The Best Universities in Europe

Despite the fact that it is the second-smallest continent, Europe is home to a significant number of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. Every year, millions of students decide to further their education in a different country by traveling to Europe. The continent, which has a long history of being a leader in the development of higher education, is home to many of the world’s oldest and the best universities in Europe, as well as many of the world’s student cities that are the most dynamic and appealing. The best place to be is in Europe.

Naturally, each nation in Europe as well as each of its colleges is distinctive from the others. Figuring out where you want to study abroad and what university is best for you can be the most difficult challenge of all. Europe is also considerably varied from East to West in terms of language, lifestyle, and living costs.

It is important to keep in mind that the majority of these countries are home to the best universities in Europe, and a significant number of those colleges offer exceptional international programs that are certain to capture your interest. The best universities in Europe are actively attempting to standardize their various degree systems as part of the Bologna Process. If you are a student from the European Union (EU), opting to study in Europe rather than in your home country should be reasonably easy because you will pay tuition costs at the same rate as local students and you will not need a visa.

Do not be alarmed if you are having a difficult time limiting the scope of the search. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most prestigious educational institutions in Europe that we think you’ll find interesting. It’s possible that going to school in Europe will provide you with the most memorable experiences of your college career.

What are the Best Universities in Europe? 

So, what are the best universities in Europe? There are a total of 381 European institutions that are featured among the finest in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings. This represents approximately 38 percent of all of the best universities in Europe that are included.

The United Kingdom, followed by Germany (46) and France, has the biggest number of universities in Europe that are ranked on an international scale, with 84 entries between them (31). However, Switzerland is the only other country except the United Kingdom to have a university that is listed among the top 10 universities in the world. Neither Germany nor France can make this claim.

Because the continent is home to such a vast number of prestigious and best universities in Europe, making a decision on whether to pursue higher education there is not always an easy task. We have produced a list of the top institutions in Europe in order to assist you in getting started with your education.

University of Oxford

What else could we possibly say about the University of Oxford that hasn’t already been said? This prominent university, which has produced many Nobel Prize winners and Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, retained its title as the greatest of the best universities in Europe this year and moved up to number 5 on the list of universities around the world. But what are some of its distinguishing features?

Because each of Oxford’s 38 colleges is independently run, has its own organizational hierarchy within, and hosts a wide range of extracurricular pursuits, the university ensures that students can pursue high-quality education regardless of their chosen field. Aside from that, it is well knowledge that admission to this university and becoming a future “Oxonian” involves going through a tough application process. Don’t let this deter you in any way! The prerequisites could be different for any degree program that you are interested in pursuing.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)

This rating places the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in second place among the best universities in Europe, which is not surprising given that it is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious scientific and technological establishments in both Europe and the rest of the globe. This could be the right university for you if you wish to focus your studies on either science or technology. There are over 20 undergraduate programs (Bachelor’s degrees) and close to 40 Master’s degree programs available at the ETH, so there is no question that you will discover your area of expertise here.

A strong command of German is one of the admission requirements for studying for a Bachelor’s degree at this Swiss university. This is due to the fact that while beginning in the second or third year, some modules may be taught in English, the first year, and the majority of the modules are taught in German. On the other hand, several of their Master’s degrees are exclusively available in English.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest English-speaking university in the world, and it now holds the third spot in the QS Ranking. It is home to more than a hundred departments and more than thirty colleges, including the illustrious Cambridge University Press, which holds the record for being the oldest publishing business in the entire world.

If you enjoy sports and find that competition motivates you, you should know that cricket and rugby are highly popular in this university, but rowing is a star sport. Every year, there are multiple tournaments between universities and colleges, such as the “May Bumps,” and others that take place against the University of Oxford.

But what subjects are available to students at Cambridge? The establishment makes available a wide variety of degrees; nevertheless, in order to enroll, you will need to select a college first. Because the educational backgrounds of the faculty members at each college can cause it to specialize in one or more areas of study, it is essential that you choose which of these areas most piques your interest.

Imperial College London

Since it is at the forefront of scientific research and a world leader in this field, the Imperial College London is one of the universities that has the finest reputation in all of Europe. This is due to the fact that it is located in London. It is well-known for contributing to society with the discovery of penicillin and fiber optics, as well as being famous for its research on multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. In addition, it is well-known for its research on other diseases.

This educational establishment holds the distinction of being the only university in the United Kingdom that is solely focused on the academic disciplines of science, medicine, engineering, and business science. Since the university encourages students to take modules and electives in art, communication, and languages in order to be better professionals in the future, it is divided into three faculties (Engineering, Medicine, and Natural Sciences), a business school, and a Humanities Department. Additionally, the university has a Department of Humanities.

University College London

It is extremely likely that University College London will be your next destination if you are interested in attending a university that offers a diverse range of academic programs and has students that hail from more than one hundred and fifty nations.

Since its creation in 1826, this educational establishment has prided itself on being a varied community that fosters innovative thought. It is affiliated with the same educational system as the University of London. Additionally, it asserts that it was the first institution in England to welcome female students as well as those of any religion or socioeconomic status.

Because this is a school that provides instruction in a variety of fields, finding the one that interests you won’t be difficult. It is distinguished in particular by its schools of urban planning and architecture, as well as by its faculties of arts and humanities, neurological science, engineering, and law, amongst other disciplines.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)

At the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, which is recognized both on the national and European levels as a center of excellence in Science and Technology, you will acquire all of the knowledge that you require to be an effective professional in any of these domains. 

The institution actively promotes collaboration among its students, faculty members, and researchers for the purpose of fostering the development of innovative technological, scientific, and architectural endeavors. Because of the high degree of similarity between this establishment and ETH Zurich, which is situated in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, the fact that both of these institutions are included on this list is not surprising.

You will be able to take advantage of high-quality instruction in a setting that is unlike any other at the EPFL, thanks to the fact that it is comprised of five separate campuses, many of whose structures—like ArtLab, the Rolex Learning Center, and the SwissTech Convention Center—were designed by well-known architects.

University of Edinburgh

In terms of the number of applications received, the University of Edinburgh is the third most popular university in the United Kingdom, trailing only those received by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. As a result, the admissions process is highly difficult. It also holds the distinction of being the fourth university in the country with the most powerful investigative capabilities. But it is not the only reason it is included on this list; there are others!

This university was established in 1583, and it was one of the primary factors that contributed to Edinburgh’s rise to prominence as a major city during the Enlightenment in the 18th century. Notable figures such as the naturalist Charles Darwin, the philosopher David Hume, and the author Arthur Conan Doyle were all associated with the university and its surrounding community.

In terms of the subfields, it excels in research, and its Medical School, which is a component of the College of Medicine and Vet Medicine, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of its kind in the United Kingdom.

University of Manchester

This institution was established in 1824, and its beginnings may be traced back to Manchester’s status as the world’s first true industrial city at the time of the university’s founding. It is also the university in the United Kingdom that has the most number of professors who have won Nobel Prizes, it is one of the finest universities for research, and it is the university that has the most students who are from the nation.

Science fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, nursing, and pharmacy, as well as humanities and language studies, are included among its areas of expertise. In addition, if you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree or a PhD in Health Sciences, you might consider attending this university. It is well-known for its extensive research on many forms of cancer, the application of antibiotics, and disorders such as multiple sclerosis.

Why Study in Europe?

You might be wondering, “why study in Europe?” There are more than 40 distinct nations that can be traveled to, which means that there are more than 40 distinct cultures that can be experienced and learned from. Because of the high regard in which their higher education systems are held, you stand to benefit greatly by studying there. The advantages of attending the best universities in Europe located across the continent are as follows:

Give your career a boost

Over the course of the last few years, having international experience has become increasingly vital. Employers of all sizes are on the lookout for candidates who have demonstrated the ability to work outside of their “comfort zone.” You can pave the way for future success in your professional life by pursuing studies in Europe.

Many nations in Europe make an attempt to entice foreign graduates to remain in the country after completing their education. This indicates that if you make the decision to pursue higher education in Europe, you have a strong probability of receiving a job offer and being able to remain there for a longer period of time.

Education and research in Europe are among the best in the world

Europe is home to a significant number of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. The development of a robust international academic community that is engaged in cutting-edge research has been facilitated by cross-border collaborations inside Europe.

A diverse assortment of educational possibilities

There are tens of thousands of different academic programs available in English across Europe’s tens of thousands of different universities. You can discover programs in any academic area, from the arts to zoology; tiny, intimate universities or major international research centers; leading-edge academic research programs or practice-oriented taught education; and so on. Everyone can find something that appeals to them here.

Low tuition fee

Even if you’re coming from a different country, the cost of attending the best universities in Europe is typically quite affordable when compared to what you’ll have to pay in the United States. The cost of attending college or university is covered entirely by the government in a number of European nations, making higher education completely accessible to everybody. You may also submit an application for one of the innumerable available scholarships, which will bring the total cost of attendance down even further.

Easy to travel through the whole continent

It is important to make the most of your time spent studying in Europe by traveling to multiple countries rather than just one. Even on a limited student budget and with a tight timetable for the semester, it is easy to accomplish this goal because of the abundance of inexpensive flight, rail, and bus connections as well as the comparatively short travel periods.

If you are not a citizen of Europe and want to study in one of the 26 European states that make up the Schengen Area, then you may simply obtain a student visa that will allow you to travel to any of the other countries that make up the Schengen Area. Think about all the amazing opportunities you can pursue even if you are far from the school.

The higher education systems are highly regarded and in sync with one another

Europe is home to some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Because there is a robust community of international academics, we are going to present you with the top institutions in Europe. These universities are located in Europe.

All of Europe’s national systems of higher education have been brought into alignment as a result of the reforms that were implemented as part of the Bologna process. This indicates that the general academic structure of any Bachelor’s or Master’s degree offered in Europe is the same. If you earn your Master’s degree in Sweden, it will be recognized as being on par with one earned in Germany, Lithuania, or the United Kingdom.

You are able to learn in English

Not only are there several thousand different options for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English, but there are also Doctoral degrees. The level of English proficiency in the majority of countries in Europe is, on average, quite high. That being the case, even if you have a hard time picking up the fundamentals of Polish, Portuguese, or Swedish, you can always get by with English if you need to communicate in day-to-day settings.

Want to learn more about your chances of getting into the best universities in Europe? You’ve come to the right place. At AdmissionSight, we have over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process.

AdmissionSight can help you put your best foot forward when applying to college this fall. Contact us today for more information on our services.