Europe
Europe hosts over 2.5 million international students across 49 countries in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), offering world-class education in over 30 languages with 4,000+ institutions participating in the Erasmus+ program. In 2024, Erasmus+ supported 1.5 million mobility opportunities with a €4.7 billion budget, funding 34,400 projects across 85,600 organizations, while 23% of participants chose low-emission transport demonstrating commitment to sustainable education. Germany leads with 402,083 international students in Winter 2024/25 (6% increase, India surpassing China as top source), while France, Spain, and Italy show 7-10% annual growth. The Bologna Process ensures 180-240 ECTS degree recognition across all EHEA nations, with national quality frameworks maintaining standards. Post-study work permits range from 6-24 months depending on country, with EU Blue Card offering permanent residency pathways for skilled graduates earning above €45,540 in Germany, varying by nation.
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Key insights
2.5M+
International Students
84.9%
Employment Rate
18-24 months
Post Study Work Rights
20-30 hours
Part Time Work
€3.3 per hour
Hourly Wage For Student Level Jobs
8-level
Institutions Are Regulated Under National Education Quality Frameworks (TEQSA & ASQA)
Cost of Studying in Europe
Bachelor's (Public, EU/EEA)
€0 - €2,000
Bachelor's (Public, Non-EU)
€1,500 - €4,000
Bachelor's (Private)
€5,000 - €25,000
Master's (Public, EU/EEA)
€0 - €3,000
Master's (Public, Non-EU)
€2,000 - €8,000
Master's (Private)
€8,000 - €30,000
Doctorate/PhD
€0 - €2,000 (often with stipends)
Cost of Living in Europe
Admission Requirements for Studying in Europe
- Official secondary school certificate or bachelor's degree transcripts with apostille certification
- Recognized secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to European Baccalaureate or national matriculation standards
- Entrance examinations for specific programs (medicine, architecture, engineering in selective institutions)
- Language proficiency in program's instruction language (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, others)
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose explaining academic goals, program choice, and career plans
- Two academic recommendation letters from teachers or professors familiar with applicant's work
- Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay
- Proof of financial means (€7,000-€11,904/year depending on country; Germany requires €11,904 blocked account)
- Curriculum vitae detailing academic achievements, work experience, and extracurricular activities
- Portfolio for creative programs (Art, Design, Architecture, Music, Film)
- Health insurance coverage (minimum €30,000 medical cover required for Schengen visa)
- Criminal background check apostilled for programs involving minors or healthcare
You may be eligible for up to 50% Scholarship
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Book A FREE ConsultationLanguage Requirements
| English Language Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor's: 6.0-6.5 (minimum 5.5 each band) Master's: 6.5-7.0 (minimum 6.0 each band) Top Universities: 7.0-7.5 overall |
|
Bachelor's: 80-90 Master's: 90-100 Top Universities: 100-110 |
|
Bachelor's: 55-62< Master's: 62-70 Top Universities: 65-75 |
|
Bachelor's: B2 (FCE, 169+) Master's: C1 (CAE, 176+) Top Universities: C2 (CPE, 200+) |
|
Bachelor's: 105-115 Master's: 115-125 Top Universities: 125+ |
Visa Requirements
Europe Study Visa requirements:
Processing Time: 15 working days standard Schengen visa, up to 45 days for national long-stay visas (D-visa). Apply 3-6 months before program start, especially during peak seasons (May-September).
Visa Validity: Long-stay student visas/residence permits typically issued for 1 year, renewable annually for the entire program duration.
Work Rights:
- During Studies: Germany 120 full days or 240 half days/year, Netherlands 16 hours/week (24 hours from 2026), France 964 hours/year, Spain 30 hours/week, Italy 20 hours/week
- Post-Study: Germany 18 months job-seeker visa (full-time work allowed), Netherlands 1 year orientation year (Bachelor's/Master's), France 12 months residence permit (Master's+), Ireland 12-24 months, Spain 12 months, Italy 12 months, Sweden 12 months, Denmark 3 years
Document Checklist:
- Valid passport with 2 blank pages, 3 months validity beyond stay
- University admission letter or conditional acceptance
- Proof of accommodation (dormitory, rental agreement, host letter)
- Proof of financial means (Germany: blocked account €11,904; France: €7,380-€10,800/year; Netherlands: €13,950/year; varies by country)
- Health insurance minimum €30,000 coverage for Schengen area (mandatory)
- Passport photographs meeting biometric standards (35mm x 45mm, recent)
- Completed national long-stay visa application form (Schengen D-visa)
- Academic transcripts and diplomas from previous studies with certified translations
- Language proficiency certificates (English or local language per program requirement)
- Motivation letter for visa application explaining study plans
- Curriculum vitae with education, work experience, achievements
- Proof of paid tuition fees where applicable
- Criminal background certificate apostilled
- Medical certificate confirming fitness to study (some countries)
Intakes in Europe
|
Intake |
Application Timeline |
|
Winter/Fall Semester (September/October) - Main Intake |
October - January (previous year) |
|
Summer Semester (February/March) - Secondary Intake |
June - October (previous year) |
Post-Study Work Opportunities in Europe
|
Field |
Average Salary (EUR/Year) |
Employment Rate |
|
Software Engineering |
€45,000 - €80,000 |
92% |
|
Data Science & AI |
€50,000 - €85,000 |
90% |
|
Engineering (All) |
€40,000 - €70,000 |
89% |
|
Business & Finance |
€38,000 - €75,000 |
86% |
|
Healthcare Professions |
€35,000 - €65,000 |
94% |
|
Research & Development |
€35,000 - €60,000 |
88% |
Post-Study Work Duration by Major Destinations (2024-2025):
- Germany: 18 months job-seeker visa (allows full-time work during search), no restrictions
- Netherlands: 1 year orientation year for Bachelor's/Master's, 3 years for PhD (zoekjaar)
- France: 12 months temporary residence permit (APS - Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) for Master's+ graduates
- Ireland: 12 months for Level 8 degrees (Bachelor's Honours), 24 months for Level 9+ (Master's, PhD)
- Spain: 12 months job search period for graduates, renewable if employed
- Italy: 12 months residence permit to seek employment for graduates
- Sweden: 12 months residence permit for job search after graduation
- Denmark: 3 years residence permit for graduates seeking work or entrepreneurship
EU Blue Card (Permanent Residency Pathway):
- University degree (Bachelor's or higher) required
- Job offer with salary above threshold: €45,540 in Germany (2024), €56,800 general EU minimum, varies by country and sector
- Valid 1-4 years, renewable indefinitely
- Permanent residency after 33 months (21 months with B1 German language in Germany)
- Family reunification rights, travel within EU
Graduate Employment Statistics (2024):
- 85-92% employed within 12 months of graduation across EHEA
- Technical University of Munich: 13th globally for graduate employability (QS Rankings 2024)
- Average starting salary: €35,000-€55,000 depending on field and country
- STEM graduates command 15-25% premium over other fields
- 67.8% employment rate Germany (September 2024), 6.9% youth unemployment under 25
Scholarships in Europe
|
Scholarship Name |
Administered By |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
|
Erasmus+ Master's Degree Loans |
European Commission |
EU/EEA students pursuing Master's in another European country |
Up to €18,000 loan guarantee for Master's studies |
|
DAAD Scholarships (Germany) |
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
Graduate students from developing countries and specific programs |
€934/month Master's, €1,300/month PhD, full tuition, health insurance, travel allowance |
|
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France) |
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
International Master's/PhD students in priority fields (engineering, economics, law, sciences) |
€1,400/month Master's, €1,700/month PhD, health insurance, return airfare |
|
Holland Scholarship (Netherlands) |
Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science |
Non-EEA students at 60+ participating universities |
€5,000 one-time payment first year of Bachelor's or Master's |
|
Swedish Institute Scholarships |
Swedish Institute (government agency) |
Students from 42 eligible countries for Master's programs |
Full tuition coverage, €11,000/month living allowance, travel grant, insurance |
|
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships |
Swiss Confederation (Federal Commission for Scholarships) |
PhD researchers and postdoctoral scholars, all fields |
CHF 1,920/month (€1,960), tuition waiver, health insurance, one-time CHF 300 establishment allowance |
|
Italian Government Scholarships |
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation |
International students for degree programs, research, Italian language/culture |
€900/month, tuition waiver, health insurance for entire program duration |
|
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees |
European Commission |
Students worldwide for joint programs at 2+ European universities |
€1,400/month living allowance, €4,000/year participation costs, €3,000 travel allowance, insurance |
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Beginning in 2006, PFEC Global’s expertise in student migration consultancy evolved from a single Melbourne office to a multinational presence, spanning Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. We proudly represent international educational institutions, turning students' dreams into reality.