Drawing in more than 1.4 million overseas students year after year, Europe is one of the highly sought-after study abroad destinations. Owing to the country’s blend of prestigious universities, long standing history, as well as varied cultures, students who study in Europe encounter everything from state-of-the-art research in Germany to café culture in Paris. Minimal or even tuition-free education for overseas students is offered by a number of European countries, making it an educational as well as economical option.
The majority of Masters programs in Europe are arranged under the Bologna Process and generally span 1-2 years, equivalent to 60–120 ECTS credits. Nevertheless, this differs from country to country: for instance, the UK favors 1-year programs, whereas 2-year programs with selective fast-track 1-year options are offered by countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.
Why Study Masters in Europe?
Students should think about pursuing a Masters degree in Europe for these compelling reasons:
- Top-tier Instruction: Europe houses prestigious universities with robust academic and research standing.
- Vast Array of Programs: Advanced and niche Masters programs in Europe across a range of disciplines are offered. These programs are instructed in English.
- Budget-friendly Tuition Fees: In comparison to the USA or UK, minimal or even tuition-free education is offered by a number of European countries.
- Cultural Immersion: Students who study in Europe have the chance to experience varied cultures, languages, and traditions, which, in turn, enhance personal and professional development.
- Worldwide Employment Prospects: Students have access to global firms, internships, and post-study employment visas.
- Travel Within the European Region: Seamless travel across more than 26 countries is made possible, thanks to the Schengen visa.
Top Universities in Europe for Masters
Students can pursue a Masters in Europe at the leading universities mentioned below:
- ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
- Imperial College London
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- UCL (University College London)
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- King’s College London
- Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)
- EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- Trinity College Dublin
Popular Masters in Europe for Indian Students
Listed below are the popular Master degree in Europe for international students:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master in Health and Life Sciences
- Master in Psychology
- Master in Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Master in Artificial Intelligence
- Master in Law (LL.M)
- Master in Finance
- Master in International Relations
- Master in Marketing
- Master in Education
- Master in Data Science
- Master in Engineering (Various Specializations)
- Master in Environmental Science
- Master in Economics
- Master in Management (MiM)
- Master in Public Policy
- Master in Supply Chain Management
- Master in Computer Science
- Master in Design and Innovation
- Master in Architecture
How much does it cost to study Masters in Europe?
Based on the country, university, and program, the cost of pursuing a Masters degree in Europe differs to a great extent. Minimal or even tuition-free education for EU and at times, non-EU students is offered at public universities in a number of countries like Germany, Norway, and Austria, with students only having to pay a small semester contribution (€200–€400). In other nations like the Netherlands, Italy, and France, public universities charge moderate tuition fees, usually costing between €2,000–€5,000 annually for EU students, with non-EU students having to pay slightly higher tuition fees.
Nevertheless, substantially higher tuition fees, frequently costing between €10,000–€25,000 annually are charged by countries like the UK, Ireland, and certain private institutions across Europe. Besides tuition, students should set aside money for living expenses, which based on the city, can cost between €700–€1,500 per month. Scholarships and Erasmus+ financial aid can assist in alleviating the total expenditure.
Scholarships for Masters programs in Europe
There are various Master scholarship in Europe offered for students. They are as under:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)
- Rhodes Scholarship (UK)
- DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
- Italian Government Scholarships (Italy)
- Holland Scholarship (Netherlands)
- Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Spain)
- Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Fulbright Schuman Program (EU–US students)
- EPFL Excellence Fellowships (Switzerland)
- Clarendon Fund Scholarships (University of Oxford, UK)
- University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships (Switzerland)
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a Masters Degree in Europe
Students who intend to pursue a Masters in Europe need to fulfill the typical entry prerequisites mentioned below:
- The student needs to hold an accredited Bachelor’s degree (generally 3-4 years) in a pertinent field.
- He/she needs to fulfill the minimum GPA or percentage specified by the university or program.
- Certain programs, especially engineering, business, economics, may demand GRE or GMAT test scores.
- For English-taught programs, the student needs to prove his/her fluency in the language by appearing for English language proficiency tests like the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or comparable. For programs instructed in the local language, students need to prove their fluency in that language (e.g., TestDaF for German, DELF/DALF for French).
- Professional or executive programs like MBA, Public Policy, may require the student to have professional experience.
- The student needs to submit a motivation letter or statement of purpose outlining his/her academic interests, objectives, and compatibility with the program.
- Generally, 1-2 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources need to be submitted.
- The student also needs to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume describing his/her academic background, projects, internships, and pertinent experience.
- Creative programs like architecture, fine arts, and design require a portfolio.
- The student needs a valid student visa application and has to provide proof of finances to pay for tuition fees and living expenses.
- Interviews or particular foundational courses may be required by certain countries.
Job Opportunities Post Completing a Masters Degree in Europe
Post completing Masters programs in Europe, students can take up any of the following jobs:
- Public Health Specialist
- Business Analyst
- University Lecturer
- UX/UI Designer
- Supply Chain Manager
- Legal Advisor
- Mechanical Engineer
- Investment Banker
- AI / ML Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Architect
- Journalist
- Entrepreneur / Startup Founder, among others.
FAQs: Masters Programs in Europe
Which universities in Europe offer 1 year masters programs?
1 year Masters programs in Europe are offered by a number of countries, especially in the UK (e.g., Oxford, LSE, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial), Germany (e.g., University of Bonn, LMU, University of Stuttgart, HU Berlin, TUM, Bucerius Law School, IU), and France (e.g., HEC Paris, INSEAD, Université Paris-Saclay).
Can Indian students study Masters in Europe?
Yes, given that a number of universities accept overseas students and provide English-taught programs, Indian students can pursue a Masters degree in Europe. They generally require a pertinent undergraduate degree, need to provide evidence of English language proficiency via tests like the IELTS or TOEFL, and hold a student visa.
Does pursuing a Masters in Europe require students to possess work experience?
Not always. Although MBA or professional master’s programs may require the student to possess professional experience, certain programs accept students immediately after a bachelor’s degree.
Can international students work while studying Masters programs in Europe?
Yes, while pursuing a Masters in Europe, the majority of countries permit international students to work part-time, generally for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic term, although rules differ from country to country. Students may be permitted to work full-time during breaks.
Post graduation, can students stay back in Europe?
Yes, international students are permitted to stay back for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years post graduation in order to look for a job, by a number of European countries, based on the country’s visa regulations. The prerequisites and duration differ from country to country.
For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in UK, study in UK, study in USA, study in Ireland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, study in Singapore, study in Germany, study in France and many other countries.
