Study in Europe

Studying in Europe offers international students the opportunities to experience wide range of educational experiences, blending historic academic traditions with cutting-edge research. International students can immerse themselves in a multitude of cultures, languages, and historical perspectives by choosing to study in one of the continent’s diverse countries.

With over 4,000 European universities and colleges to choose from, in over 30 different countries, there will be a European course and degree to suit your needs. You can learn in English, or immerse yourself fully in a new culture and language. From the Arctic Circle to the coast of Africa, you can explore a truly diverse and multicultural region, with a rich academic history spanning thousands of years.

READ MORE: Safest European Cities for International Students

Why Study in Europe?

Thanks to the Bologna Process, which was launched in 1999, degrees and qualifications across the European continent have been standardised. This means that your degree will be recognised throughout Europe.

Find out more about this in our Bologna Process study advice article.

Another useful system implemented in Europe is ECTS. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) makes degrees and qualifications more comparable across European countries, allowing for the mobility of international students within Europe.

Find out more about this system in our What is ECTS? advice article.

Tuition Fees in Europe

Many European universities are known for their affordable tuition fees. Some countries don’t charge tuition fees at all for public universities. Private universities usually have higher fees, but are still competitive when compared to other continents.

If you are an EU/EEA student, you may be eligible for discounted tuition fees, depending on the university you wish to study at.

European Universities

There are a few different types of universities across Europe. These include public and private universities, as well as universities and universities of applied sciences.

Public universities in Europe tend to charge much lower tuition fees, with some not charging fees at all. They also tend to be strong in research fields. Private universities may offer smaller class sizes and specialised programs, but charge higher tuition fees.

Some countries in Europe are home to universities and universities of applied sciences. These differ in the types of programs they offer and the qualifications awarded. Universities offer research-oriented degrees, whereas universities of applied sciences offer skills-oriented degrees focused on preparing students for specific careers.

For more information about the differences between these types of universities, see our University vs. University of Applied Sciences advice article.

Visas to Study in Europe

Visa requirements for international students vary by country but are generally straightforward, with many countries offering support and guidance to incoming students to navigate the process. For more information about the visa requirements for specific countries, see the country list below.

Choosing a city to study abroad

Even when you know which country you would like to study in, it is still important to consider the city in which you will study, as your study experience may differ from city to city.