Many European universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees to students from abroad in English. Often such education is free or there is a real possibility of obtaining a scholarship.

Higher education in European countries has rich traditions and deservedly high reputation. Students from all over the world strive to obtain European diplomas that open up the possibility of a successful international career. However, such education is often quite expensive, and it is not easy to find an opportunity to enter a European university.

At the same time, the EU countries themselves are interested in attracting qualified specialists from abroad and are ready to finance their education. Therefore, more and more higher education programs in English appear in European universities, some of which are free or provide an opportunity for able students to receive a study grant. In a number of European countries, English-language programs are paid, but you can get inexpensive or preferential higher education by learning the language of the country, for example, in the Czech Republic or France.

Holland: study is not free, but with a scholarship

Higher education in the Netherlands is paid, but the real possibility of obtaining a scholarship for education significantly reduces its cost. The Universities of Applied Sciences, which can be entered without exams immediately after high school, provide many partial grants for undergraduate and graduate studies.

Read a detailed description of scholarships from universities such as Saxion , Hanze , NHTV Breda , The Hague UAS , HAN , and Wittenborg .

Research universities in the Netherlands (Research Universities) offer scholarships that can partially or fully cover the cost of studying, and in some cases living in the country. For example, these are scholarships for the master's program of the University of Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam) and the bachelor's program of Amsterdam University College.

You can also get a scholarship to study at a Dutch university with the help of Nuffic Neso, an organization representing higher education in the country abroad. In particular, under the Orange Tulip Scholarship program, which has been operating in Russia since 2014.

Read more about the types of scholarships at universities in the Netherlands. In the database on our website you can also find bachelor's, master's and MBA programs from Dutch universities with the possibility of obtaining study grants.

Europe: study abroad in English

In the Scandinavian countries, Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic, many programs can be taught in English, often for free or at a nominal cost. In some universities, it is possible to first learn the language of the country (also free of charge) and then receive education in this language in the future.

Due to the inconsistency with the Russian education system, it is impossible to enter some universities in European countries immediately after graduating from high school, you need to complete 1-2 courses of a higher educational institution in Russia.

Free higher education abroad. Where to get?

In the following European countries, tuition fees at public universities and higher schools for bachelor's and master's degrees are low or non-existent:

• In Iceland, there is only an administration fee of 100-250 euros.
• In Germany, education is free at public universities.
• In Norway, Slovenia and Luxembourg there is no fee for study programs.
• In Finland, most study programs are free.
• In France, tuition for a bachelor's degree costs 188 euros per year, for a master's degree - about 259 euros, and for postgraduate and doctoral studies - 393 euros per year.
• In the Czech Republic, education in the Czech language is free, the cost of programs in other languages ​​starts from 1,000 euros per semester.

Costs while studying in Europe are cheaper than in Moscow

Often, students only have to pay a formal semester fee of 40-150 euros, which goes towards teaching materials, paper, photocopying, etc. A separate item of expenditure is housing and food, which are sometimes cheaper than in Moscow. For example, the cost of renting a room in European countries is on average 200-400 euros, and the total amount required for accommodation is 600-900 euros per month.

Learn more about tuition fees and other expenses while studying in the Netherlands.

Natalya Glukhova

Pros and cons of education in Europe

14/05 2017

Good afternoon friends!
An important topic for young people is education in Europe. It seems that this is some kind of unrealistically complex event. In fact, everything is much simpler.

Europe will gladly accept students from other countries, and in some universities education is free.

From this article you will learn:

Which countries offer good education?

european school

Our approach is not the same as in other countries. It's a completely different education system. Coming to school, many children at first do not understand how it works. For example:

1. Children have more independence. Especially in choosing what you want to do. Already from high school they are distributed according to profile classes. Why should a child with artistic inclinations, the ability to sing and musical instruments learn heavy mathematics, physics? These items are also given, but a light version, there is no in-depth study.
2. Lessons often take the form of a debate. You can argue, even with a teacher, to prove your point of view.
3. If the opportunity to visit a variety of circles, sections. There is no principle of "started to work - bring it to the end."
4. Children from primary school need to do design work, research. They study a certain subject consciously and independently.
5. Admission based on the results of examinations at school. Almost such a system we now have with the Unified State Examination.
6. You choose a set of subjects to study for each semester.

The European system aims to make learning interesting for children.
I will tell you about the possibilities, and you choose where the conditions are best for you personally.

European schools

Let's start with school education.

Spain

Here they study from 6 to 18 years old, but only up to 16 years old. Further - at will. There is an opportunity to continue your studies at the university - 2 years, and you have a bachelor's degree in your pocket. Here children are taught logic.

History, literature, art of the 18th century are connected. It makes no sense to study 3 separate subjects if everything can be considered in a complex.

Parents prefer private or semi-private schools. The government ones are full of migrants who don't speak Spanish well. This significantly reduces the level of the entire class.

Finland

It's generally interesting here. There is no clear division into lessons of 45 minutes. There is no timetable either, but there is one learning space. The teacher is guided by the mood of the class. Children are active - let's do something creative.

Finnish schoolchildren

A literature lesson can be easily translated into a conversation about the world around us, and it smoothly flows into mathematics. A chemistry lesson can take only 20 minutes, and then the class really wants to do astronomy, talk about the stars. This lesson will take 1-1.5 hours.

Required - 4 foreign languages ​​​​to choose from. Secondary education is considered weak. Universities provide in-depth study. But the children are calm, sure, there is no suffering due to bad grades. And yes, they don't really rate it. All the good guys here. I wrote more about this in a previous one.

Italy

Here the scheme is as follows: 5 + 3 + 5 = 13 years. The first 5 years - elementary school, then 3 years of secondary and 5 years - lyceum. After that it's university.

It's boring for children to sit still for 45 minutes. And cramming math or your native language is even more boring. Teachers with elementary school children play educational games, visit museums, excursions, trips to nature almost every day. It manages to squeeze a couple of hours of math between all of this.

The main thing is that the school does not cause feelings of despondency. This is a cheerful team, teachers do not scold, but help and praise. But they have a lot of homework. These are tasks for every day, for the summer. The child learns independence. The school gives the material - the child works out at home.

France

For Russian children, French is very unusual. On the one hand - a lot of free time, interesting projects. The school is going on, but the child does not feel much pressure. We are used to the fact that teachers shout, put deuces, call their parents.

France, elementary school

Attitude towards the student is equal. There is a project for the whole semester, for example. Need advice - the teacher is ready to help, suggest, sit after class. But then - ask in full.

Exams are held every day, it is simply unrealistic to prepare. You need to develop knowledge in advance every day, do not skip. Studying in a good lyceum is not the cheapest, so for parents it is always a big problem if a child is expelled.

universities in Europe

But, you still have to come to the interview. European universities have quotas for foreign students. Of course, first their own students, and then foreigners for the remaining places.

Stages of higher education

Usually, by the age of 18, school education ends. From this age, a young person has the right to enter a university. Further:

• 3-4 years Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science degree). This is where many stop;
• 1 year master's degree (master's degree);
• 3-4 years Doctor of Sciences.

You will spend at least 6 years in a beautiful European city! I think that in itself is a great motivation.

Exams

The system is similar, but not the same as ours.

1. exams must be passed;
2. this is not a formality, a small conversation and an assessment in a grade book;
3. no "automatic";
4. the examiner asks a variety of questions, there are no tickets as such;
5. there is no such evaluation division as we have.

You need to pass the exam, go to the next semester. Passed on the "three", "four" or "five" does not really matter. Of course, "excellent students" are held in high esteem everywhere. Here the struggle for knowledge, not for the mark.

Studying well is the main task of the student himself. Good students receive recommendations later, it is easier for them to find a job.

In Germany, for example, the ratings are "0" - excellent, "1" - good, "2" - satisfactory.

For example, a student of medicine with an average score will never qualify for a good training program in a first-class European hospital.

I think the cheapest option is Italy and the Czech Republic. In Italy, the cost of studying at a public university is 500-800 euros per semester. For example, at the University of Milan. This is one of the oldest in Italy, and indeed in all of Europe.

At the University of Bologna, you can unlearn language courses. This will prepare the student for a new form of education, and the language will tighten up. Good option, right? And then you can do it right here.

Cons of European education

Of course, there are also disadvantages. Delivery is a kind of contract. You get the opportunity to study, train, live in the country. You get a visa for the entire period of study, which means you can move freely within the Schengen area.

But this comes with a few downsides:

1. most often the hostel is not provided to foreigners. You will have to look for an apartment, a room, an option with a settlement. Rarely does anyone end up on a student campus. Renting apartments for 2-3 people comes out at 250-300 euros at best. Somewhere all 500 euros per month;
2. visas for students exclude the possibility of employment. You can earn money at the institute. For example, in the library, canteen, in the departments. This is a small income, but still;
3. You have to pay for textbooks. This is from 20 to 70 euros for 1 textbook. Some can be borrowed from the library, and some are cheaper to copy. This is a big minus - new books are expensive;
4. your visa is valid while you are studying. After graduation, that's all. Or you managed to find a job, you got an invitation - then you can prepare documents for a residence permit, for example. Or they found their soul mate, again a residence permit by marriage, a bride/groom visa. It's not rare, you know. Read more about this in the section for each country separately.

For 3-5 years in the country, you can understand how and what functions. Getting an education, finding a job is real. This is your new life, you need to try to find your way, a new life from the first day.

Free higher education in Europe is available not only to residents of the European Union, but also to students from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other post-Soviet countries. Many European countries finance the education sector so much that free education is available to everyone. Obviously, in order to obtain it, it is necessary to meet a number of established requirements imposed by governments and universities in various countries.

European education is traditionally and deservedly considered one of the best and highest quality. Applicants and students from different parts of the world seek to study at universities in Europe. Such education is the real guarantee of a successful career in an equally successful country.

A big drawback for Russian students in such educational institutions has always been tuition fees. It, as a rule, was high even for residents of European countries, and even more so for the average citizen of the post-Soviet state. However, for some time now, Europeans have realized that by investing public money in the training of specialists, the country makes an invaluable investment. This has led to the fact that today there are a number of countries and many programs that allow you to get a completely free education in the European Union (well, or for a very nominal fee, even by the standards of the CIS residents).

In what language can you get a free education in Europe

Well, it is obvious that knowledge of the English language is relevant in most programs. However, there are also national features. Wider opportunities open up for the student with knowledge of the language of the country in which he is studying. In Germany, for example, you cannot study for a medical specialty in English. And in the prospect of employment, knowledge of the official language of the host country is useful.

At the same time, it is quite realistic to find a program according to which studies will be carried out in English. In parallel, you can learn local languages, which will be useful in further socialization and employment. The opportunity to study in English for free is available in countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland and others.

Some European universities offer a preparatory course in which the student will have to learn the language of the country. As a rule, such courses are also free or with a nominal fee.

Another feature of European education is the discrepancy between the Russian system of secondary education and most European countries, where 12-year education is provided. At the same time, a number of universities require documents on the completion of a twelve-year course. For Russian applicants, the problem can be solved by entering local universities and completing one or two courses.

Where can I get a free European education

Below is a list of countries where you can study for free or for a nominal fee (up to a thousand euros per year). Studying in them is available for foreigners.

• Austria. Public Austrian universities offer admission without entrance tests/exams (with the exception of English or German). You need an elementary higher education (minimum 1 year) in your home country. A preparatory year for language learning is possible. In some cases, enrollment directly after school is allowed.
• Germany. A wide range of specialties are offered. There are no entrance exams, only a language test. There are many English-language courses, however, the competition for them is very high. A minimum of 2 years of study at a university in your home country is required. A preparatory year is possible after completing only one course at a Russian university.
• Greece. Education is conducted in Greek, however, upon admission, a language proficiency test is not required. Enrollment occurs without exams and is possible immediately after the end of secondary education.
• Spain. You can enter state universities right after high school. Entrance tests are provided. Teaching takes place in Spanish. After completing the first year at home, you can enter a Spanish university without exams.
• Italy. It is possible to study in English. Upon admission, language proficiency is tested. Requires primary education at a university in the home country (one to two years). For a number of specializations and directions, entrance tests are provided.
• Norway. State universities accept immediately after graduation. Teaching languages: Norwegian, English.
• Finland. Educational programs and courses in English are provided. You can enroll in public higher education immediately after high school. Mainly there are entrance exams. There is an opportunity to go to college after high school.
• France. Support for programs in English. Language proficiency must be verified. Enrollment occurs without preliminary exams and tests. You need a high school diploma with good grades.
• Poland. Courses are taught in Polish, which, by the way, is not so difficult to master for those who speak Russian, Ukrainian or Belarusian. Applicants are enrolled on the basis of a competition of certificates. There are paid relatively inexpensive training programs in English (within 2 thousand euros per year).
• Portugal. You need knowledge of the Portuguese language and pass the entrance test. Admission is allowed immediately upon completion of secondary education.
• Czech Republic. Education in the Czech language is free at state universities. The possibility of admission after school is allowed. Enrollment can be carried out under a properly executed power of attorney (without the presence of an applicant and without a language test). Basic knowledge of the language is required to start studying. It is possible to find educational programs in other languages ​​(including English). Their price starts from a thousand euros per semester.

In addition, no fees are charged for higher education in Slovenia, Luxembourg. And for example, in Iceland you only need to pay an administrative fee in the amount of 100 to 250 euros.

Despite the possibility of obtaining an excellent higher education in Europe completely free of charge or very inexpensively, there is an opinion that the cost of living and eating in the EU countries will be prohibitive for people from Russia and other post-Soviet countries. The current expenses of students in the European Union, of course, exist and they are:

• about 40-150 euros - semester fee for study materials, stationery, copies;
• housing and meals - in Europe, a student can get these benefits cheaper than in the Russian capital (rental housing, for example, reaches from 200 to 400 euros, and, in general, accommodation is required somewhere around 900 euros per month).

Thus, higher education in Europe is available to Russian applicants both in terms of conditions and finances. Many free programs make it even more attractive for people from the CIS countries. At the same time, as a rule, there is also a chance to learn one of the European languages. And this greatly increases the competitiveness of the future graduate in employment in a European country.

Attention! Due to recent changes in legislation, the legal information in this article may be out of date!

Our lawyer can advise you free of charge - write a question in the form below:

For most people, education in Europe seems like an unattainable goal, primarily because of its cost. In fact, there are many ways to get a European diploma absolutely free.

I propose to start with countries with free education not only for our own, but also for visiting students.

Choose a country

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic provides foreigners with the opportunity to study free of charge at state universities in the Czech language. In most cases, you will need to pass exams and also have a basic knowledge of Czech. Living expenses are at your own expense.

Poland

Another real option for free study abroad for foreigners. It is not difficult to enter, there are a fairly large number of English-language programs.

To enter a Polish university, you need to present a certificate or a bachelor's degree (if you want to study at a master's degree). In addition, most Polish universities cooperate with the Erasmus Mundus program (more on that later).

Germany

It also provides an opportunity for foreigners to study for free. In order to enter, you need to pass the German language exam and have at least 1-2 years of study at the university at home. Or complete the annual preparatory program.

You should also take into account the fact that quite often universities take fees for the use of a library or, for example, a gym. Therefore, if you do not have third-party funding, you will have to have the necessary amount of money in your bank account, which will be frozen for the entire period of study. During your studies, you will be able to withdraw from your account only the amount specified in the documents for accommodation.

Belgium, Norway

There is also free education, including many programs in English. In some universities, foreigners need to pay a registration fee upon admission and pay for textbooks (about 1000 euros for everything). In Norway, knowledge of their language is required.

Greece

Foreigners can study free of charge in public universities in Greece. You can enter, but on the basis of the average score in the certificate. Some universities require an annual fee (up to 600 euros). Also, if you do not know Greek, you will have to enroll in courses and learn the language in the first academic year (courses can be both free and paid). A Greek study visa allows you to work 20 hours a week.

France

By law, foreigners have the right to study at public universities for free. They pass on an equal footing with the French, which means they pay the same fees upon admission. Another requirement is knowledge of French. Despite the fact that in France you can not pay for studies, you should pay attention to living expenses, as living in the country is quite expensive. Therefore, most students earn extra money while studying.

Important

When choosing a country, you must also pay attention to living expenses. Even if you don't have to pay tuition, universities don't provide free housing or out-of-pocket expenses. In this case, scholarship programs come to the rescue.

How to find a scholarship for study

To do this, you can and should consider various non-profit organizations, grants and programs.

Erasmus Mundus is one of the most famous European student exchange programs. It fully covers the cost of studying at the magistracy and accommodation. A feature of the program is that, often, you cannot choose a specific university. Erasmus Mundus cooperates with dozens of European universities, and in each specific program there can be from 4 to 15 universities, two of which you will be offered to go to.

There are also scholarships for studying in specific countries. Their search should begin with the official websites of the government of the country where you want to go. For example, Chevening grant or Commonwealth Scholarship for Developing Countries - education in the UK. These grants fully cover tuition, accommodation and travel expenses.

You can approach from the other side - decide on the university, and then find out about the scholarship. Most European countries provide scholarships for foreigners.