Study in Europe in 2025: Popular Countries, Universities & Admission Process
Europe is one of the popular study-abroad destinations among Indian students due to the extensive presence of world-class universities, cutting-edge technology, cultural diversity, and networking opportunities that support their overall development.
Studying in Europe is not just only limited to the UK. Countries like Germany and France are now offering English-taught courses to international students at affordable cost. In this blog, we have discussed the top reasons to study in Europe, along with the best countries, universities, popular courses, and more.
Top Reasons to Study in Europe
The following are some of the reasons why you should consider Europe as a top choice for fulfilling your dreams of studying abroad.
Multiple Counties, Diverse Opportunities: According to the United Nations, there are 44 countries in Europe, each with its own cultural identity and tradition. Every European country has a lot more to give to international students, which they can remember for a lifetime.
Vast Academic & Professional Exposure: Around 300 universities located in Europe provide more than 1000+ courses across diverse study fields such as engineering, science, business management, arts, etc., thereby giving a large catalogue of academic and professional opportunities.
Cut Your Cost: Unlike the USA, Canada, and Australia, where the average duration of master’s courses is 2 years, you can complete your master’s studies in Europe in 15-18 months, thereby reducing your overall expenses.
Become Multilingual: Although you can pursue your master’s studies in Europe in the English language, you also have a chance to learn 20+ languages! This includes French, German, Polish, Italian, Spanish, etc.
Best Countries to Study in Europe
Studying in Europe is an exciting journey to embark on, but before that, you may ask about the best countries to study in Europe. These European countries are mainly popular because they provide:
- Top-notch education and research opportunities.
- An affordable lifestyle that is suitable for students.
- Exposure to rich cultural diversity and a large network of alumni and professionals.
Some of the best countries to study in Europe are
- UK
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Italy
- Spain
- Austria
- Poland
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Latvia
5 Popular European Countries for 2024-25
The 5 popular countries to study in Europe for 2024-25 are the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands. We have discussed each of them in detail, including their top universities, cost of study and living, popular courses, etc.
UK
The UK is the leading European country in attracting students worldwide. The UK consists of England and Wales, Scotland, and some parts of Northern Ireland.
It can be considered one of the best countries to study in Europe due to the high academic and research standards of its institutes. Usually, the duration of most of the master’s programs is around 15-18 months.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 2 |
| University of Oxford | 3 |
| University of Cambridge | 5 |
| University College London | 9 |
| University of Edinburgh | 27 |
| Number of Indian Students | 139,539 |
| Cost of Study (Per Year) | GBP 10,000-30,000 (11 Lakhs-32 Lakhs) |
| Cost of Living (Per Year) | GBP 14,996-26,820 (INR 15 Lakhs-27 Lakhs) |
| Popular Courses/Fields of Study | Business Management Engineering & Technology Science Law Medicine |
| Known for | Advanced Healthcare System Architectural Heritage Literature & Music |
France
In recent years, France has become one of the most popular European countries for pursuing higher study programs, especially in business and management, arts, and social sciences. By 2030, the country is expecting to attract over 30,000 Indian students.Â
For this, the local government has collaborated with several Indian institutes to help students bridge the academic and language requirements.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Université PSL | 24 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 46 |
| Sorbonne University | 63 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 73 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 187 |
| Number of Indian Students | 10,000 |
| Cost of Study (Per Year) | EUR 5,000-30,000 (INR 4 Lakhs-27 Lakhs) |
| Cost of Living (Per Year) | EUR 10,080-22,250 (INR 9 Lakhs-19 Lakhs) |
| Popular Courses/Fields of Study | Business Management Accounting & Finance Natural Sciences Social Sciences Creative & Fine Arts |
| Known for | Fashion Shows Creative Designing Architectural Landscapes like the Eiffel Tower |
Germany
If you are looking to pursue the cheapest master’s studies in Europe, then you won’t find a country like Germany where the tuition fees at public universities are very low, as much as EUR 1,500-2,000 or INR 1.32 Lakhs-1.80 Lakhs per semester.Â
Some public universities, like Freie Universitäet Berlin, charge no tuition fees.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | 28 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | 59 |
| Universität Heidelberg | 84 |
| Freie Universitäet Berlin | 97 |
| RWTH Aachen University | 99 |
| Number of Indian Students | 42,000 |
| Cost of Study (Per Year) | EUR 10,000-40,000 (INR 8 Lakhs-35 Lakhs) |
| Cost of Living (Per Year) | EUR 9,000-20,000 (INR 8 Lakhs-17 Lakhs) |
| Popular Courses/Fields of Study | Engineering & Technology Applied Sciences Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Architecture Business & Economics |
| Known for | Manufacturing & Automation Green Technology & Sustainability UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
Ireland
Ireland is home to several world-renowned universities, such as Trinity College Dublin, UCD, University of Galway, etc., which offer higher education programs at affordable cost.Â
As compared to the UK, Ireland is a cheap country to live in as a student, where the average cost of living is around EUR 7,000-15,000 or INR 6 Lakhs-13 Lakhs per year.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Trinity College Dublin | 87 |
| University College Dublin | 126 |
| University College Cork | 273 |
| University of Galway | 273 |
| Dublin City University | 421 |
| Number of Indian Students | 11,200 |
| Cost of Study (Per Year) | EUR 11,000-30,000 (INR 9 Lakhs-26 Lakhs) |
| Cost of Living (Per Year) | EUR 7,000-15,000 (6 Lakhs-13 Lakhs) |
| Popular Courses/Fields of Study | Business Management Digital Marketing Accounting & Finance Creative Writing Engineering & Technology |
| Known for | Natural Landscapes Historical Sites Hub for Tech Giants such as Google, Facebook, and Apple |
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, over 2,000 programs are taught in English, more than any other non-English-speaking European country.Â
Also, the rate of non-native English proficiency is high in the Netherlands, making it easy for Indian students to live and study in the country without learning Dutch immediately.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Delft University of Technology | 49 |
| University of Amsterdam | 55 |
| Utrecht University | 105 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | 136 |
| Leiden University | 141 |
| Number of Indian Students | 3,500 |
| Cost of Study (Per Year) | EUR 6,000-22,000 (INR 5 Lakhs-19 Lakhs) |
| Cost of Living (Per Year) | EUR 9,500-14,000 (INR 8 Lakhs-12 Lakhs) |
| Popular Courses/Fields of Study | Business Management Engineering & Technology Law Computer Science & IT Medicine |
| Known for | Bicycle Rides Cheese Tulips |
Best Universities in Europe
Below, we have tabulated the best universities in Europe as per QS World University Rankings 2025 (Europe).Â
The tuition fees in these universities depend on the course, field of study, and fee status, which can vary significantly.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | 1 |
| Imperial College London | 2 |
| University of Oxford | 3 |
| University of Cambridge | 4 |
| University College London | 5 |
| University of Edinburgh | 6 |
| University of Manchester | 7 |
| King’s College London | 8 |
| Université PSL | 9 |
| EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | 10 |
Study Intakes in Europe
There are two main study intakes in European universities. They are fall and spring intakes, which are also known as September and January intakes, respectively.Â
These two intakes are important ones for those applicants who want to study regular degree programs. Summer or May intake is the least common intake. This intake can be opted for by pursuing diploma- and certificate-level courses.Â
| Intakes | Commencement of Application | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | October-November | February-March |
| Spring | September-October | December-January |
| Summer | January-February | May |
Study in Europe: Affordable Countries for Indian Students
As per a study report published by University Living, there is scope for some small European countries such as Austria, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Italy, Germany, and France to see a jump of over 200% growth in the number of Indian students in coming years due to following reasons.
- These European countries are introducing more English-taught degree programs for non-EU students.
- As compared to other countries such as the USA, Canada, and Australia, the cost of study in Central European countries is much lower as EUR 10,000-25,000 or INR 8 Lakhs-22 Lakhs per year.
- Since the duration of most of the regular degree programs in these countries is 1 year, students are required to stay for a shorter period of time, which eventually saves them money.Â
- Countries such as Germany, France, and Italy are leading countries in Europe in research and innovation, which is creating more employment opportunities for international graduates.
| Countries | Cost of Study (Per Year) | Cost of Living (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | INR 1 Lakh | INR 11 Lakhs-13 Lakhs |
| Belgium | EUR 2 Lakhs-6 Lakhs | INR 10 Lakhs-14 Lakhs |
| Denmark | INR 5 Lakhs-14 Lakhs | INR 8 Lakhs-10 Lakhs |
| Italy | INR 1 Lakhs-7 Lakhs | INR 85,000-2 Lakhs |
| Norway | INR 9 Lakhs-20 Lakhs | INR 1 Lakhs-3 Lakhs |
Study in Europe without IELTS and TOEFL
Studying in European countries without appearing for English language proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL is possible in the following cases.Â
- Applicants are required to submit proof such as the medium of instruction in which they have completed their previous studies.
- The medium of instruction should not be older than 5 years.
- In the UK and Ireland, institutes require applicants to have an average grade of 85% in their English language subject at the senior secondary level to waive the English language proficiency requirements.
- Some universities may ask applicants to obtain an English language certificate and training course at their institutes before joining their regular programs.
- On a case-to-case basis, some universities may ask applicants to submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores before joining the institute.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
Among Indian students, Europe is the 2nd most preferable continent after North America (particularly the USA and Canada) to pursue higher studies programs such as business management, engineering, and technology, applied sciences, arts and culture, media studies, etc. With over 44 countries and more than 300 globally recognised institutions, Europe offers a diverse range of courses and an excellent quality of life, all at a highly affordable cost.Â
AdmitX provides personalised and end-to-end assistance to Indian students desiring to pursue higher degree programs in European countries such as the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Germany.
FAQs
What are the top countries in Europe to study?
The UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Germany are the top 5 countries in Europe for pursuing higher education.
How to apply for a scholarship to study in Europe?
To apply for a scholarship to study in Europe, you are required to visit the official websites of the scholarships portal, such as DAAD (for Germany) and Campus France (For France). In other countries, you can apply on the university’s websites.
How much does it cost to study in Europe?
The average cost of study in Europe is around INR 14 Lakhs-40 Lakhs per year, depending on the country, university, degree type, and course.
Is it better to study in Europe or the USA?
Compared to the USA, you will get the following benefits when pursuing degree programs.
- Overall expenses in European countries are less since the duration of study is only 1 year.
- More options for affordable study programs and accommodation in 40+ countries and 300+ courses.
- You will get opportunities to explore the rich cultural heritage of European countries.
What is the cost of living in European countries for Indian students?
The average cost of living in Europe depends on the country, city, and lifestyle preferences of the students. However, it ranges from INR 10 Lakhs to 18 Lakhs per year.Â
