Study Abroad Programs in Europe

Europe is home to some of the most popular countries for study abroad. Whether you want to study business in economic hubs such as London or Paris or learn romance languages surrounded by the architectural marvels of Barcelona or Rome, you have plenty of options to choose from in exciting Europe.

Interested in studying abroad in Europe? We’ve got you covered! Keep reading to find out the popular destinations, universities, and how you can study in Europe!

With over 40 countries in Europe, it can be hard to decide where to spend a semester, summer, or year learning overseas. Each country has something unique to offer, and applicants will need to decide which course, university, cuisine, and culture captivates them the most.

To help you with your research, here are a few of the most popular destinations to consider for studying in Europe:

The United Kingdom

The UK is a highly popular location for international students not only because of its top-rated universities but also because of its student-packed cities, medieval architecture, and hearty dishes. Home to thriving university cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Liverpool, there are many universities to choose from for international students of all academic levels.

Some of the most popular majors in the UK include:

• Business studies: Home to major cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow, the UK is an excellent place to study business abroad. Here, you can cultivate industry links to major international companies that maintain offices in the UK. If you are a non-native English speaker, improving your English within the context of business will certainly increase career prospects.
• Accounting & finance: Studying accounting and finance in the UK allows students to gain real-world skills in a country that has a significant international presence in the financial industry. UK universities can offer exceptional academic training for accounting and finance students.
• Law: The English common law system is practiced around the world in countries such as the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, and Kenya. International students can enhance their knowledge of criminal law, immigration law, international law and more by studying in some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
• Computer science: Not only are computer science majors highly sought after, but studying at top UK universities which have strong connections with IT companies allows international students to build their professional network.

France

When it comes to language, art, cinematography, and architecture, France oozes sophistication. France’s prominent international presence leads thousands of international students to flock to the country every year. Some of the most popular majors in France include:

• Fashion: France is rife with immaculate attire and luxury items, making it the perfect place for someone who wants to major in fashion. With Paris being one of the fashion capitals of the Western world, aspiring fashion designers will find no shortage of universities and schools that can facilitate their dream.
• Film: Whether you are a fan of noir, romance or avant garde, film majors in France can revel in the home of cinematography. Host to popular film festivals such as Cannes, international students and aspiring filmmakers can study at a range of reputable film schools while benefiting from attending events frequented by the greats of cinema and art.
• Politics & economics: France is home to UNESCO and the International Chamber of Commerce, making it a pivotal location for geopolitics and international trade. International students who want to major in political science or economics will find plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience while studying in France.
• Engineering: Paris and Lyon are not only aerospace engineering and robotics leaders in France but globally. Notable brands sought-after by automotive engineering students such as Peugeot, Bugatti, Renault are headquartered in France.

Germany

It is no secret that Germany is a major actor on the world’s stage due to its engineering, politics, and business practices. Studying in Germany will allow international students to gain access to high quality education while also embracing gothic architecture, radiant landscapes, bierkellers, and other wonderful aspects inherent to Germany.

• Engineering: With automotive brands such as BMW, Audi, Porsche, and many more, Germany is an attractive country for international engineer majors. Whether you opt for the technical universities in Munich or Berlin or programs at schools in smaller cities, there are many options for international engineering students in Germany.
• Business & economics: Germany boasts the largest economy in the EU, making it a no-brainer study abroad destination for business and economics students. Germany is home to many top universities which offer German and also English taught business and economic courses.
• Computer science: Companies in Germany invest plenty of time and money into business digitization, meaning that computer science majors are in high demand. International computer science majors will find plenty of opportunities to study at universities in Germany.
• International relations & politics: Studying politics or international relations is a sure way of increasing your knowledge of domestic and international policies. For international students in Germany, they can study these topics in a country which plays a pivotal role in the European Union, the United Nations and NATO operations.

Netherlands

Since English is widely spoken in the Netherlands, international students will have an easy time fitting in. Famous for its iconic windmills and picturesque plains, the Netherlands has a lot to offer international students studying in Europe.

• Engineering: Infrastructure is of a high standard in the Netherlands, and this is attributed to its formidable engineering presence. International students can gain valuable knowledge studying general, civil, or electrical engineering in the Netherlands.
• Art & design: Home to iconic painters like van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt, art students can find their creative spark in the Netherlands. Amsterdam alone has over 60 museums so students will have no shortage of inspiration outside of the classroom.
• Architecture: There are many universities in the Netherlands which offer renowned architecture degrees, whether international students want to specialize in architectural design, architectural engineering, or urban studies. During their free time, international students can admire the country’s castles, windmills, and cube houses.
• Environmental studies & ecology: Students interested in environmental science can witness the Netherlands’ impressive eco-friendly policies evidenced by its strong bicycle culture, agricultural sustainability, high tech innovation, and more.

To study abroad in the Europe, these are generally the steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Research programs and universities: Focus on programs that genuinely excite you. You’ll also want to consider your budget and decide how long you want to study abroad in Europe.
2. Prepare your application materials: You will need to gather and submit necessary documents, such as your passport scan, application form, academic transcripts, cover letter, and letter of recommendation.
3. Apply for a visa: Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a student visa to be able to study abroad. US and UK applicants will need to apply for a student visa to study abroad in Europe if their program is longer than 3 months.
4. Start budgeting & exploring scholarships: You will need to create an expenditure list, taking into consideration the costs of your tuition fees, airfare, visa, accommodation, and so on. Applying to scholarships and grants can help defray overall costs.
5. Prepare for your adventure overseas! Buy your plane ticket and consult a study abroad packing list to start tying up those loose ends!

Check out the average tuition costs for studying abroad in Europe and learn about scholarship opportunities to help lower your overall expenses.

Average costs of tuition

The average cost of annual tuition fees will depend on a number of factors, including the country, whether you are attending a public or private university, your major, how long you study abroad, and whether you enroll directly or go through a third party provider.

Here are the average costs of annual tuition for studying abroad in Europe through direct enrollment:

• The United Kingdom: $14,130 - $39,770 USD (£11,400-£32,081 GBP).
• France: $186 - $712 USD (€170 - €650 EUR) for public universities or between $5,500 - $32,000 (€5,000 – €30,000 EUR) for private universities depending on the major.
• Germany: Free tuition at public universities or $11,000 - $16,400 USD (€10,000 - €15,000 EUR) at private universities
• The Netherlands: $6,500 - $22,000 USD (€6,000 and €20,000)
• Switzerland: $438 - $4,000 USD (€400 – €3,700 EUR)

Scholarships

Many European universities, study abroad providers, private organizations, and government agencies offer scholarships for international students in Europe. To help you get started, Go Overseas has compiled a list of study abroad scholarships and grants that can be applied to almost any student level and program around the world!

Read more: Go Overseas Scholarships

Cost of Living

The cost of living varies throughout Europe, but fortunately, there are some ways to save money as a student. You can take advantage of student discounts on transportation, in museums, restaurants, and more.

Countries such as the UK, Ireland, Germany, and France, have a moderately high cost of living that is similar to the US. On the other hand, countries such as Portugal, Poland, Greece, and the Czech Republic, have a significantly lower cost of living which can make them desirable locations for international students wondering how to study abroad in Europe for cheap.