As one of the oldest and most historically rich nations in the world, France and its people are well known for their fine cuisine, fashion and art, earning a ranking of #2 in our Culture category within Europe. Many have a visit to France on their bucket list, but what if you could study in a city such as Paris, Nice or Bordeaux, and immerse yourself over the course of a semester or year abroad? There is plenty to see and do, earning France a ranking of #11 for adventure in Europe. While France is most certainly a top tourist destination, study abroad options are also prominent and more accessible, with study costs there being relatively reasonable for many who hope to live there (ranked just outside the top ten at #11). With over 3,000 institutions of higher education offering an array of degree options, including some of the world’s best, studying in France is an option for everyone!
Not only did Spain take the #1 spot in our Top European countries, it was also ranked #2 in the world in our global rankings. The country also ranked #1 in Europe for adventure and #3 for culture. With the cost of living in Spain being relatively low, over 70 universities to choose from, and a rich historical and artistic landscape to navigate, Spain is a great choice for any study abroad option! Studying in Spain will also give you a chance to learn the second most commonly spoken language in the world; perfect for enhancing your career prospects after university! In the meantime you have the fantastic climate to enjoy, exciting cities and beautiful countryside to explore, and the wonderful culture of tapas and fiestas to sample! It’s no wonder that Spain has one of the largest populations of study abroad students in the world! Have you considered joining them?
Compared to many other European countries, the Czech Republic is also one of the most affordable. Higher education at public institutions remains free for all nationalities, although there may be certain fees incurred for administration and studying in a language other than Czech.
Depending on your country of origin, requirements may change, but typically citizens from countries outside of the EU are required to apply for a visa to study at a university in the Czech Republic. In most cases, students will have to apply for a long-term visa for stays lasting longer than ninety days. If you are studying abroad for longer than one year, however, you should apply for a long-term residence permit for study purposes.
Check to see what paperwork is required before submitting your application. The Czech embassy or consulate in your country should have the most up-to-date information regarding what is required. Here’s a list of what you should expect:
Note that most documents must be translated into Czech by a translator with an official rubber stamp. Due to time restrictions, you should apply for a study visa well in advance. The entire process can take up to sixty days. So, don’t leave it to the last minute!
You will first have to send your high school diploma to the Czech Ministry of Education, where the admission committee will check your qualifications. If your diploma is not recognised, you will be sent an invitation to take an oral test on the subjects needed.
For Master's degreesIf you’re interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, you should know that most universities will accept candidates that have completed their Bachelor’s degree in the same field or a related discipline.
Although a small country, Latvian universities have readily adopted to the demands of international students. Well over 200 English-taught study programmes are available to choose from - many of them even at the Bachelor level.
Riga is the capital as well as the largest city, and here you will find the majority of the universities, the largest of which is the University of Latvia. It is almost 100 years old, and teaches a number of courses in English, including medicine and dentistry.
Riga Stradins University has the largest cohort of international students in Latvia. They number 25% of the overall student population, and come from 50 different countries.
Alternative university towns are Daugavpils with its stunning architectural heritage, and Liepāja, famed for its Blue Flag beaches on the Baltic coast.
If you like the outdoors, there is plenty to do in Latvia. From the famous white sandy beaches near Liepāja, to hiking or skiing in the pine forests, there are many places to enjoy the beautiful scenery. That is all before you even consider wind-surfing, water-skiing and bobsledding; just make sure you don’t forget to study.
The cost of living is very low in Riga, particularly when you compare it to other European capital cities. However, if you are studying in any of the other large cities around Latvia, you will find it to be even cheaper.
Riga, as the largest of the cities, has a burgeoning nightlife where you will always find something to do. It was the European Capital of Culture in 2014, and there are many cultural events and entertainment. Eating out is very reasonably priced compared to the rest of Europe. Many of the cafés and coffee shops have free wi-fi as well, allowing for impromptu study sessions in convenient surroundings.
| Health Care & Medicine | €8,000 – 15,000 |
| Business Administration & Management | €2,000 – 6,000 |
| Engineering | €2,700 – 3,500 |
| Computer Science | €1,800 – 3,800 |
Italy’s historic treasures and magnificent cuisine continue to draw visitors as they have done for centuries. From the snow-capped Dolomites in the North to the warm maritime Mediterranean culture of the South, Italy’s regions are diverse and exciting. For the international student seeking world-class but affordable education, with a wide range of social and leisure activities, few countries are as exciting a choice as Italy.
The country’s cultural importance extends back to ancient times and the past greets the student of history and archaeology on every street corner. For many, Rome is still the Eternal City, the centre of an empire that - some 2,000 years ago - stretched from rainy Britannia to the deserts of Syria. At its height it also encompassed Egypt, much of North Africa and nearly all of Continental Europe.
Italy’s Ancient Roman monuments, magnificent as they are, tell only part of the story. The Renaissance of the 14th to 17th century originated in Italy (as the Rinascimento) and sparked innovation and revolutions in art, architecture, philosophy, religion and the sciences across Europe. Intellectual activity and creativity flourished, carrying gems of ancient and medieval thought into the modern world.
Studying at a university in ItalyIt’s perhaps not surprising that many international students feel instantly at home in Italy. The University of Bologna has been welcoming students since 1088 - it is the oldest university in the world and its foundation gave the city one of its nicknames: la dotta, “the learned one”. Bologna remains at the leading edge of academic innovation in the 21st century. The Bologna Process was initiated in the city, and has established a set of standards for excellence in higher education across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Italian universities take pride in their heritage and rankings. The University of Rome Tor Vergata offers more than a dozen international degree courses that are taught in English. Founded only in 1982, Tor Vergata was ranked one of the best young universities in Europe, and is known for high student satisfaction and far-above-average employment rates of its graduates.
Italy is also home to some of the best business schools in Europe, including the prestigious SDA Bocconi in Milan, the country’s financial capital. Its MBA programmes frequently top global and European rankings, and many top business leaders are among its alumni.
These and many other universities in Italy are stepping up efforts to accelerate their internationalisation and offer degree programmes specifically for international students. There are currently more than 500 English-taught study programmes available in the country. And every year, there are more and more options to study in Italy in English.
Italy is a budget-friendly study destination in Europe. While the cost of accommodation and living can be high in large cities like Rome or Milan, smaller cities are much cheaper. Larger universities usually offer support in finding accommodation; with luck you might get a place in a cheap student home.
Compared to other countries in Europe, Italy’s public universities are also relatively cheap. On average, public universities in Italy charge around 1,000 EUR per year. Top-ranked prestigious universities might charge more. A special case is the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where tuition fees are tied to your family’s financial situation: Based on the income, you are charged from a low minimum around 150 EUR to a maximum of around 5,000 EUR per year.
Student life in ItalyItalians are known to be welcoming, open people. You will make local friends quickly. And they will teach you that eating out and enjoying high-quality, healthy food are fundamental to la dolce vita (“the sweet life”) for every Italian.
Although you will get by with only a handful of words and phrases in Italian, English is not widely spoken outside the academic context, and you will definitely benefit from taking some lessons in Italian before and during your stay. That is especially true if you should decide to stay and work in Italy after graduation.
Cultural activities include everything from traditional local festivals to major international sporting events. Italian night life is always lively, especially in cities. In summer, the majority of people head for the sea or countryside. For quality of life, unforgettable, charming Italy provides value for any student.
