Destinations
Thirty-one countries: the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK
Hover a country on the map to see its name. Click it to open that country's details.Tap a country on the map to open its details. For the smaller countries, use the search box below. The figures shown are average monthly living costs. They can vary from person to person and from city to city.
EU member state EFTA / EEA (Iceland, Norway) Non-EEA EFTA (Switzerland) Outside the EU/EEA, still covered (UK)
Austria
- Most undergraduate teaching is in German; English-taught options are more common at master's level.
- Entry rules differ noticeably between subject areas, and some fields apply their own additional conditions.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,450–1,600.
Belgium
- Teaching language depends on the community you apply in — Dutch, French or German — with English used mainly at master's level.
- Belgium runs separate systems by language community, so the same question can have three different answers.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,300–1,450.
Bulgaria
- Most teaching is in Bulgarian, with a smaller set of English-taught programmes concentrated in certain fields.
- English-taught provision is narrower than it first appears, so shortlisting matters more here than elsewhere.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €750–900.
Croatia
- Most teaching is in Croatian, with English-taught programmes growing but still limited.
- Programme availability changes from intake to intake, so what you find online may already be out of date.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,000–1,150.
Cyprus
- English is widely used in university teaching alongside Greek, particularly at postgraduate level.
- Institutions differ substantially in how they assess incoming qualifications.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,300–1,400.
Czechia
- Programmes taught in Czech and programmes taught in English are treated differently, including on cost.
- The language you study in changes your financial position, which surprises a lot of applicants.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,100–1,250.
Denmark
- English-taught provision is strongest at master's level; undergraduate teaching is more often in Danish.
- Doctoral places are frequently salaried positions rather than admissions rounds.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,500–1,700.
Estonia
- A meaningful share of programmes are taught in English, particularly at master's level.
- A small system means places in popular fields go quickly.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,100–1,300.
Finland
- Finnish and Swedish are the main teaching languages, alongside a substantial number of English-taught programmes.
- Selection can involve entrance examinations or interviews, not grades alone.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,250–1,450.
France
- Teaching is commonly in French, especially at undergraduate level, with English-taught options more available later.
- Which application route applies depends on your nationality and where you live — getting it wrong costs a cycle.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,250–1,400.
Germany
- German is the main teaching language, with English-taught programmes more common at master's level.
- Whether your school-leaving certificate is accepted for direct entry decides everything else.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,350–1,500.
Greece
- Most teaching is in Greek, with English-taught programmes concentrated at postgraduate level.
- Undergraduate entry for international applicants works differently from the domestic route.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,000–1,100.
Hungary
- There is established English-taught provision, particularly in health and technical fields.
- Competitive fields run their own entrance assessments.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €900–1,000.
Iceland
- English-taught programmes are available alongside Icelandic-taught ones, more so at master's level.
- A very small system, so places in popular fields are limited and fill early.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €2,100–2,350.
Ireland
- Teaching is in English throughout.
- The undergraduate route is not the same for every applicant, and the difference is easy to miss.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,700–1,900.
Italy
- Italian is the main teaching language, with a substantial set of English-taught master's programmes.
- Several fields require a separate entrance assessment before admission.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,150–1,350.
Latvia
- English-taught programmes are available alongside Latvian-taught ones, more so at master's level.
- A smaller system means fewer intakes and less room to correct a late application.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €950–1,100.
Lithuania
- English-taught programmes are available alongside Lithuanian-taught ones, more so at master's level.
- Recognition of your prior qualification is assessed before you can be considered.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €950–1,050.
Luxembourg
- Teaching is multilingual — French, German and English are all used, sometimes within the same programme.
- A very small system with few places, so timing matters more than usual.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,900–2,100.
Malta
- Teaching is in English.
- A very small system, so programme choice is narrow and fills early.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,200–1,400.
Netherlands
- Dutch and English are both used, and it varies by programme.
- Registration and application are two separate steps, and capped programmes close much earlier.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,600–1,800.
Norway
- English-taught provision is strongest at master's level; undergraduate teaching is more often in Norwegian.
- Norway is outside the EU, so the rules that apply to you are not the EU ones.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,700–1,850.
Poland
- A large system with established English-taught provision alongside Polish-taught programmes.
- Scale cuts both ways: more options, and more variation in what each institution asks for.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €950–1,100.
Portugal
- Portuguese is the main teaching language, with English-taught options more common at master's level.
- International applicants follow a different undergraduate route from domestic students.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,050–1,200.
Romania
- Most teaching is in Romanian, with English-taught programmes in selected fields.
- Qualification recognition is a formal step that has to be completed before admission.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €750–850.
Slovakia
- Most teaching is in Slovak, with a smaller set of English-taught programmes.
- English-taught options are concentrated in a few fields rather than spread across the system.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,000–1,100.
Slovenia
- Most teaching is in Slovene, with English-taught programmes mainly at postgraduate level.
- A small system where popular programmes fill quickly.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,100–1,250.
Spain
- Spanish is the main teaching language, and some regions also teach in a co-official language; English is more common at master's level.
- Regional differences are real, and they affect both language and process.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,050–1,200.
Sweden
- Swedish and English are both used, with English-taught programmes concentrated in the earlier admission round.
- Which admission round you target depends on whether you need a residence permit.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,250–1,400.
Switzerland
- Teaching language depends on the region — German, French or Italian — with English used mainly at master's and doctoral level.
- Switzerland is outside the EU and sets its own conditions, which are often stricter.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €2,250–2,500.
United Kingdom
- Teaching is in English throughout.
- Four separate systems, and one group of courses closes far earlier than the rest.
- Average monthly living costs: roughly €1,450–1,650.
Entry requirements and application routes differ between institutions; the university's own published information always governs your application. Tell us where you are and we will give you the specifics for your situation.
Outside our scope
Visas, residence and immigration
Immigration requirements are legal matters that vary by nationality, country and individual circumstances. SWENGrad does not provide immigration or visa advice. For those questions, consult the official immigration authority of the country concerned, its embassy or consulate, or a qualified immigration adviser.
Next step
Narrowing this down to a shortlist
Choosing between countries is easier once your own constraints are clear. That is what the first consultation is for.