When it comes to pursuing higher education in Europe, there are a variety of prestigious universities to choose from. In addition to popular private universities in the UK like The University of Buckingham, there are several other notable institutions across the continent. Some of these include the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Milan, Università Bocconi Milan, Constructor University Bremen, and many more. These universities offer a range of academic programs and are known for their excellence in research and teaching.
For students interested in applying to these universities, there are certain basic admission requirements that need to be met. Typically, applicants are required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and they must demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction, which is often English or the native language of the country. Additionally, prospective students may need to submit standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement explaining their academic goals and interests.
The admission process for these universities can vary, but generally, students will need to submit an online application through the university’s website. This application will typically require personal information, academic transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. After the initial review of the application, some universities may require an interview or additional materials to be submitted. Once all required materials have been received, the university’s admissions committee will make a decision on whether to admit the student. It is important for applicants to carefully review the specific admission requirements and deadlines for each university they are interested in applying to.
Why choosing a private university in Europe?
Many countries in Europe offer free universities but if you are looking for a personalised education, small classes, flexibility, engaging teachers, a great network and industry connection then you should look at one of the following private university in Europe. Discover our selection of the best private universities in Europe:
State & private universities
State universities (or public universities, as you may see them referred to) have their funding provided by the government. However, how beholden they are to this role depends very much on the country. For example in Germany professors are often seen as civil servants. Whereas, in the UK the government does not own the universities assets, and the employees (tutors and professors) are not seen in the same way. Public universities in Europe are often either free to students from countries in the EU, or have capped tuition fees, meaning they are (usually) cheaper than private universities.
Private universities are less common than public universities, and the number of them varies from country to country. For example, in Greece and Finland, there are no private universities, whereas in other European countries like Turkey and Germany, there are over 70! Private higher education institutions can charge much higher fees, but often specialise more than public universities. Many of them focus on particular subject areas, such as business or finance. Within private universities there is still a lot of variation – some are for profit, whereas some are non-profit; some are church-run, others are not.
How do you decide what sort of university to opt for? Well, it’s very much dependent on what you intend to study and your financing options. If you can afford to, and the university is rated highly, there is no reason not to choose a private university – assuming it’s accredited. If, however, financing is more difficult, looking towards public universities could well be a better plan.
Specialised vs general institutions
But wait! There’s even more to think about. As well as what most of us probably think of as ‘general’ universities, there are also specialised ones, sometimes referred to as colleges. Here, we’ll have a quick look at four major types of these, plus the more ‘general’ universities.
Medical universities
Medical colleges/universities are exactly what they sound like. Sometimes medical schools are stand-alone, and sometimes they are attached to a particular university. In some cases, they may be linked to a hospital too. Medical schools aren’t limited solely to training doctors/nurses, however, they will also often have courses in other scientific-based courses, for example ‘Biochemistry’.
Science/technical colleges
These two types of university often overlap in name, and this can be something to watch out for. A science-focused university may focus on either theoretical sciences or more on engineering, and it is worth researching the individual universities to check which it is. They may also sometimes be known as a Technical College rather than a Science College, for example the IST (Instituto Superior Téchnico in Portugal) provides courses in science, engineering and technology. This is important, as there is another usage of the term Technical School to watch out for.
The other meaning of the term Technical School usually focuses on the more practical subjects, rather than the academic ones. Examples of courses available at these types of Technical School include IT, Health and Beauty Care, and Agriculture. These schools are particularly good for students who already have a career in mind and wish to develop the practical skills required. They are also sometimes known as Polytechnics.
We recommend doing your research thoroughly if you are interested in applying to either of these types of university, and being aware of the double usage of the term ‘technical’.
Art schools
Art schools are focused on the visual arts, most often painting, photography, etc. That said, they also often encompass other arts, such as fashion. France’s École des Beaux-Arts was possibly the first such institution, and its tradition continues throughout Europe today. A degree at a higher education institution like this will cover art theory as well as requiring plenty of practical work. Studying at an art school can be very useful for networking within the art scene.
General universities
General universities are the sort of higher education institution that most students are familiar with – an institution offering a variety of courses in a broad range of subjects. These are the most common types of university in most countries. Within Europe, the tradition of these universities dates back centuries, which means that one major distinction between many of them is their age – although this doesn’t necessarily reflect quality. When researching General Universities be aware that even though they may teach a broad range of subjects, their expertise may still lie in one particular area – for instance, the London School of Economics strong point is, as its name suggests, economics, but it still excels in other subjects.
To summarise
How then should you go about choosing your ideal type of university then? Firstly, it will depend on subject – a medical school is no use to someone wishing to study fine arts, after all! Next, both expertise and financing come into play. There’s also the atmosphere to consider as well – a General University may well be more cosmopolitan attracting students from all sorts of backgrounds, studying a huge variety of things. A focused school like a technical institute is more likely to have everyone studying similar courses to each other – which could mean that the students are more likely to be of the same type. In the end, it all comes down to what you want your university life to be like, and each of these types of higher education institution will provide its own unique experience. What experience you want to have is something only you can decide.
Why choosing a private university in Europe?
Many countries in Europe offer free universities but if you are looking for a personalised education, small classes, flexibility, engaging teachers, a great network and industry connection then you should look at one of the following private university in Europe. Discover our selection of the best private universities in Europe:
Best Private Universities in Europe
IE University
Spain
IE University is a private university located in Spain (Segovia, Castile and León and Madrid). IE University’s programs are run in English and Spanish, and are compliant with the terms of the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process).
2020 Top 10 Universities in Europe
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13 cheapest universities in Europe
1. Scuola Normale Superiore
We’re kicking off our list with one of the sweetest deals around for studying abroad in Europe. Scuola Normale Superiore is a top-rated college in Italy, and one of the best in all of Europe. The school has three main programs for undergraduate students: humanities, sciences, and political science.. The humanities program offers specializations in topics such as paleography history of art, archaeology modern literature, and linguistics philosophy. The school also has biology, chemistry, and physic focuses in the school of science.
The best part about all of this? Scuola Normale is one of the tuition free universities in europe for international students. That’s right. Free. As if that weren’t amazing enough, the school also covers living costs such as housing and food. You’ll barely pay a dime if you go here to study abroad.
- Location: Pisa, Italy
- Tuition Cost: Free!
- Popular Subjects: Humanities, Sciences, and Political Science
- Recommended Program: Study Italian in Pisa, Italy by The National Registration Center for Study Abroad
2. Sant’Anna
Sant’Anna is located in Pisa, which means tons of sightseeing opportunities for you.
Sant’Anna easily earns its spot on our list of cheapest universities in Europe. This school has two main programs: experimental & applied sciences and social sciences. While some courses are taught in English, you’ll need to know a decent amount of Italian to study here.
The extra effort to learn the language is worth it! This school is tuition free, and they’ll cover your living expenses as well. You’ll love living and attending school in Pisa, all for free! This university is a perfect option to help you study abroad in Europe for free.
- Location: Pisa, Italy
- Tuition Cost: Free
- Popular Subjects: Experimental & Applied Sciences and Social Sciences
- Recommended Program: SAI Programs: Education Abroad Inspiring Creativity!
3. Free University of Berlin
The tuition at the Free University of Berlin is, you guessed it, free! You’ll be responsible for living costs such as rent and food. In Berlin, living costs come out to about 700 euros a month, just less than $800 per month! That’s a pretty sweet deal for such a great university. This university is also one of the cheap universities in Europe that teach in English. They offer a Bachelor of Arts program filled with courses taught in English. This school in Berlin is waiting for you to have tons of awesome study abroad adventures!
You’ll have a great time studying in Berlin.
- Location: Berlin
- Tuition Cost: Free
- Popular Subjects: North American Studies
- Recommended Program: API at Freie University of Berlin
4. University of Göttingen
Germany is king of free schooling, and University of Göttingen is yet another of the tuition free universities in europe for international students! This university has programs in humanities, natural sciences, law, and social sciences some of which are in English! It’s also home to one of the largest libraries in all of Germany.
The only cost for this university is a small administrative fee of around 300 Euros per semester. That’s just $335 dollars for an entire semester of school! The only other cost is the cost of living. In Göttingen, the cost of living is similar to Berlin at around 700 euros, or less than $800 a month.
- Location: Göttingen, Germany
- Tuition Cost: ~€300 (~$335)
- Popular Subjects: Humanities, natural sciences, law, and social sciences
- Learn more: View the University of Göttingen’s website
5. RWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen University specializes in architecture, georesources, and materials engineering. All bachelor study courses are taught in German, so you’ll need a certain amount of fluency to attend school here.
Plus, Aachen, Germany is home to gorgeous cathedrals like this one.
Learning German is worth it, though! This university charges no tuition except for a small student body and processing fee of ~260 euros, or ~$290 per semester. The expected cost of living is about ~800 Euros per month, or just under ~$900. While this doesn’t quite help you study abroad in Europe for free, it’s pretty darn close!
- Location: Aachen, Germany
- Tuition Cost: ~260 euros (~$290)
- Popular Subjects: Architecture, georesources, and materials engineering
- Learn More: View the RWTH Aachen University website
6. The University of Vienna
Vienna, Austria is another great place for cheap universities in Europe. The University of Vienna is tuition free, with only a small processing fee of ~730 Euros, or ~$815 per semester. There are nearly 200 different programs from which to choose and many are even taught in English. Because it was founded in 1365, this University has tons of history, and is one of the oldest universities around. The town of Vienna is famous for its culture and nightlife, and will be the perfect place for you to study abroad.
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Tuition Cost: ~730 Euros, or ~$815 per semester
- Popular Subjects: Theology, Computer Science, Cultural Studies, Philosophy
- Recommended Program: Budget Low Cost – German Studies – University of Vienna by Center For Study Abroad (CSA)
7. Nord University
As a publicly-funded Norwegian university, Nord University doesn’t charge tuition fees.
The only catch is that, as a non EU citizen, you are required to prove that you have the funds to support yourself for a year in Norway in order to get a visa to study there. Currently, the cost of living in Norway for a year is around ~$13,000.
Studying abroad in Norway means opportunities to see the Northern Lights!
While this is a little more than some of the other costs of living from our list, the Nord University experience is worth it. Nord University is among the cheap universities in Europe that teach in English. The programs taught in English include Circumpolar Studies, 3D art, Animation, Games and Entertainment Technology, Biology, and English.
- Location: Bodø, Norway
- Tuition Cost: ~725 Euros, or ~$800 per semester
- Popular Subjects: Circumpolar Studies, 3D art, Animation, Games and Entertainment Technology, Biology, and English
- Learn more: Visit Nord University’s website
8. Nantes University
If France is calling your name, then Nantes University has the study abroad adventure for you. Nantes University charges only a small processing fee of 184 euros, or ~$200 per semester! The cost of living here is fairly low, at just 600 euros, or ~$670 per month.
Nantes University offers a variety of programs taught in English: biology and earth science; foreign languages, literature, and civilizations; and European and international studies.
- Location: Nantes, France
- Tuition Cost: ~184 Euros, or ~$200 per semester
- Popular Subjects: Health and medical technology, engineering, legal and political science, and other interdisciplinary programs
- Recommended Program: IES Abroad Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies
9. University of Paris-Sud
Tuition free universities in Europe for international students are the best! University of Paris-Sud is one of the cheapest universities in Europe; they charge only a small processing fee of around ~€170 (~$190) per semester. Their English-taught programs include sciences and languages, physics, and economics and management.
Paris is gorgeous and everybody should study abroad here. 😉
And the location, Paris, is amazing! Eiffel Tower and many other French adventures await you! The only catch is, because it’s such a big city, the cost of living in Paris tends to be a little higher. Still, with a university this cheap, your dreams of studying abroad in Paris are achievable here!
- Location: Paris, France
- Tuition Cost: ~170 euros, or ~$190 per semester
- Popular Subjects: Sciences and languages, physics, and economics and management.
- Learn more: Visit University of Paris-Sud’s website
10. University of Athens
This university is the oldest one in all of Greece! Their undergraduate programs range from dentistry to music studies, in addition to nursing, social theology, and theatre studies. You’ll love attending school amidst Greek columns and architecture.
And the city of Athens has Greek ruins sprinkled throughout the entire city; you’ll have tons to explore and see during your time studying abroad there. The median cost of living in Athens is ~$800 per month but can be as little as ~$500.
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Tuition Cost: ~$400 per semester
- Popular subjects to study: Dentistry, music studies, nursing, social theology, and theatre studies
- Learn more: Visit University of Athens’ website
11. University of Crete
No public university in Greece charges tuition fees for EU students, and the University of Crete doesn’t charge tuition fees for international students either. The main programs here are philosophy, education, social sciences, medicine, and science and engineering. You could be studying philosophy in Greece, the birthplace of philosophy! All classes at this university are taught in Greek, but there is a sizeable international community of English speakers as well.
- Location: Crete, Greece
- Tuition Cost: Free
- Popular subjects to study: Philosophy, education, social sciences, medicine, and science and engineering
- Learn more: Visit University of Crete’s website
12. University of Basel
You’ll fall in love with the beauty of Basel, Switzerland.
Founded in 1460, the University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland. This also makes it one of the oldest surviving universities in the world. Plus, its library is the largest in the country. Not to mention, it’s one of the cheapest universities in Europe.
The university is home to a number of diverse programs, including theology, law, medicine, humanities and social sciences, science, psychology, and business and economics. Most programs are taught in a mix of German and English. Learning German is worth it, though, for the ~$800 price per semester!
- Where: Basel, Switzerland
- Tuition Cost: CHF 850, or ~$835 per semester
- Learn more: Visit University of Basel’s website
13. University of Würzburg
For the last German university on our list, a proficiency in German is necessary. That said, there are a handful of courses taught in English for the international students. Their major programs include cultural and music studies, as well as politics, astronomy, and molecular and computational biology. The University of Würzburg charges a small processing fee of ~130 euros, or ~$145 per semester, making it uber affordable and appealing for study abroad students everywhere.
- Location: Würzburg, Germany.
- Tuition Cost: ~130 euros, or ~$145 per semester
- Popular Subjects: Cultural studies, musical studies, politics, astronomy, and molecular and computational biology
- Recommended Program: M.Sc. Molecular and Computational Biology by University of Würzburg
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