Study in Europe: top universities and scholarships

Many individuals aspire to study abroad, but often, the expense of higher education holds them back.

We’re here to dispel this misconception: numerous scholarships are available for studying abroad. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of four countries that offer the most generous grants, which can cover the entire cost of tuition and living expenses.

Education in UK

Education Quality: Ranked 2nd globally
The United Kingdom is renowned as one of the most prestigious and costly academic destinations. Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes three years to complete, a master’s degree one year, and a doctoral degree three years.

In the global rankings of top universities, UK institutions consistently claim spots in the top ten: Oxford at 4th place, Cambridge at 2nd place, Imperial College London at 6th place, and UCL at 8th place. (QS World University Rankings 2023)

The cost of higher education in the UK

The cost of studying in different regions of the UK can vary greatly. The most expensive universities are in England; the most affordable are in Northern Ireland. The most expensive specialties are medical and business areas.

Average cost of training programs per year:

• bachelor’s degree program — $34,000
• for master’s degree programs — $24,000
• for doctoral studies — $28,000

Scholarships for international students

Scholarships to study in the UK are sponsored by universities, private organizations and the state. Most often, they cover up to a third of the tuition fee. There are also grants for creative and sporting achievements.

The cost of living in the UK for 2023

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

the average cost of living in the UK is £720.2 per month without rent.

the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the center is £904.31  per month.

Education in Germany

Quality of education: 4th place in the world

Germany is a country with free education for all comers, including foreigners. German universities are among the top 100 best universities in the world, according to the  QS World University Rankings 2023 the three best places are:

• Technical University of Munich — 49th place in the international ranking
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich — 59th place
• Heidelberg University  — 65th place.

Tuition fees in Germany

All public universities in Germany offer free tuition, but private universities may charge a fee. The exception is the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, which has introduced a tuition fee of 1,500 euros since 2017.

Students are required to pay a semester fee of 100 to 750 euros  every six months. These funds are used for travel tickets, textbooks, library passes, and other useful items.

Scholarships for German university students

There are three types of grants for studying in Germany: government grants (from Germany or the EU), university grants, and private grants. Among Americans, the most popular scholarships are Erasmus Mundus, which operates throughout the European Union, and DAAD. As a rule, they fully cover the student’s living expenses.

Average cost of living in Germany

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

• the average cost of living in Germany is €874.4 without rent per month
• the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center is €852.08 per month.

Education in France

Quality of education: 6th place in the world

Previously, France offered free education for both international students and EU citizens, but this procedure was canceled in 2019. However, some scholarship programs may subsidize studies in France for American residents.

School education in France lasts 12 years, and bachelor’s degree-3 years.

Among the French universities included in the top 100 universities in the world, the highest positions are occupied by:

• PSL Research University — 26th place in the ranking
• Institut Polytechnique de Paris— 48th place
• Sorbonne University — 60th place.

How much does it cost to study in France

Starting in 2019, French public universities have set the registration fee for international students.:

• bachelor’s degree — $3,380 per year
• master’s degree — $4,600 per year
• doctoral program — $460 per year

Students of some universities can apply for partial benefits. They allow foreigners to pay the same registration fee as Europeans: $207 per year for bachelor’s degrees, $297 for master’s degrees, and $464 for doctoral studies.

There are also higher schools and specialized universities. The cost of studying can reach $24,000 per year.

Scholarships for students of French universities

The most attractive grants for international students include those offered by the French government (Eiffel Scholarships) and the European Commission (Erasmus Mundus). These grants can partially or fully cover tuition fees and provide monthly stipends for living expenses.

Additionally, university grants are available, although they typically offer smaller amounts. The final scholarship sum is determined privately by each university.

Lastly, there are scholarships provided by commercial enterprises and NGOs. However, these are generally not accessible to international students.

Cost of living in France for 2023

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

• the average cost of living in France is €885.3) without rent per month
• the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the center is €722.88 per month.

Education in Italy

Quality of education: 11th place in the world

Compared to previous countries, admission to Italian universities is the easiest for applicants. There are no entrance exams, and the language requirements are not so high. This level of democracy is also preserved in the learning process: the student chooses which courses he / she will attend. They can also retake exams to get higher grades.

Mandatory requirement — completion of the 12th grade of the school. Italian universities are among the top 200 in the world.  according to the  QS World University Rankings 2023 the three best places are:

Politecnico di Milano – 139th place in the ranking

University of Bologna- 167th place

Sapienza University of Rome – 171st place 

Cost of Italian universities

Private universities set their own tuition prices; a year in such an institution can cost from $9,750 to $30,000. Many public universities offer free programs, but students need to pay regular fees. The average cost of studying in Italy for such a program is about $1,200 per year.

The most popular areas are design, fashion, cooking and everything related to culture and art. Also in Italy, the most affordable prices for studying medicine among all European countries.

Scholarships and grants in Italy

In addition to the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, which can cover the cost of studying and living in Italy, applicants should pay attention to scholarships from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and university grants.

Costs for living in Italy for 2023

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

• the average cost of living in Italy is €800.7 without rent per month
• the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the center is €652.08 per month.

Students have the opportunity to pursue higher education at international universities through scholarships and grants. In certain instances, these financial aids cover the entire cost of the academic program and provide allowances for living expenses. This makes obtaining a degree at top European universities more attainable, allowing students to concentrate on their studies without the burden of financial concerns.