Education in Europe

Tuition costs for international students in Europe can vary significantly. Typically, public universities are very affordable, even for international students. For example, public universities in Austria have nearly free tuition. International students in Austria are required to pay a “study fee” of €727 ($850) per semester, as well as a student union membership fee of €25 ($30) per semester. This comes to about $1,760 per year.

In Belgium and France, international student tuition is more expensive but still more affordable than in the US. On average, you can expect to pay roughly $4,000 to $6,000 per year in a public university.

The Netherlands and the UK are two of the most expensive European countries for international students. Tuition in the Netherlands ranges from $7,000 to $24,000 per year, while UK tuition is, on average, $18,000 to $35,000 per year. That being said, these two countries are more likely to accept US federal student loans (FAFSA) than other European countries, and British universities offer financial aid packages similar to those in the US.

When it comes to private universities in Europe, tuition can still be more affordable than the US starting around $6,000 per year but can exceed $35,000 at top private universities such as IE University in Spain.

In the long run, studying in Europe can save you a lot of money, with lower tuition and cost of living than in the US. But there are significant upfront expenses to consider.

For your visa, you must provide that you have access to enough funds to cover your living expenses. This “proof of funds” typically ranges from $5,500 to $15,000 in available funds (savings, scholarships, student loans, etc.) for a one-year visa.

Rent in Europe is typically more affordable than in the US. An international student in the Czech Republic may pay only $200 per month to live in a dorm, while a student in the Netherlands might pay $1,000 per month for a room in a shared apartment.

Tuition is also a significant up-front expense, with the first semester payment often due before your arrival abroad. The first semester tuition payment can range from $800 to $15,000, depending on the country and university. (See the FAQ about tuition for more)

We also advise international students not supported by parents or family to have at least three months of living expenses saved (based on the cost of living in your destination country) in case of an emergency, such as a job loss or an urgent need to book a flight home.

There are opportunities available to students of diverse economic backgrounds. But it is absolutely essential to choose a country and university within your budget and to plan your finances thoroughly and in advance to avoid risky financial situations.

We know what it is like to go into a move abroad blind and be met with unexpected expenses. Book a call with a Skola advisor to plan your finances, navigate US Federal Student Loans (FAFSA) for international students, and get matched with scholarship opportunities.

Transferring from an American university to a university in Europe is, unfortunately, usually not a seamless process. Luckily, US credit hours and European credits (ECTS) have a simple conversion. The challenge lies in the differences in education style, grading systems, and accreditations.

If you wish to transfer to a European university, it is generally necessary to apply to your program of choice as a first-year student. Once you are accepted, you may request an exemption from certain first-year courses at the discretion of the university.

However, a bachelor’s degree in Europe typically takes 3 years to complete, so if you are hoping to transfer after the first year of your bachelor’s, you may still be able to graduate within the time you expected.

No, just like if you were going to enroll in a college in the US, there are absolutely no age limits! Everyone, regardless of age, can decide to pursue a degree in Europe.

Our consultants have met with students who were 50 years old who were hoping to pursue a degree. We encourage you to never let age hold you back and believe education has no age limit.

It is generally not possible for students at European universities to enroll as an undeclared major. In Europe, students apply to a study program rather than to the university itself.

Once you are enrolled in a study program, it may or may not be possible to transfer to another program within the same university and receive credit for the courses you’ve already taken, depending on how similar the programs are and the university’s internal policies. In some cases, students may need to submit an entirely new application for their desired study program and wait to be accepted before continuing their studies.

Yes! Having an associate’s degree from the US will, in many cases, improve your chances of being accepted into a European bachelor’s program. In some countries, to gain access to the most selective universities, American students must demonstrate their qualifications through additional selection criteria such as AP scores or SAT/ACT requirements. In some cases, an associate’s degree bypasses these criteria and grants access to these more-selective programs.

In most cases, an American high school diploma (sometimes in addition to college entrance exam scores, such as the ACT or SAT, or a collection of AP scores) is sufficient to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Europe.

In some countries, to gain access to the most selective universities, American students must demonstrate their qualifications through additional selection criteria such as AP scores or specialized high school diplomas like the International Baccalaureate program.

Absolutely! Getting your master’s degree from a European university is a great way to save money while advancing your academic career and professional qualifications.

While bachelor’s programs taught in English can be limited in non-English speaking countries, there are thousands of options for English-taught master’s programs across Europe.

You can begin your search in our growing University Database.

Yes, there are many PhD and research opportunities available in Europe!

Beginning a PhD program in many European countries is not the same as starting a bachelor's or master's program. PhD researchers are often treated more like staff than students at public universities in Europe. This means that universities will publish vacancies and recruit candidates who, if selected, will teach courses and conduct research for the university/department that hired them alongside their PhD. These types of PhDs are paid positions.

Students may also choose to do a self-funded PhD. In this case, students must secure their own funding and approach a university professor or graduate program with their PhD proposal, who will sponsor their studies and supervise their research. These types of PhDs are not paid. Both of these routes, however, are available to international students.

How closely does the program align with your career ambitions? Is it located in a hub for your industry? Does the university have a career office? Will jobs be available for you after graduating in this location? And, are these jobs in international offices that allow you to work in English? (Spoiler: you can work in English anywhere in Europe, but you must be strategic based on your industry.)

Does the university offer the support you need, such as a disability office or programs for queer students? Is there dedicated support for international students?

Is tuition affordable? Do they offer scholarships or other financial aid? Do they accept FAFSA? Do you qualify for any external funding opportunities? What are the financial requirements for a visa?

Is the university and the degree accredited by a reputable and internationally recognised body? What is the local reputation?

Does the university use a teaching methodology that aligns with your learning style?

Yes! There are plenty of 100% English-taught bachelor's and master’s programs offered by European universities. And, lucky for you, that is what Skola specializes in!

Check out our growing database of universities that offer English-taught degrees.

But don’t worry, it’s almost inevitable that you will learn some of the local language just by going about your life in your destination country. You will learn how to navigate the grocery store, pick up packages, and order food in a restaurant quickly. Speaking about politics and philosophy will only come with time and plenty of practice. How much of the language you learn will ultimately be up to you and how much time and effort you put into studying the language.

Yes, you can become an international student if you are a parent. In most EU countries, you will be permitted to bring dependents on your student visa, especially if you are studying at a master’s level or higher, as long as you can prove your ability to financially support your child(ren) while studying.

Many public universities offer free or affordable childcare to students with children. For example, Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium offers childcare exclusively for students and employees of the university at an income-based rate for as little as €2.04 (~$2.39) per day.

If you are a parent, we can help you find a university that will meet you and your family’s needs. We have helped adult students who are parents successfully navigate moving abroad as a family, and we would be more than happy to help you and your family, too!

Our head consultant, Liza, has assisted other families in moving abroad for educational purposes and is happy to answer any of your questions.

The simple answer is that having a master’s is more common across Europe, so to compete on the job market (for white-collar jobs), a master’s is necessary to keep up with other candidates, or to qualify to apply in the first place.

The longer answer gets into the education standards that have been established across the European Higher Education Area. The Bologna Process established the standard for a bachelor’s degree to prioritize in-depth study of the degree subject from the beginning in Europe. This contrasts with the American bachelor’s that begins with broad general education in the first year of studies, followed by three years of in-depth study of a major. In Europe, these general education subjects are taught during a more rigorous pre-university secondary education— basically, it’s already covered in high school. This is why you cannot start university in Europe as an “undecided” or “undeclared” major. It is also why some European countries do not consider an American high school education equivalent to its European counterpart.

So, between a bachelor’s degree completed sooner, graduates being younger, and free/affordable education posing less of a financial barrier to students, the standard higher education path in Europe became a 5-year integrated path consisting of a 3-year bachelor's plus a 2-year master’s.