The Best European Destinations for Studying Abroad in 2024

Youth is all about spreading wings and exploring the whole world! And it all starts with a dream of attaining higher education at a prestigious university abroad.

Europe is a continent that many youngsters from across the globe aspire to explore. Every year, Europe witnesses a massive influx of aspirants pursuing a technical course, an M.Phil, or a Ph.D. Even if you randomly ask anyone–  “Which country is best for higher study abroad?” most of them will probably name a European country.

So, here we have compiled a list of the 5 best European countries to study abroad and have elaborated on why these are the best countries for international students.

Top 5 Countries to Study in Europe in 2024

 Germany 

If it is about the quality of education, Germany remains at the top echelons of global educational parameters. German universities and institutions are so well-structured that they yield the world's finest and most competent workforce. Since World War II, Germany has been a pioneer of engineering and infrastructure and a spearhead of automotive engineering. Above all, the education system of Germany focuses on accessibility to job-oriented education for all. In this regard, the Federal Statistical Office of Germany shared a detailed report in March 2023  that revealed that Germany has the lowest unemployment rate in the EU, i.e. 2.8%.

Here are some of the reasons why you should pursue your dream career in Germany:

• The German government takes a philanthropic approach to education and ensures everyone, whether Europeans or non-Europeans, gets free higher education. So you can be free from the worry of paying tuition fees to pursue your higher studies in Germany, and you only need to incur your living expenses.

• Germany has always fostered excellence and transformation as a precursor of modern automotive and civil engineering. Thus, German universities focus on providing highly promising polytechnic courses with sure-shot career growth opportunities. 

• With a distinguished qualification from a prestigious German university, you can secure a high-paying job as a mechanical engineer or a technician at a prominent techno-giant such as Siemens, GE, Bosch, or an automobile magnate such as Daimler, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, MAN etc.

• The German government has significantly raised the minimum wage since 2015. The pay scale has improved from 8.5 euros per hour in 2015 to a record 9.82 euros per hour in 2022.

• Moreover, the recent UN News Best Countries Report has globally ranked Germany 7th in the world.

Key German universities:

Germany houses some of the world's most eminent institutions offering free education. To name some, we have-

• Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU), Munich,
• The University of Cologne,  
• Goethe University, Frankfurt
• Technische Universität, Berlin
• Technische Universität, Braunschweig
• Leibniz University, Hannover

The Netherlands 

According to the UN News Best Countries Report 2024, The Netherlands is globally ranked 3rd among the best countries to study abroad. Here are a few reasons behind this position:

• One key factor in deciding the global ranking is the number of academic programs taught in the listed countries. The Netherlands has over 2,000 different programs in its universities. 

• These programs are also taught in English, so students worldwide don’t face any linguistic barriers in their higher education. 

• The universities in The Netherlands emphasise a student-centric approach to teaching style.

• Besides, the students' training mechanism follows an innovation-driven curriculum to create future leaders and experts in their areas of excellence. 

• Above all, the universities in the Netherlands not only confer a degree but inculcate awareness and responsiveness towards various issues of professional life. 

Switzerland 

In the centre of Europe and the Alps, Switzerland is a small country known for its discrete banking, long-standing commitment to neutrality, and stunning natural beauty. Switzerland is also a cultural crossroads, with influences from Italy, France, and Germany apparent in everything from its architecture to its multilingual citizens. However, the most crucial area of research in Switzerland is clinical science. The world knows that Switzerland is the home to the Red Cross Society and the headquarters of the World Health Organisation (WHO), both in Geneva.

Hence, studying medicine in Switzerland has always been a long-cherished dream of many students worldwide.

Here are a few reasons why Switzerland is the ideal destination to pursue a medical science career:

• Switzerland is home to some of the most prestigious medical colleges in the world, which are members of the European League. 

• Some well-known medical colleges in Switzerland include ETH Zurich – Faculty of Medicine and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne.

• The curriculum adopted at the Swiss medical colleges is based on a futuristic overview. Hence, studying medicine at one of these colleges can help you gain an edge globally. 

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's education system is historically considered well-structured and the most effective. It is divided into five successive stages: preschool, primary, secondary, Further Education (FE), and Higher Education (HE). Over the centuries, the UK has proudly propagated its esteemed universities, such as the University of Cambridge and the Imperial College London. An M-Phil or a doctorate from a UK university is considered a matter of prestige and has extensive industry connections. 

• The most evident reason behind this prestige is that England was one of the first countries to introduce Western university education, and some of its universities date back to the mediaeval period. 

• For instance, the image illustrated above is of Oxford University, which began in 1096 A.D., i.e., during the reign of William the Conqueror, the first King of England!

France 

France is venerated for its vivid culture and noteworthy history of celebrated philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau, John Locke, and Abbé Sieyès. Their ideas, which inspired one of the world's most triumphant revolutions, are a part of the curriculum of the esteemed universities of France. At a prominent university in France, you can attain a high-quality education with the boon of wisdom that has so far travelled in the veins of French people. 

Some of its renowned universities rank in the top 50 educational institutions of the world, such as the PSL Research University and Université Paris-Saclay.

So, now it’s your time!

Also Read: Scholarships for Studying Abroad by Indian Government

Spread Your Wings to European Air with a Smart Travel Companion! 

If you plan to pursue higher education in Europe, now is the time to apply to one of the European countries based on your eligibility!

While you prepare to learn in Europe, you should also be informed that most European universities require student travel insurance, given the medical and non-medical risks a student may encounter during their term. 

Thus, when pursuing higher education at a European university,  you must carefully choose student travel insurance, among other mandatory documents.

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.