Europe Admissions
Studying in Europe: Admissions Guide for International Students

How to apply to universities across Europe — choosing a country and programme, understanding the Bologna degree system, finding English-taught programmes, and preparing your application documents.
Europe has no single application portal — each country runs its own system, and degrees across many countries share the Bologna structure and ECTS credits. These guides walk international students through choosing where to study, finding English-taught programmes, and preparing the documents universities ask for. Always confirm fees, deadlines, and requirements on each official source.
Last updated
Tests this hub covers
IELTS
British Council / IDP IELTS / Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Year-round (test dates and session times vary by test centre)
TOEFL iBT
ETS (Educational Testing Service) · Offered more than 170 times a year at test centres (Home Edition: 24 hours a day, 4 days a week)
PTE Academic
Pearson · Regular test dates at 500+ test centres in over 115 countries (check availability at your nearest centre)
Duolingo
Duolingo, Inc. · On demand, online at any time, though not in every country (up to 3 test purchases in any 30-day period; wait for your result before retesting)
Guides for Europe
16 of 16 guides in this hub are for Europe.
European Higher Education and the Bologna Process
Understand how European degrees are structured — the Bologna three-cycle system (bachelor, master, doctorate), ECTS credits, and the difference between research universities and universities of applied sciences.
Read guideEnglish-Taught Programs in Europe
How to find and apply to English-taught degree programmes in Europe — where they are common, how to search official portals, and the English-language tests universities typically ask for.
Read guideApplication Documents for European Universities
The documents European universities typically ask international applicants for — academic transcripts, language certificates, a motivation letter, references, and CV — plus how requirements vary by country.
Read guideHow to Study in Germany: Complete Guide
An end-to-end guide to studying in Germany — public-university tuition and the semester contribution, the APS certificate, finding a programme, applying via uni-assist or directly, and the student visa process.
Read guideUni-Assist Application Guide
What uni-assist is, which German universities use it, how to apply step by step and how the handling fee works, with links to the official uni-assist site.
Read guideStudienkolleg: Do I Need It?
The German Studienkolleg foundation course and the Feststellungsprüfung assessment — who needs it, who can enter a degree directly, and how to check the recognition of your qualification.
Read guideHow to Study in France: Complete Guide
Studying in France step by step: the Études en France (Campus France) procedure, applying to a programme and the student visa, with links to official sources.
Read guideCampus France Application Process
The Études en France online procedure managed by Campus France — who must use it, the main stages, and how it connects to your French student visa.
Read guideHow to Study in the Netherlands: Complete Guide
Studying in the Netherlands — research universities (WO) vs universities of applied sciences (HBO), the central Studielink application, numerus fixus deadlines, and the student residence permit.
Read guideEnglish-Taught Bachelor's Programs in Germany
How to find English-taught bachelor's degrees in Germany, why there are more English options at master's than bachelor's level, and where to search programmes and check requirements on official sources.
Read guideHow to Study in Italy: Complete Guide
Studying in Italy — Universitaly pre-enrolment, applying to universities, the student visa, regional DSU support, and English-taught medicine via the IMAT.
Read guideHow to Study in Spain: Complete Guide
Studying in Spain — applying to universities, recognising your qualifications (homologación and UNEDasiss), and the student visa, with links to the Spanish ministries for current details.
Read guideHow to Study in Sweden: Complete Guide
Studying in Sweden — the central universityadmissions.se portal, applying and ranking choices, tuition and scholarships for non-EU students, and the student residence permit.
Read guideHow to Study in Europe: Complete Guide
International students who want to study in Europe — how to choose a country and programme, apply, arrange a student visa, fund your studies, and arrive, with links to official sources.
Read guideHow to Choose a Country to Study in Europe
Deciding where in Europe to study — weighing language of instruction, cost, programme fit, work rights, and lifestyle, without assuming any one country is best.
Read guideTuition Fees for International Students in Europe
How tuition fees work for international students across Europe — the difference between EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA rates, public versus private institutions, and why you must confirm the exact figure on each official source.
Read guideStudying in Europe
Continue exploring Europe
Universities, entrance tests, costs and visa facts for Europe — all in one place, each linked to its official source.
Not sure where to start?
Ask GSB for guidance tailored to your situation.
Ask GSB →