Are you interested in studying overseas but concerned about the cost? In this article, we introduce the Most Affordable Countries for Nigerian Students to Study Abroad.

When preparing to study abroad, the first step is assessing your financial resources. Surprisingly, it’s entirely feasible to pursue a higher education degree without straining your budget, irrespective of your nationality. Numerous countries offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs with minimal or no tuition fees, making them increasingly popular among Nigerian students.

Accessible education due to low tuition fees breaks down economic barriers, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their aspirations. For many Nigerians, studying abroad has long been a cherished ambition. However, financial limitations persist as the primary obstacle. High tuition fees often dissuade students from advancing their academic endeavors.

For those seeking universities with reasonable tuition fees, explore our list of the 20 most affordable countries for Nigerian students to study abroad.

Table Showing 20 Cheapest Countries and their average yearly tuition fee

Cheapest Countries for Nigerian Students

In no particular order, here are the cheapest countries to study for Nigerian Students.

1. Ireland

Home to some of the best schools, Ireland is the cheapest European country to study abroad and get high-quality education at affordable tuition fees. In Ireland, the higher education system is one of the best in Europe. This English-speaking country provides higher education through 3 different sectors, private independent colleges, universities, and institutes of technology. These educational institutions are ranked as the cheapest countries to study for international students. Offering excellent courses to international students from different parts of the world. These courses can be taken at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, with tuition fees starting at as low as €3000.

Most undergraduate courses are free for students who are citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. These courses are usually funded by the Higher education authorities. To enjoy this free, you have to apply directly for government funding to see if you’re eligible.

Average Tuition Fee: €7000 to €12,000

Average Cost of living: €550 to €1000

Cheapest Universities in Ireland

• University College Dublin
• Dublin City University
• University of Limerick
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Cork

2. Germany

In Germany, you can generally study undergraduate programs for free. This means that tuition fees will be completely waived for all non-German students who want to study in public universities in Germany. The free education initiative was created to make sure international students have access to German education without worrying too much about finances.

Most courses are taught in English so you don’t have to be fluent or even learn German before you study in Germany. It is already pretty stressful moving to a new country with a new culture and language different from yours. The comfort of studying for free and in a language you understand helps you ease into the new environment.

Average Tuition Fee: €300 – €20000

Average Cost of living: €800 to €1000

Cheapest Universities in Germany

• Free University of Berlin
• Technical University of Munich
• RWTH Aachen University
• Heidelberg University
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich 

3. Mexico

One of the best places to study on a budget is Mexico, with lots of exciting opportunities and a very interesting culture. It is one of the cheapest countries to study medicine and live in the world.

6 official institutions in Mexico offer higher education degrees, including, Public Universities, Technological Institutions and Universities, Teacher Training Institutes, and Private Institutions. Fees vary depending on the institution or program you choose to study. You should expect your fees to come to an average of $6000 per year studying in Mexico. Living costs are also quite cheap, you can live comfortably for about $600 – $1000 per month.

Average Tuition Fee: $6000 per year

Average Cost of living: $600 to $1000

Cheapest Universities in Mexico

• University of Colima
• Universidad de Monterrey
• Universidad de las Américas Puebla
• Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. (UPAEP)
• The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

4. Norway

A Scandinavian country popularly known for its beautiful landscapes and unique tourist attractions. Although an expensive country, It’s still one of the best countries with low tuition fees for international students to get quality education at very affordable rates. International students can study a wide range of undergraduate programs completely free at Norwegian public universities.

Students will only have to pay for necessary expenditures like transportation, housing, and administrative fees. The average tuition fee of master programs is usually within the range of 1000 – 2000 NOK per year.

Average Tuition Fee: €7000 –  €9000

Average Cost of living: €800 to €1400

Cheapest Universities in Norway

• University of Bergen
• Nord University
• Oslo Metropolitan University 
• Norwegian University 
• University of South-eastern Norway

5. Taiwan

Taiwan is home to international students who enjoy quality education at very cheap tuition fees. Studying in Taiwan is the best investment you can make for your education. It is the cheapest country to study computer science in Asia.

You can get a good quality education in an environment. Although a good number of the courses are offered in English, you also get the opportunity to learn Mandarin. Tuition Fees for undergraduate degrees start from around TW$51,000 – NT$78,000 per year(~$1650 – $2500).

Average Tuition Fee: $1600 – $2500

Average Cost of living: $900 to $1100

Cheapest Universities in Taiwan 

• Tzu Chi University
• Yuan Ze University 
• National Taipei University
• National Cheng Kung University
• National Taiwan University 

6. Portugal

In addition to being among the cheapest countries for mbbs, Portugal also makes for the perfect study destination for Nigerian students. Its focus on quality education, safety, and good quality of life are just a few of the many reasons why international students move to Portugal for studies. Nigerian students enrolled in an eligible university in Portugal can enjoy low tuition fees and fully funded grants and government scholarships.

Average Tuition Fee: €950 – €1250

Average Cost of living: €500 to €800

Cheapest Universities in Portugal 

• University of Lisbon
• University of Porto
• University of Algarve
• University of Evora
• University of Minho

7. Argentina

International students enjoy tuition-free education for undergraduate degrees. Argentina is one of the cheapest places to study abroad for international students because of so many reasons, good quality education, reasonable tuition fees, and rich culture and history. Private universities charge from as low as $3000 – $20000 annually for undergraduate courses and $2,300 to $27,000 for postgraduate courses.

Average Tuition Fee: Public Schools are Tuition-free, Private schools – $3000 – $20000

Average Cost of living: $500 to $1400

Cheapest Universities in Argentina 

• Universidad Nacional de la Plata.
• Universidad Nacional de Cuyo.
• Universidad Nacional de Quilmes.
• Universidad Nacional de General San Martín.
• Universidad Tecnológica Nacional – Facultad Regional Córdoba.

8. Hungary

Hungary is undoubtedly one of the cheapest countries to study psychology in Europe. In terms of safety, it is one of the best places to live, study and work. Hungarian Universities offer cheap tuition fees for international students. Tuition fees may range from 5500 – to 7500 EUR per year. For living expenses, you should expect to spend 600 EUR per month to cover housing, food transportation, etc.

Average Tuition Fee: €5000 – €7500

Average Cost of living: €300 to €800

Cheapest Universities in Hungary

• University of Debrecen
• University of Szeged
• University of Pannonia
• Semmelweis University
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics

9. Poland 

Poland may not be the most sought out cheapest country to study for Nigerian students, but its high-quality education and peaceful culture make it a good study option.

In Poland, international students can study at public universities for as low as €2000 annually for undergraduate degrees and about €3000 for postgraduate and higher vocational programs. The amount you spend on living expenses depends on your lifestyle and needs but the basic living cost in Poland is about €500 per month.

Average Tuition Fee: €2000 – €4000

Average Cost of living: €350 to €850

Cheapest Universities in Poland

• University of Warsaw
• University of Wroclaw
• University of Gdansk
• Jagiellonian University 
• Adam Mickiewicz University

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10. France

France is an attractive study-abroad destination for Nigerian students. The quality of life, world-class education, and affordable tuition fees keep attracting students from different nationalities.

Although studying in France is not entirely free for international students, Universities charge very affordable tuition fees making it one of the cheapest countries to study in. It is one of the cheapest countries to study Nursing. For an undergraduate course, it can cost as low as €650 – €2000, and about €3000 for a higher program.

Average Tuition Fee: €170 – €3500

Average Cost of living: €1200 to €1800

Cheapest Universities in France

• Blaise Pascal University
• University of Strasbourg
• Aix-Marseille University 
• University of Paris -Saclay
• Science Po

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11. Malaysia

Malaysia is a very popular study destination for students. It is among the cheapest country to study pharmacy. Tuition Fee is cheap and the admission process is straightforward, making it affordable and accessible to Nigerian Students. It is one of the cheapest countries to study in 2024.

While obtaining a degree in Malaysia, international students are allowed to work during the summer breaks and can earn up to per hour. Below, we listed some of the cheapest universities in Malaysia for Nigerian students to study.

Average Tuition Fee: MYR5000 – MYR7000

Average Cost of living: MYR 100 – MYR 200

Cheapest Universities in Malaysia

• Universiti Teknologi Mara
• University of Malaya
• University of Kuala Lumpur
• Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
• The University of Malaysia Perlis

12. India

India offers high-quality education to international students regardless of their financial situation. It is one of the cheapest countries for International students in Asia. You can study for an undergraduate degree for as low as 350 dollars per year. A wide range of courses in India are taught in English and Hindi. However, you could always pick a second language

There’s so much to enjoy when studying in India, you can visit beautiful buildings like the Taj Mahal, familiarise yourself with the large communities, or explore a variety of traditional Indian delicacies.

Average Tuition Fee: $350 – $5500

Average Cost of living: 20,000INR – 27,265INR

Cheapest universities in India 

• Osmania University
• Jamia Islamia University
• Jadavpur University
• Nirma University
• Bahra University

13. Brazil 

Brazil is a great study destination for students, given its good programs, low tuition fees, and vibrant culture. It is one of the cheapest countries to study veterinary medicine, offering free tuition programs at the postgraduate level for international students. Whatever you want to study, Brazil is the best place to transition into your professional career after graduation.

There are also plenty of historical places to explore. If you love adventure, this is the place you should be.

Average Tuition Fee: $2000 – $8000

Average Cost of living: $500- $1000

Cheapest Universities in Brazil

• University of Sao Paulo (USP)
• Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) 
• Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) 
• Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) 
• Federal University of ABC (UFABC)

14. South Africa

If you’ve always wanted to explore Africa, South Africa is a good place to start. Its universities are some of the highest-ranked in Africa; they are; the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The study language is English, making it easy for students who may be hesitant to learn new languages. Undergraduate programs take 3 years to complete while masters programs take 2 years. By studying in South Africa, you’ll find that the Universities offer good academic facilities, strong student communities, and top-notch research facilities.

Average Tuition Fee: €1500 – €3850

Average Cost of living: €300 – €750

Cheapest Universities in South Africa 

• Rhodes University
• University of Cape Town
• Stellenbosch University
• University of the Free State
• University of the Western Cape

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15. Saudi Arabia

Looking for a place where you can get a good education, research, and academic facilities at a reasonable price, Saudi Arabia is the best place for you.

Education is very expensive in Saudi Arabia, which is why the government provides exclusive funding for foreign students to provide high-quality education, scholarships, and grants. You can even study a bachelor’s program for free in Saudi Arabia.

Average Tuition Fee: €3336 – €20000

Average Cost of living: €700 – €2000

Cheapest Universities in Saudi Arabia

• University of Tabuk
• AlMaarefa University
• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
• Effat University
• Al Faisal University

16. Thailand

Home to over 150 Universities, Thailand offers an impeccable array of programs in science, arts, and technology. Most of the courses are English taught and affordable. The average tuition fee ranges from €1600 to €2000 per year. In Thailand, you are not permitted to work on a study visa, you have to apply for a work visa to be eligible to work for 20 hours every week.

Average Tuition Fee: €1675 – €1785

Average Cost of living: €350 – €700

Cheapest Universities in Thailand

• Thammasat University
• MahaSarakham University
• Prince of Songkla University
• Mahidol University 
• Rangsit University 

17. Sweden

This country is one of the best for students who want to study on a tight budget. It has a lot of English-taught programs at affordable tuition rates.

The best part about studying in Sweden is you can work for as long as you like without restrictions. However, it is important to keep your working hours within 40 hours per week so you have time to focus on your lectures and assignments.

After your studies, you can apply to extend your residence permit for an extra 12 months to find a job and settle down.

Average Tuition Fee: €7500 – €25500

Average Cost of living: €700 – €1300

Cheapest Universities in Sweden

• Uppsala University
• Stockholm University
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Karolinska Institutet
• Lund University.

18. Netherlands 

The Netherlands is a great place to kickstart your career. Although there are no tuition-free institutions, you can apply for scholarships and grants to enjoy fully funded studies.

Higher education is delivered in two different institutions: hoger beroepsonderwijs – HBO (higher vocational education) and wetenschappelijk onderwijs – WO (scientific/academic education). Courses are offered in both Dutch and English.

Average Tuition Fee: €1040 – €2083

Average Cost of living: €800 – €1200

Cheapest Universities in the Netherlands 

• Utrecht University
• University of Groningen
• Maastricht University
• Delft University of Technology
• Breda University of Applied Science

19. Singapore 

Singapore is one of the most affordable countries to study abroad for Nigerian students. It is known for providing affordable education. The country has some of the best technology programs with the average cost of tuition for Nigerian students of about $400. Nigerian students can work part-time for up to 16 hours during school term and full-time during summer breaks.

Average Tuition Fee: $400 – $800

Average Cost of living: S$750 – S$2000

Cheapest Universities in Singapore 

• Nanyang Technological University.
• Singapore Management University.
• Singapore University of Technology & Design.
• Republic Polytechnic.
• Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

20. New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the cheapest countries for international students. The country is known for its beautiful landscapes and serene environment. All higher education courses are taught in English so you will be required to present your proof of English proficiency when applying.

Although living in New Zealand can be expensive, you can get quality education for cheap.

Average Tuition Fee: $4100 – $6100

Average Cost of living: $350 – $800

Cheapest Universities in New Zealand

• University of Otago
• Lincoln University
• Massey University
• University of Auckland
• Auckland University of Technology