Consider these 6 destinations to study abroad

PTE Author
PTE Author
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Reading time: 5 minutes

You can still study abroad and stick to a budget. In fact, many of the cheapest countries to attend university are also some of the most beautiful places in the world.

In this blog, we’ll explore 6 affordable international study destinations. And the great news is PTE Academic – our English language proficiency exam can help you achieve your study abroad dream at these amazing places. Let’s delve in:  

1. Norway 

Norway isn’t just picturesque. It’s also one of the cheapest countries to study in for international students. Most universities in Norway are publicly funded and don’t charge tuition fees – even for foreign learners. While some private universities do charge tuition – between €7000-€19,000 – international students aren’t required to pay more than Norwegians.  

It is important to keep in mind, however, that the living costs in Norway are high. It can cost international students between €800 –€1400 per month to live in the country. But there are some grants and scholarships available to help students fund their time abroad. You can check them out here.  

Overall, Norway offers world-class education and an excellent standard of living. Medical services are usually free for international students and many courses are taught in English, making it a great place to study abroad. 

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in Norway including University of Oslo, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). 

Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in Norway.

 2. Malaysia 

With high-ranked universities and the fastest growing regional economy in the world, Malaysia is also an excellent destination to consider. The country boasts more than 100 higher education institutions – including branches of universities like Monash University and the University of Nottingham.  

A bachelor’s degree for international students (not studying medicine) costs about $10,000-$20,000 USD at a public institution, and significantly more at an international branch campus.  

However, the thing that makes Malaysia attractive is its low cost of living. Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital city, is ranked by QS Best Student Cities Rankings as the second most affordable student city in the world. Rent in a shared apartment in Malaysia can cost as little as $50-$250 USD per month.  

To learn more about how much it costs to live in Malaysia, visit the government’s website here.  

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in Malaysia including Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in Malaysia. 

 3. Spain 

Spain has a great climate, a relaxed lifestyle, and more than 70 universities to choose from. And yes, it also offers affordable tuition fees. Tuition for EU/EAA students at a public university can range from just €150-€3500.  Keep in mind though, if you’re coming from a country outside the EU/EAA, your tuition fees could be higher.  

The cost of living for international students in Spain ranges from €700-€1,100 a month. Many courses here are also taught in English, making Spain a good choice if you’re interested in improving both your English and Spanish skills.  

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in Spain including Universidad de Granada. Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in Spain.

 4. France 

France is a surprisingly affordable place for international students to study. It’s also incredibly popular – more than 350,000 students enroll in the university there each year. France’s public universities charge just €170 per year for a bachelor’s degree for EU/EAA students. But like in Spain, if you’re a non-EU/EAA citizen, fees are likely to cost more.  

The cost of living is more expensive in larger cities like Paris. But in smaller cities, you can expect to pay around €650 per month.  

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in France including Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in France. 

5. South Africa

South Africa is renowned for its natural beauty and rich culture – it has 11 official languages, which is more than any other country in the world. It’s also home to the top-rated university in Africa: University of Cape Town.  

Tuition for a bachelor’s degree in South Africa is reasonably inexpensive compared to locations and will cost international students between €6000–€7000 per year. Living costs are also only about €550 per month. 

Find out how PTE Academic can help you to study at University of Cape Town. 

6. Greece 

Last but not least, Greece is one of the most affordable study destinations in Europe.  Most students from the EU/EEA can study for free, while all other students could pay up to €2000 per year. 

Greece also boasts low costs of living. Students can expect to pay between €450-€750 per month – and some students in financial need can live on campus for free. Better yet, between studies, international learners can soak up the sun while spending time on Greece’s beautiful beaches. What’s not to love?  

Ready to kickstart your dream of studying abroad?

Many top-rated international institutions offer courses in English and require you to take an English language test.  

PTE Academic is recognized by universities around the world – find out who accepts PTE Academic.

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    The Medical Schools Council of the UK has an excellent in-depth guide to entry requirements for dozens of universities across the UK, as well as more information on the courses and tests we list above. You can also learn more on their website. 

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    However, nurses and other healthcare professionals were added to the Shortage Occupation List just this March. “Every year we welcome healthcare workers from across the world to our United Kingdom, with many having played a key role on the frontline of the NHS during the recent pandemic,” said the UK Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, in a statement.

    The move, he said, will help ensure international healthcare professionals get the immigration status they deserve.

    Learn more about how to register as a nurse in the UK.

    2. Pharmacists

    Pharmacists were also added to the UK’s Shortage Occupation List in 2021. While not as in short supply as nurses, there’s a pharmacist vacancy rate of about 8% in hospitals. Again, this means there could be of opportunity for internationally-trained pharmacists to find a job in the UK.

    To work as a pharmacist in the UK, you need to register with a regulatory body called the General Pharmaceutical Council, which you can learn more about on the NHS website. (The NHS is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system).

    3. Engineers

    There are also plenty of engineering jobs on the shortage occupation list. From civil engineers to mechanical engineers, to electrical engineers and everyone in-between engineers from around the world are in high demand in the UK.

    Depending on the field of engineering you work in, you’ll have to make 80% of the going rate for the job to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.  That’s between about £26,160 and £29,600 per year.

    4. Secondary education teachers

    Secondary education teachers who teach math, physics, modern foreign languages, and computer science are some other jobs on the list. If you’re a trained teacher outside the UK, you can work without getting Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for four years. But after that, you’ll have to become a qualified teacher in the UK.

    You can learn more about teacher salaries on the UK Department of Education website. To qualify for a visa, you’ll have to earn at least £20,480 (or more depending on where you’re located).

    5. Graphic designers

    Are you a graphic designer? Well, you’re in luck. Graphic designers are also a sought-after profession in the UK. It’s common for graphic designers to work on a freelance basis. But keep in mind: to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to get a job sponsorship in the UK from an employer.

    You’ll also have to earn 80% or more of the going rate for graphic designers in the UK. This is about £18,800 per year.

    How to get a UK work visa

    A Skilled Worker visa lets you work in the UK with an employer who is approved by the Home Office, which is a UK government department. As we mentioned above, you’ll have to reach 70 immigration points to be eligible. Having a job offer from an employer, professional skills, and English proficiency all contribute to your points.

    Depending on your situation, you may decide to apply for another type of visa or immigration route, such as the EU Settlement Scheme or UK Graduate visa. There is also a Health and Care Worker visa, which enables healthcare professions to work with the NHS.

    How to find a job in the UK

    So, how can you find an employer in the UK to sponsor you? There are lots of job boards that are related to specific professions. For example, the UK’s Department of Education offers a website to search for teaching vacancies by location. There’s also Nurses.co.uk, which features thousands of nursing jobs. More generally, websites like Reed and Jobsite are also good places to look for employment in the UK.

    All in all, the UK is an excellent place to call home. And better yet, there’s plenty of job opportunities to help you thrive.

    Our Secure English Language test, PTE Academic UKVI, is accepted by the UK’s Home Office for all UK visas to test your four language skills – including the Skilled Worker visa.

    Learn more about the PTE UKVI test today.