Europe is an ideal training ground for a bright career pathway. In 2018, 1.3 million international students were enrolled in European institutions, indicating that the European continent is one of the world’s most desirable places to study in.
What makes Europe great as a study destination for international students? Below is a list of five of the many reasons why.
Affordable tuition fees
Most public institutions in Europe offer low tuition fees for international students – some even lower than the fees posted by schools in the United States, Australia, and Canada. What’s more, tuition is free in several public universities in European countries, even if you do not have a scholarship or a bank loan.
If you’re from the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), you don’t have to pay for tuition in public universities in France, Austria, Sweden, Poland, Finland, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Norway, Hungary, and Slovenia.
If you’re from outside the EU/EEA, your tuition is free when you study in Norway and Germany, which got first place in Study.EU’s Country Ranking in 2017 and 2018. Germany is a top choice for students for its unmatched universities plus tuition-free public university system. Even the private institutions in Germany offer degree programs at low fees.
In addition, European governments and education institutions also offer scholarships, study grants, and other forms of financial support to international students. Some of the scholarships for international students are:
- Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (Sweden)
- Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students (Denmark)
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students (Switzerland)
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)
- VLIR-UOS Scholarship Awards (Belgium)
- Italian Government Bursaries for Foreign Students (Italy)
- Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)
- Bologna University Study Grants for International Students (Italy)
- Lund University Global Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students (Sweden)
- Holland Scholarships (Netherlands)
Top-notch academic institutions
Europe is home to over 500 of the 1,500 universities ranked by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. In the top 50 are following European institutions: ETH Zurich in Switzerland, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, KU Leuven in Belgium, Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris in France, and LMU Munich, Technical University of Munich, and Heidelberg University in Germany.
Europe is also known for its cutting-edge academic research, and with Europe’s cross-border cooperation with other countries, its international academic cooperation remains strong and of a high standard.
Multitude of study options
There is something for everybody in Europe. With a multitude of higher education institutions providing tens of thousands of different study programs for you to choose from, you can take your pick of courses from a variety of fields.
Here are some interesting degrees you can earn in Europe:
- Bachelor’s or master’s in Game Design from Uppsala University, Sweden
- Bachelor’s master’s in Sustainable Innovation from SDS – The Sustainable Design School, France
- Master’s in Public Art and New Artistic Strategies from the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany
- Bachelor’s in Luxury Brand Management, Swiss School of Higher Education, Switzerland
- Bachelor’s in Arctic Adventure Tourism from the UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
- Bachelor’s in Natural Resources in Smart Organic Farming from the Häme University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Bachelor’s in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Austria
Valuable work experience
After graduating or even while studying, international students can choose to work and earn money for their studies and themselves. Many European countries allow international students to work while studying, and stay for a specified period to work after they finish their degree.
Small and large-scale companies in Europe look for hardworking interns and employees who are eager to learn and are not afraid to go outside of their shell. International students, by venturing into a foreign country to pursue their dreams, show that they fit the bill well.
Getting an international education in Europe doesn’t only add up to the learning experience but sets up the path towards career success. By choosing to study in Europe, students will not only work toward academic progress, but professional advancement as well.
Travel experiences
In your free time as an international student, you can immerse and experience the cultural diversity of Europe by visiting different countries. Thanks to cheap flight fees, short travel times, and train and bus connections, visiting European countries within a limited budget is something that international students may be able to do.
You can get to know the people, eat a variety of local cuisines, and take a stroll around stunning tourist sites in the Schengen Area. You can do so while using the student visa that you can easily obtain if you are a non-European citizen studying within the Schengen Area of 26 European states. It is the best way to enjoy the perks of being an international student.
Studying in Europe is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity that students from other countries shouldn’t miss. Above are just a few reasons among many of why the European continent is the place to be for international students. With Europe’s excellent academic reputation and environment, what more is there to ask for?
