Home
Student Info
Student info-Choosing a University
5 ways to find a university in Europe that's right for you
Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.
Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
Already have an account? Sign in
Save
5 ways to find a university in Europe that's right for you
By Chloe Lane
Updated September 6, 2022 Updated September 6, 2022Sponsored by IU International University of Applied Sciences
Europe offers world class education and research – and with more than 480 European universities featuring in the most recent QS World University Rankings, choosing a university in Europe is no easy task.
Aside from using the university rankings to help make your decision, there are plenty of other factors to consider.
Read on as we run through five things you should think about when choosing a university in Europe.
Decide which study method would best suit you
With online courses rising in popularity, you should consider the type of study method you want for your degree programme: in-person, hybrid, or fully online-learning.
If you do decide to study a hybrid or a fully online degree programme, you will need to evaluate the university’s online facilities.
As Germany’s biggest university, IU International University of Applied Sciences has been a leader in online learning for more than a decade. With a fully integrated digital platform, innovative learning tools and virtual classrooms, the university’s programmes offer you the flexibility to study from anywhere.
However, if you would prefer to study on campus, IU International University of Applied Sciences also has two state-of-the-art international campuses in Germany: Berlin and Bad Honnef.
On campus, you will get the unique opportunity to combine online studies with in-person learning, giving you the opportunity to enjoy campus life in Germany with the flexibility of studying online.
Decide your budget
Compared to locations like the US, Canada and Australia, many European study have very affordable tuition fees for international students. There are also plenty of scholarship options and other financial support available to students looking to study abroad.
IU believes that education should never depend on an individual’s bank balance. The university supports its students by helping them find alternative funding options, such as scholarships and loans. It also helps students with a range of flexible options, including a free extension of your studies to up to 12 months, a free break semester or the option to help get employer funding.
Of course, you should also take into account the cost of living in each location, including food, accommodation and transport costs. The cost of living varies massively from city to city – even within the same country, so be sure to do your research to see if this fits your budget.
For example, according to Numbeo, a monthly travel pass in Germany’s capital Berlin, where one of IU’s campuses is based, would average at around €86 (~£70) and a one bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around €1,200 (~£990) per month. Alternatively, a room in a two person student flat at IU costs approximately €460 (~£388) per month. This is approximately 18 percent lower than the UK’s capital, London.
Look for a career-focused university
Selecting a university that offers career-orientated university programmes and a wide range of career services will ensure you gain the practical skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace.
At IU, there is plenty of support available to help you work towards your career while you study. Alongside career fairs, talks and presentations, and career coaching sessions, the university has an on-campus team of career experts available to help you directly with your job search.
The university also has an extensive network of corporate partners and collaborations that students can directly benefit from. This corporate knowledge is integrated into all IU’s degrees and at IU, you can be sure your degree will be recognised and valued by employers globally.
The university has received accreditation from the German Council of Science and Humanities and every programme – both online and on campus – has been accredited by the German Accreditation Council.
As a result, 94 percent of IU graduates are employed within three months of graduating, with alumni working at firms like BMW, Microsoft, Tui and Accenture.
Read students' testimonials and speak to alumni
When deciding on a university, seek out alumni or current students or look for student testimonials on the university’s website.
By speaking to someone who has already attended the university, you will gain a unique insight about what student life at the university is really like.
You can read some of IU University’s student testimonials here or chat to a current student here.
Find out more about student life in the area
Each European university offers a completely different student experience. Sometimes universities have several campuses in different areas so you can choose the one that best suits you.
When deciding, think about whether you are looking for a busy city university or a quieter campus experience.
At IU University you can choose between two campuses in Germany.
IU’s Berlin campus is located in the east of the German capital, one of Europe’s most vibrant cosmopolitan cities. While the campus itself has many quiet places to study, students can still enjoy Berlin’s wide range of restaurants, shopping malls and bars.
Meanwhile, if you choose IU’s Bad Honnef campus you will be studying on the historic St. Anno grounds, surrounded by greenery. Bad Honnef also has plenty to do in its city centre, and is close to the cities Cologne and Bonn, which means you are in close proximity to plenty of work experience opportunities.
Wherever you decide to study in Europe, you will discover a diverse, interesting culture, meet plenty of new friends and enjoy a unique study abroad experience.
This article was originally published in August 2022 . It was last updated in September 2022
Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.
As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
saved this article
saved this article
Share via
Share this Page
Our expert teams can help start your academic journey by guiding you through the application process.
Related Articles Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Why You Should Consider Studying a Dual Degree
Top universities in France
Where can you study abroad for free?
10 surprising facts about Asia
3 reasons to study abroad in Oman
Most Shared Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
7 ways to quickly improve your English language skills
QS World University Rankings methodology: Using rankings to start your university search
Top universities in the UK
Where can you study abroad for free?
Most Read Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
Top universities in the UK
Top universities in Canada
10 of the oldest universities in the world
Top universities in Australia 2021