Cheapest Countries to Study a Master's Degree for Indian Students

The cheapest country for a master's is not always the one with the lowest tuition. What matters is your total cost: tuition, plus living costs, plus the money you must show for your visa, minus any scholarship. On tuition alone, Germany stands out, because state universities generally charge no tuition for most master's degrees. Living costs and visa funds still apply. (Figures checked 18 October 2026.)

This guide is part of our series on the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students. It compares ten countries to consider for a master's, shows the official figures where we have them, and tells you where to check the rest.

How to measure "cheap" for a master's

Work out your total cost of attendance:

Total cost = tuition + living costs + hidden costs, minus scholarships, assistantships and part-time income

Four points to keep in mind:

• Choose the city, not just the country. Rent varies a lot between cities. Our cost of living comparison covers this.
• Paid research or teaching roles can matter more than a small fee discount. Ask departments about assistantships.
• Combine funding where the rules allow, such as an entrance award plus a department scholarship.
• Look at outcomes, not just price. A course with industry links or a work-experience module may be better value. See our guide to high-ROI affordable education.

The shortlist: ten countries to compare

1) Germany: low tuition at state universities

Tuition: state universities in Germany generally charge no tuition for bachelor's and most master's degrees. Some continuing-education master's may charge fees, and private universities may charge more. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students, and Bavarian universities may:

• Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester (about ₹1,60,300).
• Bavaria: each university decides whether to charge non-EU students and how much, which can be several thousand euros per semester.

Semester contribution: every student pays this each semester, €70 to €430 (about ₹7,500 to ₹46,000). It covers student services and, at many universities, a local transport ticket.

Living costs: DAAD puts these at €900 to €1,200 per month (about ₹96,200 to ₹1,28,200), depending on the city.

Proof of funds for the visa: €992 per month, so €11,904 for the first year (about ₹12,72,100), for example in a blocked account.

Work: up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week.

2) France: set fees at public universities

At public institutions under the French Ministry of Higher Education, non-EU students pay €3,950 a year for a master's in 2026–27 (approx. ₹4,22,100, ECB rate of 16 Oct 2026), according to Campus France. Fees at private institutions are generally significantly higher. Living costs vary by city, so check each university's pages.

3) Italy: fee reductions at some universities

Fees vary by university; check each university's fee and scholarship pages for any reductions. See also our guide to scholarships and financial aid in affordable destinations.

4) Spain: public university fees by region

Public university fees vary by region and university. Living costs vary by city; check each university's accommodation pages.

5) Poland: fees by university

Check whether your course is taught in English. Fees vary by university; check each fee page.

6) Czechia: fees by university

Fees vary by university; check each university's fee page.

7) Hungary: Stipendium Hungaricum

Hungary's government runs the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, which is open to Indian students; it covers tuition and supports accommodation. Check the scheme's page for current terms, and each university's fees.

8) Portugal: fees set by each university

Check whether your course is taught in English. Fees vary by university, so check each fee page.

9) Malaysia: check each campus

Fees vary by campus, so check each one.

10) Taiwan: government scholarships

Taiwan has government scholarships for international students. The Ministry of Education's Taiwan Scholarship pays master's students NTD 20,000 a month, plus up to NTD 40,000 a semester towards tuition and fees. Check the scholarship's application process page for how to apply from India. Check the guidelines for current terms and deadlines.

Cost comparison table

Rupee figures are approximate, at the ECB reference rate of 16 October 2026 (1 EUR = ₹106.86). Fees are charged in the local currency.

Scholarships and funding for a master's

Master's funding can come from several sources:

• entrance merit awards, based on your grades and test scores
• department or faculty scholarships
• research or teaching assistantships with a stipend
• government awards for international students
• need-based fee reductions, where a university offers them
• housing or meal support and work-study schemes

For Germany, examples include the DAAD Study Scholarship for master's studies, which pays €992 a month plus payments towards insurance and a travel allowance on application, and the Deutschlandstipendium, which pays €300 a month and is open to high-achieving students of all nationalities at participating universities. You apply for the Deutschlandstipendium directly to the university.

Apply to several scholarships at each university, and write an SOP that explains clearly what you want to study and why.

Budgeting tips for Indian students abroad

• Live close to a direct tram or metro line rather than in the city centre.
• Start in a residence hall, then move to a shared flat once you know the area.
• Cook most of your meals and batch-cook at weekends.
• Buy a student transport pass if your city offers one.
• Use student software licences rather than paying retail prices.
• Compare forex cards, local bank accounts and money-transfer services, and watch for ATM charges.
• Keep an emergency fund for health, visa or travel surprises.
• Protect your grades: failing a module can cost more than it saves to work extra hours.

More ideas are in our budgeting and money-saving guide.

Working part-time during a master's

Work rules differ by country. Here are the official rules for the countries where we have them:

Treat part-time pay as help with living costs, not your main way to pay for your degree.

• Look for on-campus work first (library, labs, IT help, tutoring).
• Choose work linked to your subject if you can.
• Use breaks to earn more, where your visa allows.

Hidden costs to plan for

Build these into your budget from the start (see our guide to hidden costs of studying abroad):

• accommodation deposits and agency fees
• health insurance
• visa and residence permit fees, including renewals
• course materials and software
• first-month set-up: bedding, kitchen items, SIM card, transport pass
• bank and transfer fees

Buying second-hand, sharing purchases with flatmates and booking flights early all help.

Affordable alternatives to more expensive countries

If you are weighing up the USA, UK, Canada or Australia, it is worth comparing their total cost with the countries above. You can also compare options in these countries directly: see our pages on how to study in the UK, study in Canada, a master's in Australia and how to study in New Zealand. For Australia, read our guide to a master's in Australia for Indian students.

More ideas are in our guide to affordable alternatives to more expensive countries.

Example: a first-year budget for Germany

Using only the official figures above, a first year at a German state university with no tuition fee might look like this:

This is an illustration, not a quote. Your real costs depend on your university, city and lifestyle.

Application timeline (work back from your start date)

1. 12 months before: shortlist countries and universities; book your English test; gather marksheets, transcripts and passport.
2. 10 to 11 months before: draft your SOP, ask for recommendation letters and prepare a portfolio if needed.
3. 8 to 10 months before: submit applications and scholarship applications.
4. 5 to 7 months before: compare offers by total cost, not tuition alone.
5. 2 to 4 months before: visa, accommodation, insurance and your money-transfer plan.
6. 1 month before: pre-departure checks and on-campus job research.

Deadlines differ by country and university. In Germany, DAAD says that at most higher education institutions, winter-semester applications close on 15 July and summer-semester applications on 15 January; private universities may have other deadlines.

SOP and recommendation tips for funded master's

• Start with the problem you want to work on, not your life story.
• Show results: projects completed, papers or posters, measurable outcomes.
• Explain why a specific lab or faculty fits you, in two or three lines.
• Ask referees to mention specific things you did.

Planning ahead: undergraduate first?

If you are advising a younger brother or sister, an affordable bachelor's followed by a funded master's can keep costs down. See our guide to the cheapest countries to study abroad after 12th.

How Shiksha Galore helps

At Shiksha Galore, we start with your budget. We can help with:

• Free counselling on countries and courses that fit your profile and budget
• Guidance on university applications
• Guidance on scholarship registration
• Student visa guidance

Book free counselling with Shiksha Galore:

• Enquire online: book free counselling with our enquiry form
• WhatsApp: +91 93563 71683
• Call: +91 80107 22713 (Mon to Sat, 9am to 6pm)
• Email: info@shikshagalore.com

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