10 reasons Europe is better than USA for study abroad

Written by Rachit Agrawal, MBA

Published on Mon, December 12, 2016 1:37 PM • Updated on Mon, July 3, 2023 10:39 PM • 8 mins read

10 Reasons Europe is Better than USA for Study Abroad

If you are willing to go for study abroad, and Europe is your preferred country, then you must know 10 Reasons Europe is Better than USA for Study Abroad.

1. The cost of education in Europe is comparatively lower

If you are planning to study abroad, but the cost of education is an impeding factor, then Europe can be your destination. All European nations apart from Britain, charge lesser tuition fees when compared to the USA. The government of these countries sets limits on tuition fees, and the universities has to set their fee within the limit. But this is not the case with the USA, where the government has limited control over what the universities charge.

Additionally, European countries offer public funding even to international students, which reduces the financial burden. This is because they consider higher education as an inalienable right. Some nations like Germany even offer free education to its international students.

2. European education takes lesser time to complete

The striking difference between the education systems of the USA and the Europe is the length of the degree programs. It takes lesser time to obtain a degree in Europe than in the USA. On an average, an undergraduate degree in Europe takes 3 years, postgraduate degree takes 1 year, and Ph.D. takes 3 years. This is in contrast to the USA, where an undergraduate degree takes 4 years, postgraduate degree takes 2 years, and Ph.D. takes 5-7 years or even longer. The reason why they take lesser time to complete is because the coursework in Europe is more focused than in the USA.

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3. Sound Education system

European curriculum is more reading intensive. Classes are conducted independently, and it requires the students to read extensively. This is an advantage for students who wish to acquire sound knowledge in their subjects. The programs and courses allow the students to gain in-depth knowledge of their chosen subject, as opposed to the American system that emphasizes on covering the breadth of the subject by picking electives/minors from other departments or schools. In Europe, the student is expected to gain a deeper understanding of their chosen major. The European Higher Education Area (EHEA), established through the Bologna process, keeps a check on the quality of education in Europe – both teaching and learning, by consistently monitoring and improving it.

The universities may follow a semester, trimester or quarter system. By and large, the European countries follow a less standardized academic term, with the universities having the liberty of choosing their own calendars. This is a boon to students who might not be able to fit into the academic year or calendar year pattern.

4. Job oriented study

job-oriented-study

European universities offer fewer courses of study, compared to their American counterparts, but they are all focussed on preparing the students for specific jobs. They serve as a perfect launch pad for an illustrious career. European nations consider providing quality education as their top priority. Europe has always been an excellent centre education, right from ancient times. The continent has some of the best universities in the world, with learned educators, cutting-edge technology, modern facilities, laboratories and libraries with an extensive collection of books. A product of a European university is bound to make the student highly employable.

5. Types of degrees

European universities offer a lot more types of degrees than American universities. They offer Higher National Diploma, Certificate of Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, Foundation Degree, Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D. and variety of professional and vocational degrees. Their Postgraduate degrees are divided into taught and research degrees. On the other hand, the American universities offer, Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D., and vocational & professional degrees.

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6. Accommodation

Most universities in Europe are centres of education and not the residence. The campuses have plenty of classrooms, lecture halls, libraries, and laboratories, but little or no student housing. This means that there are fewer or no dorms. If the university happens to have a dormitory, students are offered the luxury of occupying an entire room, without roommates, contrary to the American dormitories where the student has to share the room with at least one roommate. But the majority of the students turn to off-campus housing, like apartment buildings. This gives the students an opportunity to look beyond the campus life, explore the country and mingle with the locals.

accomodation

7. Transportation

European nations are well connected by public transportation systems, be it roadways, railways or airways. This makes it affordable to travel within the host country as well as outside the country. It is also why students don’t find it uncomfortable to choose off-campus housing; they can comfortably reach their campus by taking buses or trains. This is not the case in the USA where only fewer buses and trains are available; students are primarily dependent on their own modes of transportation like cycles or cars. Hence, students in the US choose to live in dormitories or apartments that are closer to the campus.

8. Culture

Europe is the cradle of the western civilisations. It was also home to some of the oldest civilisations of the world, including Roman and Greek civilisations where art, architecture, music, literature, and philosophy flourished. It is the birthplace of some of the most revered economists, scientists, philosophers like Karl Marx, Machiavelli, Stuart Mill, Habermas, Hegel, etc., and musicians like Beethoven. Architecture in ancient and medieval Europe is unique and finds a special place in history. It has also nurtured some of the famous political ideologies like capitalism, communism, fascism, socialism, anarchism. Not to forget the ancient & medieval universities of Europe (some of which are still intact), that were centres of excellence in higher learning.

Today, Europe houses some of the oldest universities in the world that still retain the essence of their historical heritage. Today’s Europe is a product of the common cultural heritage that it once held. It would be an honour to pursue studies in such a culturally rich place and indulge in the knowledge that it offers.

9. Opportunity to explore the entire Continent

Europe is a traveller’s paradise. Studying in Europe gives the golden opportunity to explore its magnificent cities in all their glory. Students can travel to all the countries of the Schengen area in Europe (26 members + 4 legally obliged nations), with just a student visa or resident permit of one of the European countries. Even if the student happens to study in Britain or Ireland (that are not a part of the Schengen area), they can still obtain a Schengen visa. Most of the countries use a single currency (except for the UK), thus making it easy to travel without worrying about the exchange rates. Since the countries are in proximity to one another, the students will be able to explore the entire continent. They can hop from one country to another using the affordable trains.

culture

10. The overall experience of an international student

Studying in Europe offers an unparalleled experience. As an international student, you get to pick up different languages, strengthen your social ties, widen your network, travel a lot and get exposed to several cultures. This multi-faceted continent enriches your student life and teaches you lessons that no college will ever be able to teach.