Most affordable cities in western continental Europe

Being able to live and study in one of the beautiful countries in western continental Europe is a dream for many students. Unfortunately, much of this region is known for being very expensive, both in terms of tuition fees and living costs, and so many believe that this is not an option for them. That is not necessarily true. While some cities can be very expensive, there are also plenty of more affordable options to consider. 

The results are based on the QS Best Student Cities 2024 rankings which feature indicators such as desirability, university rankings, employer activity, student mix and, of course, affordability. To learn more about the methodology behind our rankings, see our website for more information. 

Read on as we discover the top 10 most affordable cities in western continental Europe. 

QS Best Student Cities 2024 – Most affordable cities in western continental Europe
Regional rank	Global rank	City	Country
1	33	Montpellier	France
2	=42	Toulouse	France
3	=44	Hanover	Germany
4	50	Lyon	France
5	61	Berlin	Germany
6	=63	Munich	Germany
7	74	Vienna	Austria
8	=78	Graz	Austria
9	=82	Lausanne	Switzerland
=10	=86	Paris	France
=10	=86	Stuttgart	Germany

=10. Stuttgart, Germany

Joint 10th on our list is Stuttgart: a city in the southwest of Germany. Stuttgart is popular with students due to its abundance of green spaces, natural hot springs and its lively music scene which sees performers play at restaurants, bars, and beer gardens on a daily basis.  

It also has many historical and cultural landmarks such as Ludwigsburg Palace, the Wilhelmena Zoo, Michelin star restaurants, theatres, and sports halls. It also hosts the famous Cannstatter Volksfest. 

The average price of tuition is $3,900 a year. There are many great universities in Stuttgart. The highest-ranked of these is Universität Stuttgart, which ranked 19th in the country, followed by University of Hohenheim (37th). 

=10. Paris, France

Paris, France’s capital city, is also 10th on our list. Paris is a big city and famous for its cuisine, architecture and history as well as its love of fashion, music and literature. Students can always find something to enjoy while studying at one of the best universities in the country. 

The price of university tuition can vary greatly but, on average, studying at a university in Paris costs $2,400 annually. Six of the top 10 universities in the country can be found in Paris: Université PSL (first nationally), Sorbonne University (third, École des Ponts ParisTech (sixth), Université Paris Cité (seventh), Sciences Po (ninth) and Université Paris: Panthéon-Sorbonne (10th). 

9. Lausanne, Switzerland

In ninth place is Lausanne, a city on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It has an abundance of nature, vineyards and forests, and borders on the Swiss Alps. It also has a vibrant art district in the city centre.  

Lausanne is the official capital of the Olympic Games and so sporting events and sporting history are an important part of the city. All of these things make Lausanne a popular study destination with students from around the world. 

The average tuition price in Lausanne is $1,500, making it a very affordable option for international students to study in Switzerland. There are many great universities in Lausanne including EPFL (second nationally) and University of Lausanne (seventh). 

8. Graz, Austria

Graz in Austria is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and ranked as the eighth most affordable city in western Europe. It is well-known for its culinary traditions and markets, particularly the Christmas markets, which feature a life-size nativity scene made of ice and a nativity trail through the city which showcases all the landmarks and advent locations.  

Although lesser known compared to other study destinations, the culture and the beautiful landscape makes Graz a great option for students hoping to study in western Europe. 

On average, the tuition fees in Graz are around $1,300. The top-ranked universities in Graz are Graz University of Technology (fourth nationally) and Karl-Franzens-Universitaet Graz (seventh). 

7. Vienna, Austria

Vienna has been ranked the seventh most affordable city in western Europe and the most affordable in Austria. The most notable things about Vienna as a city are its history and art culture. Galleries show works from famous Viennese artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele and theatres host operas, orchestras, and musical performances of pieces by Mozart and Beethoven. Furthermore, there are historical palaces, churches, and a variety of museums on subjects from the Second World War to the history of art and psychology. 

On average, tuition fees will cost international students only $900 per year. University of Vienna (1st) and Technische Universität Wein (2nd) are the two top-ranked universities in the country, and both are found in Vienna. 

6. Munich, Germany

Munich is a large city in the south of Germany which has ranked sixth this year for affordability. It is well-known for its vibrant culture and being a diverse environment full of international students and businesspeople who come together to create a new future.  

Food and drink are an important part of the culture in Munich with many famous restaurants, bars and beer gardens and the world-famous Oktoberfest beer festival drawing in visitors from all over the world. 

Tuition fees are a great draw to Munich for international students at an average of $300 per year. Germany’s top-ranked university can be found in Munich: Technical University of Munich, which also ranks within the top 50 globally. This is immediately followed by Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität München which ranks second in the country. 

5. Berlin, Germany

Germany’s capital, Berlin, has been ranked as the fifth most affordable city in western Europe. Berlin is famous for its artistic scene in industries such as fashion, art, and music. It is known as a modern and urban environment perfect for those who want to study in a large and diverse city. It is also rich in history and has a thriving financial market. 

With average tuition fees of $500 annually, studying in Berlin could be a great option for students looking to relocate to western Europe. There are also plenty of top universities such as Freie Universität Berlin (fourth nationally), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (seventh) and Technische Universität Berlin (eighth) in the top 10 alone. 

4. Lyon, France

Lyon is one of the oldest cities in France and perfect for students looking to embrace western European lifestyle without breaking the bank. The city of Lyon is most famous for its culinary culture. It is home to some of the most iconic French dishes such as coq au vin, tarte tatin and gratin dauphinoise. It is perfect for students who are interested in culinary arts, history, and cinema. 

Average tuition fees in Lyon are around $400 per year making it a great option for students on a budget. École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (fifth), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (13th), Université Lumière Lyon (27th) and Université Jean Moulin Lyon (31st) are among the best universities in the city. 

3. Hannover, Germany

Starting the countdown of the top three is Germany’s most affordable city: Hannover. Hannover boasts a rich culture with plenty of history in the old town. Buildings such as the town hall, built in the 1500s, as well as the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, one of the most important baroque-style gardens in Europe, give Hannover a charm that has drawn visitors from all over the world.  

It is also a business hub, perfect for students who want to work in finance, entrepreneurship, technology, or any other related field after graduating. 

The average tuition fees per year to study at a university in Hannover are $1,000. One of the best universities in the city is Liebniz University Hannover, which is ranked 30th nationally. 

2. Toulouse, France

In second is the city of Toulouse in the south of France. The city is known for its pink architecture, earning it the nickname ‘La Ville Rose’ or ‘The Pink City’. Art and culture are an important part of Toulouse with a variety of museums, most notably, the Musee Saint-Raymond, The Augustins Museum and Les Abattoirs Museum.  

The city is also known for its shopping with a variety of markets and boutiques selling a clothing, food, wine, art, books, antiques, and work from local craftspeople. 

The price to attend university for a year in Toulouse is around $400 annually. The highest ranked university in the city is Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III (17th nationally), followed by Université Toulouse Capitole (25th) and Université Toulouse Jean-Jaurès (30th). 

1. Montpellier, France

Montpellier, one of the largest cities in the south of France, has been named the most affordable study destination in western Europe. It is a city rich in natural beauty with plenty of white sand beaches that look out onto the Mediterranean Sea. There are also plenty of historical sites in Montpellier, including the city’s own Arc de Triomphe and the Promenade du Peyrou which gives visitors a great view. 

The average tuition prices for universities in Montpellier are some of the best in the region: only $200 annually, making it a very affordable choice for anyone looking to study in western Europe. The top ranked universities include Université de Montpellier (11th nationally) as well as Paul Valéry University Montpellier (26th). 

The UK

Although it is not officially a western European country, the UK is also a very popular study destination among international students and can often be seen as expensive due to the cost of tuition and living in London. 

 However, like many other European countries, the UK also has plenty of affordable study options. The most affordable city in the UK is Belfast in Northern Ireland which is home to Queen’s University Belfast (28th nationally).  

This is followed by Leicester and Liverpool, two English cities, which have some great university options such as De Montfort University and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: also very affordable and high-ranking options.