European countries are renowned for their academic excellence all over the globe and are home to the leading colleges and universities worldwide. The European markets also provide major job opportunities for the students and give them a chance to be a part of the esteemed economy. This blog will assist you to navigate through the Europe study visa requirements, and explore the best educational facilities that the countries have to offer.
European countries require prerequisite legal formalities and also a study visa, the requirements for which shall be shared ahead. There are two different types of visas that are issued for Europe, one is the Schengen Visa for countries in the Schengen Area, and the other is a national visa for the remaining countries of the EU.
Do I Need a Visa to Study in Europe?
The answer to this question is a big yes. Anyone who wishes to pursue an education in Europe, with nationality outside of the European Union will require a study visa. A Schengen Visa is required for the 26 countries located in the Schengen Area. That is valid for 90 days or 3 months. If a student wishes to stay for a longer period of time, he/she has to apply for a long-study visa or a resident permit at the local embassy of the respective country. The countries which are not a part of the Schengen area require a national visa for their universities.
Countries that fall under the Schengen Area:
| Austria | Malta | Switzerland | The Netherlands |
| Iceland | Denmark | Poland | Estonia |
| Portugal | Finland | Slovakia | Lithuania |
| Germany | Spain | Greece | Sweden |
| Hungary | Czech Republic | Norway | Italy |
| Latvia | Belgium | Liechtenstein | France |
| Slovenia | Luxembourg |
Other European Countries outside the Schengen Area:
| Armenia | Albania | Azerbaijan | Belarus |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus |
| Ireland | Macedonia | Moldova | Montenegro |
| Serbia | Ukraine | United Kingdom | Romania |
Also Read: Study in Europe Without IELTS: Is it Possible? Check it Out!
Europe Study Visa Cost and Study Funding Requirement
A non-refundable visa application fee is to be paid as a mandate. The cost is dependent on the type of visa and on the age group of the applicant. The base price of the Schengen visa for an adult is 80€. The tuition fees can majorly differ as per the universities in different countries for bachelor’s and master’s programs. The fee is comparatively affordable when compared to American and Australian universities.
The following table shows the range of fee in different European countries:
| Country | Tuition Fee |
| Austria | 6,000 to 15,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
3,000 to 23,000 EUR/year Master’s |
| Germany | 6,500 to 26,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
2,000 to 40,000 EUR/year Master’s |
| Italy | 3,000 to 20,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
3,000 to 35,000 EUR/year Master’s |
| Finland | 5,000 to 13,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
8,000 to 18,000 EUR/year Master’s |
| The Netherlands | 7,500 to 19,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
5,000 to 30,000 EUR/year Master’s |
| Norway | 7,000 to 9,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
9,000 to 19,000 EUR/year Master’s |
| Spain | 5,000 to 24,000 EUR/year Bachelor’s
5,000 to 30,000 EUR/year Master’s |
Study Visa in Europe: With and Without IELTS
For obtaining the Europe study visa, an IELTS score is required but not in all universities. Many countries in Europe have the native language as the medium of instruction in Universities. Training or fluency in any of these languages is equivalent to IELTS as a language proficiency proof. They may consider IELTS too, but not both will be necessary for the application process.
The following countries can accept international admissions based on alternate language proficiency proofs or any other specific criteria, without IELTS:
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Belgium
- Poland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Latvia
- Denmark
- Finland
Europe Study Visa- Documentation
A set of documents and papers are needed while applying for a visa for international students. Some countries are exempted from the process, under a visa waiver agreement. But in most cases, a valid study permit is required. The required documents for the application process is similar for the Schengen and national visa for other countries. The required documents are as below:
- Duly filled application form
- A valid passport of national origin
- Letter of acceptance from the university
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of study and stay
- Travel insurance documents
- Passport-sized photographs
- Document proof of civil status
Any other required documents may be asked for, as per the legal requirement process of visa application, and should be kept handy to be readily submitted.
Conclusion
With leading universities and excellent educational systems, Europe is a pristine location for international students. Hopefully, this blog made the process of understanding much easier regarding the study visa for Europe. Also, the IELTS requirements can be different for the countries in the EU. Drop a comment below and let us know about any other help which you are seeking for the European study visa.
Also Read: How to Get a Student Visa For the UK? Learn Everything About the UK Study Visa
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I will keep the different kinds of visas in mind while applying, I was under the impression that all the countries in the EU require just a single visa.