Finding funding to study abroad can be confusing at first. Each country will have a different way of paying for studying, while individual courses at different institutions with also have different prices. Research and planning are the keys to getting the best possible deal.
Funding Study Abroad
How much is studying abroad going to cost?
Tuition fees vary greatly from country to country and even between universities in the same country. You will also need to check whether your tuition fees as an international student will be the same as a home student’s fees.
If you are an EU student and want to apply to an institution in Europe, you should pay the same fees as a home student.
You will also need to be aware of the extra costs involved in applying to study abroad. For example, simply submitting an application to a university in the US can cost you up to $100 – that’s before you even consider the costs of paying for entry tests, visa applications and funding applications. Check out individual living costs in our country profiles.
As well as application costs, you need to take into account the costs of moving country, which will almost always be higher than you expect.
Make sure you budget for flights, the costs of moving your belongings, accommodation and health insurance. Speak to your chosen university about how much to budget – most will be happy to provide you with a guide to living costs.
Where to get funding for your studies?
There are lots of opportunities to get funding for your studies – many of them from unlikely sources. Start by listing what makes you stand out. Is it the course you want to study? Your country of origin? The area of research you are studying? Funding opportunities fall into four broad categories:
- Funding through universities
- Funding through charities
- Governmental funding
- Funding through industry
Remember to start applying for funding as early as possible, as many scholarship and bursary opportunities have deadlines well in advance of course start dates.
Sources of funding
- The Association of Commonwealth Universities offers student scholarships and bursaries at institutions throughout the British Commonwealth
- The Fulbright Commission provides funding for students wanting to study in the US
- Postgraduate Studentships lists funding opportunities for postgraduates around the world
- Chevening Scholarships are available in more than 110 countries for students wanting to study in the UK
- The Welcome Trust funds research into medicine and the sciences