Germany, Sweden… 11 other countries offering free or low-cost PhD programmes

BUSINESS DAY

Pursuing a PhD can be expensive, but some countries offer low-cost or free education to international students. These countries provide low tuition fees and scholarships to cover living expenses and other costs.

Germany, Austria, and Norway offer tuition-free education or low fees for doctoral programs. In addition, many of these countries offer financial support to help students focus on their studies. For those looking to gain qualifications and enhance job prospects, a PhD in these countries is a practical option.

According to Levergaeedu, here’re 13 countries offering free or low-cost PhD programmes

Sweden

Sweden offers free PhD programmes to all students, regardless of citizenship, focusing on research that contributes to global knowledge. While tuition fees apply to bachelor’s and master’s programmes for non-EU/EEA students, doctoral programmes remain exempt, with 39 universities, including Uppsala University, Lund University, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, welcoming approximately 30,912 international students annually.

PhD studies in Sweden, lasting four years, centre on independent research culminating in an original thesis, with the option to pursue a licentiate degree as a two-year alternative or stepping stone. Admission requires a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a related field, proof of English proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL, and demonstrated research experience, while tuition fees are waived, though living expenses must be self-funded or supported by university grants.

Norway

Norway offers tuition-free PhD programmes for all students, regardless of nationality, across its 22 universities, including the University of Oslo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and the University of Bergen, which collectively host approximately 12,400 international students annually. The academic year runs from August to June, and PhD programmes typically last 3–4 years, following the Bologna system with a strong focus on research and thesis development.

Norwegian PhD candidates are often considered university employees, receiving benefits while fulfilling teaching and administrative duties. Admission requirements include a master’s degree in a related field, a strong research proposal, and submission of necessary documents, such as certified educational certificates, a funding strategy, and proposed supervisor details. While no tuition fees apply, students must pay a small semester fee to the student union, covering services like exams and facilities.

Finland

Finland provides free PhD programmes to students of all nationalities across its 35 universities, including the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, and Tampere University, which host around 23,794 international students. Finnish PhD programmes typically span four years, focusing on research and the completion of an independent thesis, with the academic year running from September to June.

Although tuition fees are waived, students must manage living expenses independently, as universities do not charge doctoral fees. Entry requirements include a master’s degree from a recognised institution, with specific prerequisites determined by the area of study and university procedures. Finland’s emphasis on high-quality research makes it an attractive destination for doctoral studies.

Germany

Germany, renowned for its excellence in education and innovation, hosts 520 universities and attracts 311,738 international students, offering both individual and structured PhD programmes. Individual PhD programmes, often preferred in humanities and social sciences, provide flexibility for students to independently find supervisors and manage timelines, while structured PhD programmes offer clear curricula and timelines, typically spanning 3-5 years, encouraging collaboration on predefined research projects.

Doctoral degrees are tuition-free at public universities for all students, irrespective of nationality, although a semester contribution is required to cover administrative costs and services. Applicants generally need a master’s degree equivalent to a German qualification, with exceptional candidates holding bachelor’s degrees potentially eligible for fast-track programmes after passing an entrance exam. Some of Germany’s top universities for PhD studies include Ludwig Maximilian University, Technical University of Munich, University of Göttingen, RWTH Aachen University, and Free University of Berlin.

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