With so many options in the EU, how do you answer the question, “Which university should I go to?” We’ll help you work out what’s best for you.
7 min read
If you’re finishing up high school, you might be getting ready to embark on the next chapter in your life – university. Yet, with more than 3,000 higher education institutions across the EU, whittling this number down to create a manageable shortlist can seem like a Herculean task.
Which university should I go to in Europe?
When it comes to trying to work out which university to go to, online research is your best friend. Similarly, a university’s website should be your first port of call for up-to-date information about courses and student life. Universities also hold open days throughout the year, where you can visit the college itself and ask the admissions staff, academics and current students all of your burning questions. If you’re interested in a university that’s located far away, you can also reach out to its alumni network to learn more about former students’ experiences.
What types of university should I go to in Europe?
Across Europe, there are two major kinds of university:
Public universities
Institutions that are supported by public funds from the government. These include:
Munich’s Ludwig Maximilian University (50,000 students)
Switzerland’s University of Lucerne (2,500 students)
Scotland’s University of Edinburgh (36,000 students)
Spain’s University of Barcelona (63,000 students)
Italy’s University of Bologna (77,000 students)
Private universities
Institutions that are usually run as businesses or non-profit organizations. These offer a restricted number of courses, with examples being:
Italy’s Carlo Cattaneo University (2,000 students)
England’s University of Buckingham (2,500 students)
France’s Catholic University of Paris (7,500 students)
Spain’s European University of Madrid (16,000 students)
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What types of university programs should I take in Europe?
Undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree) programs range from 3 to 4 years in length, depending on the country and subject:
3 years
England
Norway
Poland
3 years or longer (by taking fewer classes each semester)
Germany
Austria
4 years
The Netherlands
Spain
Sometimes, a degree can take even longer. For example, if you’re studying medicine or training to become a doctor, it can take you up to 5 years before you become a qualified physician. In France, it can take you 8 years to become a medical doctor, whereas in Italy, you need to study for 6 years before qualifying.Another option is a “sandwich” degree. They are called this because they integrate a year in the industry, or a year abroad between the components of the regular degree. Usually, this program is extended by the length of the internship in question – for example, undertaking a 3-year degree and a 1-year internship would result in a 4-year sandwich degree.
How do university admissions work in Europe?
Of course, as universities can’t accept every student that’s applied to them, how do they decide who to pick? In deciding “what university should I go to?,” it’s essential to know how certain college admissions work:
Academic excellence
Germany: A certificate (or an equivalent qualification) that entitles you to study at university.
The UK: Admission is based on your school-leaving examination grades.
Language proficiency
Spain: A certificate or qualification showing Spanish skills to be above B2 level or above.
Italy: Proof of language proficiency.
Passion for the subject
France: An essay about the subject you’re interested in to show your passion for it.
England: A personal statement, which is a short one-page essay about your chosen subject.
Which university is at the top of the pile?
Every major newspaper publishes university rankings on an annual basis, but these differ depending on the criteria used and these rankings often fluctuate. For example, the Sorbonne University in Paris is currently ranked 29th in the world by CWUR and 73rd by the Times Higher Education supplement.However, when deciding “which university should I go to?,” note that there are many that remain consistently at the top of the rankings for certain subjects. These include:
Medicine
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
ETH Zurich
History
University College London
University of Edinburgh
LMU Munich
Law
London School of Economics
Paris Science and Letters Research University
Heidelberg University
Physics
University of Oxford
KU Leuven
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
Major university locations and cities in Europe
Naturally, from moving away from home and studying abroad, to opening a banking account that you can manage wherever you decide to go, there’s a lot to consider when going to university. When picking a university to go to, and to help you decide on a location, here are some popular places to consider:
Manchester, the UK
Population: 550,000
Major airport with almost 400 flights a day
Thriving international community with a bustling Chinatown
Munich, Germany
Population: 1.5 million
12 universities (although some specialize in just a few subjects)
Great sporting facilities (it hosted the Olympics in 1972)
Paris, France
Population: Over 2 million
Many cultural monuments, e.g. the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
Direct travel links to London via the Eurostar
Barcelona, Spain
Population: 1.6 million.
Fantastic weather (just 55 rainy days a year)
The University of Barcelona teaches two degree courses in English for people who don’t speak Spanish.
Rome, Italy
Population: 2.8 million.
24 separate universities with buzzing student life
The American University of Rome offers US-accredited degrees that are recognized in the USA.
How much do universities cost in Europe?
The amount you need to fork out for a degree is calculated on a country-by-country basis. In addition to tuition fees, you’ll need to budget for your living expenses, too – this can quickly add up if you’re in a pricey city, such as London. Below, you’ll find a rundown of some figures:
Germany
Fees: €0.00/year (with a small contribution towards administration costs)
Living expenses: €850/month
Spain
Fees: around €2,000/year (for non-EU students)
Living expenses: €650/month
The UK
Fees: at least €19,000/year (overseas students)
Living expenses: €900/month
France
Fees: €2,770/year
Living expenses: €700/month
Italy
Fees: €1,000/year
Living expenses: €900/month
To help you along the way, many colleges offer scholarships to incoming students. These range from the full coverage of tuition costs, to a few hundred Euros a year.
Types of student accomodation
Picking a great course at a good university is key, but don’t neglect more mundane matters, such as accommodation. Know the difference:
The UK
‘Halls’ often house first-year students, a type of student accommodation.
The NUS Student Experience Report suggests that only 19% live at home.
Germany
40% of exchange students live in student accommodation such as that provided by Berlin’s Humboldt University.
Many German students live at home.
France
Only three companies offer rooms and shared accommodation across 200 cities across the country.
Rent in this student accommodation costs from just €150 a week.
Italy
Most student accommodation is not located on campus, and is brokered by university housing offices.
Spain
Specialist accommodation is only available to 6% of students, which is why most students rent privately.
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For most people, attending university is a necessary stepping-stone to starting a professional career. Because of this, colleges offer much more than information offered in lectures – they can also provide advice and guidance on career choices. Additional services often include:
Life-long support
The University of Cambridge offers a widespread alumni network.
An international focus
The Free University of Berlin has careers departments that help their graduates find jobs all around the world.
Training modules
The University of Dundee offers students modules on employability and career planning that they can complete alongside their degree.
After all, there’s much more to studying than sitting in the library for 24 hours a day!
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