The Czech Republic

Pros: high–quality and high-level education, social support for students - various discounts, low living costs compared to other European countries. It`s possible to work while studying.

Cons: high competition for legal, educational, economic, medical programmes. In order to get admitted to a state-funded education program, it is necessary to have a good level of Czech, and all foreigners must pass the certificate exam (B2–C1, depending on the specialization).

Poland

Pros: a fairly simple procedure for entering the university and low tuition costs. You can start enrolling immediately after graduating from high school. For students with excellent academic performance, a scholarship and a discount on tuition are provided. Polish belongs to the Slavic language group along with Czech. Cons: Polish universities do not appear at the first positions of the world ratings, so you should carefully weigh all the pros and cons.

The QS World University Rankings 2022 rating includes only 19 Polish universities, and neither of them are at the highest positions. For comparison: 16 Czech universities are included in this rating, although the Czech Republic itself is almost four times smaller than Poland.

No one but postgraduate students has an opportunity to work while studying; undergraduate and master's programme students are eligible to do so only for three months per year (pretty much purely during the summer break).

Great Britain

Pros: British universities are featured in the top tiers of world rankings alongside universities of the United States of America, so there's no doubting the quality of education they offer. The graduates are showered with job offers, plus it`s possible for them to find employment in any country of the world. England owns a rich cultural and historical heritage, which allows you to spend your free time in a way that is both enjoyable and meaningful. Students of English universities have the right to combine their studies with a job.

Cons: huge competition for prestigious universities and high tuition fees. It is not easy to open or extend a student visa. The most favorable option for enrolling in a British university would be to do so either after finishing the bachelor's degree at home, or having completed preparatory classes in the United Kingdom.

France

Pros: the homeland of haute couture and Michelin cuisine has a lot to offer to foreigners. In your spare time, you can travel to the French regions, walk through museums, enjoy crispy croissants, or lose yourself in the depths of the ancient libraries. Low tuition fees when studying in French at a state university as well as an opportunity to earn extra money while studying make this country especially attractive.

Cons: living expenses in France are high. You are required to have at least B2 level of French. French universities have a pretty tricky system of examinations and achieving academic qualifications. It is absolutely necessary to meet the deadlines so as not to be expelled.

Germany

Pros: a graduate of a German university can easily find a job not only in Germany but in other European countries as well. It`s not that difficult to get admitted to university. To do so, you will need to take preparatory classes at the chosen university or complete the first year of studies at home. Education in German universities is free, when it comes to the state educational institutions only an administrative fee of up to five hundred euros per year is charged.

Cons: German, unlike melodic sounding Italian or romantic French, is not everyone's cup of tea, but learning it is very much possible. Upon admission to university, you will need German (B2 level and higher) and English (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) certificates.

Summing up

Studying in Europe is a costly undertaking in terms of effort, time and finances. You must be absolutely confident in the program you have chosen, and also have remarkable hard work, willpower and a certain degree of independence in order to cope with the period of acclimatization in new conditions, solve everyday problems and not “fail” your studies along the way. The European education system has its pros and cons, and you need to understand which of them are disadvantageous for you. However, studying in Europe and becoming independent away from home is a tremendous experience that cannot be obtained at home.