Getting your Ph.D. requires a lot of dedication, time, and money. Still, graduating and becoming an expert in your field will enable you to get the job of your dreams. And, more importantly, the salary to satisfy your needs.
7 Most Affordable Destinations for Ph.D. Studies
Unfortunately, the financial burden of tuition fees is incredibly high. And if you’re wondering how to get a Ph.D. without spending too much money, you’ll feel relieved to hear that there is one way.
All you need to do is pack your things and set off and pursue your dream abroad. Many destinations offer fantastic Ph.D. programs at relatively low costs. You simply need to know where to look for them.
If you’re interested in learning more, keep reading. In the article below, you’ll find a list of the best and most affordable destinations for Ph.D. students.
Finland
Besides being Santa’s home, Finland is one of your Ph.D. studies’ best and affordable destinations. Finnish universities don’t charge their students any tuition fees, no matter their nationality.
All you need to do to start your Finnish journey is to obtain a residence permit. To achieve that, you have to prove that you have at least $530 a month at your disposal.
The living costs? They depend on your preferences. Usually, they vary from $650 to $1200 a month.
Norway
Staying in Scandinavia, another country on our list is Norway. In terms of universities’ quality, it doesn’t differ much from Finland. It has one significant advantage, though. It’s free to everyone, meaning you don’t require a residence permit.
The only problem with Norway is that while studying is entirely free, living costs can be high. To cover your basic needs, you have to prepare yourself for an expense of at least $1000 a month. And with restaurants being quite expensive, this sum is likely to get higher.
That’s why we recommend you consider taking a part-time job. Norwegian universities allow their non-EU students to work up to 20 hours a week.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic may not sound like an obvious choice to many. But did you know that exchange students voted the country as the 12th most popular studying destination? As you probably suspect, there are plenty of reasons for that.
The first one is free tuition. Well, almost free. All you need to pay is a $20 registration fee. Which, let’s be honest, is an incredibly low amount.
Secondly, living costs are one of the lowest in the EU. To cover all your needs, you have to spend approximately $700.
And last but not least, Czech Republic is absolutely gorgeous. Oh, and they have one of the best beers in Europe, if not the whole world.
Malaysia
But Europe is not the only continent that offers affordable Ph.D. courses. Asia also has a lot to offer. And one of the best destinations for low-cost studies is Malaysia, especially when it comes to living costs.
In fact, the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, is one, if not the most affordable city to study in, with average monthly costs of $300. Sure, you have to pay a tuition fee of around $4,000 a year, but it’s still very low.
What’s more, Malaysia has many international universities branch campuses. That allows you to get a degree accredited by institutions like Australia’s Monash University at lower costs.
India
Let’s stay in Asia for a while. Another country on the list is India, and it’s probably the best choice if you’re looking for cultural diversity. But that’s not the only reason. India has many top-quality universities like the University of Delhi. And when it comes to costs, it’s hard to find a more affordable country.
You should be able to live just the way you want for an amount of approximately $400 a month. Tuition fees, however, may vary depending on the university. Usually, you have to prepare for an expenditure of $7500 a year.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different destinations you can choose from when planning on your Ph.D. studies abroad. But of course, the examples given above are just a drop in the sea. There are many more exciting and affordable countries you can consider, like:
- Germany
- Denmark
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Poland
To pick the perfect destination for you, it’s best to do your research first. See if considered universities are quality enough, and determine how much you’d have to spend. Doing that will help you shorten the list, making your decision much easier.
But finding the right university won’t be your most challenging decision. The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you’re ready to leave. Moving abroad for a couple of years is a significant step, so you must make sure you’re prepared to make it.