Last Updated: January 10, 2022
Study Abroad in Europe
Europe offers world-class education to international candidates in different fields through universities in different countries. The universities here are the oldest and the most diverse, with programs offered in every field of study that a student could want a degree in. It offers bachelor's programs, master's programs, and doctoral programs, along with certification programs and diploma programs that they can choose from. Students will be able to choose a country in Europe based on the popular programs provided in the country and the language they prefer to learn. Students will also be able to do most of the programs offered in English since almost every country offers international programs in English.
The tuition fee in most countries is subsidized even for international students, especially with EU/EEA candidates being able to study for free in most European countries. The students who are required to pay a fee for their study program can apply for and receive scholarships to cover their educational and living expenses.
Why Study in Europe?
Europe is rich in innovation. Some of the world-class technology/design companies are from Europe. European Universities offer a variety of programs that are recognized all over the world. The European Union submits over 44% of the total patent applications worldwide. Some countries even offer free education. Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland offer cheap, tuition-free higher education. The University of Oxford is the oldest in the UK (established in 1096). Europe is also home to the world's oldest universities, with the University of Bologna, Italy, being the oldest in Europe (est. 1088). Countries like Sweden and Finland have the highest researchers-to-population ratio, providing international candidates with the perfect scope for doing research in their field.
The UK is the most popular destination for international students, followed by Germany and Denmark. Around 35% of international students (doing BS/MS/Ph.D.) studying in Europe are from Asia, and 43.1% are from Africa. Poland is another country that is attracting a large academic population due to the increasingly large number of English-taught programs.
What are the Most Popular Majors in Europe?
The most popular majors offered in Europe are in the fields of business, administration, and law. But at the same time, this is country-specific, with countries like France offering their best programs in fields like design, culinary arts, foreign languages, etc. Nursing and Psychology are also popular majors in Europe.
Engineering in Europe
Engineering is one of the professional degrees that international students seek. The universities here have been pioneers of innovation and invention since 1088. This implies that universities' zest for scientific research was implemented centuries ago. This is one of the qualities that European universities strive to keep intact and develop according to the changing times. Engineering students who have enrolled in universities here can use universities' extensive resources. The best universities for engineering in Europe are-
- Cambridge University-UK
- Imperial College-UK
- Oxford University-UK
- Delft University of Technology-The Netherlands
- Technical University Munich-Germany
Arts and Humanities in Europe
Europe is one of the most famous art destinations in the world, and its culture and history are deep-rooted in painting, music, literature, dance, fashion, etc. Students who choose to study in Europe within the arts and humanities fields will be able to learn about the history of art and immerse themselves in the rich heritage that any country in Europe can provide, which will improve their imagination and creativity. The best countries to study arts and humanities in include the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, etc.
The programs in the fields of arts and humanities not only focus on the main subject but also strive to teach soft skills to students, which will be highly beneficial to students who graduate from such programs. They also focus on IT skills, which students will require upon graduation, regardless of whether they work in a museum, library, or educational institution. The best programs in this field that are offered in Europe include-
- Philosophy
- Design
- Journalism
- Music, Theater, and Dance
- Foreign Languages and Literature
Every European country has public and private universities offering programs in arts and humanities. Most well-known institutions primarily focus on this field, with multiple departments in various disciplines. Out of the many universities that offer a multitude of arts and humanities programs, a few stand out. The best universities from where students can learn most programs in this field of study are-
- Oxford University-UK
- Cambridge University-UK
- University of Edinburgh-Scotland
- University College London-UK
- Humboldt- Universitat zu Berlin-Germany
MBA from Europe
France is the best country to study for an MBA or business-related program in Europe, which Spain and Switzerland follow. Unlike those offered in other parts of the world, the MBA programs in Europe only have a duration of 1 to 1.5 years, which is a tuition fee that is comparatively lower than in countries like the US. HEC Paris and IESE Spain are some of the top-rated management programs in the world. Many students from the US get a degree from these management programs to get international exposure.
Students can take up general, Executive, and Specialized MBAs based on their field of interest. The multiple options institutions offer help students diversify from other MBA graduates worldwide. The business schools also focus on developing the candidate's soft skills, creating more entrepreneurs than managers. The best business schools in Europe are-
- London Business School
- INSEAD
- IMD
- IESE Business School
- SDA Bocconi
Medicine in Europe
Europe offers many programs in the field of medicine and is home to different medical, dental, and veterinary universities. The medical programs here have a duration of 6 years and offer highly regarded worldwide programs. Since it is a popular study destination for international students, there are limited seats for medical programs, which also results in high tuition fees. Students who wish to enroll in these universities will have to face high competition and, therefore, will require stellar profiles that are not limited to academic credentials.
While most universities offer English programs, students must be careful about the languages preferred by the university before applying for programs. Some countries offer medical programs taught in a blend of English and other foreign languages, which will require additional qualifications from the candidate.
The best medical universities in Europe are-
- Oxford University
- Cambridge University
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- The University of Edinburgh
Which Countries are Top Destinations for International Students?
Most of the countries in Europe are popular places for international students. But at the same time, the importance of the destination lies in the kind of program and the field of study the student has chosen. While business and management programs of international standard are provided by most countries in Europe, certain countries like France and Italy are better known for the culinary and fashion designing programs they offer at different levels. The best study destinations in Europe are-
- UK
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- The Netherlands
Admission requirements for some universities
- Aalborg University, Denmark, requires IELTS with a score of at least 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 85
- 'EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology' Lausanne requires TOEFL + GRE (not required)
- Delft University of Technology: Computer Engineering: A Grade Point Average (GPA) for the BSc program of at least 75% of the scale maximum.
A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 154 verbal/4.0 analytical/163 quantitative.
Proof of proficiency in the English language: a TOEFL score of 90 on iBT (TOEFL) or an IELTS (academic version) overall Band score of at least 6.5.
- Typical Swedish University requirements.
- Master program: TOEFL at level 550 (213 computer-based) or above, IELTS 6.0 or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency. In addition to these general requirements, the applicant must meet the unique requirements for each program.
Tuition & Fees in European countries
Tuition fees in European universities depend on various factors, which begin with the country the student is moving to. Apart from the different tuition fee policies countries have, educational expenses will be based on whether the university the student attends is public or private. Private universities across Europe are costly and are subject to change according to the level of study and the field of study the candidate has chosen. Students will also have a difference in the tuition fee they have to pay based on their nationality. Most of the time, students who are nationals of the same country or those from EU/EEA countries will receive a subsidized tuition fee.
At the same time, almost all European countries will have universities that require non-EU/EEA candidates to pay the tuition fee, which will change according to the chosen discipline. Students will be able to apply for and receive scholarships that sometimes even cover the entirety of the tuition fee. The average tuition fee for getting a master's degree in Europe is around $30,000 for non-EU/EEA candidates.
Countries Offering Expensive Educational Programs
While most countries in Europe offer education at rates lower than the US or Australia, within Europe, there are countries where international students can find high tuition fees. The tuition fee rates vary from institution to institution, and most of the time, universities will have provisions to get scholarships and need-based grants, which will help them fund their education. These countries also offer international students a lot of work while studying options that will aid them in contributing to their living expenses and education.
Hungary is one of the most expensive places for international students, with a fee range between €2,500 to €8,000 per year. This is followed by countries like
Lithuania and
England, where the latter is one of the most popular study destinations, especially due to the ancient universities that are prevalent here. Students who enroll at universities in England must pay a tuition fee irrespective of nationality. The fee here is estimated to be around £10,000 per year, which can increase considerably to even £38,000 if students are doing a medical or business-related program. Other countries in the UK, like Northern Ireland, also require students to pay a high tuition fee depending on their chosen field of study.
While education is expensive in these countries, students can apply for scholarships that are either merit-based or need-based. Most countries in Europe offer scholarships based on the candidate's nationality and ethnicity, which makes it easier for candidates to receive scholarships or grants that can cover at least part of the tuition.
Countries Offering Affordable Educational Programs
While places like the UK offer education at high tuition fees per year, there are plenty of other countries in Europe where education is extremely affordable for international candidates.
Austria is one of the countries in Europe where the tuition fee is capped at €1,500 per year for students from countries outside EU/EEA. Since the fee is capped at a set amount, students can choose a program of their liking and enroll without considering the fee as long as they are applying to a public university.
Italy is another country where students can study at affordable rates. This mostly depends on the program the candidate has applied for, with the fee ranging between €900 and €4,000 per year. The tuition is available at a lower rate only if the candidate has enrolled in a public university. Depending on the university, private universities and business-related programs often have a higher fee range.
Poland offers affordable education to international students with fees ranging between €500 to €8,000 per year. This depends on the level of study the candidate has applied for and their chosen field of study.
The fee for studying in
Greece is around €1,500 per year for international students, which is also highly affordable.
France offers education to international students at a tuition fee of €2,800 to €3,800 per year.
Countries Offering Free Educational Programs
Education in Europe can be expensive and affordable depending on the country the candidate has chosen to move to and the field of study they have enrolled for. But at the same time, there are countries in Europe where students can study for free depending on their nationality. Students from EU/EEA countries will find that most countries offer free education to them at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. This is not the case for non-EU/EEA candidates, who usually pay a fee, though scholarships can cover this.
The countries that offer
free education to EU/EEA candidates are-
- Finland
- Austria
- Denmark
- France
- Hungary
- Norway
- Germany
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Greece
The countries that offer
free education to non-EU/EEA candidates include-
Countries like Finland and Sweden offer tuition-free doctoral programs to all international students.
Study in European Countries
Find information on universities, admission procedures, courses, student visas, etc. for various European countries.
Austria offers students the best quality education at subsidized rates, irrespective of the candidate's nationality. While EU/EEA and Swiss nationals will be able even to study free of cost, non-EU/EEA students will be able to pay a nominal fee that is the same across public universities if they get admitted to the programs. This country requires students to study the local language of German if they wish to live and learn comfortably. Most of the programs offered are either in German or a blend of German and English, for which students will require at least a basic understanding of German.
Spain has been listed as the most popular country for international studies, with almost a third of those students originating from the United States. The student enrolment rate in the country has been exponentially increasing over the years, with students choosing programs in the fields of arts and humanities, law, hospitality management, etc., among others. Students who stay here will experience the perfect blend of high-quality education and a laid-back culture found in both academic and work fields.
The biggest attraction that international students consider while choosing to study in Germany is that the programs in the public universities here are tuition-free for all international students. The degrees offered in this country are internationally recognized. Since most programs are taught in a blend of German and English, students will have to learn the basics of German, which will be highly beneficial to them, regardless of which country they choose to work in later. At the same time, students can find fully English-taught programs if they so wish to choose them. International students can also stay back in this country after completing their education, which is rare in Europe.
International students who wish to study in the Netherlands can choose from the different internationally recognized degrees they offer. It is one of those European countries where students can easily blend in using English even if they do not strive to learn the local language. Students can stay in this country for a year after completing their education, and then they can get permanently employed. They can stay this extra year without applying for a work permit.
Ukrainian educational programs are widely sought after by international students since they are internationally recognized and affordable compared to other European countries. Though the languages spoken in the country are Ukrainian and Russian, the educational programs are taught in English, which is convenient for international students. The education system here relies on the practical teaching method instead of the theoretical one, with popular fields of study being medicine, management, technology, etc.
The UK is one of the most expensive places in Europe for international students, but at the same time, it is one of the places with the oldest and most reputed universities. Since it is an English-speaking country, students will not have to study another language to stay in or enroll in any university in the country. But at the same time, they will require a high IELTS/TOEFL score to get into universities here. Both educational and living expenses are high in the country, but compared to the quality of education and living, they can be deemed worth it.
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