While there are about 50 different countries in Europe, not all of them have internationally recognized educational institutions. This means that if you want to study in Europe as an international student, you should know the best European country that has a high standard of education and, at the same time, is suitable for your field of study.
Some European countries are known for playing important roles in scientific research, while others are renowned when it comes to policymaking and formulation. Now, as a foreign student who wants to study in Europe, the first thing you should look out for is to locate the best European country that has made waves in your field of study before you can then narrow it down to a particular institution offering your course of interest.
The best countries to study in Europe as a foreign student, irrespective of your course of study are the UK, Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, etc. These countries have made an indelible mark on the educational sector in Europe and beyond. Most of the universities in these European countries are among the best 20 universities in the world.
Best European Countries to Study Abroad Based on Your Field of Study
As we noted in the introduction, there are many internationally recognized European countries that have paid their dues when it comes to offering quality education to foreign students. Most of these countries have maintained their track records in educational sectors for decades. Without further ado, let’s look at some of the best European countries to study in, irrespective of your course of study as a foreign student
1. The United Kingdom
The UK is one of the best European countries to study in as an international student, regardless of your course of study. The UK is highly placed when it comes to quality of education globally. The UK has some of the most highly respected universities in the world, like  Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, etc., that attract hundreds of thousands of international students annually.
Most universities in the UK offer a wide variety of courses cutting across different disciplines. As a foreign student who wants to study in Europe, it won’t be a bad option if you consider the UK as your choice destination because you are going to benefit a lot from the dynamic student community in the UK with other amazing opportunities for career development. Some of the UK universities and their areas of specialization are summarized in the table below:
S/N | UK University | Field of Study |
1. | Queen’s University Belfast | BA in History |
2. | Manchester Metropolitan University | MA in Multimedia Journalism |
3. | King’s College London | MSc in Russian and Eurasian Politics and Economics |
4. | Rose Bruford College | BA (Hons) in American Theatre Arts |
5. | University of Manchester | BA in History and American Studies |
6. | University of Lincoln | MSc Forensic Toxicology |
7. | Queen’s University of Belfast | MSc in Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice |
8. | University of Lincoln | MA Medieval Studies |
9. | King’s College London | Double MA in Policies and Governance Europe |
2. Switzerland
This is another European country that is renowned for quality education globally. In Europe, Switzerland is ranked as the second-best country for education, just coming behind the UK. The country boasts prestigious institutions, like the ETH and the University of Zurich. Apart from education, the country has a rich cultural heritage that gives international students perfect academic and personal experience during their studies. Swiss institutions have made invaluable contributions in the fields of technology, finance, health, and hospitality academically. The Swiss institutions and some of the courses they offer are summarised in the field below:
S/N | Switzerland University | Field of Study |
1. | University Of Zurich | LL.M. in International Business Law |
2. | James Lind Institute | Master of Public Health Management (MPH) (Infectious Diseases) |
3. | James Lind Institute | Master of Public Health Management (MPH)—Sexual and Reproductive Health |
4. | CIES | Master in Sports Law |
5. | United International Business School | Graduate Diploma in Business Administration |
6. | International Institute in Geneva | Bachelor of Arts in International Management (with Dual Degree Option) |
7. | James Lind Institute | Master of Public Health Management (MPH)—Public Health Leadership |
8 | United International Business School | Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management |
3. Germany
We can’t discuss the best European country to study in as international students without talking about Germany. This country is known as an educational hub for foreign students because it attracts thousands of international students from different countries across the globe. The system of education in Germany is robust and all-encompassing. For the past decades, German institutions have made their mark in the fields of technology, engineering, business, etc. The country has some of the most renowned universities in the world, like the University of Heidelberg and LMU Munich. Apart from being a hub for academic excellence, Germany also has a strong economy and strategic position in the global market, which makes it an ideal country for foreign students looking for career advancement after studies. The table below summarizes some German universities with their specific fields of study attached.
S/N | German University | Field of Study |
1. | Berlin School Of Business & Innovation | MBA in Maritime and Shipping Management |
2. | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
3. | Witten/Herdecke University | Master in PPE—Philosophy, Politics and Economics (MA) |
4. | WINGS: Wismar University | Master Green Architecture |
5. | International Graduate Center | International MBA: Dual Degree – Focus International Logistics & Supply Chain Management |
6. | WINGS: Wismar University | Master’s in Lighting Design & Management |
7. | University of Europe for Applied Sciences | BA Film & Motion Design |
8. | University of Europe for Applied Sciences | BSc Business & Management Studies |
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands is another European country that has made a name for itself in the educational sector globally. When it comes to business, engineering and technology, the Netherlands is a country to be reckoned with because of their academic expertise in those fields. This country is widely known for their dedicated attention to research, innovation, and hands-on teaching across disciplines. The Netherlands boasts highly ranked universities, like Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam. In addition to academic excellence, the Netherlands is also a top-tier country for career progress for international students. The country also has a welcoming ambience for foreign students because of the excellent hospitality embedded in their culture. Some of the popular universities in the Netherlands and their areas of specialisation are detailed below:
S/N | Universities in Netherlands | Field of Study |
 1 | University of Groningen | MA in Middle Eastern Studies |
 2 | University of Groningen | LLM in Energy and Climate Law |
 3 | Erasmus University Rotterdam | Master in Educational Psychology: Learning and Performance |
 4 | Saxion University of Applied Sciences | Master in Innovative Textile Development |
 5 | Fontys University of Applied Sciences | Master of Science in Finance |
 6 | NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor in International Teacher Education for Primary Schools (ITEPS) |
 7 | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Master in Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Management |
 8 | Saxion University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor in Civil Engineering |
 9 | Fontys University of Applied Sciences | Master of Science in Business and Management |
5. France
In Europe, France is also a top-tier country for education. It is a choice destination for many international students from across the globe. Just like other European countries, France has a rich and amazing cultural heritage that allows foreign students to have excellent personal and academic experiences during their studies. France is known for its expertise in the academic fields of humanities, business, and the arts. There is also room for career advancement for international students after their studies. The popular universities in France that have attracted numerous international students are the Sorbonne and Sciences Po universities. France has different landscapes, like the alpine peaks, Mediterranean beaches, etc., which make international students have memorable stays during their studies. Some of the universities in France with their field of specialisation are summarized in the table below:
S/N | University in France | Field of Study |
1. | ESSCA School of Management | MSc in Finance & Data Analytics |
2. | University of Strasbourg | Master in Complex Systems Chemistry (CSC) |
3. | ESSEC Business School | ESSEC Global MBA |
4. | L’École De Design Nantes Atlantique | Master International Design Strategy |
5. | Université de Technologie de Compiègne | The European Master in Sustainable Systems Engineering (EMSSE) |
6. | Clermont School of Business | Master in Management |
7. | European School of Political and Social Sciences | Master’s in Multilevel Governance in Europe |
8. | Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA) | MSc MARRES Ocean Science, Conservation & Innovation – Track Science & Society |
9. | ISARA | MSc Agroecology – Resilient Farming |
10. | IGR-IAE Rennes | Master in International Human Resources Project Management |
Conclusion
There are many European countries that have made names in the field of education due to their invaluable contributions in sciences, technology, health, arts, law, humanities, etc. Some of these European countries are ranked highly globally in terms fo education; hence, it is a choice destination for many international students who want to study in Europe. Some of the popular European countries that are known for quality education are the UK, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, etc. So, if you want to study in Europe as a foreign student, you can consider any of these countries regardless of your course of study and you will be happy that you did.