Planning
Choosing a country to study in on a budget
A step-by-step way to compare countries on total cost, not just tuition, including work rights, proof of funds, currency risk and hidden costs.
4 min readUpdated
In this guide
The cheapest tuition does not always give the cheapest degree. This guide is for students and families in Nigeria and across Africa who need to compare study destinations by total cost, understand what rules affect funding, and make a decision they can sustain for the whole course.
Look at total cost, not just tuition
Your total cost over the programme has several parts: tuition, living costs (rent, food, transport, phone, utilities), insurance and health charges, visa and immigration fees, flights, and one-off setup costs. A country with high tuition and low living costs can come out similar to a country with low tuition and high living costs, and the cost of a city matters as much as the country.
Course length also changes the total. A one-year master's costs fewer months of living than a two-year one, so compare programmes, not only countries.
Tuition-free universities and what is still payable
Germany is the best-known example: many public universities charge little or no tuition for most programmes, including to international students. Some regions and some programmes do charge fees for non-EU students, and private universities charge tuition. Check the specific university and state on the official page, and use the DAAD website (opens in a new tab) for current information.
Even where tuition is low or free, you will usually still pay a semester contribution or administrative fee, health insurance, accommodation, food, and the living costs that the visa authority expects you to prove. Language can also be a cost. Many tuition-free programmes are taught in the local language, and English-taught programmes are fewer and can be more competitive.
Work rights are limited, so do not budget on them
Most countries allow international students to work part-time during term, with a cap on weekly hours, and often more during official holidays. The cap, the type of work allowed, and whether you can work from the first day all differ by country and by level of study, and they change. In some countries, such as the United States, off-campus work is tightly restricted for most students.
Treat part-time work as a bonus, not as the way you pay your fees. Visa authorities expect you to show that you can fund your studies without relying on work, and finding a job takes time. Check the current rules on each country's official immigration page, for example the UK student visa page (opens in a new tab) and canada.ca (opens in a new tab).
Proof of funds shapes the real minimum
Most student visas require evidence that you can pay tuition and living costs, and some specify how long funds must be held, the form they must take, or a special account such as a blocked account in Germany. The required amount can be higher than what you would actually spend, and it must be available, documented and traceable. Read our proof of funds guide and run your numbers in the proof of funds calculator.
Currency risk
Most Nigerian students earn or save in naira but pay in pounds, euros, Canadian dollars or US dollars. If the naira weakens during your course, your costs rise even though the price abroad has not changed. Plan a buffer, avoid budgeting at today's rate to the last unit, and consider paying part of the fees early if the university allows it and the deposit is protected. Do not take advice from anyone who promises exchange-rate gains.
A qualitative comparison
This table is indicative only. It shows relative levels, not prices, and each programme and city differs. Check current figures on each university and immigration page.
| Destination | Tuition | Living costs | Proof of funds burden | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Low to medium | Medium | Medium | Many public universities charge little or no tuition, some charge fees; language can matter |
| France | Low to medium | Medium to high | Medium | Public universities are lower cost than private schools; Paris is much higher than other cities |
| Netherlands | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium | Housing is hard to find in many cities |
| Spain | Medium | Low to medium | Medium | Costs vary by region; language can matter |
| Italy | Low to medium | Medium | Medium | Public universities often set fees by income band |
| Portugal | Medium | Low to medium | Medium | Lower living costs than many Western European countries |
| Ireland | Medium to high | High | Medium to high | Housing costs are high in major cities |
| United Kingdom | High | High | High | Shorter degrees can reduce total living costs |
| Canada | High | Medium to high | High | Rules for study permits change; check the official page |
| United States | High | Medium to high | High | Funding and scholarships vary widely between universities |
Hidden costs to include
- Visa, biometrics, immigration health charges and document costs such as translation, notarisation and apostille.
- Language tests and any preparation courses.
- Flights home during holidays, and a bag of winter clothing if you come from a warm climate.
- A first month's rent plus deposit before you receive any income.
- Course materials, printing, laptop and software.
- Bank transfer and currency conversion charges.
A decision process you can follow
- Set your total budget for the whole course, plus a buffer of 10 to 20 percent for currency and surprises.
- Shortlist five to six programmes in at least three countries, matched to your grades and subject.
- For each, list tuition, living costs, insurance, visa costs and proof of funds using official pages.
- Add scholarships you are truly eligible for, and count only what you are sure about. See our scholarships guide.
- Remove options you cannot document funds for, or that need work income to be viable.
- Compare the remaining options by total cost, course quality and your own goals, then check the visa page of each finalist country for entry rules.
Your next step is to enter your shortlist into the study cost tool and read the visa guide for your top country, such as Germany, Portugal or Canada, before you apply.