A stable political environment, robust economy, and a world-class education system answer your ‘why study in Europe’ inquiry. Every year millions of international students flock to Europe, primarily due to its welcoming culture and proven excellence in future employment. However, if you are still unsure, read the article to know why you should choose Europe as your study abroad destination.
Read More: Guide to Settle in Europe
Table of Contents
Reasons to Study in Europe
Europe has been one of the most popular and livable continents for ages. It also has a long and proud history of providing world-class education through some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. As per the QS World Rankings, Europe tops the chart with the highest number of universities on the list with 483 universities. United Kingdom (UK) still leads the Europe continent with maximum universities in the list of top institutions, followed by Germany, France, and Denmark. Let us have a look at some of the top reasons why Europe is one of the best study abroad destinations.
1. Top Universities in Europe
Europe houses some of the best and oldest universities in the world. Therefore, you can expect world-class education and scope for research in Europe. These universities offer multiple courses and specialization options to choose from. Among the top universities in the world, maximum universities are based in Europe.
Here is a list of the top 10 European universities as per the QS World University Rankings 2023.
University
Country
QS WUR 2023
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
2
University of Oxford
United Kingdom
4
Imperial College London
United Kingdom
6
UCL
United Kingdom
8
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
9
The University of Edinburgh
United Kingdom
15
EPFL
Switzerland
16
Université PSL
France
26
The University of Manchester
United Kingdom
28
King’s College London
United Kingdom
37
Source: QS World University Rankings, 2023
Read More: Study in Europe without IELTS
2. Quality of Education in Europe
Many European countries such as Germany, France, and the UK are considered world leaders in offering quality education. Even if you are not able to make it to the top colleges, you will still receive an education that is top-notch. You will also get to learn first-hand from some of the most venerated professors in the world. Europe has been one of the frontrunners in the industrial revolution; therefore, most European countries take pride in excellent educational infrastructure. All the universities in Europe are accredited by the ministry of education of the base country.
As per the 5th pillar (higher education and training) of the Global Competitiveness Index 2017-2018, six out of ten countries belong to Europe. Singapore is on the top, and Finland holds second place. Other European countries that made a place on the list are the Netherlands (#4), Switzerland (#5), Denmark (#6), Norway (#8), Germany (#15), and more.
Here is a brief of five countries offering quality education to international students in Europe:
i. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is known for quality education, teaching methodology, and top world universities. Most of the universities that rank high in the world are from the UK. There are over 160 universities and colleges in the UK that offer degree programs to students. The University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Imperial College of London, UCL, and the University of Edinburgh are some of the top and oldest universities in the world.
ii. Germany
Germany is known for offering quality education at lower or no tuition fees. Most of the universities in the country are state-funded; hence, education is affordable in Germany. There are different types of universities in Germany that offer tailored programs to students. Technical Univeristy of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität are some of the top universities in Germany.
iii. France
The types of higher education institutions in France include universities, grande école, and specialized schools. There are over 3,500 public and private institutions that offer higher education in France. Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and Sorbonne University are some of the top universities in France.
iv. Netherland
Higher education in Netherland is either research-oriented or profession-oriented. The country has 14 government-funded research universities and over 40 government-funded universities for applied sciences. The University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, and Utrecht University are some of the top universities in the Netherland.
v. Denmark
Higher education in Denmark is offered by four types of institutions – Academies of professional higher education, university colleges, universities, and university-level institutions for education in arts. Danish universities are also known to quality education to students. The University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark, and Aarhus University are some of the top universities in Denmark.
3. Courses and Specializations
Not many colleges and universities in the world offer the kind of variety in courses as well as specializations that are offered in Europe. From engineering and medicine to music and art, the range of specializations is huge. There is something for everybody in Europe. From arts to zoology, you will find several courses in Europe without compromising on quality. You can easily apply and get accepted, especially if you have already finished a course from there earlier. The courses vary in duration and also have a different fee structure that varies widely based on the country and the university that you pick to pursue. Some of the most promising courses that are offered by European colleges are MBA, Graphic Designing, Computer Science and IT, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, and Law.
Here are lists of some of the subject specializations grouped into five broad subject areas and the top universities offering the same, basis QS World University Ranking by Subject 2022.
Please add table headings for each of these
Arts and Humanities
University
Location
QS World Ranking Subject Ranking
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
1
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
2
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
=9
UCL
London, United Kingdom
11
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
London, United Kingdom
18
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Berline, Germany
19
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
21
Sorbonne University
France
=23
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Paris, France
26
King’s College London
London, United Kingdom
27
Engineering and Technology
I
University
Location
QS World Ranking
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
2
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
3
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Zurich, Switzerland
6
Imperial College London
London, United Kingdom
8
Delft University of Technology
Delft, Netherlands
10
EPFL
Lausanne, Switzerland
11
Politecnico di Milano
Milan, Italy
13
Technical Univeristy of Munich
Munich, Germany
19
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Palaiseau Cedex, France
=21
The University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom
=21
Life Sciences and Medicine
University
Location
QS World Ranking
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
2
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
4
Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm. Sweden
7
UCL
London, United Kingdom
8
Imperial College London
London, United Kingdom
10
King’s College London
London, United Kingdom
14
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
=24
University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark
27
KU Leuven
Leueven, Belgium
29
Univeristy of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
34
Natural Sciences
University
Location
QS World Ranking
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
3
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
4
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Zurich, Switzerland
6
Imperial College London
United Kingdom
9
EPFL
Lausanne, Switzerland
=11
Sorbonne University
France
14
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Moscow, Russia
16
Université PSL
France
17
Universit Paris-Saclay
Gif-sur-Yvette,, France
20
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Palaiseau Cedex France
22
Social Science & Management
University
Location
QS World Ranking
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
2
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
London, United Kingdom
3
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
4
Bocconi University
Milan, Italy
10
UCL
London, United Kingdom
18
Univeristy of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
23
London Business School
London, United Kingdom
25
INSEAD
Fontainebleau, France
=29
The University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom
35
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Rotterdam, Netherlands
=36
4. Umpteen Career Opportunities
European countries allow international students to work on a part-time basis while they study. However, they need to meet some of the conditions. Due to the booming economy, there is usually no shortage of work which means that the students can find several well-paid jobs that can even help them cover a part of their education expenses. Some European countries also offer Post Study Work Visa (PSW) visas to students after completing their courses. Studying in a European nation also increases your chances of building a strong career. International experiences can add significant value to your resume if you seek a job in your home country (India). Also, it becomes easier for you to get a job in Europe itself with a degree from the continent. And if you are planning to immigrate to a country in Europe, it makes a great first step to get an education from there. Here are a few countries and the PSW visa duration they offer to international students.
Country
PSW visa Duration (in months)
Germany
18 months
France
12 months
United Kingdom
24 months
Ireland
24 months
Denmark
24 months
Read More: Best countries to study abroad for Indian Students
5. Affordable Education
Compared to countries like the US, Australia, Canada, and others, the tuition fee charged by most public universities in Europe is lesser. In some of the European countries, there is no tuition fee at all. Also, the students can try getting scholarships and explore other financial support options while studying on European university campuses.
6. Multiple Languages
Although you can speak English in Europe, you also get a chance to learn more than 20 languages, including French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Polish. As you learn a new language, you get exposed to a new culture that opens your mind to a new world. You also increase your employability by learning new languages.
7. Travel Opportunities
Research says the more you travel, the better you get with your creative thinking. Many European countries offer student visas, making travel hassle-free for them. Also, most European countries use a single currency (Euro), which makes it easier for the students to trot around.
Read More: Study Abroad with great affordability and efficiency
8. Rich Heritage
Some of the most significant events in the world, took place in Europe. The origin of several ideas, concepts, and theories started on this continent. You can get excellent guidance in industry, politics, finance, philosophy, fashion, literature, arts, economics, sociology, and anthropology here. Several European cities such as London, Paris, Edinburgh, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Prague take pride in their world-class architecture and fascinating historical antecedents, making studying in these cities a memorable learning experience. Also, some of the oldest universities in the world, belong to Europe. University of Bologna (1088), Italy; University of Oxford, United Kingdom, (1096-1167); University of Salamanca (1134), Spain; the University of Paris, France (1160-1250); and the University of Cambridge (1209), UK, are some of the oldest universities in the world that are based in Europe.
9. Global Exposure
Studying in a European country offers you global exposure to all prospects. Besides quality education, studying in a European country offers you great exposure in terms of better career opportunities, a strong professional network, and overall development. Along with some of the best educators in the world, European universities also offer modern facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and industry-oriented coursework to their students. You can also access their comprehensive libraries that house a wide collection of books and multimedia. Europe is also a center of software innovation and development. Some of the most renowned technology companies across the world such as Skype, Spotify, Trivago, Supercell, and SAP, started in Europe. This increases your chances to begin your career with renowned organizations.
Study abroad with upGrad Abroad
upGrad Abroad offers flexible study solutions to help aspirants achieve their foreign education dreams through collaborations with the top international universities. You can pursue courses with us at one-fifth the cost while getting the same PSWP benefit and more. To know more, get in touch with our counsellors now.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes, knowing the country’s language is not mandatory for applying for a course in that country.
A: Although you may not be able to get a full-time job, there are plenty of part-time jobs and internship opportunities to explore while studying.
A: Most universities carry out their own admission test or have prerequisites. However, marks from school are often not one of the selection criteria.
A: With proper documentation and a clean record, it is not difficult to get a student visa for any European country.
A: Most countries require you to show that you have enough money to cover your living expenses while undergoing a course in a particular country.Q1: Can you study in a European country without knowing the language?
Q2: Can I get a job while studying?
Q3: Does my admission to a course abroad depend on my marks in school?
Q4: Is it difficult to get a student visa for Europe?
Q5: How much money do I need to show when applying for a course abroad?
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