Discover the Top 10 Best Countries with Free Vocational Schools for International Students in 2025: Are you looking for an opportunity to study abroad without a university degree and free of charge? Vocational education is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable pathways for international students to gain employable skills, and even settle permanently.
In this guide, we will explore the top 10 countries offering vocational education opportunities for international students for free, even if you don’t have a degree. These vocational trainings on our list are free and affordable, allowing you to work while studying and even enabling you to move with your family.
Why Choose Vocational Education?
Vocational schools are designed to equip and train students with hands-on skills needed for specific jobs. These courses are typically shorter than traditional degrees, cheaper, and directly linked to industries facing labor shortages.
If you don’t have a degree but have a passion, a skill, or a desire to work in fields like hospitality, mechanics, IT, tourism, healthcare, or engineering, vocational education could be your gateway abroad.
See Also: Trade School vs College Degree Pros and Cons
Top 10 Countries With Affordable/Free Vocational Schools for International Students
1. Portugal
Portugal offers several vocational programs open to international students. These schools focus on hospitality, tourism, hotel management, bar management, and culinary arts. Tuition fees are affordable, ranging between €800 and €900 per year, often payable in installments.
Popular vocational schools in Portugal include:
- Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de Lisboa (EHTL)
- Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (IPS)
Portugal also allows students to move with their families.
2. Japan
Japan offers vocational training, particularly in fields like automotive mechanics, electronics, and engineering. Students can check out specialized schools like Toyota Technical College Tokyo (toyota-jaec.ac.jp/).
Japan’s vocational education is highly respected, but most programs focus on technology, automotive, and mechanical training.
3. Finland
Finland is known for its excellent education system. International students can study trades like practical nursing, elderly care, cooking, mechanical fitting, or hospitality.
Some vocational schools in Finland are tuition-free for 2025:
- Vamia Vocational College (Vaasa, Finland)
- Luksia Vocational College (Lohja, Finland)
Finland allows students to move with their families and provides an easy path to work and permanent residency after graduation.
4. Germany
Germany is one of the best countries for vocational education. The Dual Vocational Training System (Ausbildung) combines classroom learning with paid practical work. Fields include:
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- IT
- Construction
- Hospitality
While tuition is usually free, students are also paid monthly salaries during their training. However, securing a visa appointment can sometimes be a challenge due to high demand.
Read more: Best Vocational Schools in Germany for International Students in 2025
5. Austria
Austria offers vocational training in industries like hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, and healthcare. A key benefit is that you don’t need to legalize documents extensively, and many programs are affordable.
You can move to Austria without a degree and transition easily into the job market with skills from your vocational training.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland has one of the most advanced apprenticeship systems in the world. International students can explore vocational training in:
- Banking
- Hospitality
- Engineering
- Healthcare
Check for “apprenticeship programs in Switzerland for foreigners” to find current opportunities.
7. Australia
Australia offers vocational education and training (VET) programs that are globally recognized. Fields include:
- Tourism
- Hospitality
- Engineering
- IT
- Mechatronics
Vocational programs in Australia are affordable compared to universities and also qualify for post-study work visas.
8. New Zealand
New Zealand’s vocational institutions, known as polytechnics, offer training in trades such as
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Horticulture
- Marine and Heavy Equipment
International students can work part-time while studying and full-time after graduation.
9. United States of America (USA)
The USA has hundreds of community colleges and trade schools offering vocational programs. Areas include:
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Culinary Arts
- Construction
- Logistics
While the USA offers many options, visa appointments may be competitive depending on your home country.
10. Singapore
Singapore offers highly respected vocational training through its Institute of Technical Education (ITE) system. Programs are focused on:
- Hospitality
- Mechatronics
- Marine Engineering
- ICT
Singapore provides practical, high-quality training with a focus on employability.
See Also: 15 Best Vocational Schools in Canada for International Students in 2025
Can You Move With Your Family?
Yes, you can move with your family to the following countries under student visa provisions (check current regulations as they may change):
- Portugal
- Finland
- Germany
- Australia
- New Zealand
For single applicants, countries like Austria, Japan, and Singapore are excellent options.
Do You Need IELTS for These Programs?
Many vocational schools do not require IELTS, especially in Germany, Portugal, Austria, and some schools in Finland. Always check the school’s language requirements directly.
Summary of Countries Offering Vocational Education Without a Degree
| Country | Move with Family | IELTS Required | Popular Fields | Estimated Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Yes | No | Hospitality, Tourism, Culinary | €800 – €1,500 (Affordable; payment in installments allowed) |
| Japan | No | No | Mechanics, Automotive, Engineering | ¥600,000 – ¥1,200,000 (€3,700 – €7,400) |
| Finland | Yes | Sometimes | Nursing, Hospitality, Healthcare | Free |
| Germany | Yes | No | Construction, Healthcare, IT, Mechanics | Free and Paid Apprenticeship (€800–€1,200/month salary) |
| Austria | No | No | Hospitality, Tourism | €1,000 – €3,000 (Some subsidized programs available) |
| Switzerland | No | Yes | Finance, Hospitality, Engineering | CHF 10,000 – CHF 18,000 (€10,300 – €18,500) |
| Australia | Yes | Yes | IT, Healthcare, Engineering | AUD 6,000 – AUD 18,000 (€3,700 – €11,200) |
| New Zealand | Yes | Yes | Construction, Healthcare, IT | NZD 10,000 – NZD 20,000 (€5,500 – €11,000) |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Logistics, Healthcare, IT, Culinary | USD 6,000 – USD 20,000 (€5,500 – €18,500) |
| Singapore | No | No | Engineering, Marine, ICT, Hospitality | SGD 5,000 – SGD 15,000 (€3,400 – €10,300) |
Final Thoughts
If you are wondering how to study abroad without a degree, vocational education is one of the fastest, most affordable, and most practical routes. Are you looking to study in Europe, North America, Asia, or Oceania? These 10 countries mentioned offer excellent vocational training that leads to job opportunities, higher salaries, and, in many cases, permanent residency.
Note: Before you take any action, do your research, select the country that fits your needs, and begin your application process.
