Where to study abroad in 2025/26
Choosing the best country to study abroad in is a big decision, and one that you need to do plenty of research for. Studying abroad can be a fantastic way to experience different cultures and get a university education at the same time.
The country you choose for study abroad can make a big difference to your study experience, and costs, culture, academic style and even your career progression can depend on your choice. Countries like Canada, Belgium, and France, for example, continue to rise in popularity, as they offer a high quality education and are welcoming to international students. Other countries have become less appealing to international students, due to various conflicts and political issues.
We discuss several points to consider to help you choose the perfect study destination for you.
Why should I study abroad?
There are two main reasons why you should consider studying abroad as a prospective international student.
Firstly, it gives you the chance to experience a new culture, different traditions, history and lifestyle. Students often say that the cultural differences of a new country are a shock to them at first, but later become one of their favourite aspects of studying abroad. Experiencing a different way of life than the one in your home country allows you to grow as a person and understand the world better, and it shows future employers that you are ready to interact with people from different backgrounds in a professional setting.
Secondly, your home country may simply not have universities which are at the same level of quality as some of the world’s highest ranked universities. North America and Europe, for example, are home to over 70 percent of the QS World Rankings top 1,000 universities worldwide. Africa, in comparison, offers less than 5 percent of such universities, although the higher education landscape is improving in the continent, so this is subject to change.
If you have the financial ability or scholarships required, then studying at a world-class university with leading professors and high-quality research facilities is a major bonus of studying abroad.
Naturally, this means that in areas such as North America and Europe, where most of the world’s top universities are based, admissions for international students are quite competitive, and you must ensure that you have the best grades possible in high school or your undergraduate degree to boost chances of admission.
Grades are not everything though, and who you are as a person outside of the classroom is just as important to these universities as the letters or numbers on your transcripts. Finding extracurricular activities that you are passionate about and are connected to your study interests can be very helpful when it comes to standing out in your application.
Which country suits your lifestyle the best?
When you choose to study abroad, a priority of yours should be to make sure that the country you are planning on travelling to for your studies offers the lifestyle that you want to lead.
If you wish to experience sunny days by the beach while you study, perhaps you should consider a country like Australia for your studies. The universities of Australia are located around the perimeter of the country, with many situated by the east coast of Queensland and New South Wales, and the south coasts of Victoria and South Australia.
If you would like to study in a country that offers beautiful historical towns, allowing you the chance to people watch over a cup of coffee in your leisure time, there are many countries in Europe that can offer you this experience, such as Italy, France, the Netherlands and Germany, which offer fascinating history and varied linked cultures.
Make sure that the country that you pick offers you the culture that you want to experience. Some cities are very culturally diverse, and you will be able to find your niche within them.
Cosmopolitan cities like London in the UK, New York in the USA, Paris in France, Sydney in Australia and Toronto in Canada offer the international student a wide range of cultures to experience and as such, you may find that cultural norms are not as important for you to feel like you fit in.
Where do you dream of travelling?
Travelling abroad for your studies is a great leap and may be influenced by your desire to visit a particular country or region. As well as considering the lifestyle that you wish to lead, this is a great chance to travel to a region or country that you have always wanted to visit.
There are opportunities to study wherever you would like to travel to in the world, from remote peninsulas in Iceland, to Gibraltar on the tip of Spain’s south coast, the Highlands in Scotland and so much more.
What language will you speak while you study abroad?
Depending on your motivations to study abroad, language is a key factor that every international student should consider. Regardless of whether you want your course to be taught in English, French, Spanish, Italian or otherwise, check on the availability of courses taught in the language that you want to learn in.
Though not necessary, studying abroad can be a great way to learn or perfect a second language. If this is something that you wish to do during your studies, make sure that you have sufficient language skills before you choose your top country to study abroad, or consider a pathway course to bring your language skills up to the required level.
Remember that language barriers can exist outside of the classroom as well as during your studies, and the opportunity to practise your language skills in a social setting in a new country can really help to improve your skills and confidence.
How much does it cost to live and study in the country?
Your ultimate decision on where to study may come down to your budget. Tuition fees, travel costs and living expenses can vary depending on the country that you choose, and even between cities in the same country.
Whilst help with funding towards your education such as bursaries and scholarships do exist, if you don’t qualify for any of these, you must work out if you can afford to live and study in the country of your choice. There is also the option of part time work to consider if you need help to make ends meet during your studies.
In the USA, for example, public universities charge between 20,000-35,000 US Dollars per annum, whereas private universities can charge between 40,000-55,000 US Dollars per annum for their courses. Specialised courses such as MBAs and Law degrees may be even more expensive. Tuition fees are slightly lower in most European countries, and living expenses are also more affordable in Europe than in most parts of the USA and Canada.
If you require financial assistance for studying at a university abroad, you should consider Germany, Sweden and Denmark, alongside a few other European countries which offer free tuition to international students at public universities. The quality of universities in these countries means that you are getting excellent value for money by spending less for your education.
We have more information about the costs of studying abroad in our detailed article How much does it cost to study abroad.
Getting a student visa
As an international student, it is likely that you will need to obtain a student visa for the period of your studies. The immigration and student visa process and costs differ between countries, and this is something to consider when deciding upon your chosen country.
It may also be important for you to consider whether you want to stay in the country after you have finished your studies, and each country has different requirements for international students in these circumstances.
Choose the discipline you would like to study
Choosing the subject you would like to study can go a long way to narrowing your choice of study destination. If you want to study a more niche subject area such as Coastal Management, you might find that your best choices are reduced to a handful of locations.
If you wish to study in a very competitive area where competition for the best jobs is fierce, such as Business, you may wish to choose the very best ranked university in that subject for your studies. In this case, you will find that the USA and the UK are more likely to offer you the best choice for your studies.
Compare the standard of education with university rankings
To make sure that you will receive the standard of education that you wish to receive, you may want to review world university rankings. Although these are not the only metric you should consider to pick a study destination, or even a university, they do give a good indication to the strength and quality of education and research in a country.
We have put together a detailed article covering global university rankings that you can use to compare the educational performance and reputation of universities from different countries.
Study experiences of others in this country
Until you travel and begin your studies, you won’t know for sure if your experience will live up to your expectations. One of the best ways to learn more about what it’s like to live and study in a new country is to speak to other people who are already doing it, or have already done it.
Find students at universities you are interested in studying abroad via university websites or student testimonials elsewhere, and really pay attention to their accounts. They may help clarify for you what to expect.
The experiences of students can also be viewed in student satisfaction surveys, such as the 2023 student satisfaction survey from studyportals.
Making your choice
When you have considered all the factors relevant to your choice of study location, it might help you to make a shortlist of your favourite destinations. This will allow you to review any pros and cons of each according to your circumstance, and help you to draw your own conclusion on your ideal countries to study abroad.
You may have already been considering potential university choices by this stage, so now is the time to step up your university search!
Alternatives to studying abroad
If studying abroad isn’t an option for you right now, you might want to consider some of the alternative options. These will still allow you to gain a university degree with a unique perspective, but allow you to either study from your home country, or take more time to prepare yourself for international study.
Distance Learning
Distance Learning, or academic degree study based upon online courses which can be accessed from anywhere in the world, has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and continues to grow as a study choice.
There are two major types of distance learning available for international students today. The first is Synchronous, meaning ‘at the same time.’ This method requires live communication online, because you will be attending classes at exactly the same time as students from all over the world, just like an on-campus class. The other method is Asynchronous, in which international students usually receive weekly deadlines for completing assignments and watching pre-recorded lectures which you can complete at your own pace. Most international students prefer asynchronous distance learning because it gives you the chance to manage your time and complete assignments at your own speed.
If financial or travel-related difficulties make it impossible for you to study abroad, you should consider distance learning, as it normally costs a fraction of an on-campus university degree. Whatever decision you make, you should be confident of the endless opportunities available to advance your career and experience studying abroad.
Pathway Programmes
Pathway programmes are courses that are designed to help prepare you for your degree or masters. They are particularly useful if you do not meet the entry requirements for a specific course, have changed your mind about what you want to study, or do not have the required level of language proficiency.
There are several different types of pathway programmes, some are designed to lead you onto bachelor degrees, some are created for masters degrees (also known as pre-masters courses), and some are to prepare or improve your language skills ahead of starting a degree or masters in a different country.
Also included in pathway programmes are foundation degrees. These can be studied as a standalone course, and you will be awarded a full Foundation level qualification on completion. Once you have graduated from your foundation course, you can choose to either pursue further studies, which could be a shorter duration than a normal degree, or you could choose to enter the workplace.
All pathway programmes are intended as a stepping stone to a degree or masters programme, and some come with guaranteed (or the increased chance of) admission to a specific programme at a university.
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