Europe is emerging as a premier destination for international students seeking English-taught programs (ETPs). According to a new report from Studyportals and British Council IELTS, Europe is becoming a strong alternative to traditional study destinations such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia by offering a growing range of English-based degrees, both online and on-campus. The report, published in June 2024, illustrates the increasing significance of English-medium education across the European Economic Area (EEA), with a surge in program offerings in countries like Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Europe’s push for international education
Europe’s reputation for high-quality education and cultural diversity is now strengthened by its strategic shift towards internationalisation. The rise in ETPs, driven by the Bologna Process and Erasmus program, is making Europe an attractive alternative to traditional English-speaking countries for global students. As of mid-2024, 43% of all on-campus ETPs outside the Big Four are located in Europe, with 58% of the world’s online ETPs also based in the region.
The Studyportals and British Council report
The report, Mapping English-taught programs in Europe, based on Studyportals data collected from over 55 million unique visitors annually, provides a broad and forward-looking view of international student interest. These prospective students typically visit Studyportals websites one to two years before they enrol, offering a valuable glimpse into future trends and insights into international student interest across the globe. The data accounts for over 62 million sessions and more than 220 million pageviews, making it a comprehensive and unique dataset.
With visitors coming from over 240 countries, the audience is exceptionally well-distributed across the globe, giving a balanced representation of global interest in studying abroad. This extensive dataset allows for in-depth comparisons of ETP offerings across on-campus and online programs at both bachelor’s and master’s levels, revealing the growing appeal of Europe as a destination for international students.
Where is the growth happening?
On-campus English-taught programs:
Leading countries: Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands stand out as the top destinations, offering thousands of on-campus English-taught programs (ETPs). Ireland leads the pack with 2,668 programs, followed by Germany with 2,305 and the Netherlands with 2,118. These three countries are the largest suppliers of on-campus ETPs in Europe. On the other hand, some of the smallest suppliers include Luxembourg, offering 68 programs, Croatia with 65 and Slovenia with 33.
Key cities: When breaking down the number of ETPs by city, Dublin leads with 1,136 programs, followed by Amsterdam with 472, and Barcelona with 396. In addition to Dublin, other Irish cities like Cork rank among the top 10 providers of English-taught programs. Similarly, Dutch institutions in cities such as Amsterdam and Maastricht, along with Spanish institutions in Barcelona and Madrid, play a key role in the growing supply of ETPs across Europe.
Online English-taught programs:
Since 2021, the supply of online bachelor’s and master’s programs in the EEA region has risen by 67.3%, with forecasts indicating continued growth. Germany has been leading the charge in the growth of online master’s programs, followed by Ireland and Spain. Germany’s supply of online ETPs alone has grown by 83% since 2019.
Focus on Master’s programs:
The bulk of internationalisation efforts in Europe has been more concentrated on master’s-level programs than on bachelor’s programs. This aligns with the broader European focus on professional education.
Why Europe is becoming the top choice for international students
Europe’s rise as a top destination is supported by several key factors:
Lower cost of living: Many European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, offer affordable tuition fees and a lower cost of living compared to the US or UK, making Europe an increasingly attractive destination for international students on a budget.
Quality of life and cultural appeal: Europe’s blend of historical significance, vibrant urban life and cultural diversity adds another layer of appeal for students. Cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, and Barcelona are not only hubs for education but also destinations that offer rich student experiences.
Online learning options: Post-pandemic, there has been a significant shift towards online education. The flexibility offered by online master’s programs is driving up enrolments. Institutions in cities like Berlin and Barcelona have seen growing interest, particularly from students seeking flexibility in their studies.
Challenges and opportunities in ETP provision
While Europe has seen broad expansion of English-taught programs, some nations are experiencing policy-related shifts. Countries like Denmark have reduced their ETP offerings to focus on local students, and the Netherlands is planning measures to control the number of incoming international students due to concerns over capacity. Despite these challenges, most European countries continue to expand their ETP portfolios.
The report also emphasised the broader context of policy-based limits on international student mobility. With social, economic and political crises in many source markets restricting students’ ability to study abroad, the digital landscape represents a promising opportunity for European institutions to strengthen their global reputation.
What’s next for international education in Europe?
The fast expansion of ETPs across Europe has positioned the region as a formidable player in global education. As noted by Piet van Hove, President of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), “Provision of English-taught programs is a key indicator of the state of internationalisation, and the EEA is still emerging as a strong alternative to the Big Four.” This expansion has made Europe a competitive option for students looking for a truly global education experience.
Experts in the international education industry have highlighted the strategic importance of international students for European countries, explaining that governments in Europe often take a strategic approach, seeing international students not merely as a source of tuition revenue and economic spending but as essential to addressing talent shortages and enhancing national competitiveness.
With a continued focus on English-medium education and international collaboration, European universities are poised to remain strong on the global stage for years to come.
To learn more news, updates and exciting study opportunities available for international students across Europe, please visit our blog or contact our business development experts for more information.
