International study broadens your horizons in so many ways. Not only do you boost your academic credentials, you’ll make new friends from around the world, learn a new language and gain exposure to a new culture.
Whether you plan on completing a full university degree overseas, or just want to take a semester out to learn somewhere new, this guide is for you.
We’ll take a tour of the best places to study abroad for English speakers, some of the best options in Europe and some budget friendly options too - plus we’ll also take a quick look at Wise - the smart digital account and card to make spending internationally cheap and easy.
How to choose the right study abroad destination: step by step
Studying overseas is a fantastic opportunity, but it’s also going to take a lot of research to pick the right place and course. There’s no single right way to go about this, as everyone is on a different journey - but some common steps include:
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Once you know where you’ll be studying abroad, you’ll need to get started on more practical arrangements such as arranging a visa, flight and accommodation.
Most universities will have an international student office which can often offer support with this - so asking for help and advice early in the process is a smart idea.
What are the best places to study abroad?
We’ll go into a few of the best places to study abroad in Europe, and the best places to study abroad as an English speaker, a little later.
There are so many fantastic options for Americans looking to complete studies overseas, let’s start with some good all round options which you may not have thought of.
Norway
We’ll kick off our tour of great places to study abroad in Norway. Tuition fees for US citizens are relatively low, and the Norwegian way of life is famously great fun, with lots of outdoor activity and sports - in a highly developed country with an excellent standard of living.
Tuition costs | Around 25,000 USD⁴ |
Cost of living | 15,000 USD/year |
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Cons |
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Good for | Study in a diverse group of international students where English is a shared language |
South Korea
South Korea has excellent universities and many courses which are taught in English.
Tuition fees are fairly low, even for international students, and although living costs can be high, as a student it’s perfectly possible to stick to a pretty reasonable budget.
Travel costs - which are unavoidable - are high, though.
Tuition costs | 16,800 USD |
Cost of living | 9,500 USD/year |
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Cons |
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Good for | A unique cultural experience, offered with the option of teaching in English |
Argentina
Argentina may not be the first place that comes to mind for overseas study but it has a lot of great advantages, including cheap or even free tuition and a low cost of living.
Some universities, such as the University of Buenos Aires⁵ even offer exchange programs with US universities so you could go for a term or two instead of completing an entire degree there.
Tuition costs | Free to 15,000 USD |
Cost of living | Up to 5,000 USD/year |
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Cons |
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Good for | Adventurous students looking to perfect their Spanish language as they complete their studies |
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What are the best places to study abroad for English speakers?
Many of the countries we look at in this guide have universities which offer courses in English - even where English is not an official language of the country.
However, if you’re concerned about getting by day to day in a country where English isn’t the main language, there are also some other great options. Here are some top picks for places to study abroad as an English speaker.
The UK
The UK has lots of very prestigious universities, and offers courses to international students from around the world.
Support for international students is excellent - but be aware that the costs can be high for international students, with tuition fees that are uncapped and based on the institution and course.
Tuition costs | Very varied - up to 40,000 USD or more |
Cost of living | 21,000 USD/year |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Good for | Studying at a world famous institution |
Canada
Canada - as a close neighbor - offers lots of advantages in that you can study somewhere new while still being a short hop from home.
While English is spoken in most places, you’d also have the option of picking a French speaking region if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous.
Tuition costs | 20,000 USD - 45,000 USD |
Cost of living | 18,000 USD/year |
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Cons |
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Good for | Study in a new place within easy reach of home |
Australia
Australia is a pretty expensive study destination, but it does offer plenty of perks to make up for that - including a laid back lifestyle, amazing beaches and great weather.
Tuition costs | Up to 45,000 USD |
Cost of living | 17,000 USD/year |
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Cons |
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Good for | Work life balance, with the option to learn in a unique place |
Best places to study abroad in Europe
Thinking of taking time to study in Europe to perfect a new language and soak up the culture? Here are a few different countries you might want to consider:
Spain
International tuition fees in Spain can be extremely cheap in some courses and institutions, although top end courses are still on the higher side compared to other European destinations.
If you’re looking for ways to add Spanish language learning to your daily life, this could be a perfect match.
Tuition costs | Up to 28,000 USD |
Cost of living | 12,000 USD/year |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Good for | Perfecting your Spanish while you complete your degree or exchange program |
Sweden
Sweden has excellent universities in its vibrant cities, often with courses taught in English. Tuition fees do vary a lot, and can run up to about 40,000 USD - but are often far cheaper than this.
Tuition costs | Up to 39,000 USD |
Cost of living | 18,000 USD/year |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Good for | English-medium courses across many different subjects |
Italy
Learn Italian, eat amazing food, meet some fascinating people and get a degree at the same time. Italy is a popular destination for international students from all over the world, with many courses offered across high quality institutions.
Tuition costs | Up to 7,500 USD |
Cost of living | 10,000 USD/year |
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Cons |
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Good for | Real immersion in Italian culture, while studying whatever course interests you |
What are the most affordable study abroad destinations?
Studying abroad isn’t always a cheap option. However, by selecting a country with relatively low tuition fees and a reasonable cost of living, you can make it fit your budget. Let’s look at a few cheaper options which you may choose to consider.
Germany
While tuition fees in German universities do vary a lot, some courses have surprisingly low fees - which makes Germany a great place to check out if you want a lower overall cost for your overseas study.
Tuition costs | Up to 35,000 USD |
Cost of living | 14,000 USD |
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Cons |
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Good for | Great quality education in a modern, dynamic country |
India
Looking for a real adventure? India has some great universities, and as living costs on average aren’t all that high, you can keep down your overall spending if you need to.
Tuition costs | Up to 5,500 USD |
Cost of living | 4,600 USD |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Good for | A real adventure in a fascinating country with low tuition fees and cost of living |
Japan
It may be surprising to see Japan as a low cost study destination, but it’s feasible to keep your overall costs pretty low as a student which makes it worth considering.
There’s a huge range of courses available, and plenty of opportunities to learn Japanese.
Tuition costs | Up to 16,000 USD |
Cost of living | 10,000 USD |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Good for | Pick up some Japanese as you study in a completely different environment and culture |
Common questions about studying abroad
Let’s round out this guide with a few other common questions, to help you plan your overseas study adventure.
Are scholarships available for study abroad programs?
Some universities offer scholarships or exchange programs which are subsidized - however, this isn’t all that common for international students.
A great place to look is on the US government study abroad web page7, which has a full listing of awards, scholarships and programs which apply in specific circ*mstances - and which may be a good option for your overseas study.
What are the advantages of studying abroad?
Studying abroad can give you a competitive advantage when you graduate, as you’ll have experienced a different culture, and in many cases learned a new language.
It's also a fantastic experience in itself - and depending on where you choose, may even be cheaper than staying in the US.
How can you prepare for studying abroad?
Prepare for overseas study by thoroughly researching the country you’re going to, through the university, online and by asking others.
You’ll also need to make sure you’ve made all required practical arrangements such as finding accommodation, getting a visa and insurance, although university international student offices can often guide you through this process.
Use this guide to start figuring out whether or not studying abroad is right for you, and remember to also check out Wise as a better way to spend when you’re overseas.
Sources:
- CIEE
- Educationdata.org
- Numbeo
- University of Oslo - international fees
- University of Buenos Aires
- US government - study abroad
Sources checked on 03.04.2024
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