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Higher education abroad

This content has been reviewed and approved by Professor Shitij Kapur.

In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources:
 

  • https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_Process
Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
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Nowadays, higher education abroad for many international students is the key to a successful career, a high position in society and a decent salary. Moreover, the number of programs in English at universities has increased by 22% over the past three years — there are more than 40 thousand English-language programs in various universities around the world. SMAPSE offers more than 100 of the best universities and colleges abroad where foreign students can get Higher education: Europe, the USA, Canada, etc. 

At the same time, many are limited to obtaining higher education in one of their local universities. Those who are not indifferent to the future often think about entering one of the foreign universities in order to obtain a prestigious international diploma abroad, and recently, the fundamental factor in this is not the prestige of the educational institution, but the level of knowledge and prospects for subsequent employment.

The most prestigious and demanded directions of higher education abroad are:

Foreign students can get inexpensive higher education abroad that is possible to obtain in Europe, including Germany, Austria, Spain, France, Holland, Sweden, etc.

Higher education abroad is most popular in English because of its global nature. But students also choose to study in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, or Chinese.

Best Universities Abroad for Higher Education: A 6-Point Guide

Graduation from prestigious universities in foreign countries, in particular the United Kingdom or the United States, provides the international students with great opportunities of finding prospective job and rapid career growth. Decision on the university where you want to study requires a thorough analysis of your preferences, interests, financial means and academic knowledge.In addition, it is recommended to read online reviews and consult expert opinions in the educational field. In your choice of higher education institution, you can consider the reputable QS-THES-200 world university ranking, evaluating universities based on a variety of criteria.

When considering higher education abroad, it's recommended to evaluate universities on the following factors:

  1. Overall Academic Reputation (40% weightage)

  2. Student-to-Teacher Ratio (20% weightage)

  3. Graduate Employment Success with Reputable Employers (10% weightage)

  4. Popularity Among International Students (5% weightage)

  5. Citation Index (This evaluates the significance of university alumni who went on to become notable scientists or researchers; 40% weightage)

  6. Proportion of International Faculty (5% weightage)

Considering these factors, the foreign students will make a conscious choice of the educational course from the vast array of Master's programs, which are offered by prestigious universities abroad. Deciding on study in foreign university, you cannot doubt that your higher education cost will be paid off quickly.

Sam Jones
Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university? Subjects, employer value, percentage of employment in the first year after graduation?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

 

Exploring Higher Education Options Abroad: Programs and Opportunities

Decision on obtaining higher education abroad requires thorough analysis of many educational options offered. After graduation from school, the foreign students wishing to study at English-speaking universities will be surprised  by a wide choice of programs offered by the top 100 universities around the world. Development of educational programs was designed to eliminate the gap between secondary education and university-level studies. The foreign students obtain a solid academic foundation for future career prospects.

  • Foundation program, Pathway program: These educational programs are designed for foreign students interested in enrolling in English-speaking universities. They differ from local preparatory courses, as they assume a certain level of prior education. They are essential for those lacking the typical 12-year school education found in Western systems.

  • Undergraduate: International students can pursue both their first and second bachelor's degrees. This level of education opens doors to diverse academic experiences.
  • Master: Master's programs typically span 1 to 3 years, during which students engage in research and undertake projects of their own. These programs facilitate specialization and skill development.

  • Exploring these diverse higher education opportunities abroad can pave the way for a bright and fulfilling academic journey. Whether you're aiming for a bachelor's, master's, or specialized business education, international universities offer programs to meet your goals.

  • Pre-Masters: Usually, this program belongs to the category of preparatory courses, aiming at foreign students, who plan to continue their education at the Master's program.

 

  • MBA (Master of Business Administration): Studying in an MBA program lasts for 2 years, offering specialized master's degrees in various business fields. After graduation, foreign students obtain the knowledge and skills required for high-level management roles.

  • University Transfer Program or University Pathway Program: These educational courses are designed for foreign students preparing for admission to bachelor's degree programs. In some situations, the student can be enrolled in the second year of a foreign university.

  • Advanced Courses: These programs provide students with a wide list of additional knowledge and skill enhancement opportunities. Passing advanced courses and having a diploma of foreign prestigious university play a significant role in enhancing international students' career growth and job opportunities.

In-depth analysis of diverse higher education opportunities offered by the universities abroad will help to choose the right option for prospective  academic study. No matter what educational program you want to pass: a bachelor's, master's, or specialized business education, the universities abroad provide all necessary opportunities to fulfill your goals.

Pros and cons of Higher Education Abroad

Pros:

  • Exceptional academic support

  • Top-tier pedagogical standards with highly skilled educators

  • Complete immersion in the academic environment

  • A comprehensive range of courses spanning all knowledge domains

Cons:

  • Potentially high financial outlay

However, there's good news for budget-conscious students: SMAPSE provides more affordable avenues for obtaining higher education abroad in countries like Germany, Austria, and Spain.

Higher Education Abroad. Cost and Fees for international students

A common perception is that only the affluent can bear the cost of higher education abroad, especially at prestigious universities, such as those in the TOP-100 of the QS-THES-200 rankings. Deciding on studying in an elite international higher education institution, be prepared to pay a high tuition fee.However, you can find many universities abroad, which offer quality education at rates complying to domestic institutions.

On average, tuition fee at ranking universities abroad fluctuates from USD 15,000 to USD 50,000 per academic year. Balanced decision on a higher education institution abroad provides the foreign students with the best value for their investment in higher education.

Why in many countries you can't enroll as a freshman right away?

Many applicants are faced with the fact that it is impossible to enter the first year immediately and it is necessary to undergo preparatory programs. This is because education systems in each country are different and students need to adapt to the new environment. In fact, these preparatory programs are not a waste of a year, as many people think. They are aimed at helping students to adapt to new academic approaches, add knowledge of academic English and basic knowledge of the subjects of the future specialty, as well as to teach them how to "study", i.e. how to communicate with professors, tell them about the system of grading and homework. In addition, in a number of countries, such as the United States and in Canada, the training program is already integrated into the first year of university.

What are the most convenient countries for emigration?

The most popular countries for international students to immigrate to while studying abroad can change over time and depend on various factors such as educational opportunities, quality of life, immigration policies, and cultural attractions. The following countries are often popular choices for international students: USA - due to its world-renowned universities, diverse programs and research opportunities. United Kingdom - prestigious universities and rich academic traditions. Canada offers a wide range of academic programs and post-graduation work opportunities, and is also known for its favorable immigration policy. Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland are also popular and immigration-friendly countries.

Are there any age restrictions on enrollment?

There is no age restriction for applicants, but age and the break in the last education received affect the decision of visa officers to issue student visas. As a rule, 18-21 year olds are admitted to preparatory and undergraduate programs, while 23-25 year olds are admitted to master's programs.

How to decide on a university?

Define your goals and priorities: think about what you want to achieve through your study abroad experience - whether you are looking for a specific academic program, research opportunities, cultural immersion, career prospects, or personal growth. Look for universities that offer academic programs and courses that match your interests and career goals. Consider the curriculum, faculty experience, research opportunities, and reputation of the programs you are interested in. Check university rankings and reputation to assess the quality of education and research outcomes. Look for rankings relevant to your field of study, as they can provide more targeted information.

How do I decide on the country of enrollment?

Think about where the university is located. Consider factors such as climate, cost of living, safety, cultural environment and recreational opportunities. Determine whether you prefer a large or small city, as this can affect your overall experience. Consider the language of instruction and determine if you meet the language requirements of the university. Some countries offer programs taught entirely in English, while others may require knowledge of another language. Familiarize yourself with the immigration policies of the country you are considering. Familiarize yourself with visa requirements, work options during or after your studies, and the support services the university provides to international students.

What extracurricular opportunities are there?

Universities typically offer a wide range of opportunities for clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities designed to enhance the student experience and promote personal development. Universities have many student clubs and organizations catering to a variety of interests such as sports, arts, culture, hobbies, academics, community service, entrepreneurship, and more. These clubs provide opportunities to meet like-minded people, develop leadership skills, and participate in activities related to your interests. Universities also often have sports teams and facilities for various sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, track and field, and more. You can join university teams or participate in full-time or recreational sports leagues.

Can international students work part-time while studying at universities abroad?

Work opportunities while studying vary from country to country, but as a standard, students can work up to 20 hours per week. In the 2nd and 3rd years, programs become more specialized, students have a practical understanding of the field, and the university offers various paid internships.

What are the housing options for international students at universities abroad?

Most universities offer on-campus residence halls. These are modern dormitories with single or double rooms. A number of dormitories also offer meal plans for a small surcharge. In addition to dormitories, universities are in partnerships with apartments/hotels that can be rented with other classmates.

What are the opportunities for research or internships at universities abroad?

Universities may have specialized research centers or institutes that focus on specific areas of study. These centers often provide opportunities for students to participate in research projects, access specialized facilities and resources, and collaborate with experts in their field. Universities often partner with companies, organizations and research institutes that offer internship and co-op programs. Universities may collaborate with industry to provide research and internship opportunities for students. Such collaborations can provide exposure to cutting-edge technologies, industry trends and potential career paths.

Is it possible to transfer from a Russian university to a foreign one?

In order to transfer from your current university to a foreign university, you must submit to the university a document called the Core Syllabus, which is a list of all the courses you have taken, with a detailed description of them, the number of hours you have completed and the grades you have received. After submitting this document, the university will make a comparative analysis between the courses you have already studied and its own program and may give you credit for some of the courses.

Top 100 best universities in the world in 2025 QS rankings

#

University

Ranking

1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

100

2

Imperial College London

98.4

3

University of Oxford

97.9

4

Harvard University

97

5

University of Cambridge

96.7

6

Stanford University

95

7

ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

94.3

8

National University of Singapore (NUS)

93.6

9

UCL

93.1

10

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

92.9

11

University of Pennsylvania

91.5

12

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

91

13

The University of Melbourne

89.9

14

Peking University

89.6

15

Nanyang Technological University

89.2

16

Cornell University

88.6

17

The University of Hong Kong

88

18

The University of Sydney

87.6

19

The University of New South Wales

86.5

20

Tsinghua University

85.8

21

University of Chicago

84.6

22

Princeton University

83.7

23

Yale University

83.5

24

Université PSL

83.2

25

University of Toronto

82.7

25

EPFL

82.7

27

The University of Edinburgh

82.1

27

Technical University of Munich

82.1

29

McGill University

81.5

30

The Australian National University

80.8

31

Seoul National University

80

32

Johns Hopkins University

80

32

The University of Tokyo

80

34

Columbia University

80

34

The University of Manchester

79.9

36

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

79.2

37

Monash University

79

38

University of British Columbia

78.9

39

Fudan University

78.6

40

King's College London

77.1

40

The University of Queensland

76.5

42

University of California

76.4

43

New York University

75.8

44

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

75.4

45

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

74.8

46

Institut Polytechnique de Paris

74.5

47

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

74.4

47

Zhejiang University

74.3

49

Delft University of Technology

73.9

50

Kyoto University

73.6

50

Northwestern University

73.4

50

The London School of Economics and Political

73.3

53

KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology

71.9

54

University of Bristol

71.2

55

University of Amsterdam

70.9

56

Yonsei University

70.8

57

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

70.7

58

Carnegie Mellon University

70.6

59

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

70.1

60

Universiti Malaya (UM)

70

61

Duke University

69.9

61

City University of Hong Kong

69.9

62

KU Leuven

69

63

Sorbonne University

68.9

64

The University of Auckland

68.6

65

University of Texas at Austin

68.2

66

Korea University

67.5

66

National Taiwan University (NTU)

67.5

69

The University of Warwick

67.1

69

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

67.1

71

Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)

66.7

72

University of California, San Diego

66.1

72

Université Paris-Saclay

66.1

74

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

65.9

75

Lund University

65.8

76

University of Washington

65.5

77

The University of Western Australia

64.6

77

University of Glasgow

64.6

79

Brown University

64.3

80

University of Birmingham

64.1

81

University of Southampton

64

82

The University of Adelaide

63.4

83

University of Leeds

63.3

84

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

63

85

Tokyo Institute of Technology

62.5

86

Osaka University

62.2

87

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

62

88

University of Technology Sydney

61.5

89

Durham University

61.4

89

Pennsylvania State University

61.3

89

Purdue University

61.2

92

Universidade Federal de São Paulo

61

93

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

60.8

93

Lomonosov Moscow State University

60.8

95

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

60.6

96

University of Alberta

60.3

97

Freie Universitaet Berlin

60.2

98

Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH)

59.5

99

RWTH Aachen University

59

100

University of Copenhagen

58.8

Learning programs-summary information

Name Meaning Equivalent Min. age Duration,
years
Next stage Cost
GCSE General certificate of secondary education secondary education (non-accomplished) 14 1–2 A-Levels 15,000 USD+
A-Levels Advanced level secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 15,000 USD+
BTEC Business and Technology Education Board secondary special education 14 2–3 University/ work 15,000 USD+
Oxbridge Preparation Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge secondary education (accomplished) 17 1 University 15,000 USD+
International Baccalaureate International baccalaureate secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 18,000 USD+
Foundation/ Pathway Year Preparatory year admission to the 1st year of university 17 1 University 14,000 USD+
NCUK The Northern consortium 2 year university 17,5 1 2 year University of NCUK 13,000 USD+
Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) Specialized training - 14 optional optional 4,000 USD+
Academic English Academic English Language school 8 + 6–12 months School or University 8,000 USD+

Top 14 best universities in Switzerland 2025

1 Glion Institute of Higher Education Switzerland
2 Les Roches International School Montana
3 César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
4 IHTTI School of Hotel Management
5 Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne
6 Geneva Business School
7 HIM Hotel Institute Montreux
8 Swiss Hotel Management School
9 Webster University Geneva
10 Business and Hotel Management School
11 Luzern IMI
12 Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) Caux
13 International University in Geneva
14 Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland

Top 10 best universities in Netherlands 2025

Reviews/Comments/Questions
Christina
(16.10.2022)
Hello, I want to enter Portugal, majoring in management or economics, get knowledge in Portuguese, where can you learn more about it?
Answers:
S
Anastasia Smapse
Good afternoon, Christina! Our specialist will contact you and advise you in more detail
Natalia
(18.04.2021)
Good day. We study in the 7th grade and move to 8. We are considering education for our daughter abroad. Mathematics-related: economics, management, what else is possible in this area and what universities and universities would you recommend.
Answers:
S
Manager SMAPSE
Good day, Natalia! Send your request to us at mail@smapse.com. Our experts will contact you. Have a nice day!
Alexander
(18.07.2020)
Hello. My children are 15, will go to grade 9. Interested in English schools; vocational guidance; secondary and higher education in Europe, in particular in Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic. The so-called distance education is gaining relevance, which has become online due to the development of communication technologies. Are there options for online versions of educational programs?
Answers:
S
Smapse Manager
Good afternoon, Alexander! Distance education options are now emerging. But we certainly recommend considering options for full-time education, since school is not only subjects and knowledge, but also interaction and communication with peers.
Makka
(24.06.2020)
Hello! I am interested in Istanbul University, I have a completed higher education, is there an opportunity to enter a second higher education at this university and what needs to be done for this?
Answers:
S
SMAPSE Manager
Makka, good afternoon. Thanks for your question. We recommend that you contact the university directly for a more detailed answer.
Alexander
(16.01.2020)
Hello! He is interested in higher education for a child in Europe; he is interested in learning in English. Preferences by specialties: Design and fashion, interior design, architecture. By country: Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic. Thanks.
Answers:
S
Smapse
Good day, Alexander, please send your phone or mail so that our manager can send you information. You can also write to us by mail@smapse.com
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Kevin McDonnell
Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

Kevin is a Specialist in International Students at University of Sussex. Earlier, he worked at University of Suffolk. He is a Bangor University graduate and has been working in higher education for more than 14 years. Kevin realizes the usual challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching style, so he recognizes the importance of supporting international students by organizing an orientation week and numerous events and societies to help them settle in and make friends.

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