13 European universities with free application fees

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 costs keep climbing. For the 2027 cycle, UCAS raised its application fee to £34.50 (US$46) for up to five choices — a jump from £28.95 (US$38) the previous year, with the cheaper single-choice option now gone

Money pressure is also reshaping where students apply: the Common Application reported that international applicants to its US member institutions fell 9% early in the 2025–26 cycle, even while domestic applications rose — a sign that plenty of would-be applicants are weighing cost and looking beyond the usual English-speaking destinations

That’s where various European universities with free application fees come in, letting you save up to hundreds of euros and pounds — money which can be spent on exploring the likes of Paris, London, and Berlin instead

TL;DR? Here’s the summary:

• This article features 13 European universities with free application fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Many European universities charge no application fee, helping you save money before you even enrol.
• Some universities may still require administrative, entrance exam, semester, or third-party processing fees, so always check the application requirements carefully.

7 European universities with free application fees for undergraduates

Technical University of Munich, Germany

The number one university in Germany according to QS World University Rankings 2025, the Technical University of Munich doesn’t require international applicants to pay an application fee

Their top rankings have drawn close to 53,000 students to the university, and 45% of the student body comes from abroad — proof of TUM’s excellence in education. Here, you can choose from their range of programmes covering engineering, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, political and social sciences, and management

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

• 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

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

Tilburg University, the Netherlands

Established in 1927 as Roman Catholic Business School, Tilburg University has grown into a thriving, multi-disciplinary university oriented towards the humanities and social sciences. The best news? No application fee is charged for those interested in pursuing their studies here

International applicants applying for a bachelor’s programme at Tilburg University should meet the diploma, English language proficiency, and certain math requirements for selected programmes. 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 rankings include:

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

University of Vienna, Austria

While the University of Vienna doesn’t charge an application fee, it does charge a 50 euro (US$52) administration fee for an entrance exam and sporting aptitude admission test 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 University Rankings 2025, the University 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

Freie Universität Berlin

Known for its liberal arts and social sciences, Freie Universität Berlin ranks among Germany’s most prestigious research institutions, which does not require an application fee

The university offers programmes taught in both German and English

While Freie Universität Berlin does not charge tuition fees for its degree programmes, students are required to pay mandatory semester fees and contributions, which amount to approximately 326.40 euros per semester. These fees cover administrative costs, the student union, the student government, and the German semester ticket for public transport

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) does not charge an application fee for most undergraduate programmes for any students, including international students

In fact, many degrees are also tuition-free for both German and international students

However, some international applicants with non-German qualifications may need to submit their documents through the third-party service Uni-Assist, which charges a processing fee for the first application

RWTH Aachen University helps students build the skills to solve real-world challenges through collaboration and innovation

RWTH Aachen University, Germany

One of Germany’s premier technical universities, RWTH Aachen University charges international students no application fee — you apply directly through its own RWTHonline portal rather than a paid third-party service

The savings don’t stop there. The federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia covers the cost of study, so there are no tuition fees for standard bachelor’s programmes, whether you’re German or international

You pay only a semester contribution of roughly €300 (US$342), which bundles in student services and a local transport ticket

University of Salzburg, Austria

Founded in 1622 and re-established in 1962, the University of Salzburg is the largest institution in the Salzburg region, with almost 18,000 students across six faculties. There’s no application fee — you apply through the university’s admissions office and only settle fees once you’re admitted

Enrolment is completed by paying the Austrian Student Union (ÖH) fee of about €20 (US$23) per semester; students from most non-EU countries add a tuition fee of €726.72 (US$828.9) per semester on top

The university’s six faculties reach from Catholic theology and law through to the natural and life sciences, with cultural and social sciences alongside, and offer around 87 degree programmes

6 European universities with free application fees for postgraduates

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

University of Cambridge, UK

The University of Cambridge needs no formal introduction. Known asthe fourth oldest university in the world, theUniversity of Cambridgewas started by students from Oxford who settled in Cambridge upon escapingriots of “town and gown.”Since then, it has become the birthplace of some of the brightest minds in history, such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin

But this illustrious reputation comes with an acceptance rate of 21%. This means only one out of five people get accepted

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

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

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

Universityof Oxford, UK

Similarly, theUniversity of Oxfordis a prestigious universityranked #1 in theTimes Higher Education World University Rankings in 2025. At 17%, the university has a lower rate of acceptance than the University of Cambridge

Choose from more than 350 graduate courses across many disciplines. This includes taught courses and research courses 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 University of Cambridge, postgraduate students can apply for free to the University 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)

One of the European universities with free application fees is none other than Ghent University in picturesque Belgium

Ghent University, Belgium

At Ghent University, undergraduate and postgraduate programmescater to Dutch and English speakers, spanning biotechnology, aquaculture, microelectronics and veterinary medicine. Though most of their undergraduate programmes are in Dutch, there aresome English coursesthat international students can apply for

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

Ghent University 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

University of Oslo, Norway

Popular for its humanities, social sciences, and medical degrees, the University of Oslo does not require students to pay an application fee. Applications are submitted through the national portal Søknadsweb, which does not charge an application fee

However, it’s essential to note that non-EU/EEA students will be required to pay tuition fees, depending on their programme, ranging from US$19,706 to US$29,361 for the entire programme

The best part? The courses are taught in English and have a strong emphasis on research

The University of Oslo ranks #1 in Norway and #119 in theQS World University Ranking 2026

Known for its high quality of life, Vienna provides students with plenty of recreational activities and outstanding infrastructure

Vienna University of Technology, Austria

Founded in 1815, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) is Austria’s largest science and technology university and one of Europe’s most respected in engineering, computer science, and architecture, drawing students from around the world. Applications go directly to the university with no application fee attached

At master’s level, TU Wien awards the Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.), a qualification recognised internationally as equivalent to an MSc. Fields run from computer science and mathematics through to physics, chemistry, and architecture, with a growing catalogue of English-taught master’s programmes

As with other Austrian public universities, EU/EEA and Swiss students pay only the ÖH student union fee, while students from most non-EU countries pay €726.72 (US$828) per semester in tuition

University of Innsbruck, Austria

Set in the Alps and founded in 1669, the University of Innsbruck is Austria’s third-oldest university, home to around 28,000 students across a broad spread of disciplines. Master’s applicants apply online through the university’s online platform, and there’s no application fee — you’re only asked to settle the ÖH fee and any applicable tuition once you’ve been admitted

Innsbruck’s research reaches from the social sciences and humanities to the natural sciences, with distinctive strengths in Alpine, mountain, and atmospheric research that make good use of its surroundings

A handful of master’s programmes are taught entirely in English — Computer Science and Atmospheric Sciences among them — while most of the university’s degrees are delivered in German

Frequently asked questions 

Which European universities have no application fees in 2026?

Germany and Austria are the safest bets because their public universities generally don’t charge an application fee. Think RWTH Aachen, Heidelberg, TU Munich, LMU, and Freie Universität Berlin in Germany, as well as the University of Vienna, the University of Salzburg, TU Wien, and the University of Innsbruck in Austria. Norway’s state university, including Oslo, also applies for free through the national Søknadsweb portal.

If the application is free, are there other costs to budget for?

Yes. On top of any tuition, you’ll usually pay a semester contribution of a few hundred euros, alongside student visa or residence permit fees and health insurance, and you’ll need to show proof of funds to cover your living costs. Document translation and legalisation can add a little more before you even enrol

Can I study in Europe in English if I don’t speak German?

Yes, though mostly at master’s level. Public universities in Germany and Austria teach most bachelor’s programmes in German, while a growing number of master’s — and a smaller set of bachelor’s — are delivered entirely in English. Check each programme’s stated language of instruction and the English test it accepts, usually IELTS or TOEFL

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on July 22, 2026

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Source: studyinternational.com