International student numbers are increasing across most study-abroad destinations. As more students search for opportunities to study abroad, it is only fair that they also look for some of the most affordable countries to study.

It is important to remember that while many universities Europe do not charge tuition fees, they can still charge smaller amounts, known as administrative fees. These fees help fund the services related to the administration and supervision of students. In Germany, for example, such fees are usually no higher than €250/semester.

Here’s a list of cheap European countries to study where education is either free or at a minimal cost:

Every European country offers a plethora of career opportunities to international students. Some studies show that in 2022, the employment rates in the Netherlands and Italy were around 82.9% and 64.8%, respectively. The Netherlands records the highest employment rate among the EU countries, while Iceland has the highest among all the European countries. Germany, Nordic countries, Switzerland, and the UK have higher employment rates.

Some of the top European cities for career growth post-graduation and degree courses are:

• Zürich, Lausanne, and Bern are the top Swiss cities offering the best opportunities to international students, with average salaries around £15,725.
• Odense, Denmark, and Aalborg offer decent salaries, around £11,910 and £11,831 yearly, which make them great education choices to study and earn.
• Paris and Lyon are the hubs for many industries that provide fair internship and full-time employment opportunities to international students.
• Swiss universities are famous for their exceptional educational resources and offer good internship opportunities in finance, hospitality, engineering, education, etc.

Part-Time Employment
Students who study in Europe can work part-time during course sessions for 40 hours per fortnight and full time during the course break. Students can earn approximately 15 to 16 AUD per hour on average. Casual jobs are also available as PT work options and one can earn AUD15 to AUD20/hour.

Post Study Work Right
1. Students who have completed Bachelor's and Master's degrees of atleast two academic years are offered two years Post Study Work rights.
2. Students who complete Master by Research are offered three years PSW rights
3. PhD graduates are offered four years of PSW rights

Each year, millions of Euros worth of scholarships are offered by Colleges and Universities in Europe for international students. The European Union along with the European Government States also offer government-funded EU scholarships to attract international students into Europe. In addition, some countries in Europe offer free tuition to international students.

European Government Scholarships for Foreign Students »

British Chevening Scholarships(UK)
Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, are awarded to outstanding scholars from Chevening-eligible countries around the world. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree. Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, a living allowance at a set rate (for one individual), an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants to cover essential expenditure.

DAAD Scholarships with Relevance to Developing Countries(Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships for a range of postgraduate courses with special relevance to developing countries at German Universities. The scholarships are specifically targeted to international students and young professionals from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Central and South America and Central and Eastern Europe.  DAAD scholarship supports selected programmes with a variety of full or partial scholarships.

Holland Scholarships
The Holland Scholarship is meant for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree at participating Universities in Holland.  The scholarship amounts to € 5,000 which you will receive this in the first year of your studies.

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (Sweden)
The Swedish Institute provides scholarships in Sweden to highly-qualified international students from developing countries who wants to study at Sweden Universities.  Scholarships are intended for studies in Sweden and focus mainly on master’s level. The scholarship covers tuition fee, living expenses, some travel grant, and insurance.

VLIR-UOS Scholarship Awards (Belgium)
VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from 54 developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue an English Taught Training or Master’s Programme related to development at Universities in Belgium. The scholarships cover tuition fee, accomodation, allowance, travel costs,  and other program related costs.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)
The Eiffel scholarship program was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a tool to allow French higher education institutions to attract the best foreign students for master’s and PhD degree programs.  Eiffel scholarship-holders receive a monthly allowance and other expenses such as return trip, health insurance and cultural activities. It does not cover tuition fees.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students (Switzerland)
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide graduates from around 180 countries with the opportunity to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral research in any academic field  at one of the public funded university or recognized institution in Switzerland.  The scholarship covers a monthly allowance, tuition fees, health insurance, lodging allowance, etc.

Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students  (Denmark)
A number of scholarships are being offered each year by the Danish Ministry of Education to fund highly qualified and motivated international students from outside the EU/EEA who wish to pursue full degree higher education programme at participating Danish Universities. The scholarship can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards covering your living costs.

Italian Government Bursaries for Foreign Students (Italy)
The Italian Government awards scholarships for studying in Italy both to foreign citizens and Italian citizens resident abroad. The scholarships are towards University degree courses, Advanced vocational training, art and music courses, Masters Degree courses, PhD Courses, etc.  It is only possible to apply for three, six, or nine month scholarships.

European Colleges and Universities that offer Scholarships for Foreign Students »

Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, namely the University Composition Fee and College fees at the appropriate rate, a maintenance allowance for a single student, one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course, and inbound visa costs.

Rhodes Scholarships at University of Oxford (UK)
Established in the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international scholarship program in the world.   The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards that supports exceptional international students from selected countries at the University of Oxford.   A Rhodes Scholarship covers all university fees, personal stipend, health insurance, and airfare to and from the student’s home country.

ENS International Selection Scholarships (France)
Each year, the ENS organizes an international selection allowing the most promising international students, either in Science or in Humanities, to follow a two or three-year course at the ENS. Scholars receive a monthly stipend of approximately 1,000 Euros and a room on one of the ENS campuses.

Developing Solutions Scholarships at University of Nottingham (UK)
The Developing Solutions Scholarships are designed for international students from Africa, India or one of the developing countries of the Commonwealth who want to study a Masters Degree at the University of Nottingham and make a difference to the development of their home country. Each year,  105 scholarships  are awarded– 30 scholarships will cover the full tuition fee while 75 will cover 50% of the tuition fee.

Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)
The Leiden University Excellence Scholarship Programme (LExS) is open to outstanding Non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s degree programme offered at Leiden University. The scholarships come in the form of the following: €10,000 of the tuition fee, €15,000 of the tuition fee, or total tuition fee minus the home fee.

University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarships (Netherlands)
The University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarships are made available by the UM Scholarship Fund with the aim of encouraging talented students from outside the EEA to follow a master’s programme at UM.  The scholarships include tuition fee, living expenses, visa costs, and insurance.

Radboud University Scholarship Programme (Netherlands)
The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers a selected number of talented prospective non-EEA students the opportunity to receive a full or partial scholarship to pursue a complete English-taught Master’s degree programme at Radboud University Nijmegen. Full scholarships consists of tuition fees and living costs while the partial scholarships are in the form of partial tuition reduction (the tuition fee will be waived to the level of an EEA student). In addition the Radboud Scholarship also covers costs such as for visa, residence permit, health insurance and liability insurance.

Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)
The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (AES) awards scholarships to exceptionally talented students from outside the EU to pursue eligible Master’s Programmes offered at the University of Amsterdam. The AES is a full scholarship of €25,000 covering tuition and living expenses.

University of Twente Scholarships (Netherlands)
University Twente Scholarships (UTS) are scholarships for excellent students from both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA countries, applying for a graduate programme (MSc) at the University of Twente. The scholarship amount is from € 6,000 – € 25,000 for one year.

Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship offers a number of outstanding prospective students the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in a selected number of fields at Utrecht University.   The scholarship can be awarded as tuition fees OR tuition fees plus 11.000 euro living expenses.

Erik Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen (Netherlands)
The Erik Bleumink Fund Scholarships are usually awarded for any 1 year or 2 years Master’s degree programme offered at the University of Groningen.  The grant covers the tuition fees plus the costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance.

ETH Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
ETH Zurich supports excellent students wishing to pursue a Master’s degree at ETH with two scholarship programmes: the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) and the Master Scholarship Programme (MSP). The Excellence Scholarship consists of a grant covering living and study expenses (CHF 11,000 per semester) as well as a tuition fee waiver.  The Master Scholarship Programme consists of a partial stipend for living and study expenses (CHF 6,000 per semester) as well as a tuition fee waiver.

University of Lausanne Master’s Grant for Foreign Students (Switzerland)
The University of Lausanne in Switzerland offers scholarships to international students who wishes to pursue a Masters Degree at the University through the UNIL Master’s Grants.  The amount of the grant is CHF 1,600.- per month from 15 September to 15 July, for a duration not exceeding the regulation minimum period of the programme.

Lund University Global Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students (Sweden)
The Lund University Global Scholarship Programme is targeted at top academic students who are citizens of countries from outside the European Union/European Economic Area (and Switzerland) and who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s or Masters Degree studies offered at the University. Scholarships may cover 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of the tuition fee.

Colleges in Europe: Admission Intakes

Admissions to European universities take place in two intakes viz. September and January.Students should start making applications approximately 7-8 months before the intake. European universities generally take around 4-6 weeks to process the applications.

Documents Required for Study in Europe

Indian students who wish to study in Europe are required to submit the following documents while making an application:
• Updated Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Attested copies of 10th, 12th, and graduate mark sheets
• Passing certificates from 10th onwards
• Two Letters of Recommendation from colleges/employers
• Passport copy or birth certificate
• IELTS / PTE / TOEFL score sheet.

Entry Requirements / Eligibility Criteria for Studying in Europe

Undergraduate - Bachelors
Students pursuing a Bachelor's in Europe should possess a good academic record in High School Certificate or 12 years of schooling
Computing and Engineering courses in Europe will require Mathematics and /or Science as pre-requisites
An overall IELTS score of 6.0/ 79 TOEFL / 50-58 PTE

Postgraduate - Masters
To pursue a Master's degree in Europe, students should have a good academic record in their Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university
Any work experience in the field adds weightage.
To study MBA in Europe some Universities may require students to have work experience along with their Bachelor's Degree
An overall IELTS score of 6.5/ 90 TOEFL / 59-64 PTE

Europe Education System

Europe's education system is a patchwork. Each country sets its own curriculum and structure. There's a mix of single tracks, common cores, and even divided paths for vocational or academic studies later on. Higher education often has separate universities for research and practical applications.

Types of Institutions in Europe

University
There are over 300+ universities in Europe across 44 countries, where students from India are admitted. The highest number of Indian students were admitted across German universities, which is around 34,864 of them. The reason why more students are applying to European universities to pursue higher education is because of lower tuition costs, globally recognised degrees, low costs of living and good exposure to learning and gaining knowledge.

Courses Available At the Undergraduate And Graduate Level:

Awarded courses differ to a vast extent from the higher education sector in the form of entry requirements, duration, and method of assessment. Universities in Europe offer the following awards:
• Doctoral Degree
• Master's Degree Coursework / taught programme
• Master by Research Degree
• Graduate Diploma / Graduate Certificate
• Bachelor's Degree
• TAFE Certificate III & IV
• Diploma / Advanced Diploma

Types of Degrees in Europe

Undergraduate Studies:
Bachelor programmes varying from 3-5 years are available across all faculties of Arts, Commerce, Science, IT

Postgraduate Studies:
Students opting to study master's in Europe are offered a vast array of choices. The individual universities offer different strengths and capabilities, providing a diverse base for research for students. Universities in Europe pride themselves on a b research base and state-of-the-art equipment to their universities.

International students who choose to study in Europe are required to know certain important things. These include knowing what visas to apply for and the visa application requirements, the students' obligations while they study in Europe, and information about complying with the conditions of your visa.

As European education consultants, we recommend that students intending to study in Europe will require to apply for the Student Visa.

Foreign Affairs and Defence sponsored students, as well as school sector students, have been given specific information. In addition, more information such as genuine temporary entrant requirements, English language requirements, Health insurance, financial capacity requirements, and changing courses are available for students. Students wishing to pursue more than one course might be able to package their courses.

Eligibility Criteria:

Before applying for this visa, one should be accepted by an educational institution or university in Europe for full-time study. Students below the age of 18 should organize appropriate welfare arrangements for the period till he/she stays in the country.

Visa Process
Step 1 – Compilation of documents
Step 2- Preparation of documents
Step 3 – Making Payment
Step 4 – Visa Application
Step 5 – Providing other necessary documentation
Step 6 – Tracking and managing one's application
Step 7 - Visa decision

How will Xpedia Overseas Education help me study in Europe?

Xpedia, as an Europen education consultant, since the past 30 years, has been sending students to Europe and other countries for the pursuit for their higher education. Xpedia Overseas Education has trained professional counselors with experience and expertise to assist and guide students. All our offices provide students with the following:

• Offering FREE counseling and information on the different courses and institutions
• Application Forms - Brochures - Guides etc
• Admission Assistance
• Visa Counseling
• Arranging for the travel and accommodation
• Procuring Residential Facilities with Indians for students going abroad
• Aids in the following: Insurance, Bank A/c in Europe, Student Loan, Flight ticket Booking

FAQs:

What are the career prospects after completing a bachelor's degree in Europe?

A bachelor's degree from the top-rated universities in Europe helps lay the perfect foundation for a flourishing career. Some of the vast career opportunities available for the graduates include Human Resources, Analytics and Accountancy, Advertising and Marketing, Investment Banking, Management Consultancy, Teaching, Public Relations, Hospitality and Travel Management, Sales, Supply Chain and Logistics, etc. A typical accountant earns around £18,000-£26,000, while a marketing graduate earns around £27,000. An entry-level teacher can earn around £26,200, while a PR agent makes around £18,000 to £20,000. However, if you are more interested in gaining knowledge and want to increase your employment prospects after studying in Europe, you might want to pursue a master's degree.

Are there any specific industries in Europe that offer excellent career opportunities for bachelor's degree graduates?

Some industries in demand for bachelor's degree holders in Europe include Law, Business and Administrative Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Medicine, Architecture, Building and Planning, Education, etc.

Can international students easily find jobs in Europe after graduating with a bachelor's degree?

Yes, international students can easily find jobs in Europe after finishing their bachelor's degree with proper research and knowledge. Some of the most amazing countries that offer such opportunities include Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, etc.

Are there language requirements for finding a job in Europe after completing a bachelor's degree?

The criteria for jobs in Europe vary depending on the companies and their policies. However, English proficiency test scores might sometimes be required for international students and foreign nationals. With appropriate knowledge, skill, educational qualifications, and adequate experience, one can easily land a job in Europe after completing a bachelor's degree.

What are the typical entry-level salaries for bachelor's degree holders in Europe?

The entry-level salaries of any graduate vary depending on multiple factors like field, country, specialisations, etc. In Germany, a professor can make €3800 monthly, while it is €60,000 for a business development manager. A mechanical engineer can make €48,000, while £18,000 - £30,000 for a graphic designer in the UK. It is around £19,000 - £39,000 for a developer, while it is £14,000-£31,000 for other graduates. Junior lecturers make around €1500 monthly in Italy, while it is €27,000 for an IT consultant. A project engineer earns around €34,000, while it is €29,000 for a mechanical engineer in Italy. For beginners in France, the salary can vary from €2500 to $37,000, or more depending on your years of experience. Also, these salaries vary depending on the job type, position, years of experience, and other factors.

Can I apply for graduate programs in Europe after completing my bachelor's degree there?

Yes, one can apply for graduate programs in Europe after completing a bachelor's degree there. However, every university has defined criteria and admission procedures for the graduate program. Some of the universities also require language proficiency test scores for admission. So, to get through the admission process, one must be clear about the certifications, credentials, admission requirements, and deadlines before applying. For international students, checking the student visa status and allowance before applying for another degree in the country is mandatory.

Do European countries have post-graduation work permits for international students?

Yes, many European countries offer post-graduation work permits for international students. However, it is advised to check the visa rules before application.