When deciding which country would be a good fit, it’s a good idea to consider factors such as the cost of living, availability of courses in English, opportunities for part-time work and options to remain once you have completed your studies.
Many European universities are ranked as among the best in the world, yet tuition fees are lower when compared to North America and Australia.
Studying in Ireland
Even though South Africans now require a visa to study in Ireland, we expect Ireland to remain a popular choice for South African students. English is widely spoken in Ireland and courses at universities are conducted in English making it easy for South African students to adapt.
In 2022/23, there were 35,140 international students enrolled in Irish universities. Popular courses are computer science, engineering, business administration, finance, health and medicine.
See also: South African students now need visa to study in Ireland
Cost
Tuition costs vary depending on the institution, course and level of study. The annual average cost of undergraduate courses ranges from €18,000 – €30,000 at public universities, €12,000 – €14,000 at private colleges and from €10,000 – €12,500 at Institutes of Technology.
Cost of living
Between €1,240 – €2,303 a month for rent, food and other living expenses, depending on where you live and how much you spend. Cities like Dublin can be more expensive.
Work while studying
Students enrolled in a full-time course and with an Irish Residence Permit card can work up to 20 hours per week. During the summer and winter college holidays, this goes up to 40 hours.
Stay-back options
The Third Level Graduate Scheme allows international students to stay in Ireland after completing their degree for up to two years to find a job.
Studying in The Netherlands
Studying in the Netherlands is affordable for international students and offers a wide range of degrees taught in English.
There were 122,287 international degree students studying at state-funded institutions of higher education in the country in the academic year 2022/23 representing 15% of the total student population.
Cost
Universities are divided into research universities and universities of applied sciences. The latter is more affordable for international students. The average tuition fee for bachelor’s programmes is between €9,000 – €20,000 per year, and for a master’s programme between €12,000 – €30,000.
Cost of living
This can vary depending on the city and your lifestyle but on average, you will need around €800 – €1,200 per month for accommodation, food, transport and personal expenses.
Work while studying
Non-EU/EEA students can work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year or full-time during the summer months (June, July and August). A work permit is required which must be obtained from your employer.
Stay-back options
Once you have graduated, you can apply for a post-study work visa, also known as an Orientation Year residence permit, which lasts one year. It allows international students to find jobs in the Netherlands or start a business. Once you have found a job, you can apply for a residence permit that enables you to work and can lead to permanent residency. If you secure an in-demand job that meets the EU Blue Card requirements you will be able to live and work in the Netherlands.
Studying in Germany
Germany is home to some of the world’s top-ranked universities, with a strong focus on research and innovation.
Many German universities offer programmes in English. Courses in engineering, business, computer science and medicine are top choices for international students in Germany.
The number of international students in Germany was 458,210 students as of the 2022/2023 academic year.
Cost
Private universities charge an average of €10,000 – €15,000 per year. Most public universities in Germany are financed by the state and free for international students who only pay annual fees of around €200 – €700.
Cost of living
Between €800 – €1,200 a month for accommodation, food, transport and other personal costs. This can vary depending on where you live but is lower than in many European countries.
Work while studying
Non-EU students can work for 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a separate work permit. During semester breaks you can work full-time.
Stay-back options
Once you have graduated from a German university, you can apply for an 18-month residence permit while you look for work. Once you secure a job you can apply for a German Work visa or an EU Blue Card which can lead to permanent residency.
Studying in Spain
Spanish universities offer a wide variety of courses in English, from business, humanities and the arts to science and engineering.
Spain offers more affordable tuition fees, especially in public universities compared to other Western European and North American countries. There were 224,080 international students enrolled in Spanish universities in the 2021/22 academic year.
Cost
Tuition fees for bachelor’s programmes range from €750 – €2,500 per year and for master’s programmes between €1,000 – €3,500 per year. Private universities are more expensive, as are some specialised programmes.
Cost of living
Ranges from €700 – €1,300 per month which includes accommodation, food transportation, health insurance, study materials and personal expenses.
Work while studying
International students can work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during the holidays until their student visa expires. You will need a work permit, which your employer will need to apply for.
Stay-back options
Once you have graduated, you can apply for a one-year job search visa to look for employment. If you receive a job offer, you can apply for a High-Skilled Professional Visa. Other options are the EU Blue Card which allows you to move between different EU countries, or a Freelance Work or Self-Employment Visa. After staying in Spain for at least five years, you may be eligible for a permanent residency.
Studying in France
France doesn’t have English universities, but many institutions offer programmes taught in English.
The number of international students studying in France exceeded 412,000 in the 2022/23 academic year.
Public universities are subsidised by the French government, making studies more affordable.
Cost
Tuition for non-EU students is €2,850 per year at the bachelor level and €3,879 per year at the master level. At private universities, tuition ranges from €3,000 – €20,000 for bachelor’s programmes and €1,500 – €35,000 for a master’s programme depending on the institution and course.
Cost of living
Ranges from €650 – €1,400 to cover food, transport and housing expenses. This can vary. If you live in Paris, monthly living expenses are likely to range from €1,200 – €1,800 per month.
Work while studying
Students can work up to 964 hours per year which is around 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the holiday if you have a valid student residence permit.
Stay-back options
After completing their studies, students can apply for a Temporary Residence Permit which allows you to stay for 12 months to look for a job or start a business. If you do start working or start a business during this time, you can apply for a work permit or entrepreneur visa which can provide a pathway to staying in France long-term. If you secure an in-demand job you can apply for an EU Blue Card which can lead to permanent residency.
Studying in Hungary
Hungary’s significantly lower tuition fees and living expenses make it appealing for international students. The country attracts around 30,000 international students a year.
Hungary has become a popular destination for medical students and offers internationally recognised English-taught medical programmes.
Cost
Most courses vary from €2,500 – €5,000 per year. Studying medicine, dentistry or engineering can range from €16, 500 – €19,200.
Cost of living
Ranges from €500 – €700 which includes accommodation, transportation, food and personal expenses.
Work while studying
Students holding a residence permit for studies can work for a maximum of 24 hours per week and full-time during the holidays.
Stay-back options
After graduating, you can apply for a study-to-work permit which is valid for nine months while you are looking for work. This can be changed into a residence permit after you have found a job. For those who secure an in-demand job, you can apply for an EU Blue Card which can lead to permanent residency.
If you are keen to study in Europe then Sable International’s study abroad consultants will be happy to chat to you about your options. We have 65 European partners and our study advisers are qualified to help you with applying to various programmes and will assist you along the journey.
For more information about where to study in Europe get in touch with us at study@sableinternational.com or call us on +27 21 657 1543
