Rules checked Friday 18 September 2026 · next check Friday 25 September
Study abroad rules change often. Follow every official update in one place.
Visas, money to show, tuition, work rights and degree recognition in 10 countries, taken straight from the immigration services and ministries that set them, adjusted to your passport and checked every week.
- Official sources onlyEvery figure links to the government body that decides it. No agents, no rumours.
- Checked every weekChanges appear with the date they take effect, and upcoming ones are flagged in advance.
- For your passportRoutes, costs and work rights adjust to your nationality, across 28 countries of origin.
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Study abroad in 2026: key rules at a glance
The comparator above adjusts every figure to your passport. For a quick overview, here are the main rules for students from outside the EU at public universities, each linked to the government body that sets it.
| Destination | Tuition per year (master's) | Money to show for the visa | Time to work after graduating | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Near €0 (semester fee only; €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg) | €11,904 a year (blocked account) | 18 months | Federal Foreign Office |
| France | €3,950 a year for a public master's (non-EU rate, 2026–27) | €877.50 a month | 12 months | Ministry of Higher Education |
| Netherlands | About €13,000 to €22,000 (estimate, set by each university) | €1,130.77 a month | 12 months (orientation year) | IND |
| Ireland | About €12,000 to €20,000 (estimate, set by each university) | €10,000 a year | Up to 24 months | Irish Immigration Service |
| Belgium | About €5,010 a year at French-speaking universities (non-EU) | €1,062 a month (2026–27) | 12 months | Belgian Foreign Affairs |
| United Kingdom | About £16,000 to £24,000 (estimate) | £1,171 a month outside London, £1,529 in London (rising on 30 November 2026) | 24 months (18 months from 1 January 2027) | Home Office |
| Canada | About CA$22,000 to 32,000 (estimate, outside Quebec) | CA$23,448 a year plus first-year tuition | Up to 36 months | IRCC |
| United States | About $25,000 to $40,000 at public universities (estimate) | Your full first-year cost, as shown on your I-20 | 12 months (up to 36 in STEM) | DHS |
| Australia | About A$34,000 to 45,000 (estimate) | A$29,710 a year plus tuition and travel | Up to 24 months | Australian Government |
How this comparator works
Every figure comes from the official decision-makers: immigration services, ministries and government publications. We check them every week, show each change in place with the date it took effect, and label estimates clearly where universities set their own fees. Where no official source exists yet, the comparator says so.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm with the official source or embassy before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is cheapest for a master's degree abroad in 2026?
Germany, in most cases: public universities charge only a semester fee (except in Baden-Württemberg), though you must show €11,904 a year in a blocked account. France is also low-cost at public universities, at €3,950 a year for students from outside the EU in 2026–27.
Which countries let you work longest after graduating?
Canada offers up to three years after a master's. Ireland offers up to 24 months, and the UK offers 24 months until the end of 2026, falling to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. Germany offers 18 months to look for work.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa?
It depends on the country: for example CA$23,448 a year for Canada (outside Quebec), €11,904 a year for Germany, €877.50 a month for France and £1,171 a month for the UK outside London. Tuition usually comes on top. The comparator shows the amount that applies to you.
Do I need a visa before I travel?
It depends on your passport. EU citizens need no visa to study elsewhere in the EU. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit after arrival, and do not need an entry visa for the Netherlands. Most other nationalities apply for a student visa before travelling. Select your nationality above to see your route.
Will my degree be recognized when I come back home?
Only if it is officially recognized in the country that issues it, which matters most at private schools. The comparator shows what to check in each country, and our guides explain credential evaluations, such as the evaluation of foreign degrees for Canada's Express Entry.