Are you a Canadian student looking to advance your studies abroad in Europe? Use this guide to kickstart your adventurous life as an international student.
If you're Canadian and planning to study in Europe, it's essential to realize the experience comes in many different flavors. The continent of Europe serves up an eclectic mix of history, rich culture, lifestyles, languages, study options, vibes and more.
You have over 40 countries to choose from, so it's safe to say Europe is your oyster. That said, information about studying in Europe as a Canadian is generally generic unless you already have a chosen country and university. Still, browsing this guide is a practical first step that will point you in the right direction.
The average tuition fees in Europe can be 5000 - 25,000 EUR/year ¹, while average living costs can go up to 10,000 EUR/year² depending on who you ask. As a non-EU citizen, you can expect to pay more than EU citizens.
In a nutshell, European universities base their calculations on whether you're an EU national, your level of study (Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D.), program type and duration and type of higher education institution (private or public).
Once you have found your country of interest, you can deepen your research and learn more about the cost of specific programs and how it varies from institution to institution.
Don't forget to calculate the cost of living, which often includes:
Truth be told, you can't generalize the overall cost of being a European international student. Ultimately, the most accurate answer depends on where you end up and your choices. The internet is an excellent resource for conducting a more personalized cost-benefit analysis.
There are a host of reasons why more Canadians should study in Europe:
More reasons to study in Europe include student benefits (cheap insurance, free local transport, student discounts, etc.), premium job opportunities and salaries, no IELTS requirements and more.
Here's a glance at some of the best places to study based on select criteria.
The question of which European place, city or country is the best to study is staggeringly broad. Again, it largely depends on your unique circumstances. After all, what's best for someone isn't necessarily best for you.
Consider the program you want to study, your ability to meet the admission requirements, your second language skills and your budget.
Climate, job market and politics also factor into the equation.
For many countries, the application process is relatively straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide you can follow:
Make the most of your European experience with these life hacks.
Gaining entry to a European university as a Canadian student comes with certain obligations, such as paying your tuition fees. That brings its own headaches of dealing with currency exchange and bank transfer fees.
Online payments are your best friend if you want to pay fees and cover expenses the easy way.
Bank transfers are expensive due to non-competitive exchange rates and high fees, while cash is a last-resort option if you want to avoid carrying around large sums of money.
With an MTFX secure online account, you can make money transfers from Canada to Europe anytime, anywhere. In addition, the live rate calculator allows you to check the CAD/EUR exchange rate, which is typically 3-5% lower than what you get at the banks.
You can't beat saving over $1,000 per $30,000 transferred while enjoying more reliability and convenience.
You may not speak the language of the locals, but learning the lingo is necessary if you want to gel with the native community. The easiest way to learn a new language is to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and scene.
You'll be spending several years studying in one place, so be sure to pick somewhere with a student life that resonates with you. Studying in Europe should be fun. The best student life provides opportunities for personal growth and allows you to thrive socially. It's worthwhile to look at student life in particular countries and universities to find options that suit your personality and interests.
You may not have as many options when looking for English language courses. There are also different sets of tuition fees for non-EU citizens (you often have to pay more).
There are many international scholarship opportunities⁴ for Canadians to explore. This helps you avoid paying more tuition even if you're not an EU citizen.
Yes. The only occasion you might not need a visa is if you're traveling to the Schengen area for not more than 90 days. As a non-EU citizen planning to study in Europe for a long time, you need to apply for a visa at the high commission or embassy of your destination country.
General requirements include an offer of admission, proof of finances, proof of accommodation and paid health insurance.
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