Continental European universities are attracting a growing number of international students. This change is mainly due to immigration restrictions in the UK and the US, which have discouraged foreign applicants.
Continental European universities are gaining ground in attracting international students, according to expansion.com. This occurs in a context where stricter immigration restrictions in the UK and the US have reconfigured the educational market, pushing many applicants to seek alternatives on the continent.
More restrictive visa regulations, along with the perception that students reduce the availability of affordable housing, have led students to shift their focus towards European institutions. This change translates into a decrease in foreign student enrolment in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, while Europe experiences an increase.
A study conducted by Studyportals reveals that interest in studying in Portugal has grown by 20% in the last year, followed by an increase of 18% in Italy and 11% in Spain. In contrast, growth in the UK has been limited to 8%. Despite this, the UK still leads in the number of international students.
European universities offer more affordable tuition compared to elite institutions in the US, where prices can reach up to 100,000 dollars (86,250 euros) per year. For example, ETH Zurich charges 4,380 Swiss francs (4,660 euros) annually for non-citizen students, a figure significantly lower than at many British and American universities.
Moreover, the increase in courses taught in English at European universities has enhanced their appeal. In the last decade, university courses in English in Europe have grown exponentially, reaching 25,000 this year, which removes a significant barrier for many foreign students.
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