Over the years, students planning to study abroad have mainly focused on choosing the right university. Today, the conversation has changed significantly. The biggest concern for students and parents is no longer just admission, but whether they can realistically afford the entire international education experience.
Studying abroad is no longer limited to tuition fees or university rankings. Factors such as availability of housing, transportation, health care and expenses of everyday living now play an equally important role in deciding where students choose to study.
Over the past few years, the cost of living for international students has increased rapidly due to rising inflation and increasing housing demand in major study destinations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and parts of Europe. In many cities, securing housing after receiving an admission offer has become one of the biggest financial challenges for students.
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As a result, studying abroad today requires more preparation than ever before. It has become not only an academic decision but also a major financial and lifestyle choice.
Cost of living at major study sites
Italy
The cost of living in Italy varies significantly by city. Rome and Milan remain the most expensive destinations, with housing costs ranging from €700 to €1,200 per month in Rome and slightly higher in Milan. On average, students in these cities spend around €1,050 monthly, with accommodation accounting for the largest share of expenditure.
Smaller cities such as Pisa, Padua and Naples offer comparatively affordable living, with monthly costs between €600 and €900.
According to University Living’s European Student Landscape Report, there are approximately 2.2 million students enrolled in higher education institutions in Italy, including more than 100,000 international students. India remains one of the largest source markets, with over 6,100 Indian students currently studying in Italy.
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Germany
While tuition fees in Germany are comparatively low, the cost of living varies significantly by city. Major centers such as Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt are more expensive, while smaller university cities offer greater affordability.
The average monthly living cost for international students is between €1,100 and €1,500. Berlin’s monthly average is around €1,250-€1,300 per month, while Munich remains one of the most expensive cities at around €1,500 monthly. Housing alone contributes about 45-55% of the total monthly expenditure.
According to University Living’s European Landscape Report: Beyond Beds and Benches, Germany hosts approximately 3.4 million students, including more than 420,000 international students. Indian students are one of the largest international student groups in the country, with over 50,000 Indian students currently enrolled in German higher education institutions, highlighting Germany’s growing appeal among families focused on return on investment rather than mere prestige.
France
Paris remains the most expensive student city in France, with average monthly expenses reaching approximately €1,723. In comparison, cities like Lyon and many other student centers offer a relatively moderate cost range of €1,100-€1,130 per month.
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Housing remains the largest expense category, typically accounting for 40–55% of monthly costs. Students living outside Paris can save around €400-€600 per month.
France’s student housing ecosystem includes Cros residence, off-campus rentals, PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation), and homestays. CROUS accommodation remains the most affordable option at €200-€400 per month, although availability is limited. Off-campus rent ranges between €500 and €1,200, while PBSA in Paris often costs €1,000–€1,500 monthly. Homestay prices, including meals, typically range between €820 and €1,200.
India is currently one of the fastest growing source markets for French higher education, with over 10,000 Indian students studying in France. The India-France bilateral roadmap aims to attract 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030.
Japan
Japan’s fee structure is one of the major reasons it is attracting increasing interest among internationally mobile students. At national universities, annual tuition fees are standardized at ¥535,800, plus a one-time admission fee of ¥282,000. This stability allows families to plan long-term educational expenses with greater clarity.
The cost of living in Japan is largely influenced by location, with housing being the largest variable. According to official estimates, the average monthly housing cost for students is around ¥41,000 yen, while the average monthly cost in major urban centers such as Tokyo is closer to ¥57,000 yen.
Japan currently hosts more than 330,000 international students in universities, language schools and professional training institutes. Japanese language institutions are playing a major role in attracting international students, reflecting the growing interest in language-based pathways to higher education and employment.
south korea
According to official estimates, the average annual tuition fees at South Korean universities is around KRW 6.5 million, which is significantly lower than destinations such as the US, UK or Australia.
Furthermore, monthly living expenses are estimated between KRW 750,000 and 1,000,000, with housing making up a large portion of the total expenditure. This positions South Korea as a comparatively affordable destination for international students, especially those pursuing technical and STEM-focused programs.
The low financial barrier, combined with strong academic offerings and growing global industry relevance, makes South Korea an attractive option for students looking to more carefully evaluate the return on investment.
new zealand
Indian student enrollment in New Zealand has increased significantly over the past decade, from approximately 5,000–6,000 students annually to approximately 10,000–11,000 students today.
According to University Living’s report Beyond Beds and Benches: Decoding the ANZ Education System, cost of living remains a significant consideration, with expenses varying between cities. In Auckland and Wellington, the average monthly living cost is between NZ$1,600 and NZ$2,400, with housing contributing about 50–55% of the total expenditure.
Cities like Christchurch have monthly averages between NZ$1,380 and NZ$1,960, while comparatively affordable places like Hamilton and Dunedin have monthly averages between NZ$1,320 and NZ$1,900.
ireland
According to the University Living Research Desk, the cost of student accommodation in Ireland varies significantly depending on the city and type of accommodation.
In Dublin, premium purpose-built student accommodation typically costs between €1,200 and €1,800 per month. Other cities such as Cork, Galway and Limerick offer comparatively affordable options in the €800-€1,200 range.
University-managed on-campus accommodation typically ranges between €444 and €888 per month, although availability is limited. Shared rentals outside Dublin typically cost between €600 and €1,200 monthly, depending on location and market demand.
Additional monthly living expenses for international students typically include utilities (€50-€100), food and groceries (€200-€400), transportation (€50-€100), and personal expenses (€100-€250).
While housing pressures remain a challenge, students who plan early are often able to manage costs more effectively than they would in highly volatile housing markets.
As students evaluate international education opportunities, affordability is becoming equally important along with academic reputation. The destinations attracting the strongest student interest today are not necessarily the cheapest, but rather those that offer the right balance between quality of education, availability of accommodation, cost of living and long-term career outcomes. For students and parents, it is more important than ever to understand the complete financial picture before making decisions.
(This article is written by Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO, University Living)
