Study in Germany

Germany is the world’s most popular non-Anglophone study destination, and the fourth most popular overall – only the US, UK and Australia welcome more international students each year. Find out what motivates so many to study in Germany, and how to choose and apply to a German university.

Germany is a country characterized by variety. Trendy and modern Berlin can seem a world away from the more traditional and conservative Munich. The gleaming skyscrapers of Frankfurt form a stark contrast to quaint Heidelberg. And if bustling and fast-paced Hamburg becomes too much, you can always retreat to the peaceful and picturesque Middle Rhine region.

Universities in Germany

In terms of higher education as well, universities in Germany offer plenty of choice, including some of the most prestigious institutions in Western Europe. Germany’s highest ranked university in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15 is Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (ranked 49th in the world), followed by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (52=) and Technische Universität München (54th).

Beyond that, every major German city you can think of has at least one university ranked among the world’s best. A total of 17 German universities make the world’s top 250, and more than 40 are included within the world’s top 650. This establishes Germany well within the world’s higher education elite.

In addition to world-class universities, Germany also offers high quality of life, relatively low tuition fees, extensive support and scholarship schemes for international students, and decent post-graduation employment prospects. So it’s easy to see why so many choose to study in Germany each year.

Study in Spain

Choose to study in Spain, and one thing is for sure: your friends will be very jealous!

Stretching to the Pyrenees in the east, the Mediterranean in the south, the Bay of Biscay in the north, and Portugal in the west, Spain is one of the biggest countries in Europe.

Spain is consistently among the world’s most popular tourist destinations (third in 2013, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization), welcoming an annual volume of tourists which considerably exceeds its population. It's also among the most popular destinations for international students, due to its winning combination of good universities, attractive lifestyle, and the fact that Spanish is one of the world's most spoken languages.

Universities in Spain

Spain is a country of contrasts, where the affluence and cosmopolitan bustle of western Europe is mixed with a distinctly southern European extravagance and charm; where an expressive and flamboyant culture segues into afternoon naps and long languid evenings in bars and cafés; and where distinct regional identities often take precedence over a unified national one.

Of course, lifestyle alone isn’t enough to draw in the punters – you need to have good universities too! And Spain has plenty, with 18 universities in Spain featured in the 2014/15 QS World University Rankings, of which 12 are within the global top 500.

The largest concentrations of leading Spanish universities are found in capital city Madrid and second city Barcelona, with the latter boasting the country’s two highest ranking universities, Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona.

Read more about the top six Spanish universities, all ranking within the world’s top 300:

University of Barcelona

The highest-ranked Spanish university, theUniversity of Barcelona is placed at 166th in the 2014/15 QS World University Rankings. It was established in 1450, which makes it one of the oldest higher education institutions in the world, with rich traditions dating back to the Medieval Ages. Currently, more than 90,600 students are enrolled in the university, across 18 faculties and 100 departments, which offer a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It ranks within the world’s top 100 for many of the subject areas covered by the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona

A much younger institution, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona was established in 1968. Currently it ranks at 173rd place in the world, making it Spain’s second representative at international level. It also takes 10th place in the QS Top 50 Under 50, which highlights the world’s highest performing young universities. Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona teaches about 43,000 students among its 13 faculties. It is famous for being one of the few universities in Spain to have a centralized campus, created in order to promote a sense of a strong university community, with all the different academic, research, cultural and social activities in the same place. This purposely built campus is located about 20km (12 miles) from the center of Barcelona.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Also established in 1968, following extensive reforms in higher education in Spain,Universidad Autónoma de Madrid is currently ranked at 178th place in the world, following one place behind Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona  in the QS Top 50 Under 50. It is home to more than 36,000 students in its eight faculties, and is especially noted for its Faculty of Law. The university has three campuses, of which the main one, the Cantoblanco Campus, is located 15km (9 miles) north of Madrid. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid prides itself in being the alma mater of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain.

University Complutense Madrid

The oldest Spanish university, University Complutense Madrid is in fact one of the oldest higher education institutions in the world. It dates back to 1293, when it was originally known as Estudio de Escuelas Generales de Alcalá, before receiving its current name in 1499. Today, the University Complutense Madrid ranks at 212th place in the world and within the global top 50 in the subject area of history and archaeology. More than 86,000 students study in the university, which was one of the first in the world to give a doctoral degree to a female student, in 1785.

University of Navarra

The University of Navarra is a private-sector university, located in the city of Pamplona in the north of Spain. The university was founded in 1952 by St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of the religious organization Opus Dei (which gained fame following the success of Dan Brown’s bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code). The university has more than 11,000 students enrolled across 14 faculties. In addition to its Pamplona campus, it also has facilities in San Sebastián, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich and New York City. In the 2014/15 QS World University Rankings, the University of Navarra takes the 254th place.

Universitat Pompeu Fabra

One of the youngest Spanish universities, theUniversitat Pompeu Fabra features in the 2014/15 QS World University Rankings in 298thplace, and is another Spanish representative in the QS Top 50 Under 50. It was established in 1990 and named after the famous Catalan philologist Pompeu Fabra. The university is located in Barcelona, across three separate campuses which each focus on a particular field of study: social sciences and humanities, health and life sciences, and ITC and communication sciences.

Study in the Netherlands

Want to study in the Netherlands? Read our guide to find out more...

The Netherlands gets its name from the fact that around a quarter of this small northwestern European nation lies below sea level. Beyond its traditional associations (think windmills, tulips and clogs), it is one of the most developed and wealthy nations in the world, with a largely urban population. One of the most densely populated countries in Europe, it’s known for its tolerant and liberal ethos, and boasts a wealth of great student cities – none of which are more than a bicycle ride (the nation’s preferred mode of transport) away from some picturesque countryside. Life in the Netherlands is attractive for students and workers from around the world.

Universities in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is also home to one of the world’s oldest and most highly respected systems of higher education, dating back to the 16th century. The QS World University Rankings® 2014/15 includes 13 universities in the Netherlands, all ranked within the world's top 400, and an impressive six in the global top 100. The nation’s highest ranking institution is the University of Amsterdam, at 50th in the world, with Leiden University and Utrecht University not too far behind, at 75th and 80threspectively.

Combine this high quality with relatively favorable tuition rates and plenty of English language courses (the Dutch are generally known for their fluency in English as a second language) and you can begin to see why some 90,500 international students were studying in the Netherlands in 2012/13.

The top 6 Dutch universities in the QS World University Rankings are:

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdamis the country’s largest higher education institution, with around 30,000 students enrolled. Established in 1632, it is the third oldest university in the Netherlands, and the highest ranked, at 50th in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15. Within Europe, it is the 15th highest ranked, just after Germany’sRuprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. It teaches undergraduate and graduate programs across a broad spectrum of subjects, with a large selection of English-taught master’s degrees, and a few English-taught bachelor’s degrees.

Leiden University

The oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University was founded in 1575 by William I, Prince of Orange, an ancestor of the Netherlands’ monarchy. The institution is currently ranked 2nd in the country and 75th in the world. It is home to about 23,000 students, studying a broad range of subjects from bachelor’s up to PhD level. The university houses more than 40 research institutes and has links with many national and international leaders, including former US President John Adams, two Secretary Generals of NATO, as well as 16 Nobel Prize winners.

Utrecht University

Established in 1636, Utrecht University is another of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. The QS World University Rankings 2014/15 place Utrecht University at 3rdplace in the Netherlands and 80th in the world. Currently almost 30,000 students are enrolled across the university’s seven faculties, which makes it one of the largest universities in the Netherlands as well. The university claims 12 Nobel Prize laureates among its former students and staff, alongside 13 Spinoza Prize laureates.

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

The country’s oldest and largest public technical university, Delft University of Technology was founded in 1842, and is currently ranked 86th in the world, according to the latest QS World University Rankings. Also known as TU Delft, it teaches about 19,000 students, which focus on engineering disciplines, computer science, mathematics, applied sciences, and policy and management in technology. Prometheus, a figure from Greek mythology, is an important symbol of TU Delft, and his statue stands in the center of the newly renovated Mekelpark campus. In the 2014 QS World University Rankings by Subject, TU Delft places within the global top 10 for chemical engineering.

University of Groningen

The fourth-ranked university in the Netherlands is the University of Groningen , placed joint 90th in the world according to the latest QS World University Rankings. Established in 1614, it was one of the Netherlands’ first few universities, and has a long history of leadership, including hosting the country’s first female student, first female lecturer, the first Dutch astronaut and the first president of the European Central Bank. About 28,000 students are currently enrolled, and like other top universities in the Netherlands, it’s a popular choice for international students.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The youngest of these top six Dutch universities is Erasmus University Rotterdam. Established in 1913, it is a relatively young higher education institution, but already ranked among the top universities in the world, sharing 90th place with the University of Groningen in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15. It is home to almost 21,000 students, teaching a broad range of subjects. Home to one of the largest medical and trauma centers in the Netherlands, it’s especially well known in the field of medicine, for which it ranks 27th in the world in the 2014 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Other Dutch universities ranked among the world’s top 400 include: Maastricht University,Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University, Radboud University Nijmegen,VU University Amsterdam, the University of Twenteand Tilburg University.

Studying at master’s or PhD level? Read our graduate-level guide to the Netherlands >

Study in Ireland

Many universities in Ireland rank impressively well at world level, and the country as a whole is understandably a popular choice for international students. The varied selection of higher education institutes combines with historic cities, beautiful countryside and Ireland’s unique culture to make the country a highly attractive study destination. If you're among those choosing to study in Ireland, keep reading to find out more about Irish universities, cities and applications.

Universities in Ireland

Higher education in Ireland consists of universities, specialist colleges (offering courses in a single subject area), and institutes of technology. The latter do not just offer courses in technology subjects, but also cover a wide range of vocational programs, in subjects including hospitality, healthcare, pharmacy, media, textiles, marketing and many more.

Ireland’s seven public universities are all ranked within the world’s top 650 in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15, as is one of the 14 institutes of technology. Ireland also has seven private-sector colleges, ranging in size from the tiny Burren College of Art, which has only about 200 students, to the huge Dublin Business School, which has a student community of about 9,000.

Read more about Ireland’s five highest-ranked universities, all placed among the world’s top 400:

Trinity College Dublin

Established back in 1592, Trinity College Dublinis Ireland’s oldest higher education institute and one of the seven “ancient universities” in the territory of the UK and Ireland. It is the only constituent college of the University of Dublin, and was modelled after the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge. Today, Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s most prestigious university, ranked at 71st place in the world. About 17, 000 students are currently enrolled in one of the university’s three faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences; or Health Sciences.

University College Dublin

Also based in the lively Irish capital,University College Dublinhas its roots in the Catholic University of Ireland, which was founded in 1854. Ireland’s second representative in the international rankings, it’s placed 139th in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15. Approximately 31,000 students are currently enrolled, and the university consists of five colleges, 34 schools and 18 research institutes and centers. It is associated with many notable alumni, including the famous Irish writer James Joyce, actor Gabriel Byrne, and Oscar-winning director and producer Neil Jordan.

University College Cork

The third-ranked Irish higher education institute, at 230th in the world, is University College Cork. In 1998 it was officially renamed University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork, but it’s still widely known as University College Cork, or UCC. Currently around 20,000 students are enrolled, with approximately 3,000 international students representing more than 100 nationalities. University College Cork was the world’s first university to receive the international Green Flag for environmental sustainability, in 2010, and has received five QS Stars for its overall performance. It’s based in the city of Cork, in the southern part of Ireland.

National University of Ireland, Galway

Like University College Cork, the National University of Ireland, Galway also has a five-star rating in the QS Stars assessment system, and is ranked currently ranked 280thin the QS World University Rankings. More than 17,000 students are enrolled at the university, which is based in the city of Galway, on the western coast of Ireland, and the campus is currently undergoing a €400 million redevelopment program. The university prides itself on offering a number of less-typical courses, including a BSc in Podiatry and BE/MEng in Sport and Exercise Engineering.

Dublin City University

A much younger institution compared to the three historic universities listed above, Dublin City University was established in 1975, and gained university status in 1989. Nonetheless, it’s gained a strong position in a short space of time, ranked at 366th place in the world. About 12,000 students are currently enrolled there, including around 1,000 enrolled in distance education courses. Based in the northern part of the city of Dublin, the university boasts an impressive selection of on-campus facilities, including The Helix – a large arts venue, complete with several different-sized performance spaces.

Study in France

That France is one of the world's most popular study abroad destinations is surely no great surprise. Read on to find out why so many international students choose to study in France - and what to do next if you want to join them.

France occupies a distinct place in our collective imagination. From the urbane sophistication and history of its cities, to its legendary food and wine, to the spectacular scenery – think rugged mountains and verdant forests, golden beaches and azure seas, rolling pastures and mighty rivers – everyone has their own idealized conception of France. Consequently, it is also the world’s most popular tourist destination by far, according to the United Nations World Tourist Organization.

Why study in France?

Perhaps your personal image of France involves its proud intellectual and artistic heritage. This is the nation, after all, which produced thinkers such as René Descartes and Jean-Paul Sartre, authors like Marcel Proust and Albert Camus, filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and Jean Renoir, and artists like Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne. On top of these names we can add a whole host of scientists, mathematicians and other researchers, whose names are slightly less familiar, but whose achievements are no less spectacular for it. A total of 49 Nobel laureates places France fourth in the world.

Universities in France

This academic and artistic tradition continues to this day – there are few countries which invest quite as much money into research and education as France. QS’s rankings reflect this: a total of 41 French universities are included in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15, of which 11 are within the global top 250.

The nation’s two leading universities, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris and Ecole Polytechnique ParisTech, both make the world's top 50, cementing their reputations as two of Europe’s and the world’s strongest institutions. What’s more, tuition fees at France’s leading universities are among the lowest in the world, with annual fees averaging under US$1,000 per year for domestic and international students alike.

So is France for you then? Well, if you want to attend a high-quality institution in a nation with a proud intellectual heritage which will have the added benefit of making everyone you know jealous, then is the answer could well be "yes".

Studying at master’s or PhD level? Find out about graduate-level studies in France with the QS Top Grad School Guide.

Study in Canada

Choose to study in Canada, and you’ll have the opportunity to encounter vastly different cultural and natural experiences – from the ski slopes of British Columbia to the prairie province of Manitoba, with cities such as Toronto, Montréal,Vancouver and Quebec famously friendly, tolerant and multicultural.

Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada is known for its natural beauty – few nations in the world can boast anything close to its wealth of forests, lakes and mountains – and for its multicultural diversity. The country has official bilingual status, with both English and French used concurrently in the government and official documents.

It’s also known for its sparse population (despite being the world’s second-largest country, it has a population smaller than that of just one US state, California) and for its harsh winters (in some parts of Canada, snow covers the ground for almost half the year – but you’re unlikely to find any Canadian universities in those regions!).

Universities in Canada

Canada has a well-established position among the world’s leading study destinations; as of 2012, it was the seventh most popular country for international students, who accounted for 6.5% of all post-secondary students in the country. Of those, the most popular Canadian provinces were Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, which between them are home to many of the top universities in Canada.

For those looking to study at an elite university in one of the world’s most developed nations, applying to study in Canada can be an attractive option. A total of 26 universities in Canada feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15, of which three are in the world’s top 50 and 10 make the world’s top 200 – a feat matched only by a handful of other nations. The two highest Canadian entries are the University of Toronto (20th) and McGill University (21st), located in Toronto and Montréal, the two largest cities in Canada. Also within the global top 200 are the University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, University of Alberta, McMaster University,University of Waterloo, University of Calgary, Queen's University, and Western University.

Undergraduate degrees in Canada can take either three or four years to complete, depending on the university, while postgraduate degrees last between one and three years to complete depending on the type of degree. Different types of higher education providers in Canada include: community colleges, technical, applied arts schools or applied science schools (which grants certificates, diplomas, associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees), or universities (which carry out research and provide both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees).

As universities in Canada are managed by provincial governments, you’ll find there will be slight differences in how education is carried out. Quebec in particular is markedly different to the rest of Canada, with different term times and length of study (in secondary school students finish a year early and must take a mandatory pre-university ‘General and Vocational College’ (CEGEP) course, essentially eliminating the freshman first year of university). Checking with your chosen institutions for specific details.

Studying a master’s or PhD? To find out about studying in Canada at graduate level, get your free online copy of the QS Top Grad School Guide.