Best places to study abroad in Europe

We all have fantasies about living in our dream European cities — whether its baguettes and park days in Paris, riding bikes in Amsterdam or marvelling at art all around you in Florence. But, sometimes your dream city doesn’t exactly meet your needs as a student, fit your budget or provide the kind of experience you’re looking for.

So, we decided to create this ultimate list of the best European cities to study abroad while highlighting all of the smart practicalities you need to know to make the best decision. This is also a great guide for students who know they want to study abroad in Europe, but can’t quite seem to narrow down which city is right for them.

So let’s see where you’re headed then, shall we?

Top takeaways: best cities to study abroad in Europe

• The UK, Amsterdam and Florence are best for English speakers
• Prague & Lisbon are amongst the most affordable cities to live in
• Barcelona has the best weather
• The top quality of living is in Vienna

Best places to study abroad in Europe

Sadly, you can’t just make your decision to study abroad based on your love of pasta, your adoration for the joie de vivre or the historical landmarks you want to visit. Choosing your study abroad city is a delicate balance between the lifestyle you want and the academic opportunities available.

Because while you might immediately be attracted to London because you can take courses in English, you might also realize the big city isn’t for you, and that your needs can actually be better met in a city like Amsterdam. So with this list, we hope to help you make these distinctions. Because while every city on this list is already an amazing city in itself, it has its own unique reasons for being one of the best places to study abroad in Europe.

1. London, United Kingdom

Best for: Some of Europe’s top Universities
Universities: Imperial College London, University College London, King's College London, The London School of Economics and Political Science
Pros: Great education, diversity, English-speaking, student employment opportunities
Cons: High cost of living, high tuition fees

One of the world’s biggest and greatest cities, it’s not hard to imagine yourself shopping in Mayfair, getting lost in Notting Hill, catching a show in Soho and partying in Shoreditch. All in between studying, of course.

Rich in diversity, fluent in English and boasting a rich history and cultural scene, London is an ideal choice for students who want that big city feel and a slew of opportunities. Boasting some of the country’s (and world’s) best universities, as well as some of the world’s top companies, there are opportunities here that can advance your career well-beyond your study abroad semester. You’re also going to love how many students and young people are in London, fuelling your own creativity and introducing you to new places and concepts. But, do keep in mind the high cost of living and tuition fees before you start planning, and be realistic about your budget.

2. Berlin, Germany

Best for: International student scene
Universities: Freie Universitat Berlin, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin, Technische Universitat Berlin.
Pros: Free undergrad programs at public universities, high quality of living, good job prospects
Cons: Learning German is highly recommended, course structures are rigorous

Buzzing with culture, history, art and one of Europe’s best nightlife scenes, it’s easy to understand why Berlin is one of the top destinations for study abroad students. In fact, what also makes it one of the best places to study abroad in Europe is the fact that so many students head here — giving you the opportunity to make friends from all over the world.

A typical day as a student in Berlin might start off in class, feature a break at a museum and then a drink with classmates at a nearby beer garden. Not bad, right? But, do be aware that German students are given a lot of autonomy, and class structures are quite rigorous. The advantage, though, is that Berlin’s 38 universities are increasingly offering more classes in English. However, German will still be handy for getting around town, so study up!

Psst! We’ve got a great expat student guide to Berlin, too, if you need more inspo. Plus, you’re going to love our student accommodation in Mitte that has a comical Trump statue.

3. Paris, France

Best for: Culture
Universities: Universite PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, University Paris-Saclay & more
Pros: Diversity, affordable public education, great post-graduation opportunities
Cons: French language barrier, private education is expensive, high cost of living

We don’t really have to sell you on Paris, do we? Home to some of the world’s best museums, incredible history, famous landmarks and picturesque views of the sparkling Seine and Eiffel Tower, this city is just as charming as it is cosmopolitan. Studying at any of the city’s 42 universities, you’ll have access to an incredible education and a city full of job and networking opportunities. It is one of the world’s great capitals, after all!

But while you might go to Paris to live on the wine and croissant diet and spend weekends laid out in the park or shopping, you do have to keep in mind that the cost of living here is pretty steep. Making (and sticking to) a budget is going to be key to studying abroad in Paris! The experience and opportunities are well worth it, though, if you can make it work.

Guess what? From our The Social Hub Paris accommodation, you can see the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Best for: Personal development
Universities: The University of Amsterdam
Pros: High-quality and affordable education in English, inclusive culture, safe, good career opportunities at international companies, lots of international students to befriend
Cons: Rainy and windy weather, Dutch can be difficult to learn, high autonomy expected from students

A beautiful, fun and liveable city, Amsterdam is one of best cities to study abroad in Europe. Students love it here because many classes are taught in English, and most Dutch are bi-lingual, making everyday interactions much less stressful. A famously tolerant society, Amsterdam is also very open towards the LGBTQ community, making it a great option for students who want to be free to be themselves and feel accepted.

Students come from all over the world to get a top-tier education in Amsterdam — the city’s quirky architecture, art scene, famous museums, nightlife, culture and national events like Kings Day and Pride are just perks! So, you’ll have no shortage of friends to make in class, social clubs or even just out. But, the Dutch are also quite independent and expect their students to be autonomous, so be aware that you’ll be held to the same rigorous standards as their year-round students. You might have also heard about the notoriously tough housing situation in Amsterdam, but we’ve got tips for that!

Amsterdam will definitely push you to be independent — whether its riding your bike, studying or taking full advantage of the city’s opportunities.

Did you know? We actually have two locations in Amsterdam, one in Amsterdam West and one in the City Centre. We’re super proud that our City Centre location will also be the Amsterdam Pride hotel of 2022!

5. Barcelona, Spain

Best for: Adventures
Universities: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Universitat Ramon Llull & more
Pros: Great weather year round, well-known universities, siesta, the fiestas!
Cons: Theft and pickpocketing across the city, hard to get around without Spanish, public universities are relatively expensive, tough finding student accomodation

Spain's second largest city is home to eight of the country’s best universities, bringing in students from all over the Spain and Europe. With great weather all year, a gorgeous and historical city centre, incredible food (hola, tapas!), and relatively low cost of living, Barcelona is easily one of the best European cities to study abroad. Plus, you’ve got access to the beach and some of the best clubs on the continent. Who wouldn’t want to study at the beach, and celebrate a good grade on an epic night out?

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that student accommodation can be tricky to come across in Barcelona. As both a student and tourist city, there’s a lot of competition. And being an old city, the apartments aren’t necessarily modern or plush. The pros? The prices are pretty reasonable. You’re also going to want to keep in mind the language barrier. Learning Spanish and some Catalan will be important to get through the day to day. But, after a few months, we bet you’ll be speaking like a local!

Top tip: We’ve got three The Social Hub Barcelona locations! The Social Hub Campus Marina and Poble Sec are student-only, but soon-to-open Poblenou will host students and travellers. You coming?

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Best for: Budget conscious students
Universities: Large and internationally diverse student community, but the leading institution is Charles University
Pros: Low cost of living, safety, high-quality education
Cons: Bureaucracy

Home to Eastern Europe’s oldest and most prestigious university, Prague attracts students from all over the world and offers a wide range of classes in English. And as if an historic university isn’t enough, studying abroad in Prague is like taking classes in a Disney backdrop. With enchanting gothic architecture and snaking cobbled streets, this city feels like something straight out of a movie. The only hard part is choosing when to come — for spring semester, you can see the trees bloom along the Vltava, but in the fall you can experience the foliage and snow, which is really special.

But whenever you decide to study in Prague, you’ll be pleased to find affordable tuition, food, and housing, which means you can spend more on enjoying the thriving music scene and nightlife this city has to offer. Oh, and don’t forget the city’s famous beer! The Czech invented the Pilsner, so it’s only right you study (and taste) its origins, right? Take your fellow classmates out for a lesson and you’ll be sure to make new friends quickly.

Prague is also one of the best places to study abroad in Europe because of how safe it is — the Czech Republic is actually one of the safest countries in the world!

7. Vienna, Austria

Best for: Quality of life
Universities: University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology
Pros: High quality of life, low crime, affordable education, reasonably relaxed course work, good job prospects for graduates
Cons: Learning German, higher cost of living

Vienna might not be the first place that students think of studying abroad, but when they learn about the high quality of life and liveability of this city, they’re easily swayed. A city of over 130,000 students and notably buzzing with a new creative energy, the historic city of Vienna feels notably young and vibrant these days. It’s not all grand boulevards and the opera anymore, with young people bringing on brunch and retro-jazz nights. Although, if you can swing a student ticket at the opera (sometimes as cheap as € 3) you should totally go!

Where you’ll probably spend much of your time, though, is at any of the city’s 2,400 cafes. These marvellous cultural icons, known for being open to anyone and allowing you to stay and linger as long as you’d like, will be your meeting place for friends and study refuge. But while the coffee can be cheap, the cost of living in Vienna is a bit on the high end. And while there are many courses offered in English, knowing German will help you navigate the city better.

Psst! Did you know that The Social Hub Vienna is the biggest hotel and student accommodation in the whole country?

8. Florence, Italy

Best for: Thriving art scene
Universities: University of Florence, European University Institute & more
Pros: English programs, Tuscan location, vibrant city, historical culture, world-famous art
Cons: Language barrier, less part-time job opportunities

Florence might be the art capital of Italy, but it’s definitely not just for art students looking to bask in the great renaissance artists and gothic architecture. Home to a handful of top universities, Florence is actually a hub for all kinds of academics. And it’s easy to see why anyone would like it here, right? Beyond pizza study parties taking on a whole new meaning — Florence surrounds students with beauty and inspiration, from the Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery and the Boboli Gardens.

Plus, as one of Europe’s most popular study abroad cities, students love that Florence is filled with other students to befriend. You’re going to love grabbing panini’s for lunch together, or heading out to the Santa Croce neighbourhood for a night out. But, what many students appreciate most is the awesome access to the rest of Italy — with the rail system easily connecting you to cities like Rome, Bologna, Milan, Rome, Naples and more. The only real cons of Florence are its small size and the language barrier — but studying the language will only enhance your experience there, so it’s not all that bad.

Have you seen this? Our view from our rooftop pool and bar at The Social Hub Florence is one of the best in the city. Come say cin cin!

9. Lisbon, Portugal

Best for: Living
Universities: University of Lisbon, Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Pros: Low cost of living, affordable education, great academic system and methods of teaching
Cons: Public universities do not offer many courses taught in English, low salaries

If you study abroad in Lisbon, we can’t guarantee you’ll ever want (or need) to leave. Beloved for its high standards of living paired with a low cost of living, students thrive in this city. But while you might come to Lisboa to climb its colourful, hilly streets, indulge in endless pastel de nata, hit the beach and try the wine, you’ll end up greatly appreciating the academic and student life this city has to offer, too.

With a diverse student background and a high tolerance for the LGBTQ community, Lisbon is also a city where many students feel innately comfortable. And despite being a historic city, Lisbon is thriving today with a slew of start-ups and tech jobs, meaning there’s actually a lot of opportunity here for everything from internships to jobs after school. Do note, however, that salaries in Portugal aren’t that high. Another problem you might run into is that the public universities don’t offer many courses in English, so the language could be a barrier. Still, this is one of the best places to study abroad in Europe.

We've got a secret: Well, it’s actually not so secret that we’re opening up The Social Hub Lisbon in 2026! Keep an eye on us.

10. Dublin, Ireland

Best for: Entrepreneurs
Universities: Trinity College, Dublin City University, University College Dublin and more
Pros: English-speaking country, cultural diversity, good job opportunities
Cons: Gloomy weather, one of the most expensive capitals in the world

Getting into the historic and picturesque Trinity College — the country’s top university — might be the ultimate goal, but Dublin also has a bunch of other universities and outside programs for study abroad students, too. That said, Dublin is definitely a big-city-meets-university-town, offering students the historical backdrop they crave with awesome nightlife, cool cultural scenes and a ton of industries and opportunities for career growth (think: Google, Facebook, Twitter and more).

With a real entrepreneurial vibe, this is also a great city to study, test and launch some of those big ideas you’ve been working on. Brimming with other students, it’s easy to assume you could meet your co-founders in this notoriously friendly city! While there are certainly highs to living in Dublin, the cloudy and rainy weather might get you down, and it is pricy to live, rent and study here. But, all this can easily pay off if this is the right opportunity for you to study and kick-off your career.

Packing your bags?

We hope this list has been more than just a source of inspiration, but helped you choose (or narrow down) the best places to study abroad in Europe for you, your academic needs and budget.

You’re going to need a place to stay, too, so while you’re at it, be sure to browse our student accommodations across Europe. Our all-inclusive stays have everything from a laundry room and gym to a cosy (and stylish) room with private bathrooms. Everything you could want or need, right? And while you’re travelling (because of course, you’ll be travelling) be sure to check out our equally cool and convenient hotel offers, too.

You can also stay up to date on all things study abroad and student life by signing up for our newsletter — always packed with tips, insights and deals, you’re going to love when this hits your inbox.