Study in Europe

Did you know that over 1.4 million students from around the world came to Europe in 2012 for their higher education and the numbers are growing every year. With 1000s of world-class universities, research centres and higher education institutions, Europe is the place to be.

Here are 8 good reasons to choose Europe for your higher education:

1. Careers: Shape your future

Want to get ahead in your career? Many employers worldwide actively seek or value an international study experience when recruiting. By studying here, you will gain the skills, knowledge and experience that employers value. With strong international business, creative and research sectors, Europe is a great place to build your career.

2. World-class education: Reach your full potential

World-leading universities, top facilities and inspirational teaching. in Europe, you’re at the centre of an international community with a passion for learning. What makes European universities so strong is the emphasis on creativity, innovation and support – helping you to reach your true potential.

3. Languages: Learn in English or another leading global business language

There are 24 official languages in the European Union, but did you know that most countries across Europe offer study programmes in English too? You’ll also find programmes taught in other leading global business languages such as Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic and more.

4. Support and friendship: Feel at home

Europe is a welcoming, friendly place for students from all around the world. Europe’s universities and colleges offer support and social activities to help you feel at home and happy. Europe is also a great place to live: 7 of the world’s 10 happiest countries are here!

5. Cultural experience: Have a unique adventure

Studying in Europe is not just about lectures and libraries, it is also a once-in-a-lifetime chance to discover new countries and to discover yourself too! From the snowy north to the sun-soaked south, across Europe you will find breath-takingly beautiful landscapes, buzzing cities and vibrant cultures waiting for you.

6. Scholarships and costs: Get value for money

European countries invest in their higher education systems to help make education affordable for students, whilst maintaining high quality standards. Across Europe, tuition fees and living costs compare very well to other study destinations. In fact, in some European countries, study programmes are free of charge! There are lots of scholarships and financial support options available too.

7. Diversity: Study the way you want

The beauty of Europe is that it offers so much choice. With world-class universities, higher education institutions and research institutes, offering 100,000s of Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD/Doctoral programmes, plus short-term study opportunities, you can choose the experience that suits you.

8. Pioneering research: Be the best

Are you an ambitious researcher looking to boost your career? Europe offers you great opportunities. There were 1.58 million full time equivalent researchers in the EU-27 in 2009. Over the next decade, the European Union is actively looking to attract an additional 1 million researchers!

Why Study in Europe?

Europe is increasingly popular as a study destination for UK students who want something a little different.

• English medium tuition helps to overcome the challenge of language at an increasing number of leading European universities.
• Grab the opportunity to improve your skills in another language.
• Travel between the UK and Europe is quick and easy.
• Studying in mainland Europe gives you the opportunity to experience the many different European countries and cultures.
• The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is encouraging greater compatibility between universities and higher education systems across the 47 member countries across Europe.
• Where do you want to study?

7 reasons why you should study in Europe

Every year, millions students study abroad in Europe. Europe is the place to be – if you are European and want to go to another country to gain international experience, or if you are from another continent and want to study here.

Study.EU has collected the 7 best reasons to study in Europe:

1. Study in Europe: the boost for your career

International experience has become more and more important in recent years. Large and small companies alike look for employees who have left their “comfort zone”. By studying abroad in Europe, you set the course for your career success. Many European countries also make an effort to convince foreign graduates to stay after university. That means if you decide to study in Europe, the chances are good that you will get a job offer and can stay for the longer term.

2. Europe offers world-class education and research

Many of the world’s best universities are located in Europe. Cross-border cooperations within Europe have shaped a strong international academic community that conducts cutting-edge research.

3. A wide range of education options

There are thousands of universities in Europe, offering tens of thousands of study programmes in English. You can find programmes in any academic discipline from Arts to Zoology; small, intimate universities or large international research centers; cutting edge academic research programmes or practice-oriented taught education. There is something for everybody.

4. Tuition fees are low

Compared to countries like the US, Canada or Australia, the tuition fees at most public universities in Europe are very low. In some European countries, there aren’t even any tuition fees – studying at university is free of charge! There are also lots of scholarship opportunities and other options for financial support during your studies.

5. It’s easy to travel and discover the whole continent

When you study in Europe, you should use the chance to see more countries than just one. Thanks to a wealth of cheap flight, train and bus connections, and relatively short travel times, that is even possible on a limited student budget and with tight semester schedules.

If you are a non-European citizen studying within the Schengen Area of 26 European states then you can easily obtain a student visa allowing you to visit other countries of the Schengen Area. Think of all the great experiences you can gain even far away from campus.

6. The higher education systems are well-respected and aligned

Thanks to the Bologna process of reforms, the national higher education systems of all European countries have been aligned. That means that any Bachelor or Master in Europe follows the same general academic framework. So, if you obtain your Master’s degree in Sweden, it will be equivalent to a Master’s degree from Germany, Lithuania or the United Kingdom.

7. You can study in English

Not only are there several thousand Bachelors and Masters in English that you can choose from. In most European countries, the proficiency in English is generally very high. That means even if you struggle to learn the basics in Polish, Portuguese or Swedish, you can always get by with English in everyday situations.

Six things you need to know about uni in Europe

If you want to escape our Island, why look further than across the channel?

Uni in Europe is a wide-open field, as ready for the taking as Napoleon and Hitler once believed. Its universities are fantastic, the price is right (free) and its culture is exquisite. Here’s the low-down:

1. OK, you do need another language. This is the biggest hurdle by far, and the reason that the continent has not been more exploited by Brits in the past. If you’re fresh out of school and want to start higher education in the traditional way, with a bachelor’s degree, you’ll struggle to find top quality European universities that will teach you in English.

In fact, you won’t even be admitted without native language skills, since most unis require a language test as part of the admission process.

However, bear in mind the following qualifications:

a) Many universities offer a number of individual courses taught in English. These normally last a semester, and you need a couple of dozen to earn enough points for a full degree, but if you choose a lot of them then the majority of your education will be in English anyway.

Such courses are, of course, typically the ones that are available to exchange students. This does not help with admission, which still requires a native language test in most cases if you want to study full time.

b) Some universities will offer one or more full degree programs in English. At the University of Amsterdam, for example, you can currently choose an English-taught undergraduate degree in Business and Economics, but not anything else.

If you’re looking to study a specific subject, then you might get lucky and find a uni somewhere that offers it in English, even if it’s the only program of its kind. Sites such as www.studyportals.com could be useful for tracking down such courses.

One or two unis now offer quite a few degrees in English – Maastricht and Groningen are probably the best.

c) Masters courses and programs are much more commonly taught in English, but you’ll need some higher education already under your belt to be eligible for them in most cases. See point 5, below.

d) The proportion of classes taught in English is gradually increasing. If you’re still 14 or 15 and starting preparations early, then by the time you are applying there may well be many more options available to you in Europe. [EDIT: since writing this, there are already English-taught degrees popping up like daisies. New on our radar, for example, are the bachelors programs at Roskilde University, Denmark).

e) Even where you can’t get an education without another language, you’ll find that the vast majority of students and professors speak impressive English anyway. This is especially true of countries like Germany, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian group.

Once you’ve reviewed the benefits of education in Europe, you may feel that it’s worth putting in the effort to learn a new language. With an immersion program and some motivation, this is possibly achievable during a gap year.

An A level in a specific language is probably not enough on its own to get you to the required standard, depending on what the university you’re applying to demands.

Some universities, particularly in Germany, offer their own language courses in the run-up to the start of the year, culminating with the language test needed for entry. Even if you don’t quite pass the test, they may allow you to start your studies anyway, providing that you can pass it properly at the end of the first year.

If you can speak the local language, you’ll almost certainly get a lot more out of your education abroad, and it can be a skill that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life, not to mention the employment opportunities it will open up to you. It might also help you get part-time work in your country of choice while you’re studying there. 

2. It’s cheap. Paying for university is a foreign concept in most of Europe. Most countries have minimal or no fees, and the continent as a whole continues to offer by far the best value for money, despite American unis’ higher rankings. A European education could very easily save you around £30,000 of debt.

Living costs can be high, it’s true, but then life in the UK isn’t exactly a snip. US living costs are considerably lower, (depends on the relative strength of the dollar/euro against the pound), but you save a lot by using Ryanair (with their delightful and well ordered queuing system) instead of British Airways.

3. It’s close. Europe has none of the long-haul flights, jet-lag or, mercifully, immigration problems that can bedevil one’s studies abroad. The beneficent EU is your friend here – students are free to move when and where they choose within its borders without any significant barriers or bureaucratic kerfuffle. As an international student, however, there are certain forms that you’ll need to fill in, so make sure that you’ve checked with your university that you’ve done everything right. 

4. Admission is easy. Like their UK counterpart, many European university systems are struggling to cope with increasing numbers of applicants and general overcrowding. However, the situation is not nearly as dire as it is in Britain, and the majority of institutions remain able to offer places to anyone who applies, with fairly lenient standards in terms of school exam grades.

You’ll need Bs or Cs at A Level to get into Europe’s top unis, as opposed to the A*s many British and US institutions are now requiring. Plus, being a foreign student makes admission a lot easier in many places, since almost every uni is keen to boost its international credentials.

5. It’s a long slog, at least for the locals. In the UK, the majority of students finish studying after a three-year bachelor degree. In the US, the degree takes four years or more. In most European countries, it’s five. This is because very few students leave university without pursuing a master’s degree as well, which adds two years on to your studies. 

Until recently, many countries did not even have an official distinction between undergraduate and postgraduate courses, since almost everyone did both, but the Bologna process has brought things closer in line with the British system. Even so, European students and university officials still acknowledge only a very slight conceptual (or bureaucratic) difference between undergrad and postgrad programs. This means life changes very little when you move from one to the other – you won’t suddenly find yourself in different social circles, using different admin procedures or living in different parts of the city. 

European employers are apparently loath to hire anyone without a master’s degree (hence the pressure to do all five years), but if you plan to return to Britain after uni then you could certainly think about doing so after the first three years, leaving your European comrades to push on for two more. British employers probably won’t know the difference – most are used to hiring candidates with just a bachelor’s, so if anything they’ll be impressed that you studied overseas at all. 

6. It’s crowded. After Asia, Europe has the highest population density of any continent. How will this affect you?

One word: accommodation. You’ll notice that when you move to a new city in Europe, people are packed to the rafters. Rooms can be cramped, poorly located and expensive.

In almost every university we visited, students said that decent accommodation was especially hard to come by in their locale.

Finding an acceptable place to stay will take hard work, patience and a willingness to settle for less than what you were hoping for.

Most universities will offer you little help unless you’re an exchange student, but it’s still a good idea to contact them, as they’ll be able to point you in useful directions for where to look. Trawl the forums and classifieds, the Gumtrees and Craigslists, and keep checking every day.

Determined searching is generally rewarded. And whatever you do, don’t fall for any internet con tricks – make sure you check that what you’re being offered really exists and is really what it says on the blurb.

10 Reasons Why You Should Study in Europe in 2020

Ah, Europe! A continent so often mistook for a country. But you, you are smarter than that. We know. Whether you come from America, Asia, Africa or Australia, if you want to study a Master’s abroad, European countries should definitely be on your destination list. And here are 10 good reasons why we think you can only (yeah, we love Europe) make the most of a graduate programme if you pursue it in Europe.

1. Sound smart around your friends and family

Next time someone asks you who was Napoleon you will surely know the answer after studying a year or two in France. Be that one person who always has a story to tell about the time they took a lecture on surrealism in Sorbonne. Your parents will love it and your friends will hate it.

Higher education institutes in Europe offer world-class education with high-quality Master’s programmes in basically every field. So why not take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad and gloat in the one of a kind experience the continent has to offer. Don’t know where to start exactly? Here are some European universities with open admissions where we can help you with the application process: 

• University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) 
• Leeds Beckett University
• PSB Paris School of Business
• Kaunas University of Technology
• Geneva Business School

2. Brag about the exquisite food

Europe is home to some of the most amazing chefs in the world. From affordable cosy bistros to overpriced Michelin-starred restaurants, you are well-served when it comes to food in Europe. If you’re daring, Europe’s wide range of dishes will allow you to go for snails in France or try the famous Sheppard’s pie in England.

3. Be artsy

If you’re into arts and culture, then you will definitely love this continent. If you choose to study in Italy, you’ll get the chance to see the city that gave birth to the Renaissance, Florence. If you choose to do a Master’s in Law at Cambridge, you will enjoy one of England’s loveliest medieval cities with its gardens and riverbanks.

A year or two in Paris will probably give you just enough time to see where all the famous painters and artists lived and why they were absolutely in love with this city that oozes creativity and elegance.

4. Get your lifetime dose of clubbing

Some of the world’s biggest and coolest bars and clubs are on the other side of the water. Regardless of your musical taste, there is a bar or club around the corner that offers an amazing selection of wine and cocktails and has music for every ear. 

Visit Bucharest to get your dose of nightlife in one compact street filled with food, alcohol, music and friendly faces or stroll down Lisbon’s pink street and pick a random bar to sip on some gin and tonic. You can be sure to find both international and local faces blending in together.

5. It’s a traveller’s dream

If you’re considering Europe to travel, well you’ve made the perfect choice. You can visit multiple countries and explore their unique cultures and traditions in 6 months’ worth of stay. If you’re on a 2 to 3-year programme then you definitely have the time to go backpacking through Europe (because who hasn’t dreamed of doing that).

6. You can study in English

If you’re worried you won’t be able to keep up with courses because they’re in a different language, don’t be. Higher education institutions offer many study programmes in English with affordable tuition fees. 

Although English makes your study experience easier, it is recommended to try and learn the local language. Knowing different languages is always a plus, and it’s the gateway to a better understanding of different cultures.

7. Meet new peeps!

Look for friends to expand your mind and understanding of the world. Exchanging with international students over a pint of lager or a cup of coffee is always a good way to keep learning even off campus and it makes your international experience much better. 

8. Great public transportation

In Europe, it is very easy to travel.  You can basically walk from one country to another depending on where you’re headed to. For example, if you choose to study at the University of Strasbourg, you can easily walk to Germany’s Kehl and back in less than an hour! Not a big fan of walking? Hop on the tram, metro or bus for a very small price.

9. Or bike your way to a healthier lifestyle 

You can rent a bike in almost every city in Europe to go to classes with it or to hit the farmer’s market for a Sunday shopping. There are many options for renting either by the hour or per year. Buying a bike is totally worth it but be careful of thefts as it is quite common in cities like Amsterdam or Paris.

10. Simply because it will change your life

The academic experience you get in Europe is much more different than the United States. Universities in Europe have a broad selection of Master’s degrees that you can apply for through Mastersportal. You can also choose to join a programme such as Erasmus to get the full international exchange experience. Simply put, living in Europe for a year or two can do nothing but improve your career path and your view of the world. So why not expand your horizon?

European Countries with the Most English-Taught Bachelor’s Degrees

If you believe the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, you should definitively believe you shouldn’t judge a country where you could study in by its language.

Thing is: Europe is a beautiful continent, full of great opportunities and English Bachelor’s degree programmes, so to just limit yourself to the U.K., just because they speak the language and because you really want to know what “crumpets” are is a shame.

So, because we want everybody to experience a true “international” experience, we made this nifty list of countries that have the most English-taught Bachelors in Europe.

1. English-taught Bachelors in Germany

Germany is one of Europe’s educational forces to be reckoned with. With its high rate of international students and great universities, Germany is always on the list of great destinations for undergraduate studies.

Because we’re so nice and helpful, and we want to see you studying in Germany and eating schnitzels, we can recommend some of the most popular universities there, like:

• HTK – Academy of Design, in Berlin 
• Macromedia University of Applied Sciences, in München 
• MetFilm School Berlin, in Berlin 
• University of Applied Sciences Europe – BiTS and BTK, in Berlin 
• Hochschule Fulda – University of Applied Sciences, in Fulda 

If these universities aren’t your pitcher of beer, then you should definitively check some awesome fields in Germany, like:

• Bachelors in Computer Science & IT in Germany 
• Bachelors in Economics in Germany 
• Bachelors in Business Administration in Germany 

2. English-taught Bachelors in Greece

You may be shocked to find Greece on this list, but don’t underestimate this white and blue country, with one of the most iconic mythologies in the world.

Before you get started learning Greek (and finding out that ‘dinosaur’ means ‘terrible lizard’), you should know that universities here, like European Public Law Organization, host some great English-taught Bachelor’s degrees.

Of course, because you can’t study a degree on how to become a true Spartan (unfortunately), you can always check other fields, like:

• Bachelors in Computer Science & IT in Greece 
• Bachelors in Business Administration in Greece 
• Bachelors in Finance in Greece 

3. English-taught Bachelors in the Netherlands

Honestly, seeing how complicated Dutch is, having English Bachelor’s degrees is a blessing in disguise.

The Netherlands, is one of the most innovative countries of 2017, according to U.N., and it raised to the top of the international destinations list and stayed there long enough to form some great study options, like:

• Bachelors in Business Administration in the Netherlands 
• Bachelors in Computer Science & IT in the Netherlands 
• Bachelors in Economics in the Netherlands 
• Bachelors in Psychology in the Netherlands 
• Bachelors in Liberal Arts in the Netherlands 

But, if these aren’t the fields you’re the most interested in, you can totally check some great international universities, like:

• HAN University of Applied Sciences, in Nijmegen 
• HAS University of Applied Sciences, in ‘s-Hertogenbosch 
• NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, in Leeuwarden 
• HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, in Utrecht 
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, in Amsterdam 

4. English-taught Bachelors in Poland

Poland is the 9th largest country in Europe and, because of that, it has some of the best and most Bachelor’s degrees in English on the continent.

Home to 17 Nobel prize winners, the quality of education is one of the greatest. It isn’t a coincidence that 90% of Polish people completed at least secondary education, seeing how good the universities are. For instance, some of the most popular international organisations in Poland are:

• University of Gdansk, in Gdansk 
• University of Information Technology and Management, in Rzeszów 
• Poznan University of Technology, in Poznan 
• Jagiellonian University, in Kraków 
• University of Wroclaw, in Wroclaw 

Also, some of the students’ most favourite study options here are:

• Bachelors in Computer Science & IT in Poland 
• Bachelors in Language Studies in Poland 
• Bachelors in Finance in Poland 
• Bachelors in Business Administration in Poland 
• Bachelors in Area & Cultural Studies in Poland 

5. English-taught Bachelors in Spain

Spain, in an ironic twist of fate, has less Spanish speakers than the U.S., and some of the most Bachelor’s taught in English.

Seeing how awesome education is in Spain, then you should definitively check some universities, like:

• Cardinal Herrera University (CEU), in Valencia 
• IE University, in Segovia 
• Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, in Barcelona 
• CETT School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy – Universitat de Barcelona, in Barcelona 
• Carlos III University of Madrid, in Madrid 

If these universities aren’t in your favourite cities, then you can search for your favourite degree in fields like:

• Bachelors in Business Administration in Spain 
• Bachelors in International Relations in Spain 
• Bachelors in International Business in Spain 
• Bachelors in Education in Spain 

6. English-taught Bachelors in Turkey

I can make you fall in love with Turkey with only four words: Turkey gives us Nutella! If you’re on a diet or prefer popcorn, you can always fall in love with Turkey for its great education and its awesome culture and architecture. 

As an international student, you should definitively check out these universities for your undergraduate degree:

• Ozyegin University, in Istanbul 
• Bilkent University, in Ankara 
• Sabanci University, in Istanbul 
• Istanbul Aydin University, in Istanbul 
• Istanbul Altinbas University, in Istanbul 

Also, Turkey has some of the most popular and versatile study options in Europe. So, if you come here for your student years, you should definitively check some:

• Bachelors in Economics in Turkey 
• Bachelors in Architecture in Turkey 
• Bachelors in Business Administration in Turkey 
• Bachelors in Psychology in Turkey 
• Bachelors in International Relations in Turkey 

The development of English-taught Bachelor’s degrees was a gateway for international students to enjoy and explore more during their undergraduate experience. Playing it safe and not going on a great adventure because you would feel more comfortable studying in your own language won’t be half as fun or as exciting. You might also discover what Master’s degree you want to study.