Which European Programmes Need the Local Language vs Which Are English-Taught

The core question

Across Europe, two parallel realities exist: a growing catalogue of fully English-taught degrees, and a much larger body of programmes taught entirely in the local language. Knowing which is which before you apply saves time and avoids a rejected application.

The single most reliable signal is the official 'language of instruction' field on the programme page. If it says English, an English test usually suffices; if it names the local language, you will normally need to prove proficiency in that language.

Where English-taught tracks are common

English-taught programmes are most widespread at master's level and in fields like business, engineering, computer science, data, and many social sciences. The Netherlands and the Nordic countries have especially broad English-taught offerings; Italy, France, Spain and others also run dedicated international tracks.

These exist as a deliberate, separate offering — so a university can have a French- or Italian-taught bachelor's and an English-taught master's in the same field. Search each university's official course catalogue and filter by language of instruction.

• Most common at master's level
• Frequent in business, engineering, IT and social sciences
• Very broad in the Netherlands and Nordics; growing elsewhere
• Filter the official catalogue by 'language: English'

Where the local language is genuinely required

Some fields are taught and assessed in the local language by their nature. Clinical and patient-facing programmes (medicine, nursing, many health professions), teacher training, law and public-administration tracks tied to the national system, and the majority of local bachelor's programmes typically require the local language at an advanced level.

This is not a barrier to single out — it reflects that these professions are practised in the local language. If your goal is one of these fields, plan to reach the required local-language level rather than searching for an English exception that may not exist.

• Clinical and patient-facing health programmes
• Teacher training and many public-sector tracks
• Law and public administration tied to the national system
• Most undergraduate (bachelor's) teaching outside international tracks

How to check a specific programme

Treat every programme individually. Open the official course page and read the language of instruction, the admission requirements, and any note on language certificates. If anything is ambiguous, the university's international or admissions office is the authoritative source.

Do not rely on third-party aggregators or remembered facts — languages of instruction and requirements change, and a programme that was English-taught one year may differ the next.

• Read the official 'language of instruction' on the course page
• Check whether a local-language certificate is listed under admission
• Confirm which English or local-language test is accepted
• Email the admissions/international office if anything is unclear

Beyond admission: living and working

Even when you can enrol with English only, the local language affects daily life, internships, part-time work and any plan to stay after graduation. Many English-taught students still learn the local language to a working level for these reasons.

Weigh both axes: can I get in without the local language (admission), and will I want it for life and work (integration)? The honest answer is often 'English to enter, local language to thrive'.