Saving Money as a Member of the EU at University
Arrheniuslaboratoriet, Stockholms universitet Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It’s never ideal to spend too much money on school. Whilst the theory of ‘you pay more for the best’ rings true in many cases, in Europe you can get an excellent education for a price which may well be cheaper than your home country.
With the recent increases in cost of University in England and indeed the increased living costs, it’s no wonder more and more students are making their way to other places in the EU for school.
Many other European nations offer English taught courses for as little as €1000. Here is a list of revered universities which sit in idyllic cities with rich histories.
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a great place to visit and if you love nightlife and places with a plenty of culture and history then Amsterdam might be the place for you.
The university is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. Where you will find yourself spending a little bit more cash is on the cost of living. Much like living in any of Western Europe’s metropolis’s you will spend a vast portion of your disposable income on rent and depending on your tastes for going out, you could see these two factors contributing quite significantly to your monthly expenditure.
It is however really affordable and easy to get around via public transport (England could take a leaf out of the Netherlands’s book here) and many people in Amsterdam actually opt to cycle to work or to meet friends. Due to the layout of the city you will find that it doesn’t take too long to travel anywhere by tram or bike or even by foot if it’s a short commute. Amsterdam is home to an influential art scene which can be traced back to the likes of the famous painters such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
University of Stockholm
Whilst Stockholm is undoubtedly expensive, it is one of the most interesting cities in Scandinavia and a very popular tourist attraction, as well as a city where many people from this region of Europe migrate to. Countries such as Denmark and Sweden are lauded for their exceptional standards of living, which includes important things such as healthcare, low pollution, recycling and public transport.
Although people pay high taxes, salaries are commensurate for this in general and they offer many tax breaks which you wouldn’t get the benefit of in the UK. Secondly, the higher level education is also renowned and Stockholm University is one of the top universities in Europe. They have many courses which are taught in English and their courses are free for EU students and Swedish students.
The climate is cold in the winter, but they offer a lot of winter sports for when the snow falls. Their summers are perfect for people from the UK who can handle average temperatures of 20-24C. You’re also right on the waterfront and you can marvel at the prestige and beauty of famous buildings such as the Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum and the Royal Palace.
University of Helsinki
Over half the adult possess an undergraduate degree in Finland, a statistic bolstered by the esteem that the Finnish education system carries outside of its own borders. Finland is a great place to study for your master’s degree as there are 234 programs taught in English throughout the country.
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and therefore follows the curse of other major cities by possessing higher living costs than other smaller cities and towns. You will however be placed in one of the most scenic cities in northern Europe and it sits right on the coastline. Similar to the rest of Scandinavia the winters can be harsh and cold but the summers are pleasantly warm with wonderful breezes.
If you enjoy beautiful winter surroundings as opposed to slush and sleet then you will be right at home in Helsinki. Many universities in Finland don’t charge admission fees for undergraduate courses or masters. If you’ve come from the EU then you will receive the benefits of this pricing structure just like the Finnish students. Some standout landmarks to visit are the Ateneum Art museum, Esplanade Park, the Helsinki Zoo and Senate Square.
Adam Porteous is a social media executive for Stanton Fisher who has travelled, studied, lived and worked in the USA, UK and elsewhere. Stanton Fisher specialise in financial claims for consumers who have been mis-sold financial products such as PPI, Interest rate swaps and investments.
Category: Education
