Many people who choose to study abroad almost always end up choosing an European university if given a list of universities. While making this choice, many remain unaware of the best English speaking universities in Europe.
In this article we will explain with clarity things to know about English-taught universities in Europe, and will give you a good list of the top English speaking universities in Europe.
It will be a fair warning to add that not all programs are taught in English in such institutions given that most European countries do not have English as an official language for students who want to study abroad in Europe.
However, they offer some programs in English to accommodate international students from anglophone countries. Let’s take a quick look at things to know before going ahead.
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Things to know about Studying in English speaking universities in Europe
Here are some important things to know about studying in European universities:
1. Yes, you Might Need to Another Language
As most European countries are non-anglophone, you might really want to pick up the language of the country which you’ve chosen for studies for out of class/unofficial communications.
This might seem like a huge hurdle at first but it will pay off in the long run.
You are actually having it easier. In the past, there were very few European universities offering English programs and international students were required to learn the native language as a test for the admission process.
So it’s not that bad to pick up a new language. Being multilingual makes you more desirable, go for it.
2. Schooling in Europe is Cheap!
Oh yeah, you read that right.
In comparison with American Universities, European Universities are really, really affordable.
In most English speaking universities in Europe the tuition fees are minimal. And the offer the best valuable education at that rate.
Studying in Europe could save you around £30,000 of debt by the end of your studies.
It’s acknowledged that the living costs are quite on the high side, but then you are there for studies right?
Get your almost free education and bounce.
Here are the cheapest universities in Europe your pocket would love.
3. Admission is Easy
Getting admitted into an English speaking university in Europe is quite easy currently. Many European institutions are seeking to increase the diversity of their student population and they will hug you like a lost child when you apply.
Well, this does not mean you apply with poor grades, that will be your greatest undoing. There is a set standard for students getting into the system. European universities actually value excellence and are willing to go miles to get it.
4. It’s Going to Take an Extra Year’s Work
In US universities most first degrees take at least four years, in the UK, it takes at least three years. However, in other European universities, obtaining a first degree can take as much as five years of study.
However there’s an upside to this, it could help you speedrun your Master’s program if you begin immediately after the Bachelor’s degree have been obtained.
Best Countries and Cities in Europe for English Higher Education
Here, we’ve compiled a list of countries and cities where you will most likely feel at home while taking an English higher education.
So what are the best countries and cities to stay in while studying in an English speaking university? Here they are below:
- The Netherlands
- Ireland
- The UK
- Malta
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Berlin
- Basel
- Wurzburg
- Heidelberg
- Pisa
- Gӧttingen
- Mannheim
- Crete
- Denmark
- Austria
- Norway
- Greece.
- Finland
- Sweden
- Russia
- Scotland
- Greece.
Top English Speaking Universities in Europe
Now you know the best countries for an English education, you need to know the top English speaking universities in Europe. And viola, here they are:
- University of Crete
- University of Malta
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Birmingham
- University of Leeds
- National University of Singapore
- University of Stirling
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Corvinus University of Budapest
- University of Nottingham
- University of Wurzburg
- University of Copenhagen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Maastricht University
- Stockholm University
- University of Oslo
- Leiden University
- University of Groningen
- The University of Edinburgh
- University of Amsterdam
- Lund University
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford.
Oh well, I knew you were looking for Oxford and Cambridge, of course, they are here. You have a pretty good eye for European universities.
Go ahead, apply to any of those institutions, give it a good shot.
- Find out the 10 European English taught Law Schools.
Programs offered by English Speaking Universities in Europe
Like it was mentioned earlier, not all programs have English variants in most English speaking universities in Europe. Some specific programs however are taken in English to accommodate international students.
Here we have a generalized listing of these courses, it’s important that you check if the specific program you are applying for is being taken in English by your choice university.
Some of these programs are for graduate studies and some are for undergraduates. Check out with your university to get the specifics.
Here is the generic list of courses taken in English across Europe:
- Social Sciences
- Educational Sciences
- Geography and Spatial Planning
- European Governance
- Architecture
- Science of Psychology
- European Cultures – History
- Economics
- Accounting and Audit
- Mathematics
- Business Management
- Hotel & Restaurant Business Management
- Business Administration
- Management
- International Relations
- Administrating Management
- International Finance
- International Economics
- Financial Accounting
- Marketing
- Tourism
- Computer Engineering and Computer Sciences
- Information Technologies
- Cybersecurity
- Software and Hardware Engineering
- Computer Information System
- Computer System Analysis
- Electronics Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aviation Engineering
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture Engineering
- Oil & Gas Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Geology
- Geodesy
- Land Planning & Management
- Philology
- Library Science
- Language Studies
- Linguistics
- Spanish Language and Literature
- French Language and Literature
- German Language and Literature
- Agriculture
- Veterinary medicine
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Biology
- European Law
- Science in Physics
- Science and Engineering – Physics
- Science and Engineering – Mathematics
- Secondary Education – Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Science in Biomedicine
- Integrated Systems Biology
- Biology
- Sustainable development
- European and International Tax Law
- Space, Communication and Media Law
- Wealth Management
- Modern and Contemporary European Philosophy
- Learning and Communication in Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts
- European Contemporary History.
Although this list covers a lot of programs, it is not exhaustive, new programs can be added.
You can still check with your institution to see if a new English taught course has been added.
Tuition Fees for English speaking Universities in Europe
Now on to tuition fees for taking a program in English speaking universities in Europe.
Most times, international students pay a higher tuition than local students. This is also the case in Europe, however, the tuition remains affordable when compared with the US. To be able to cover the topic of tuition, we will take two categories, that of European Med School, and that of other schools.
Yeah, you should know the reason for this. Med school always costs more. So here we go;
European Med School Tuition
- Medicine costs 4,300 USD per semester
- Dentistry costs 4,500 USD per semester
- Pharmacy costs 3,800 USD per semester
- Nursing costs 4,300 USD per semester
- Laboratory Sciences costs 3,800 USD per semester
- Post Graduate Studies costs 4,500 USD per semester
Other Schools
This includes the European Business School, European School of Engineering and Architecture, European School of Law, European Language School, European School of Humanities.
Programs in any of these European schools costs on the average
- 2,500 USD per semester for a Bachelors degree and
- 3,000 USD per semester a Masters degree.
Cost of Living in English speaking Universities in Europe
Now to the cost of living in Europe when attending an English speaking university. Here is a brief breakdown of what it looks like.
Accommodation: About 1,300 USD (every year).
Medical Insurance: Depending on the duration of your program, about 120 USD per year (one-time payment).
Feeding: Could cost between 130 USD–200 USD per month.
Other Expenses (Administrative Fee, Admission Fee, Registration Fee, Airport Reception Charges, Immigration Clearance Charges etc): 2,000 USD (first year only).
Can I work while Studying in English in Europe?
If you have your student visa or a student work permit you will be allowed to pick up a job as a student studying in English speaking European countries.
However, during school months you are only allowed to take on part-time jobs and work full-time during holidays.
Here’s a brief breakdown of work for a few European countries:
1. Germany
In Germany students are allowed to work part-time as long as they have a valid student visa.
2. Norway
In Norway, you are not required to get a work permit in the first year of your studies. However, after the first year students are required to get a work permit and renew it annually until the completion of their education.
3. The United Kingdom
If a student obtains the Tier 4 student visa, that student is allowed to pick up a part-time job in the UK.
4. Finland
Finland allows students to work without a work permit requirement. However, as a student you are only allowed to work at most 25 hours every week during school term.
During the holiday period, you can pick up a full-time job.
5. Ireland
As a student in Ireland, you are not required to get a work permit in order to land a job.
All you have to do is have a Stamp 2 Permission on your visa and you will be allowed to work part-time.
6. France
With a valid student visa, students are allowed to pick up a part-time job in France. No need for a work permit.
7. Denmark
By obtaining your student visa for studies in Denmark you get the right of working for 20 hours every week during the school year and full-time during school holidays.
8. Estonia
As a student In Estonia, you only need your student visa to pick up a job during your studies
9. Sweden
Also in Sweden international students are required to obtain a valid student visa to be able to enroll for a job.
Conclusion
Now you are aware of the English speaking universities in Europe, which will you be gunning for?
Let us know in the comment section below.
You may also want to check out the 30 Best Law Schools in Europe.
