Why Study in Europe?: Top Courses, Universities, Cost of Studying
Talk to ExpertThe sixth-largest continent in the world, Europe with its enthralling history, cultural divert, gothic architecture, and famous landmarks is a dream study destination for all history buffs and itinerants. For those wondering what's so great about Europe and whether it is a good choice for them, the article answers it all. Read through to learn about te reasons to study in Europe, top universities, cost of studying & living, etc.
With an influential social and economic strength existing for decades, Europe has over 400 stunning UNESCO world heritage sites, adding sheen to its glorious existence. Millions of students from across the globe move to different parts of Europe, a premier destination, every year in order to obtain further studies. Around 35 of the world’s best universities or higher education institutes exist in Europe as per QS World University Rankings, 2024.
Countries in Europe offer a rewarding experience to overseas students relocating to them for higher education. Catering to a large international student community, European institutions offer a plethora of courses which are taught in English due to it being a common teaching denominator. This promotes student exchanges and cross-cultural communication between students of different regions, religions, and genders. Apart from these students who find it difficult to afford education abroad can study for free or at affordable rates in many European countries.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Read: Study in Europe without IELTS
International Students in Europe
In countries like France, an influx of overseas students has been observed over the years. In the year 2021-2022, 8% more students from across the world enrolled in French higher education institutions and now have crossed the 4 lakh mark. In over 15 years this has been the strongest growth observed because of the accelerating numbers of exchange students as well as European students. Western European nations which include France, Italy, and Germany have been trying to bring in more Indian student population to their universities.
Top Reasons to Study in Europe
Good Academic Reputation: As mentioned above, some of the world's top-ranking and prestigious higher accademic institutions exist in Europe, offering expert faculty, excellent placements, and academic excellence.
Multiple Study-Options: A large number of different study courses at different levels such as undergraduation, graduation, research, post-graduation, etc. are available at European universties and colleges. Students can opt for a course which aligns with their future goals and career path.
Multiple Languages: Althougu English is widely used as a medium of instruction in European institutes, over 200 languages are spoken in the continent. Students have a golden opportunity to enroll in some new language course or classes and pick up a new foreign language.
Financial Assistance: Grants, scholarships and other types of financial help are offered to international students at almost every university in the world, including the European institutes. This not only makes education affordable but also lets students focus on their academic and future career goals with peace of mind.
Global Networking: With the presence of thousands of renowned MNCs and other organisations ruling the corporate market, students pursuing higher education in Europe have a good chance to build their network. The majority of the good universities have tie-ups with these companies for placement.
Post-Study Work: Students are permitted to obtain practical experience in various European countries which offer post-study work permits.
Check out the complete guide to Studying in Europe here.
Top Universities in Europe
Although Europe owns a large proportion of the world's best universities and colleges, the table below features the top 20 best institutes in Europe as per the QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings, 2024.
| University | QS World University Rankings, 2024 | Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge, UK | #2 | #5 |
| University of Oxford, UK | #3 | #1 |
| #6 | #8 | |
| ETH Zurich, Switzerland | #7 | #11 |
| UCL, UK | #9 | #22 |
| The University of Edinburgh, UK | #22 | =30 |
| Universite PSL, France | #24 | #40 |
| The University of Manchester, UK | #32 | #51 |
| EPFL, Switzerland | #36 | #33 |
| Technical University of Munich, Germany | #37 | =30 |
| Institut Ploytechnique de Paris, France | =38 | #71 |
| King’s College London, UK | #40 | =38 |
| The London School of Economics & Social Science (LSE) | #45 | #46 |
| Delft University of Technology, Netherlands | =47 | #48 |
| University of Amsterdam, Netherlands | #53 | #61 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany | #54 | =38 |
| University of Bristol, UK | #55 | #81 |
| Sorbonne University, France | #59 | #75 |
| KU Leuven, Belgium | #61 | #45 |
| The University of Warwick, UK | #67 | =106 |
Read: European Countries Accepting Backlogs
Top 10 Universities for MBA in Europe
The world's fourth best institute for MBA, HEC Paris, is also in Europe only and out of the top 10 MBA schools in the world, five are European institutes only. Please find below the top 10 MBA institutes in Europe along with their ranking and tuition fees.
| University | QS Global MBA Rankings, 2023 | Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
| HEC Paris, France | #1 | €90,000 (INR 79,25,121) |
| London Business School, UK | #2 | €109,700 (INR 96,59,842) |
| IE Business School, Spain | #3 | €51,000 (INR 44,90,902) |
| INSEAD, France | #4 | €98,500 (INR 86,73,605) |
| IESE Business School, Spain | #5 | €105,000 (INR 92,45,974) |
| Cambridge (Judge), UK | #6 | €69,000 (INR 60,75,926) |
| Oxford (Said), UK | #7 | €78,510 (INR 69,13,347) |
| Esade Business School, Spain | #8 | €77,500 (INR 68,24,410) |
| Imperial College Business School, UK | #9 | €61,500 (INR 54,15,499) |
| SDA Bocconi, Italy | #10 | €65,000 (INR 57,23,699) |
Read: Checklist before going to study in Europe
Top Courses in Europe: Country-Wise
Some of the top programmes which students from across the globe are pursuing at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels are mentioned below country-wise.
Germany
| Medicine & Dentistry | Teaching | Earth Science |
| Natural Sciences | Psychology | Computer Science |
| Architecture | Law | Industrial Engineering |
| Business & Economics | Management | Humanities |
| Public Health | Fine & Applied Arts | Data Analytics |
France
| MBA | Psychology | Fashion Designing |
| Data Analytics | Computer Science | Film Studies |
| Hospitality | Supply Chain Management | Medicine |
| Biological Sciences | Philosophy | Artificial Intelligence |
| Finance | Luxury Brand Management | Engineering |
UK
| Law | Computer Science | Fashion Designing |
| Architecture | Interior Designing | International Business & Accounting |
| Physiotherapy | Economics | Medicine |
| Modern Languages & Linguistics | Sports & Exercise Science | Preclinical Medicine |
| Business Analytics |
Sweden
| Economics | MBA | Mathematics |
| Chemistry | Law | Logistics and Supply Chain |
| Data Science | Technology | Computer Science |
| Accounting & Finance | Psychology | Social Science |
| Architecture | Brand Strategy | Public Health |
Cost of Studying in Europe
If you’re planning to pursue an undergraduate course in Europe it may cost you anywhere around $15,000 to $33,000 (INR 12,46,467 to INR 27,42,225) per annum. For master’s or PhD courses, students may have to pay around $20,000 to $37,000 (INR 16,61,955 to INR 30,74,617) per annum. The above amount is only an estimate. The actual cost of studying may differ at different European universities or colleges on the basis of programme and study level.
For more details related to studying abroad and foreign admissions, reach out to Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for free
Q: Â Is BSBI degree valid in Germany?
BSBI does not hold degree-awarding powers in Germany and its programmes are validated by private Italian distance learning institution UniNettuno International Telematic University. BSBI has also partnered with Concordia University Chicago to deliver programmes at its Berlin campus.
Q: Â What is the cost of a student visa in Germany?
International students going to pursue higher education in Germany are required to apply for a German study visa. The cost of study visa for Germany is EUR 75 per applicant. Below we have provided a check list for German student visa:
- Valid passport
- Application form
- Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information
- Copy of passport
- Proof of admittance to the study course
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Financial Means
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â Why do Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni - France?
Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni in France for various reasons. The school offers a unique blend of international exposure, high-quality education, and a strong focus on practical skills that are highly valued in the fashion industry. Additionally, the school's strong industry connections and its reputation for producing successful alumni, such as Rahul Mishra, Dhruv Kapoor, and Anvita Sharma, make it an attractive choice for students seeking to launch their careers in fashion.
Q: Â Why study at IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany?
IU International University of Applied Sciences courses are state accredited and recognized internationally. The university is known as Germany’s largest private state-accredited university. Students can learn a mix of online self-study and classroom learning (2-3 days per week) alongside their peers. IU University Germany is the 1st German university to be a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Hence, it is one of the best study abroad universities for international students.
Q: Â Is Hof University Germany a good university?
Hof University is voted the most popular university in Germany for 2024. It continues to receive the highest marks for teaching. These rankings are as per the ranking published by the renowned portal Studycheck.de. More than 40 bachelor’s and master’s programs in Computer Science, Business, Engineering as well as Interdisciplinary and Innovative Science are offered by the university. Also, the teaching at this university is based on innovative methods to convey application-oriented knowledge.
Q: Â Why Indian students choose to study at ESSEC Business School - France?
Indian students choose to study at ESSEC Business School in France because:
- Academic excellence: ESSEC Business School is a top-ranked institution in France and is known for its high-quality education. The school has been ranked among the top schools in France and is recognised globally for its academic programs.
- International exposure: The school has a strong international network and welcomes over 200 graduate exchange students each year from top business schools and universities around the world.
- Career opportunities: ESSEC Business School has a strong connection with top companies, such as L'Oréal, Danone, and Procter & Gamble.
Neha Nain Kuntal, a highly qualified professional, holds an MBA in International Business and Marketing, a Master’s in Commerce, a PG Diploma in International Business Operations, and a Bachelor’s in Education. With... Read Full Bio
- Universities in Germany214 Universities
- Universities in France84 Universities
- Universities in Sweden19 Universities
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in Italy48 Universities
- Universities in Netherlands35 Universities
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae