Would you like to receive a university master’s degree but do not want to charge tuition fees? It’s possible. Most universities around the world, especially in Europe, offer free Master’s for international students. Check it out.
Students may need to be from a particular state, region, or low-income background. Some schools require work or service on campus after graduation. Studying for a master’s degree is a completely different experience than your first basic degree.
When deciding where to study for a graduate degree, the key factors you consider are very different from those you considered for your undergraduate degree. This includes funding for the degree program.
Many people stay at the same university to do their master’s degree. Everything is known; You know the city and the college, and you probably have friends who are still in college, so it’s an easy choice.
However, you may also want to consider where else to study if there’s a chance you could earn your master’s degree for free.
This post will equip you with everything you need to know about free master’s degrees for international students and countries that offer such opportunities.
Table of Contents.
- Can I get a master’s degree for free?
- How do I get a free master’s degree?
- #1. Work for a university or college.
- #2. Make use of your employer’s college education benefits
- #3. Search for grants, scholarships, and fellowships.
- Free master’s degree for international students
- #1. Master of Intellectual Property Management at Queen Mary University of London Law School
- #2. MIT Media Lab Program in Media Arts and Sciences
- #3. Curtis Institute of Music, Master of Music
- # 4. University of the People
- # 5. Master in Human Rights and Multiculturalism
- #6. MPhil Theory and Practice of Human Rights
- # 7. Master in International Human Rights Law
- #8. LLM International Human Rights Law
- #9. LLM Public International Law
- # 10. Master of Social Work and Human Rights
- Countries that offer Free Master’s for International Students
- #1. Norway
- #2. Czech Republic
- #3. Germany
- #4. Iceland
- #5. Belgium
- #6. France
- #7. Luxembourg
- #8. Austria
- #9. Sweden
- #10 Finland
- Free Master-FAQs
- Conclusion
Can I get a master’s degree for free?
Of course, it is 100% possible that you can get a master’s degree for free. We are about to show you the opportunities available to take advantage of.
Over the past three decades, the average cost of attending college has risen and continues to grow at a faster rate than financial support.
In fact, higher education is in crisis. As students graduate from college with debt in a shaky economy, many wonder how to continue their education without incurring such debt.
While it may surprise some that such a thing exists, several universities offer high-quality educational experiences with free tuition.
Tuition-free schools fall into several categories, but all share the basic characteristic of engaging graduates without having to borrow large amounts in their grant packages.
How do I get a free master’s degree?
#1. I work for a university or college
Many colleges offer “tuition waivers” for employees. This is a valuable opportunity to earn a free master’s degree through mentoring. As a general rule, you need to be employed for a certain period because you can use the moving service to pay for tuition.
There are usually three caveats when you take advantage of them. You are:
- After you are hired, you must also be accepted into the school as a student.
- Typically, you are expected to work full-time while attending school.
- You may have to pay taxes on the market value of tuition fees if it is above a certain amount. The university took the money directly from his paycheck.
#2. Take advantage of your employer’s college education benefits
Companies that offer tuition reimbursement often have certain regulations, such as:
- A certain percentage of tuition and materials will be reimbursed over several years.
- A fixed dollar amount is reimbursed per calendar year.
- You can be expected to adhere to a specific GPA.
When looking for a job, ask about the benefits package and check carefully if tuition fee reimbursement is possible. If you already have a permanent job, ask your employer if they offer this benefit and check the specific policies and conditions.
#3. Search for grants, scholarships, and fellowships.
Scholarships may offer the opportunity to receive free tuition in a specific area. Sometimes the scholarship requires you to work in a specific location or area for a limited time after graduation, but only sometimes.
Visit Pickascholarship.com, a website with an excellent list of fully funded scholarship opportunities for advanced study programs.
Remember that there are also scholarships available for Ph.D. students. Do not limit your search to your professional field.
Are there free graduate programs abroad?
Studying graduate programs abroad is quite expensive. However, well-meaning people and the government of some developed countries create opportunities for international students to earn free master’s degrees abroad.
The main way to achieve this is by offering fully funded scholarships to graduate students. Therefore, you can always apply for scholarships to study master’s and doctoral degrees. free abroad programs
Another way to enroll in graduate programs abroad for free is by offering your services to the institution. Some universities can pay for your graduate program abroad if you are willing and qualified to work for them.
While your chances are pretty slim, there are always free graduate abroad programs if you’re qualified.
Free master’s degree for international students
A master’s degree does not have to involve a significant economic expense. There are ways to graduate debt free! You need to do some homework to find the right path.
Let’s explore the list of free master’s degrees for international students.
#1. Master of Intellectual Property Management at Queen Mary University of London Law School
The Master in Intellectual Property Management examines the fundamentals of this legal area on patents, trademarks, and the other core areas in this area.
This Master of Science is primarily aimed at graduates in the natural sciences and engineering who are pursuing a career as patent or trademark attorneys.
However, it is also open to graduates of all academic levels who wish to study intellectual property (IP) at the postgraduate level.
MSc Management of Intellectual Property can study full-time for one year or part-time for two years. Classes usually start in September, with exams in May or June. Its courses take place at Queen Mary’s Charterhouse Square and Lincoln’s Inn Fields Campus.
apply now
MIT accepts 50 students per year for master’s and doctoral degrees. Programs Students come from various fields, including computer science, neuropsychology, and architecture.
Topics of study include human-computer interaction, design, and entrepreneurship. Media arts and science students, including tuition, scholarships, and health insurance, are fully funded.
apply now
#3. Curtis Institute of Music, Master of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has long had a scholarship-only policy. This means that all students, regardless of their economic circumstances, use the scholarships offered by the school to finance their education throughout the master’s program.
This degree is highly selective, only accepting 4% of applicants.
apply now
#4. People’s University
This fully accredited American university operates entirely online and offers a range of non-teaching programs to choose from, including two non-teaching master’s programs, MBA and M.Ed.
The MBA Program lasts approximately one year and is a fully US-accredited online program offered to graduates of all disciplines who can demonstrate two years of work experience before the program begins.
Course topics include management, accounting, marketing, business law, and ethics.
UoPeople’s Master of Education in Advanced Teaching offers two specializations: Elementary/Secondary Education and Secondary Education. Students also do an internship at various International Baccalaureate schools. You can get a free master’s degree online once you are eligible.
apply now
#5. Master in Human Rights and Multiculturalism
At Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Norway, students can earn a master’s degree in human rights and multiculturalism through a two-year, full-time master’s degree at the Drammen campus.
This program takes an interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for work in various career fields, including government, nonprofit organizations, education, research, private business, and the media.
Classes focus on human rights related to cultural diversity with topics such as globalization, migration, civil wars, nation-building, and more. In addition to interdisciplinary research, students are qualified to continue academic research in these areas.
Classes are free, but scholarships are occasionally offered to cover living and travel expenses.
apply now
#6. MPhil Theory and Practice of Human Rights
The MPhil Theory and Practice for Human Rights at the University of Oslo is a full-time, two-year program that allows students to study human rights from legal, political, social, philosophical, and historical perspectives.
All courses focus on human rights, including different approaches, regional focus, methodology, practice, and more. In addition to their courses, students participate in internships, debates, and mock experiments.
As part of their thesis, students complete a master’s thesis that brings together the methodology and practice of human rights. The lessons in this program are free.
apply now
#7. Master in International Human Rights Law
Abo Akademi University Institute of Human Rights and Law Department offer a two-year full-time Master’s program in international human rights law.
This Master’s program will take place on the university campus in Turku, Finland, and offers students the opportunity to work in various human rights careers, including public administration, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
Course topics range from women’s rights to refugees and war to humanitarian law. In addition to the courses, students also complete a research seminar and a master’s thesis. Classes for students from EU/EEA countries are free.
Starting in 2017, tuition fees for non-EU/EEA countries will be €10,000. Scholarships are available for tuition-paying students, including a full scholarship plus living expenses, a full scholarship, and a study grant covering half of the tuition fees.
apply now
#8. LLM International Human Rights Law
The LLM International Human Rights Law degree from Lund University in Lund, Sweden, is a full-time, two-year program that aims to prepare students for work in law firms, international organizations, courts, private companies and various other sectors in the field of human rights.
Students participate in various courses dealing with aspects of human rights and hear from guest speakers and professors with extensive experience and knowledge of human rights.
Past speakers have even included former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi. Lund University offers various scholarships for international students to cover tuition fees.
apply now
#9. LLM Public International Law
The University of Oslo in Norway offers an LLM in International Public Law, a one and a half year Master’s program with options for four programs:
- Public international law and PIL with a specialty in international criminal law and humanitarian law
- International environmental and energy law.
- International trade, investment, and commercial law
- Human rights
This full-time, on-campus program is divided into three 30-credit semesters, with the final semester focusing specifically on a master’s thesis.
In addition to the courses, students can discuss topics through lunch, guest lectures, and seminars featuring specialists and practitioners. The lessons are free for all applicants.
apply now
#10. Master in Social Work and Human Rights
This two-year international master’s program in social work and human rights at the University of Gothenburg focuses on the interface between social work and human rights.
By interconnecting the two areas, students should have a unique perspective on the issues of human rights and social development at all levels of society. Students with a degree in social work and/or human rights are preferred over students with a degree in a related subject.
apply now
Are you from a developing country? Here is a top offer for you. Click here to see the Scholarships for Developing Countries.
Countries that offer Free Master’s for International Students
You may be surprised to learn that many countries, especially in Europe, have institutions that offer free master’s degrees for international students.
These institutions have schemes funded by organizations and governments that allow local and international students to pursue their master’s programs without paying tuition fees. Some of these countries include the following;
#1. Norway
If you can catch a cold, Norway is the perfect place to study options for a master’s degree abroad. Tuition totally free for all and without fees. Norway also has high-quality English programs at no additional cost and an excellent standard of living.
#2. Czech Republic
Studying in the Czech Republic is completely free for all citizens, but there is a very small fee for English programs. The Czech Republic also offers a high quality of life compared to a low cost of living. Perfect for students.
#3. Germany
With a strong history of innovation (Germany was a leader in the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution), you will find yourself among intellectuals if you choose to study there.
You will probably get away debt free. Lessons in Germany are free and administration costs range from 50 to 250 euros per semester.
#4. Iceland
An annual registration fee of approx. €600 is charged to study in Iceland, but there are no significant tuition or administrative fees. Iceland is also a beautiful place to study, with rich and unique scientific research opportunities.
English is also widely spoken, so you don’t have to dust off this second or third language from high school.
#5. Belgium
Belgium has French and Flemish universities, which offer English classes. For international students, there is a fee of just €835 per year, which is well worth studying at an excellent school in Western Europe.
#6. France
France is known for its unique culture and is deeply rooted in art. It’s also a great place to study for travelers on a budget – the average cost of a master’s degree for citizens outside the European Union. If you speak French, so much better, but most programs also offer English.
#7. Luxembourg
Although it is one of the richest European countries and therefore quite expensive to live in, Luxembourg makes up for it with cheap higher education. Master’s degrees have a fixed annual cost of 400 euros.
Since Luxembourg is more of an urban country, there are few universities and the competition is high. But it’s worth it, especially at the University of Luxembourg.
#8. Austria
Higher education in Austria is only partly free. Still, the cost is surprisingly low when you consider how much the country offers in terms of science, culture, and everyday life.
As in France, Austrians have fixed tuition fees at public universities, namely 726 euros per year. The Old University of Vienna is one of the best and most popular public universities among internationals like you.
#9. Sweden
Next on our Nordic countdown is Sweden, where there are study options for all budgets. Some universities may only charge a symbolic tax of 100 EUR. However, most of them usually have tuition fees between 1,000 and 5,000 EUR/year.
The best thing about studying in Sweden is that even if you pay for your master’s degree, you get paid for a Ph.D. Doctor. students in Sweden require some paid teaching and research. As a PhD candidate, you become an employee of the university.
#10. Finland
Education at public universities used to be free in Finland. However, taxes for non-EU students have been introduced since 2017. The good thing is that Finnish universities are still affordable.
Tuition fees generally vary between EUR 1,600 and EUR 8,000 per year. But you are going to study in the best educational system in the world.
Free Master-FAQs
Which countries offer free or low-cost university education?
Countries that offer free or low-cost university education include Norway, Finland, Germany, and France.
Can I study abroad for free?
You can study abroad for free or at low prices! To get the “best deals” on a study abroad, you need to pool your resources and plan for at least one semester.
How can I study abroad without money?
Do you want to study abroad but have no money? Here’s what to do
Know how much you need to save.
Choose your destination wisely.
Search for scholarships, grants, and fellowships.
Use that financial aid.
Put your skills to work and get a job.
Become a fundraising expert.
Make your budget work for you.
Trade study abroad for something more.
Conclusion
Pursuing an opportunity to pursue a master’s program abroad is a noble and demanding feat due to the finances and logistics involved. However, it doesn’t have to be that way for you.
Now you have access to information that exposes you to the free Master’s for international students. Please take advantage of it now and start applying.
