Study in Europe

Introduction

Studying in Europe is everyone’s dream come true- especially for those who wish to complete their education abroad- and here’s why: Europe is a fountain of creativity.

Europe is home to some of the world's best technology and architecture firms. European universities have a wide range of services (recognized all over the world). The European Union submits more than 44 percent of all patent applications worldwide. Some countries also have free education!

Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland all have low-cost or tuition-free higher education. The University of Oxford is the UK's oldest university (established in 1096). The University of Bologna in Italy is Europe's oldest university (est. 1088). Sweden and Finland have the largest population-to-researcher ratios.

Top Reasons To Study in Europe

There are many reasons as to why Europe is the favorite continent for students from all around the world to study. Let’s look at the top reasons to study in Europe.

1. Outstanding Experience-

The experience of living and studying in Europe is always cherished by students from all around the world. It is hard to find anyone who regrets the decision of finalizing Europe as their destination for higher studies. Of course, it isn’t easy for students to adapt to this dramatic change in environment and lifestyle, but once they settle down, they fall in love with meeting new people from different corners of the world, speaking different languages, different faiths, beliefs, and attitudes, etc. The multifaceted nature of life causes a positive shift in personality, which both people in the foreign and local cultures have acknowledged to date.

2. Travel with Ease-

Europe is the only continent in the world where there aren’t any country-specific visas, which means anyone having the Schengen Visa can travel from one country to another within the Schengen area of Europe. Students particularly studying in Europe enjoy traveling as they are always surrounded by beautiful tourist destinations. Universities in Europe have tie-ups with companies that even sponsor trips for students. European education is based on the philosophy that a student must travel to learn new things.

3. Experience Local Life

Traveling to Europe is always fascinating, but living in Europe like a local is an altogether different experience. Students can learn about different cultures, delicious food, beautiful serene locations, etc, with their multi-national, multi-cultural friend circle. This helps the student develop global perspective and teaches them to respect people from any nation.

4. Good Career Prospects

Universities in Europe are world-renowned and recognized universally. The quality of education here is also outstanding. The highly ranked universities make the students ready to excel in the global market. Multinational companies always search for diverse individuals that can adapt to a variety of conditions, so they like people familiar with various working and social cultures. Students’ undergraduate years in Europe would help them to cope with those issues and develop a comparative edge over other contenders for promising career prospects.

5. Roadway to Further Studies

An education from European universities is respected on a global scale. Many doors will open up for a job-seeker with a Master’s degree from here, along with a Bachelor’s degree. The same holds if you choose to follow a Doctorate program and your Master's degree has a European university badge or emblem. Your most recent degree will give you an advantage in the selection process.

6. Enhancing Interpersonal Skills

As international students, people learn to appreciate their own beliefs and accept differences of opinion. In a foreign country, their listening capabilities and powers of observation improve dramatically. People in a foreign land respect other cultures, religions, and ideas, and they begin learning a plethora of real-life skills while studying in Europe, which can improve students' adaptability and communication, all very important skills to get selected in top Organizations.

Types of Programs in European Universities

Let’s learn about the European higher education system here. It follows a unique system.

Generally, students in Europe began their studies at the age of 18 after completing primary and secondary school. Students have to pass exams to gain entry to higher education schools, also known as tertiary education or post-secondary education. The exams themselves, as well as the entry process, varied from country to country.

The structure of higher education in each country often varied, with the degree, lengths of courses, types of courses, academic names, and so on differing according to historical traditions. In recent years, there have been two major changes in the education system, i.e. the Bologna Process and Lifelong Learning (LLL).

Bologna Process-

In almost all European countries, the Bologna Process offers a three-tier higher education system:

• The first (lowest) bachelor’s degree is typically three or four years long.
• The second stage is a master's degree that generally takes between one to two years.
• The final step is a Ph.D., generally very specialized and lasting two to five years.

The title of the degree is placed after the holder’s name. The bachelor of arts degree is abbreviated as BA, Master of arts/science, and MA/MSc.

The benefits of this scheme are that it is now simpler to seek employment or a course in one European region. Enhanced integration between education systems facilitates movement across Europe for students and job seekers. The Bologna changes further enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of European universities and colleges around the globe.

ECTS System- The scheme also acknowledges the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System or ECTS classification system. One academic year is equal to 60 ECTS credits that generally amount to a cumulative duration of 1500-1800 hours, allowing transfers and advancement in the EU.

Lifelong Learning- It has also been recognized that the learning needs to be targeted not just at young people in schools but also at all points in life and in formal schools. This ensures that not only young people passing university entrance exams study in higher education institutions in European Higher Education, backed by the European Union. More advanced pupils, part-time lessons, university students without standard assessment conditions, and a range of instructional approaches have become more likely.

Admission Requirements For European Universities

Entry requirements for European universities differ from university to university, courses to courses, and country to country. Let’s look at a few of the universities’ admission requirements

• Aalborg University, Denmark- Program- Masters in Computer Science- Requirements- IELTS with a score of at least 7 or TOEFL score of 100.
• 'EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology' Lausanne- Requires both TOEFL and GRE.
• The Delft University of Technology- Program- Computer Engineering- Requirements- GPA (Grade Point Average) of minimum 75% of the scale maximum in BSc program. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 450 verbal/550 analytical/650 quantitative. Proof of proficiency in the English language: a TOEFL score of 90 on iBT (TOEFL) or an IELTS (academic version) overall Band score of at least 6.0.
• Swedish Universities- Requirements - Master program: TOEFL at level 550 (213 computer-based) or above, IELTS 6.0 or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency. In addition to these general requirements, the applicant must meet the special requirements that apply to each of the programs.

Cost Of Studying In Europe

The first and foremost thing that students who plan to study abroad assess is the cost of studying in that particular country. The cost of studying includes both tuition fees and living expenditures. Here we are compiling the cost of studying in different countries of Europe but the figures are approximate and not exact. For exact figures, visit the particular university that the student is applying to.

1. Austria-
1. Tuition Fees- Free for domestic/EU students; €726.72 (US$850) per semester for international students.
2. Average living costs- €11,400 (~US$13,350) per year
2. Belgium-
1. Tuition Fees- €906 (US$1,060) per year for EU students; €4,175+ (US$4,900+) per year for international students.
2. Average living costs-  €10,200-11,400 (~US$11,940-13,350) per year.
3. Denmark-
1. Tuition Fees- Free for home/EU students; €6,000-16,000 per year for international students (US$7,020-18,730).
2. Average living costs: €14,400 (US$16,850) per year
4. Finland-
1. Tuition Fees- Free for EU/EEA students and non-EU students who study in Finnish or Swedish or are studying Ph.D. program Non-EU/EEA students studying in English pay an average of €4,000-18,000 (~US$4,700-21,070) a year.
2. Average living costs: €9,600 (~US$11,200) per year.
5. Italy-
1. Tuition Fees- €950-4000 (~US$920-1,100) at undergraduate level at public universities; €1,500 (~US$1,750) at postgraduate level.
2. Average living costs: €12,000 (~US$14,000) per year.
6. Norway-
1. Tuition Fees- Free for all at public universities (with a few exceptions in the case of specialized programs).
2. Average living costs- NOK 139,680 per year (~US$17,100)
7. Russia-
1. Tuition Fees- RUB 120,000-380,000 (US$1,900-6,040)
2. Average living costs: RUB 242,160 (US$3,850) per year
8. Spain-
1. Tuition Fees- €750-€2,100 (~US$880-2,450) at undergraduate level in public universities; €1,320-€4,320 (~US$1,540-5,050) at postgraduate level. Non-EU students will pay slightly more.
2. Average living costs: €10,800-13,200 (~US$12,630-15,430) per year
9. Sweden-
1. Tuition Fees- Free for home/EU students; SEK 80,000-190,000 (~US$9,100-21,600) per year for most courses for international students.
2. Average living costs: SEK 96,000 (~US$10,900) per year
10. Switzerland-
1. Tuition Fees: CHF 805-1,238 (~US$810-1,245) per year at all study levels. International students may have to pay an additional charge.
2. Average living costs: CHF 22,734 (~US$22,875) per year.
11. The Netherlands-
1. Tuition Fees- €1,030 for EU students and those from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Suriname at the undergraduate level, €2,060 for most other courses.
2. Average living costs: €9,600-13,200 (~US$11,200-15,400) per year.

Europe Student Visa Process

Students who wish to study in a European university need to have a Student Schengen visa. A Schengen student visa is a permit of entry in the Schengen Zone and is issued to international citizens who wish to study and stay for short stays in each of the Member States.

This visa allows its holder to stay for no more than 3 months in Schengen. You may be eligible for a long-term study visa at the embassy of the respective country if the course lasts longer than that.

Documents Required-

• Two filled-up visa application forms
• Two Photos
• Valid Passport
• Copy of Passport biometric data
• Previous Passports (if any).
• Proof of Residency.
• Reservation or itinerary
• Travel medical insurance
• Proof of accommodation
• Letter of acceptance at EU University/colleges/schools
• Proof of academic qualifications.
• Proof of financial means
• Proof of paid visa fee.

Top Universities In Europe

It could be the second smallest continent, but Europe is full of many of the finest educational institutions in the world. A total of 381 European universities are listed among the top universities in the QS World University Rankings, including approximately 38% of all universities. Let’s look at some of them country-wise.

1. Austria-
1. University of Vienna
2. Vienna University of Technology
3. Universität Innsbruck
4. Technische Universität Graz
5. Johannes Kepler University Linz
2. Belgium-
1. KU Leuven
2. Ghent University
3. Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
4. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
5. University of Antwerp
3. Italy-
1. Politecnico di Milano
2. Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna Pisa
3.  University of Bologna (UNIBO)
4. Sapienza University of Rome
5. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
4. The Netherlands-
1. Delft University of Technology
2. University of Amsterdam
3. Eindhoven University of Technology
4. University of Groningen
5. Leiden University
5. The Nordic Countries-
1. University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
2. The University of Helsinki (Finland)
3. The University of Oslo (Norway)
4. Lund University (Sweden)
6. Russia-
1. Lomonosov Moscow State University
2. Novosibirsk State University
3. Saint-Petersburg State University
4. Tomsk State University
5. Bauman Moscow State Technical University
7. Spain-
1. University of Barcelona
2. Universitat Autonóma de Barcelona
8. Switzerland-
1. ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
2. Ecolé Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Top Courses In Europe

Here are some of the top courses often taken by international students in Europe.

• Professional Studies in Education
• Data Science for Business
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Digital Marketing
• Bachelor in Management
• Financial Services
• Mobile Computing Systems
• Accountancy and Controlling

Work While Studying In Europe

One important point that you have to take into account when you study is that the 'job and study' regulations are relaxed. In the whole European Union, these laws are not the same. Certain countries have tighter laws and a more complex procedure that makes working in these countries more difficult. Let’s look at some of the European countries that are best for students to work while studying.

1. Sweden- Only a valid student visa is required to work in Sweden. Moreover, there is no limit on how much you will work, provided that you spend at least 40 hours of your studies a week. Wages are even more lucrative in Sweden, with an average monthly salary of USD 2500.
2. Estonia- You only need a student visa in Estonia to study. But what makes it attractive is that after completing your education, you may remain and work six more months. There is no limit on how long you will practice once you are graduated. The average wage before taxes is approximately USD 1,400 a month.
3. Denmark- The Danish student visa requires the right to 20 hours a week in training and during school holidays. The visa includes the right. And if the pay is part-time, the overall pay is 16 $/hour, and the pay is more than rewarding. This means about $1280 for part-time employment per month.
4. Finland- During the school term in Finland, you are permitted to work 25 hours a week without any work permit. Partial-time employment salaries normally begin at USD 500 a month.

Internship In Europe

Students prefer studying in Europe because of the plenty of study programs that include a work placement, traineeship, or an internship, besides their curriculum. This method helps students get work experience while studying so that they don’t face any difficulties while working after graduation. Here let’s read about the steps that students need to follow to get an internship in Europe.

1. Check if you can do an internship as part of the curriculum while choosing a study program in Europe. This is often discussed on the university's website. Send an email to the program's contact person if you are unsure.
2. Check to see if you need an extra permit before considering an internship. Most countries encourage students to do internships whilst they are on a student visa and a residency permit, although there may be exceptions. It is often important to apply for a new visa if you want to do an internship in another EU country. The rules for this vary by region.
3. Find an internship that is a good choice for your ambitions and study program. Inquire with the student counselor on how an internship will work into the program and whether he or she has any suggestions about where to start looking. Counselors and lecturers also have links to businesses or organizations in the area. This is an excellent place to begin your quest.

Start distributing application letters! There are sometimes openings for interns in larger organizations and businesses, so find one that interests you and apply. Prepare to write a lot of emails, each one tailored to the job you're applying for. Don't hesitate to have any open software. Your CV is an integral part of the application process. It must be modern and tidy.

Working In Europe

Since graduation from university with a bachelor's or master's degree in hand, students have learned to enjoy the area they live in and wish to remain in Europe. Students should be mindful of laws and regulations must be followed while operating in a European region.

EU nationals can work in other EU countries without a visa or a work permit, but international students (non-EU) must obtain visas and work permits to work in other European countries. A work visa or work permit is still necessary for non-EU residents. It makes sense to learn about this before deciding where to study.

How We Help 

Our experienced consultants will guide you throughout your journey in pursuit of higher education and admissions into your dream universities/colleges. In specific but not limited to, following areas of assistance is provided by our consultants:

• Complete Profile Evaluation
• Preparation of different standardized tests - Undergraduate and Postgraduate
• Helping you to build your profile by guiding you on leadership skills, co-curricular activities, internship, online courses etc.
• Shortlist and finalize the best-fit college / university
• Research the right programs / courses for students
• Craft academic CV
• Brainstorm ideas for essays and personal statements
• Draft pointers for recommendation letters
• Scholarship and Financial Aid guidance
• MMI and Panel Interview Preparation
• Submission of the application form
• Follow up with the universities and updating the status of the applications
• Visa assistance and guidance
• Assistance on safe accommodation options
• Pre-Departure Guidance