How much is college in Europe? 

The cost of college in Europe varies greatly depending on the country and the type of program. In many European countries, public universities offer low or even no-cost tuition to citizens of that country. 

Read on to find out more about higher education system, tuition fees and living costs in Europe! 

Our related articles: 

• How to apply to colleges in Europe? 
• English-speaking universities in Europe 

Differences in the higher education system in the US and the EU 

There is a huge difference between the education system in the US and Europe.  

While both systems offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and many universities in both regions are well-regarded for their research and academic programs, college life and costs are very different. 

One of the main differences is the structure of undergraduate education. In the US, students typically complete at least a four-year bachelor's degree program before moving on to graduate school.  

But in Europe, students typically complete a three-year bachelor's degree before moving on to a one or two-year master's program. Additionally, European universities often have a more modular system, where students can take individual courses or modules to earn credits, while in the United States students rather stay in a specific degree program. 

Another key difference is the cost of higher education. In the US, the cost of attending a public university can be quite high, especially for out-of-state students. These study costs can reach thousands of dollars per semester, and private universities are often even more expensive.  

How much is college in Europe? 

In contrast to the United States, many European countries offer free or low-cost university education to their citizens. 

For international students, tuition fees can vary depending on the country, the city, and the study program. 

For example, in Germany, students can attend a public university for free, although they may have to pay a small fee for administrative costs. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, public universities charge tuition fees. After all, even with tuition fees, public universities have much lower rates than private universities. 

Of course, it all depends on the country - Central- or Eastern-European countries might have better tuition fees for their private universities than Western-European public colleges. 

Discover programs of Budapest Metropolitan University and study with affordable tuition fees in the heart of Europe! 

Some European countries may offer financial aid or grants to help students cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. The government of Scandinavian countries and the UK typically offer loans to help students pay for college. 

Many universities also offer scholarships and bursaries to help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses. 

Average tuition fees in Europe 

In the 2020-2021 academic year, tuition fees for domestic students at public universities in the UK started from around 5,000 USD per semester, while fees for international students ranged from around 7,000 USD to 19,000 USD per semester 

In France, public universities charge around 2,500 USD per year, while private universities can have a tuition fee up to 20,000 USD. 

In Germany, as an international student, you can complete a study program for 1,500-3,000 USD per semester. 

In Central Europe (Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic) the tuition fees are starting from 1,000 USD, but they can reach 15,000 USD for an international student. The fees also depend on the study program: typically, universities offering law and medical programs charge more. 

Southern European countries (Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal) provide possibilities for students starting from around 1,500 USD per semester. Italy has probably the highest rates, while education in Greece is considered to be the cheapest among these countries. 

Not only the tuition fees but the costs of living matter too 

You should research your options carefully to determine the overall cost of attending college in Europe! See the living costs as a city, calculate the tuition fees, and look after the scholarships too.  

Hungary, located in the heart of Europe, is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable, modern, safe and friendly country. Check the cost of living in Hungary! 

Study in safe and affordable Hungary! 

At Budapest Metropolitan University, we offer a wide range of programs in English – discover our programs and our university now! 

2022. 12. 16.