Study guide in Europe

Europe has a long history of leading higher education in the world, and Europe is home to many of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, and annually many European cities occupy the first places among the most exciting and attractive student cities in the world.

Undoubtedly, European countries and their universities are of course very different in terms of: language of instruction, lifestyle and cost of living . However, most European universities are working to standardize degree systems. For students from European countries, choosing to study outside their countries is relatively simple, with tuition fees being charged at local prices and no visa requirements. On the other hand, students from outside the European Union need to pay higher costs in addition to the visa procedures.

Below we review the most important information about studying in European countries, including the cost of living, the study visa, and other important points

Why study in Europe?

The study abroad experience is one of the most unique and enriching experiences a student can have. There are dozens of destinations to choose from and many opportunities for you to acquire. For thousands of international students, Europe is a logical choice. Most European countries speak English , and job opportunities abound due to their diverse societies and the overlap of companies between the European Union countries . Here are the top reasons why students choose Europe as their study destination:

A unique travel experience

Europe has a rich and varied cultural history which provides ample opportunity for international students to explore. Europe also offers a large number of unique historical sites and cultures, the advantage of which is that you can find all of this sometimes in a small geographical area. Also, the ability to travel between European countries with ease increases your tourist balance to explore more.

The educational system in Europe

The European educational systems are characterized by their development and their ability to produce students with unique experiences that enable them to enter the labor market from its widest doors.

Read Also Study in Egypt

Jobs chances

One of the most important things that you gain when you travel to Europe is the ability to deal with matters independently and with great flexibility, especially in dealing with problems, due to the diversity of experiences that you will encounter there. All this feeds into your CV which in turn will give you the strongest job opportunities out there. Statistics in confirm, for example the United Kingdom , that 97% of students find work within 12 months of their graduation compared to 49% of those who did not experience studying in Europe.

An enriching social experience

There is no doubt that you will engage in unique and distinctive relations with other nationalities while you are in Europe, due to the large presence of foreigners there of different nationalities: Australia , Africa, Asia … etc. In addition to what you may gain from living with the locals in the host country, all of this provides you with a life experience that you will not get in your home country!

Study costs in Europe

Tuition costs vary widely in European universities by country, university and city. Some European universities offer free education (such as Germany), some charge small fees, and some charge very high fees (Britain). The following is a table showing the average study costs in a number of European countries with the country’s universities ranking among the top 200 universities:

The state The number of universities ranked in the top 200 in the world Tuition fee (for European students) in Euros Tuition fee (for foreign students) in Euros
Britain 46 11612 15611 to 18320 for specializations that require working in laboratories
Germany 36 Complimentary Complimentary
Italy 19 1500 1500
France 15 189 in public universities

1500-6000 in private universities

189 in public universities

1500-6000 in private universities

Holland 13 1984 5000- 25000
Sweden 11 Complimentary 9700
Switzerland 9 1500-6000 1500-6000
Belgium 7 374-836 374-836
Ireland 6 3000 10,000-16000 for art, humanities and management majors.
10000-21600 for engineering, science and mathematics majors
37128-52000 of Medicine
Denmark 6 Complimentary 10000
Finland 6 Complimentary 1500 minimum
Spain 5 1800 maximum 1800 maximum
Austria 5 Complimentary 1543
Norway 4 Complimentary Complimentary

Note : The costs of studying in universities change annually, and therefore the prices mentioned in the table are the general average prices.

The cost of living in Europe

Given the vastness of the European Union and the great variation in the standard of living among its countries, the cost of living differs from one country to another. As for foreign students, it is imperative to know the average living conditions in various European countries before deciding to choose a specific country to study in.

The following is a table showing the average costs of living for a foreign student in some European countries, including costs of housing, food and transportation:

Country Monthly cost (EUR $)
Germany 600 – 800
Czech 260 – 550
Holland 700 – 1000
Italy 700 – 1000
France 450 – 900

 

Requirements to study in Europe

Requirements for European universities vary by country and by major, as well as the desired degree (bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate). The following are the general conditions required to study in Europe:

Read Also Sudy in Jordan 

To study at the bachelor’s level

must:

  • Achieving specific high school grades.
  • Passing some of the tests specified by the university.

To study at the master’s level

must:

  • Possession of a bachelor’s degree with specific degrees in the required major.
  • Possessing work experience in the required field (some universities require this).
  • Owning letters of recommendation.

To study at the doctoral level

must:

  • Possession of a master’s degree (some universities accept entry to a doctoral degree based on a bachelor’s degree only).
  • Having a research plan.
  • Insurance of a research supervisor.

In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to:

  • Achieve the English language requirement : IELTS or TOEFL (or other tests determined by universities).
  • Having a bank account in the desired country : to cover the costs of living and studying.

Visa and study visa requirements to Europe

The requirements for obtaining an academic visa are similar to European countries, and they are mainly:

  • The academic acceptance letter that you got from the educational institution in the desired country.
  • Proof of having a bank account in the country of study to finance living (you do not need this account if you are awarded a scholarship).
  • Personal Photos.
  • A valid passport.
  • Pay the costs of obtaining the visa.
  • Evidence that you have obtained a rental contract (private room or apartment, or university housing) before you travel.

Scholarships in Europe

Certainly, scholarships are a constant concern of international students wishing to study in Europe and all over the world. European countries annually provide many scholarships, both fully funded and partially funded. There are countries that place restrictions on the grants offered, such as specific nationality, age, etc. But the most important thing is what scholarships are available?

The following are the most popular scholarships available in some European countries:

Eldad scholarship

It is considered one of the most popular scholarships in Europe and is only limited to Germany. Annually, the scholarship provides thousands of places of study for international students to study in Germany . As for funding, it is complete and includes study, living and travel expenses. More details about this scholarship can be found here .

Eiffel granted him

One of the most famous scholarships offered by the French government to foreign students. Details of the scholarship, application dates and funding can be found here .

Erasmus grant

The most well-known European program to support international students. Erasmus provides substantial financial support to students to complete their studies in European universities and educational institutions (selected according to the student’s desire). For more, please click here .

Chevening Scholarship

The most famous British scholarship to study a master’s degree for one year at a partner university with the awarding organization. For more about this generous scholarship please visit the official website .

The Said Organization Scholarship

Also, one of the British scholarships exclusively funded by the Said Organization to study a master’s degree at a partner university It should be noted that this scholarship is provided only to countries (Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon). For more, please visit the official website .

Grants to governments

In addition to the famous scholarships provided by some organizations, there are annual government scholarships offered by the governments of almost all European countries, which aim to support international students in obtaining higher education in European universities. These scholarships can be searched very easily through search engines various

University accommodation for international students at European universities

Many universities and colleges in Europe offer student accommodation in student housing or dedicated apartment blocks. Usually, these places contain common spaces, such as: lounges, TV rooms, the library, gardens, or gyms where you can meet your fellow students and train together, hence it can be said that university housing is an ideal way to make new friends.

Some university residences have medium canteens that offer varied meals at reasonable student prices, or shared kitchens where you can cook your own meals. Usually, you have your own room in university housing, but you may sometimes be required to share housing with one or more students (of the same gender).

Usually rooms are equipped with the appropriate supplies, such as: bed, wardrobe and desk. Some dorms provide blankets, towels, and curtains as well as cooking utensils and Wi-Fi. It is necessary to check what is available and which is not available. Some rooms may have en suite bathrooms and laundry facilities, while facilities may be shared with others.

If you want to live outside the university residence, you can search through the rental sites for a suitable room or apartment near the university. Prices vary, whether for university housing or private housing, from one country to another. Determining the cost of a single room or apartment in Europe is very difficult because the costs differ from one country to another. But it can be said that the average ranges from 300-700 euros.

Student work in Europe

If you are planning to move to an EU country to study, you must have sufficient income to live there.

Several countries allow you to work an unlimited number of hours per week, including those that limit your work time to 10-20 hours per week (such as: Britain, France, Italy). Wages range from 7-10 euros per hour (tax-free). It is worth noting that if your income rises above certain values, you will be subject to taxes and the deduction rate varies from country to country.

Job opportunities vary from nightclubs to restaurants and industrial factories, to work in delivering orders, distributing newspapers, and working as guards in stores and malls. In addition, if you are fortunate, you may find a prominent job in a company, provided that you demonstrate some experience in areas identified by the company.

Recreational activities in Europe

If you love entertainment and entertainment, you are in front of a very wide choice when you are in one of the European countries. A European country is not without annual and sometimes seasonal festivals, and here we mean every season of the year. There are flower festivals, cultural and sports festivals.

Read also Study in China 

Also, many international football competitions are held annually in Europe, so if you are a fan of football, you must allocate extra time to attend the matches. If you love to travel, you are in front of open borders and you can travel whenever you want to any destination you want from the European Union.

As for those who love museums and archaeological sites, the options are almost endless, due to the many archaeological squares, old museums and castles scattered in all European countries, especially Germany , the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.

Safety in European countries

European countries are generally considered safe areas. The matter is not without some sporadic incidents that occur from time to time, most of which are based on racism. Therefore, it is generally advised to stay away from religious and political discussions with strangers and even with friends. Otherwise, you are safe in Europe wherever you go.

Read Also Study in UAE

Health insurance for foreign students in Europe

European universities generally require international students to purchase compulsory medical insurance as a condition of study. The cost of this insurance differs from one country to another, and the period of paying the insurance varies. In some countries, insurance must be paid monthly, as in Germany and in some countries, medical insurance is paid annually.

Medical insurance generally includes conducting some basic examinations for the student and obtaining discounts when visiting doctors, and in special cases, medical insurance covers the costs of performing surgeries. The cost of medical insurance sometimes depends on the type of services available and the insurance company contracting with the university.

Difficulties that international students face in Europe

Integration into European societies is the biggest problem for foreign students, especially from non-EU countries. Sometimes international students need a long time to acclimatise to the local environment and form social relationships with the environment. On the other hand, an international student may find himself part of the surrounding environment within a short period of time, and this depends largely on the host country and its culture.

In addition to the above, international students may sometimes find problems finding a suitable job after graduation due to local policies (in some countries) related to labor laws for foreigners

Share.

Comments are closed.