4 cheapest countries to study a BSc in Nursing

Are you looking for the cheapest countries to study a BSc in Nursing? The truth is that they can be hard to find. For instance, Monash University’s Bachelor of Nursing will cost 116,400 Australian dollars (US$ 73,239) for students starting in 2023. In the UK, expect to pay 111,720 pounds (US$ 123,851) to study the same course at the University of Glasgow. 

This means that aspiring nurses from India, Nigeria, and the Philippines would each need to fork out 10.19 million Indian rupees, 53.65 million nairas and 7.3 million pesos for a UK nursing degree respectively.  

For many international students, these figures make up the entire retirement saving of their parents — if there is even one.

Although finding an affordable medical school is rare, it is not impossible. Certain countries are home to cheap medical schools for international students, with no compromise on quality. Here are the four cheapest countries you can consider: 

International students do not pay tuition fees at public universities in Norway. Source: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP

4 cheapest countries to study a BSc in Nursing for international students

1. Norway

Norway comes in first as the cheapest in the world to pursue a nursing degree since most Norwegian public institutions do charge tuition fees. The best part? All international students qualify for this benefit.

However, you may still have to pay a semester fee of around 30 to 60 euros. Some public universities you can consider are the University of Agder and VID Specialised University.

On top of that, Norway remains one of the best options for international students on a budget. Picture living in one of the most progressive places in the world, with a track record of upholding human rights and cultural freedom for all its residents. It’s little wonder why international students in Norway are among the happiest in Europe. 

Bear in mind that living in this Nordic country can be expensive. Expect to spend between 20,000 to 40,000 Norwegian krone (1 Norwegian krone is approximately US$0.093 at the time of writing) to live in this Nordic country. 

2. Hungary

In recent years, Hungary’s educational institutes have been climbing up the global rankings. For example, the University of Szeged is ranked among the top 560 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

The tuition fees to study nursing in Hungary can go as low as US$4,844.30 per year. The University of Debrecen, University of Szeged and University of Pécs are some medical schools that offer a BSc in Nursing with low tuition fees. 

Living in Hungary is comparably more affordable than at other European cities. You just need to budget around US$534, US$615 and US$860 if you stay in Pecs, Szeged and Budapest, respectively.

 

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3. United Kingdom

Did you know that the UK has affordable options for you to study a BSc in Nursing? Consider the Glasgow Caledonian University, Teesside University and Middlesex University London, where annual tuition fees start from as low as 13,000 pounds (US$14,354).

If staying and working in the UK after graduation is part of your plan, we’ve got good news for you. The nursing programmes at universities like Glasgow Caledonian University will allow you to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You can also apply for various positions in the National Health Service — the UK’s state care health system.

4. Russia

While international students may not enjoy a tuition-free education like at public institutions like Norway, the overall cost of studying nursing at Russian universities is still relatively cheap compared to other countries.

Studying for a nursing degree in Russia can go as low as US$1,800 per year. Some of the cheapest educational institutions where you can study nursing in Russia are the Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University and Kazan State Medical University.

Upon graduation, you stand an easier chance to get a job in Russia as employers will likely prefer students who graduated from a local institution.