English-Taught Universities in Europe: Complete Guide for International Students [2025]

English-Taught Universities in Europe

Europe has emerged as a premier destination for international students seeking quality education in English. With over 70,000 English-taught degree programs available across the continent, European universities offer exceptional opportunities for students worldwide. This comprehensive guide explores the best, cheapest, and most accessible English-taught universities in Europe for students internationally.

What Universities in Europe Teach in English?

The landscape of English-taught education in Europe is vast and diverse, with universities across multiple countries offering programs specifically designed for international students. From the prestigious institutions of the United Kingdom to the innovative universities of Germany and the Netherlands, Europe provides extensive options for English-speaking students.

Which Universities in Europe Teach in English?

European universities have recognized the growing demand for English-medium education and have responded by developing comprehensive programs taught entirely in English. Countries such as Germany, Norway, and Finland offer various English-taught programs at their universities, making quality education accessible to international students.

Top English Universities in Europe

United Kingdom: World-Class English Education

The United Kingdom remains the gold standard for English-taught education in Europe, hosting some of the world’s most prestigious institutions.

Imperial College London

consistently ranks among the top universities globally, focusing exclusively on science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business. With 48% international undergraduate students, Imperial offers a truly global educational experience.

University of Oxford and University of Cambridge

continue to dominate international rankings, offering exceptional programs across humanities, sciences, and professional fields. These institutions represent the pinnacle of English-taught education in Europe.

University College London

 UCL provides over 400 undergraduate and graduate programs, making it one of the most comprehensive English-taught universities in Europe.

Other notable institutions include:

The Netherlands: Pioneer in English-Medium Education

The Netherlands stands out as a leader in English-taught education, offering over 2,000 English-taught programs at bachelor’s and master’s levels. Dutch universities were among the first non-English speaking institutions to embrace English-medium instruction.

University of Amsterdam ranks 55th globally and offers numerous English-taught programs across various disciplines.

Delft University of Technology (ranked 49th globally) excels in engineering and technology programs.

Other top Dutch institutions include:

  • Utrecht University
  • Leiden University
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Maastricht University
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Germany: Excellence in English-Taught Programs

Germany has dramatically expanded its English-taught degree offerings, particularly at the master’s level. With over 240 universities offering 3,146 English-language bachelor’s and master’s programs, Germany provides extensive opportunities for international students.


Technical University of Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich lead in offering high-quality English-taught programs. The Free University of Berlin provides excellent programs while maintaining affordability for international student in Europe.

Also Read: How to Study in Germany for Free in 2025?

Best English Universities in Europe

Based on comprehensive rankings and international recognition, the best English universities in Europe include:

  1. University of Oxford
  2. University of Cambridge
  3. Imperial College London
  4. ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
  5. University College London
  6. Technical University of Munich
  7. University of Edinburgh
  8. University of Amsterdam
  9. Delft University of Technology
  10. Leiden University

Cheap English Universities in Europe

Free English Universities in Europe

Several European countries offer tuition-free education to international students, making them among the cheapest English universities in Europe.

Germany leads in providing free English-taught education at public universities. The Free University of Berlin charges no tuition fees, requiring only minimal administrative costs. University of Göttingen charges approximately €300 per semester while offering excellent English-taught programs.

Norway provides completely free education regardless of nationality, with institutions like the University of Oslo and Norwegian University of Science and Technology offering world-class English-taught programs.

English Taught Cheapest Universities in Europe for International Students

For students seeking affordable English-taught education, several European countries offer exceptional value : 

Austria: 

The University of Vienna charges approximately €730 per semester for non-EU students while offering nearly 200 programs, many taught in English.

France:

 University of Paris-Sud (now part of Paris-Saclay University) charges only €170 per semester, making it one of the cheapest English universities in Europe.

Italy:

Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa offers completely free education to admitted students, covering both tuition and living expenses.

Poland:

Universities like Jagiellonian University offer competitive tuition fees around €2,000-€4,000 per year with numerous English-taught programs.

English Universities in Europe for International Students

Northern European Excellence

Finland offers over 135 English-taught bachelor’s programs and 385 master’s programs across 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences. Top institutions include:

  • University of Helsinki
  • Aalto University
  • University of Turku
  • Tampere University

Sweden provides excellent English-taught programs at universities like the University of Copenhagen and Technical University of Denmark, though tuition fees apply to non-EU students.

Western European Opportunities

France hosts over 1,100 English-taught study programs, with most degrees available at the master’s level. Leading institutions include:

  • HEC Paris
  • Université de Lyon
  • KEDGE Business School
  • Institut Polytechnique de Paris

Switzerland offers premium English-taught education at ETH Zurich and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, consistently ranking among Europe’s top institutions.

Southern European Options

Malta provides English-taught education in a Mediterranean setting, with institutions like University of Malta offering programs in the British educational model. The country’s English-speaking environment makes it particularly attractive for international students.

Ireland combines English-language instruction with EU membership benefits, featuring universities like:

  • Trinity College Dublin
  • University College Dublin
  • University of Galway

Cheapest English Universities in Europe

The most affordable English universities in Europe offer exceptional value for international students:

UniversityCountryAnnual Tuition Fee
Free University of BerlinGermany€0
Scuola Normale SuperioreItaly€0
University of GöttingenGermany€300
University of AthensGreece€400
University of ViennaAustria€730
University of Paris-SudFrance€170
Jagiellonian UniversityPoland€2000
University of PortoPortugal€1500

These institutions demonstrate that quality English-taught education in Europe can be both accessible and affordable for international students.


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