Where to study?
Choosing the right university and country for your studies is extremely important. The university or college that you choose needs to cover all your needs. However, making a decision on where to study can be overwhelming. There are thousands of universities and higher education institutions offering countless study programs on graduate and undergraduate level across Europe.
Here we provide you several factors you should consider in order to make an informed choice.
Choose the right study program
There is no point in going to a great university in an amazing country and then choosing a study program that does not really interest you. While this may sound obvious, many students take this decision lightly. Hence, make sure you thoroughly research the programs on offer.
Firstly, find out if the study program is accredited. This establishes the quality of the program. You should also consider your strengths as a student – is the course more theoretical or practical, for example? Do you want a research graduate program or a more hands-on program? Finally, look out for added benefits such as work placement schemes and industry contacts that will develop your experience and skills and offer you a head start when you graduate. With our extensive expertise in this area, EduManufaktura can help you make the right choice (contact us).
Reputation and rankings
There is no doubt that a good undergraduate and/or graduate degree from a highly ranked university will be a great addition to your CV. However, there are many great courses at good universities and colleges throughout the world that are not very well known.
The university rankings can be considered as a great way to gauge a university’s reputation, and are based on a number of indicators (such as employer reputation, academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, international student ratio, among others). Magazines, newspapers, websites, governments, or academics usually administer the rankings. In addition to ranking entire institutions, organizations perform rankings of specific programs, departments, and schools.
Most reputable higher education ranking lists are:
It is important to keep in mind, though, that some universities might have average overall reputation, but have individual departments or courses that are highly respected. Therefore, it is essential to do a proper research beforehand.
Finally, the best approach should be to consider your long-term goals and weighing up the balance between what the course offers and the reputation of your degree. Think long term about your future career and make your decision from there. Contact us if you need assistance in choosing the right university for you.
Consider the location
What you choose to study is very important, but where you study will have a direct impact on your experience. Would you prefer to study in a large or a small city? Also, consider the size of the university campus – would you prefer to be part of a large university campus or a smaller college?
It may seem obvious, but the country you choose will have a massive impact on how you study, your experience, as well as your future opportunities. Do you want to go somewhere for the student life, or for the quality of education? Do you want a culture similar to your own, or a completely different experience? Consider your needs and what you really want out of the 'student experience' and what is most important to you.
Financing your studies
Finance plays a major part in choosing where to study. Firstly, you need to consider if you can afford the tuition fees. You then need to consider the expense of where you will be studying. If you plan to study in a large city, for example, you should expect to pay significantly more for living costs, while tuition fees will vary greatly depending on which country you want to study in.
Do your research on not just how much it will cost to study but also how much it will cost you to live. This should give you your overall costs and allow you to make an informed decision while also sorting out a budget for when you finally move. Don’t forget to include travel costs and whether it will be feasible for you to return home during holidays.
Also, make sure that you explore any funding opportunities and scholarships that might be available for international students in your destination country or at your preferred university/department. EduManufaktura can help you in the process, particularly in estimating the financing and saving you money by assisting you in finding appropriate stipend/fellowship.