Studying in Europe: a step-by-step guide
Quick answer: Pick your level, country and university first, then line up the entry requirements (school certificate or degree, language certificate), your budget and the visa. Costs vary enormously: most programmes at German public universities charge no tuition, while non-EU students in the Netherlands pay €13,500–25,800 a year.
This page is a roadmap for students and parents preparing for 2026/27 or 2027/28 intake. It shows which questions to settle and in what order, with a short note on each stage.
A seven-step roadmap
- Choose a level: bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate.
- Filter countries by budget: start with low-cost and tuition-free destinations.
- Decide on the language of study: English-taught options are not equally plentiful everywhere.
- Understand university types: research versus applied sciences, public versus private — explained in Universities in Europe.
- Get a language certificate.
- Apply with translated documents through national platforms (uni-assist, Studielink) or university portals.
- Arrange the visa and proof of funds once the offer letter arrives.
Tuition for non-EU students: examples
| Country | Example | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Public universities | No fee for most bachelor’s and master’s; semester contribution €70–430 |
| Austria | Public universities | €726.72 per semester |
| France | Public universities | Bachelor’s €2,902, master’s €3,950 a year |
| Netherlands | Erasmus, TU Delft | €13,500–25,800 a year |
| Poland | University of Warsaw | €4,300–4,900 a year |
| Hungary | Corvinus | Bachelor’s €7,000, master’s €7,000–12,000 a year |
| Finland | Non-EU students | €9,000–20,000 a year |
Source: daad.de, studyinaustria.at, campusfrance.org, eur.nl, tudelft.nl, uw.edu.pl, uni-corvinus.hu, studyinfinland.fi — checked 11/2026.
Proof of funds for the student visa
| Country | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Germany | €992 a month (since 1.1.2025; confirm the current figure with the embassy) |
| Netherlands | €1,130.77 a month (2026) |
| Poland | 1,010 zł a month after rent |
| Norway | NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27) |
Source: daad.de, ind.nl, mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl, studyinnorway.no — checked 11/2026.
You show these sums on a bank statement in the visa application, and they also make a realistic benchmark for your monthly budget.
Scholarships, timing and common mistakes
- Stipendium Hungaricum: full tuition waiver plus 43,700 HUF a month for bachelor’s and master’s students (2026/27 call).
- DSU (Italy): a regional, income-based grant.
- Erasmus Mundus: funding for joint master’s programmes.
- Azerbaijan’s State Programme: covers tuition and living costs at listed European universities.
Start 12–15 months ahead with a shortlist and language preparation; sit the exam and get translations and apostilles at 9–12 months; apply at 6–9 months; and leave the final 3–6 months for the offer, first payment, proof of funds and visa. The usual errors are forgetting the living-cost requirement, assuming a school certificate gives direct entry (Germany often requires a Studienkolleg), booking the language test too late and not checking how the diploma will be recognised in Azerbaijan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does studying in Europe cost?
It depends on country and programme: German public universities charge nothing for most courses, France asks €2,902 for a bachelor’s and the Netherlands starts above €13,500, plus the living funds required for the visa.
Which documents will I need?
A school certificate or degree, transcript, language certificate, passport and motivation letter; translation and an apostille may also be required.
Can I study in English?
Yes — the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and the Baltic states in particular offer many English-taught degrees.
Will a European degree be recognised in Azerbaijan?
Recognition follows the nostrification rules and depends on the university’s status, so verify it before you choose.
Plan it with us
Since 2018 EDDE Global has helped students choose a European country and programme, prepare documents and secure scholarships and visas. Book a free consultation.