensive, we still have some really cheap European universities where you can study almost for free, even if you have no IELTS. So, in this post, we will be looking at the cheapest universities in Europe for international students without IELTS.
Many students are striving to access free education in Canada, while others travel as far as China for the same opportunity. Likewise, Europe is a popular destination for students, not only because of its affordable education but also for its high-quality teaching and excellent research opportunities. Even though many schools offer cheap tuition fees, they often require students to provide proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo test scores. However, some schools, particularly those in non-English speaking countries, might waive this requirement and instead ask for a simple test to assess your English skills. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the universities in Europe that won’t ask for your IELTS for admission.
Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students Without IELTS
We are going to look at 9 different universities around Europe that you should really consider. I have done my masters in Europe and never had to submit IELTS, so yes, it’s not impossible at all. You just have to look in the right direction, which is something I am going to help you do by suggesting some of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students without IELTS.
1. Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
At number one, we have Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Germany is currently one of the world’s best study destinations due to how cheap it is. Moreover, the public schools are free, and this is for both local and foreign students. Germany is renowned for its free or very affordable universities for international students, and Ruhr University Bochum is no exception. The main expense for students here is the cost of living. This can often be managed through work, scholarships, or grants.
So, let’s talk more about this. At Ruhr University Bochum, you will only pay a social contribution, also called a semester contribution, of about €350 per semester. This contribution is not tuition fees. It also allows you to use almost all public transportation (except IC, and ICE) in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Other high expenses you’ll be looking at include rent (about €350-700), telephone/internet/media license fee (about €35), health insurance (about €115), and food (about €200-350).
Despite offering tuition-free education, Ruhr University Bochum maintains high academic standards and it is the cheapest in Europe for international students that does not require IELTS.
2. Esslingen University
At number 2, we have the Esslingen University, still in Germany. No IELTS is required. Esslingen University is a really cheap option in Europe for international students. The tuition fee for this university is €1,500 per semester. Students can cover fees through part-time work, grants, scholarships, or student loans. The enrollment fee is €180 per semester and the public transportation fee is €200 per semester. Consider the rent too—€300 per month. The health insurance is €90 while miscellaneous will cost you €400. Esslingen University doesn’t just focus on affordability; it also provides excellent academics.
3. Riga Technical University (Latvia)
So, the overall rank of Riga Technical University is 1001–1200, according to Times Higher Education. However, this is one top-notch school where you want to study almost for free. The tuition fee depends on your course of study and whether you are an EU or non-EU student. For example, if your course of study is under Computer Science and Information Technology, as an EU, you pay €2,990 while non-EU pays €4,030 per year. Some faculties are actually really cheaper. You can check out the course-specific fees.
Latvia offers very affordable education for international students, and Riga Technical University stands out in this regard. It’s the only polytechnic university in Latvia and the largest university in the country that accepts international students without IELTS.
With nearly 15,000 students, Riga Technical University is striving to become a third-generation university, emphasizing quality education as well as advanced research and technological work.
4. University of Bonn
The 4th we are going to talk about is the University of Bonn in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The University of Bonn is among the cheapest universities in Europe for international students without IELTS despite its world ranking of 91st according to Times Higher Education. The University of Bonn does not charge tuition fees. However, you have to pay a social contribution every semester, which is known as a semester fee. The cost is €323,96, paid every semester. Now, more than half of your semester fee is used to finance your transit passes. The cost of living for a student in Bonn is roughly €800–€1,000 a month.
The university welcomes a diverse international student body from different countries and continents, embracing intercultural approaches. It accommodates over 5,000 students from more than 130 different nations.
5. Freiburg University
Freiburg University ranks 121 in the world, so yes, you will be attending one of the best universities right here. The university has a tuition fee of €1,500 per semester. While the tuition fee is modest, some international students are exempt from this fee, including:
- Holders of a German high school diploma
- Foreign nationals with a residence visa or permanent residency/EU status under the Residence Act
- Foreign nationals living permanently in Germany with residency based on international, humanitarian, political, family, or other grounds, with a good prospect of staying (e.g., entitled to asylum, acknowledged refugee status, family reunion)
- Foreign nationals who have been legally residing in Germany for 15 uninterrupted months with a specific residency permit
- PhD students
- Erasmus Students
So, if you belong in any of the categories above, you do not have to pay any fees—that’s free education for you.
6. Free University of Berlin
As the name implies, the Free University of Berlin is indeed free. The Free University of Berlin is a no-tuition university in Europe where IELTS is not required. As a student, you don’t pay tuition fees, but you will need to manage your living expenses, including food, rent, groceries, and leisure. Only some graduate or postgraduate programs charge tuition fees. International students are permitted to work, but there is a limit of 90 full days or 180 half days per year. The income from this work can help cover living costs. Despite offering free tuition, the university maintains high academic standards, offering over 150 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs.
7. University of Giessen
As a public university in Germany, the University of Giessen is a tuition-free school. It is one of the cheapest universities in Europe for international students without IELTS. The only exception is for Master’s students in the Global Change program (taught in English), who are required to pay tuition fees.
Undergraduate students are expected to pay a semester contribution, which covers student body expenses, student services, and unlimited public transport in Giessen and much of Hessen (semester ticket). The university is among the older institutions in the German-speaking region of Europe and has about 27,500 students and 5,700 academic staff, including over 400 professors.
8. University of Koblenz and Landau
At number 8, we have the University of Koblenz and Landau, another affordable option in Europe for international students without IELTS. This university has no tuition fee, but students must pay a uni-assist application fee of €75 for the first course of study and an additional €30 for each extra course. Students also need to budget for living expenses, estimated to be around €934 – 980 per month. The university does not require proof of financial means for application. The University of Koblenz and Landau offers a range of programs across its 8 faculties, which include:
- Educational Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Mathematics and Sciences
- Computer Science
- Culture and Social Sciences
- Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Psychology
9. HCI Siegen
Finally, HCI Siegen is one of the cheapest public universities in Europe that won’t ask for IELTS. So, as an international student without IELTS, you can gain admission here. You only have to pay a standard semester fee of about €284.50. This fee includes the NRW ticket, allowing unlimited public transport travel within Germany’s largest federal state.
The university offers a wide range of subjects through its faculties, including:
- Philosophy
- Education
- Architecture
- Arts
- Economics
- Business Informatics
- Business Law
- Natural Sciences and Technology
- Life Sciences
Is Europe a Good Place to Study?
Yes, Europe is a good place to study, and it strikes a balance between quality and cheap tuition. Many European countries offer top-notch education to both their citizens and international students. Countries like Germany are known for their very affordable, or even free, tuition. Beyond these factors, Europe is home to 50 countries, offering a rich mix of diverse cultures, a variety of cuisines, world-class museums, and more.
Conclusion
So, we have been able to look at 9 cheapest universities in Europe for international students without IELTS. As you can see, a lot of them actually do not charge tuition fees at all. They just charge a semester fee, which also covers your transportation in certain areas, and that’s all.
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