Universities Without Application Fees for 2026 Admissions in US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand

Applying to universities across multiple countries can be an exciting journey—but it’s no secret that application fees can add up fast, especially for international students. Whether you’re applying to universities in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand, here’s a detailed guide to help you save money by applying to universities that either don’t charge application fees or offer automatic waivers.

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Why Application Fees Matter?

Application fees can range from $50 to over $150 per university, depending on the country and the institution. For students applying to 5–10 universities, this cost can easily surpass $1,000 USD. Luckily, many universities now offer zero-application-fee policies or automatic fee waivers, especially for undergraduate and postgraduate programs targeting international applicants or students from low-income backgrounds.

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1# United States – 10 Universities Without Application Fees for 2026

The United States has the highest number of universities that completely waive application fees. Many participate in platforms like the Common App and offer fee waivers for international students, especially those applying for financial aid.

Here are 10 U.S. universities that don’t charge any application fee:

1. Wellesley College
2. Tulane University
3. Trinity University (Texas)
4. Macalester College
5. Colby College
6. Carleton College
7. Reed College
8. Smith College
9. Denison University
10. University of the District of Columbia

✅ Tip: Use the Common App to apply to many of these universities. Some may also waive fees automatically if you indicate financial hardship.

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2# 10 Canada Universities With No Fees or Automatic Waivers in 2026

Application fees in Canada can be high (around CAD $100–$150 per school), but some institutions completely waive them or offer automatic waivers for certain international applicants or programs.

Here are 10 Canadian universities and colleges that save you money:

1. University of British Columbia (UBC) – Fee waiver programs for selected countries
2. Tyndale University – No application fee
3. University of New Brunswick – No fee for many international applicants
4. Quest University – Free online application
5. Royal Roads University – Free if applying online
6. Cambrian College – Often waives fees through partnerships
7. Confederation College – Offers application discounts and no-fee drives
8. Fanshawe College – No fee through international recruitment partners
9. Lambton College – Fee waivers based on region
10. Durham College – Partners offer fee-free access.

✅ Tip: Apply directly through institutional portals or check for provincial portals like OUAC (Ontario) or ApplyAlberta, which may have fee exemptions.

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3# 10 New UK Universities Offering Application Fee Waivers in 2026

In the UK, most top universities charge application fees (typically £20–£50 for undergraduate via UCAS, and up to £150 for graduate programs). However, several institutions waive application fees for certain international or financially disadvantaged applicants.

Here are 10 UK universities offering waivers or free application routes for 2026 admission intakes:

1. University of Glasgow
2. University of Birmingham
3. University of Leeds
4. University of Liverpool
5. Queen Mary University of London
6. University of Dundee
7. Coventry University
8. University of Oxford – Waiver for students from low-income countries
9. University of Cambridge – Waivers available based on eligibility
10. Imperial College London – Waives postgraduate fees in select programs

✅ Tip: Check individual graduate school websites for specific waiver criteria. Some also offer automatic waivers if you’re applying for scholarships.

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4# Top 10 Australia Universities With No Application Fee in 2026

Australia is home to numerous universities that do not charge application fees, particularly when applying online or through official international representatives.

Here are 10 Australian universities that make it free to apply:

1. Australian National University (ANU)
2. University of Sydney
3. University of New South Wales (UNSW)
4. University of Queensland (UQ)
5. University of Adelaide
6. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
7. University of Wollongong
8. RMIT University
9. University of Newcastle
10. Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

✅ Tip: Apply through the official university portal or via an authorized agent to skip fees. Some universities also drop fees for scholarship applicants.

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5# New Zealand Universities Without Application Fees in 2026

New Zealand’s application fee structure is more lenient. Some universities offer completely free applications, while others provide waivers via scholarships or regional partnerships.

Here are institutions offering cost-effective application routes:

1. Victoria University of Wellington – No fee for international applicants
2. University of Auckland – Waivers possible for scholarship applicants
3. University of Otago – Fee waived under specific exchange programs
4. Massey University – Offers periodic fee waiver schemes
5. Lincoln University – Free applications through education agents
6. University of Waikato – Waivers for partner country applicants
7. Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – No fees via partner institutions
8. Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) – Often free for online applicants
9. Unitec Institute of Technology – No fee for certain programs
10. Ara Institute of Canterbury – Fee waivers for selected regions

✅ Tip: Contact the international admissions office directly or apply through scholarship programs that include application waivers.

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References

1. https://www.usa.gov/study-in-us
2. https://www.suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny/fee-waiver/
3. https://www.educanada.ca/programs-programmes/index.aspx?lang=eng
4. https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/
5. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/
6. https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/11/applying-to-university-everything-you-need-to-know/.