What studying abroad really costs, country by country

Most families start with one question: can we afford this? The honest answer depends on three things. Where your child studies, whether the university is public or private, and how many years the course runs. A three-year degree in Germany and a four-year degree in the US are not the same kind of bill.

Below are yearly costs for nine countries, in rupees. Where we could, the living figure is the amount the government itself asks students to show for a visa. That is a minimum, not a comfortable budget. Use our cost calculator to add up a full course for your child's choices.

Yearly cost at a glance

Rupee figures use RBI reference rates of 16 October 2026 (₹95.02 per US dollar, ₹126.41 per pound, ₹106.70 per euro, ₹0.60 per yen). Australian and Singapore dollars use ECB cross rates of 15 October 2026 (₹65.69 and ₹74.09). Rounded to the nearest half-lakh. Exchange rates move, so treat these as a rough guide.

Country	Tuition per year	Living per year	Usual years (UG / PG)
United States	₹28.5–65 lakh	₹18–31 lakh	4 / 2
United Kingdom	₹25–62 lakh	₹13.5–17.5 lakh (9 months)	3 / 1
Germany	₹0–13 lakh	₹12.5 lakh	3 / 2
France (public)	₹3–4 lakh	₹8 lakh	3 / 2
Ireland	₹10–31.5 lakh	₹10.5 lakh	4 / 1
Netherlands	₹9.5–32 lakh	₹14.5 lakh	3 / 1
Australia	₹16.5–45.5 lakh	₹19.5 lakh	3 / 2
Singapore	₹16–88 lakh	₹7–12 lakh	4 / 1
Japan	₹3–6 lakh	₹7 lakh	4 / 2

A few things sit behind these ranges:

• US: public universities charge international students the out-of-state rate. The low end is the College Board average for 2025-26. Private universities in big cities go well above it.
• UK: the living figure is the Home Office amount for 9 months: £1,171 a month outside London, £1,529 in London. A full year costs more.
• Germany: most public universities charge no tuition. Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500 a semester, and TUM in Munich charges more. Every student shows €11,904 in a blocked account for the first year.
• France: from 2026-27, public universities charge most non-EU students €2,902 a year for a licence and €3,950 for a master's. Private business schools usually charge €6,000 to €18,000 or more.
• Singapore: NUS fees are much lower with the government Tuition Grant. But the grant comes with a bond to work in Singapore for three years after graduating.
• Japan: national universities charge ¥535,800 a year, plus a one-time ¥282,000 admission fee. Our living figure is one regional university's estimate. Tokyo costs more.

The costs families forget

Tuition and rent are only part of the bill. Budget for these too:

• Visa fees. UK £558. US $185 plus a $350 SEVIS fee, and some consulates now add a $250 visa integrity fee. Australia AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026. Germany €75, Ireland €60, Netherlands €254 for the residence permit.
• Health cover. The UK charges a health surcharge of £776 for every year of the visa, paid upfront. Australia requires Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole stay. Most US universities require their own insurance.
• Money shown before the visa. Germany's blocked account and many Dutch universities ask you to move a year's living money in advance. It is still your money, but you need it ready.
• Application costs. Application fees, English tests and courier charges add up across 6 to 8 universities.
• Flights and the first month. A rental deposit, bedding, a laptop and a SIM all hit in the first weeks. In Japan, a flat can need 3 to 4 months' rent upfront.
• Registration fees after arrival. Ireland charges €300 each time the residence permit is registered. France charges a €50 stamp to validate the visa.
• Currency moves. If the rupee weakens, every fee costs more. A 5% move on a ₹40 lakh bill is ₹2 lakh.

Scholarships and part-time work

Scholarships rarely cover everything. Most are partial fee waivers. Check each university's own list, and apply early, because many close with the admission deadline.

Part-time work helps with daily costs. It will not pay the fees. The limits are set by each government:

• UK: usually 20 hours a week in term for degree students.
• Australia: 48 hours a fortnight during study periods.
• Ireland: 20 hours a week in term, 40 in set holiday months.
• Germany: 140 full days or 280 half days a year.
• France: 964 hours a year.
• Netherlands: 16 hours a week, or full time only in June to August, with a permit from the employer.
• US: on campus only, up to 20 hours a week in term.
• Singapore: 16 hours a week in term at listed institutions.
• Japan: 28 hours a week, with permission.

Visas assume you can pay without this income. Do not plan the budget around it.

Education loans

A loan can make sense when the course leads to clear work options. Before signing, ask:

• What is the total repayment, not just the rate?
• Is there collateral, and what happens if repayment is late?
• When does interest start, during the course or after?

Compare at least two lenders. A course that stretches the family finances too far is worth rethinking, not forcing.

How we can help

Our Abroad Strategy plan gives you a written shortlist of 8 to 12 universities with a clear budget and scholarship view for each. We take no commissions from universities, so the list is built around what fits your child and your budget.