More American students are packing their bags for Europe every year. In the 2022/23 academic year alone, 280,716 U.S. students chose to study abroad, and a huge number headed across the Atlantic. It’s not hard to see why: tuition often costs less, campuses feel like pieces of history, and the education is world-class.
Three schools that top the charts in 2025 include:
- ETH Zurich
- University College London
- University of Edinburgh
This guide breaks down the best universities in Europe for American students, giving you the facts you need. And if you ever get buried under assignments once you’re there, EssayService is always around to back you up with essay help and solid academic support.
Best Colleges in Europe for American Students
Studying in Europe opens up opportunities you may not find at home. Below is a table with quick essentials to compare the universities in Europe for American students at a glance:
Università Bocconi
EU ranking
#205 in Europe
International students
21%
Università Bocconi is truly the heart of academic culture in Milan. A business school where economics, finance, and law meet the needs of a creative commercial city. Walking around campus, you might hear dozens of languages and meet people from every corner of the world studying at Bocconi.
Bocconi is also selective; only about 33% of applicants will get accepted. But that's part of its appeal. Students graduate with connections and work experience from a global city that shapes their future.
IE University
EU ranking
#31 in Southern Europe
International students
80%
IE University in Spain (with campuses in Segovia and Madrid) is a modern school that welcomes students from over 140 countries. Classes are conducted in either English or Spanish and cover everything from business to law to tech to design. It has a foundation in entrepreneurial aspirations, with many graduates launching their own startups before leaving.
What stands out most is its global appeal and strong recruiter reputation. Times Higher Education ranks it 18th worldwide in employability. That means you’re not just studying but setting yourself up for a career far beyond the classroom.
University College London
EU ranking
#3 in Europe
International students
46%
University College London, which was founded in 1826, is one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom. UCL was among the first universities to admit women. UCL offers studies in everything from engineering, medicine, law, and the arts. Approximately half of its 47,000 students come from all over the world, including your fellow Americans.
UCL is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world and has excellent research profiles and employability. UCL is located in central London, so UCL's campus feels like a city in itself. A UCL education allows you to immerse yourself in a dynamic and sometimes chaotic daily life in London, in its busy streets.
University of Amsterdam
EU ranking
#6 in Western Europe
International students
35%
The University of Amsterdam has campuses all over the city, meaning that one class could be in a modern hall and the next in a ceremonial historical space, hundreds of years old. You’ll study across canals, coffee shops, and busy streets. It’s ranked 6th in Western Europe thanks to its strong research.
International students make up over one-third of student enrolment, including class mixes offering students different perspectives and worldviews. The university offers over 200 programs in law, economics, and social sciences, the majority in English. As a bonus, living in Amsterdam can give you easy access to museums and startup hubs.
ETH Zurich
EU ranking
#1 in Europe
International students
~30%
ETH Zurich is where Albert Einstein once studied, and to this day, it still counts 22 Nobel Prize laureates. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology has 16 departments, from engineering and architecture to chemistry and physics. Since 1855, it has shaped some of the world’s brightest minds.
While undergraduate courses are mainly taught in German, most master’s and PhD programs switch to English. Life here isn’t only about labs and lectures. Plenty is happening outside the classroom, between sports, the famous 140-kilometer SOLA relay, and the annual Polyball that fills the main building with music and dancing.
University of Edinburgh
EU ranking
#5 in Northern Europe
International students
48%
The University of Edinburgh has existed since the 1500s and still ranks among the world’s best. Its graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers, and the school is in the top 10 universities in the UK.
Instead of one central campus, the university stretches across the city. You’ll have classes in historic buildings near George Square and find cutting-edge labs at King’s Buildings. Nearly half of the students come from abroad, so the mix of cultures and perspectives is hard to miss.
University of Copenhagen
EU ranking
#21 in Northern Europe
International students
11.7%
The University of Copenhagen is one of the most historic universities in Europe. Established in 1479, it's now home to more than 40,000 students and 9,000 staff. It ranks 21st in Northern Europe and works with big names like Microsoft and Novo Nordisk while signing hundreds of new partnerships each year.
More than 10% of its students are from outside Denmark, with thousands more arriving on exchange or in cooperation arrangements. The four campuses mix historic urban buildings with modern lab spaces, providing students with both tradition and high-end science in the city of Copenhagen.
Humboldt University of Berlin
EU ranking
#10 in Europe
International students
~14.3%
Wilhelm von Humboldt founded the university to combine research and teaching, which other universities later copied. Since 1810, Humboldt University of Berlin has been one of Germany’s most respected schools.
Big names like Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Felix Mendelssohn studied here, and Albert Einstein once taught as a professor. Over the years, 29 Nobel Prize winners have come out of Humboldt. Around 18% of students are international, so you’ll hear different languages on campus and in the city streets around it.
Université Paris Cité
EU ranking
#57 in Western Europe
International students
22%
Université Paris Cité was only founded in 2019, so it’s a relatively new name. But its history starts from the merging of two Parisian universities, Paris Descartes and Paris Diderot. The location alone gives studying here a different feel, the one of learning in the middle of a town that’s almost like a cultural phenomenon.
French is the primary language, but a number of programs offered in English is growing. As a founding Circle U. European University Alliance member, Université Paris Cité combines a rich academic tradition with a clear drive toward innovation and global collaboration.
Utrecht University
EU ranking
#14 in Western Europe
International students
13%
Utrecht University, founded in 1636, is located in the heart of the Netherlands. Over the centuries, it has grown into one of Europe’s leading research universities. The city of Utrecht is often called the ‘happiest place to live,’ making it even more attractive for students.
The university has 12 bachelor’s and over 90 master’s programs, all taught in English and in an interactive style.
How to Go to College in Europe as an American?
Many think studying in Europe is just “apply, get in, hop on a plane.” It’s not. There are a hundred little details no one tells you, things that can make or break the experience. What’s worth knowing are the facts you don’t usually find on university websites.
Research Universities and Programs
Don’t just Google “best universities in Europe.” Everyone does that. Go deeper and look at the hidden information, like dropout rates, how flexible the curriculum is, if the campus shuts down on weekends, basically everything you really need to know. Also, consider whether you want to live in a buzzing capital or a small city where you actually connect with locals.
Check Admission Requirements
Some schools care more about specific high school classes than your GPA. For example, German universities may reject you outright if you don’t have enough math or science credits, even if you’re an A student. Others might require you to take a “foundation year” before starting. Email the admissions office yourself; don’t wait for them to tell you. They’ll actually answer and sometimes even bend rules if you ask the right questions.
Get Your Documents Together
Beyond the obvious transcripts and passports, some countries want documents notarized, stamped, or even apostilled (you probably haven’t heard of that until now). Some schools need a bank statement down to the exact number of euros. Start gathering everything early, and keep both physical and digital copies. You really don’t want to experience the nightmare that is losing paperwork abroad.
Figure Out the Visa
Some countries require an in-person appointment where they grill you about why you’re coming. Others ask for proof of a local address, even though you can’t rent an apartment without a visa. Temporary student housing or even a letter from a hostel sometimes works as proof. Have backups for everything because consulates love to ask for “one more document.”
Think About Costs
Tuition can be low, but the sneaky costs pile up. Many European cities require you to pay a “student union fee” or buy health insurance locally, even if you’re already covered. Some countries also demand proof you have a full year’s living expenses locked in a local bank account, i.e., money you can’t touch until you arrive.
Look for Scholarships
Scholarships go far beyond university pages. Local city governments, private companies, and even foreign embassies sometimes offer grants to international students. Dig through sites in the local language using Google Translate, and you’ll find funding opportunities other applicants miss.
Get Ready to Move
Everyone worries about packing. Few think about cultural survival skills. In many European cities, stores close early, cash is still king in unexpected places, and public transport fines are brutal if you skip buying a ticket. Learn how banking works there, for example, some banks take weeks to open an account. Figure out SIM cards, too, because you’ll need data the moment you land.
Wrapping It Up
Studying in Europe is a challenge, but it’s the kind that pays off. The paperwork, the new system, and the cultural shocks are all part of the ride.
If the academics feel heavy at times, EssayService can step in with essay help and guidance so you can keep your focus where it matters most.
FAQs
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Times Higher Education. (n.d.). Best universities in Europe. Times Higher Education. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-europe
