Almost every meritorious student in Bangladesh dreams of going abroad for higher education. However, not everyone can afford to study in an overseas country due to the high cost of education and living. Some countries offer excellent education as well as job opportunities to foreign students at a very low cost. While in some countries the universities do not charge tuition fees to the international students in bachelor, masters and PhD level. Stay with us to know about some overseas countries where the cost of education and living is cheap and affordable for the Bangladeshi students.
12 Cheapest Countries for Bangladeshi Students
Germany
Undoubtedly, Germany offers the cheapest higher education among developed countries. Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees. Rarely a very small fee is payable. Bangladeshi students can get admission in bachelor, masters or PhD programs. At bachelor level, the students need to complete 13 years of schooling. This means you will need to study for one year at the undergraduate level if you are from a non-European country.
Everyone has a fear of learning German. But this fear should not be your priority. At bachelor level most programs are offered in German; but at Masters or PhD level, courses are mostly offered in English. However, German language is needed in everyday activities as well as for part-time jobs.
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The average monthly living cost in Germany is around 800 euros. However, you can earn this amount by working part-time as the government allows international students to work about 20 hours a week.
Norway
Norway, the land of midnight, awaits various opportunities for higher education. There is no need to spend money to study at the postgraduate PhD level in this country as the government pays the education expenses from the public treasury. However, Norway doesn’t take international students for bachelor’s studies. Bangladeshi students can do Masters and PhD in Norway.
Most of the universities in Norway are equipped with modern facilities and are technology oriented. You can work 20 hours per week while studying. The average living cost in Norway is 500-700 euros per month.
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However, if you want to study in Norway, you have to learn the language of that country. Because language will help you to get a part-time job as well as a permanent residence.
Italy
Italy, one of the leading countries in Europe, now offers a wide range of opportunities for higher education. Every year students from different countries fly to Italy for higher education. They study in graduation, masters, and PhD programs. Students are also coming at the undergraduate level, but their numbers are comparatively low.
You will need to spend 1800-8000 euros per year to study in Italy. On top of that, you can also get scholarships. The living cost will be around 500-700 euros or less, which you can manage by working part-time.
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Austria
Another country where you can get higher education at a very low cost is Austria. Foreign students in the country only have to pay a small fee at the time of admission. Various universities in Austria offer degrees in higher and applied subjects. The favorable climate and affordable cost of living have established Austria as an ideal higher education destination for students from around the world.
Among the top universities in Austria are the famous ‘University of Vienna’ and ‘The University of Innsbruck.’ An international student may need to pay 727-7,500 EUR/semester, depending on the university. When it comes to the living cost, you may need to spend anywhere between 500-1000 euros depending on the location. Students can work part-time 20 hours/ week in Austria.
Belgium
Belgium provides students with quality education in both theoretical and practical subjects. Apart from the advanced education, students can also get jobs in Belgium after completing higher education at a very low cost. Ghent University and the University of Brussels are two of the country’s top higher education institutions.
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The average tuition fee for international students is 940-6,000 EUR depending on the program and university. The average living cost will be around 600 to 800 Euros per month. A student can work 20 hours per week in Belgium.
Greece
Greece is one of the most traditional centers of higher learning, dating back to Plato and Aristotle. The cost of living in this country is very low. Most of the courses there are taught in English. Don’t think that Greece can be your destination just for studying philosophy. In modern Greece, modern education is provided in various subjects of science.
The average living cost is 450-750 euros per month, while you will need to pay 1,500 and 2,000 EUR per academic year for tuition.
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Czech Republic
As of 2019, more than 50,000 foreign student study at universities in the Czech Republic. The best universities in the country offer higher education in medicine, engineering, and science. Most universities offer higher education in the Czech language. However, English is also taught in many universities in the country.
Free higher education is also available in this country, which is a unique blend of modernity and its own culture.If you go to public or state universities in the Czech Republic, education is almost free. On top of that, you can work 20 hours/ week and 40 hours/ week during summer and semester breaks. The average living cost is 350-750 euros per month in the Czech Republic.
India
In recent times there has been a great interest among students to pursue higher education in the neighboring country India. Every year a large number of students enroll in various universities in India to pursue higher education. Also, there are various scholarships available for Bangladeshi students to study in India at a low cost. The cost of education in India is quite cheap compared to other countries.
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The cost of living and other things are also low in this country. Anyone can easily live a good life in India at a low cost. The cost of studying at Indian universities is cheaper than at private universities in Bangladesh. Education cost in India starts from $3000 a year, and if you can manage a scholarship, it will be less than $3000.
Denmark
Denmark is one of the most developed countries in Northern Europe. Denmark is known to all for its natural scenic beauty as well as its advanced civic life. Also, it is home to some of the top universities in the world.
Masters and PhD students can get admission easily. Like Germany, for admission in bachelor programs, the international students need to complete 13 years of schooling. This means a Bangladeshi student is required to study for one year at the undergraduate level before applying for admission.
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The education cost in Denmark starts from 3,500 euros per semester. Besides, you can also get a scholarship. Students can work 20 hours/ week and full-time during summer. The average living cost is around 300 to 500 euros per month.
Mexico
According to QS Top University Ranking, Mexico is considered one of the five most affordable countries for students. Depending on location and your lifestyle, you may need to spend $600 to $1200 on living costs in Mexico. Tuition fees depend on the universities. For example, a public university may cost as low as $378 per year. However, Mexico doesn’t allow international students to work in the country.
Malaysia
Malaysia is another destination for international students due to its cheap cost. An international student can study bachelor's for $1500 a year, while a Masters study will cost $2500 per year. International students can work 20 hours per week. You will need to spend around $300 per month on living costs in Malaysia.
South Korea
As an international student, studying in South Korea can become quite interesting for you. Because, in addition to the world-class education system in the country, you can get close to interesting Korean culture, pleasant weather surrounded by an excellent clean environment and advanced lifestyle.
Education costs start from $1500 per semester, and you will need to spend around $500-$600 on living expenses. However, you can manage some of these costs by working part-time. Bachelor students can work 20 hours a week while Masters students can work 30 hours a week.
Final Words
In the foreign universities, there are numerous courses in various branches of education. Besides this, a reputed international degree can add value to the academic and professional career of a student or professional. Studying abroad does not have to mean spending a fortune, at least not always. If you are willing to put in a little effort and a little hard work, you can study abroad for a manageable cost. However, the cost of living varies depending on individual preferences.
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So far we have discussed the top 12 cheapest and affordable countries for Bangladeshi students. Education loans and various scholarships are also easily available in almost all these countries. So if you wish to pursue higher education abroad, you can apply to any of these.