The most popular European destinations for international students

The top of the table

Germany fared best with a clear lead over the likes of the UK and the Netherlands who came in 2nd and 3rd. The country has different cities, from Berlin to Munich, each displaying different aspects of German culture. However, what unifies the numerous institutions in the country is the high quality education on offer at both the universities and the technical colleges that enjoy the same status but offer specifically scientific courses. The UK has some of the world's best universities (particularly in London, with the likes of Imperial College, London School of Economics and King's College), and frequently has institutions in the top twenty international best universities. Meanwhile, the Netherlands affords students picturesque scenery and very reasonable tuition fees that can be supplemented with grants or scholarships.

Where is the best education?

As this criteria made up half of the score, this list reflected the rankings of the main table, with the top three remaining the same. Russia came in fourth (a popular choice amongst international students for medicine), closely followed by Sweden and France (which keen Francophiles continue to seek out for the culture and opportunity to improve their language skills).

Where is the most affordable education?

Again, it shouldn't be hugely surprising that a good education comes at a price; here, the only top ten features are Germany and France. Hungary is in 1st place, Poland is 2nd, Serbia is in 3rd, Romania comes in 4th and Turkey is 5th. This assessment included both cost of living and tuition fees, which, in countries such as the UK, can be quite expensive. The cost of living in countries such as Germany may be high, however the availability of free education here and in France makes them more affordable options.

Where is the best quality of life and future prospects?

The UK takes the top spot here, closely followed by the world's happiest country, Norway. There are also some appearances by other Scandinavian countries (such as Sweden in 8th and Denmark in 9th) who have historically fared well in rankings regarding happiness and quality of life. German cities have also enjoyed high positions in previous quality of life rankings. The UK is a noted international business hub, with opportunities for graduates across various fields. It also has the added advantage of English being the main language in use, which is of benefit to international students, for whom English is often a second language.