7 countries offering free PhD programs for international students

Pursuing a PhD can be expensive, especially when factoring in tuition fees, research expenses, and living costs. However, several countries around the world offer affordable or even free PhD programs for international students, making it possible to achieve academic excellence without the financial burden.

Here are seven countries where you can pursue your doctoral studies completely free, enabling you to focus on research and innovation rather than high tuition fees.

Germany

As the birthplace of the PhD, Germany remains one of the most cost-effective destinations in Europe for doctoral studies. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for PhD programmes, unlike some Master’s courses which may have fees for international students. However, doctoral candidates are required to pay a modest administrative fee and living costs are not covered by the university.

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, many PhD students are considered university employees, meaning they are exempt from paying traditional PhD tuition fees and often receive a salary along with other benefits. Most Dutch universities follow this model, where doctoral candidates are employed and do not pay fees. However, students who are not employed by the university must pay tuition fees, which are generally in line with those in other European countries. There are also various funding options available to help students cover these costs.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has some of the oldest universities in Europe, and its public institutions offer tuition-free PhDs. However, there is a requirement to complete your doctorate in Czech to benefit from this. While English-taught programmes and private universities are available, they come with additional fees.

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Finland

Public universities in Finland do not charge any tuition fees for PhD programmes, regardless of a student’s nationality. This contrasts with Finnish Master’s courses, which do require fees from international students.

Norway

In Norway, there are no tuition fees for students at public universities, regardless of nationality. Doctoral candidates are classified as employees, which means they receive a salary along with the associated worker’s rights. While education is free for all, a small semester fee is required to cover student union costs.

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, all students are granted scholarships for their academic pursuits. The country has an exceptional system for PhD funding, as all enrolled students automatically receive financial support that comprises tuition fees and living costs.

Sweden

In Sweden, PhD programmes typically do not require tuition or application fees for any student. Many PhD candidates are employed by their universities and receive a monthly study grant, which is subject to tax. During the initial two years, students generally receive the study grant without additional benefits, while the final two years usually come with a full employment contract that includes benefits such as sick leave and parental leave. In exchange for the study grant, PhD students are often expected to undertake teaching or administrative responsibilities within their departments.