National student fee and support systems in European higher education : 2017/18.
Date: 2019-02-14
Institutions: European Education and Culture Executive Agency
Subjects: EU Member State, education grant, education policy, higher education, school fees

National Student Fee 

and Support Systems

in European Higher Education

2017/18

Eurydice – Facts and Figures

Education and 
Training 

 
National Student Fee 

and Support Systems 

in European Higher Education 

2017/18 

Eurydice – Facts and Figures 

Education and 
Training 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This  document  is  published  by  the  Education,  Audiovisual  and  Culture  Executive  Agency 
(EACEA, Education and Youth Policy Analysis). 

Please cite this publication as: 

European  Commission/EACEA/Eurydice,  2017.  National  Student  Fee  and  Support  Systems  in 
European  Higher  Education  –  2017/18.  Eurydice  Facts  and  Figures.  Luxembourg:  Publications 
Office of the European Union. 

ISBN 978-92-9492-612-8 

ISSN 2443-5260 

doi:10.2797/274915 

EC-AE-17-001-EN-N 

Text completed in October 2017. 

© Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, 2017. 

Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. 

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency  
Education and Youth Policy Analysis 
Avenue du Bourget 1 (J70 – Unit A7)  
BE-1049 Brussels 
Tel. +32 2 299 50 58 
Fax +32 2 292 19 71 
E-mail: eacea-eurydice@ec.europa.eu 
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/eurydice 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 

Table of Figures 

Introduction 

Key Points 

1.1.  Fees 

1.2.  Support 

Guide to the National System Information Sheets 

General Information 

Diagram 

Text   

Reference year 

24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 

National System Information Sheets 

Belgium – French Community 
Belgium – German-speaking Community 
Belgium – Flemish Community 
Bulgaria 
Czech Republic 
Denmark 
Germany 
Estonia 
Ireland 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Croatia 
Italy 
Cyprus 
Latvia 
Lithuania 
Luxembourg 
Hungary 
Malta 
Netherlands 

Codes and Abbreviations 

Country codes 

Statistical codes 

Acknowledgements 

3 

4 

5 

7 

9 

14 

21 

21 

21 

22 

22 

23 

45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 

68 

68 

68 

69 

Austria 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
Finland 
Sweden 
United Kingdom – England 
United Kingdom – Wales 
United Kingdom – Northern Ireland 
United Kingdom – Scotland 
Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Switzerland 
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
Iceland 
Liechtenstein 
Montenegro 
Norway 
Serbia 
Turkey 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF FIGURES 

Figure 1:  Percentage of fee-payers (2017/18) and  

percentage of beneficiaries of grants (2016/17)  
among full-time first cycle students in European countries 

Figure 2:  Most common categories of fee payers (including tuition and administrative fees)  

in first cycle study programmes, 2017/18 

Figure 3:  Percentage of fee payers (including tuition and administrative fees)  

in first cycle higher education, 2016/17 

Figure 4:  Most common fees (including tuition and administrative fees)  

in first cycle higher education programmes,  
among full-time students paying fees, 2017/18 

Figure 5:  Most common fees (including tuition and administrative fees)  

in short cycle higher education programmes,  
among full-time students paying fees, 2017/18 

Figure 6:  Main types of direct students support to full-time students,  

first cycle, 2017/18 

Figure 7:  Main types of grants to full-time students,  

first cycle, 2017/18 

Figure 8:  Percentage of full-time students receiving universal or need-based grants  

in first cycle higher education, 2016/17 

Figure 9:  Most common annual universal or need-based grant  

amounts for full-time students  
in first cycle higher education programmes, 2016/17 

Figure 10:  Indirect support to students studying  

in higher education, 2016/17 

7 

10 

11 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

20 

4 

 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 

The  renewed  EU  agenda  for  higher  education1  supports  higher  education  systems  in  Europe  in 
responding  to  the  needs  of  our  increasingly  knowledge-based  economies  and  societies.  To  expand 
the knowledge base and foster progress, an increasing number of European citizens require high level 
knowledge and competences. One of the key challenges in developing quality mass higher education 
systems  is  to  ensure  that  students  have  the  necessary  material  conditions  to  study  and  fulfil  their 
potential. The question of how this is ensured at national level is a key aspect of the social dimension 
of higher education, and student fee and support systems are thus important tools of national policies.  

Issues  regarding  the  interaction  of  student  fees  and  support  are,  however,  complex  and  difficult  to 
compare  accurately  at  European  level.  Fees  and  support  play  a  role  in  supporting  (or  discouraging) 
access to higher education, and can also have an impact on progression and completion rates. While 
fees impose a financial burden – which may be more or less significant depending on the nature and 
level of the fees and the socio economic conditions of students and their families – support measures 
are able to alleviate financial obstacles to study.  

Under EU legislation, all EU nationals are entitled to study in a host country's education system on the 
same terms as its own nationals. In other words, the fee and support arrangements in place for home 
students are also applicable to all EU students.  

There are many potential variations in situations regarding fees, and many different interpretations are 
possible.  For  these  reasons,  in  this  publication  all  costs  charged  to  students  (with  the  exception  of 
contributions to student organisations) are considered to be a fee irrespective of the manner in which 
they are paid. Beyond the question of what is, and is not, a fee, there are many other dimensions to be 
considered. Where fees exist, are they paid by all or by some students? If fees are paid only by some, 
what  are  the  main  criteria  that  determine  which  students  pay  and  which  do  not?  And  how  much  do 
they actually pay? 

Similar questions should be asked with regard to student support. Support takes different forms, and 
this report focuses only on the most common and comparable. It attempts to show which students, or 
which  families,  are  able  to  access  public  financial  support  in  the  form  of  grants,  loans,  family 
allowances or tax relief. It also shows the conditions and criteria that apply, and how much support is 
actually provided.  

The  Key  Points  section  provides  a  short  comparative  overview  of  information  on  fees  and  student 
support in European countries drawn from the national information sheets that follow. The main focus 
of the comparative overview is on full-time students in the first cycle of higher education, as they form 
the  largest  share  of  the  student  population  in  each  country.  Nevertheless,  some  comparison  across 
cycles  is  also  made.  The  national  diagrams  and  information  sheets  outline  the  main  elements  of 
national systems in a way that enables the reader to understand the actual situation easily, and also 
allows  accurate  comparison  to  be  made  with  other  countries.  A  guide  to  the  national system  sheets 
outlines the main elements which can be found in the sheets. 

Information on fees and support to students in short cycle programmes is also provided, recognising 
the  increasing  importance  of  short  cycle  programmes  in  Europe.  Part-time  study  fees  and  support 
arrangements are also examined. 

(1)  Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European  Economic  and  Social 
Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  on  a  renewed  EU  agenda  for  Higher  Education,  Brussels  30/05/2017 
COM(2017) 247 Final. {Online} Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/education/files/he-com-2017-247_en.pdf  

5 

                                                            
 
KEY POINTS 

European countries differ significantly in the level of public expenditure allocated to higher education. 
They  also  follow  different  approaches  to  requiring  contributions  from  private  households  (students 
and/or their families), as well as to the financial support provided to students during their studies. 'No 
fee  for  home  and/or  EU  students'  policies  (no  fees  regardless  of  cycle,  study  status  or  field  or 
performance)  can  be  found  in  four  countries  while  universal  fee  policies  are  applied  in  twelve 
countries.  

However, details of fees alone provide insufficient information to understand the policy approach. The 
combination of fees with financial support tools is crucial to understand the country’s policy reality, and 
these  combinations  may  be  numerous.  All  42 systems  provide  at  least  one  type  of  direct  support 
mechanism (grants and loans) and half of them also provide indirect support (family allowances and 
tax benefits). 

To  assess  the  potential  immediate  effects  of  fees  and  support  policies  on  full-time  first  cycle  higher 
education  students  themselves,  Figure 1  shows  how  governments  distribute  higher  education  fees 
among  students,  and  how  widespread  grants  actually  are  (the  fee  and  grant  amounts  are  not 
considered  here).  While  grants  are  only  one  form  of  support,  they  are  the  most  common  form  of 
student support in Europe, and arguably the most significant in influencing students' perception of their 
financial security during studies. They also demonstrate direct investment in students by governments. 

Figure 1: Percentage of fee-payers (2017/18) and percentage of beneficiaries of grants (2016/17) among full-time 
first cycle students in European countries 

Minority fees/  
Majority grants 

Majority fees/
Majority grants  

s
t
n
a
r
G

Fees 

s
t
n
a
r
G

14.4 

25.7 

21.1 

7.5 

1 

85.0 

25.0 

23.0 

44.0 

0.0 

30.0 

39.2 

4.0 

9.4 

10.0 

0.0 

3.0 

96.8 

21.8 

100 

18.0 

BE fr 

BE de

BE nl 

BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

HR 

IT 

CY 

LV 

LT 

LU 

HU 

MT 

NL 

Minority fees/ 
Minority grants 

Source: Eurydice. 

Majority fees/
Minority grants

7 

s
e
e
F

s
t
n
a
r
G

s
e
e
F

37.0 

13.7 15.6 

13.0 12.0 

7.8

0.0 

0.0 

0.0 

89.0

66.0

26.0

16.0

22.0 100 

83.3  AT 
100  PL 
100  PT 
97.1  RO 
14.0  SI 
0.0  SK 
0.0  FI 
14.0  SE 
0.0 
60.0  UK-ENG  54.0 100 
:  UK-WLS  62.0 100 
70.0  UK-NIR  58.2 100 
60.8  UK-SCT  72.0
60.0  BA 
90.2  CH 
0.0  FY 
35.0  IS 
36.0  LI 
100  ME 
29.9  NO 
0.0  RS 
100  TR 

15.0 100 

48.8

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

0.0 

0.0 

65 

7.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

25.0 14.2 

: 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Explanatory note 
This figure shows the share of students who pay fees (above EUR 100) and the percentage of recipients of grants among full-
time  first-cycle  students  in  European  countries.  International  students  are  not  included  in  the  data.  Only  universal  and  need-
based grants are considered. Countries are presented in this figure only if data is available for both values.  

The table next to the chart shows the actual percentage values. Zero as a value indicates that there are no fees or there are no 
universal or need-based grants in the relevant country.  

Unless otherwise indicated in the national sheet, the reference year for fee-payers is the 2017/18 academic year (or 2017), and 
for grant recipients academic year 2016/17 (or 2016), which is the most recent year available with comparable data.  

Country-specific notes  
Belgium (BE nl), Italy and Finland: Data on grant recipients refers to first and second cycle students.  
Bulgaria: Data refers to all (full- and part-time) first cycle students. 
France: Data refers to all (short, first and second cycle) students. 
Cyprus: Reference year: 2014/15. 
Netherlands: Data presented on grant recipients refer to students enrolled since September 2015, receiving a 'supplementary 
grant' (see National Sheet). 
Austria: Reference year for fee payers: 2012; for grant recipients: 2015/16 academic year. 
Poland: Data refers to full-time students progressing normally with their studies. 
Romania and Sweden: Data on grant recipients refers to short, first and second cycle full-time students. 
Slovenia: Data refers to full-time and part-time students together. Reference year: 2015/16 academic year. 

Taking these two dimensions into consideration, four types of policy approach can be identified:  

A)  This  quadrant  combines  a  low  percentage  of  fee-payers  and  a  high  proportion  of  grant 
beneficiaries. In countries following this policy approach, the public budget covers the student higher 
education fees. No, or only few, students pay fees. In addition, a majority of students receive grants, 
whose  amounts  are  usually  adjusted  according  to  the  individual  student's  socio-economic  situation. 
This  approach  indicates  significant  investment  from  the  public  budget  in  supporting  student 
participation in higher education and provides students with a high level of economic independence. 
Denmark, Malta, Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom (Scotland) take this approach.  

B)  Similarly  to  countries  in  A),  these  countries  charge  fees  to  no  or  only  few  students.  In  this  case, 
however, the low percentage of fee-payers combines with a low percentage of grant recipients. These 
countries  charge  fees  to  less  than  half  of  the  students  and  provide  a  minority  with  grants.  In  most 
countries with this model, there is no (or below EUR 100) fee in first cycle higher education (the Czech 
Republic,  Germany,  Estonia,  Cyprus,  Poland,  Slovenia  and  Slovakia).  Those  few  students  who  pay 
fees do so mainly as a result of poor performance during their first cycle studies. Need-based grants in 
this group reach a quarter (or less) of the total student population. In Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and 
Romania, a higher percentage of students – between 30 % and 40 % – pay fees. These students all 
study  on  non-state  subsidised  places,  and  with  the  exception  of  Lithuania,  they  are  not  eligible  for 
need-based  grants,  as  only  students  with  state-subsidised  places  can  obtain  grants.  While  this 
approach  imposes  a  fee  burden  on  only  a  minority  of  students,  it  is  not  necessarily  those  who  are 
most  able  to  afford  fees  that  are  required  to  pay.  Moreover,  the  restrictive  criteria  for  need-based 
grants make students – and especially those on non-state subsidised places – financially dependent 
on their families or work. 

In contrast to countries in A) and B) quadrants, countries in C) and D) follow a policy that charges fees 
to the majority or to all students. C) and D) differ in their approaches to distributing grants among the 
student population.  

C) These systems combine a high percentage of fee-payers and a low percentage of grant recipients. 
Most countries in this group generally follow a fee-for-all policy as, in principle, all students pay fees. 
However,  there  are  two  types  of  exceptions  to  this.  In  the  French  Community  of  Belgium,  France, 
Spain, Ireland and Italy, some financially disadvantaged students are exempted from paying fees, and 
are also eligible for need-based grants. In Croatia and from the 2017/18 academic year Montenegro, 
new entrants do not pay fees in the first study year, but if they do not complete sufficient ECTS they 

8 

 
K e y   P o i n t s  

pay  fees  from  the  following  academic  year.  In  most  countries  in  this  group,  less  than  a  third  of 
students obtain need-based grants. The low availability of grants tends to make students dependent 
on family financial support or work. It may also make access to higher education difficult, particularly 
for  disadvantaged  students.  The  United  Kingdom  (England)  used  to  combine  grants  and  loans. 
However, since 2016/17, student support has switched exclusively to loans. 

D)  In  this  quadrant,  systems  have  a  high  percentage  of  fee-payers  and  a  high  percentage  of  grant 
recipients. It is opposite to B) in both dimensions – fees and grants. All students pay (sometimes high) 
fees in this model, and a majority receives grants. In Luxembourg, almost all students receive a basic 
grant, and further detailed socio-economic criteria and income determine the extent to which a student 
receives an additional grant, a loan or a combination of the two. In countries with this model, the high 
level of public support to students may compensate for a part of the high fees the student personally 
incurs. Nevertheless, students may also graduate with high levels of debt to be reimbursed after their 
studies. 

Data  on  the  different  student  support  tools  gathered  in  this  report  also  shows  that  in  countries  in 
categories  A)  and  D),  in  addition  to  grant  provision,  a  comparatively  high  proportion  of  students  are 
likely  to  take  out  loans.  This  tends  to  make  students  more  financially  independent  in  comparison  to 
their counterparts in type B) and C) countries where loans are generally a minor feature of the support 
package.  In  most  B)  and  C)  model  countries,  however,  indirect  support  such  as  tax  benefits  and/or 
family allowances paid to students' parents are available support tools, which are not often included in 
the policies of countries in the A) and B) quadrants. 

1.1.  Fees  

This  section  aims  to  present  an  overview  of  the  most  common  fee  payers  in  the  42 participating 
European  education  systems,  the  share  of  students  who  pay  fees  as  well  as  information  on  fee 
amounts.  Data  focuses  mainly  on  fees  for  first-cycle  study  programmes,  but  comparisons  are  also 
made  between  study  cycles  as  well  as  fees  for  full-time  and  part-time  studies.  Throughout  the  text, 
where information is provided on the amounts of fees charged, this refers only to those students who 
fall under fee paying categories in the country and who actually pay fees. 

Who pays fees?  

Figure 2  shows  the  most  common  categories  of  students  who  pay  fees  of  more  than  EUR 100  per 
year  for  participating  in  first  cycle  higher  education  programmes.  Study  intensity  and/or  academic 
performance  affect  the  level  of  fees  paid  in  the  majority  of  countries.  In  13  of  the  42 European 
education  systems  presented  in  this  report,  both  full-time  and  part-time  students (2)  pay  fees.  In 
Belgium, France, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, a single student status (full-time) exists. In 
these countries, students pay fees (in Turkey students in evening programmes are charged fees, but 
not those in day-time courses). In contrast, in Denmark, Estonia, Croatia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and 
Slovenia, part-time students pay fees.  

Latvia,  Lithuania,  Hungary,  Romania,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  and  Serbia  distinguish  between 
students  whose  fees  are  covered  by  the  public  budget  ('state  subsidised')  and  those  who  pay  their 
own study fees. Students are usually selected for a state subsidised place on the basis of academic 
performance. Those in non-state subsidised places pay fees, whether they study full or part time.  

(2) 

'Part-time student' in this report refers to an official student status other than full-time student.  

9 

                                                            
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Figure 2: Most common categories of fee payers (including tuition and administrative fees) in first cycle study 
programmes, 2017/18 

Full time 

Part time 

Non-state subsidised places 

Poor study performance/ 
exceeding regular  
length of study 

No fees 

Source: Eurydice.

In the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia, there are no or low fees in first cycle programmes for the 
majority of students studying full time, while those who exceed the prescribed study time are charged 
fees.  Legislation  also  allows  fees  to  be  charged  for  this  reason  in  five  German  Länder,  but  no 
universities have actually applied the regulation. In Estonia, Croatia, Poland and new entrants starting 
in 2017/18 in Montenegro, full-time students failing to achieve a designated number of ECTS or having 
unsatisfactory  performance  have  to  pay  fees.  In  Slovakia,  the  public  budget  covers  the  fees  of  first 
time students, but students studying for their second or further degrees are charged full fees.  

For short cycle programmes, where they exist (3), similar fee-paying categories can be observed. All 
countries implement the same fee policy as for first cycle programmes, except Greece, where there is 
no fee in the first cycle, but short cycle students pay fees. 

In  most  countries,  fee  policies  in  second  cycle  programmes  are  identical  to  those  in  the  first  cycle. 
However, second cycle students are charged fees in Greece, Cyprus, Malta and the United Kingdom 
(Scotland), while there are no fees in the first cycle. 

EU  countries  charge  the  same  fees  to  their  home  students  and  to  all  EU  nationals.  They  may, 
however, charge different fees to international students (usually defined as those from non-EU or non-
EEA  countries).  International  students  pay  higher  fees  than  national  students  who  attend  the  same 
programme  in  almost  three-quarters  of  the  countries.  In  Germany  (Baden-Württemberg),  all 
international students and in Finland international students in courses delivered in a foreign language 
pay EUR 1 500 annual fee from the 2017/18 academic year. At the same time, in Belgium (German-
speaking Community), the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece (in first cycle programmes), France, Italy, 
Latvia,  Luxembourg,  Iceland,  Liechtenstein  and  Montenegro,  the  same  fee  policies  apply  to 
international as to national and EU students. However, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania 
and  Slovakia  charge  fees  to  all  students  –  regardless  of  their  country  origin  –  for  programmes  in  a 

(3)  There is no short cycle higher education  provision in the Czech Republic, Germany,  Estonia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, 
Slovakia,  Finland,  Switzerland,  Liechtenstein,  Montenegro  and  Serbia.  The  German-speaking  Community  of  Belgium 
offers neither short cycle nor second cycle programmes.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
foreign  language.  Austria  distinguishes  between  international  students  depending  on  the  place  of 
origin: while in general international students pay fees, those coming from developing countries may 
be exempted. In Belgium (Flemish Community), the Netherlands, Lithuania and the United Kingdom, 
higher education institutions are free to determine their fees for international students.  

K e y   P o i n t s  

What share of students pay fees?  

The  proportion  of  students  who  pay  fees  in  first  cycle  studies  varies  across  Europe  (see  Figure 3). 
There  are  also  differences  within  countries  when  looking  at  the  share  of  fee-payers  among  full-time 
and part-time students in the 33 systems that offer both study options.  

Fourteen systems consistently apply the same fee policy to all students. In Germany, Greece, Finland, 
Sweden  and  Norway,  neither  full-time  nor  part-time  first  cycle  students  pay  fees.  In  contrast,  in 
Bulgaria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom (England, Wales and Northern 
Ireland), Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Iceland, all students pay fees.  

In the other 18 countries, a greater percentage of part-time students pay fees compared to their full-
time counterparts. However, as the numbers of part-time students are much lower than full-time, this 
still translates to fewer part-time students in absolute numbers. In Denmark, Malta, Poland, Slovenia 
and the United Kingdom (Scotland), the no-fee policy for full-time first cycle students co-exists with a 
universal fee policy for part-time students. In Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary and Slovakia, where 
fewer than half of the full-time student population pays fees, more than 50 % of part-time students pay.  

In Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, there is no status 
other than full-time student. However, there is also no common fee policy among these countries. The 
diversity of situations ranges from no fee-payers among first cycle students in Cyprus to 100 % of first 
cycle students paying fees in Belgium (German-speaking and Flemish Communities). 

Figure 3: Percentage of fee payers (including tuition and administrative fees) in first cycle higher education, 
2016/17 

Full-time students 

100 % 

75-99 % 

50-74 % 

25-49 % 

1-24 % 

No fees or less than EUR 100 

Not available 

Source: Eurydice.

11 

 
 
 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Part-time students 

100 % 

75-99 % 

50-74 % 

  No fees or less than EUR 100 

Not available 

No part-time student status 

Source: Eurydice.

Country-specific notes 
France: Data refers to all (short, first and second cycle) students. 
Poland: Data on full-time students presented refers to students progressing normally with their studies. 
Slovakia: Data refers to first and second cycle students. 

How much do full-time students pay? 

The  amounts  of  fees  that  students  (home  and/or  EU  as  relevant)  pay  also  differ  greatly  across 
countries and systems. Apart from students in systems without fees, first cycle students who progress 
normally  in  their studies  in  the  Czech Republic,  Poland,  Slovenia  and  Slovakia  pay  the  least  (below 
EUR 100)  in  an  academic  year  (see  Figure 4).  In  15 systems (4),  students  pay  between  EUR 101-
1 000.  In  eight  systems,  the  most  common  fee  is  relatively  high,  ranging  from  EUR 1 001  to  3 000. 
This group  includes  Ireland,  Spain,  Italy,  the  Netherlands,  Portugal,  Switzerland  and Liechtenstein – 
all  countries  where  the  majority  of  students  pay  fees.  Hungary  is  another  country  in  this  group,  and 
here fees are charged to students in non-state subsidised places. The highest fees (EUR 10 028) are 
charged to students in the United Kingdom (England). 

(4)   Belgium,  Bulgaria,  France,  Croatia,  Luxembourg,  Austria,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of 

Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Figure 4: Most common fees (including tuition and administrative fees) in first cycle higher education 
programmes, among full-time students paying fees, 2017/18 

K e y   P o i n t s  

>  EUR 5 000 

Between EUR 3001 - 5000 

Between EUR 1 001-3 000 

Between EUR 101-1 000 

Between EUR 1-100 

No fees 

  Not available 

Source: Eurydice.

Explanatory note 
Most common fees refer to the amount that the highest number of fee-paying students pay in the country/system.  

Country-specific note 
Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein: The amount refers to the average amount fee-paying student may pay rather than the 
amount that most students pay.  

Fees may also depend on the field of study (Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Portugal and Romania). In some 
countries, fees are linked to the real cost of the programme or the expected future personal income of 
graduates, making resource-intensive or high-prestige programmes more expensive for students and 
their  families.  In  other countries,  lower fees,  state-subsidised  places  or  specific  grants  (see National 
System Information Sheets) for certain study fields reflect national policies to attract more students to 
these  programmes.  In  Belgium  (Flemish  Community),  fees  also  reflect  the  number  of  ECTS  credits 
followed by the student. 

The  socio-economic  situation  of  students  may  also  influence  the  amount  of  fees  that  they  pay.  In 
Bulgaria,  Spain  and  Italy,  students  may  be  exempt  from  paying  fees  based  on  their  poor  socio-
economic  background.  In  Belgium  (Flemish  Community),  students  who  obtained  need-based  grants 
pay  only  the  minimum  annual  fee  amount  of  EUR 105.  In  Belgium  (French  Community),  Ireland, 
Spain,  France  and  Italy,  students  who  are  awarded  a  need-based  grant  are  exempt  from  fees.  In 
Lithuania,  the  best  performing  fee-paying  students  can  have  their  fees  reimbursed  in  first  cycle 
studies, and from 2017, in second cycle and integrated programmes.  

Similar fee patterns can be observed in the second cycle. In most countries, fees most commonly paid 
by  students  are  identical  or  very  close  to  first  cycle  fees.  In  some  countries,  however,  second  cycle 
fees can be significantly higher than first cycle fees. In Ireland, Spain, the former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, the fee differences range from 56 % higher second cycle fees in 
Spain to 10 times higher fees in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In contrast, In Turkey, 
second cycle fees are about one eighth of most common first cycle fees. 

Cyprus,  Greece,  Malta  and  the  United  Kingdom  (Scotland)  have  different  fee  policies  for  the  two 
cycles:  while  students  do  not  pay  fees  in  the  first  cycle,  they  are  charged  in  the  second  cycle.  The 
most common amounts range from EUR 400 in Malta, to EUR 3 625 in Greece, more than EUR 5 000 
in Cyprus and in the United Kingdom (Scotland) they may be higher still, as they are unregulated.  

13 

 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Figure 5: Most common fees (including tuition and administrative fees) in short cycle higher education 
programmes, among full-time students paying fees, 2017/18 

>  EUR 5 000 

Between EUR 3001 - 5000 

Between EUR 1 001-3 000 

Between EUR 101-1 000 

Between EUR 1-100 

No fees 

Not available 

  No short cycle programme 

Source: Eurydice.

Explanatory note 
Most common fees refer to the amount that the highest number of fee-paying students pay in the country/system.  

Fees for short cycle programmes in the 28 systems where they exist are identical or lower than in first 
cycle  programmes  (see  Figure 5).  In  Belgium  (Flemish  Community)  and  the  Netherlands,  the 
explanation for lower fees is related to shorter programme duration and less workload in short cycle 
programmes. Fees are also lower than in the first cycle (and below EUR 1 000) in Latvia, Hungary and 
Portugal. In Spain, the maximum fee is EUR 400. However, most Autonomous Communities offer free 
short  cycle  studies,  which  makes  this  type  of  programme  more  affordable  for  a  greater  diversity  of 
students.  Figure 5  shows  that  in  eight  countries,  short  cycle  studies  are  free  or  with  fees  below 
EUR 100. In Ireland, Greece and Italy, short cycle fees are set by institutions themselves and no data 
is available on their fees. 

1.2.  Support 

This  section  discusses  the  main  financial  support  tools  in  European  higher  education  systems.  It 
distinguishes between direct financial support to students in the form of grants and loans, and indirect 
support  through  allowances  or  tax  incentives  to  students'  parents.  International  students  are  usually 
not eligible for support in the host country, and are not considered in this overview.  

What kind of public support is available to students?  

All European countries offer at least one type of direct support (a grant or a loan) to full-time students 
in  first  cycle  studies  (see  Figure 6).  In  most  systems,  both  grants  and  loans  exist  but  they  are  not 
linked  and  students  need  to  apply  through  separate  procedures.  In  contrast,  in  Germany, 
Luxembourg,  Switzerland,  Liechtenstein  and  Norway,  direct  support  is  available  as  a  package.  In 
Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland, students are eligible for a non-repayable grant, a grant and 
loan or only a loan depending on their own and/or their family's income. Amounts of support are also 
determined on the basis of financial need.  

It  is  noteworthy  that  in  Spain,  Croatia,  Romania,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  and  the  former  Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia, grants are the only available form of student support. 

14 

 
 
 
 
Figure 6: Main types of direct students support to full-time students, first cycle, 2017/18 

K e y   P o i n t s  

Grants 

Loans 

Source: Eurydice.

Direct support is also usually accessible to full-time short cycle and second cycle students. Part-time 
students, however, are not able to access direct support in most countries. Exceptions are Lithuania, 
Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Norway, where part-time students are also eligible for both grants and 
loans.  

Who is eligible for grants? 

Grants are a form of public financial support provided directly to students that do not need to be paid 
back.  Iceland  used  to  stand  alone  as  the  only  European  country  that  offered  no  grants.  The 
government  has  been  engaged  in  a  long  process  of  reform  discussions  which  may  lead  to  the 
introduction  of  grants.  The  Netherlands  moved  away  from  near  universal  to  specific  need-based 
grants  for  all  newly  enrolled  students  in  2015/16.  The  United  Kingdom  (England)  has  also 
discontinued  the  maintenance  grant  (living  cost  grant)  for  new  students  from  the  2016/17  academic 
year, replacing it with a maintenance loan.  

In  countries  where  state-subsidised  and  self-financing  places  are  available,  grants  are  typically  only 
available to state-subsidised students.  

Students  in  the  Nordic  countries  (Denmark,  Finland,  Sweden  and  Norway)  and  in  Luxembourg  and 
Malta benefit from universal grant systems (see Figure 7). In these countries, all (or the majority of (5)) 
full-time  resident  students  receive  a  grant  in  weekly  or  monthly  instalments  during  their  academic 
career.  Disadvantaged  students  are  not  specifically  targeted  by  this  type  of  grant,  but  due  to  the 
universal approach, benefit from it. In Denmark, Finland and Norway, the grant is not awarded, and in 
Sweden, the grant amount is reduced if the student has another source of personal income above a 
specified  (monthly  or  annual)  amount.  The  amount  of  the  grant  for  those  who  do  receive  grants  in 
these four countries may depend on age, living conditions, personal income or completion of certain 
number of ECTS. 

(5) 

In  Norway,  all  students  can  take  a  study  loan  and  40 %  of  their  borrowed  amount  can  be  converted  into  a  non-
reimbursable grant if they pass all their exams  and they do not  live  with their parents. About 49 %  of first cycle full-time 
students obtained a grant in 2016/17.  

15 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Figure 7: Main types of grants to full-time students, first cycle, 2017/18 

Universal grants 

Need-based grants 

Merit-based grants 

Grants with need- and merit-
based criteria together 

  No grants 

Source: Eurydice.

Most  systems  offer  need-based  grants  to  financially  support  the  participation  of  disadvantaged 
students. Eligibility is determined on the basis of a set of socio-economic criteria. The most frequent 
criterion  is  family  income.  Other  criteria  include  whether  students  live  with  their  families,  parents' 
employment status and/or education (Hungary), special educational needs or orphan status (Bulgaria 
and  Romania)  or  whether  students  have  dependent  children.  Seven  countries  (Bulgaria,  Greece, 
Ireland,  France,  Italy,  Cyprus  and  Austria)  have  developed  grants  based  on  a  mixture  of  need-  and 
merit-based  criteria (6).  Often  these  grants  aim  to  reward  academic  performance  giving  priority  to 
disadvantaged students. In Ireland, France, Cyprus and Austria, this form of grant is complemented by 
targeted  need-based  grants.  There  is  no  grant  based  on  socio-economic  need  in  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina,  Iceland,  Montenegro  and  Serbia.  Latvia  that  had  no  need-based  grants  in  its  student 
support  system,  introduced  in  2017/18  need-based  criteria  in  its  merit-based  grant  and  universities 
issue  need-based  support  once  per  semester.  In  2017,  Malta  extended  the  eligibility  period  for  the 
stipend:  students  who  undertake  an  additional  year  beyond  the  standard  programme  duration  or 
change  to  another  programme  at  the  same  or  lower  level  may  continue  to  receive  the  stipend  for 
additional year. 

Fourteen  education  systems  offer  specific  merit-based  grants  promoting  excellent  academic 
performance (7). Merit-based grants are mainly awarded based on educational outcomes either during 
higher education studies, or based on secondary school results or performance in admission tests. In 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, students can only obtain grants based on academic 
merit. In Latvia, these grants are mainly available for specific programmes – particularly science and 
engineering.  

(6)  Grants  with  need-  and  merit-based  criteria  together  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  an  assessment  of  the  financial 
situation/socio-economic  conditions  of  the  students  and  academic  performance.  Countries  may  differ  based  on  the 
weighting  they  give  to  certain  criteria  (need  or  merit).  For  details  on  specific  countries,  see  National  System  Information 
Sheets.  

(7)  Bulgaria,  Czech  Republic,  Germany,  Estonia,  Croatia,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Hungary,  Poland,  Portugal,  Romania,  Slovenia, 

Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey 

16 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
Figure 8 shows the share of full-time first cycle students who receive universal or need-based grants 
in the different European countries (8). 

Figure 8: Percentage of full-time students receiving universal or need-based grants in first cycle higher education, 
2016/17 

K e y   P o i n t s  

0.1-10 % 

11-24 % 

25-49 % 

50-74 % 

75-100 % 

No need-based grant 

Not available 

Source: Eurydice.

Explanatory note 
Grants presented in this figure are universal grants or grants based on need-based criteria. If a country has both universal and 
need-based grants, universal grants are presented. 

Country-specific notes 
Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Austria and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Grants shown are based on a combination of 
need- and merit-based criteria.  
France: Data refers to all (short, first and second cycle) students. 
Cyprus: Reference year: 2014/15. 
Luxembourg and Malta: Data presented refers to the percentage of students awarded a universal grant.  
Netherlands: Data refers to new entrants, enrolled since September 2015, supplementary grant. 
Austria: Reference year: 2015/16 academic year. 
Slovenia: Data refers to full-time and part-time students together. Reference year: 2015/16 academic year. 

In  Luxembourg  almost  all  and  in  Malta  all  students  receive  a  monthly  standard  amount  of  financial 
support. In Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom (Scotland), which are other countries 
with  near  universal  grant  provision,  more  than  two-thirds  of  students  receive  grants.  In  contrast,  in 
Bulgaria,  the  Czech  Republic,  Croatia,  Italy,  Cyprus,  Lithuania,  Romania  and  Switzerland,  10 %  or 
fewer students receive need-based grants.  

As merit-based grants exist to promote or reward excellence, systems that use them never award this 
type  of  grant  to  more  than  a  fifth  of  their  students.  In  Hungary,  about  a  third  of  full-time  first  cycle 
students  in  state-funded  places  receive  merit-based  grants  and  in  Lithuania,  Austria,  Romania, 
Slovakia,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  and  Turkey  between  10  and  20 %  of  students.  In  further 
12 systems (9), it is under 10 %. In Lithuania, where fees and the share of self-financing students are 
high, a specific grant is available for the best-performing self-financing students (0.2 % of the relevant 
population  in  2015).  The  most  common  annual  merit-based  grant  amounts  are  below  EUR 1 000  in 
11 countries (10), and between EUR 1 000-5 000 in five (11). 

(8)  Data is not available on the share of grant-holders in short and second cycle programmes.  
(9)  Germany,  Estonia,  Czech  Republic,  France,  Ireland,  Poland,  Slovenia,  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia, 

Montenegro and Serbia  

(10)  Bulgaria,  France,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Hungary,  Romania,  Slovakia,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  Montenegro,  Serbia  and 

Turkey 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Figure 9  shows  the  most  common  universal  or  need-based  grant  amounts  that  first  cycle  full-time 
students receive in an academic year. 

Figure 9: Most common annual universal or need-based grant amounts for full-time students in first cycle higher 
education programmes, 2016/17 

> EUR 5 000 

Between EUR 3 001-5 000 

Between EUR 1 001-3 000 

Between EUR 100-1 000 

  No need-based grant 

  Not available 

Source: Eurydice.

Explanatory note 
Most  common  grant  refers  to  the  amount  that  the  highest  number  of  students  receives  among  grant  beneficiaries  in  the 
country/system.  

Country-specific notes 
Belgium (BE nl): Data refers to grant to full-time and part-time students together. Reference year: 2015/16.  
Bulgaria,  Italy,  Austria  and  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia:  Grants  presented  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  a 
combination of need- and merit-based criteria.  
Italy  and  Switzerland:  The  amount  refers  to  the  average  amount  students  obtain  rather  than  the  amount  that  most  students 
receive among grant beneficiaries. 

17 systems (12)  provide  between  EUR 1 000  and  3 000  per  year  to  students.  In  Finland,  while  the 
overall  maximum  annual  aid  amount  increased,  the  grant  amount  included  reduced  to  below 
EUR 3000 (13).  In  Bulgaria,  Estonia,  Latvia,  Hungary,  Slovakia,  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of 
Macedonia  and  Turkey,  the  most  common  annual  need-based  grants  do  not  exceed  EUR 1 000.  At 
the  other  end  of  the  scale,  in  six  systems (14),  grants  that  most  students  receive  are  between 
EUR 3 001  and  5 000,  and  in  three  countries (15)  the  most  common  amounts  exceed  EUR 5 000. 
Norway is gradually increasing student support (grants and loans) between 2017 and 2020 in order to 
enable full-time students to concentrate on studies. In Germany, but also in Finland and Norway, high 
grant amounts are coupled with no tuition fees. In the United Kingdom (Wales) and Switzerland, these 
grants need to be seen in the context of high study fees for full-time students.  

(11)  Germany, Estonia, Cyprus, Austria, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia 
(12)  Belgium,  Czech  Republic,  Greece,  Spain,  Croatia,  Cyprus,  Lithuania,  Luxembourg,  Malta,  Poland,  Portugal,  Romania, 

Finland, Sweden and United Kingdom (Scotland) 

In contrast, the maximum loan amount increased. 

(13) 
(14) 
(15)  Germany, United Kingdom (Wales) and Switzerland 

Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) and Norway 

18 

 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                          
K e y   P o i n t s  

Can students take out loans to finance their studies?  

29 of 42 education systems make it possible for students to take out repayable loans to finance their 
studies and/or living costs (see Figure 6). Nevertheless, only in 15 systems (16) do more than 5 % of 
students  actually  take  out  loans  –  ranging  from  7 %  of  students  in  Estonia  to  around  92 %  in  the 
United Kingdom (England). The share of borrowers also depends on whether eligibility is universal or 
restricted  in  some  way.  For  example,  in  Lithuania,  Slovakia,  Sweden  and  Norway,  study  intensity  is 
not a relevant criterion to take out a loan, while in other countries loans are available only to full-time 
students  or  students  with  defined  course  intensity.  In  Poland,  there  are  restrictions  based  on  family 
income and student age. In Montenegro and Serbia, eligibility depends on academic performance. In 
the Netherlands, eligibility for tuition fee loans has been extended from 2017: everyone under 55 can 
take out a loan to finance study fees. 

Maximum borrowable amounts need to be seen in the context of study fees and other elements of the 
support  system.  They  range  upwards  from  EUR 450  per  year  in  Montenegro  to  over  EUR 7 500  in 
Sweden. In the United Kingdom (Scotland) and Iceland, the amount of the loan is income-dependent, 
while in Bulgaria, Hungary (Loan 2 – fee loan, see National Sheets) and the United Kingdom (England 
– fee loan) the amount can match the study fee.  

Repayment conditions are one element that may influence the attractiveness of loans. The majority of 
countries reported that loans are guaranteed by the state/region and usually with favourable interest 
rates  (around  1-2 %).  Similarly,  the  majority  of  countries  require  students  to  start  loan  repayments 
one-two years  after  graduation.  The  exceptions  are  Serbia  (repayments  begin  immediately  upon 
graduation),  Hungary  (four months  after  graduation),  Sweden  (six months  after  the  diploma  is 
obtained), Norway (seven months after graduation) and Germany (four years after graduation). In the 
United  Kingdom  (England,  Wales  and  Northern  Ireland),  loan  repayment  starts  when  the  graduate 
obtains  employment  that  pays  above  a  'repayment  threshold'.  As  far  as  the  repayment  period  is 
concerned,  it  may  be  linked  to  the  legal  length  of  the  study  programme  –  twice  the  programme 
duration  in  Estonia  and  Finland,  and  equal  to  the  programme  length  in  Portugal  and  Turkey. 
Alternatively, it can be linked to a maximum age (40 in Hungary, 60 in Sweden) or set in years (from 
10 years in Bulgaria and Luxembourg to 35 years in the Netherlands).  

What support exists for students' families?  

Half  of  the  education  systems  have  indirect  support  arrangements  in  place  –  in  particular  family 
allowances and tax benefits (see Figure 10). This points to significant cultural differences in national 
support  systems.  The  main  distinction  is  that  countries  with  only  direct  support  systems  target  the 
individual  student,  while  countries  that  also  make  use  of  indirect  support  mechanisms  consider 
students as members of a family, and aim to provide support and incentives via students' families.  

(16)  Denmark,  Estonia,  Latvia,  Luxembourg,  Hungary,  Netherlands,  Sweden,  United  Kingdom  (England,  Wales,  Northern 

Ireland and Scotland), Iceland, Montenegro, Norway and Turkey 

19 

                                                            
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Figure 10: Indirect support to students studying in higher education, 2016/17 

Tax benefits 

Family allowances 

None 

Source: Eurydice.

In  thirteen  systems (17),  both  tax  benefits  and  family  allowances  are  available.  In  Estonia,  Ireland, 
Greece, Italy, Latvia, Malta and Slovenia, only tax benefit can be obtained by students' parents while 
in Luxembourg, only family allowances are possible. 

Family allowances and tax benefits are both usually linked to students' nationality/residence, age and 
financial  status.  Students  must  in  general  be  studying  full-time,  and  be  citizens  or  residents  of  the 
country/region.  They  should  usually  be  below  a  certain  age  (usually  between  23-26 years  of  age), 
without personal income and should live in the family home.  

In  addition,  in  France  and  Luxembourg  family  allowance  is  conditional  on  having  at  least  two 
dependent  children,  and  at  least  three  children  in  Lithuania.  In  Belgium  and  Germany,  family 
allowance is awarded for each studying child and increases by the number of eligible children. In the 
Czech Republic, Poland and Portugal, family allowance can be obtained only if the family's income is 
below a minimum income threshold.  

Tax  benefits  for  parents  of  students  in  higher  education  are  linked  to  parental  income,  and  benefit 
parents  with  sufficient  revenue  to  be  able  to  take  advantage  of  this  mechanism.  Only  Poland  and 
Portugal  have  tax  benefits  favouring  low-income  families.  Poland  sets  an  upper  ceiling  to  family 
income, and only families earning below this ceiling can receive benefits. In Portugal, the tax benefit is 
related to family income, with greater benefit for those with lower incomes. Tax benefits can also take 
various  forms  –  annual  deductible  lump  sums  per  studying  child  (the  Czech  Republic,  Germany, 
Latvia, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovakia and Liechtenstein), a tax-allowance – tax free income up to a 
certain  amount  (Belgium),  or  a  percentage  of  study  fees  can  be  deducted  from  parents'  personal 
income  taxes  (Italy  –  19 %,  Lithuania  –  15 %,  Portugal  –  30 %).  In  Greece,  students'  parents  are 
subject  to  a  lower  tax-rate.  In  the  Czech  Republic,  tax  benefits  for  parents  may  increase  from  2017 
retrospectively if policy plans are approved. 

(17)  Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland and Liechtenstein 

20 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
GUIDE TO THE NATIONAL SYSTEM INFORMATION SHEETS 

General Information 

The national system information sheets aim to give an overview of the public fee and support system. 
The  diagram  shows  the  main  characteristics  of  the  system,  while  the  text  aims  to  provide 
complementary  key  points  to  enable  the  reader  to  have  a  good  overall  understanding.  Information 
refers  to  public  or  government-dependent  private  higher  education  institutions  but  not  to  private 
higher  education  institutions.  Data  generally  refers  to  full-time  students.  'Part-time  student'  in  this 
report  refers  to  an  official  student  status  other  than  full-time  student.  Information  covers  students  in 
short  cycle  (at  ISCED 5  in  ISCED 2011),  first  and  second  cycle  programmes  provided  by  higher 
education institutions. Fee and support arrangements for doctoral students are not covered. Data on 
subsidised accommodation, transportation and canteens is also not included. 

Diagram 

  The range of fees covers full-time students and is shown by year in euro. Fees include all costs 
charged to students – including for tuition, registration, admission, certification and administrative 
fees  –  but  do  not  include  payments  to  students  unions.  Please  note  that  within  the  text  all 
references to costs are expressed in the national currency. Where information is converted into 
euros from a national currency, the exchange rates, calculated in September 2017 (1), are shown 
in the bottom right corner of the diagram. 

  The  values  of  fees  for  international  students  (i.e.  those  outside  EU/EFTA/EEA  –  depending  on 
national  definitions)  are  not  included  in  the  diagram.  However,  the  text  mentions  whether 
international students pay different fees than national/EU students.  

  The diagram differentiates fees by first and second cycle.  

  Support in the form of grants is differentiated by the concepts of  need-based and merit-based. 
Need-based  grants  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  an  assessment  of  the  financial  situation  of  the 
student  and/or  of  her/his  family.  Merit-based  grants  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  academic 
performance. This distinction reflects reality in the majority of countries.  

  The diagram includes three possible elements of student support systems that only appear when 

they are a main characteristic. These are: 

o  Loans: this element appears if there is a national student loan system, and more than 5 % of 
students take out a student loan. The share of students taking out the loan is also indicated. 

o  Tax benefits for parents: this element appears if there are tax benefits for parents of students 

in higher education. 

o  Family  allowances:  this  element  appears  if  parents  of  students  in  higher  education  receive 

family allowances.  

  The diagrams on both fees and support aim to provide a minimum, most common and maximum 
value  of  fees  and  grants  in  euro.  Where  a  given  value  exceeds  the  maximum  value  of  the 
standard  diagram,  two  forward-sloping  vertical  lines  indicate  that  the  diagram  scale  has  been 
exceeded and the value is shown in parenthesis.  

  The diagrams also show key statistical data on the percentage of full-time and part-time students 

paying fees and receiving grants. 

(1)  http://ec.europa.eu/budget/contracts_grants/info_contracts/inforeuro/index_en.cfm 

21 

                                                            
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

Text  

Fees 

This section contains key features of the fee system in the country, expressed in the national currency. 
It explains the nature and purpose of all fees charged – whether for tuition, enrolment, certification or 
other administrative costs. It also points out the categories of students and the share of full-time and 
part-time short, 1st and 2nd cycle students who are required to pay, or are exempt from paying fees.  

Support 

This  section  provides  an  overview  of  the  support  system  operating  in  the  country.  It  covers  grants, 
loans, tax benefits for students' parents or students themselves and family allowances.  

The intention is to explain the interplay of these elements in the national system and help to interpret 
the diagram. The text guides the reader to an understanding of the main mechanisms of the system. 
This may mean that some special support measures are not included in the description.  

Grants are provided in the national currency and differentiated between merit-based and need-based 
grants.  All  public  financial support  that does  not  need  to  be  paid back  (i.e. scholarships  and  grants) 
are  included,  with  the  exception  of  grants  for  study  abroad  (i.e.  mobility  grants).  Information  is  also 
presented on the proportion of students (in short, 1st and 2nd cycles and status) who receive grants. 
Need-based  grants  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  an  assessment  of  the  financial  situation  of  the 
student  and/or  of  her/his  family.  Merit-based  grants  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  academic 
performance.  

Loans are explained in this section – with information on the existence of a student loan system and 
the percentage of students that take out a loan. Information on the interest rate and modalities for the 
repayment of loans is also provided 

Tax benefit is any tax relief that is granted to parents whose child is a higher education student or in 
some  cases  to  students.  The  information  aims  to  cover  the  amount  of  the  tax  relief,  how  it  can  be 
claimed and who is eligible to apply. 

Family allowances for parents aim to provide information on their amount and their relevance in the 
overall student support system of the country. 

Planned Reforms 

This section contains brief information on any planned reforms that will alter significantly the public fee 
and  support  system.  The  reforms  to  the  regulatory  framework  are  restricted  to  concrete  measures 
that are already in the decision-making process.  

Reference year  

Information is presented for 2017/18 – the current academic year. Where information is not available 
for the reference year, this edition presents the most recent data available in the respective countries.  

With  regard  to  the  statistical  information  showing  the  percentages  of  fee-paying  students  or  grant 
holders, these diagram boxes typically show information from 2016/17 as exact numbers of students 
cannot be known ahead of the current academic year.  

22 

NATIONAL SYSTEM INFORMATION SHEETS 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom – England 

United Kingdom – Wales 

45 

46 

47 

48 

49 

50 

51 

52 

53 

54 

United Kingdom – Northern Ireland  55 

United Kingdom – Scotland 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Switzerland 

Former Yugoslav Republic of  
Macedonia 

Iceland 

Liechtenstein 

Montenegro 

Norway 

Serbia 

Turkey 

57 

58 

59 

60 

61 

63 

64 

65 

66 

67 

Belgium –  
French Community 

Belgium –  
German-speaking Community 

Belgium –  
Flemish Community 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Croatia 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

36 

37 

38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

43 

44 

23 

 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

BELGIUM – FRENCH COMMUNITY 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

83.3 % of students paid the maximum fee in the 
2015/16 academic year 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

836

836

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 399

4917

14.4 % of students 
received a grant in 2015/16 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 
 

Fee limits are set by the government of the French Community of Belgium and depend on the student's financial situation. 
The maximum fee in short cycle, first and second cycle programmes is EUR 836. Students receiving a grant do not pay 
fees. Students not receiving a grant but who are considered as belonging to a lower income group, pay an intermediate 
fee. There are some differences between university and non-university higher education institutions.  

 

 

 

 

 

In 2015/16, 83.3 % of the students paid the maximum fee, 2.3 % of students belonged to a lower income group and paid 
the intermediate fee, and 14.4 % of students did not pay any fee (and received a grant – see below). 

2016/17 was the last academic year when non-university higher education institutions could charge administrative fees in 
addition to registration fees, but the total amount cannot exceed EUR 836/year. Administrative fees range between EUR 0 
(for grant holders) and EUR 374 per year for students considered as belonging to a lower income group.  
There is no part-time student status in the French Community of Belgium. 

There  are  short-cycle  tertiary  programmes  (brevet)  in  social  advancement  education.  Some  students  (for 
example, unemployed or students with special needs) don't pay any fee.  

International students, defined as non-EU students, have to pay additional specific fees (droits d’inscription spécifiques). 
For  programmes  organised  by  university  colleges  and  arts  colleges,  fees  are  fixed  by  law:  EUR 992  for  professional 
programmes and EUR 1 487 for academic programmes in the first cycle; EUR 1 984 for second cycle programmes. For 
university programmes, the maximum amount should not exceed 5 times the registration fees. Non-EU students also pay 
the complementary registration and administrative fees. 

Support (2017/18)  
 

Public  need-based  grants  are  available  for  low  income  students.  In  2015/16  14.4 %  of  students  received  a  grant. 
Eligibility  is  restricted  to  students  under  35 years  of  age  upon  initial  registration.  Students  must  apply  for  this  financial 
benefit  each  year.  The  amount  granted  in  2016/17  ranged  from  EUR 399  to  4 917  per  year  depending  on  household 
income. The grant provider is the French Community of Belgium. There are no merit-based grants. 

 

 

 

Students' parents can take out a loan to finance studies if they have at least three dependent children. Very few take out 
a  loan  ((less  than  0.01 %  in  2016/17).  The  maximum  interest  rate  is  4 %.  Repayment  must  start  six  months  after 
graduation. 

Heads of family receive tax benefits which depend on the number of dependent children and relatives (including students 
with  no  income  enrolled  in  higher  education).  The  tax-free  minimum  earnings  threshold  is  increased  by  EUR 1 520  for 
one, EUR 3 900 for two, EUR 8 740 for three, EUR 14 140 for four and + EUR 5 400 for each subsequent child. 

Family  allowances  range  from  EUR 93.93  to  259.49/month  per  child  depending  on  the  number  of  children  under 25. 
Usually the mother of the student receives the allowance. The student should have no professional activity other than a 
student job for  more than 475 hours in a  year. Family allowances are paid to the  parent, relative or legal guardian  who 
actually supports the student. Responsibility for family allowances is at the Walloon Region and the Common Community 
Commission for the Brussels-Capital Region. 

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BELGIUM – GERMAN-SPEAKING COMMUNITY 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

All students pay EUR 450 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

100

 450

 600

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

321

 2709

In 2016/17, 25.7 % of students  
received a need-based scholarship 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Higher  education  provision  exists  only  at  the  first  cycle.  All  students  have  to  pay  fees  at  registration.  Amounts 
range in theory from EUR 100 to 600. In practice, all students pay the same  amount of EUR 450. The minimum 
and  maximum amounts  of  EUR 100  and  600 are  defined  by  the  German-speaking Community.  The HEI  defines 
the amount that students finally must pay.  

There is no part-time student status. 

There is no short or second cycle programme in the German-speaking Community of Belgium. 

International students, defined as students from outside the European Union, pay the same fees as Belgian and 
EU nationals. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Student  grants  are  need-based.  Parental  income  determines  eligibility,  and  students  must  be  35 years  old  or 
younger to be eligible. Annual grant amounts are between EUR 321 and EUR 2 709, and are paid by the Ministry 
of the German-speaking Community. In 2016/17, 25.7 % of students received a need-based scholarship. 

There are no merit-based grants available. 

Although Province guaranteed loans of EUR 1 000 are available for a full first cycle programme and EUR 1 500 for 
the second cycle, no students took out a loan in 2016/17. 

Heads of family receive tax benefits which depend on the number of dependent children and relatives (including 
students with no income enrolled in higher education). The tax-free minimum earnings threshold is increased by 
EUR 1 520  for  one,  EUR 3 900  for  two,  EUR 8 740  for  three,  EUR 14 140  for  four  and  +  EUR 5 400  for  each 
subsequent child. 

Family  allowances  range  from  EUR 93.93  to  259.49/month  per  child  depending  on  the  number  of  children 
under 25.  Usually  the  mother  of  the  student  receives  the  allowance.  The  student  should  have  no  professional 
activity other than a student job for more than 50 days in a year. Family allowances are paid to the parent, relative 
or  legal  guardian  who  actually  supports  the  student.  Responsibility  for  family  allowances  is  at  the  German-
speaking Community. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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BELGIUM – FLEMISH COMMUNITY 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

Nearly all students pay a fee  

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 107

906

 107

906

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 261

5442

About 21 % of first and second cycle students  
received a need-based grant in 2015/16 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

First and second cycle fees have two components: a fixed amount of EUR 234.1 and a flexible part that differs with the 
number of ECTS credits taken. For each credit point a fee of EUR 11.2 is charged. This means that on average for a full-
time student (60 ECTS points) the total fee is EUR 906. The amount of the fee varies with the income of (the parents of) 
the student. Students who are eligible for a grant pay EUR 106.9 per academic year, regardless of the number of ECTS 
credits  taken.  An  intermediate  tariff  of  EUR 234.1  (+  EUR 4.11  per  number  of  ECTS-credits  taken)  applies  to  students 
who almost meet the income criteria linked to a need-based  grant. The amount of the tuition fee is fixed in law (Codex 
Hoger Onderwijs). Students pay fees at the beginning of the academic year, when they register for the programme.  

There is no part-time student status.  

For  short-cycle  tertiary  programmes,  the  maximum  tuition  fee  of  EUR 1.50  per  teaching  hour  is  determined  by  the 
Flemish Government. Payment is made at registration. Some students (for example unemployed or students with special 
needs)  pay  no  fees,  or  reduced  fees  of  EUR 0.30  or  EUR 0.60  per  teaching  hour.  There  are  no  tuition  fees  for  the 
associate degree programme for nursing. 

International students, defined as non-EEA students, pay higher fees than EEA-students. These fees are determined by 
higher education institutions.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Student  grants  for  first  and  second  cycle  programmes  are  allocated  on  the  basis  of  economic  need.  Eligibility  is 
determined  by  the  income  of  the  parents  and/or  the  student.  Annual  amounts  typically  range  from  EUR 261.2  to 
EUR 4 042.25. A student is also entitled to an extraordinary  grant  of up to EUR 5 442.34 on the basis of extremely low 
income  and  lack  of  family  support.  There  are  no  student  grants  for  short-cycle  tertiary  programmes,  except  for  the 
associate  degree  programme  for  nursing,  with  typical  amounts  ranging  from  EUR 693.38  to  EUR 3 126.12.  Grants  are 
provided by AHOVOKS, an agency within the Ministry of Education. There are no merit-based grants.  

There is no student loan system. 

Heads of family receive tax benefits which depend on the number of dependent children and relatives (including students 
with  no  income  enrolled  in  higher  education).  The  tax-free  minimum  earnings  threshold  is  increased  by  EUR 1 520  for 
one,  3 900  for  two,  8 740  for  three,  14 140  for  four  and  +  5 400  for  each  subsequent  child.  The  tax  benefits  are 
determined by the Federal Public Service of Finance.  

Family allowances range from EUR 92.09/month to EUR 254.40/month per child, depending on the number of children in 
a family. The student should have no professional activity other than a student job for more than 240 hours per quarter in 
the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarter of the year. There are no limits for the third quarter of the year except in the last year of study. 
In this case students are limited to 240 hours. Usually the mother of the student receives the allowance, but they are paid 
to the parent, relative or legal guardian who actually supports the student. Responsibility is at the Flemish Community.  

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

BULGARIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

153

 767

256

 767

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

429

 920

358

 767

97.1 % of first cycle students pay fees 

12.2 % of full-time students receive grants 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 1.9558 BGN 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Public  higher  education  institutions  define  their  own  fees,  but  maximum  amounts  are  set  annually  by  the 
government. Student fees depend on the programme and field of study. The lowest fees are paid, for example, in 
social  sciences,  economics  and  law,  the  highest  fees  in  arts,  navigation  programmes.  Fees  entail  tuition, 
registration, admission, examinations and administration. 

First cycle fees in state universities, for full-time studies, range from BGN 300 to BGN 1 500 per year and for part-
time  studies  from  BGN 150  to  BGN 1 100.  Annual  second  cycle  full-time  study  fees  range  from  BGN 500  to 
BGN 1 500, and for part-time studies from BGN 370 to BGN 580. Certain categories of students are exempt from 
paying fees: orphans, persons with disabilities, war invalids and senior cadets in military schools.  

Full-time short cycle students pay from BGN 300 to BGN 1 600 per year. 

For international (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) citizens, students fee ranges are set by the government and depend on the 
study field. The actual amounts are defined by higher education institutions. They are usually higher than those paid 
by EU-students.  

Support (2017/18) 

  Grants/scholarships are available to full-time students in all study cycles. They are distributed by higher education 
institutions  based  on  their  specific  eligibility  criteria.  One  type  of  grant  must  contain  two  indicators:  academic 
performance  and  monthly  income  per  family  member  of  the  student  for  the  previous  six  months.  From  2016, 
universities  must  also  award  merit-based  grants  –  based  only  on  academic  performance.  Grant  amounts  ranges 
from BGN 70 to 150 per month, and in most cases are issued during 10 months. There is no support for part-time 
students. In 2016/17, 12.2 % of full-time students received grants. 

 

Full-time  first  and  second  cycle  students  who  are  EU/EEA/Swiss  citizens,  less  than  35 years  old  and  have  not 
interrupted their studies can apply for state guaranteed loans. The study loan may be equal to the tuition fee. The 
amount of loan to cover living costs is linked to the minimum wage. The interest rate cannot exceed 7 % at banks 
that  have  signed  an  agreement  with  the  government.  Repayment  is  due  one  year  after  graduation  and  must  be 
completed in 10 years. No information is available on the percentage of students taking out the loan. 

 

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances play no role in the student support system.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

CZECH REPUBLIC 

All students pay admission fees once per cycle 

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 4

 23

25

 234

25

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

1056

About 1 % of students receive a social scholarship 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 26.045 CZK 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

 

Students  (first  and  second  cycle)  studying  in  Czech  language  programmes  do  not  pay  tuition  fees.  The  fees 
shown in the diagram are admission fees and are paid once per cycle by all students. When students exceed the 
regular length of study by more than one year, they need to pay tuition fees. About 12 % of students paid this type 
of tuition fee in 2015. The minimum fee is CZK 9 810 per academic year. Exemptions are made for students who 
become  parents  during  their  studies.  The  minimum  fee  is  set  annually  by  the  Ministry  of  Education.  There  is  no 
maximum fee set by law. 

Students in programmes taught in foreign languages (approximately 2 % of the total) have to pay tuition fees. The 
fees are decided by each higher education institution with no maximum limit. Higher education institutions can also 
charge fees for the recognition of higher education qualifications obtained abroad. 

There is no part-time student status. 

There are no short cycle programmes. 

Fees  for  international  students,  i.e.  students  who  are  not  citizens  of  the  Czech  Republic,  are  the  same  as  for 
home students, as long as they study in the Czech language.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merit-based scholarships are granted by all public HEIs for excellence in studies, research, artistic and other activities. 
About  7 %  students  received  this  grant  for  excellent  study  results  in  2015/16  and  around  7 %  received  the 
scholarship for research, artistic and other activities. One student may receive both these types of scholarships. 

Scholarships to support accommodation expenses are granted to students from regions other than the seat of the 
higher education institution (CZK 5 400/year), with around 54 % receiving this scholarship in 2015/16.  

Social  scholarships  are  available  for  students  in  a  difficult  economic  situation.  The  minimum  amount  received  is 
CZK 27 500/year). The grant provider is the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. 

There are no publicly subsidised or market loans provided to finance studies. 

Family allowances may be awarded until the student reaches the age of 26 years. A child allowance of CZK 700 
per month is paid if the family's income is below 2.4 times the subsistence level.  

Tax benefits for parents are provided in the form of tax relief for each dependent child (students up to the age of 
26 years).  From  2016,  CZK 13 404/year  is  allowed  for  the  first  child,  CZK 17 004  for  the  second  child,  and 
CZK 20 604 for the third and fourth child. In case the child is disabled, the amount is multiplied by two.  

Planned Reforms 

 

Increasing tax benefits for parents is in the decision-making process. If approved, the new tax benefits will be valid 
retrospectively for 2017. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

DENMARK 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

No fees for full-time students 

85 % of full-time students 
receive grants 

Loans 

 1507

9703

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 7.4391 DKK 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

National and EU/EEA full-time short cycle, first and second cycle students do not pay any fees. 

All students studying in part-time courses pay fees set by higher education institutions, with a cautious minimum 
estimate of EUR 269. 

International students, defined as students from outside EU/EEA, pay fees set by higher education institutions. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

State grants are available to all full-time Danish students who are active in recognised educational programmes, 
and  whose  income  does  not  exceed  a  defined  amount  (DKK 12 071  in  2017)  in  the  month  where  the  student 
receives the grant. The minimum amount is DKK 934 per month for 12 months granted to students who live with 
their  parents.  The  maximum  amount  is  DKK 6 015  per  month  for  12 months  each  year  for  students  living 
independently. International students (EU and outside EU) must fulfil some special conditions to be placed on an 
equal footing with Danish citizens and receive state education support. 85 % of full-time students receive grants. 

Extra  grants  are  available  for  students  who  become  parents  when  they  live  with  another  recipient  of  education 
support (DKK 2 403) and for single parents (DKK 6 015). Additional grants of DKK 8 555 per month before taxes 
are  available  for  students  with  a  disability  when  the  disabled  is  not  able  to  work  while  studying.  The  amounts 
shown  are  for  the  year  2017  and  before  taxes.  The  fees  are  annually  regulated;  new  amounts  will  apply  for 
1 January 2018. All grants are taxable; the payable amount depends on individual circumstances. 

State  loans  of  DKK 3 078  per  month  are  available  to  all  full-time  students  who  are  entitled  to  a  state  grant. 
Supplementary  student  loans  for  students  who  are  parents:  DKK 1 540  per  month.  'End-loan'  for  students  who 
have used all their state grants and who have no more than 12 or 24 months left of their educational programme: 
DKK 7 940 per month. During the period of study, a 4 % annual interest rate applies. Students must start paying 
back no later than one  year after the end of  the calendar  year in  which they  graduate. The loan must be repaid 
within 15 years. 38 % of students make use of state loans.  

Part-time students are not eligible for state support. 

There are no tax benefits for parents or any family allowances.  

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

GERMANY 

Students pay only administrative fees, and only in 
some Länder  

Approximately 25 % of full-time students  
receive need-based support 

Loans | Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

 120

5568

8820

 3600

12420

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant (1) 

Merit-based 
grant 

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

In all German Länder, there are no tuition fees for either full-time or part-time students, in both first and second cycle. 
In 10 Länder, low administrative fees are charged to all students.  

Students in five Länder are liable to pay fees of EUR 500 (in Saarland, up to EUR 400) per semester when exceeding the 
regular study period.  

There is no short cycle higher education programme in Germany. 

From  2017/18,  international  students  in  Baden-Württemberg,  defined  as  students  from  outside  the  EU  and  EEA 
countries, have to pay EUR 1 500 per semester.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

General  public  student  support  (BAföG)  is  awarded.  This  support  is  for  one  half  of  the  individual  amount  awarded  as  a 
grant,  and  for  the  other  half  as  an  interest  free  loan.  Total  amounts  range  from  EUR 10  to  EUR 735/month  for 
12 months/year. It is available for full-time first and second cycle and comparable studies (e.g. state exam studies in law, 
medicine).  Eligibility  and  amount  are  determined  by  assessment  of  student  need  based  on  income,  family  situation, 
housing situation and disability. A maximum of EUR 10 000 needs to be paid back. The average amount paid in 2016 was 
EUR 5 568 per year (EUR 464 per month). Students need to be under the age of 30 (35 for master studies) to be eligible. 
Approximately 25 % of students receive need-based public student support. 

Different  types  of  merit-based  grants  are  awarded.  The  amount  awarded  is  often  determined  through  an  evaluation  of 
student need. Total amounts of scholarships range from EUR 300 to 1 035/month for 12 months/year. Additional support 
is determined by assessment of the family financial situation. Deutschlandstipendium (EUR 300 per month) and lump-sum 
fee for studies of Begabtenförderungswerke (EUR 300 per month) are given independently of economic conditions. About 
4 % of students receive merit-based grants (from public and private sources). 

An education loan (Bildungskredit) covers living costs which are not covered by BAföG. The maximum amount that can 
be taken out is EUR 7 200. Repayment of EUR 120 per month must start four years after the start of the loan. The Federal 
Government guarantees the repayment credit and the interest. A study loan with favourable terms (KfW-Studienkredit) of 
up to EUR 54 600 is also available. Both loans are paid out in monthly instalments. About 25 % of students take loans. 

Students'  parents  receive  a  monthly  family  allowance  (child  benefit)  of  EUR 192  (2018:  EUR 194)  for  the  first  two 
children, EUR 198 for the third (2018: EUR 200) and EUR 223 (2018: EUR 225) for any further child, or a lump sum tax 
relief of EUR 3 678 (2018: EUR 3 714) per annum, per child, per parent, until students are 25 years old.  

(1) 

Including integrated loan. See text.  

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

ESTONIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

About 21 % of of first and second cycle students paid fees in 2016/17 

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

50

50

7200

7200

E
U
R

E
U
R

22 % of first and second cycles students received need-based grants in 2016/17 

Loans | Tax benefits for parents 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 750

 2200

 1000

 3000

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All full-time first and second cycle students who achieve 30 ECTS per semester and 60 ECTS per year in the Estonian 
language curriculum can study without paying any fees.  

Higher  education  institutions  (HEIs)  have  the  right  to  charge  study  fees  to  first  and  second  cycle  students  who  obtain 
fewer credits – on any ECTS missing from a 100 % study load. The maximum cost of one ECTS is EUR 50. Higher fees 
are applicable in arts, medicine, veterinary, dentistry (EUR 100) and in aircraft piloting (EUR 120).  

Exceptions are made for certain groups of students including disabled students, students who are parents or guardians of 
a child under the age of 7, and parents of a disabled child.  

There is no short cycle programme within higher education institutions in Estonia. 

Higher education institutions have the right to demand a contribution to study costs from part-time students (10 % of the 
student  population  in  2016/17)  or  students  studying  in  other  languages  than  Estonian.  In  2016/17,  87 %  of  part-time 
students in first and second cycle paid fees. 

The same fees apply to international students, defined as non-EU/EEA students, as to national students.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In  general,  full-time  students  are  eligible  for  support.  The  grant  system  includes  need-  and  merit-based  support.  Need-
based grants vary from EUR 75 to 220 per month for 10 months per year depending on students and family income. From 
2014/15,  full-time  and  part-time  students  with  disabilities  and  students  growing  up  in  care  institutions  may  apply  for  a 
higher education scholarship. In the case of disabled students, the scholarship ranges from EUR 60-510 per month.  

Students  may  apply  for  a  merit-based  grant  of  EUR 100  per  month  based  on  excellent  study  results.  This  grant  was 
awarded  to  3.8 %  of  the  student  population  in  2016/17.  A  further  merit-based  grant  is  EUR 160  per  month  (1 600  per 
year).  For  computing  and  information  technology  curricula,  the  amount  of  the  grant  is  EUR 160-300  per  month 
(EUR 1 600-3 000  per  year).  Part-time  students  in  teacher  training  programmes  can  also  apply  for  a  speciality  grant. 
Approximately 6 % of all students received the speciality grant in 2016/17. 

The allocation of a need-based study allowance is organised by the Ministry of Education and Research. The merit-based 
grants  (achievement  stipend),  specialisation  stipend  and  needs-based  special  allowance  are  allocated  by  higher 
education institutions. The grants for students with special needs and the grant for students growing up in care institutions 
is organised by Foundation Archimedes, which is a public foundation authorised by Ministry of Education and Research. 

Estonian citizens or persons with a permanent residence permit, studying full-time for nine months or more have the right 
to obtain a state-guaranteed study  loan. The maximum amount is EUR 1 920/academic year, and 7 % of students took 
such  a  loan  in  2015/16.  The  interest  rate  is  5 %.  Repayment  must  start  within  a  year  after  graduation  (except  if  the 
student continues studies), and must be completed in double the nominal period of studies, if studies are finished without 
a qualification, repayment must be done in 1-1.5 the period of studies.  

Tax  benefits  for  parents  in  terms  of  deduction  of  the  training  expenses  can  be  obtained  for  students  below  26  and 
resident in Estonia.  

There are no family allowances in place.  

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

IRELAND  

60 % of full-time first cycle students pay student 
contribution and tution fees 

 3000

 4000

6000

(30000)

44 % of first cycle and 10 % of second cycle students 
received grants in 2015/16  

Tax benefits for parents  

 305

 3025

5915

 2000

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

All  full-time  first  cycle  students  pay  a  'student  contribution'  of  EUR 3 000  per  academic  year.  First-time 
undergraduates who are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and have been resident in EU/EEA/Switzerland for at least three 
of  the  five  years  are  exempt  from  full  tuition  fees.  Those  who  do  not  meet  the  'free  fees'  criteria  must  pay  a 
consolidated  fee  covering  both  tuition  fee  and  student  contribution  –  the  average  EU  consolidated  fee  is 
EUR 6 000. 

For the second cycle, the majority of students pay tuition fees that are set by higher education institutions, and 
that may reach EUR 30 000 per year. 

Fees  for  short  cycle  higher  education  programmes  are  set  by  individual  higher  education  institutions.  No 
information is available on the fee range. 

Part-time fees are generally half of full tuition fees for full-time programmes. 

International student (non-EU and non-EEA citizens) fees are generally two to three times higher than those of 
full EU fees and are set by the higher education institutions. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Need-based  grants  are  provided  to  full-time  students  by  the  Department  of  Education  &  Skills,  depending  on 
means,  family  size,  nationality  and  previous  academic  attainment  and  distance  from  institutions.  For  first  cycle 
students, the grant ranges from EUR 305 to 5 915 per academic year. Students who qualify for grants also have 
the  student  contribution  or  tuition  fees  paid  on  their  behalf.  Second  cycle  students  may  receive  a  grant  of 
EUR 2 000  to  cover  their  study  fees.  The  income  threshold  for  this  payment  is  EUR 31 500  for  the  2016/17 
academic  year,  increasing  relative  to  the  number  of  family  dependents.  Alternatively,  students  who  meet  certain 
qualifying  conditions  are  eligible  to  have  their  post-graduate  tuition  fees  paid  up  to  EUR 6 270.  Short  cycle 
students are not eligible.  

Bursaries  of  EUR 2 000  may  also  be  awarded  based  on  merit-  and  need-based  criteria.  0.05 %  of  first  cycle 
students received such bursaries. 

Tax relief is available for the expenses paid for tuition fees at a recognised higher education institution. Tax relief 
at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of certain full-time and part-time courses of higher education.  

There are no loans or family allowances available.  

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

GREECE 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

500

 1500

300

3625

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 1800

 3150

No fees in the first cycle  
(except the Hellenic Open University)  

 15000

No statistical data available on the percentage of 
students receiving support 

Loans  

Tax benefits 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 
 
 

First-cycle: students do not pay fees. Only students of the Hellenic Open University pay fees, which range from 
annual EUR 500 (maximum 3 courses per year) to EUR 1 500. Second cycle students pay fees ranging between 
EUR 300 and EUR 15 000, specified by higher education institutions, although in some second cycle programmes 
there are no fees. Following a new law (4 August 2017), some second cycle students may be exempted from fees 
according to their economic status.  

No differentiation in fees is made between full-time and part-time students.  
Fees for short cycle higher education programmes are set by individual higher education institutions. 
International students, defined as non-EU-students, do not pay fees for their first cycle studies. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are no standard grants. Depending on funds available from the state budget, European structural funds or 
private funds managed by IKY (State Scholarship Foundation), a call for applications for grants is published. For 
academic  years  2016/17  to  2019/20,  IKY  offers  to  3 685  undergraduate  students  per  year  a  nine-month  grant 
(EUR 200  per  month  for  students  studying  in  their  hometown  and  EUR 380  per  month  for  students  studying  in 
another  town).  Although  academic  performance  is  taken  into  account,  these  grants  are  largely  need-based  and 
enhance  participation  in  studies  for  disabled  students  and  students  from  disadvantaged  socio-economic 
backgrounds.  Awards  and  scholarships  may  be  offered  by  higher  education  institutions,  according  to  students' 
academic performance and financial status. Part-time students are not eligible for IKY grants. 
Grant/scholarships are also offered by research institutions/non-profit/benefit foundations to first, second cycle and 
PhD students. Eligibility/selection criteria are both need and merit based.  
The  scholarships  awarded  by  the  Hellenic  Open  University  cover  the  full  amount  or  part  of  the  student  fees  per 
academic year if a combination of economic, social and academic criteria is met by the student.  
Second cycle students may apply for state guaranteed loans until the age of 45 and if they meet academic and 
socio-economic criteria. Parents' guarantee for redeeming the loan to credit institutions is requested. Interest rate 
may  be  covered  by  the  Ministry  of  Education,  Research  and  Religious  Affairs  up  to  50 %  (Government  Gazette 
659/31-07-1996). The terms of loan are further determined by the credit institutions. There are no statistical data 
on the number of students who receive loans. The legal basis for a loan for first cycle studies is available, but the 
conditions have yet to be developed. 
First cycle students' parents may claim annual EUR 1 000 housing allowance. Only students who do not study in 
their hometown are eligible, provided that their family income does not exceed EUR 30 000.  
Tax benefits: Parents of those students in Greek public universities who do not have personal income are subject 
to lower tax rate. As a result, parent’s taxes are reduced and tax-free rate slightly increases. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

SPAIN 

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 714

1213

 1556

1298

 1894

 3211

Approximately 71 % of full-time students pay fees 

E
U
R

E
U
R

Approximately 30 % of full-time students receive grants 

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 200

 2166

6682

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

E
U
R

E
U
R

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

The amount of tuition fees is determined by the study field, the level (first or second cycle), the number of ECTS 
taken and the number of times a student has taken each subject. In addition, amounts differ between Autonomous 
Communities as each one has a different fee range. Each university also charges different administrative and other 
additional  fees. In  2015/16,  70 %  of  1st  cycle  full-time  students  paid  fees,  as well  as  80 %  of  2nd  cycle  full-time 
students.  Exemptions  from  fees  are  based  on  need  criteria.  Large  families  and  disabled  persons  have  very 
significant discounts, and may even be exempt.  

There  is  no  difference  in  fees  between  full-time  and  part-time  students.  In  the  first  cycle,  27.72 %  studies  part-
time, and in the second cycle, 17 %. 

Short cycle students are not required to pay any fees in most Autonomous Communities.  

International students, defined as non-EU students, who do not have resident status in Spain may have to pay 
fees, depending on the region. 

Support (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

The national  general grant  has  several  components.  Each  student  may  receive  one  or  more  of  the components 
depending  on  their  family  income  (grades  are  also  considered  in  one  of  the  components):  fixed  amount  of 
EUR 1 500  based  on  the  student’s  family  income;  fixed  amount  of  EUR 1 500  for  living  costs  for  students  living 
outside  the  family  home  during  their  studies  and  who  also  meet  certain  income  criteria;  and  a  variable  amount, 
based  on  the  student’s  family  income  and  grades.  The  minimum  variable  amount  is  EUR 60,  and  the  maximum 
amount varies from year to year, since it results from distributing among the applicants the money that is left over 
after paying all the other components. Full-time students can apply for all components. Part-time students can only 
apply for the minimum amount of the variable component (EUR 60). Distance education students can apply for the 
complete variable amount component. A component is also aimed at students whose family residence is located in 
the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, or the Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and whose university is located either 
in  another  one  of  those  locations  or  in  mainland  Spain.  This  component  ranges  from  EUR 442  to  937. 
Approximately 30 % of full-time students receive a grant. 

All first and second cycle students who receive a grant are also exempt from paying fees. However, the grant only 
covers those ECTS credits that the student takes for the first time (i.e. if a student has to re-take a subject, it won’t 
be covered by the grant the second and subsequent times). Short cycle students receive a 'basic grant' component 
of EUR 200. 

Grants are awarded on an individual level, and therefore each student receives a different amount. However, the 
average amount (2) for a grant in 2015/16 was EUR 2 165.92 (in addition to an exemption of fees). 
There are no loans, no tax relief for parents and no family allowances available.  

(2)  For Spain, the value marked as ‘most common’ for the need-based grant, refers to the mean amount. 

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

FRANCE 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

184

256

60.8 % of students pay fees 

E
U
R

E
U
R

In 2016/17, 39.2 % of students receive need-based grants 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 900

 1800

5551

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

The amount of the annual tuition fee is fixed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The annual fee in HEIs 
which deliver National Diplomas is EUR 184 in higher education short cycle and first cycle (L1, L2, L3) and EUR 256 in 
the second cycle (M1, M2). In addition, a fee of EUR 217 per year is charged to all students aged 20-28. These fees are 
related to the social security system. Universities may charge enrolment fees which go beyond the national fees set by the 
Ministry  of  Higher  Education  and  Research  in  three  main  cases:  (a)  for  diplomas  that  are  not  recognised  as  National 
Diplomas,  (b)  for  optional  additional  services  offered  by  the  university,  (c)  registration  fee  adjusted  to  family  resources. 
Approximately 61 % of full-time students pay fees. Students who obtain need-based grants are exempt from tuition fees.  

Fees  in  the  grandes  écoles  and  engineering  schools  vary,  but  the  most  common  amount  is  EUR 610  per  year  –  not 
including  fees  related  to  social  security  (EUR 217)  and  partnerships  with  universities.  Tuition  fees  in  some  institutions 
reach up to EUR 10 000 per year, depending on family income. However, there are also grandes écoles which not only 
deliver  education  without  charging  any  fees,  but  may  even  pay  some  students  (such  students  are  prospective  civil 
servants and receive a wage from the State), e.g. in école polytechnique and écoles normales supérieures. 

No differentiation is made between full-time and part-time students. 

Fees for short-cycle students vary between EUR 0 and EUR 184.  

International students, defined as non-EU students, pay the same fees as EU and domestic students. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants are awarded to short, first and second cycle students on the basis of financial need. Students need to be less than 
28 years  of  age.  The  annual  amount  awarded  for  need-based  grants  depends  on  an  assessment of  social  criteria,  with 
students classified into nine categories based on family income. All grant holders receive free tuition and a waiver from 
social  security  contributions.  In  2016/17,  the  amount  of  the  annual  grant  ranged  from  EUR 0  (for  lower  middle-class 
students who only receive a fee waiver and a waiver from social security contributions) to EUR 5 551. An additional grant 
amounting to annual EUR 1 009 is available for the most deprived (based on family income) lower middle-class students. 
In 2016/17, 39.2 % of the student population received a grant. 

Students who receive a need-based grant can also get a complementary merit-based grant (based on school performance 
from the baccalauréat results) which amounts to EUR 900 per year. Specific and occasional support is also available. The 
Ministry is the grant provider. Grants are run by the Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CROUS). 

State  guaranteed  loans  up  to  an  annual  maximum  of  EUR 15 000  are  also  available  for  all  EU/EEA  students  aged 
under 28. Loans are guaranteed by a special fund 'OSEO'. Less than 0.1 % of university students take out such a loan. 
Interest rates are defined by banks. Repayment must start 2 years after graduation, but early redemption of interests is 
possible. 

Parents  are  eligible  for  tax  relief  if  students  are  financially  dependent  on  them,  and  are  less  than  25  years  old.  The 
amount of tax relief is proportional to the amount of taxable income of the household. Students below 26 are also eligible 
for tax relief. 

Family allowances are paid for two or more dependent children that are under 20 years old. The amount for families with 
two children is EUR 129.86 per month (less for high income families).  

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N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

CROATIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

1012

1012

 1457

60 % of full-time students pay fees 

About 4 % of full-time students  
receive state-funded grants 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 10500 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 7.4135 HRK 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2016/17) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees (entailing tuition, and examination) for all full-time students in the first year of short, first and second cycle 
programmes are fully covered by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. Fees are also covered in full for all 
non-first year students who achieved 55 ECTS or more in the previous academic year. 

Full-time  students  who  do  not  fulfil  the  criteria  for  fee-exemption  pay  either  the  full  fee  or  a  part  of  the  fee, 
depending  on  the  criteria  set  by  the  individual  Higher  education  institutions  (HEIs).  Various  categories  of 
disadvantaged students are allowed different types of fee exemption or state-funded support. 

The share of fee-paying students has been roughly constant for the past few  years: full fees are covered by the 
government for about 40 % of students, while about 60 % of students participate in fees to some extent. 

The full fees for all study programs range from HRK 3 700 to 7 500 per  year. The maximum fees are set by the 
government. 

Part-time students, constituting 28 % of total student population, all pay full fees.  

Short-cycle students pay fees between HRK 0 and HRK 7 500. 

International students, defined as students from outside the EU, also pay full fees.  

Support (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

 

Student  grants  are  available  to  full-time  students  of  first,  second  and  short-cycle  study  programmes.  Part-time 
students  are  not  eligible  to  apply  for  state-funded  grants.  About  4 %  of  full-time  students  receive  state-funded 
grants. 

Student  grants are  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Science and  Education  and  Foundation  for  the  Support  to  Pupils’ 
and Students’ Standard. Grants are awarded according to need-based criteria such as students' household income 
per household member or type and level of student’s disability. The total annual amount of the grant is HRK 10 800 
(HRK 1 200  per  month  during  nine months).  In  the  academic  year  2015/16,  the  ministry  provided  about  5 200 
grants.  

Universities provide additional grants for full-time students, based on merit-based criteria, such as the number of 
ECTS achieved in the past years of study and the grades obtained. The grant amounts and distribution criteria are 
determined autonomously by the universities.  

Further grants for students are provided by a number of regional and local governments. 

There are no loans, tax benefits for parents or family allowances available.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS (3)  

ITALY 

About 90 % of 1st and 2nd cycle students paid fees in 
2015/16 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

200

 1316

 2401

200

 1467

 2488

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 1929

 3248

5118

9.4 % of 1st and 2nd cycle students 
received grants in 2015/16 

Tax benefits for parents 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common (4) 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher  education  institutions  (HEIs)  define  their  fees  at  the  beginning  of  the  academic  year,  differentiating 
according to the students' socio-economic background, field of studies, cycle, study status – full-time or part-time – 
and  year  of  registration.  HEIs  are  obliged  to  exempt  students  benefiting  from  student  support,  and  may  also 
exempt on the basis of merit. The total fee income at the end of financial year should not be higher than 20 % of 
public funding. In 2015/16, around 90 % of first and second cycle full-time students paid fees.  

From  the  2017/18  academic  year,  universities  cannot  request  additional  fees.  The  amount  of  the  annual 
contribution is established by a regulation approved by each university respecting fairness, and progressiveness in 
the amounts charged (Law 232/2016, paragraph 254). Under the provisions of this law, students with an ISEE (5) 
declaration of up to EUR 13 000 are exempt from fees for teaching, administrative and scientific services. 

Part-time students pay proportionally less than full-time students. 

Fees for short cycle higher education programmes vary depending on the provider. 

International students, defined as students from outside EU/EFTA/EEA, pay the same fees as national students.  

Support (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

Public  grants  are  allocated  on  the  basis  of  both  economic  need  and  academic  merit.  The  amount  depends  on 
whether the student lives with her/his parents and is defined, within the range mentioned in the diagram above, by 
the regional authorities. The ministry sets the minimum and maximum amount of the grant for each new academic 
year.  For  2017/18,  the  minimum  amount  of  the  grant  is  EUR 1929.22  and  the  maximum  amount  of  the  grant  is 
EUR 5 118.36. In 2015/16, 9.43 % of first and second cycle full-time students received a grant. 

Tax benefits. A deduction of 19 % of the amount of expenses for attending higher education can be made. Tax 
benefits are applicable as long as the child is tax dependent on his/her parents. 

There are 'honour loans' available to students to undertake their university studies. Universities have agreements 
with banks and guarantee the loans. Less than 1 % of students take out a loan.  

There are no family allowances.  

(3)  The fee and grant amounts shown in the diagram are calculated on the basis of the most recent statistical data available 

(2015-2016). 

(4)  For Italy, the amount referred to as 'most common' in the graph means average amount of fees or grants.  
(5) 

'ISEE' is the Equivalent Economic Condition Indicator to assess a family's economic condition. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

CYPRUS 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 1450

 3692

 3000

 4000

EU students  
do not pay fees in the 1st cycle 

5125

10250

2 % of students received merit-based grant and  
10 % need-based grant in 2014/2015 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Cypriot and EU students do not pay fees in public universities for the first cycle of studies (Bachelor Level). The 
fees are covered by the Cyprus government 

For the second cycle, all students, both Cypriot and EU-students pay fees which range from EUR 5125 to 10 250 
per year.  

Part-time students pay the same amount as full-time students. 

There is no short cycle education programme in public higher education.  

International students pay fees. Fees for first cycle students admitted from non-EU countries are EUR 3 417 per 
semester or EUR 6 834 per year.  

Support (2017/18) 
 

A  'student  grant'  can  be  awarded  to  short  cycle  and  first  and  second  cycle  students  to  support  their  studies  in 
Cyprus  or  abroad.  To  be  eligible  students  must  have  resided  in  Cyprus  for  at  least  five  years  before  enrolment. 
The amount of the grant is based on family income. The annual amount ranges from EUR 1 450 to EUR 3 420.  

The 'student allowance' is a targeted need-based grant to cover living costs, books, rental and computer expenses 
of first cycle students based on their socioeconomic status. The amount is EUR 3 692 per year. The grant provider 
is the Student Welfare Service, established under the Ministry of Education and Culture which and responsible for 
both the 'student grant' and the 'student allowances'. 

The  State  Scholarship  Foundation  awards  scholarships  based  on  students'  academic  performance  and  socio-
economic  status.  Students  studying  in  first  cycle programmes  may  receive up  to EUR 3 000  per  year,  in  second 
cycle programmes EUR 4 000 per year, and EUR 4 000 in a PhD programme (third cycle).  

 

Study loans are available only for owners of property in the northern part of Cyprus. This is a state loan for first, 
second  and  third  cycle  students  who  study  in  Cyprus  or  abroad.  The  annual  amount  ranges  from  EUR 1 700  to 
8 000  and  should  cover  living  expenses  and  tuition  fees.  Repayment  in  general  starts  one  year  after  graduation 
and should be completed within 20 years. The interest rate of the loan is 1.75 %. Around 1.5 % of students take 
out the loan. 

 

There are no tax benefits for parents nor are there any family allowances.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

LATVIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

35 % of full-time 1st cycle and 2nd cycle students pay fees 

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 1100

 2000

5200

 1300

 2500

6900

E
U
R

E
U
R

8 % of 1st cycle and 2nd cycle students receive merit-based grants 

Loans | Tax benefits for parents 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

199

 996

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

There  are  two  types  of  financial  status  for  students:  state-funded  and  self-financed.  Students  studying  on  state 
subsidised  places  do  not  pay  fees.  These  places  are  allocated  on  the  basis  of  academic  merit  –  currently  more 
state-funded study places are available in priority areas: natural sciences, computer sciences and engineering.  

51.5 % of first cycle students and 35 % of second cycle students (both full and part-time) are self-financing and pay 
fees. Almost all part-time students pay fees. Study fees entail tuition and examinations, and some administration. 
There are small additional registration fees and fees for production/printing of the diploma document.  

Each  higher  education  institution  (HEI)  sets  its  own  fees.  Fees  tend  to  be  lower  in  regional  HEIs  and  are  the 
highest in Riga. In the first cycle, annual fees range from EUR 1 100 to 5 200 for full-time and from EUR 900 to 
2 900 for part-time studies, while in the second cycle, from EUR 1 300 to 6 900 for full-time and EUR 900 to 1 230 
for  part-time  studies.  Fees  for  long-cycle  programmes  range  from  EUR 2 600  to  EUR 12 500  per  year.  Students 
from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds can be moved to a state-funded study place.  

32 %  of  short-cycle  tertiary  or  college  programmes  students  pay fees  ranging  from  EUR 1 100  to 4 200  for  full-
time studies per year and EUR 550 to 1 600 for part-time studies per year.  

Fees for international students (students from outside EU/EEA) are higher, ranging from EUR 1 100 to 14 000, 
as are fees in programmes provided in English.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Public  grants,  primarily  based  on  academic  merit,  are  available  only  to  full-time  students  studying  on  state-
subsidised  study  places.  Recently,  more  need-based  criteria  are  taken  into  account,  including  disability,  orphan 
status, students from large families or in economic need. The amounts are EUR 99.60/month (for 10 months) for 
the  first  and  second  cycle.  In  2016/17,  approximately  13 %  of  first  cycle  students,  8 %  of  second  cycle  students 
and  8 %  of  short-cycle  students  received  this  support.  Universities  fund  special  grants  for  students  from 
economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Once per semester a need-based grant of EUR 99 can be provided. 

Two types of  loans exist: the first to cover tuition costs and the second, capped at EUR 170.74/month, to cover 
living costs. Repayment needs to start 11 months after the end of the degree programme. In 2016/17, 10.7 % of 
fee-paying  students  took  out  a  loan,  and  this  percentage  is  in  decline  since  2009.  The  state  covers  loans  for 
students  studying  in  fields  considered  significant  for  national  economic  development.  Loans  are  administered  by 
credit institutions, selected after interest rate auctions. Every loan agreement has its own interest rate.  

Tax  benefits  of  EUR 213.43  per  year  are  awarded  to  parents  and  students  (payers  of  personal  income  tax).  A 
parent has additional personal income tax relief for a child under 24 studying in higher education. 

There are no family allowances.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

LITHUANIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

1073

 2262

38 % of students pay fees 

11576

 12570

E
U
R

E
U
R

3 % of students receive a need-based grant; 11 % receive a merit-based grant 

Loans | Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 124

 1482

 8

 285

 2168

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two basic types of financial status for students: state-funded and self-financed. The Ministry of Education and 
Science determines the maximum amount of fees that it will cover for each study  field and form of study (full-time/part-
time). However, higher education institutions (HEIs) have the autonomy to set their own fee levels. Students studying in 
state-funded places do not pay fees. In 2017, legal provisions for the criteria of a 'good student' entered into force, and 
only  students  with  sufficient  academic  performance  will  be  eligible  for  state  funding.  The  HEIs  will  set  the  evaluation 
period which is no longer than one academic year. 

38 % of full-time first and second cycle students pay fees. Some HEIs may reduce tuition fees for socially disadvantaged 
or other students. 

Annual  first-cycle  fees  range  from  EUR 1 073  to  11 576  for  full-time,  and  from  EUR 715  to  7 717  for  part-time  studies. 
Annual second cycle fees range from EUR 2 262 to 12 570 for full-time and from EUR 1 508 to EUR 8 380 for part-time 
studies.  

There is no short cycle higher education in Lithuania. 

HEIs can set different fees for international students, defined as citizens of non-EU and non-EEA countries. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

There are three main types of grant available for both first and second cycle students:  

1) Academic achievement scholarships are awarded to around 11 % of students. Amounts range from EUR 8 to 2 168 per 
year, with EUR 285 the most common for full-time and EUR 190 for part-time students. The scholarship period varies from 
1 to 12 months. 2) Social scholarships of EUR 123.5 per month are awarded to around 3 % of students, and support low 
socio-economic  background,  disabled  students  and  orphans.  The  scholarship  period  is  up  to  12 months.  3) Study 
scholarships may be provided to high performing self-financing students in both public and private HEIs. In 2016, approx. 
0.2 % of students in public HEIs received such support. The maximum grant amount is determined by the maximum fees 
that the Ministry agrees to cover for state supported students.  

 

 

 

 

Self-financing first cycle students who have completed the first two academic years or the rest of the programme with the 
best  results  may  be  reimbursed  their  tuition  fees.  The  maximum  number  of  students  who  receive  this  support  may  not 
exceed 10 % of the state-funded student cohort. In 2016, approx. 4.8 % of first cycle and 'integrated studies' fee-paying 
students received reimbursement. From 2017, students in second cycle and integrated programmes will be also eligible 
for  reimbursement.  The  fees  will  be  reimbursed  annually.  The  new  regulation  applies  to  students  who  entered  studies 
from 2017. 

In 2016, about 4.9 % of all students took out a state-supported loan. Approximately three quarters of loans were issued to 
cover tuition fee  costs, and about one quarter for  living expenses with less than 1 % for studies abroad.  The maximum 
lending amount to cover study fees is the annual study fee; for living expenses the range is between EUR 950-1 900. The 
total amount should not exceed EUR 14 630 excluding interest. The loan repayment must start one year after the end of 
studies. The term of loan repayment is 15 years.  

Tax benefits for students' parents (and the student) who pay the tuition fees are eligible for an annual income tax refund, 
if the student is awarded his/her first degree. The income tax refund is up to 15 % of the paid tuition fee.  

Students' parents can get family allowances if the family has three or more children under 18 years and/or older children 
who are full-time students (until 24 years old). The allocation depends on the difference between state supported income 
(non-taxable EUR 153) and the family’s income.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

LUXEMBOURG 

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

400

 800

400

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 1000

 2000

5800

All students pay fees 

(18000)

About 62 % of resident students  
received need-based grant in 2014/15 

Loans | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

All  students  pay  fees,  as  defined  by  higher  education  institutions.  First  cycle  students  pay  an  enrolment  fee  of 
EUR 400 for semesters 1 and 2, and EUR 200 for semesters 3 to 6. Fees for bachelor programmes where only the 
first  two  semesters  are  taught  in  Luxembourg  (Medicine,  Pharmacy  and  English),  amount  to  EUR 200  per 
semester.  

In  the  second  cycle,  for  80 %  of  the  Master  programmes  at  the  University  of  Luxembourg,  students  pay 
EUR 400/year. Only students in Banking, Finance and Wealth management pay the maximum yearly fees. 

Enrolment fees for short cycle programmes 'Brevet de technicien supérieur' are EUR 100 per semester. 

The same fees apply to part- and full-time students. 

International students pay the same fees as national students. 

Support (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

 

Financial aid is a 'package' including a grant only, a grant plus loan, or only a loan, depending on the income of 
the  student.  The  maximum  financial  support  amount  (grant  and  loan  together)  that  a  student  can  receive  per 
academic year is EUR 19 950. In the first cycle, the support duration is one year longer than the official duration. In 
the  second  cycle,  the  support  duration  equals  the  official  duration.  About  62 %  of  resident  students  received  a 
need-based grant in 2014/15. 

The higher education grants are open to all resident students, and to non-residents according to conditions related 
to working in Luxembourg. Grants are provided by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The eligibility 
criteria are the same for all students (short cycle, first cycle, second cycle), including mobile students studying in 
another  country.  The  basic  grant  is  EUR 2 000  per  academic  year,  without  any  condition.  The  mobility  grant  is 
EUR 2 450  per  academic  year,  for  students  who  attend  higher  education  in  another  country  and  have 
accommodation expenses. The social criteria grant goes from EUR 0 to EUR 3 800, depending on the income of 
the student’s family. Registration fees vary from EUR 0 to EUR 1 850 (as grant) and from EUR 0 to EUR 1 850 (as 
loan). No merit-based grants are available. 

State guaranteed student loan: a EUR 6 500 basic loan is awarded to each resident student per academic year. 
The loan amount increases if the student does not receive a full or partial social grant. Reimbursement starts two 
years after having completed or stopped studies, and must be completed in 10 years.  

Family  allowances:  EUR 500  are  awarded  if  another  child  from  the  same  household  is  eligible  for  financial 
support for higher education (EUR 500 per studying child and per academic year). 

Tax benefits are not available.  

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HUNGARY 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 752

 1505

 981

 1636

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 27

779

 39

 327

 3248

 3271

35 % of students paid fees in 2016/17 

 13871

8833

37 % of state-funded students received merit-based 
grants and 21 % received need-based grants (2016) 

Loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common  

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 305.68 HUF 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2016/17) 
 

There  are  two  basic  types  of  financial  status  for  students:  state-funded  students  do  not  pay  fees,  and  self-financed 
students  do.  State-funded  places,  available  for  both  full-  and  part-time  students,  are  awarded  through  a  centralised 
admissions  procedure  primarily  based  on  academic  performance  but  where  some  weight  is  given  to  disadvantaged  and 
disabled students. In 2016, 65.1 % of students were state-funded.  

 

 

 

 

Higher education institutions (HEIs) set fees for self-financed students for the different levels and fields of study within the 
fee interval set by the government. Fees range from HUF 230 000 to 4 240 000 in the first cycle and from HUF 300 000 to 
2 700 000  in  the  second  cycle.  The  fees  are  between  HUF 300 000  and  2 700 000  in  undivided  master  programmes. 
35 % of students paid fees in 2016/17. 

Annual  part-time  student  fees  range  between  HUF 230 000  to  1 500 000  for  first  cycle,  HUF 300 000  to  1 000 000  for 
second cycle studies.  

For full time short cycle programmes, the fees vary from HUF 140 000 to HUF 400 000. 

All international students, defined as non-EU/EEA students, pay fees. Information on fee-ranges is not available. 

Support (2016/17) 

  Grants are provided by the state and managed by the HEIs. Need-based grants are paid for 10 months/year. Only full-time 
state-funded students are eligible. For students with one living parent and those under legal guardianship until the age of 
18,  the  grant  is  HUF 119 000  per  academic  year.  For  multiple  disadvantaged  students,  orphans,  students  supporting 
dependents or those from a large family, it is HUF 238 000 per academic year. Disadvantaged students can also apply for 
the Bursa Hungarica scholarship jointly financed by municipalities and higher education institutions with an average value 
of HUF 21 300. Both fee-paying and state-subsidised students are eligible. In autumn of the 2016/17 academic year, 7.7 % 
of all first and second cycle students received this scholarship. One-off initial and emergency grants are also available.  

  Merit-based grants are available to full-time state-funded students, and a maximum of 50 % can receive this support. The 
minimum amount is HUF 59 500/academic year. Another merit based 'Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic' is granted to 
a maximum 0.8 % of state-funded students with a value of HUF 340 000/academic year. 37 % of the state-funded students 
received merit-based grants and 21 % received need-based grants (Oct. 2016).  

 

Two government-subsidised loans are available. The first one, with a maximum duration of five years (longer for subjects 
such  as  medicine),  is  for  both  state-funded  and  fee-paying  students,  and  has  a  maximum  amount  of  HUF 50 000/month 
(HUF 60 000 for certain categories of disadvantaged student) for a period of 10 months/year. 7 % of students took this loan 
in 2016/17. The second loan (Loan 2) can only be spent on fees. 19 % of eligible students took this loan in 2016/17. Fee-
paying students can take out both loans simultaneously. Loan repayment must start four months after the end of student 
status, and by the age of 40, with repayment linked to personal income. The interest on Student Loan1 is 3.35 % till 1 July. 
The interest rate on Student Loan 2 is 3.9% until 1 July, but the interest rate paid by the students is 2 %. The rest of the 
interest rate is supported by the state. 

 

There are no tax benefits for parents or family allowances available. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

MALTA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

400

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 1342

3642

Short cycle and 1st cycle full-time EU students pay 
only enrolment fees once per cycle 

 14500

All EU students following short cycle or  
1st cycle full-time courses receive grants 

Tax benefits for parents 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

All short cycle and first cycle students pay an enrolment fee of EUR 400. No additional fees apply for Maltese and EU/EFTA/EEA nationals following first-
cycle full-time and part-time day courses at the University of Malta, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). Part-time evening courses are 
offered by the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and are self-financing (EUR 900/year tuition fee). 97 % of 
first-cycle students follow a day course while 3 % follow a part-time evening course. 

In the second cycle, the most common annual tuition fee is EUR 400 for all Maltese and EU nationals at the University of Malta. No fee applies if the second 
cycle programme is required to practise a profession. Students following second cycle courses offered jointly with foreign universities pay higher fees. Annual 
fees  for  full-time  evening  courses  range  from  EUR 400  to  EUR 14 500  (most  common  is  EUR 400).  Annual  tuition  fees  for  part-time  studies  range  from 
EUR 400 to EUR 3 750 (most common is EUR 400). 51 % of second-cycle students follow a full-time day course while 49 % study on a part-time basis. 

Apart from the enrolment fee, there is no fee for EU/EFTA/EEA nationals in full-time short cycle programmes at the University of Malta, the Malta College of 
Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and  the Institute for Tourism  Studies (ITS). Students  in part-time short cycle programmes  pay EUR 900 per year. 
74 % of students following a short-cycle programme study on a full-time basis while 26 % study on a part-time basis. 

International students, defined as students coming from outside EU/EFTA/EEA pay fees, and these are higher than those paid by Maltese and EU nationals. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

All short and first-cycle full-time students (Maltese EU/EFTA/EEA) receive a student maintenance grant, provided by the Government of Malta. Students in 
'prescribed courses' (listed in Legal Notice 372 of 2005) obtain an annual grant of EUR 698.81 and ten stipend instalments of EUR 153.37 every four weeks 
between  October  and  June.  Those  in  other  full-time  programmes  ('general  courses')  receive  an  annual  grant  of  EUR 465  plus  ten  stipend  instalments  of 
EUR 87.64 every four weeks between October and June. At the start of studies, a one-time grant of EUR 698.81 or EUR 465.87 respectively, is also given to 
these students. Maintenance grants are awarded only to those following second-cycle courses leading to a regulated profession. Student maintenance grant 
increases pro rata on a yearly basis to reflect the national Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). From 2017, students who undertake an additional year beyond 
the standard programme duration will receive a stipend for this year and hence, will be regarded as students who repeat a year in their course. Students who 
do not graduate from or continue the higher education programme but enrol in courses that lead to a qualification at the same or lower MQF (6) level may 
continue to receive their stipend for an additional year.  

Students who, due to proven hardship, qualify for a supplementary maintenance grant receive ten instalments of EUR 294.27 every four weeks, instead of the 
regular stipend. Students in a 'general course' receive an annual grant of EUR 465.87 while students in 'prescribed courses' receive EUR 689.81. In 2017, 
students' household income threshold for being eligible for the supplementary grant increased (income (family rate – EUR 12 700, single rate – EUR 9 100, 
single  parent  rate  –  EUR 10 500).  Students  with  disabilities  as  well  as  students  residing  in  Church  homes  and  conservatories,  among  others,  will  be 
automatically  eligible  for  student  maintenance  grants,  including  the  supplementary  assistance.  84 %  of  all  students  receive  a  stipend  while  5 %  receive  a 
supplementary grant. 

Several scholarship schemes are available for students to pursue studies both abroad and locally.  

Parents whose children are in tertiary education benefit from an annual tax rebate of between EUR 150 and EUR 840 until their children are 23 years of age. 
Part-time or working students are not eligible for tax reductions. 

No loans and no family allowances are in place.  

(6)  Malta Qualifications Framework 

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS (7)  

NETHERLANDS 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First cycle 

Second cycle 

 2006

 2006

Need-based grant 

Merit-based grant 

3900

4656

All students pay fees 

E
U
R

E
U
R

18 % of new entrants enrolled in full-time first cycle 
programmes since 2015/16 received need-based grants 

Loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

 Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

  Fees are determined centrally (currently EUR 2006 for 2017/18) and have to be paid by all bachelor and master students. The fee covers 
tuition, registration, admission, examination, certification etc. Students in part-time programmes (15 % of the student population at Universities 
of Applied Sciences and 1 % at universities) or programmes combining study and work (dual courses) pay between EUR 1 185 and 2 006 
upon the decision of the higher education institution. HEIs can decide on reduced fees for some categories of students.  

  The fees of a second bachelor or master in higher professional education are on average between EUR 6 500 and 7 000, while fees for a 
second  university  bachelor  are  on  average  EUR 8 000,  with  a  maximum  of  EUR 32 000  for  medicine.  The  amount  for  a  second  university 
master  is  about  EUR 12 000,  with  a  maximum  of  EUR 32 000  for  economics  (one  programme)  and  health  care  programmes,  including 
medicine. 

  Short-cycle programmes leading to the Associate Degree are offered by universities of applied sciences. The fee for these programmes is 

 

the same as for a regular bachelor or master: EUR 2 006 for 2016/17.  
International students – outside the EEA, Surinam or Switzerland – pay non statutory fees determined by the higher education institutions 
without any guidelines from the Ministry. 

Support (2017/18) 

  Students enrolled in higher professional education or university since 1 September 2015 can apply for a state loan – maximum of EUR 1 035 
per month. This is composed of two loans: one to cover living costs, with a maximum of EUR 868 per month and the other of EUR 167 per 
month to cover tuition fees (amounts per September 2017).  

  Students can take out loans from the starting date of their study during the normal study period and in the case of study delay for a further 
three years. The loan repayment period is 35 years. The amount to be repaid per month depends on the size of the loan, personal income and 
interest rates (0.0 % in 2017). When income is below the minimum wage no loan repayments are required. After 35 years, outstanding debt is 
waived. It is also possible to reduce payments when income decreases by at least 15 %. In 2016/17, 46 % of students received loans. 

  From 1 August 2017: Tuition fees loan for everyone under 55: To encourage lifelong learning, everyone under 55 can apply for a study loan to 

pay their tuition fees. For higher professional education and university, this measure took effect on 1 September 2017. 

  Depending on parental income, a need based grant, provided by the Dutch state, is available to a maximum of EUR 388 per month. This does 
not need to be repaid if the student graduates within 10 years. On average all students with a need based grant in 2016 received an annual 
amount of ca. EUR 3 100. 18 % of all students in 2016 received need-based grants. Students who are delayed in their studies due to medical 
conditions have a right to an extra year of student finance. They are also eligible for a loan remittance up to EUR 1 200 if they graduate within 
10 years. For all eligible students public transport is free, either weekdays or at the weekends according to their choice. 
'Vouchers' for professional training: Students that start in higher education (HBO or university) for the first time between 2015/16 and 2018/19 
receive a voucher for professional training when they graduate. This voucher has a maximum value of EUR 2 000 and can be used between 5 
and 10 years after graduation. 

 

  Those students already enrolled before 2015 are all eligible for a basic grant and some in addition for a need-based grants running for the 

standard length of programmes. 

  No tax benefits for parents and no family allowances are in place. 

(7)  Note: The information shown applies to students enrolled after 1 September 2015. 

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

AUSTRIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

t

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 727

 727

About 12 % of students pay fees 

14 % of students received a grant in 2015/16 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

60

60

4850

4850

9492

9492

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

EU  students  and  those  who  are  accorded  the  same  rights  do  not  have  to  pay  tuition  fees  at  universities  and 
Pädagogische Hochschulen (University Colleges of Teacher Education). There are also no administrative fees. In 
case  students  exceed  the  maximum  study  duration  by  more  than  a  year,  they  have  to  pay  EUR 363.36  per 
semester.  This  is  the  maximum  amount,  set  by  the  government.  About  12 %  of  full-time  students  pay  fees. 
Exemption  from  fees  may  be  given  in  cases  such  as  studies  or  internships  within  transnational  mobility 
programmes, illness and pregnancy, and to students with disabilities.  

Fachhochschulen  (universities  of  applied  sciences)  are  entitled  to  charge  fees  up  to  the  maximum  amount  of 
EUR 363.36 per semester.  

There are no part-time students in Austrian law. 

There is no short cycle programme in higher education in Austria. 

International students (defined as non-EU and non-EEA students) at universities generally have to pay fees of 
EUR 726.72  per  semester.  Students  from  developing  countries  may  be  exempt  from  these  fees  according  to  a 
decision  of  the  university.  Students  from  the  least  developed  countries  are  exempt  from  fees.  Fachhochschulen 
are entitled to charge cost-covering fees, which are usually higher than EUR 363.36 per semester on non-EU and 
non-EEA students.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

The federal student grants for first and second cycle can systematically be divided into two sections: direct study 
financing received in cash, and indirect study financing. In 2015/16, 14 % of students received a grant. 

Direct student support is paid out in monthly instalments of up to EUR 9 492 per year on the basis of social criteria 
and  of  good  academic  performance.  The  amount  is  assessed  on  the  basis  of  the  income  of  the  parents,  the 
student and his/her spouse, and the number of family members. Students may only be required to pay back grants 
when proof of academic achievement is missing after the first two semesters.  

Indirect  financing  may  be  a  transfer  payment  to  the  students’  parents  (e.g.  family  allowances  and  tax  relief),  or 
non-cash benefits (e.g. health and accident insurance for students and tax benefits). Students' parents can receive 
family allowances (EUR 158.90 per month per child) and tax relief (EUR 58.40 per month per child) if the student 
is under 24 (in exceptional cases till 25 years of age) and is studying. 

 

There is no national student loan system.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

POLAND 

Full-time students pay only administrative fees 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 47

 47

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

1244

1113

5869

Approximately 16 % of students received need-based 
grants and 8 % merit-based grants in 2014 

Loans | Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 4.2598 PLN 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Full-time students in public higher education institutions are charged tuition fees, set by higher education institutions, only 
if  repeating  a  study  course.  Other  full-time  students  only  pay  administrative  fees.  Part-time  students  pay  annual  tuition 
fees of, on average, about PLN 4 700 set by higher education institutions. Each institution may provide exemptions and 
reductions, for both full-time and part-time students.  

All  students  pay  a  maximum  fee  of  PLN 200  related  to  enrolment  procedures  once  per  study  cycle.  Students  also  pay 
administrative fees which include issuing student ID cards, student record books and diplomas.  

There is no short cycle programme in Poland. 

Students  from  the  EU  and  EFTA  countries  and  other  defined  categories  (e.g.  students  with  refugee  status)  study 
according to the same rules as Polish citizens. Fees for other international students are decided by HEIs.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Need-based grants, provided by the ministry and managed by HEIs, are available for all students (both first and 
second  cycle  full-time  and  part-time)  with  a  low  personal/family  income,  and  for  students  with  disabilities.  The  income 
threshold  to  be  eligible  for  need-based  grants  for  students  with  low  family  income  is  decided  by  HEIs  and  is  between 
PLN 668.20 and 1 051.7 per person per month. In 2016, 13.89 % of all students received a need-based grant based on 
their  socio-economic  situation  and  1.71 %  of  all  students  received  the  need-based  grants  for  students  with  disabilities. 
The average amount was PLN about 5 300 per year.  

Merit-based  grants,  provided  by  the  ministry  and  managed  by  HEIs,  are  allocated  to  the  best-performing  full-time  and 
part-time  students.  The  average  amount  of  the  merit-based  grant  is  about  PLN 4740  per  year.  7.86 %  of  all  students 
received such grants in 2016. The total monthly amount of the need- and merit-based grants may not be more than 90 % 
of  the  lowest  basic  pay  of  an  assistant  (the  lowest  academic  position  at  higher  education  institutions)  as  regulated  by 
legislation. 
Loans  of  maximum  PLN 10 000/year  may  be  taken  out  in  any  cycle  by  students  whose  personal  income  is  below  net 
PLN 2 500/month (in 2016/17). The state guarantees the entire loan for students with a family income of PLN 600/month 
per person and 70 % for students with a family income of PLN 1 000/month. Students starting their studies before the age 
of 25 can apply for a loan which is granted for the period of study or maximum six years. Repayment begins two years 
after graduation. While receiving the loan and for the following two years, interest is paid by the state budget, and later on 
interest rates are capped. Now the interest rate is 1.75 %. The number of repayment years can be twice as high as the 
number of paid instalments. The best-performing 5 % of graduates may obtain the cancellation of 20 % of their loan. In 
the academic year 2016/17, banks made 3 603 agreements with students.  

A tax relief of PLN 1 112.04 per child per year (2016) for parents/guardians of students up to 25 years of age available 
provided income did not exceed a specified level, and if the student did not earn a taxable income (including capital gains) 
exceeding PLN 3 089/year. There is no relief dedicated only to students.  

Family allowances are based on low income of parents or disability of a student.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

PORTUGAL 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

656

 1063

 1063

All students pay tuition fees 

E
U
R

E
U
R

22 % of students receive need-based grants in 2016/17 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 1753

5675

 2785

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

The annual tuition fee for first cycle programmes, integrated second cycle programmes (mestrados integrados) 
and for second cycle programmes (mestrados) that are legally required after a first cycle degree for the practice of 
a specific profession is fixed by each public higher education institution. It ranges from EUR 656.50 to 1 063.47. 
Both minimum and maximum values of the above fees are frozen for the 2017/18 academic year.  

For all other second cycle programmes, tuition fees are set freely by public higher education institutions, with no 
limits imposed. There is a wide range of tuition fees depending mainly on the cost and quality of the course. 

The  annual  tuition  fee  for  short  cycle  programmes  are  defined  by  individual  institutions  and  is  limited  up  to 
EUR 1 063.00  

Part-time  student  fees  are  set  by  higher  education  institutions  and  are  usually  based  on  the  number  of  ECTS 
students take. 

International students pay higher fees than national students, and higher education institutions are autonomous 
to decide on the amounts charged.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Student grants can be need or merit based. Eligibility for need-based scholarships is determined by the income of 
the  student  and  his/her  family.  Need-based  grant  amounts  depend  on  the  fee  levels  and  vary  between 
EUR 1 063.47 and EUR 5 675. 22 % of students received a need-based grant in 2016/17.  

Merit-based grants are set at EUR 2 785.00 per year. The number of merit-based grants that each institution can 
provide is previously determined by the ratio 1 grant per 500 students. To be eligible for the grant, students need to 
have completed all study requirements of the previous year and to have obtained good marks (over 16 on a scale 
0-20).  Additional  grants  are  provided  to  students  who  move  to  study  in  less  populated  regions  of  Portugal.  The 
annual amount is EUR 1 500. Several higher education institutions also give grants to their students. 

There is a special loan scheme for higher education students at low rates, with government guarantee.  

Tax benefits for parents are provided through tax deduction on educational expenses. The tax benefit is 30 % of 
all education expenses, to the limit of EUR 800. There can be additional restrictions depending on the total income 
of the family, decreasing the benefit as the total income increases.  

Family  allowance  –  child  benefit  –  is  granted  to  families  with  children  under  24 years  old  and  enrolled  in  
higher  education,  when  the  household  income  does  not  exceed  1.5 times  the  social  support  index  times 14  
(2017:  EUR 8 847.72)  and  when  the  family  assets  are  less  than  240 times  the  social  support  index  (2017: 
EUR 101 116.80).  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

ROMANIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 601

1203

5780

37 % of students in the 1st cycle  
and 28 % in the 2nd cycle pay fees 

11560

8 % students received a need-based grant and  
16 % a merit based grant in 2016  

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

1464

1568

 2091

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 10 500 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 4.5915 RON 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

There  are  two  types  of  financial  status  for  students:  state-funded  and  self-financed.  Each  year,  the  government 
decides  on  the  number  of  state  funded  places.  All  students  pay  registration  fees  set  by  higher  education 
institutions that range between 100 and 250 RON.  

For fee-paying students, which cover tuition, administration, examinations and certification, each university senate 
decides  on  the  level  of  fees  for  each  programme,  as  well  as  on  exemptions  based  on  need  or  merit.  These 
exemptions affect very few (less than 1 %) students.  

Fees are calculated on the basis of the average number of full-time students and the amount of state budget: For 
the  first  cycle:  RON 2 760  for  social  science  fields;  RON 5 445.03  for  engineering  and  computer  systems  fields 
and  a  maximum  of  RON 26 540.20  for  arts  (film).  For  the second  cycle:  RON 5521.83  for  social  science  fields; 
RON 10 890.10 for engineering and computer systems fields and a maximum of RON 53 080.40 for arts (film). 

There is no short cycle higher education provision in Romania. 

International students pay fees. The value of the minimum fee is set by law for each field.  

Support (2016/17) 

 

Need-based grants, most commonly amounting to RON 560/month and payable for 12 months, are based on the 
financial situation of the student. In 2016, 7.82 % of full-time students received a need-based grant in 2016. 

  Merit-based  grants  take  different  forms:  study  bursaries  (most  commonly  RON 600/month  for  12 months)  and 
merit-based  scholarships  (most  commonly  RON 600/month  for  12 months).  High  achievement  scholarships  (of 
which one exists per faculty) can reach up to RON 750/month for 12 months. Grants for excellent performance in 
research at Bachelor level have a ceiling of RON 800/month for 12 months. 15.68 % of full-time students received 
merit-based grants in 2016. 

 

The  grant  amounts  are  determined  by  each  higher  education  institution.  They  aim  to  cover  the  costs  of  living  in 
student  accommodation  and  of  meals.  The  university  establishes  the  number  of  grants  out  of  the  total  fund  for 
higher education expenses. The funds are annually provided by the ministry. First- and second-cycle students are 
eligible, but part-time students are not eligible for grants. 

 

There are no student loans, family allowances or tax benefits for parents.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

SLOVENIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

21

 29

21

 29

Full-time students pay only registration fees 

E
U
R

E
U
R

In 2015/16, 22.5 % of all students received need-based 
grant and 3.6 % received merit-based grant 

Tax benefits for parents 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 840

4320

 1680

 3240

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

Full-time  students  pay  only  registration  charges  (short  cycle:  EUR 20-30;  first  and  second  cycle:  EUR 21-29), 
and costs of field work and excursions if required by study programme. No tuition fees for national and EU full-time 
students. 

Part-time  students  (11 %  of  the  student  population)  and  international  (non-EU)  students  pay  the  same  fees 
which are set by higher education institutions. Tuition fees in the first and second cycle range from EUR 3 000 to 
EUR 15  000.  Amounts  apply  to  University  of  Ljubljana.  Tuition  fees  in  short-cycle  higher  education  range  from 
EUR 1 000 to EUR 3 250.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The same support is available to short, first and second cycle students.  

Need-based scholarships are available for economically disadvantaged students. The amount received depends 
on  household  income.  In  addition,  allowances  for  academic  performance,  living  away  from  home  and  special 
educational needs can be granted. In 2015/16, 22.5 % of all HE students received need-based scholarship.  

Merit-based  scholarships,  managed  by  the  Slovene  Human  Resources  and  Scholarship  Fund,  are  awarded  to 
students with exceptional achievements in research and artistic field, competitions and/or academic performance. 
In  addition  to  the  basic  amount  of  merit-based  scholarship,  allowances  for  living  away  from  home  and  special 
educational needs can be granted. In 2015/16, 3.6 % of all HE students received merit-based scholarship. 

Full-time and part-time students are eligible for a scholarship if they are not employed, registered as unemployed 
or managers of a company or private institution and under 27 years old when enrolling for their first degree. They 
need to have Slovenian citizenship and/or to reside in Slovenia. The grants are available for 12 months a year.  

Corporate  scholarships,  offered  by  employers;  partial  funding  of  employer  scholarships  indirectly  via  regional 
scholarship scheme administrators or local communities, may also be co-financed from public funds.  

No loans are provided.  

Tax benefits for parents are also provided in the form of tax relief for each dependent child and depends on the 
number  of  supported  children  (EUR 2 436  to  EUR 7 957  per  year  in  2016).  Parents  of  those  higher  education 
students who are not employed or do not conduct business, and are under 26 years old when enrolling are eligible 
for this benefit.  

 

No family allowances are provided.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

SLOVAKIA 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 10

 10

 2000

 2000

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 100

689

 3300

 387

All students pay administrative fees  

E
U
R

E
U
R

About 24 % of full-time first and second cycle students 
receive need-based and 14.13 % merit-based grants 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All students pay administration fees whose amount depends on individual institutions. Full-time (first and second cycle) 
students in public higher education institutions not exceeding the 'regular' length of study for the study programme do not 
pay tuition fees. Tuition fees and the fees connected with the study can be lowered, waived or deferred by the rector with 
regard  to  student’s  study  results,  social  and  health  situation  or  other  circumstances  worth  particular  consideration 
according to the principles stated in the higher education institution’s statute. 

Full-time students who exceed a 'regular' length of study, or who study two or more programmes concurrently in the same 
academic year have to pay tuition fees which cannot exceed EUR 2 000 per academic year for both first and second cycle 
studies. 15.68 % of all full-time first and second cycle students pay fees. 

Students  admitted  to  an  external/part-time  study  programme  (in  2016:  22.11 %  of  students)  pay  fees  up  to  an  annual 
maximum of EUR 2 300 in the first cycle and EUR 3 440 in the second cycle.  

Students in a study programme which is provided exclusively in a language other than the state language pay tuition fees, 
which are set by respective higher education institutions.  

There are no short cycle higher education programmes. 

International (non-EU) students pay higher tuition fees of EUR 2 000 to 10 000/year. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

There  is  a  legal  right  for  a  need-based  grant/scholarship  subject  to  specified  conditions,  provided  by  the  ministry  and 
managed  directly  by  HEIs.  The  monthly  amount  of  this  need-based  scholarship  varies  from  EUR 10  to  EUR 275  per 
month. 24.23 % of full-time first and second cycle students receive need-based grants.  

Merit-based scholarships, provided by both the state budget and HEIs, are granted by the higher education institutions for 
excellent results in studies, research and development, artistic or sporting activity. The state subsidy for this purpose is 
calculated at an average rate of EUR 420/student for 10 % of full-time students. Universities are provided with additional 
finances  for  merit-based  scholarships  in  specific  scientific  study  fields.  The  state  subsidy  provided  is  calculated  at  an 
average rate of EUR 1 000/student for 15 % of students. 14.13 % of full-time first and second cycle students receive merit-
based grants. The amounts are set by higher education institutions. 

Publicly  subsidised  loans  provided  by  the  Education  Support  Fund  are  available  for  full-  and  part-time  students 
throughout  the  regular  duration  of  study  programmes.  Loans  range  from  EUR 500  to  2 300  per  year  and  are  taken  by 
about  1 %  of  students.  The  minimum  and  maximum  loan  maturity  is  5  and  10 years  respectively.  The  loan  repayment 
usually begins between the third and seventh calendar month after the month in which the student took the (final) state 
exam or diploma thesis defence. The interest rate depends on the previous calendar year average annual interest rate of 
Slovak Republic 10 year bond yields. A right to deferral of payment arises during the study until the completion of the first 
master degree and during maternity and parental leave if the study is suspended as a result.  

Family allowances of EUR 23.52/month are paid to parents of full-time students up to 25 years of age, unless the 
student interrupts his/her studies. 

Tax  benefits  for  parents  consist  of  a  lump  sum  tax  deduction  of  EUR 21.41/month.  No  tax  benefit  for  working 
students.  

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

FINLAND 

No fees in the first and second cycle for EU students 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant (8) 

Merit-based 
grant 

 2253

66 % degree students  
receive student financial aid 

Loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

First and second cycle, full-time and part-time students do not pay student fees.  

There are no short cycle higher education programmes. 

International  students,  defined  as  citizens  of  non-EU/EEA  countries,  are  liable  to  annual  fees  of  at  least  EUR 1 500. 
Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries, who do not have a permanent residence status in the EU/EEA area, are also liable to 
these fees in foreign language first and second cycle programmes as of 1 August 2017.(These fees do not apply to those 
who started their studies before this date.)  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Only full-time students are eligible for financial aid. The maximum annual aid is EUR 14 544, which includes the typical 
annual amount of housing supplement (EUR 3 744). A common amount is EUR 10 908 (of which EUR 5 850 is a student 
loan). 66 % degree students receive student financial aid in 2017. 

Study grants (SG), which require the completion of 60 credits per year, at least 5 credits per study month, are universal 
for a maximum of 54 months (in medical school 64 months). Amounts depend on age and whether the student lives with 
parent(s). From 1 August 2017, study grants for higher education students were aligned with those provided to students in 
secondary  education  (max.  EUR 250.28/month).  Replacing  the  former  student  housing  supplement  (HS),  students  who 
live  in  rented  apartments  are  entitled  to  general  housing  allowance  (GHA)  of  EUR 315/month.  For  low-income  students 
living in rental accommodation, the monthly aid package consists of a study grant payment of about EUR 250, a EUR 650 
student loan, and a EUR 275-405 housing allowance, depending on the municipality in which they live. The amount of aid 
decreases  for  those  students  who  do  not  qualify  for  the  general  housing  allowance  due  to  the  income  of  their  spouse, 
partner or other household member. 

SG and GHA are typically available for nine months only if the student's income, which may be earned at any time during 
the calendar year, is below EUR 11 850 per year.  

The  amount  of  student  loans  increased  from  EUR 400  to  EUR 650/month  as  of  August 2017.  Student  loans  are 
government guaranteed. Students who graduate within the target time can be entitled to tax deduction (30 %, for studies 
that started prior to 1 August 2014) or compensation (40 %, for studies that started on 1 August 2014 or after). Repayment 
of  student  loans  usually  starts  1.5-2 years  after  graduation  and  has  to  be  completed  in  usually  double  the  study  time. 
Interest rates and conditions are agreed with the student and the bank. 57 % of students received a study loan in 2017. 

 

There are no tax benefits for parents and no family allowances available. 

(8)  Note:  the  value  for  the  need-based  grant  does  not  include  the  housing  allowance  (GHA)  received  by  students  living 

independently (see text below). 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

SWEDEN 

No fees for Swedish/EU students 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

89 % of full-time and 27 % of part-time students 
received grants in 2015 

Loans 

 2995

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 9.5095 SEK 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

There are no fees for Swedish/EU/EFTA/EEA full-time and part-time short cycle, first cycle and second cycle 
students. 

Other  international  students,  defined  as  students  coming  from  outside  EU/EFTA/EEA,  pay  fees.  Higher 
education institutions determine the size of the fees, based on the principle of full cost coverage. 

As of 1 February 2015, Swedish/EU/EFTA/EEA full-time and part-time students can be subject to tuition fees when 
taking  part  in  joint  and  multiple  degree  programmes  if  the  fees  do  not  go  to  the  Swedish  institution  and  do  not 
relate to the part of the education organised by the Swedish institution. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Students can receive a grant of SEK 712/week for 40 weeks per year, these are universally available for full-time 
students for six years. The maximum amount per year is SEK 28 480. Part-time students, studying at least 50 %, 
are able to receive grants proportional to their pace of study. 72 % of all students received grants in 2015. Grants 
are  provided  by  the  Swedish  board  for  study  support  (CSN),  an  administrative  authority  under  the  Ministry  of 
Education and Research. 

State guaranteed loans of SEK 1 792/week for 40 weeks per year are universally available for full-time students 
for six years. The annual maximum amount is SEK 71 680. Part-time students, studying at least 50 %, are able to 
receive loans proportional to their pace of study. Repayment starts at the earliest six months after the student last 
received the loan, and must be completed within 25 years or before the age of 60. The government decides upon 
the interest rate level on a yearly basis. The interest rate for 2017 is set at 0,34 % with a yearly development 2012-
2016  as  follows,  2012:  1.5 %,  2013:  1.3 %,  2014:  1.2 %,  2015:  1.0 %  and  2016:  0.6 %.  53 %  of  the  students 
received loans in 2015. 

Students  with  children  can  receive  an  extra  grant.  It  is  also  possible  for  some  students  to  receive  further 
supplementary  loans,  and  loans  for  additional  costs  connected  to  their  studies  with  the  same  conditions  of 
repayment  and  interest  rate  as  the  regular  loans.  This  concerns,  for  example,  students  with  additional  costs  for 
double housing, travel, musical instruments, etc.  

There are no tax benefits for parents and no family allowances in place.  

Short cycle students are entitled to the same support as first and second cycle students. 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UNITED KINGDOM – ENGLAND 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS (9)  

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

All students pay fees 

9876

10028

4548

No grants have been available for new entrants since 
September 2016 

Loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 0.92246 GBP 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

All full-time and part-time first and second cycle students pay tuition fees.  

First  cycle  full-time  programme  tuition  fees  are  set  by  institutions  and  capped  at  GBP 9 250  for  public  higher 
education  institutions  with  an access  agreement.  The  access  agreement  aims  to  ensure  access  (e.g.  equality  of 
opportunity for students from low income and other under-represented groups) and retention. The average fee for 
2017/18 is expected to be GBP 9 110. Students are not required to pay up front and can apply for a tuition fee loan 
to  cover  the  full  fee.  First  cycle  part-time  programme  fees  are  set  by  institutions  and  capped  at  GBP 6 935.  In 
2014/15, 92.8 % of full-time students domiciled in England took out a tuition fee loan to cover tuition fees. 

Second cycle  programme  fees  are  unregulated  and  vary  widely.  The  'most  common'  figure  shown  (GBP 4 195) 
represents an indicative fee level for students on a full-time postgraduate research degree programme in 2017/18 
set by Research Councils UK. 

Short cycle programme students also pay tuition fees. The fees are set by the individual institution. The maximum 
fee chargeable is the same as that in first cycle programmes.  

For  first,  second  and  short  cycle  international  students  (non-UK  and  non-EU/EEA  students),  fees  are 
unregulated. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

First  cycle  and  short  cycle  full-time:  since  2016/17,  new  entrants  no  longer  receive  a  need-based  maintenance 
grant  but  may  receive  a  maintenance  loan  for  living  costs.  The  maximum  amount  for  students  living  at  home  is 
GBP 7 097. For students living away from home, the maximum is GBP 8 430 outside London and GBP 11 002 in 
London. The loan repayment is income-contingent and set at 9 % of earnings above the threshold of GBP 21 000; 
interest rates are Retail Price Index (inflation) plus 3 %. In 2014/15, 89.3 % of those eligible in public providers took 
out  a  maintenance  loan.  Extra  support  is  available  for  students  who  have  dependent  children  or  adults,  or  who 
have certain disabilities. Individual institutions also offer bursaries and scholarships aimed at students from under-
represented groups or suffering from financial hardship. Many also offer merit-based bursaries or scholarships.  

Continuing  first  cycle  full-time  students  who  entered  higher  education  prior  to  2016/17  may  still  be  eligible  for  a 
need-based maintenance grant, plus a maintenance loan. The grant awarded depends on household income and 
the  maximum  available  amount  is  GBP 3 387.  Unlike  the  maintenance  loan,  it  does  not  have  to  be  repaid.  In 
2016/17, 40 % of maintenance grant eligible applicants were awarded full maintenance grant support; 14 % were 
awarded partial maintenance grant support. 

(9)  Data for first cycle students applies to new entrants only. Different fee and support arrangements apply to cross-

border students within the United Kingdom. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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 

 

First cycle/short cycle part-time: students studying a course of at least 25 % intensity can apply for a loan to cover 
the tuition fee. Loans for living costs are not available for part-time students. 

Second  cycle  postgraduate:  in  2016/17,  a  new  system  of  loans  for  full-  or  part-time  students  on  taught  or 
research-based  postgraduate  master’s  courses  was  introduced.  In  2017/18,  this  loan  is  GBP 10 280.  It  can 
contribute towards course fees or living costs and is a set amount for the whole course. For students on doctoral 
study  programmes,  individual  institutions  may  provide  a  merit-based  grant,  which  typically  follows  the  minimum 
stipend recommended by Research Councils UK. This is set at GBP 14 553 for 2017/18.  

 

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system.  

Planned Reforms 

 

From the 2018/19 academic year, a new non-means tested loan of GBP 25 000 will be introduced for full- or part-
time postgraduate doctoral students.  

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS (10)  

UNITED KINGDOM – WALES 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

All students pay fees 

9757

In 2016/17, 62 % of first cycle students eligible for 
support were awarded a grant 

Loans  

 4548

5595

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

Most common 

Maximum 

1 EUR = 0.92246 GBP 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

  All full-time and part-time first and second cycle students pay tuition fees.  

  First cycle full-time programmes: tuition fees are set by institutions but capped at GBP 9 000 for institutions with an 
approved  fee  and  access  plan.  The  fee  and  access  plan  aims  to  ensure  equality  of  opportunity  (e.g.  for  students 
from low income and other under-represented groups) and to promote higher education. Students are not required to 
pay  tuition  fees  up  front  and  can  apply  for  a  tuition  fee  loan  and  a  tuition  fee  grant.  Institutions  may  –  at  their 
discretion – grant fee waivers or need-based or merit-based bursaries to students to contribute towards tuition fee 
costs.  

  Second  cycle  programmes:  fees  are  unregulated  and  vary  widely.  The  'most  common'  figure  shown  (GBP 4 195) 
represents  an  indicative  fee  level for  students  on  a  full-time  postgraduate  research  degree programme  in  2017/18 
set by Research Councils UK. 

  First cycle part-time programmes: the maximum fee is GBP 2 625 for Welsh students studying in Wales.  

  Short cycle programmes: the same maximum fees apply as for students taking first cycle programmes.  

  Short  cycle,  first  and  second  cycle  international  students  (non-UK  and  non-EU/EEA  students):  fees  are 

unregulated. 

(10)  Data for first cycle students applies to new entrants only. Different fee and support arrangements apply to cross-

border students within the United Kingdom. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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Support (2017/18) 

  First cycle and short-cycle full-time: students can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to GBP 4 046 and a tuition fee 
grant of up to GBP 4 954 to cover the full tuition fee. Tuition fee loan repayments are income-contingent and set at 
9 %  of  earnings  above  the  threshold  of  GBP 21 000;  interest  rates  are  Retail  Price  Index  plus  3 %.  In  2014/15, 
92.1 % of eligible students took out a tuition fee loan. 

  The support package also includes a need-based grant and a loan for living (maintenance) costs. The grant amount 
depends on income and is set at a maximum of GBP 5 161 for students with a household income of GBP 18 370 or 
less. Students with a household income above GBP 50 020 do not receive the grant. In 2016/17, 62 % of applicants 
eligible for the need-based grant received a grant (34 % of applicants received a full grant and 28 % a partial grant). 
The  maximum  non-income  assessed  maintenance  loan  for  students  living  in  the  family  home  is  GBP 4 019.  For 
students living away from home, it is GBP 5 191. Maintenance loan repayments are set at 9 % of earnings above the 
threshold of GBP 21 000; interest rates are Retail Price Index plus 3 %. In 2014/15, 95.3 % of eligible students took 
out a maintenance loan.  

  First  cycle  part-time  and  short  cycle  students  studying  a  course  of  at  least  25 %  intensity  can  apply  for  a  loan  to 
cover the tuition fee. A need-based grant for course-related costs is available to students studying at an intensity of 
at least 50 %.  

  Second cycle: students beginning a full-or part-time postgraduate master’s course (taught or research) from 2017/18 
can apply for a postgraduate loan of GBP 10 280 towards their course or living costs. This loan is for the duration of 
the  course.  For  students  on  doctoral  study  programmes,  individual  institutions  may  provide  a  merit-based  grant, 
which typically follows the minimum stipend recommended by Research Councils UK, GBP 14 553 for 2017/18. 

  Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system.  

Planned Reforms  

  From  2018/19,  the  tuition  fee  grant  for  first-cycle  students  will  be  replaced  with  a  loan  and  a  new  universal 

maintenance grant will be introduced for full- and part-time first-cycle students in Wales. 

UNITED KINGDOM – NORTHERN IRELAND 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS (11)  

All students pay fees 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 3632

4369

4548

3767

In 2015/16, 58.2 % of 1st cycle applicants for support 
were awarded a maintenance grant 

Loans  

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

Most common 

Maximum 

1 EUR = 0.92246 GBP 

(11)  Data for first cycle students applies to new entrants only. Different fee and support arrangements apply to cross-

border students within the United Kingdom. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

  All full-time and part-time, first and second cycle students pay tuition fees.  

  First cycle full-time programmes: fees are set by institutions but capped at GBP 4 030. Students are not required to 
pay up front and can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full fee. Institutions may – at their discretion – grant fee 
waivers or need-based or merit-based bursaries to students to contribute towards tuition fee costs. 

  Second cycle full- and part-time programmes: fees are unregulated and vary widely. The 'most common' fee shown 
(GBP 4 195)  represents  an  indicative  fee  level  for  full-time  postgraduate  research  students  in  2017/18  set  by 
Research Councils UK.  

  First  cycle  part-time  programmes:  fees  are  unregulated  and  tuition  fee  loans  are  available  for  students  following 

courses of at least 25 % intensity.  

  Short cycle programmes: the same maximum fees apply as for students taking first cycle programmes. 

  First and second cycle international students (non-UK and non EU/EEA students): fees are unregulated. 

Support (2017/18) 

  First cycle and short cycle full-time students are eligible for a need-based grant for living costs. The full maintenance 
grant  of  GBP 3 475  is  awarded  to  students  with  a  household  income  of  GBP 19 203  or  less.  Partial  grants  are 
awarded  to  students  whose  household  income  is  up  to  GBP 41 065.  In  2015/16,  58.2 %  of  applicants  for  support 
received a maintenance grant (36.6 % of applicants received a full grant and 21.6 % a partial grant). 

  The  support  package  also  includes  a  loan  for  living  costs  for  all  students.  The  maximum  maintenance  loan  is 
GBP 3 750  for  Northern  Ireland  students  studying  in  Northern  Ireland.  The  amount  available  may  be  reduced  for 
students who receive a need-based grant for living costs. Maintenance loan repayments are income-contingent and 
made  at  the  rate  of  9 %  of  income  above  the  earning  threshold  of  GBP 17 775  per  annum.  Interest  is  charged  at 
1.25 %.  In  2015/16,  71 %  of  Northern  Ireland  domiciled  students  took  out  tuition  fee  loans  for  study  in  Northern 
Ireland. 

  First cycle part-time students are eligible for a need-based grant towards payment of fees (though it is not intended 
to  cover  them  completely).  Students  studying  at  50 %  or  greater  intensity  and  whose  household  income  is  up  to 
GBP 25 420  receive  a  tuition  fee  grant.  The  grant  is  awarded  on  a  sliding  scale  with  the  maximum  of  GBP 1 230 
awarded  to  students  studying  at  75 %  intensity  whose  household  income  is  less  than  GBP 16 843.  From  the 
academic  year  2017/18,  first  cycle  part-time  students  studying  at  at  least  25 %  intensity  can  also  receive  a  non-
means tested tuition fee loan of up to GBP 3022.50 per year. Repayments are income-contingent and made at the 
rate of 9 % of income above the earning threshold of GBP 17 775 per annum. 

  Second  cycle:  from  the  academic  year  2017/18,  full-time  and  part-time  students  can  receive  a  non-means  tested 
tuition fee loan of up to GBP 5 500 per course. This loan is for postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, and 
taught and research master’s courses. Repayments are income-contingent as for first-cycle part-time students. For 
students  on  doctoral  study  programmes  individual  institutions  may  provide  a  merit-based  grant,  which  typically 
follows the minimum stipend recommended by Research Councils UK, GBP 14 553 for 2017/18.  

  Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system.  

56 

 
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UNITED KINGDOM – SCOTLAND 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

No fees for short and 1st cycle full-time Scottish and 
EU students, but fees for all 2nd cycle students  

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

4548

72 % of students at Scottish institutions  
received a bursary, grant or loan (2015/16)  

Loans 

5

 1897

(38143)

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 0.92246 GBP 

KEY POINTS  

FEES (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

For the short cycle and first cycle, full-time Scottish and EU students do not pay fees. Student Awards Agency 
Scotland  (SAAS)  –  an  executive  agency  of  the  Scottish  Government  –  pays  a  tuition  fee  of  GBP 1 820  on  the 
students' behalf to their chosen institution. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are required to pay 
fees up to a maximum of GBP 9 000, in line with the maximum fee charged in the rest of the UK. The tuition fees 
pay for teaching and all associated administration costs.  
Second  cycle  full-  and  part-time  programmes:  fees  are  unregulated  and  vary  widely.  The  'most  common'  fee 
shown (GBP 4 195) represents an indicative fee level for full-time postgraduate research students in 2017/18 set 
by Research Councils UK.  

Fees for part-time students are unregulated but are usually a proportion of the full-time equivalent fee. For student 
support purposes part time students are a different status. 
Fees for international (non-EU) students are unregulated and set by the higher education institutions. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both  grants  and  loans  are  available  to  full-time  first-cycle  students,  and  amounts  depend  on  the  level  of 
household  income.  Bursaries  are  administered  by  Students  Awards  Agency  Scotland  (SAAS)  –  an  executive 
agency of the Scottish Government. 64 % of full time students took out a loan in 2016/17. 
The 'Young Student’s Bursary' of up to GBP 1 875 per year is available to students under the age of 25 at the start 
of their course with a household income below GBP 19 000. The 'Independent Students' Bursary' of up to GBP 875 
per  year  is  available  to  students  aged  at  least  25,  with  a  dependent  child  or  married/co-habiting,  and  with  a 
household income below GBP 19 000. Additional support is also available to students who incur extra costs related 
to a disability or learning difficulty under the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA).  
Depending  on  household  income,  'young  students'  can  take  out  a  maximum  loan  of  GBP 5 750  per  year,  and 
'independent  students'  a  maximum  of  GBP 6 750  per  year.  Regardless  of  their  income,  all  eligible  students  can 
apply for a student loan of GBP 4 750 per year. Students become liable to repay their loans in the April after they 
graduate  or  leave  their  course.  Scottish  students  who  took  out  loans  after  September  1998  are  on  repayment 
plan 1  with  a  current  interest  rate  of  1.25 %.  Repayments  for  loans  are  normally  deducted  from  earnings  by 
employers at the rate of 9 % of income above GBP 17 775. In 2015/16, 65 % of full-time students took out living 
cost loans. In 2017/18, the maximum support package – grants and loans combined – is GBP 7 625. 
A  part-time  fee  grant  (PTFG)  is  available  to  Scottish  and  EU  students  studying  between  30-119  SCQF  credits 
(equivalent to 15-59.5 ECTS) per academic year. The level of grant is calculated on a pro-rata amount based on 
the number of SCQF credits studied and the full time fee level awarded to full-time students. 
Second  cycle  students  can  apply  for  a  fee  loan  of  up  to  GBP 5 500  for  eligible  full-time  courses  (GBP 2 250  for 
part-time). Eligible second cycle students may also apply for a living cost loan of up to GBP 4 500. 
Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system.  

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 48

 337

 1023

 225

450

 2045

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 511

 1023

 4090

All students pay administrative fees 

About 10 % of full-time students  
receive merit-based public grants 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 1.95583 BAM 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

In  the  first  cycle,  there  are  two  basic  types  of  financial  status  for  students:  budget-financed  and  self-financed. 
50 % of full-time students at the eight public universities and two other higher education institutions of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  are  'budget-financed  students'.  They  are  selected  based  on  their  good  performance  at  secondary 
school and at the entrance exam. Their tuition fees are paid by the responsible ministry of education, but students 
need to pay administrative and other fees (entrance and application fees, fees for issuing the diploma and diploma 
supplement, etc.) ranging from BAM 94 to BAM 500. 

50 %  of  full-time  students  at  the  universities  are  self-financed  and  pay  tuition  fees.  Fees  vary  from  faculty  to 
faculty,  capped  by  a  maximum  set  by  the  government.  In  some  cantons,  there  are  reduced  fees  for  some 
categories of students. These students also pay both administrative and tuition fees. The minimum annual fee for 
self-financing students in the first cycle is BAM 440 and the maximum is BAM 1 500, plus administrative fees. The 
most common annual fee in the first cycle is BAM 660.  

In  the  second  cycle,  annual  fees  range  from  BAM 440  to  BAM 4 000.  All  2nd  cycle  students  pay  tuition  and 
administration fees. 

All  part-time  students  (40 %  of  all  students)  pay  tuition  and  administrative  fees.  In  the  first  cycle,  annual  fees 
range from BAM 900 to 4 500; and in the 2nd cycle from BAM 1 000 to 3 000. 

There are no short cycle programmes in higher education institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

International  students,  defined  as  students  who  are  not  a  citizen  of  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  may  pay  higher 
tuition fees while other expenses are the same. The fees are within the range of the fees for part-time students. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

There are no need-based grants. 

Responsible  ministries  of  education  at  entity  and  cantonal  level  award  merit-based  public  grants  to  full-time 
students with Bosnian and Herzegovina citizenship in public universities. The eligibility criteria include both need- 
and  merit-based  elements,  such  as  the  minimum  grade  obtained  should be 8/10,  performance  (1st-3rd  place)  in 
national  or  international  competitions,  parents'  income  and  employment  status.  The  monthly  grant  ranges  from 
BAM 100  to  BAM 800  and  is  available  for  10 months  each  year  until  graduation.  Further  grants  for  students  are 
provided by local government. In 2016/17, about 10 % of full-time students received merit-based public grants. 

Part-time students are not eligible to apply for state-funded grants.  

There are no loans, no tax benefits for parents nor family allowances.  

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

SWITZERLAND 

All students  
pay fees set by higher education institutions 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 876

 1488

 3502

 876

 1488

 3502

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

About 10 % of students  
receive need-based grants 

Loans | Tax benefits for parents | Family allowances 

7529

 14008

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

Most 
common (12) 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 1.1422 CHF 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

All students (first and second cycle) pay fees. Higher education institutions define their own fees. Fees usually 
comprise  fees  for  administration  (admission,  registration,  certification)  and  tuition.  Additional  contributions  for 
examinations, libraries, sport facilities, social and cultural institutions are possible. 

Students on leave of absence, medical students during their placement year, doctoral students pay reduced fees. 

Students  in  difficult  economic  circumstances  or  part-time  students  can  apply  for  a  waiver  or  reduction  of  tuition 
fees at most higher education institutions. 

There are no short cycle programmes in public or publicly subsidised higher education institutions in Switzerland. 

International students: some higher education institutions charge higher fees for students from EU and beyond. 

Support (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

 

Each  canton  has  its  own  regulations  for  the  provision  of  grants  and  loans  to  students  resident  in  Switzerland 
(decentralised system). In all cantons, the amount granted depends on the financial situation of the applicant and 
his/her family.  

Support  in  the  form  of  grants  or  loans  or  a  combination  of  both  is  provided.  The  majority  of  beneficiaries  only 
receive grants. In 2016: 8.2 % of full-time students received only a grant, 0.3 % of students received only a loan, 
and  0.6 %  of  students  received  a  combination  of  a  grant  and  a  loan.  In  2016,  the  most  common  loan  was 
CHF 7 100. 

Some higher education institutions have their own funds for supplementary support of students. Students can only 
apply if they already have applied for cantonal grants/loans. 

Parents who financially support their student-child can deduct CHF 6 500 from their income tax at federal level. At 
the cantonal level, eligibility and amounts of tax benefits for student’s parents vary.  

A family allowance of at least CHF 250 per month for 16-25 year-olds in education is disbursed. The cantons may 
grant family allowances that are higher than this legal minimum.  

(12) 

In Switzerland, the amount referred to as 'most common' in the graph means 'average amount of fees or grants'.  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
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FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

All students pay fees 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

100

 200

 399

 599

 1996

 3148

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 438

 2628

15 % of students  
receive need-based and 8 % merit-based grants 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 61.6332 MKD 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

All students pay  fees in public higher education. In addition, the students pay additional administration (libraries, 
computer  labs)  and  examinations  fees.  The  fees  are  defined  by  the  Government  for  each  public  university  and 
their respective study programmes, on proposal submitted by the universities. 

In  the  first  cycle,  the  annual  fee  ranges  from  MKD 6 150  to  MKD 24 600,  depending  on  the  study  profile.  The 
most  common  fee  is  MKD 12 300.  Exemptions  or  reductions  are  made  for  students  with  disabilities  (first  and 
second degree of disability), and orphans. 

Fees  in  the  second  cycle  are between  MKD 36 900  and  194 000  per  year,  depending on  the  study  profile. The 
most common fee for second cycle is 123 000 per year. 

Part-time students pay the same amount as full-time students. In short cycle programmes, 28.2 % of the students 
studies part-time. In first and second cycle, 10.6 % of the students studies part-time. 

Annual fees for short cycle programmes range from MKD 6 150 to MKD 24 600, depending on the study profile. 
The most common fee is MKD 12 300. Exemptions or reductions are made for students with disabilities (first and 
second degree of disability), and orphans. 

International  students,  defined  as  all  students  who  are  not  citizens  of  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of 
Macedonia, pay higher fees: between MKD 123 390 and 185 000 per year, regardless of the study cycle. The fees 
are defined by the respective universities. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

The Government of the Republic of Macedonia provides need-based grants are awarded to students based on the 
monthly income of their family (60 % weight), academic performance (20 % weight), if they are the child of a single 
parent (10 % weight), and if studying at a technical, engineering or medical university (10 % weight). Students who 
have not passed at least 80 % of the prescribed exams for their study programme are automatically disqualified. 
The average grant amount is around MKD 3 000 per month, for nine monthly instalments. The maximum grant is 
about  MKD 5 500  per  month.  Grants  can  be  awarded  to  all  students  in  first  cycle  studies  in  public  and  private 
higher  education  institutions  in  the  country.  There  are  no  scholarships  for  students  in  the  first  academic  year.  In 
2017, 15 % of students received need-based grants.  

Merit-based grants are provided for students showing particular scientific or artistic inclinations and winning awards 
at  international  and  national  competitions.  Grants  are  awarded  on  the  basis  of  the  contest  announced  by  the 
Ministry  of  Education  and  Science,  two-three  months  after  the  beginning  of  an  academic  year.  In  2017,  8 %  of 
students  received  merit-based  grants.  As  of  2016/17,  full-time  students  in  STEM  programmes  are  eligible  for  a 
grant that amounts to annual MKD 162 000. 

Approximately  20-25 %  of  all  students  receive  grants  (need-based  and  merit-based  grants).  There  is  no  support 
available for students in short cycle programmes. 

There are no student loans, nor tax benefits or family allowance in place.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

ICELAND 

All students pay fixed registration fees

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 592

 592

6288

6288

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

No public grants 

Loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 126.6 ISK 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

All  students  at  public  higher  education  institutions  pay  an  administrative  registration  fee  of  ISK 75 000  per 
academic year regardless of the study programme. Over 80 % of students in first and second cycle study at public 
higher  education  institutions.  The  fee  amount  is  determined  by  the  University  Council.  The  administration  fee 
increases  to  ISK 85 000  if  a  student  is  permitted  to  register  outside  the  advertised  registration  period.  Disabled 
students pay less or ISK 55 000. Students who are enrolled at the University of Iceland on the basis of a university 
exchange agreement are required to pay ISK 10 000. 

There is no information available on for students in short-cycle programmes. 

There is no part-time student status. 

The same fees apply to international students. However, an application fee of 50 euros is charged additionally 
for students who are from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

In  principle  no  public  grants/scholarships  are  available.  However,  some  merit-based  grants  are  provided  by 
universities and by the Icelandic Research Fund for Graduate Students for second cycle students. 

Loans  are  provided  to  full-time  students  by  the  Icelandic  Student  Loan  Fund  for  short,  first  and  second  cycle 
programmes. The amount depends heavily on student's family and personal circumstances, including income. The 
basic  individual  support  for  academic  year  2015/16  was  ISK 165717/month  or  ISK 24.858  for  each  completed 
ECTS unit. Around 50 % of students take out a student loan. The same support is available for first and second 
cycle students. 

Loans may be awarded to full-time students who participate in further programmes with 60 ECTS units of study in 
each academic year or at least 30 ECTS units each semester. Loans may also be granted to cover tuition fees for 
courses (not including maintenance) that are organised differently. Loans are not granted for preparatory courses, 
doctoral programmes or professional development programmes. About 50 % of students take out a loan. 

The loan is indexed and has a fixed interest rate of 1 %. Repayment begins two years after graduation. Graduation 
is defined when the student ceases to receive loans from the Student Loan Fund, unless he demonstrates that he 
will continue to qualify for loans in the next school year thereafter. Refund will stand over until the debt is paid or 
the borrower has passed away. 

The board of the Fund may grant exemption from the annual repayment, in full or in part, if the pursuit of studies 
that  qualify  for  a  loan,  illness,  unemployment  and/or  unfitness  for  work  due  to  illness,  disability,  pregnancy,  the 
care of children, the care of a spouse or other comparable circumstances cause the recipient substantial financial 
difficulty.  

 

There are no tax benefits for parents and no family allowances.  

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Planned Reforms  
A bill for a comprehensive law on Student Loan Fund was issued from the government in May 2016 and submitted to the 
Parliament.  If  approved  this  would  be  a  fundamental  change  in  state  educational  support,  which  aims  to  establish  a 
Nordic model support fund. The proposed main changes are the following: 

Grant and loans on favourable terms to full-time students: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly  educational  grant  of  ISK 65 000  for  a  total  of  45 months  corresponding  to  the  five  traditional  academic 
years. Students may choose to take only a grant or a grant and loans or a part-time loan. Over 99 % of students 
may be eligible. 

The  maximum  loan  can  be  up  to  ISK 15 million.  Interest  rate  on  loans  will  be  fixed  indexed  2.5 %,  plus  a  0.5 % 
premium. 

Loan eligibility rules and repayment terms are similar to the other Nordic countries. 

Support  will  be  granted  for  seven  years  (420 units)  regardless  of  the  learning  process  instead  of  eight  years 
(480 units) where currently limitations are for the utilization of units at different levels of education.  

The maximum repayment period of the loan will be 40 years and repayment must be completed before the age of 
67. Learning support will not be provided for students 60 years of age or older. 

Refunds  will  be  fixed  in  monthly  instalments  as  in  all  the  other  Nordic  countries,  instead  of  income-related 
payments as it is.  

62 

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS 1 

LIECHTENSTEIN 

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 1488

 1488

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

88

All students at the University of Liechtenstein 
pay fixed fees 

No statistical data available on  
the number of students receiving support 

Tax benefits for parents | Family allowance | Loans 

 13133

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common (13) 

Maximum 

1 EUR = 1.1422 CHF 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher education institutions define their fee systems autonomously. The charged fee covers everything. There are 
no additional costs for the students. 

There is one single fee scheme for all students. At the University of Liechtenstein, which is the only public higher 
education institution in Liechtenstein, everyone pays an annual fee of CHF 1 700 (CHF 850 per semester).  

There is no part-time student status. 

There is no short cycle programme in higher education in Liechtenstein. 

International students, defined as students from outside EU/EFTA/EEA, pay the same fees as national students.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public  support  consists  of  a  variable  combination  of  grants  and  an  interest-free  loan.  The  grant  provider  is  the 
state, respectively the national education authority (National state grants and loans division). The maximum total 
amount  is  CHF 25 000,  of  which  40-60 %  is  a  grant  and  the  rest  is  a  loan.  From  the  age  of  32  on,  the  state 
financial support consists of interest free loans only.  

Students  need  to  have  had  permanent  residence  in  Liechtenstein  for  minimum  three  years  when  applying  for 
public  support  to  be  eligible.  Eligibility  also  depends  on  the  student's  income  and  assets  (principle  of 
subsidiarity/need-based  system).  The  amount  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  admissible  costs  and  reasonable 
expectations  of  self-support.  Parents'  income  and  assets  are  taken  into  account  for  the  assessment  of  eligibility 
and calculation of support for students below the age of 25 and if s/he has not worked fulltime for at least 2 years.  

State scholarships and grants can be applied for all tertiary education programmes and are fully portable to allow 
for mobility (14). There is no financial support for incoming students.  

Repayment of loans start 18 months after study programmes has ended. Payment is made on fixed rates in six 
instalments  per  year.  The  repayment  rate  can  be  deferred  once  on  request.  Approximately  24 %  of  students 
receive loans. 

Tax benefits up to CHF 12 000 per year are available for education related costs. Students themselves or, if they 
still live with their parents are eligible.  

Parents can claim family allowances for dependent children in higher education.  

In Liechtenstein, the value marked as 'most common' amount refers to the average amount of fees and grants. 

(13) 
(14)  Due to limited education programmes within the country, 90 % of students from  Liechtenstein study abroad  (Switzerland 

and Austria). 

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 400

500

 1000

1500

 2000

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

860

MONTENEGRO 

65 % of first cycle and all 2nd cycle students pay fees 

1.5 % of students receive merit-based grants 

14 % of students receive loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

Most common 

  Maximum 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two basic types of financial status for students: state subsidised and self-financed. As from the academic 
year 2017/18, first time students in first cycle programmes do not pay fees (state subsidised) in the first year of 
studies. Students obtaining 45 ECTS or more remain state subsidised, those with less than 45 ECTS can continue 
their  studies  in  self-financed  study  places  in  the  subsequent  years.  Self-financing  students  who  obtain  60 ECTS 
can continue in state-subsidised places (free) the following year.  

Self-financing  students in  the  first  cycle  at  the University  of  Montenegro  (the only  public  university)  pay  between 
EUR 500 and EUR 1 000 per year, depending on the study profile. At public institutions, the fee amount is defined 
by  the  governing  body  of  the  HEI,  with  the  consent  of  the  Ministry.  Students  with  disabilities are  exempted  from 
paying  tuition  fees,  in  accordance  with  the  Strategy  for  Social  Inclusion  of  Roma  and  Egyptians  in  Montenegro 
2016-2020. Those self-financing students who started their studies prior to 2017/18 and pass all exams and have 
good  academic  performance  may  become  budget-funded  students  if  there  are  places  available  on  their  study 
programme.  

Fees in the second cycle are between EUR 1 500-2 000 per year.  

There is no status other than full-time student. 

There is no short cycle programme at higher education institutions in Montenegro. 

International  students,  defined  as  are  all  students  coming  from  abroad  are  charged  the  same  fees  as 
Montenegrin students.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

There are no need-based grants. Merit-based grants are awarded to the best-performing first-time students in the 
second  and  the  succeeding  academic  years  of  study,  including  students  showing  particular  scientific  or  artistic 
inclinations and winning awards at international and national competitions. Grants are awarded on the basis of the 
contest announced by the Ministry at least one month before the beginning of an academic year. Grants are not 
awarded  to  student  loan  beneficiaries.  The  maximum  grant  is  EUR 86/month  paid  in  ten  monthly  instalments.  In 
2017, 1.5 % of students received merit-based grants 

The Ministry of Education also awards co-financing scholarships of up to EUR 500 for second cycle. Students who 
study in Montenegro or abroad in accordance with Annual Public Call.  

State guaranteed interest-free loans are available on the basis of performance to first-time students. The average 
loan is EUR 45/month for ten monthly instalments. Repayment must start one year and the latest 18 months after 
completion of studies. Best performers may be exempted from repayment or receive discounts. In 2017, 14.4 % of 
students took out loans. 

 

There are no family allowances for students' parents or tax benefits to parents.  

Planned Reforms 

In  accordance with  the  amendments  of  the  Law  on  Higher  Education  adopted  in  June 2017, students  starting  second 
cycle programmes starting from 2020/21 at the public HEIs will be exempted from paying tuition fees.  

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

NORWAY 

No fees 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

49 % of first cycle and 55 % of second cycle students 
receive grants 

67 % of 1st cycle and 71 % of 2nd cycle students 
receive loans 

4581

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 9.2845 NOK 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18)  

 

 

 

 

There are no fees for full- and part-time students at public higher education institutions. 

Government-dependent private higher education institutions may – on certain conditions – charge tuition fees. They may 
charge  tuition  fees,  but  the  fees  charged  are  required  to  be  spent  in  a  way  beneficial  to  the  students.  Government-
dependent  private  HEIs  receiving  funding  from  the  Ministry  may  not  redeem  profit  from  the  enterprise  in  any  other  way 
than  for  the  benefit  of  the  students.  Students  may  receive  an  additional  loan  to  cover  school  fees  in  private  higher 
education institutions of up to NOK 63 070/year. 

International students are treated as home students, and do not pay fees at public higher education institutions.  

HEIs  may  charge  tuition  fees  for  certain  specialised/tailored  courses  within  continuing  and  further  education  aimed  at 
people in employment. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

Norwegian  students  (both  part-time  and  full-time)  are  entitled  to  basic  support  (loans  and  grants)  from  the  State 
Educational  Loan  Fund  (NSELF).  The  maximum  basic  support  is  NOK 10  634/month,  which  is  initially  given  as  a  loan. 
However, 40 % of the loan may be converted to a 'state educational grant' for students who live away from their parents 
and  pass  all  exams.  The  grant  will  be  reduced  if  the  student's  income  exceeds  NOK 172 597  or  if  they  have  assets 
exceeding NOK 392 662. The amount of the basic support is universal for all eligible students. The maximum amount of 
the grant is NOK 42 536/academic year. Students taking care of children may receive a grant for each child under the age 
of 16 (NOK 1 657/month). Students on parental leave can be given a grant for up to 49 weeks. Students who cannot study 
because  of  illness  may  have  the  loan  converted  into  a  grant  for  up  to  four  months  and  15 days  per  academic  year. 
Physically disabled students can receive an extra grant (NOK 3 631/month) if they are unable to work during their studies, 
and they may also receive basic support for twelve months per year. 

In  2016,  the  Parliament  agreed  a  plan  to  increase  the  period  of  educational  support  from  10  to  11 months  for  full-time 
students in higher education and vocational college. Support (loans and grants) will be increased gradually by one week 
each  year  between  2017  and  2020.  The  main  objective  is  to  increase  educational  support,  enabling  students  to 
concentrate full-time on studies towards the end of the academic year.  

There  is  full  portability  of  NSELF  loans  and  grants  for  both  exchange  and  degree  students  studying  abroad.  After 
graduation, the student receives a repayment programme stipulating how much s/he has to pay and a prognosis for the 
repayment  period.  Interest  is  calculated  from  the  first  day  of  the  month  following  graduation,  and  also  if  s/he  interrupts 
his/her  education  or  is  no  longer  entitled  to  financial  support.  Repayment  normally  starts  in  monthly  installments  seven 
months after graduation. The amount varies according to the size of the debt and the length of the repayment period. The 
most common repayment period for students with NOK 300 000 debt is 20 years. 

 

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances play no role in the student support system. 

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

SERBIA 

S
E
E
F

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 28

 503

 2131

 27

1007

 2072

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 705

 2516

All students pay administrative fees 

3.8 % of students  
receive merit-based grants 

Loans 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15 000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 119.2134 RSD 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18)  
 

Students in public higher education institutions (students studying at universities and universities and colleges of 
applied studies) can be 'budget-financed' and 'self-financing'. Only full-time student status exists. 'Budget-financed' 
students (42.6 % in 2016) are selected at entry, based on entrance exam score and secondary school results, and 
during the course of studies based on their study performance. Their tuition fees are covered by the state, while 
students pay administrative and other costs (entrance and application fees, fees for issuing diploma and diploma 
supplement, etc.) ranging from RSD 3 300 to 33 300 per year. 

 

 

 

 

'Self-financed' students pay both administrative and tuition fees, which range from RSD 30 000 to 254 000 per year 
for first cycle and RSD 40 000 to 247 000 for second cycle, including both academic and applied studies. 

Students  with  disabilities,  Roma  students  and  students  who  finished  secondary  school  in  another  country  could 
apply for tuition fee exemption through affirmative measures within official call for enrolment. 

There is no short cycle programme in higher education in Serbia. 

Foreign students, defined as non-Serbian students, usually pay higher tuition fees. The most common annual fee 
is EUR 2 000.  

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student  grants  are  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Education,  Science  and  Technological  Development  only  to 
'budget-financed' students in first and second cycle. The state grant scheme is merit based, and only students with 
an  average  grade  of  at  least  9  (out  of  10)  may  apply.  Specific  merit-based  grants  for  students  from  vulnerable 
groups  are  available,  with  additional  needs-based  criteria,  like  the  proof  of  disability,  certificate/proof  of  socio-
economic  status,  etc.  A  state  grant  amounts  to  RSD 84 000  annually,  paid  in  ten  monthly  instalments.  In  the 
academic year 2016/17, there were 9 080 student grantees or 3.8 % of first and second cycle full-time students.  

The Ministry of Youth and Sports provides additional merit-based grants of RSD 300 000 per year to up to 800 first 
cycle and 400 second cycle students.  

State universities, provincial and university cities' governments also provide funds for supporting talented students. 
8.7 % of budget funded students (3.8 % of all) received a grant.  

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development provides loans to students primarily based on 
merit,  the  social  status  of  students  is  an  additional  criterion.  Interest  rate  is  approximately  4 %  while  the  grace 
period  is  18 months.  All  students  with  the  average  grade  of  8.5  who  completed  studies  without  losing  a  year  of 
study  do  not  have  to  repay  a  loan.  The  amounts  are  the  same  as  grants  –  RSD 84 000  paid  in  ten  monthly 
instalments. In 2016/17, 11 660 students or 4.6 % of all students received loans. 

Local  governments  offer  grants,  loans  and  other  benefits  to  students  from  their  municipalities/cities.  There  is  no 
systematic data on the range and type of grants/loans/scholarships provided. 

There are no tax benefits for student’s parents or family allowances in place.  

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS  

TURKEY 

S
E
E
F

T
R
O
P
P
U
S

First  
cycle 

Second 
cycle 

 233

 249

 530

187

 467

Need-based 
grant 

Merit-based 
grant 

 895

 2881

Full-time students in daytime programmes  
do not pay fees 

In 2016, 25 % of students 
receive need-based grants 

Loan 

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

E
U
R

Scale: 0 to 15000 

Minimum 

 / 

  Most common 

  Maximum 

1 EUR = 4.1235 TRY 

KEY POINTS  

Fees (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

 

Public university students following  first cycle daytime education programmes do not pay fees. Public universities may 
charge  fees  for  evening  programmes,  which  range  from  TRY 962  and  TRY 2 134  per  year.  Students  who  pass  the 
university entrance exam for the first cycle with excellent results may be offered to pay only half or five eighths of the fee 
(this may vary from one university to another). 

In the second cycle, public universities do not charge fees in daytime programmes, while fees in evening programmes 
vary among universities. A maximum amount, set by the government, varies between TRY 770 to TRY 1924 per year. 

No fees are charged for participating in full-time daytime short cycle programmes in public higher education institutions. 
Students in evening education pay fees (TRY 770-TRY 4 268 per year). 

There is no status of part-time student. 

International students, defined as non-Turkish students pay higher fees, as defined by the government. 

Support (2017/18) 

 

 

 

 

Need-based  grants  are  provided  by  the  Higher  Education  Credits  and  Hostels  Institution.  Short-cycle,  first  and  second 
cycle  students,  both  in  daytime  and  evening  programmes  can  receive  need-based  grants.  The  grants  are  awarded  to 
students  whose  monthly  income  is  lower  than  TRY 1 500  and  based  on  students’  academic  achievement  (belonging  to 
the top ten percent).  

In  2015,  students  in  first  cycle  received  TRY 330  per  month  (TRY 3 960  a  year),  while  students  in  second  cycle  were 
provided  with  monthly  TRY 660  (TRY 7 920  per  year).  In  2016,  25 %  of  students  of  short-cycle,  first  and  second  cycle 
students, both from daytime and evening programmes, received a need-based grant. 

Merit-based  grants  are  provided  by  the  General  Directorate  of  Higher  Education  Credit  and  Hostels  Institution, 
universities,  municipalities,  and  NGOs  for  good  performing  students.  The  state  grant  (via  the  General  Directorate)  is  a 
standard monthly TRY 990 to eligible students (belonging to the top ten percent). The amount of other grants is different 
for  every  institution.  In  2016,  15 %  of  students  of  short-cycle,  first  and  second  cycle,  both  from  daytime  and  evening 
programmes, received a merit-based grant. 

Loans:  All  students  can  take  out  a  loan.  In  2015,  students  in  the  first  cycle  received  TRY 330,  while  students  in  the 
second  cycle  are  provided  with  TRY 660  per  month.  The  repayment  begins  two  years  after  graduation  in  monthly 
instalments. Repayment needs to be completed in as much time as the student benefited from the loan. The repayment 
amount is calculated according to domestic product price index. This is a state guaranteed loan, which 28 % of students 
of short-cycle, first and second cycle, both from daytime and evening programmes receive. 

 

No tax benefits for parents or family allowances are in place.  

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CODES AND ABBREVIATIONS 

Country codes 

EU/EU-28 

European Union 

BE 

Belgium 

BE fr 

Belgium – French Community 

BE de 

Belgium – German-speaking Community 

BE nl 

Belgium – Flemish Community 

BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

HR 

IT 

CY 

LV 

LT 

LU 

HU 

MT 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Croatia 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

NL 

AT 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SI 

SK 

FI 

SE 

UK 

The Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

UK-ENG 

England 

UK-WLS 

Wales 

UK-NIR 

Northern Ireland  

UK-SCT 

Scotland  

EFTA/EEA and candidate countries 

BA 

IS 

FY* 

LI 

ME 

NO 

RS 

TR 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Iceland 

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 

Liechtenstein 

Montenegro 

Norway 

Serbia 

Turkey 

FY*: Code recommended by the legal service of the Council for EU. 

Statistical codes 

: 

Data not available 

(–) 

Not applicable 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE  
EXECUTIVE AGENCY 

Education and Youth Policy Analysis 

Avenue du Bourget 1 (J-70 – Unit A7) 
B-1049 Brussels 
(http://ec.europa.eu/eurydice) 

Managing editor 

Arlette Delhaxhe 

Authors 

David Crosier (coordination), Benedikte Custers and Anita Kremo  

Layout and graphics  

Patrice Brel  

Layout of the cover  

Virginia Giovannelli and Patrice Brel 

Production coordinator 

Gisèle De Lel  

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EURYDICE NATIONAL UNITS 

ALBANIA 

CYPRUS 

Eurydice Unit  
European Integration and International Cooperation 
Department of Integration and Projects  
Ministry of Education and Sport 
Rruga e Durrësit, Nr. 23 
1001 Tiranë 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Education and Culture 
Kimonos and Thoukydidou 
1434 Nicosia 
Contribution of the Unit: Christiana Haperi; expert: joined 
responsibility-Department of Higher and Tertiary Education 

AUSTRIA 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle 
Bundesministerium für Bildung  
Abt. Bildungsentwicklung und -reform 
Minoritenplatz 5 
1010 Wien 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

Eurydice Unit 
Centre for International Cooperation in Education 
Dům zahraniční spolupráce 
Na Poříčí 1035/4 
110 00 Praha 1 
Contribution of the Unit: Simona Pikálková 

BELGIUM 

DENMARK 

Unité Eurydice de la Communauté française 
Ministère de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles 
Direction des relations internationales 
Boulevard Léopold II, 44 – Bureau 6A/008 
1080 Bruxelles 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

Eurydice Vlaanderen 
Departement Onderwijs en Vorming/ 
Afdeling Strategische Beleidsondersteuning 
Hendrik Consciencegebouw 7C10 
Koning Albert II-laan 15 
1210 Brussel 
Contribution of the Unit: Eline De Ridder and Pieter-Jan 
De Vlieger (coordination); experts from the Flemish Ministry 
of Education and Training: Linda De Kock, Sander De 
Vleeshouwer, Nina Mares and Pieter Vos 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle der Deutschsprachigen 
Gemeinschaft 
Autonome Hochschule in der DG 
Monschauer Strasse 57 
4700 Eupen  
Contribution of the Unit: Xavier Hurlet 

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 

Ministry of Civil Affairs 
Education Sector 
Trg BiH 3 
71000 Sarajevo 
Contribution of the Unit: Expert team 

BULGARIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Human Resource Development Centre 
Education Research and Planning Unit 
15, Graf Ignatiev Str.  
1000 Sofia 
Contribution of the Unit: Anita Rahova (expert) 

CROATIA 

Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i sporta 
Donje Svetice 38 
10000 Zagreb 
Contribution of the Unit: Duje Bonacci 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Higher Education and Science 
Danish Agency for Higher Education  
Bredgade 43 
1260 København K 
Contribution of the Unit: The Ministry of Higher Education 
and Science 

ESTONIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Analysis Department 
Ministry of Education and Research 
Munga 18 
50088 Tartu 
Contribution of the Unit: Kersti Kaldma (coordination); 
expert: Janne Pukk (chief expert, Ministry of Education and 
Research) 

FINLAND 

Eurydice Unit 
Finnish National Agency for Education 
P.O. Box 380 
00531 Helsinki 
Contribution of the Unit: Paula Paronen 

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 

National Agency for European Educational Programmes 
and Mobility 
Porta Bunjakovec 2A-1 
1000 Skopje 
Contribution of the Unit: Dejan Zlatkovski and 
Darko Dimitrov 

FRANCE 

Unité française d’Eurydice  
Ministère de l'Éducation nationale (MEN)  
Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et 
de l'Innovation (MESRI) 
Direction de l’évaluation, de la prospective et de la 
performance (DEPP) 
Mission aux relations européennes et internationales 
(MIREI) 
61-65, rue Dutot  
75732 Paris Cedex 15  
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
GERMANY 

LITHUANIA 

A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s  

Eurydice-Informationsstelle des Bundes 
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)  
Heinrich-Konen Str. 1  
53227 Bonn 
Contribution of the Unit: Hannah Gebel 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle der Länder im Sekretariat der 
Kultusministerkonferenz 
Taubenstraße 10 
10117 Bonn 
Contribution of the Unit: Thomas Eckhardt 

GREECE 

Eurydice Unit 
Directorate for European Union Affairs 
Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs 
37 Andrea Papandreou Str. (Office 2172) 
15180 Maroussi (Attiki) 
Contribution of the Unit: Vasileios Karavitis (expert) 

HUNGARY 

Hungarian Eurydice Unit 
Educational Authority 
19-21 Maros utca (room 517) 
1122 Budapest 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

ICELAND 

Eurydice Unit 
The Directorate of Education 
Víkurhvarfi 3 
203 Kópavogur  
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

IRELAND 

Eurydice Unit 
Department of Education and Skills 
International Section 
Marlborough Street 
Dublin 1 – DO1 RC96 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

ITALY 

Unità italiana di Eurydice 
Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e 
Ricerca Educativa (INDIRE) 
Agenzia Erasmus+ 
Via C. Lombroso 6/15 
50134 Firenze 
Contribution of the Unit: Alessandra Mochi;  
expert: Paola Castellucci (Direzione generale per lo 
studente, lo sviluppo e l'internazionalizzazione della 
formazione superiore – Ministero dell'Istruzione, 
dell'Università e della Ricerca) 

LATVIA 

Eurydice Unit 
State Education Development Agency 
Vaļņu street 3 (5th floor) 
1050 Riga 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

LIECHTENSTEIN 

Informationsstelle Eurydice 
Schulamt des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 
Austrasse 79 
Postfach 684 
9490 Vaduz 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

Eurydice Unit 
National Agency for School Evaluation of the Republic of 
Lithuania 
Geležinio Vilko Street 12  
03163 Vilnius 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

LUXEMBOURG 

Unité nationale d'Eurydice  
ANEFORE ASBL  
eduPôle Walferdange 
Bâtiment 03 – étage 01 
Route de Diekirch 
7220 Walferdange 
Contribution of the Unit: Experts: Corinne Kox and 
Elisa Mazzucato 

MALTA 

Eurydice National Unit 
Directorate for Research, Lifelong Learning and Innovation 
Ministry for Education and Employment 
Great Siege Road 
Floriana VLT 2000 
Contribution of the Unit: Joanne Bugeja  

MONTENEGRO 

Eurydice Unit 
Vaka Djurovica bb 
81000 Podgorica  
Contribution of the Unit: Biljana Mišović, Tamara Tovjanin 
and Milica Žižić (Ministry of Education) 

NETHERLANDS 

Eurydice Nederland 
Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap  
Directie Internationaal Beleid  
Etage 4 – Kamer 08.022 
Rijnstraat 50  
2500 BJ Den Haag  
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

NORWAY 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Education and Research 
AIK-avd., Kunnskapsdepartementet 
Kirkegata 18  
P.O. Box 8119 Dep. 
0032 Oslo 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

POLAND 

Eurydice Unit 
Foundation for the Development of the Education System 
Aleje Jerozolimskie 142A 
02-305 Warszawa 
Contribution of the Unit: Beata Płatos and Michał Chojnacki 
in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Higher 
Education 

PORTUGAL 

Unidade Portuguesa da Rede Eurydice (UPRE) 
Ministério da Educação e Ciência 
Direção-Geral de Estatísticas da Educação e Ciência 
(DGEEC) 
Av. 24 de Julho, 134 
1399-054 Lisboa 
Contribution of the Unit: Isabel Almeida; outside the Unit: 
Bruno Caixeiro 

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N a t i o n a l   S t u d e n t   F e e   a n d   S u p p o r t   S y s t e m s   i n   E u r o p e a n   H i g h e r   E d u c a t i o n   –   2 0 1 7 / 1 8  

ROMANIA 

SWEDEN 

Eurydice Unit 
Universitets- och högskolerådet/ 
The Swedish Council for Higher Education 
Box 450 93 
104 30 Stockholm 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

SWITZERLAND 

Eurydice Unit 
Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) 
Speiche rgasse 6 
3001 Bern 
Contribution of the Unit: Alexander Gerlings 

TURKEY  

Eurydice Unit  
MEB, Strateji Geliştirme Başkanlığı (SGB) 
Eurydice Türkiye Birimi, Merkez Bina 4. Kat 
B-Blok Bakanlıklar 
06648 Ankara 
Contribution of the Unit: Osman Yıldırım Uğur;  
expert: Assoc. Dr. Paşa Tevfik Cephe 

UNITED KINGDOM 

Eurydice Unit for England, Wales and Northern Ireland 
Centre for Information and Reviews 
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) 
The Mere, Upton Park 
Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ 
Contribution of the Unit: Sharon O’Donnell and Sigrid Boyd 

Eurydice Unit Scotland 
c/o Education Scotland 
The Optima 
58 Robertson Street  
Glasgow G2 8DU 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

Eurydice Unit  
National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of 
Education and Vocational Training 
Universitatea Politehnică București 
Biblioteca Centrală 
Splaiul Independenței, nr. 313 
Sector 6  
060042 București 
Contribution of the Unit: Veronica – Gabriela Chirea, in 
cooperation with Ion Ciucă (Director, Department for 
Funding for Higher Education, Ministry of National 
Education) 

SERBIA 

Eurydice Unit Serbia 
Foundation Tempus 
Ruze Jovanovic 27a 
11000 Belgrade 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

SLOVAKIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Slovak Academic Association for International Cooperation 
Krížkova 9 
811 04 Bratislava  
Contribution of the Unit: Marta Ivanova and 
Martina Račková 

SLOVENIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport 
Department of Educational Development and Quality 
Educational Development Unit 
Masarykova 16 
1000 Ljubljana 
Contribution of the Unit: Joint responsibility 

SPAIN 

Eurydice España-REDIE 
Centro Nacional de Innovación e Investigación Educativa 
(CNIIE) – P4: Investigación y Estudios 
Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte 
c/ Torrelaguna, 58 
28027 Madrid 
Contribution of the Unit: Adriana Gamazo García, 
Helena Cirac Sasturain, Ricardo Martínez Zamorano, 
Jesús Ibáñez Milla and Elena Vázquez Aguilar 

72 

 
 
 
E
C
-
A
E
-
1
7
-
0
0
1
-
E
N
-
N

National Student Fee and Support Systems in European Higher Education – 
2017/18

This annual report shows how fee and support systems (including grants and loans) 
work in higher education in Europe. It provides both a comparative overview of fees 
and  financial  support  available  to  full-time  students  in  2017/18,  and  also  includes 
individual country sheets outlining the main elements of national systems. In particular, 
the publication describes the range of fees charged to national, EU and international 
students, specifying the categories of students that are required to pay and those who 
may be exempt. Similarly, it explains the types and amounts of public support available 
in the form of grants and loans, as well as tax benefits and family allowances where 
applicable. 

The  report  focuses  on  fees  and  support  in  public  or  government-dependent  private 
higher education institutions for short cycle, first cycle (Bachelor level) and second cycle 
(Master level) programmes, and does not cover private higher education institutions. 

Information  covers  the  28  EU  Member  States  as  well  as  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina, 
Switzerland,  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  Iceland,  Liechtenstein, 
Montenegro, Norway, Serbia and Turkey.

The  Eurydice  Network’s  task  is  to  understand  and  explain  how  Europe’s  different 
education  systems  are  organised  and  how  they  work.  The  network  provides 
descriptions of national education systems, comparative studies devoted to specific 
topics, indicators and statistics. All Eurydice publications are available free of charge 
on the Eurydice website or in print upon request. Through its work, Eurydice aims to 
promote understanding, cooperation, trust and mobility at European and international 
levels.  The  network  consists  of  national  units  located  in  European  countries  and  is  
co-ordinated by the EU Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. 
For more information about Eurydice, see http://ec.europa.eu/eurydice.

ISBN 978-92-9492-612-8
doi:10.2797/274915