Why study in Europe?
Europe is a top-ranked destination around the world for higher education. Every year almost 14 Lacs students across the globe secure their admission seats at European universities to fulfill their dreams. Several national and international students can grab the opportunity to choose from the extensive range of Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, and doctoral and other study programs. Approximately 2750 Higher education institutes in Europe offer more than 50 thousand programs at Bachelor's & Master's levels. The affordability of programs in comparison to English speaking countries, diversified ethnicity, and low cost of living make Europe an ideal destination for Career Formation.
Europe offers a world-class higher education experience, along with high-end skills and comprehension. The country is enriched with diverse cultures and languages. Besides, the happening social environment, the inhabitants of Europe are kind and welcoming. Nonetheless, some of the most popular abroad study destinations (part of the European Union), for instance, include the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Ireland, France, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, and so on.
Study in Europe at the cost of India
In India, career options for Undergraduate and Post-graduate level study programs are very limited. There are only a few institutes like IITs & IIMs that could be placed at a global level in the field of Engineering and Management, while the remaining institutes lack infrastructure, research work, exposure, and Academic Learning. Students are left with no choice except to pursue their education at these sub-standard institutes. European Universities attract proficiency from around the world due to their innovative approach, a legacy of wisdom, and the right opportunities for bright minds. Europe gives you a career boost, as International experience has turned out to be most vital in modern times. In some European countries, there isn’t even any tuition fee, which means studying at university can be free of cost!
On the contrary, countries like Finland, Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, France, and so on offer affordable tuition fees which are similar to the cost of studying in India. If we get an opportunity to study from these prestige institutes in Europe at the cost of India, what will be your choice?
Here’s the table that provides the estimated tuition fees in India & Europe for popular programs.
| Program | Avg cost in India/Year | Avg Cost in Europe/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 3-8 Lacs | 3-8 Lacs |
| Engineering | 2-4 Lacs | 4-8 Lacs |
| Architecture & design | 2-3 Lacs | 5-6 Lacs |
| Hospitality & Tourism | 2-3 Lacs | 4-6 Lacs |
| Medicine | 10-12 Lacs | 10-12 Lacs |
| Social Science | 2-3 Lacs | 4-5 Lacs |
| Media & Arts | 2-3 Lacs | 4-8 Lacs |
| Economics | 3-4 Lacs | 3-4 Lacs |
Benefits of Studying in Europe
Europe houses some of the world’s most prominent universities. Moreover, each year, millions of students move to Europe to attain higher education. If you are a student, planning to get higher education abroad- Europe might be the place for you. Moving away from your native country will not only let you achieve high-quality academics at an affordable cost but also let you gain international experience.
| Parameter | Europe | India |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | 3-8 Lacs for most of the Programs | 2-6 Lacs |
| International Exposure | Very high, 14 Lacs international Students | Not Available |
| Research work | Research oriented Education | No Research, Book Based Education |
| Scholarship | ERASMUS+ takes care even living cost | Very Few, Govt Schemes only |
| Work Opportunity | Open to work in in 28 Countries of European Union | Very Limited |
| Multiple Campus Education | 200+ Universities under Student Exchange Program | Not Allowed |
| Global Ranking | Multiple | Very Few in Engineering and Management |
- The higher education system is aligned with the Bologna process, which means that any Bachelor's or Master's program in Europe follows the general academic framework
- As per QS World University Rankings 2023, the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, ETH Zurich, University College London (UCL), and Imperial College London rank among the top 10 universities of the world.
- Compared to countries like the US, Canada, or Australia, most public universities in Europe present affordable educational programs.
- The European education system is acknowledged for its world-class education, cutting-edge research programs as well as practice-oriented academics.
- Europe works on Cross-border cooperation to build sustainable partnerships on a global level, which enables higher institutions to conduct progressive research.
- Studying as an international student, you can obtain a student visa, which allows you to visit the other 28 European states of the Schengen Area.
Study in Europe or English Speaking countries?
Several points vary among Study in USA and Study in Europe. You can find the comparative table for Universities in English-speaking countries and European Union below-
| Parameter | Europe | English Speaking Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | 3-8 Lacs for most of the Programs | 15-20 Lacs |
| Living Cost | Moderate | Very High |
| International Exposure | Very high, 14 Lacs international Students | Very High |
| Study Pattern | Research oriented & Industry interfaced Curriculum | Research oriented & Industry interfaced Curriculum |
| Quality of Education | Very High | Very High |
| Scholarship | ERASMUS+ takes care of even living cost | University offers individual Scholarship |
| Student Exchange Program | Opportunity to study, part of your program in different Univ in different countries | No Such Program is Available |
| VISA for Study | Comparatively Easy | Difficult |
| Post Study Work VISA | Open to work in 28 Countries of the European Union | Respective Country, where education completed |
| Multiple Campus Education | 200+ Universities under Student Exchange Program | Not Available |
| Global Ranking | Top Ranked Universities | Top Ranked Universities |
There is a large no of students in India looking for quality education at affordable prices. You may refer study in Europe page for affordable programs in European countries.
Popular Destination in Europe for Study
Pl find the various study options in Europe and their status on various parameters to decide your destination
| Parameter | Budget Destination | Affordable Destination | Expensive Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries | Malta, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Croatia, etc | Germany, Norway, Austria, Belgium | Spain, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, UK |
| Yearly Tuition Fee | 2 - 3 Lakhs per year | Free Education in Public/ Pvt 6-8 Lacs | 10-15 lakhs per year |
| Living Expenses | 15000-20000 per month | 50000 per month | 35000- 40000 per month |
| English Proficiency Score | Not Mandatory | IELTS 6.5 or Equivalent | IELTS6.5 except for Sweden |
| Total Expenses (inc. of living cost) | |||
| Bachelor Studies | 10 - 12 Lakhs | 20 Lakhs | 35 lakhs |
| Master Studies | 7 - 8 Lakhs | 12 Lakhs | 28 Lakhs |
Pl, note that costs may vary also in a specific country as universities are spread in various cities and a few cities may expensive than others
How to Plan Study in Europe?
Any student who wishes to study in Europe must be aware of the fact that the process of studying in Europe is lengthy and complex. To make rational decisions the candidate requires to follow the below steps
- Research well about the timeline to start your education at the university of your choice in Europe
- Shortlist the University, Program, and specialization of your interest.
- Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria of the University for the Program and current academic scores
- Shortlist at least 3-4 Universities based on your eligibility, Budget, and choice.
- Arranging the required documents, including the Letter of Recommendation (LoR) & the Letter of Motivation
- Start the application process at least 4-5 months in advance for the upcoming intake
- If possible, score good IELTS bands well before and keep the score with you. (As most of the European University don’t ask for it, but present broader options to study)
- Prepare yourself for the interview conducted by the University.
Intake of European Universities
In European Universities, the academic year usually runs from September to June. The universities and higher education institutes mainly offer two intakes per academic year. Nonetheless, these institutions offer different application deadlines for local and international students. However, the willing candidates are recommended to initiate their application at least 6-19 months in advance. We say that so that it is easier for you to meet the admission deadlines of your choice of university.
| Intake | Application Deadline | Participating Universities |
|---|---|---|
| September | 15th June | All |
| February | 15th Nov | Many |
| May | 15th Feb | Very Few |
The first intake happens begins in January till mid-June (Autumn Semester). The second intake follows in September. On the whole, September is the most preferred intake month by the students. Any student willing to pursue any study program in Europe must start the application process in time to avoid hassles at the very last moment.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Minimum 55% or equivalent grades, however, it may vary with any particular country or University
- Instruction of Medium in previous studies must be in English
- IELTS/TOFEL or any English Proficiency Score, though it’s not mandatory for most the Universities
- Specific Subjects in previous studies based on opted Specialization
- Many Univ may ask for specific Grades, English Proficiency scores, Subjects studied, or duration of your previous course.
Admission process to study in Europe
European universities follow similar admission procedures as other countries. As a result, for admission, the students must follow the procedure carefully for getting entry to this country-
| Step | Action | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Selection of University | Need to finalize the Country and University based on budget& Program of Interest | - |
| Shortlisting of Universities | Students need to share the all required doc for shortlisting based on University criteria and Student’s Academic grade | Within 1 Week |
| Application to the University | Application to the shortlisted University, | Within 1 Week |
| Scrutiny of Candidate | University will take written Test/Interview/ Verification of Doc as per University eligibility criteria | 3-4 Weeks |
| Conditional Letter | University will issue the Conditional Letter based on meeting the eligibility criteria. | 2 Weeks-4 Weeks |
| Tuition Fee | Students need to pay the tuition fee as per university rules. | Within 1 Week |
| Confirmed Admission Letter | University will issue a confirmed Admission Letter and a copy to the embassy of the respective country in India. | 4 Weeks-8 Weeks |
| VISA | MOKSH will apply for the VISA based on the invitation letter, Embassy may ask for Student's biometric verification thru VFS or to meet the VISA officer in person | 2 Weeks-4 Weeks |
Popular Course in Europe
Europe retains assorted educational institutions that offer exclusive academics to students. Apart from the excellence in education, students prefer doing courses in Europe due to the external prospect of diverse cultural experiences, food, art, music, and travel opportunities.
Students from all over the world choose courses in Europe such as marketing, hospitality, fashion, supply chain and logistics, design, international trade, and communication. In Europe, program lengths and admission requirements will differ depending on the institution and the country. Additionally, an individual can pick full-time, part-time, and online courses as per their scheduling needs.
Let’s take a look at some of the most preferred study courses in Europe by international students-
- Architecture
- Culinary Arts
- Data Science
- Engineering
- Finance
- Foreign Languages
- International Relations
- Marketing
- Master of Business Administration
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
Cost of Study in Europe
Making research about the cost of studying in Europe? The total cost of study in Europe will largely depend on the country you are planning to study. Read on to discover the average costs of tuition fees and the cost of living in European countries. The Higher education programs offered in European Universities are very affordable. Above all, international students are usually charged either full tuition fees or no fees at all, depending on the program, institution, and country moderate fees can also be demanded.
Note that the figures specified below are standard. To know the exact tuition fees, check the details provided on your selected university’s official website. On the contrary, the estimated living expenses may vary depending on the city, and the kind of lifestyle you take up. To specify, the Estimated Cost of Living (per year) and the average tuition fees for international students are stated below:
(In Lacs)/Year
| Country | Business & Economics | Engineering | Health Science | Hospitality & Tourism | Media & Arts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | 3-4 | ||||
| Hungary | 2.5-5 | 3.5-6 | 3-4 | 2.5-5 | 2.5-6 |
| Latvia | 4-5 | 3-4 | 3-3.5 | 3.5-4 | |
| Lithuania | 1.5-5 | 2.5-3 | 3-5 | 1.5-2 | 2.5-6 |
| Poland | 4.5-6 | ||||
| Spain | 9-11 | 4-6 | 6-8 | 6-7 | 15-18 |
| Greece | 10-12 | 9-10 | |||
| France | 8-18 | 6-8 | |||
| UK | |||||
| Czech Republic |
Students can get scholarships in many universities if they apply through MOKSH.
ERASMUS Scholarship in Europe
Europe runs plenty of scholarship programs to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. The Erasmus+ program came into action in 1987, with the ulterior motive to fund scholars. The program supports international students through bilateral agreements and cooperates with national agencies.
Under this, several other mobilities and cooperation opportunities such as school education (including early childhood education) higher education, youth, sport, vocational education, and training are served. The major advantage of the ERASMUS Scholarship in Europe is that people from all over the world can access these opportunities. The enrolees can get coverage from 2 months to 24 months under this program. Furthermore, Europe has quite a few best scholarships for international students. Some of those are listed below:
- Ecole Normale Superieure International Selection
- Germany Tuition Free Universities and Scholarships
- Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)
- INSEAD MBA Scholarships
- KAAD Scholarships in Germany for Developing Countries
- The Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
Student exchange Program in European Universities
Loads of scholarship opportunities are offered to both international and local students. These merit-based full scholarships are offered for short-term, full-time study programs and cultural programs as well. These scholarships can be availed by students belonging to any nationality. On one hand, the eligible students get the benefit of studying at partnered universities under a student exchange program. On the other hand, the tuition fees are waived-off and the living expenses are also provided.
Under Student Exchange Program, students are eligible to get Monthly. Likewise, students moving to countries will receive a scholarship of 210 €/month (7 €/day) to 260 €/month (8.60 €/day). In general, this scholarship may cover your Tuition fees and can even provide you with free accommodation (Certainly, they will assist you in finding suitable accommodation). In case, you need to enquire about the exchange program, your local Erasmus office will be there to guide you with all the essential info.
Part time Jobs in Europe
As per the Law of European Union, an International student has the right to work while studying. In order to work in European countries, the student will require either of the two that is -a student visa or a student work permit.
Generally, students are allowed to work part-time during the academic year and full-time during holidays. Hence, as long as, the student is enrolled in a university, he/she can work full-time, meaning up to 40 hours per week. Furthermore, working in part-time jobs while you’re studying can help to recompense for your education, monthly expenses, and travel expenses as well. Indeed, an individual will get paid depending on the job location, skills, proficiency, experience, and the job role.
Job Opportunities in Europe
Thinking of getting a job in Europe after completion of your studies? Europe is vast and has all kinds of work for everyone and ample industries. As a non-European citizen, you can pick and choose from numerous work options ranging from the short-term to the long-term. In addition, some of the countries where you can easily get a work visa are Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, and Finland. Moreover, these countries launch new openings every year to attract skilled personnel willing to migrate. Meanwhile, getting a work visa is comparatively easy in such countries.
According to Statistics, Denmark has the highest number of job openings in the private sector. With the work visa, potential workers can stay in the country for duration of 12 months, while the locals of Canada can stay back for up to 24 months. However, your profession will determine if you’ll get a long-term work visa or not. Before you consider moving abroad, take months before making firm decisions, as once you acquire a long term work visa in those countries you may not be allowed to move out till you hold the contract.
