Culture, courses, people and places: studying abroad has a lot of advantages that will help you grow as a person. Discover 10 fantastic places to study in our guide.
It’s always a good time to think about studying abroad. Dust off the atlas, spin the globe, and find out what options you have to study for a semester, a year, or even your entire degree in another country.
- Studying abroad contributes to personal development and gives you new experiences and anecdotes for life.
- Among the top ten countries to study abroad are Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, France, South Africa, Austria, Japan, Australia, Spain and Argentina.
- These countries stand out for having high-quality educational institutions, cultural diversity and various financial support options for students.
Here are our top 10 places to study abroad, from Asia to South America.
1. Germany
Germany tops our list of countries to study in because it doesn’t charge tuition fees and because it has one of the best cities for partying (Berlin), cheap tickets to matches, two major academic and commercial centres (Munich and Frankfurt) and borders with nine other countries.
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If that wasn’t enough, at many German universities you’ll receive a Semesterticket , which allows you to use public transport for free, or at a great discount, within the federal state in which you study. What more could you want?
Key facts:
- Top universities: Technical University of Munich (50), University of Heidelberg (63), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (64)
- International students in Germany: 411,000
- Tuition fees: none! Tuition fees were abolished in 2014
- Average monthly rent: around €500-600 for a one-bedroom apartment, €290-350 for shared accommodation (slightly more in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt)
- Average monthly living costs: €750
2. Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the best places to study abroad in terms of academic reputation, but it doesn’t just have excellent universities.
The Alps cover about 58% of the country, so you can enjoy both a long ski season and great hiking trails here.
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Cities are expensive and you may need to save money , but it’s worth it: three Swiss cities (Zurich, Geneva, and Basel) are often ranked among the best places to live in the world.
Key facts:
- Top universities: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (8), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (14), University of Zurich (70)
- International students in Switzerland: 19,000
- Tuition fees per semester: none if you are on an exchange program; for “conventional” students they range from €900 to €1700 per year
- Average monthly rent: around €820-€1,800 for a one-bedroom apartment, €455-€820 for shared accommodation (slightly more in Zurich and Geneva)
- Average monthly living costs: around €1,000 per month
3. Italy
Amerigo Vespucci, Marco Polo, John Cabot, Christopher Columbus – these Italian explorers are known for discovering huge parts of the world.
Follow their example and get to know Italy from the Roman ruins to the elegance of Milan, the Florentine museums and much more. Of course, make sure you try all kinds of pizza while you travel!
If you’re interested in working in art history, fashion, design or archaeology, learning Italian could be a huge advantage.
Key facts:
- Top universities: Milan Polytechnic (142), University of Bologna (166), University of Rome La Sapienza (171)
- International students in Italy: 32,000
- Tuition fees per semester: €450-€2,000. These figures depend on your resources, so you pay more or less depending on how much your parents earn and your own financial stability.
- Average monthly rent: from €600 for a one-bedroom apartment, €250 for shared accommodation (slightly more in Venice and Rome )
- Average monthly living costs: around €500 per month
4. France
While food, transportation, and entertainment in France may be a bit more expensive than other places on this list, having a croissant for breakfast on a terrace overlooking the Seine is priceless.
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If you prefer an alternative to the capital, explore the winding streets of Marseille or visit the museums of Lyon . There are plenty of great options in France! And you won’t be alone: in France, 1 in 8 students are foreigners .
Key facts:
- Top universities: PSL University (44), Polytechnic Institute of Paris (49), Sorbonne University (72)
- International students in France: 358,000
- Tuition fees per semester: between 0 and 300 €, plus a modest contribution to the campus of 91 €
- Average monthly rent: around €400 for a one-bedroom apartment, €200 for shared accommodation (in Paris these prices double)
- Average monthly living costs: around €500-600
5. South Africa
Sometimes, getting off the beaten track has its advantages. With 700 public nature reserves, 19 national parks, huge biodiversity and three capital cities (Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein),
South Africa has a lot to offer international students. It also shares borders with six different countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique), making it an ideal base for exploring the southern part of the African continent.
Key facts:
- Top universities: University of Cape Town (226), University of Witwatersrand (424), University of Johannesburg (434)
- International students in South Africa: 45,000
- Tuition fees: €1,160-€3,500 per semester
- Average monthly rent: around €600 for a one-bedroom apartment, €800 for a medium-sized accommodation, €300-400 for a shared accommodation
- Average monthly living costs: around €515 per month
6. Austria
With the Alps on its doorstep, a culture that combines centuries of history with a modern spirit, and a prime location in the heart of Europe, Austria is an ideal destination for international students.
Relax in a café in Vienna, visit Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, attend the opera in Graz – the cultural activities are endless! This is probably one of the reasons why 1 in 4 students come from outside Austria (low or non-existent tuition fees also play a role).
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Austrian universities excel in international rankings, with five in the top 500 of the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
Key facts:
- Top universities: University of Vienna (151), Vienna University of Technology (180), Graz University of Technology (277)
- International students in Austria: 60,000, 26% of all students
- Tuition fees per semester: €0-363 for EU/EEA students, €727 for all others
- Average monthly rent: from €650 for a one-bedroom apartment, around €400 for shared accommodation
- Average monthly living costs: €550
7. Japan
With its neon lights and stunning scenery, Japan is one of the best places to study for many reasons. These include a centuries-old cultural heritage, diverse cuisine, high educational standards, as well as clean and safe public spaces. One downside: it’s expensive.
That may be why it has the fewest international students on this list, but there are plenty of Japanese scholarships that could help you cover the costs. Need another reason to study in Japan? According to Ethnologue: Languages of the World , only 1 million people speak Japanese as a second language.
If you use your stay to master the language at a conversational level, you’ll give your career prospects a huge boost.
Key facts:
- Top universities: University of Tokyo (23), Kyoto University (33), Tokyo Institute of Technology (56)
- International students in Japan: 2,800
- Tuition fees per semester: between €1,400 and €2,100 at a national university
- Average monthly rent: €1,700 in more rural areas and around €3,400 in Tokyo
- Average monthly living costs: from €900 per month
8. Australia
With the third-highest number of international students in the world, Australia has earned a spot on our list of the best places to study abroad thanks to its excellent academic institutions, stunning scenery, easy communication (the national language is English, after all), and multicultural society. Are you passionate about surfing?
Study in Sydney and you can head to Bondi Beach after class. Do you love indie music festivals? Then Perth is your best bet. Are you a fan of tropical climates and national parks? Look no further than Darwin!
The downside to studying in paradise? Tuition fees are among the highest in the world. Luckily, there are several scholarships that could help you cut costs.
Key facts:
- Top universities: Australian National University (27), University of Melbourne (37), University of Sydney (38)
- International students in Australia: 869,000
- Tuition fees per semester: €6,100
- Average monthly rent: €470-€1,070 for a one-bedroom apartment, €220-€540 for shared accommodation (slightly higher in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney)
- Average monthly living costs: between €660 and €950
9. United Kingdom
When you think of prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge probably spring to mind, but that’s not all! The UK has 8 institutions in the top 50 of the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
As well as an excellent academic reputation, the UK has plenty of other things going for it: multicultural London, Manchester’s vibrant music scene, Edinburgh’s history and the green landscapes of the Midlands.
A stint in the UK will undoubtedly give you that boost you need to master English. Unfortunately, it’s not all good news, as studying here is quite expensive…
Key facts:
- Top universities: University of Oxford (2), University of Cambridge (3), Imperial College London (6), University College London (8), University of Edinburgh (16)
- International students in the UK: 485,645
- Tuition fees: depend on the country. In England, around €35,000 per year (after Brexit, there are no longer benefits for EU students). In Scotland, it is cheaper.
- Average monthly rent: around €750 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and €350 for shared accommodation (in London these figures double)
- Average monthly living costs: approx. €1,000-1,500 per month
10. Argentina
Two reasons why Argentina is one of the best places to study abroad? Zero tuition fees and a high level of education. But that’s not all! Argentina combines the best of urban life and nature.
Visit one of Buenos Aires’ 100 movie theaters or party with activists and artists in the port city of Rosario. Head to the Patagonian steppe, hike through the Andes or relax on the coast.
Of course, take advantage of the opportunity to satisfy your palate with barbecue, yerba mate and empanadas of all kinds.
In Argentina there is something for everyone! After a few months you will surely return to Spain with an Argentine accent and address your friends as “vos”.
Key facts:
- Best universities: University of Buenos Aires (69), Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (322), University of Palermo (391)
- International students in Argentina: 50,000
- Tuition fees per semester: none, all public universities are free
- Average monthly rent: around €225 for a one-bedroom apartment, €100 for shared accommodation
- Average monthly living costs: €200 per month