Over the past few years, the traditional top destinations have become harder to justify. Tuition in the UK, US, and Australia can hit $40,000 to $60,000 a year for international students, rent in London or Sydney is expensive, and immigration policies keep shifting. That is why more students are starting to apply to other countries like Czechia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Baltics, where tuition is a fraction of the cost and the post-study path is clearer.
According to our research at Global Admissions, rising destinations like Czechia (55,996 international students in 2024), Taiwan (123,188), and Italy (110,000) are seeing strong growth because they offer globally recognized degrees without the price tag of the English-speaking giants.
You can also read our broader analysis on rising destinations for international students for a deeper look at the data.
9 Underrated Countries to Study Abroad In
The following countries are listed in no particular order:
1. Czechia (Czech Republic): Best for Medicine and Engineering
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Czechia has become one of Europe's go-to destinations for medicine, pharmacy, and engineering. Charles University, Masaryk University, and Czech Technical University offer English-taught programs at €2,500 to €10,000 a year for most fields, with medicine and engineering on the higher end around €16,000. Cost of living sits between €300 and €650 a month, which is among the lowest in the EU.
Why should you consider Czechia:
- Tuition is free if you study in Czech at a state university, so bilingual students save even more
- Strong engineering heritage, with a growing automotive and manufacturing sector
- EU-recognized medical degrees that are accepted across Europe and with straightforward recognition in the US and Australia
2. Sweden: Best for Innovation, Engineering, and Sustainability
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden consistently ranks in the top five globally for innovation, and that shows up in its engineering, clean tech, and design programs. Public universities charge non-EU students between €11,250 and €25,300 a year depending on the field, and PhDs are fully funded for everyone regardless of nationality. Sweden hosted 41,699 international students in 2024 and applications have been recovering steadily.
Why should you consider Sweden:
- PhD programs are free and usually paid, making Sweden one of the best destinations for research careers
- Strong link between universities and companies like Spotify, Ericsson, Volvo, and IKEA for internships and graduate roles
- English is spoken at a near-native level across the country, so integration is easier than in most of Europe
3. Malaysia: Best for Branch Campus Degrees in Business and IT
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia is the smart middle path for students who want a UK, Australian, or American degree without the price or visa stress. Branch campuses like University of Nottingham Malaysia, Monash University Malaysia, and Heriot-Watt deliver the same degree as their home campuses at roughly half the cost, usually $3,000 to $8,000 a year. The country is projected to host 260,000 international students by 2030, with applications up 26% year on year.
Why should you consider Malaysia:
- Same degree certificate as the home campus in the UK or Australia, just delivered in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor
- English is the language of instruction across all branch campuses and most programs
- Affordable cost of living, with Kuala Lumpur rents starting around $250 a month for student housing
4. Italy: Best for Fashion, Design, Architecture, and Culinary Arts
Vernazza, Italy
Italy is underrated because most students associate it with art history alone, but Politecnico di Milano ranks 5th in the world for design, Bocconi is top tier for business, and Polimi is globally respected for architecture and engineering. Tuition at public universities runs €1,500 to €12,000 a year for non-EU students, and Italy hosted 110,000 international students in 2024, a 14% jump from the year before.
Why should you consider Italy:
- World-leading programs in fashion, design, architecture, and culinary arts, often at public university prices
- The new Decreto Flussi framework will admit up to 497,550 non-EU workers between 2026 and 2028, which makes the post-study work pathway more predictable
- Low cost of living outside of Milan and Rome, with cities like Bologna and Turin offering rent under €400 a month
Read more: 10 Best Business Universities in Italy
5. Lithuania: Best for Medicine, Nursing, and FinTech
Lithuania has gone from 1,000 international students in 2010 to over 10,000 today, and the appeal comes down to three things: affordable tuition, globally recognized medical degrees, and one of the clearest paths to permanent residency in the EU. Business and IT programs start at €3,500 a year, and medicine at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences starts around €13,000, which is 50% to 80% cheaper than comparable programs in the UK or Australia.
Why should you consider Lithuania:
- Permanent residency after 5 years of temporary residence, or 3 years if you work in IT, medicine, engineering, or finance
- Medical degrees recognized across the EU, with simple recognition paths for the US and Australia
- Lithuania issues more FinTech licenses than any other EU country, with Revolut, Binance, and dozens of others based in Vilnius
For a deeper look, read our full guide to studying in Lithuania.
6. Estonia: Best for Tech, Cybersecurity, and Digital Governance
Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia punches well above its weight in tech. It is the country behind Skype, Bolt, and Wise, and it pioneered e-residency and digital governance. Tuition at public universities ranges from €1,660 to €7,500 a year for most programs, PhDs are free, and monthly living costs sit between €300 and €550. Starting 2026-27, the University of Tartu is phasing out tuition waivers for non-EU students, so applying early matters.
Key benefits:
- One of the strongest destinations in Europe for cybersecurity, data science, and digital governance programs
- Active startup scene with more unicorns per capita than almost any other country in Europe
- Low cost of living, small class sizes, and strong English-language program availability
7. Malta: Best for Business, Finance, and Maritime Studies
Valletta, Malta
Malta is the only EU country where English is an official language, which makes it an easy entry point for students who want an English-taught European degree without a language barrier. Tuition ranges from €2,500 to €9,000 a year, and monthly living costs come in around €500 to €800. Malta hosted 8,252 international students in 2024 and the numbers are climbing, especially in finance and maritime programs.
Key benefits:
- English-language instruction across almost all programs and daily life
- Strong industry links in finance, iGaming, maritime services, and tourism, all driven by Malta's position as a regional hub
- EU membership means your degree is recognized across 27 countries and you can travel freely in the Schengen zone
8. France: Best for Business, Culinary Arts, and Luxury Hospitality
France is the fourth most popular destination for international students globally, with 443,500 enrolled in 2025, but it is often overlooked by students outside of Europe because of the language myth. Public university tuition for non-EU students sits at €2,770 a year for bachelor's programs and €3,770 for master's, which is a fraction of what you would pay in the UK or US. Business schools like HEC, INSEAD, and ESSEC are global names, and culinary institutes like Le Cordon Bleu and Ferrandi Paris lead the world in hospitality training.
Key benefits:
- One of the cheapest public university systems in Western Europe for international students
- Post-study work visa of up to 12 months to find a job after graduation
- Growing number of English-taught programs, especially at the master's level and in business schools
9. Taiwan: Best for Engineering, Semiconductors, and AI
Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan is the semiconductor capital of the world, home to TSMC, which manufactures over 60% of the world's advanced chips. Universities like National Taiwan University (NTU), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) have close industry ties with Hsinchu Science Park, often called Asia's Silicon Valley. Public university tuition runs roughly $1,500 to $3,000 per semester, and Taiwan hosted 123,188 international students in 2024, a five-year high.
Key benefits:
- Taiwan Government Scholarship and ICDF Scholarship cover full tuition plus monthly stipends of NT$30,000 to NT$40,000 for eligible students
- Engineering and semiconductor graduates have direct pipelines into TSMC, MediaTek, and Foxconn
- Low cost of living compared to Japan or South Korea, with Taipei rents starting around $300 to $500 a month for shared housing
Quick Comparison: Tuition and Cost of Living
| Country | Best Subjects | Tuition (Non-EU, per year) | Monthly Living Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czechia | Medicine, Engineering | €2,500 to €16,000 | €300 to €650 |
| Sweden | Engineering, Design, Sustainability | €11,250 to €25,300 (PhD free) | €900 to €1,200 |
| Malaysia | Business, IT, Engineering (branch campuses) | $3,000 to $8,000 | $300 to $600 |
| Italy | Fashion, Design, Architecture, Culinary | €1,500 to €12,000 | €700 to €1,000 |
| Lithuania | Medicine, Nursing, FinTech | €3,500 to €13,000 | €500 to €800 |
| Estonia | Cybersecurity, Tech, Digital Governance | €1,660 to €7,500 (PhD free) | €300 to €550 |
| Malta | Business, Finance, Maritime | €2,500 to €9,000 | €500 to €800 |
| France | Business, Culinary, Luxury Hospitality | €2,770 to €30,000 (public vs private) | €700 to €1,200 |
| Taiwan | Engineering, Semiconductors, AI | $3,000 to $6,000 | $400 to $700 |
How to Choose the Right Country for You
A few honest questions to ask before you narrow down your shortlist:
- What subject are you most serious about?
If it is medicine, look at Czechia and Lithuania. If it is fashion or design, Italy. If it is tech or semiconductors, Taiwan or Estonia. If it is business with a recognized Western degree, Malaysia. - Do you want to stay in that country after graduation?
If yes, Lithuania, France, and Italy have the clearer pathways right now, while Sweden and Taiwan depend more on your field and employer. - What is your total annual budget?
Tuition plus cost of living. Estonia, Czechia, Lithuania, and Malaysia come out lowest in most cases. - Does English-only instruction matter?
Then Malta, Malaysia, Ireland, and most Nordic countries will be easier. Italy and France are workable if you are open to picking up the local language over time.
What to Do Next
- Shortlist 2 or 3 countries from this guide based on your subject and budget, and browse English-taught programs on Global Admissions.
- Check the admission requirements and deadlines for each program, since intakes and visa processing times vary by country.
- If you have questions about visas, post-study work, or picking the right country for your goals, book a call with us and we will walk you through it.
The countries on this list are not underrated because they are lower quality, they are underrated because students often do not hear about them until they start researching seriously.
The ones who do the research early tend to find the best combination of affordable tuition, strong programs, and a clear path to work or permanent residency after graduation.
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