Overview
Studying abroad helps international students boost their careers, improve their English, and develop new skills. They gain a global perspective and adaptability by interacting with diverse peers. Personal growth, independence, and making international friends enrich their experience and future opportunities.
Deciding on study abroad destination is no easy task, with a lot of monetary and time investment at stake. The two questions are:
- What is the value proposition of popular countries and their Higher Education Insititutions (HEIs) for a prospective international student.
- How to choose your destination country that best aligns with your goals, aspirations and career and lifestyle vision.
In this article we will provide an overview of key factors and considerations for choosing the right study abroad destination. By the end of the article you will:
- Have an overview of the most popular study abroad sestinations for students globally, with their pros and cons
- Be able to decide which destination is best for you
Contents
- Overview and setting the context
- Canada
- Germany
- Italy
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- USA
Overview and setting the context
Study abroad numbers have been growing steadily, with a 5.5% annual increase since 1990. Most international students come from Asia, particularly China, India, and Vietnam, with 14.4% from Europe. After Covid-19, study abroad demand remains strong, highlighting the ongoing global interest in international education.
In this article we will scrutinise seven countries, that have a large market share of international students: USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Italy & Ireland.
Picture 1: Most popular study abroad destination globally.
| Destination country | Total International students |
| USA | 1,003,000 |
| UK | 704,000 |
| Germany | 482,000 |
| Canada | 347,000 |
| Netherlands | 191000 |
| Italy | 125,000 |
| Ireland | 28,000 |
Table 1: Total number of international students in a host country
We will also look at the value propositions of each country andits education system, highlighting 5 categories of decision factors students typically take into consideration when selection their destination. These are: quality of education, student finance, application & visas, lifestyle and opportunities for the future.
Picture 2: Decision factors when choosing a destination.
Prestige & rankings
According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the UK and the USA have the highest number of top-ranked universities, suggesting they offer the best quality education. Germany and Canada follow with a significant number of institutions in the top 100 and 500.
Picture 3: Comparison of top ranked universities in popular study destination countries
Note: The objectivity of global university rankings as indicators of higher education institution (HEI) quality is disputed due to various methodological issues (referenced by Gadd, 2021; Brankovic, 2021; Bellantuono, 2022). Rankings tend to be biased towards institutions in the USA and UK because of their emphasis on research output, which doesn’t favor countries like Germany where research is often conducted outside of HEIs. Nevertheless, these rankings are still heavily relied upon by students when evaluating HEIs, making them an important factor.
Language of instruction
USA, UK, Canada and Ireland are the leaders in the quanity of courses taught in English. English Medium Education (EME) refers to courses taught in English in non-English speaking countries, like Italy. In English-speaking countries like the UK, courses taught in English aren’t labeled EME, even with international students and staff. Both the EU and the UK require a certain English proficiency level (B2 CEFR) for these courses. However, EU universities might accept students with lower English skills than UK universities. Students often need extra English lessons, known as English for Academic Purposes (EAP), to succeed in their studies. The UK emphasizes intensive EAP courses before the academic year starts, while the EU provides both pre-sessional and ongoing EAP support. The UK is recognized as a leader in EAP, with many universities accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). In the EU, there’s also support for teachers teaching in English, but it’s less common than in the UK.
Picture 4: Number of courses taught in English in popular study destination countries
Student finance: tuition fees comparison: USA vs. UK and other countries
Picture 5: Comparison of tuition fees in popular study destination countries
Student finance: the cost of living
Picture 6: Comparison of cost of living in popular study destination countries
Student finance: Student Employment Policies
The USA restricts student work mainly to on-campus jobs, making it the least flexible. In the UK, Canada, and Germany, students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. There are no work restrictions for students in Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Student employment rates are lowest in Italy and the USA, while Canada has the highest proportion of working students.
Picture 7: Comparison of student employment policies in popular study destination countries
Opportunities for the future
Graduate employment is highest in the Netherlands and Germany and lowest in the USA, though the difference across all seven countries is only 8%. The USA leads in graduate salaries, which are 80% higher than the UK’s average. Italy has the lowest graduate income, and the UK also lags, with graduates earning over £10,000 less than those in the Netherlands, Germany, and Ireland.
Picture 8: Comparison of student employment rates and graduate income in popular study destination countries
The UK, Canada, and the USA offer temporary work visas for graduates, who need to secure skilled visas for longer stays. The UK issues the highest number of skilled visas.
Picture 8: Comparison of student post-graduation work rights
United Kingdom
The UK is renowned for its high-quality higher education (HE) sector, boasting many top-tier universities. It is a leading destination
for students worldwide, offering benefits like strong support services and favourable job prospects post-graduation. However, it’s
worth noting that the UK’s tuition fees are among the highest in Europe, and unlike some other countries, the government does not
offer financial aid to international students.
Canada
Canada, despite its size, has a significant higher education (HE) sector with a diverse range of institutions, including both private and
public universities as well as community colleges. It ranks second in the number of international students relative to its overall
student population. While Canada has fewer top-ranked institutions compared to the UK or USA, its appealing lifestyle is a major
draw for students globally. Although applying to Canadian HEIs can be both complicated and costly, tuition fees are generally lower
than in the UK and USA, yet higher than in the EU.
Germany
Known for its no-tuition public universities that provide quality education, especially in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM). There are a variety of programs available at both traditional universities and Universities of Applied Sciences.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides substantial scholarships to help international students with living
expenses. Despite these benefits, international students often have a low graduation rate. Additionally, these universities can be
very crowded, may not have enough faculty for personal attention, and might offer limited support services.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has become very popular with international students, thanks to the large number of programs taught in English at
its Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences. Tuition fees are comparatively affordable, and graduates face promising job
opportunities. However, finding housing can be challenging for international students. Additionally, due to political concerns about
the increasing international student population, some universities are thinking about capping their numbers.
Ireland
In recent times, Ireland’s tertiary education scene has transformed, with several smaller Institutes of Technology combining to form
five expansive Technological Universities with multiple campuses. Ireland’s appeal lies in its status as a native English-speaking
nation. However, a major drawback is the high cost of living, particularly in Dublin.
Italy
Traditionally not been a top choic, yet it has experienced significant growth as a study destination due to Italian universities’ efforts
to internationalize, which includes offering more courses in English. The combination of affordable tuition fees, a modest cost of
living, the absence of visa requirements, and an enticing lifestyle makes Italy an attractive option for EU students. Italy is especially
recognized for its arts education, boasting 141 specialized institutions in arts, music, and dance (AFAM) nationwide. Nonetheless,
Italian universities do not generally achieve as high international rankings as those in some other countries.
USA
Boasts the widest selection of higher education programs and institutions globally, including a variety of state and private
universities as well as community colleges. It is home to many top-ranked universities, with five of the top ten in the QS World
University Rankings located in the USA. The potential for high earnings after graduation adds to its appeal. However, the cost of
tuition can be very high, and unlike the numerous private scholarships, there is no financial aid from the government. Additionally,
obtaining a student visa can be a complex and costly process.
Deciding
Ultimately the decision should align with your goals, budgets and lifestyle preferences. It is important to know what do you want to achieve in the end, what is most important: quality of education & support services, language and diversity, location, costs, lifestyle & culture, employment opportunities? Based on these factors, you might want to create a long and shortlist of your options, and scrutinise each option via Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
Remember you are not alone, many students are going through the same journey and challenges across the world.
We recommend to refer to official sources of information and trusted experts when making this important decision, such as:
If you get stuck, give us a shout.
References
1. British Council. (2023, December). UK as a Higher Education study destination for EU/EEA students: Competitor
analysis. The Policy Studies Center (PSC).
2. UNESCO: Global flow of Tertiary –Level of Students: https://uis.unesco.org/en/uis-student-flow#slideoutmenu
3. QS Word University Rankings 2023 https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings/2023
4. Study portals https://studyportals.com/students/
5. BALEAP https://www.baleap.org/
6. OECD (2022), “Completion rates of full-time students, by level of education, timeframe: True cohort only”, in
Education at a Glance 2022: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/3fe28629-en.
7. DAAD, January 2019, https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/der-daad/analysen-
studien/daad-blickpunkte_daad-focus_academic_success_and_dropout_among_international_students_2019.pdf
8. The Irish Times, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/drop-out-rates-in-some-third-level-stem-courses-
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