Best Country In Europe To Study: Top Reasons, Eligibility Criteria, Student Visas

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Best Country In Europe To Study: Top Reasons, Eligibility Criteria, Student Visas

Europe is a haven for those who wish to pursue their higher education overseas. This notion stems from the fact that Europe houses some of the best academic institutions in the world. Here, you will get access to every facility required for you to embark on your study abroad journey. If you want to study in Europe, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France might be the first places that come to mind, but many other European study destinations are well worth considering.

Leverage Edu will assist you in identifying the Best Country In Europe To Study based on the insights and experiences of past and current students who have interacted with us on their experiences and points of view.

Also Read: Happiest Countries to Study Abroad

Five Reasons Why You Should Choose to Best Country to Study In Europe

First, let us see why students prefer to study in Europe. Millions of students study abroad in Europe each year. Here, we give you five reasons why to go to Europe for your higher studies and choose the best country to study in Europe.

Boost for Your Career

In recent years, international expertise has been increasingly relevant. Employees who have quit their “comfort zone” are looked after by both large and small businesses. By studying abroad in Europe, you are plotting the path for your professional progress. Also, many European countries often make efforts to persuade foreign professionals to continue after graduation. Countries like the UK have introduced a 2-year Post-Study Work Visa for Masters students for the year 2021. 

World-Class Education

Europe is home to the best student cities in the world and has the best colleges that consistently feature on QS World Rankings, like the University of Oxford, ETH Zurich, LSE, Sorbonne, University PSL, Technical University of Munich etc. Cross-border collaborations within Europe have helped to form a large international academic culture that is conducting cutting-edge research.

A Wide Range of Options

In Europe, there are thousands of universities offering tens of thousands of English-language research programs. From Arts to Zoology, you can find programs in any academic discipline; tiny, intimate universities or large foreign study centers; cutting-edge academic research programs, or practice-oriented taught curriculum. There’s enough here for everybody.

Low Tuition Costs

Tuition rates at most public universities in Europe are very modest as compared to countries such as the United States, Canada, or Australia. In certain European countries, there are no tuition fees at all – higher education is guaranteed! There are also several grant opportunities and other financial aid services available throughout your studies.

Study in English

There are thousands of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English to select from. English literacy is usually very high in most European countries. That means that even though you fail to learn the fundamentals of Polish, Portuguese, or Swedish, you can still get by in everyday situations with English.

10 Best Countries in Europe to Study

Here is a list of the Best Countries in Europe to Study and Work in for international students:

  1. Spain
  2. Switzerland
  3. France
  4. Germany
  5. United Kingdom
  6. Netherlands
  7. Greece
  8. Austria
  9. Poland
  10. Sweden

*Certain factors were kept in mind while ranking the countries such as getting access to higher education quality, students achieving their goals in the countries, the experience of a new culture, and International students attaining visas.

In the next section of our blog, Best Country in Europe to Study, we will discuss the top five countries in detail. Have a look:

Spain

Best Country in Europe to Study
Credits: Travel Tour

Spain topped our list of the Best Country In Europe To Study. With a low cost of living, over 70 universities to choose from, and a rich historical and cultural environment to explore, Spain is an excellent choice for any study abroad program. In addition, studying in Spain will also provide you with the opportunity to master the world’s second most widely spoken language, which will be beneficial to your future job opportunities.

Education in Spain

Though tuition rates for Spanish universities are generally among the lowest in Europe, it depends on the school and program you wish to study at. Tuition is dependent on the number of credits a degree is worth, so long, more specialized programs would be more costly. Luckily, there are a variety of scholarship and sponsorship options available for foreign students who wish to study in Spain. Average Annual tuition fees at public Spanish universities range from INR 1 Lac and INR 5 Lacs.

Entry Requirements 

  • International students must receive official acknowledgement of their previous studies and pass the official Spanish university entrance exams, which are offered twice a year, to be admitted into a Spanish university. 
  • After passing the university entrance examinations, students are eligible to study in Spain at either public or private universities, if they fulfil the visa conditions to live and study in Spain.

Student Visas

Generally, the following items are required for a student visa:

  • A current passport.
  • Medical insurance that will cover all risks incurred while studying in Spain. 
  • Proof of financial resources and accommodation for the time for which you are seeking the visa, as well as funds to ensure your return to your home country, if necessary.
  • Bank declaration showing your ability to support yourself during your studies

Switzerland

Best Country in Europe to Study
Credits: Pay Slip

Despite its small size in Central Europe, Switzerland has an excellent quality of life as well as great prospects for schooling and employment, ranking second in the Best Country In Europe To Study. That’s pretty amazing for a small nation, particularly given that it also has two of the world’s best universities! Critical thinking, interactive learning, and active debating will be at the heart of your learning in the classroom, providing you with the knowledge that will serve you well with whatever career path you choose.

Education System

Switzerland’s education system is globally renowned for its quality. In addition to state-funded institutions, Switzerland has a diverse range of high-quality schooling at private colleges. Both public and private institutions provide a full range of schooling at all levels.

Average Annual tuition fees at public Spanish universities range from 4 Lacs to 16 Lacs.

Entry Requirements 

Candidates must have either a state-recognized Swiss maturity certificate or another international certificate recognized as equivalent by the university to study in Switzerland. Specific standards can vary depending on the university and program level. 

  • Depending on the course, a strong knowledge of the language of instruction is often needed. 
  • According to the European language passport (Europass), most schools require a B1/B2 qualification standard, though some Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are taught in English. 
  • Before being accepted to a class, you will be required to take a language test/certificate, such as the TOEFL Test.

Student Visas

International students who wish to study in Switzerland must receive a visa from their nearest Swiss embassy. 

  • Proof of sufficient financial support to fund the cost of living in Switzerland throughout your study is needed as part of the visa documents for non-EU/EFTA nationals studying in Switzerland.
  • Accident coverage is included in a life insurance contract.
  • A research schedule that explains the overall goal of your studies.
  • A confirmation that you have been accepted to a Swiss government-approved higher education institution.
  • Evidence that the personal and professional conditions for your study program have been met.
  • proof of your appropriate accommodation.

France

Best Country in Europe to Study 2021
Credits: CIDRAP

France is third on our search for the Best Country In Europe To Study. France is at the top of most people’s wish lists because of its trendy fashions, stunning French Riviera, and enchanting Notre-Dame Cathedral, among several other attractions. With a prestigious education system and over 3,500 public universities and higher education institutions to choose from, an increasing number of students are considering studying in this historic and captivating region. 

Education System

Tuition expenses for studying in France are minimal since education is subsidized by the government – a Licence degree can be obtained for as little as 200 EUR per year (Rs. 17,000). Private universities and Grandes Écoles would also be more costly, with annual fees of up to 20,000 EUR (Rs. 17 Lacs). Students who do not have the financial resources to study in France will qualify for grants, grants, or monthly stipends.

Entry Requirements 

The entry conditions for studying in France vary depending on the university, so students can consult the website of their preferred institution for more details. 

  • Records of previous diplomas and research reports, evidence of proficiency in the French or English language (if you are a non-EU student), and often a standard exam in your preferred subject area may be needed. 
  • After their two years of preparatory study, applicants to the Grandes Écoles take an entrance test.

Student visas

Once (non-EU students) have been accepted to an institution, they will need to apply for a visa – the type of visa depends on the length of their study in France. 

  • If you are doing a short course you will probably require a short-stay student visa, and a slightly longer course will require a temporary long-stay visa.
  • A degree or similar will require a long-stay visa and for an ongoing research project or teaching position, you will need an extended-stay research scholar visa.
  • Proof of sufficient financial support to fund the cost.
  • Accident coverage is included in a life insurance contract.
  • Proof that you have appropriate accommodation.

Germany

Best Country to Study in Europe
Credits: Planet Ware

Universities in the country are among the best in the world, and tuition at German universities is completely free for foreign students, this is the reason we have Germany on our list of the Best Countries In Europe To Study. Many classes merge theory with reality, providing you with invaluable knowledge and training for your future career. Aside from receiving a first-rate education, living in Germany will allow you to learn about the country’s fascinating history and immerse yourself in the charming cities and countryside landscapes that have inspired this “land of poets and thinkers.”

Education System 

The majority of universities in Germany are independent, government-funded schools that are open to students. Germany follows the Bologna method, which means that higher education is divided into Bachelor’s (undergraduate), Master’s, and PhD (postgraduate) degrees, and universities are also classified by specialization – academic, applied science, and art colleges.  

These courses can cost up to 20,000 EUR per year for a Bachelor and 30,000 for a Master. (Rs. 17 Lacs and Rs. 26 Lacs)

Entry Requirements

Applications to study in Germany are sent directly to the institution of study. Here are the requirements:

  • Multiple colleges have different admission criteria, but you would be required to show a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) – evidence of the previous certification in the form of an exam transcript or high school diploma.  
  • You would still need to demonstrate a degree of proficiency in German (whether or not you are studying in German) and potentially evidence that you have health care in Germany.

Student Visas 

To study in Germany, all non-EU students need a visa. If you have not yet been accepted into a course at a German university, you would need a student applicant visa (Visum zur Studienbewerbung). 

  • If you have been accepted into a college, you would need a student visa (Visum zur Stedienbewerbung). 
  • Certificates of previous experience, proof of financial capital, and proof of language proficiency, among other items, are normally needed for your submission. 

United Kingdom

Best Country to Study in Europe
Credits: National Online Project

The United Kingdom comes fourth on our list of Best Country In Europe To Study. The United Kingdom is home to a plethora of world-renowned universities, many of which regularly feature in Top University lists around the internet. Studying in the UK also puts you at the crossroads of the rest of Europe. With an amazingly rich historical and cultural legacy to discover, a blend of lively cities and English countryside scenery to explore, and over 420,000 foreign students to communicate with, the United Kingdom is an excellent study-abroad destination.

Education System

The academic system in the United Kingdom is divided into three degrees of study: a Bachelor’s degree at the undergraduate level, Master’s and Doctorate (PhD) courses at the postgraduate level. Bachelor’s degrees in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are three years long, and four years in Scotland. Master’s degrees typically require one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study, while PhDs can take up to five years. 

International students must spend far more to research in the UK, ranging between £10,000 to £30,000 a year, based on the degree pursued.

Entry Requirements 

UCAS is in charge of undergraduate admissions, and all applicants are submitted to their website. Each course has its own set of entrance criteria – the academic credentials needed to enrol in the university course. 

  • You must have evidence of these credentials, as well as a personal declaration and proof of language proficiency if you are not a native speaker.  
  • Applications for Master’s or PhD programs should be sent directly to the preferred institution of study.

Student Visas

  • You would require a visa to study in the UK if you are a non-EU student. Depending on the length of study, this may be a Short-Term Visa, Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, or Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa. 
  • Depending on the visa you apply for, you will be able to work in the UK or prolong your stay. To Obtain a Visa You will be asked to have any or more of the following: Passport information, a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies,’ a secure English language examination,’ and evidence that you can financially support yourself.

For the application for a Visa, the following documents may be required.

  • Passport details and a recent photograph
  • A ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your institution of study, which will be sent to you by your university once you fulfil the conditions of your acceptance
  • If you are a non-native speaker, proof of proficiency in the English language as demonstrated by a ‘secure English language test’ (SELT)
  • Proof that you have the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your study in the UK, documented by a bank statement
YouTube: Leverage TV

In this blog, we have discussed our list of the Best Country In Europe To Study.  We discussed the five best countries to study in Europe in detail. There are also other great European countries to study such as the Netherlands, Greece, Austria, Poland, and Sweden, which can be considered if you are planning to study in Europe.

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FAQs

Which European country is the cheapest to study?

Some of the cheapest countries in Europe to study are Greece, Germany, Poland, France, and Slovenia.

Which country in Europe has the highest job opportunities?

Countries with the highest job opportunities in Europe are Switzerland, Portugal and Estonia.

Which is the safest European country?


Some of the safest European Countries for International students are Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

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