Tuition is the figure every university advertises and the one families plan around. It is rarely the figure that causes problems. The visa funds, the deposits that fall due months before you fly, and the first weeks of living before any part-time work starts are what catch people out.
Below is a like-for-like comparison of the main destinations for Pakistani students, using the official visa figures in force in late 2026 and typical tuition ranges for international students. Amounts are in each country’s own currency so that they do not drift with the rupee.
Tuition and living costs at a glance
| Country | Typical tuition per year | Typical living costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £14,500 to £26,000 (bachelor’s), £15,000 to £29,500 (master’s) | £1,203 outside London, £1,570 in London (visa figures) |
| United States | $25,000 to $60,000 | $1,200 to $2,200 |
| Canada | CA$20,000 to CA$40,000 | CA$1,000 to CA$1,800 |
| Australia | A$25,000 to A$45,000 | A$1,600 to A$2,200 |
| Germany | No tuition at most public universities; a semester contribution applies | €992 (the blocked account figure) |
| Spain | €2,500 to €16,000 | €900 to €1,200 |
| Poland | €2,000 to €5,000 | €400 to €700 |
| Hungary | €2,500 to €8,000 | €500 to €700 |
| Lithuania | €2,000 to €6,000 | €500 to €900 |
| Türkiye | $1,500 to $8,000 | $450 to $750 |
Ranges are typical for international students in our directory; medicine, dentistry and top business schools cost more. For any specific course, the course finder shows the fee the university publishes.
The money each visa makes you show
This is the number that decides whether your file is ready. Each country sets a minimum you must prove, usually on top of the first year’s tuition.
| Country | Living funds you must prove | Other rules |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,570 a month (London) or £1,203 (elsewhere) for up to 9 months, for applications from 30 November 2026 | Plus remaining first-year tuition; held for 28 consecutive days |
| Canada | CA$23,448 for one year, for applications from 1 September 2026 | Plus first-year tuition and travel |
| Australia | A$29,710 for 12 months | Plus tuition and travel; higher with family |
| Germany | €11,904 a year (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account | Or an HEC scholarship or a formal sponsor in Germany |
| United States | The full first-year cost shown on your I-20 | Tuition, living and insurance as calculated by the university |
Visa and application fees
| Country | Visa fee | Other compulsory costs |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £558 | Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year; TB test PKR 14,000 to 15,000 |
| United States | $185 visa application fee | SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 |
| Canada | CA$150 study permit | CA$85 biometrics |
| Australia | A$2,500 from 1 July 2026 | Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole visa |
| Germany | National visa fee | Blocked account set-up and monthly fees; health insurance |
The costs nobody puts in the brochure
- Tuition deposits. UK universities commonly ask for £2,000 to £6,000 or a share of the fee before issuing a CAS. Australian and Canadian institutions often want the first semester or year paid before the visa.
- Accommodation deposits and the first month’s rent, often paid before arrival.
- Document costs. HEC degree attestation, IBCC equivalence, translations and courier fees.
- English tests if your universities do not accept a medium of instruction letter.
- Flights and the first month. Groceries, a phone plan, transport passes, bedding and, for winter arrivals, warm clothes.
- Health cover. Built into the UK IHS, but a separate and sometimes large cost in the USA and Australia.
Can part-time work cover living costs?
Part-time work helps, but it should never be part of the visa plan, and it rarely covers rent in big cities. The limits in term time are: the UK, 20 hours a week at degree level; Canada, 24 hours a week off campus; Australia, 48 hours a fortnight; the USA, on campus only, usually up to 20 hours a week; Germany, 140 full days or 280 half days a year.
Students who arrive with three months of living costs in hand and then look for work are the ones who settle in calmly.
So which country is cheapest overall?
On total cost, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania and Türkiye are the cheapest by a wide margin, especially at bachelor’s level. Our guide to the cheapest countries to study in Europe compares them in detail.
For a master’s, the UK often comes out closer than expected because the degree takes one year rather than two. A one-year UK master’s at £18,000 plus living costs can cost less in total than a two-year master’s in Canada or Australia.
The right answer depends on what happens after the degree. If you want to work abroad afterwards, compare the post-study work rights as well as the price. Bring your budget to a free consultation and we will build the comparison with real figures for the universities on your shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students?
Germany is cheapest on tuition because most public universities charge none, though you must show €11,904 a year for living costs. Poland, Hungary, Lithuania and Türkiye are the cheapest overall when tuition and living costs are combined.
How much bank balance is needed for a UK student visa?
Your remaining first-year tuition plus £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 elsewhere for up to nine months, for applications from 30 November 2026, held for 28 consecutive days.
How much money do I need for a Canadian study permit?
CA$23,448 for one year of living costs for applications from 1 September 2026, plus first-year tuition and travel.
Is studying in the UK cheaper than Canada?
Tuition per year is similar, but a UK master’s usually takes one year instead of two, so the total cost of a UK master’s is often lower.
Sources
Every figure in this guide was checked against the official sources below on 2 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you apply.
