Countries
State universities in the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Sweden do not charge international students with tuition fees for Ph.D. degrees and in some cases for bachelor's and master's degrees as well. [9] [10] [11]
| State | Local language-taught bachelor's and master's degrees tuition fees (per year) for international students [Note 1] | English-taught bachelor's and master's degrees tuition fees (per year) for international students [Note 2] | Ph.D. degrees tuition fees for international students | Ph.D. degrees tuition fees for EEA students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Austria | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Czech Republic | Free at state universities [9] [12] | 2,700 to 10,000 EUR [12] | Free at state universities [10] | Free at state universities [10] |
 Denmark | 6,000 - 16,000 EUR [11] | 6,000 - 16,000 EUR [11] | 6,000 - 16,000 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Finland | Free at state universities [13] [11] | 5,000 - 20,000 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [10] | Free at state universities [11] |
 France | 2,800 - 3,800 EUR [11] | 2,800 - 3,800 EUR [11] | 2,800 - 3,800 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Germany | Free at state universities [11] | Free at state universities [11] | Free at state universities [10] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Greece | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Hungary | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | ca. 1,500 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Iceland | Free at state universities [14] | Free at state universities [14] | Free at state universities [14] | Free at state universities [14] [11] |
 Norway | 15,000 - 30,000 EUR [11] | 15,000 - 30,000 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [10] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Poland | ca. 2,000 EUR [11] | ca. 2,000 EUR [11] | ca. 2,000 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Saudi Arabia | All fees automatically covered by scholarships, including living costs, at state universities [10] [17] [18] | All fees automatically covered by scholarships, including living costs, at state universities [10] [17] [18] | ||
 Slovenia | ca. 5,000 EUR [11] | ca. 5,000 EUR [11] | ca. 5,000 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [11] |
 Sweden | 8,300 - 20,800 EUR [11] | 8,300 - 20,800 EUR [11] | Free at state universities [10] | Free at state universities [11] |
In Argentina, education is free since 1949 in every state university, not only for Argentine students, but also for international students willing to study in Argentina. Free education is financed by the Ministry of Education.[ citation needed ]
In Bangladesh, article 17 of Constitution of Bangladesh provides that all children receive free and compulsory education. [19] Primary and secondary education is financed by the state and free of charge in public schools. The government provides free textbooks to all primary and secondary-level students. In 2022, 347,016,277 free textbooks have been distributed among 41,726,856 students across the country. [20] The government provides free school meals to 400,000 children in 2,000 schools across 8 Divisions. [21]
In Brazil, free education is offered by the Ministry of Education, which offers scholarships for graduate degrees, masters, doctoral and post-doctoral for Brazilians and immigrants with a Brazilian citizenship. The best universities and research centers are public institutions, financed by either the local state (state universities) or the federal government (federal universities). Graduate students can get paid if they qualify for the incentive, but competition usually are extremely fierce. [ citation needed ]
There are examples of steps towards free education being taken across the world primarily in those nations developing rapidly, such as China. [22] The Free Compulsory Education Reform in China can be described as a program akin to a school subsidy initiative, wherein qualifying students receive financial assistance that encompasses tuition fees and other associated expenses. [23]
In European Union countries such as France and Malta, tuition is usually free for European students, and in Germany, tuition is free for all European and international students. [24] In Scotland, university tuition is free for all Scottish nationals and is discounted for all European students, except from students coming from other parts of the United Kingdom.[ citation needed ]
In Fiji the government announced in 2013 it would cover the costs of primary and secondary school education, equivalent to 250 Fiji dollars per year per student. [25]
In Iran, most prestigious universities are called governmental universities which offer free education for students who pass a very competitive entrance exam with high scores. Graduates from these universities are obliged to serve the country for as many years as they studied for their degree, in order to get their diploma.[ citation needed ]
In Mauritius, the government provides free education to its citizens from pre-primary to tertiary levels. Since July 2005, the government also introduced free transport for all students.[ citation needed ]
In New Zealand, the Labour government will introduce three years of free post-school study or training. From January 1, 2018, new students will have one year free for entering study or training. From 2021, those starting tertiary education would get two years free, and from 2024 three years. The overall cost of the package is $6 billion. Labour has also pledged to increase student allowances by $50 a week, and to restore post-graduate students' eligibility for student allowances. [26]
In the Philippines, public primary and secondary schools are free of tuition. [27] The 1935 Constitution provided for universal primary education. Primary education was made free under the 1973 Constitution, while the 1987 Constitution extended free education to the secondary level. [28] Free public tertiary education has been enacted in 2017. [29] [30]
In Russia, prior to the break-up of the Soviet Union, tuition was free for everyone obtaining sufficient grades. Since 1991, students obtaining sufficient grades, are still eligible for a free education (on a competitive basis) in state or private universities, but the student can also pay for studying if grades are above minimal threshold, but not enough to be enrolled into the desired university for free. [31]
In Sri Lanka, free education is provided by the government at different levels. Government funded schools such as national schools, provincial schools and Piriven provided primary and secondary education free, while assisted schools and semi-governmental schools provided the same at subsidized rates. At the university level, the universities provide undergraduate courses free, however, this totals only about 10% for those qualified for university entrance. Grants and scholarships are provided for a limited number of study allowances. Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara who was the Minister of Education made education free for all Sri Lankan students in 1940 s. Kannangara's significant achievements in areas of education have led him to being commonly referred to as the Father of Free Education in Sri Lanka. [32]
Trinidad and Tobago offers free tertiary education to its citizens up to the undergraduate level at accredited public and select private institutions. Postgraduate degrees are paid up to 50% by the government at accredited institutions. This benefit is given to the citizens under a programme called Government Assisted Tuition Expenses Programme and it is managed by the Funding and Grants Administration Division of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training [33]
In the United States, a variety of financial aid programs provide grants and student loans, mostly to low-income students, for any accredited college or university. Various proposals at the state and federal level have been made to make either community colleges or all colleges and universities free for students at all income levels. [34] In March 2022, the U.S. state of New Mexico waived tuition for in-state students at all income levels and at all public state and tribal colleges and universities, if registered for six credit-hours and earning a minimum 2.5 GPA. [35]
Uruguay adopted free, compulsory, and secular education in 1876, after a reform led by José Pedro Varela during the Lorenzo Latorre dictatorship. The University of the Republic follows the same principles, although graduates must pay a yearly contribution.[ citation needed ]
In Tanzania, a fee free education was introduced for all the government schools in 2014. [36] Government would pay the fees, however parents were required to pay for the school uniform and other materials. [37]
In Mali, free education implementation is a relatively recent phenomenon. Prior to the turn of the century, education was often too expensive for many families, leading to a high rate of illiteracy and educational inequity. The 1990s saw the beginning of reforms with several NGOs and international bodies lobbying and offering support for free and inclusive education. [38]
