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European universities with free application fees
The UK charges around 70 pounds as well, and many universities across the EU charge around 60 euros just to apply for their universities. Source: AFP

Applying for university can be expensive.

In the US, application fees range from US$40 to US$275 per university; in Canada, it’s between CA$50 to CA$250 (US$35 to US$177) per university; and in Australia, it’ll be from AU$50 to AU$100 (US$31 to US$62) per university.

Those applying to UK universities in 2025 via UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, will need to pay an (US$19.80) for up to five choices for the year’s entry too.

However, you’ll find that various European universities with free application fees let you save up to hundreds of euros and pounds — money which can be spent on exploring the likes of Paris, London, and Berlin instead.

3 European universities with free application fees for undergraduates

Technical ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Munich, Germany

The number one university in Germany according to , the doesn’t require international applicants to pay an application fee.

Their top rankings have drawn close to 53,000 students to the university, and — proof of TUM’s excellence in education. Here, you can choose from their covering engineering, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, political and social sciences, and management.

Some steps to take when applying for your studies at TUM :

  • Checking your higher education entrance qualification
  • Providing proof of your language skills within the application period
  • Applying for your preliminary documentation via uni-assist
  • Learning about the specific requirements for applicants from certain countries
  • Being aware of possible visa requirements
European universities with free application fees

You don’t have to search too far in the Netherlands for European universities with free application fees — Tilburg ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø is where you’ll find an answer. Source: AFP

Tilburg ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, the Netherlands

Established in 1927 as Roman Catholic Business School, has grown into a thriving, multi-disciplinary university oriented towards the humanities and social sciences. The best news? is charged for those interested in pursuing their studies here.

International applicants applying for a bachelor’s programme at Tilburg ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø should meet the . Application to certain programmes might also require a cover letter, resume, essay, or an interview with the faculty.

Some of the university’s most notable include:

  • Top 40 worldwide in Business and Economics and Law, Times Higher Education World ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Ranking 2024.
  • #47 worldwide in Public Administration, Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024.
  • #88 worldwide in Social Sciences and Management, QS World ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Rankings by Subject 2024.

 

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ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Vienna, Austria

While the doesn’t charge an application fee, it does charge a 50 euro (US$52) for those keen on joining its programmes as a specific regulatory measure.

As the best university in Austria, ranked #137 worldwide according to QS World ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Rankings 2025, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Vienna is a place of international opportunities. Students from over 140 nations account for a third of the student body across its 178 degree programmes.

Beyond that, you’ll benefit from the university’s links and partnerships with 70 other institutions worldwide, as well as about 370 ERASMUS partner universities for better international mobility.

3 European universities with free application fees for postgraduates

European universities with free application fees

Be sure to punt the River Cam in Cambridge once your application goes through. Source: AFP

ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Cambridge, UK

The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Cambridge needs no formal introduction. Known as , the was started by students from Oxford who settled in Cambridge upon escaping Since then, it has become the birthplace of some of the brightest minds in history, such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.Ìý

But this illustrious reputation comes with an . This means only one out of five people get accepted.Ìý

The university is making efforts to widen access for postgraduate students both across the region and internationally. Those looking to pursue a master’s degree can apply for an application fee waiver. However, this waiver is only given to students who meet as below:

  • UK applicants from low-income households
  • Applicants with asylum seeker or refugee or humanitarian protection status
  • Overseas applicants from Ìý
  • Applications to the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences

Programmes offered at the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (which combines theÌýÌýand theÌý) include MPhil in Biological Sciences, MPhil in Biological Science (Genetics) by thesis and MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience.

 

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ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Oxford, UK

Similarly, the is a prestigious university . , the university has a lower rate of acceptance than the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Cambridge.Ìý

Choose fromÌýmore than 350 across many disciplines. This includes ÌýandÌý available for full-time and part-time study, and at every level from diploma to doctorate, ensuring students have plenty of choices to pursue their academic dreams and goals at this world-renowned institution.

Like the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Cambridge, postgraduate students can apply for free to the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Oxford. This waiver only applies to those who meet the specific requirements below:

  • Applying from a low-income country
  • Refugees and displaced persons
  • UK applicants from low-income backgrounds
  • Graduate Access Programme applicants
  • Applying for readmission (for current Oxford postgraduate students)
  • Applying to related research courses

The regular application fee for a taught course (MPhil, MSc, MSt, PGDip, PGCert and MPhil + DPhil Economics) is 75 pounds (US$93), while it only costs 20 pounds (US$24) per research course application (CDT, DPhil, MSc by Research, DPhil Neuroscience (1+3), MPhil Socio-Legal Research and MPhil Law).

European universities with free application fees

One of the European universities with free application fees is none other than Ghent ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø in picturesque Belgium. Source: AFP

Ghent ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Belgium

At , cater to Dutch and English speakers, spanning biotechnology, aquaculture, microelectronics and veterinary medicine. Though most of their undergraduate programmes are in Dutch, there are that international students can apply for.Ìý

Apart from that, Ghent ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø is the first European university to have a . It has been accredited by both the Ministry of Education (South Korea) and by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium).Ìý

Ghent ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø is one of the few European universities with free application fees. You don’t have to pay anything, but you may have to submit a copy of your diploma together with a translation of it into Dutch, French, German or English, among others.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on January 6, 2025.