Where is the best place to study in Europe? Free education at the best universities in the world is real

After graduating from school, many graduates think: “Should I go to study abroad?” And most of them stop as soon as they see the cost of training, which can vary from 10 to 30 thousand euros, which not everyone can afford. However, if you carefully analyze the available information, you can see free opportunities for studying abroad, which will be discussed in this article.

Deciding on the country

To get free education abroad, you must first decide on the country. This definition is necessary due to the fact that the standard period of study in Russia and the potential country of study may not coincide, or intermediate education is assumed between secondary and higher education. Thus, in Singapore, for those wishing to enter a university, there is preliminary training by taking special Foundation courses for 1-2 years at a high school or polytechnic institution in the chosen direction or specialty. In the USA, it is advisable to take Community College courses before entering a university in order to prepare for studying at a higher educational institution; here, the academic performance of applicants improves, which practically guarantees admission to the chosen educational institution.

Studying abroad after 11th grade is provided free of charge in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Finland, Australia and many others. You can also take academic courses here, although this is not required.

Opportunities for admission to a foreign university

The possibility of admission to a particular university is largely determined by the attitude of the applicant himself. If he set himself the goal of entering a foreign university long before graduating from school and purposefully worked towards this, the chances of admission are much higher compared to those who decided only in the 11th grade that they would continue their studies abroad. Those who speak a foreign language at a high level, have a TOEFL, IELTS or other language exam certificate, good academic performance, an appropriate letter of recommendation, who have decided on the state of study, and those who have the appropriate financial capabilities have a great chance. If you don’t have any of the above, but you have a strong desire to enter a foreign university, you need to study hard. In the absence of sources of financing, it is provided abroad free of charge.

States where you can get education for free or with partial payment

Absolutely free education has been proclaimed in Germany, Norway, and Finland. Where abroad for masters? Here the selection of countries is more representative. This includes Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as Spain and Italy. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that there are strict selections for free places, as in our country. In most cases, there are special programs available for degree seekers that can fully reimburse tuition and living expenses.

In Denmark, Holland, and Great Britain, it is quite difficult for a foreign student to get free education. There are colleges in the United States that can provide funding to successful applicants under the conditions listed above. If you have good language proficiency with appropriate confirmation of passing language exams, a high average score and the presence of recommendations, you can try to enroll in Harvard, Cornell, Stanford and some other universities that guarantee financial aid to students with a total family income of less than $60,000 per year (the so-called needy students). . In the UK, with excellent test results and the same diploma, you can receive partial compensation in the form of a scholarship at Cambridge and

In addition to taking into account academic performance, when entering universities, sports, creative achievements, and participation in volunteer programs are also taken into account. must be in a different field from the professional one.

Finding information about studying abroad

Free study abroad is expected under special educational programs, which can be found on the websites of the relevant foundations, organizations administering educational programs, on the websites and portals of the relevant universities where the applicant aims to enroll (here you can also find information about grants), on the official website of the Ministry of Education It is possible that within your school or university similar information is posted on bulletin boards. Most foreign universities on their official websites have a Scholarships or other similar section (financial student services, etc.), which contains information about the possibility of reimbursement of tuition costs.

How to get to study abroad for free? First of all, it is necessary to consider the relevant educational programs.

The most famous programs for free study abroad with scholarships are Erasmus Mundus, Irex, DAAD, Fulbright, Chevening. They provide for participation in the competition once a year. Details of some programs are given below.

Fulbright program

This program provides grants to students from Russia, degree seekers, scientists and teachers. Grants can be one-year for conducting scientific work and searching for information within universities and archives, or two-year - providing the opportunity to study in a master's program to obtain an MA degree. Payment for travel, insurance (partially) and payment of a monthly stipend is provided by funds from the US State Department. The decision about the place of study of the applicant is made without his participation, although he can express his wishes. Training is provided in a variety of specialties.

BGF, France

Under this program you can get free language training abroad (in France), get a master's degree, as well as a PhD degree. The French government pays for the visa, insurance, training and consultations from the embassy. Persons who choose this program are provided with places in dormitories and are paid a monthly allowance. Training is provided in all specialties with preference for scientific, technical and engineering fields. There are some restrictions on this program. Thus, the age of the students must be under 35 years old, excellent command of the French (or English) language, previously the person applying for participation in the program should not have received scholarships from the French government, with the exception of language internships, must have a document of higher education .

DAAD

This is the German Academic Exchange Service. Here, scholarships are paid for introductory courses (a grant is not paid), short language courses (a grant is not paid), internships for masters and PhD candidates. For the last two purposes, a grant is provided and covers all major expenses, including travel. Here they provide training in natural sciences, technical, creative and humanitarian areas.

Erasmus Mundus

This is a European student exchange program for bachelors, masters, graduate students, and teachers. It involves semester-long training in new countries. The admission limit for master's programs is 2 people from one country. The scholarship covers part or all of accommodation, air travel, insurance and tuition. Training is provided in any specialty. However, to participate in the program you need a bachelor's degree, good results from previous studies, and a certificate of passing a language exam with a sufficient level.

Irex

This is not a program, but a non-profit organization that implements a number of student exchange programs: Educational program for Russian economists named after. E. Gaidara, Global UGRAD, Teaching Excellence Program (TEA), Individual Research Program for American Scholars (IARO), E. Muskie scholarship. These programs are fully funded. After completing their studies, the graduate must return to their home country. According to the Global UGRAD program, a student must complete at least one semester at his home university before graduation. This program provides free study abroad for Russians. Depending on the program, a higher education diploma or study is required. The applicant must be over 18 years of age and be able to communicate fluently in English.

The Endeavor Awards

This is an Australian government program. It is intended to reward students and researchers from any country in the world for good achievements in their studies and scientific activities. If the applicant has not started national higher education, then he can apply for admission to undergraduate studies. The program is practice-oriented. Its duration is 4-28 months. A scholarship is provided to cover all costs.

Chevening

This program is designed for individuals with a strong academic background. The scholarship is paid by the UK government at the expense of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and partner organizations. The program trains masters in one year. Upon completion of training, the person must return to his home country for at least 2 years. A person applying for participation in the program must have an academic degree at least equivalent to a UK upper-second class honors degree (2:1), a minimum of two years of work experience, which may include voluntary work and internships, be fluent in English, apply for three different courses of study and receive confirmation for at least one of them. This program provides free study abroad for Belarusians.

Global Education Program (Russia)

The Russian Federation has its own program, according to which every bachelor can receive free education abroad. For Russians, it is necessary to select a foreign university from the list provided, establish contact with representatives of this university, complete tests and send documents. After passing the selection process, an invitation to the program will be sent. The Global Education Commission will review the candidates and select the best. The ranking of universities participating in this program is extremely high. The vast majority of them are included in the Top 100 of the Academic Ranking of World Universities. After completing your education, you must return to Russia and work in your specialty for at least three years. Where is free study abroad for this program? The range of countries is wide: USA, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, China, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan. Specialists are trained at Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and other universities. The graduate receives a guarantee of employment in Russia for three years, which, coupled with the education received, will serve as a good impetus for his professional career. However, this program will stop recruiting participants in 2017.

Required language for studying abroad

Abroad, free education in English may not be provided for all undergraduate programs, but for most master's, postgraduate programs, and research training programs, English can be used for students and listeners of foreign universities. Free study abroad in English is provided for undergraduate and graduate programs in seven countries.

From preparation and submission of documents to interviews

The main documents required to participate in the grant competition are listed above. You need to carefully read the order of documents on the websites of the relevant programs, since an interview may not be conducted, and selection is carried out only on the basis of the submitted documents. Among other things, you need to compose a motivation letter, which should differ from the standard one and interest the organizers.

The last stage is an interview or interview, which is mainly conducted by large grant organizers. Here you need to reveal yourself from an advantageous position.

Finally

Thus, free study abroad can potentially be obtained by any persistent candidate. But it must be taken into account that it is very difficult to get a scholarship or win a grant for the entire duration of your studies. Competition for these types of incentives ranges from 40 to 60 people per place. Admission with a Russian certificate is not provided everywhere; transferring from a domestic university to a foreign one without losing years is almost impossible. The basis is the correct preparation and submission of documents; it is also important to present yourself correctly during the interview.

The quality of education received while still a student is, in fact, a marker of the quality of future life, and studying abroad adds to professional knowledge an impressive cultural background and excellent knowledge of several foreign languages. Studying abroad is not just a claim to high status or a desire for a prestigious specialty - it is an investment in your own future, justified and competent.

Studying abroad for Russian students usually comes down to taking into account the following indicators:

• Quality of education and diploma status;
• The need to speak a foreign language;
• Cost of studying and living in the country;
• Distance from home.

These indicators are different for different parts of the world.

European countries have some of the highest quality of education and living standards. Studying abroad for Russian students who want to enroll in universities in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic involves bonuses - they do not need to know the language of the country in which they will study. In most cases, teaching is conducted in English, sometimes even in Russian, and for admission to many state universities you need to take a short 100-hour language course on site. Italy offers preferential programs, and France and Britain, although they require a language test and entrance exams, do not require a lot of bureaucratic procedures to be completed on site. Most of Europe is bound by the Schengen Agreement, which means that by studying, for example, in Poland or Spain, you can travel around the whole of Europe. There are no borders for sightseeing, travel and friendly contacts, and you will not need to obtain an additional visa. The flight from Munich to Moscow takes only a few hours - which means your family will be within easy reach.

Studying in America and Canada is a great chance not only to get a good specialty, but also to improve your level of English. The main areas that Russian students prefer to choose in these countries are biophysics, astronautics, computer science, electronics, culture and law. Upon admission to an American or Canadian university, an applicant automatically receives the right to work in the country, which can help those who set similar goals to gain a foothold abroad. And extra income won’t hurt anyone. Numerous programs (such as Work&Travel and others) allow you to live in the country for a relatively short time before entering a university and decide whether the local environment is suitable for further professional development.

The Asian, eastern direction has always been not as popular as the western one, but in recent years the resulting “skew” has begun to level out. Studying in China and Japan primarily attracts those who see their future in working with electronics, technology, and industry. This direction is also popular among all lovers of oriental culture. Often educational programs for Russians are aimed at deepening knowledge in the field of language and Eastern culture, which is very popular in our country. We can safely say that such specialists will be the most in demand in the future - after all, the eastern vector of Russia’s development involves increased cooperation with Asian countries. This means that we will need specialists who can ensure this communication.

Educational programs in South America are not as rich as European ones: local universities do not yet fully reach the world level. But there are exceptions: universities in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais are considered among the most prestigious in the world. Private education is well developed in South American countries, with a number of private Catholic universities especially notable. Foreign students who come to study at universities in South America, as a rule, choose areas related to technology. Life here is very unique, but undoubtedly interesting, and the warm climate, exotic nature and abundance of attractions will provide interesting leisure time.

How to choose?

In an effort to study abroad, an applicant, as a rule, begins to dream of a specific country - this is the main mistake. Still, we are talking about education, choosing a specialty, that is, the foundation of life. So you need to choose a place where this education is of the highest quality, where there is (and is taught at a high level!) the specialty of your dreams. If it’s in Milan, then it’s worth going to Milan; in Paris means Paris. Well, if you have dreamed all your life of moving to the UK, where this niche is not developed, well, perhaps you will move someday - when the opportunity arises.

Not everywhere there is a quota for foreign students, and not all universities have a liberal attitude towards language knowledge. Therefore, if you have problems in one of these areas, you should clarify whether you will be able to study in your chosen field and what status your diploma will have.

Underwater rocks

Not all aspects of life while studying abroad represent some semblance of earthly paradise. The following problems may arise:

• Social adaptation - the formation of a new social circle.
• The need to change your lifestyle, nutrition, behavior.
• Bureaucratic difficulties.
• Medical service.

What's the plus?

Despite all the shortcomings, education abroad can provide enormous benefits. The advantages of such study include the following points:

• Prestigious specialty and international class diploma.
• Possibility of travel.
• The opportunity for internships and work abroad, to which, after graduation, the right to work in the country will be added.
• Acquisition of extensive cultural baggage.
• Excellent knowledge of foreign languages.

Education abroad is a great way to broaden your horizons, reach a new level, and become a citizen of the world.

“To study for free somewhere in Germany or Italy, you need a lot of money,” many Russians think. Fortunately, this opinion is wrong. But then a new question arises - under what conditions can European education be available to an ordinary Russian?

Countries that provide free education opportunities for Russians

Perhaps the most important thing will be to find an institution that operates on public programs. There are many universities of this type in Europe. Education can be obtained without paying for it in certain regions of Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Austria. When choosing countries, do not forget to estimate how much it costs there. In some of them, for example, in Norway, living is quite expensive. There is an interesting paradox: in some European Union countries, young people do not strive to get a “higher education”. Accordingly, the competition may not be too tough. In the East, this is exactly what happens - in the circles of young people, high school is not considered prestigious. So Universities have to lure students with preferential conditions. Well, are you happy? Now let's move on to the restrictions.

The roads are open to many universities, it is only important to make your choice

Requirements for applicants abroad: how to apply for study after graduating from any class

The most important condition almost everywhere is a foreign language at a high level. You will be forced to take the exam directly at the university or (less often) in Russia. You need high scores. You still won’t be accepted into prestigious universities “for your beautiful eyes.” You will have to fight in the exam not only with the residents of that country, but also with the ubiquitous Chinese, for example, who learn all the tickets by heart. Are you ready for such competition?

Study, study and study

But, on the other hand, some of Fortune’s favorites are lucky even with, in general, average potential... If you are going to enroll in a master’s program, then you should already have several years of higher education in Russia under your belt. The number of semesters varies depending on the institution. Another important point. Alas, it concerns the notorious money. Tuition may be free, but some universities will not accept you unless you confirm that you receive between 600 and 1000 dollars or euros into your account every month. The check is carried out so that the university is confident in your ability to pay for housing, books, and food. If this money is not available, then a guarantee from a citizen of the country in which you want to study will help. You will have to spend a little during the admission process. Typically, when enrolling in a European university, a prospective student is charged a one-time fee, from 500 to 1,500 dollars or euros. From it you can pay for literature, a transport pass (public transport abroad is not cheap) and other purposes.

In the future, if you enroll and study well, you may receive a scholarship (scholarship). In some establishments they are sufficient to cover many living expenses. Sometimes, even if you enroll in a paid program, you can completely cover the costs of your studies. If you already have a potential employer abroad and he is willing to finance your studies, this again gives you many opportunities. However, as experience shows, this does not happen often. In any case, a strong desire, perseverance, an unbending will and a positive attitude towards life will help you on your path forward. Remember, the one who walks will master the road!

It’s better to go to Harvard, the oldest university in the United States, which has produced over 40 Nobel laureates and is a clear leader in the rankings. In second place is the University of Massachusetts, another American university that has taken leadership in the field of exact sciences and graduated more than 80 Nobel laureates. A good option is Cambridge. This is the best university in Europe, from which 88 Nobel Prize winners have emerged.

If you are ready to enter the best universities on the planet, go for it. But if you decide to be a little more modest and want to look at all the options, they will be waiting for you further.

How to go to study abroad

To enroll in a foreign university, you will need money, completed primary, secondary or higher education and knowledge of the language. Language skills are confirmed by passing tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Availability of money – bank statements. Education – diplomas and certificates. You will have to collect an impressive package of documents, a significant amount of money and be prepared for numerous tests, namely exams, paperwork and the fight for scholarships. Ready? Then let's go.

Deciding on the position

First of all, choose the country in which you would like to receive education. Naturally, you must know the language at at least an intermediate level - you will have to take tests at the stage of obtaining a study visa. Next, choose the education you need to get in your home country. You can enroll in a foreign university for undergraduate and graduate programs (if you do not take into account special options).

Scholarships and grants are more readily available to applicants for master's programs. To enroll, you must complete a bachelor's degree program at one of the Russian universities.

It is possible to receive a grant or scholarship to study a bachelor's degree program abroad, but most of them will not cover even half of the cost of study. Another option is to continue the research activities of masters. In this case, you can become a participant in a PhD program and receive a scientific degree abroad.

Next, you need to decide on financing. Even if you receive a grant or qualify for a free program, you will still need money at the visa stage. The visa is issued for a year with the condition that you will have an amount sufficient to meet your needs for the entire period. Usually it exceeds 400,000 rubles. If education is paid, then it costs on average at least $5,000 per semester.

We are looking for a program

To understand how to enroll abroad, you need to check yourself for compliance with the requirements of educational programs and scholarships provided. The scholarship programs Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, Chevening and Irex are most popular among students from Russia. Where to find options:

• Official web resources of scholarship program funds.
• Websites of universities and their individual faculties.
• Universal web services for searching educational programs abroad.

Be careful and be sure to read the terms and conditions of scholarships. It is no secret that most students go to study abroad in the hope of staying there to work and live. In this case, it is important to choose the appropriate program. For example, the Chevening scholarship does not allow emigration. One of the mandatory conditions for its provision is the student’s return to their homeland after completing their studies.

Once you have selected the optimal programs, check yourself to see if you meet their requirements. In many cases, it is necessary to have not only basic education, but also achievements in professional activities, cultural and social life.

Also pay attention to programs that allow you to continue your research in the country of your choice, and to PhD programs whose goal is to obtain a scientific degree.

We prepare documents and undergo interviews

Preparation of documents is important not only at the stage of obtaining a study visa, but also at the stage of receiving a grant, scholarship and invitation to an educational program. Most often you need to provide:

• Diploma with certified translation.
• Identity documents.
• Certificates of passing language tests.

You may also need a motivation letter (in which you talk about your motivation to study in this particular country and at this particular university), dissertations, scientific publications, letters of recommendation and much more - the list must be clarified in advance. The easiest way is to use the services of companies that provide students with assistance in enrolling in foreign universities. They take care of most of the paperwork, check the correctness of documents, and select the optimal educational programs. Doing all this on your own is incredibly difficult.

The final stage will be an interview, during which a decision will be made on whether to provide you with a training grant. As part of the interview, you must demonstrate that you meet the program requirements and that you are genuinely interested in pursuing your education. Prepare to talk about yourself, your previous training, work and scientific activities. Be sincere and interested, let your interlocutors understand that you really want to learn and that you can cope with your obligations.

Where to study abroad

We have selected the most popular destinations among students from Russia. These are the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany and France. We also selected the TOP 5 most popular universities among Russian applicants in each country.

The key reasons for their popularity are the availability of free educational programs, the ability to cover training costs, the quality of education and the comfort of students.

But we recommend that you do not limit yourself to the lists - go to the websites of universities in the selected country and see the information prepared for applicants. You may find the ideal program not only at the suggested universities, but also at other educational institutions. Therefore, lists can set the vector for thinking about choosing a university, but should not become frames or other restrictions.

Study in the USA

Higher education in the US is incredibly strong. American universities annually occupy half of the places in the top 20 universities on the planet. The downside is that almost all higher education in the United States is paid. Plus, you can receive a grant, scholarship, or take part in a research program related to obtaining a scientific degree. The easiest way to enroll is in a master's program - a maximum of educational programs are offered here.

The most popular US universities among Russians are:

• University of California, Los Angeles.
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• New York University.
• Purdue University West Lafayette.
• Columbia University.

Study in Canada

Be prepared for the fact that training will be paid, as in the USA. At the same time, you will also be able to receive scholarships, grants, and partially or completely (rarely) cover the costs of your education. Practice shows that Canada is most often chosen for research programs. It is somewhat easier to get here than in the States. In addition, there are 2 official languages ​​- English and French. TOP 5 most popular universities in Canada among Russians:

• McGill University in Montreal.
• University of Toronto.
• University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
• University of Alberta in Edmonton.
• University of Waterloo.

Study in the UK

Where to study abroad if not to the homeland of the famous Cambridge University. The most powerful British educational traditions are an indicator of the quality of undergraduate and graduate programs being implemented. This is a classic of European education. The cost of a semester is from 10,000 pounds, which is higher than the average in the USA and Canada. Education is paid, but there are free programs, grants, and scholarships. Another difficulty with obtaining a visa is that not everyone is given it. The most popular UK universities among Russians:

• Imperial College London.
• University College London.
• London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Edinburgh University.
• King's College London.

Study in Germany

For a long time, education in Germany was 100% free. However, today almost all universities are switching to a paid basis, and the amount is relatively small - about 500 euros per semester. It includes a travel ticket for the entire period of study, meals, dormitory accommodation and much more. There are usually no problems with obtaining a visa, but only if you do not break any laws and know German. Only some universities accept students who speak only English. Where is the best place to study:

• University of Freiburg.
• University of Berlin Humboldt.
• Technical University of Munich.
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
• Heidelberg University.

Study in France

In France, higher education is free, but students are still required to pay a certain amount. These are contributions for travel, food, hostel and numerous services. Otherwise, you do not need to pay tuition.

Applying for a student visa will require an impressive amount of money - usually at least 350 thousand rubles, which should cover the student’s expenses, since the visa is issued for a year. The most popular universities in France among Russian applicants:

• Sorbonne.
• University of Nantes.
• University of Strasbourg.
• University of Toulouse.
• University of Grenoble.

Experience of foreign university students from Russia

You may be surprised, but not all of them are excellent in education. Of course, when making a decision on issuing a grant, the commission takes into account the average score of the diploma grades. But this factor is not decisive. Moreover, enrolling in an educational institution abroad means being ready to make decisions, in particular, regarding the construction of an educational program. In most universities in the USA and Canada, for example, no one will force you to attend lectures on non-core subjects or even pass standards, for example, in physical education.

Sharing their experience, most students talk about the purposefulness of admission. They always dreamed of getting an education abroad and have strived for this since school. However, at least 20% of respondents talk about the spontaneity of admission - they simply learned about grants and programs, and then decided to try. And they succeeded. When choosing where to study abroad, they considered not only the ranking indicators of the university, but also its programs for foreign students. Moreover, the first choice was not the college, but the program or scholarship. And only then the educational institution.

Conclusion: it is not the gods who burn the pots. Most bachelors from Russian universities can enroll in a foreign college. Of course, if you have knowledge, motivation and money.

Therefore, it’s worth a try - at least look at grants and scholarships. There is a good chance that you will meet the selection criteria for one of them.

How to apply abroad: where is the best place to study abroad?