Many European universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees for students from abroad in English. Often such education is free of charge or there is a real possibility of obtaining a scholarship.
Higher education in European countries has rich traditions and a deservedly high reputation. Students from all over the world strive to obtain European diplomas, which open up the possibility of a successful international career. However, such education is often quite expensive, and it can be difficult to find an opportunity to enter a European university.
At the same time, the EU countries themselves are interested in attracting qualified specialists from abroad and are ready to finance their training. Therefore, more and more higher education programs in English appear in European universities, some of which are free of charge or provide an opportunity for capable students to receive a study grant. In a number of European countries, English-language programs are paid, but you can get an inexpensive or preferential higher education by learning the language of the country, for example, in the Czech Republic or France.
Holland: studies are not free, but with a scholarship
Higher education in the Netherlands is paid, but the real possibility of obtaining a scholarship for training significantly reduces its cost. The country's Universities of Applied Sciences, which can be entered without exams right after high school, provide many partial grants for undergraduate and graduate studies.
Read the detailed description of scholarships from universities such as Saxion, Hanze, NHTV Breda, The Hague UAS, HAN, and Wittenborg.
Research Universities in the Netherlands offer scholarships that can partially or fully cover the cost of studying, and in some cases, living in the country. For example, these are scholarships for the Master's program at the University of Amsterdam and the Bachelor's program at Amsterdam University College.
You can also get a scholarship to study at a Dutch university with the help of Nuffic Neso, an organization representing the country's higher education abroad. In particular, under the Orange Tulip Scholarship program, which has been operating in Russia since 2014.
Read more about the types of scholarships at universities in the Netherlands. In the database on our website, you can also find bachelor's, master's and MBA programs from Dutch universities with the possibility of receiving grants for training.
Europe: Study Abroad in English
In the Scandinavian countries, Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic, many programs can be studied in English, often for free or for a nominal cost. In some universities, it is possible to first learn the language of the country (also free of charge) and in the future to receive education in this language.
Due to the discrepancy with the Russian education system, it is impossible to enter some universities in European countries immediately after graduating from high school, you need to complete 1-2 courses of a higher educational institution in Russia.
Free higher education abroad. Where to get it?
In the following European countries, tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees at public universities and higher education are low or absent:
- In Iceland, there is only an administration fee of € 100-250.
- In Germany, study is free at public universities.
- There are no study fees in Norway, Slovenia and Luxembourg.
- Most study programs are free in Finland.
- In France, tuition for a bachelor's degree costs 188 euros per year, for a master's degree - about 259 euros, and for postgraduate and doctoral studies - 393 euros per year.
- In the Czech Republic, tuition in the Czech language is free, the cost of programs in other languages starts from 1 thousand euros per semester.
Costs while studying in Europe are cheaper than in Moscow
Often, students only have to pay a formal semester fee of 40-150 euros, which goes to study materials, paper, photocopying, etc. A separate item of expenses is housing and food, which are sometimes cheaper than in Moscow. For example, the cost of renting a room in European countries is on average 200-400 euros, and the total amount required for living is 600-900 euros per month.
Learn more about tuition fees and other expenses while studying in the Netherlands.
Today a master's degree in Europe is a dream for the majority of residents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Many of our compatriots think that it is unrealistic to study in Europe because of its high cost. But this is not the case. In 2019, almost everyone will be able to enroll in one of the European universities.
Masters in Europe
Recently, Europe has become more loyal to Russian students, many of them receive grants for. Therefore, even without having the financial ability, you can take a master's degree in one of the universities in Europe. How to do this, the cost and conditions of admission will be covered in the article.
Initially, it is worth deciding on the language. It is worth remembering that you will not be able to enroll without excellent knowledge of the English language. Today, most European universities offer their applicants training in English, regardless of the native language of the country. Therefore, it is not at all necessary to conquer the higher educational institutions of Great Britain.
In recent years, European universities and institutes have introduced over 200 Master's degree programs in English.
You can study under such programs in Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, etc.
Next, you need to decide on the cost of training. Yes, it is possible to receive a grant, but no one can guarantee its receipt, and not everyone can get this "privilege". It is most popular due to its reasonable cost.
On average, for one year of study, a foreign student will have to pay from 500 to 1000 euros per year. But do not think that it is easy to go to study in this country. Applicants preliminarily pass a fairly tough selection, pass an exam on knowledge of the German language.
It is worth noting that such a low cost is only in public educational institutions. In private you will have to pay from 2,000 to 20,000 euros per year.
The second most expensive country is Spain. In this country, for a year of study, you will have to pay about 1100 euros per year. There are no public universities in Spain, so you have to study in private ones.
France is also more popular. Average annual tuition fees range from 5,000 to 20,000 euros per year.
Eastern Europe is famous for its cheaper education. This directly applies to the Czech Republic, which provides reasonable prices for a master's degree.
Considering Ukraine and Kazakhstan as countries for training is not worth it. In these republics, English-language programs are not so actively used. And the teaching system itself is far from ideal.
Masters in Germany
This country has excellent teaching methods and systems. Earlier it was noted that German universities "produce" excellent engineers and technicians. But today the situation has changed. Thanks to the reform, it has become one of the best in the world.
Every year, educational institutions in Germany graduate highly qualified specialists in various fields. According to statistics, in 2018, more than 2 million students were trained in this country.
Germany, like many European countries, provides an opportunity to study in English. The advantage of a master's degree in this country is the possibility of internship. During the entire period of study, a student can change more than one university to complete a semester.
This "spread" guarantees good digestibility of the material. Psychologists say that a change in environment or team has a beneficial effect on mental performance. Therefore, German universities practice to send their students for a semester or course in other educational institutions.
But it is not possible to take a master's degree in Germany in all universities. There are four types of universities and educational institutions where this can be done:
- Scientific research higher educational institutions. There are about 100 such establishments throughout the country. Basically, universities of this orientation are state-owned, so the price of tuition will not be too high.
- Universities of applied sciences offer training in such areas as:
- Engineering.
- Business administration.
- Social Science.
- Design.
- Colleges specialized in music and film arts. On average, there are about 50 such establishments in Germany.
- Religious institutions.
To enter one of the universities, you will need to fill out an online application in advance. It is worth noting that a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for admission to a master's program. Next, you will need to pass a test of knowledge of the German language and provide a certificate of knowledge of English (TOEFL, IELTS).
German language proficiency levels according to TestDaf
It is worth remembering that in addition to paying for tuition, you will have to pay an additional administrative fee in the amount of 45 to 280 euros, depending on the chosen institution. Also, to complete a master's degree, you will need to make health insurance. And this is an additional 300 euros per year.
The following video describes how to apply for a master's degree in Germany:
The most popular Master's degrees in Europe are:
- Genetics.
- Medicine.
- IT technologies.
- Finance.
- Engineering industry.
- Marketing.
Masters in Spain
Spain took the lead in the Erasmus program. It is on this system that most of all foreigners in Spain study.
There are only 76 educational institutions in this country. The most popular specialties are:
- Art.
- Business administration.
To enroll in a master's program at universities in Spain, you need:
- Provide a bachelor's degree.
- Pass a test of knowledge of English or Spanish. The language is chosen based on the teaching program. For admission, you must score 79 points in TOEFL or 6 points in IELTS.
It is worth noting that when submitting documents to a Spanish university, all documents must first be translated into Spanish.
Master's degree in Spain lasts 1 or 2 years, depending on the specialty. Average cost ranges from € 1,100 to € 3,000 per year.
Masters in France
Master's studies in this country last for 24 months. In this state, two types of magistracy are distinguished:
- Scientific.
- Professional.
According to statistics, about 13 percent of all international students receive.
The advantage of studying at French universities is the ability to pay for studies on an equal basis with the French. Moreover, foreign applicants can apply for a hostel.
There are about 83 universities in this country, which in turn are classified into such types of institutions as:
- Graduate School. It is an educational organization. Most of the students study in these "schools".
- Center for Research and Higher Education. There are about 20 such organizations in this state. Each center consists of institutes.
The best universities in France are Ecole Normale Supérieure and Ecole Polytechnique.
Ecole normale superieure
The most popular specialties in the master's program in 2019:
- Technical area. Getting a technical specialty is possible only in engineering schools. There are about 240 of them in this country.
- Management.
- Business.
- Art. Obtaining a specialty in the field of art is possible only in art universities or institutes of applied arts. Architectural schools are especially popular. There are about 20 such establishments in France.
Each of the universities in France has the right to put forward the requirements for the submitted documents. But the main document is a bachelor's degree.
Admission to the magistracy ends in the month of January - May. Often, government agencies invite applicants for interviews for more careful selection. For admission, you will have to pass a test of knowledge of languages such as:
- English. The minimum score for TOEFL is 79, for IELTS is 6.5.
- French.
Tuition fees range from 6,000 to 35,000 euros per year in private universities. In some public schools, for a master's degree you will need to pay annually from 400 euros.
Masters in England
For many years the UK has been considered the leader in quality. A master's degree in this magnificent country lasts 1 or 2 years.
Universities in England are distinguished by creativity and new technologies in scientific infrastructure. It is quite difficult to enroll in an English higher education institution. But this primarily concerns world universities like Oxford or Cambridge. There is less competition for less well-known institutes, therefore it is easier to enroll. But regardless of the type of institution, the applicant must submit:
- Bachelor's degree. The diploma must be issued by a prestigious institution.
- TOEFL, IELTS certificate. For TOEFL, the minimum score (Ibt) is 100, and for IELTS it is 7.
It is worth noting that if the bachelor's degree was taught in English, then it is not necessary to provide a certificate.
The cost of studying in this country directly depends on the region and the chosen specialty, the prestige of the university. So, to obtain a specialty in art, you will need to pay about 7000 euros per year. To obtain a humanitarian specialty, you will need to pay from 7,000 to 9,000 per year. If you want to get a medical specialty, you will have to pay from 10,000 to 22,000 euros annually every month.
Master in Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is the most popular country for obtaining a master's degree among representatives of the Russian Federation. This country has come a long way to improve its own, so today it is considered one of the best in Eastern Europe. According to statistics, more than 40,000 foreign students study in this state.
As in other universities in Europe, for admission to a Czech higher institution, you will need to provide a bachelor's degree and a TOEFL or IELTS test. Quite often, applicants take entrance exams. This does not happen in all institutions. Many universities simply select worthy candidates without exams based on the GPA.
Some of the nuances of education in the Czech Republic in this video:
If there are good grades, the applicant becomes a student of a Czech educational institution without all the preliminary "selection". Tuition fees vary from 2,000 to 16,000 euros per year. Compared to countries like France or England, this is a small amount. Therefore, education in the Czech Republic is in such demand.
Study in Italy
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
For many young people, getting higher education in Europe is a real dream. And all because a European diploma is prestigious and opens up great prospects for future life. All educational institutions in Europe have their own history and solid status, plus all are located not far from Russia. It remains to make a choice in favor of a country. 
Getting higher education in Europe is not only prestige and prospects, but also an excellent training in the spoken language of the language of the chosen country. If there is a greater inclination and desire to study in German, then it is better to stop at Austria, Germany or Switzerland. The training processes are held there in two languages - German and English.
Facade of the central building of the National University of Zurich
Preferring more English-speaking environment, better or the Czech Republic. In the latter, Russian is also used in the learning process.
Many people believe that any country and university can be chosen, most importantly, in Europe. But this is a wrong opinion, because each educational institution and state has its own subtleties. And without knowing them, you can be very disappointed.
Free higher education in Europe
Many people think that it is impossible to get a free higher education in Europe, but it is not. In many EU countries, in 2019 there is an opportunity to enter public universities without paying huge amounts of money. The cost of training in them is fixed, but it ranges from 400 to 2000 euros per academic year and is used to cover the costs of education of the future student.
Comparison of tuition fees in different European countries
Since such government officials do not earn anything from foreign students, there is no need for them to advertise on the Internet or translate the rules for admission of foreigners for such a symbolic fee. Therefore, you will have to look for information either on your own, using a translator, or with the help of agencies.
You can get free public education in the language of the country where you want to go to study. There are also options for studying in English, but in this case, the cost of studying can be as high as $ 3,000 per academic year, which is still much less than the amounts offered by private universities.
If you plan to study in the EU after receiving higher education in Russia, then there are 2 options:
Some of the cheapest and most affordable options to get. There are also interesting options in the Czech Republic and.
Every year Spain makes free public education less accessible for foreigners, although in 2019 there are still interesting options in this country for admission to local universities.
When seeking assistance from agencies that provide educational selection services, you should clarify the presence of a representative office in the countries they offer, their location, whether they provide assistance and support on the spot, and the level of qualifications of staff.
Exterior view of the University of Hamburg in Germany
Let's consider several of the most popular European countries in order to have an idea of their peculiarities and subtleties for Russian applicants.
Austria
Russians and citizens of the CIS in this state have many chances to enter a university without passing entrance exams on the basis of 11 grades. In Austrian educational institutions, no prior knowledge of languages is required. The cost of a semester for Russian students is 760 euros. Many people want, but for this it is desirable to know German.
Higher education institutions in Austria have long been recognized all over the world, occupying high places in international rankings. Austria has a large number of musical institutions represented by academies, universities and conservatories.
Germany
Nowadays, German universities are in great demand and are popular for young people from all over the world. And all because they perfectly combine old traditions with modern scientific achievements.
Taking a lesson at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Leipzig
The strongest educational institutions in Germany are considered to be the technical, philological and medical university. And the diploma received there opens the door for employment in many parts of the world.
Facade of the building of the Geneva State University
When entering universities in Switzerland, the Russians are presented with overstated requirements - it is necessary to study at a Russian educational institution for at least two years, this must be a full-time department. An exam is passed, after which the question of admission is still open. Attention is paid to the characteristics of the student. The decision is made by the selection committee.
England
Summer school building in Holland
At the moment, about ¾ of all Dutch schools are private and public, with a religious orientation. And also cultural and economic, with a large study load and requirements for students.
There are no kindergartens in Holland, the child is sent to school at the age of 3-4, where he studies until the age of 12. Then you have to choose - it will be a public school, gymnasium or athenium. That is, it turns out that in the state, children go through two stages of education:
- The first is considered primary education lasting 8 years.
- The second starts at the age of 12. The main goal of this stage is to prepare for further studies at the university.
But there is a certain choice, more precisely, two - preparation for a university or training in any profession.
Utrecht University building in the Netherlands
This applies to those who do not study very diligently in elementary school and do not plan to study further in the future, then the second option is chosen.
There are three main types of Bachelor's and Master's programs in Europe:
- research - prepare future scientists;
- educational - similar to programs of Russian universities;
- career-oriented - includes a practical block lasting a semester or a year, during which time students gain work experience or are engaged in applied research.
Bachelor's degree in Europe is the first stage of higher education, which lasts 3-4 years and upon completion allows you to apply for employment in the country of study. Bachelor's degree programs in English with the widest range of specialties in Europe are offered by the UK and Holland.
Master's programs in Europe are essential for those planning to develop a professional or scientific career. They last 1-2 years and involve writing and defending a dissertation or practical project. At this level, there is a good selection of programs and internships leading to a double diploma, which are jointly organized by partner universities.
Requirements for applying for a Bachelor's degree or for a second degree in Europe depend on the country and are detailed in the guides and articles for applicants to the UK, Holland, Germany.
In an effort to make education as open and accessible as possible, universities also offer distance master programs in Europe. One of the European leaders in distance education is the Open University in Britain.
Universities in Europe teaching in English
Several universities in Europe located outside the UK offer the opportunity to study in English. To one degree or another, English-language programs exist in many European universities, but Holland is in the lead here.
Bachelor's programs in English are also offered by the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries, but the choice of subjects and specialties is limited here, and there are even fewer master's programs in these countries. It is convenient to find a higher education program in Europe in English using the search engine on our website.
How to get higher education in Europe
You can get higher education in Europe at universities and colleges. Admission requirements to study at universities in Europe vary from country to country. At first glance, the organizational issues associated with admission seem simple, but in fact they require a lot of attention, time and effort from the applicant, who is preparing and taking tests at the same time. In order to get maximum support at all stages of admission to a European university and focus entirely on preparation, order the EducationIndex full support service for applicants.
As for the minimum set of documents for admission, in Germany, Austria or the Czech Republic you need to provide a document on previous education, an extract with grades and an international certificate of proficiency in the language of instruction. When entering the UK, plus to the above, you will need a motivation and recommendation letter, to Holland - a resume and recommendations from teachers and / or employers. German, Czech and Austrian universities often offer their own exams to applicants.
Separately, we note that a Russian school certificate is not always enough for admission to a bachelor's degree in Europe, since in many countries secondary education lasts longer than 11 years or the educational system does not imply a transition from school to university without an additional year of study. So, when entering a British bachelor's degree, an applicant will need an A-level diploma or equivalent. Preparatory programs at the university are necessary for those who enter the first higher education in Austria and sometimes in Holland.
You can learn more about the requirements for studying at European universities in the relevant sections or ask our consultants to clarify your questions.
Cost of education in Europe
Higher education in most European countries is paid, while the price of education in Europe differs significantly from country to country. In most countries, universities set their own tuition fees, and for foreigners it will always be higher than for local residents. However, universities and governments in many countries offer scholarship programs that reduce tuition fees.
Where to get free higher education in Europe
In Europe, there are countries with free higher education for foreigners - Germany, Czech Republic, France, Norway, etc. Foreign students of most state universities studying in the national language of the country do not pay the cost of programs - only small organizational fees and student fees. Accommodation and meals are also the responsibility of the student.
In addition, studying at universities in Europe can become free if you receive a 100% scholarship that will fully cover the costs of tuition and living, although such scholarships are rare and the competition is great. At the undergraduate level, there are only a few such scholarships, but at the second higher level, their choice is much wider.
Higher education system in Europe
Since the middle of the last century, the European educational space has been regulated by the Bologna Process, the goal of which is to make higher education in Europe open, and educational levels, diplomas and degrees of different countries - comparable.
Higher education in European countries is developing with the active participation of the state, which appoints funding, legislatively approves general educational standards and monitors their implementation, nevertheless, the existence of more and less strong universities is a reality, partly reflected in international rankings. To learn how to choose a university that suits you in all respects, read the guide for the country you are interested in or request information from our consultants.
The well-known expression: "All ingenious is simple" in this case is applied to the very dream that can be realized through, no less than - free higher education in Europe
And this is primarily due to the fact that while studying, a person learns the country "from and to", and if something does not work out, he can always return. In addition, in many European countries, there are simplified ways of obtaining a work visa for those who have completed their master's degree in local educational institutions. And employers look more favorably at a resume where a university they know appears.
It seems that studying abroad is something very expensive and unattainable, but a little diligence and willpower is enough to go to study at a European public university for free or almost free abroad.
"How?" - you ask. Let's take a look at a list of
10 countries where you can get education without ruining yourself and your whole family.
1. Austria
Here you can study in English or German (by passing a language exam in advance), after graduating from your native university, as well as right after school. If the knowledge of the German language is not enough, you can take a preparatory course lasting one year. Usually,
2. Germany
Studied in English or German. The language level must also be confirmed with a test. If you are interested in studying in English, you will need to be the winner among all candidates, since there is a very high competition for these places. You can enter Germany only after several years of study at a domestic university (two years). If you decide to enroll after completing your first year at home, you can enroll in the Studienkolleg preparatory course.
3. Greece
Training takes place only in the language of the country. You can apply after school without taking any language exams.
4. Spain
You can enter the country's universities after school by passing exams for knowledge of Spanish, ask training takes place on it.
5. Italy
You can study in Italian or English, the knowledge of which must be confirmed. You can apply only after several courses at a university in your homeland. Depending on the faculty, you may have to take exams.
6. Norway
The universities of this country accept foreign applicants right after school. Study programs can be in both English and Norwegian. As a rule, admission to Norwegian universities takes place without exams.
7. Finland
Taught in English or Finnish, knowledge of which, as a rule, must be confirmed by a language certificate. Finnish universities accept students both after university and after school. In the latter case, training will begin in college.
8. France
There are English and French programs. Admission takes place without exams, but it is necessary to obtain a language certificate and provide a certificate or diploma with good grades. You can apply after the first course.
9.Poland
Free software only for those who know Polish. You can get education in English, but for a fee (the cost is in the limit of two thousand euros per year).
10. Czech Republic
You can study in Czech for free immediately after school or after university. Students are enrolled by proxy, that is, your presence e or proof of language proficiency is not required. For a comfortable life and successful study, the minimum knowledge of hare necessary.
What is required for admission abroad?
Each university in any country sets its own requirements, but they differ little from each other.
- School leaving certificate;
- GIA and USE certificates, as points can play a role in the decision of the commission;
- A diploma of graduation from a national university for those who enter the magistracy, postgraduate studies, and the second higher. If the diploma has not yet been received - an extract with grades;
- Summary;
- Language certificates;
- A completed university application form, which can be found on the website or requested by mail;
- Letters of recommendation from teachers, academic staff, dean;
- , which will list all your merits and achievements, the reasons why you want to study in this country and at this university.
It is important to note that all of the above documents are required when applying for admission.
If something is missing, the university may refuse.
The documents must be executed in the correct way, have an apostille (translated and certified by a notary) and meet the requirements of the educational institution where you are going to submit them.
In some countries, you can apply online, but more often you have to send documents by mail. We recommend that you do this with FedEx or DHL to be sure that the valuable package of documents will reach the addressee.
Life while studying
English
For a comfortable life abroad while studying, you need to know English. As mentioned earlier, most often, upon admission, you must pass a language exam. Many universities do not accept students with poor knowledge of the English language, if it is taught. During the exams, knowledge of grammar, words, the ability to read, write, speak and understand foreign speech are tested. For admission, many universities accept TOEFL or IELS certificates.
Country language
For comfortable adaptation in the country, you need to know the local language at the initial level. Unfortunately, not in all European countries, residents speak English well, therefore at the household level, in order to buy coffee or bread, you will have to learn in advance how to say the necessary phrases.
As soon as you know that you will be studying abroad, start learning the language of the country, if you do not already know it.
Other
In order to “live and not grieve” while studying abroad, before moving, you need to worry about housing, health insurance, money for daily expenses. Fortunately, , and the state - insurance. In addition, foreign students in Europe have the right to earn extra money.
Free higher education in Europe is not a myth, and many domestic schoolchildren and students are already preparing for admission.
Of course, finding a university, preparing documents and organizing a move is not easy, but having done all this, you can enjoy life and study in the land of your dreams.
Worth a try anyway!
