Key Takeaways:
- Attending college abroad and earning your degree in another country can help students broaden their horizons, explore unique academic options, and experience personal growth.
- Canada and the United Kingdom are among the most popular options for American students studying abroad.
- Many universities offer financial aid packages for international students, and some have free or low-cost tuition.
Many college students in the United States consider studying abroad at one point during their education – but what about earning your entire degree in another country? It’s an option worth considering. Some countries, such as Germany and Iceland, even offer free tuition to international students. The experience can teach you independence and resilience, though you’ll be away from your family for extended periods of time. If earning your bachelor’s in another country sounds right for you, here’s what you need to know.
Can Americans Attend College Abroad?
Several colleges and universities around the globe accept international students, including those from the United States.
Attending school abroad delivers a number of benefits, such as:
- Broader horizons: With a chance to immerse yourself in a different culture and learn a new language, you’ll foster a better understanding of the world, enrich your life, and develop a global mindset.
- Unique opportunities: Going to school in another country opens the door to memories and opportunities you might not have had in the United States. It can also give you much needed experience and networking connections that help you to succeed on the global stage and qualify for unique jobs.
- More academic options: Institutions around the world offer vastly different majors and programs. Attending a non-US school means you have access to varying academic programs. You could also find a learning style that better fits your education needs.
- Personal growth: While living in a US dorm gives you some independence, being in another country away from your family helps you build resilience. You’ll find it easier to adapt to change in the future.
Studying Abroad Vs. Earning a Degree Abroad
Studying abroad and earning a degree in a different country are similar, but also very different.
When you study abroad, you often participate in a study abroad program through your US-based college. They’ll pair you with one of their partner schools in another country that offer your major to international students. You’ll likely only be there for a few weeks to a year, at most. Many college students participate in study abroad programs during their sophomore or junior year.
If you decide to earn your degree abroad, you’ll likely be out of the country for the entire duration, only visiting home during long breaks. Some study abroad programs limit students to one or two countries due to their area of study. If you decide to attend internationally, you won’t be as restricted.
To determine which is right for you, consider your personal preferences, needs, and goals. For example, will you do well far away from your family if you attend school internationally? If you’re nervous about attending college out of the country for the entire degree, you might want to attend a US-based school first and participate in their study abroad program. If you find you enjoyed it, you can apply to international graduate programs.
Academic Options Around the World
Just like in the United States, colleges and universities around the world are different from one another. And the countries themselves have distinct approaches to education – many even define “college” differently! The application processes, classroom experiences, and campus life are all different from what you’d experience in the United States. Research countries and the schools that interest you sooner rather than later to help you better understand your options and put together a stellar application.
Here are some common global choices for American students earning their degree in another country:
Canada
Our Neighbors to the North is a top option for American students. It’s not far from home, allowing you to visit more often. With its public system, Canada’s provinces subsidize tuition costs, meaning it tends to be much more affordable than US tuition.
Canada defines “college” as a technical institution, with diplomas and certificates. “University” refers to degree-granting schools. You’ll need four years to complete your degree.
United Kingdom
Schools in the United Kingdom (UK) – comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – have international tuition rates for American students. You’ll need to apply to schools through their Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), similar to the Common App. Keep in mind – you can only apply to five at most.
In the United States, your college education generally covers foundational knowledge in a range of subjects and your major. However, in the UK, you select your area of study and stick to it, with little room for electives. As a result, UK students often take advanced courses that would be considered postgraduate classes in the US.
Germany
Since 2014, Germany no longer charges tuition. Though you’ll still be responsible for rent, food, fees, and more, you’ll save thousands of dollars in college costs.
German courses put emphasis on just a handful of assignments. Your entire class grade could be determined by a single essay, but you’ll finish your degree in just three years.
However, keep in mind that you need to speak German to attend undergraduate school – you’ll have to earn your German language certificate at the B-2 level. You also have to prove you can support yourself financially while attending.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand follow the UK model, but with more opportunities for electives and changing your area of study. Plan for at least three years to earn your degree, but you can stay on for four to continue your education.
In Australia, you can apply to multiple institutions through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) portal if you have an international baccalaureate (IB) diploma. If you don’t, you’ll need to apply to schools individually.
There are eight universities in New Zealand, all of which you need to apply to individually. The academic year starts in late February and finishes in November.
And More Countries
Some other countries you might want to consider include:
- Iceland: Public universities charge no tuition for international students, though the country has a high cost of living. Many courses are taught in English, but some may require you to speak and understand Icelandic.
- Norway: Norway is another tuition-free option with a high cost of living. You can take out loans to afford these costs but as you complete your education, you can get some of the loans forgiven.
- France: France uses a similar system to the UK, where you choose your major rather than individual courses. Public schools also have low tuition costs.
- Austria: American students pay around $1,000 per semester to attend school in Austria. You may have to speak some German, but many courses are in English.
- Spain: With a lower average cost of living compared to the US, Spain’s public universities are also highly affordable. However, Spanish schools rarely have dorms on campus for students.
How To Afford Non-US College
While some countries offer free or low-cost tuition rates, even to international students, the costs can still be higher than what the student can comfortably afford. But, as with financial aid in the United States, there are actually several financial aid options.
Complete the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can often help you afford international tuition at participating schools, whether you’re earning your whole degree in that country or just studying abroad for a few months.
If you’re earning your degree abroad, you might qualify for loans. The Federal Student Aid (FSA) website contains a full list of participating institutions, updated quarterly. If you’re studying abroad, talk to your school’s financial aid office about your options.
Apply for Scholarships
Some US-based scholarships and grants allow you to put the money towards school costs, even if you’re attending out of the country. You can find scholarships you qualify for by using a scholarship database.
Many international colleges and universities offer institutional aid to their applicants, too. Research schools you’re interested in to learn more about their potential offers.
Attend a School With Lower Costs
You’ll spend less on food, rent, and other college-related expenses if you attend school in a country with a lower cost of living compared to the United States. Germany, Iceland, and Norway offer free tuition at public universities, even for international students, while Australia, Spain, Luxembourg, and Italy are just a few examples of countries that have lower tuition rates.
In addition, there are institutions that base school costs and loan repayment on income, meaning you’ll only pay what you can afford. Some counties even have loan programs dedicated to international students.
Tips For Attending University Abroad
If you’d like to apply to and attend university abroad, we recommend following these tips:
- Start early. Attending a college or university abroad isn’t as straightforward as going to a school in the United States. You have to compare countries, individual schools, requirements, financial aid options, and more. You also likely have to apply to institutions earlier as an international student.
- Research admission requirements. Admission qualifications can vary depending on the country and school. Your high school diploma and an ACT/SAT score won’t be enough in some cases, or you may have to apply using a different portal than local students.
- Review the country’s laws. You’ll need a student visa and passport, at minimum. You may also have to prove your income, language proficiency, or meet other requirements.
- Understand your education needs. The experience at an international school won’t be the same as the experience at a US institution. You’ll want to understand the university’s expectations of its students, the average classroom experience in the country, and your curriculum before you apply. For example, if you’re not sure about your major, you might not want to attend a school that requires you to immediately declare your area of study.
- Learn the language. If you’re attending college in a country where English isn’t the primary language, you’ll have to be proficient in the language.
If you have any questions about attending college abroad or a country’s requirements, reach out to your school’s admission or international departments. They’ve worked with countless international students and can help you find the information you need.
Should You Go To College in Another Country?
Whether you should attend college abroad is completely up to you. No matter who you are, it’s a big leap. Before taking the plunge, consider your personal goals, wants, and needs. If you decide earning your degree in another country is right for you, start early to get all of your ducks in a row and improve your acceptance chances.
Scholarships can help you afford school-related costs, even if you attend university outside of the United States. Find awards you qualify for by using our Scholarship Search Tool.
