Europe is home to many long-established universities and offers a wide range of study, work, travel, and cultural opportunities. Studying in Europe can help students improve their English skills while also giving them the chance to learn about other cultures and languages, such as French, Italian, German, and Dutch.
European universities have played important roles in both historic and modern research, innovation, and teaching. For international students, Europe also offers diverse academic environments and opportunities to experience life in different countries.
In the article below, we discuss some of the best English-taught universities in Europe.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Europe
1. University of Birmingham
In Birmingham, England, there is a public research institution called the University of Birmingham. The institution has spent more than a century pursuing and promoting knowledge through teaching and internationally recognized research. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Birmingham is ranked 76th in the world and 11th among UK universities. Moreover, the university supports students in developing their ideas and preparing for future careers.
2. Tilburg University
Located in Tilburg in the southern Netherlands, Tilburg University is a public research institution with strengths in the social and behavioral sciences, economics, law, business sciences, theology, and humanities. The university offers 14 English-taught bachelor’s programs and more than 50 English-taught master’s programs, along with other courses and professional learning opportunities. If you are willing to relocate to the Netherlands, Tilburg University offers many study options to help you advance your academic and professional goals.
3. Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Institut Polytechnique de Paris is a public higher education and research institution in Palaiseau, France. It was formally established in 2019 and brings together several major French engineering and technology schools. Through its member schools and programs, students can pursue study options at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The institute also offers scholarships and funding opportunities for eligible students.
4. EU Business School
An international management school with campuses in Barcelona, Geneva, and Munich, as well as a Digital Campus, EU Business School was founded in 1973. The institution offers foundation, bachelor’s, master’s, MBA, and DBA programs taught in English, with a focus on business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Students interested in business education can consider EU Business School as one of the English-speaking options in Europe.
5. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
An institution with a strong urban focus, Vrije Universiteit Brussel is located in the heart of Europe. VUB has students and staff from more than 125 countries, and its 2024 facts and figures reported 5,950 international students from 151 countries. VUB offers academic bachelor’s, master’s, and advanced master’s options, including English-taught programs. It actively contributes to society through research, education, and international collaboration.
6. Trinity College Dublin
The oldest university in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, was created by royal charter in 1592. Located in Dublin, Trinity offers undergraduate and postgraduate study across major disciplines, including arts and humanities, business, law, engineering, science, and health sciences. Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, also offers a number of scholarship opportunities for prospective and current international students.
7. Tampere University
Tampere University offers degree programs at all academic levels, from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees, and its focus areas include technology, health, and society. More than 21,000 students study there each year, and the university offers English-taught study opportunities for international students.
8. Moscow International University
- Study Program
- Location: Russia | Degrees taught in English: Check the language of instruction for each program
Moscow International University describes itself as the first independent university in the contemporary history of Russia, created in 1991. The university lists bachelor’s degree programs, master’s degree programs and MBA options, postgraduate study, lyceum education, and additional education. Prospective students should confirm the language of instruction directly on the current program page before applying.
9. Lund University
One of the oldest universities in northern Europe, Lund University was founded in 1666 and is a public university in Sweden. The institution is situated in the Swedish region of Scania’s city of Lund. Lund University has around 45,000 students and offers a wide range of English-taught programs and courses. A bachelor’s or master’s degree at Lund may help aspiring professionals broaden their expertise in their chosen field.
10. University of Copenhagen
In Copenhagen, Denmark, there is a public research institution called the University of Copenhagen. Founded in 1479, the university is Denmark’s oldest university and one of the oldest in Northern Europe. It has six faculties, 36 departments, and more than 200 research centers. Tuition fees vary by program and are listed for 60 ECTS, while applicants from outside the EU/EEA and non-Nordic countries are generally required to pay tuition fees unless they qualify for an exemption.
11. University of Kent
In Kent, England, there is a semi-collegiate public research university called the University of Kent. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, master’s, MBA, and PhD courses to international students and has a student body representing more than 100 nationalities. Kent also provides support services, scholarships, and pathway options for international students beginning their studies in the UK.
12. University of Amsterdam
A public research institution called the University of Amsterdam is situated in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The UvA dates back to 1632, when its predecessor, the Athenaeum Illustre, was founded. The university ranks among the world’s top 100 universities and is one of Europe’s leading research universities. UvA offers a range of scholarship programs and international study options for talented students.
13. Technical University of Munich
Located in Munich, Germany, the Technical University of Munich is a public research institution. It focuses strongly on applied sciences, natural sciences, engineering, technology, and related fields. For newly enrolled non-EU students in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, tuition fees usually range from 2,000 to 3,000 euros per semester for bachelor’s programs and from 4,000 to 6,000 euros per semester for master’s programs, depending on the program.
14. Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Study Program | Scholarships
- Location: Russia | Degrees taught in English: Check the language of instruction for each program
One of Russia’s oldest institutions of higher education, Lomonosov Moscow State University, was established in 1755. Moscow State University offers training in many areas of modern science and the humanities. Its undergraduates may choose from 128 qualifications in 39 faculties, while postgraduate students may specialize in 18 branches of science and the humanities and in 168 areas. Students should check each program page for the current language of instruction and admission requirements.
15. Newcastle University
Newcastle University is a public research university located in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is ranked 137th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 144th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. The university offers many undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English and welcomes students from many countries and backgrounds.
16. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is among the best-known English-taught universities in Europe and consistently performs strongly in global rankings. It is also the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with evidence of teaching at Oxford dating back to 1096. Oxford is especially highly ranked in medicine and health-related subjects, and it is also known for strengths in the life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
Oxford has close historical ties with the University of Cambridge. The two universities share some academic and institutional traditions and are often called Oxbridge. Both institutions have educated many notable researchers, public figures, and professionals across a wide range of fields.
Oxford is home to major museums, the Bodleian Libraries, and Oxford University Press. As one of the world’s oldest surviving English-speaking universities, Oxford has a long history of teaching and research. It also maintains international partnerships and offers a wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programs taught in English.
17. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge traces its earliest records to 1209, when groups of scholars congregated in Cambridge for study. Cambridge is one of the world’s leading universities and is ranked 6th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university is also associated with the Cambridge Union, established in 1815 and described by the university as the oldest student debating society in the world.
Cambridge attracts students from around the world and offers over 30 undergraduate courses covering more than 65 subject areas, along with a wide range of postgraduate study options. As a university with a long history of research and teaching, Cambridge provides students with academic, cultural, and professional opportunities across many disciplines.
18. ETH Zürich
ETH Zürich, commonly referred to in English as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is one of the world’s most highly ranked public research universities. The institution was founded by the Swiss Confederation in 1854 and began teaching in 1855. ETH Zürich is ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Albert Einstein studied at ETH Zurich from 1896 to 1900 and worked there as a professor of theoretical physics from 1912 to 1914.
Among the top English-taught universities in Europe, ETH Zürich offers many master’s programs in English, while some require both English and German and others are taught in German. The main teaching language during bachelor’s degree studies is German. Students should check the language requirements for their chosen degree before applying.
19. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is one of Europe’s well-known academic and research institutions. Founded in 1472, LMU has developed over the centuries into a major university with strengths across humanities and social sciences, cultural studies, law, economics, medicine, natural sciences, and other fields.
LMU had 52,658 students enrolled in the winter semester 2025/26 and offers more than 300 degree programs. German proficiency is generally required for studying at LMU, but the university offers some bachelor-level and master-level degree programs in English, sometimes in combination with other languages. LMU also offers international doctoral study options.
20. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) is a research-intensive Catholic university in Belgium. Founded in 1425, KU Leuven celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2025, making it one of Europe’s oldest universities. It is also the oldest university in the Low Countries and the oldest extant Catholic university in the world.
Although Catholic by heritage and culture, KU Leuven offers a diverse learning environment and a strong international profile. The university is ranked 60th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 46th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Reuters has also ranked KU Leuven as the most innovative university in Europe in its Europe innovation rankings since 2016.
Although the institution’s main language of instruction is Dutch, it offers a wide range of English-taught programs, especially at the master’s and doctoral levels, making KU Leuven one of the strong English-taught study options in Europe.
FAQS About English Track Programs in Europe
Which Country in Europe is Best to Study English-Taught Programs?
For students who want an English-speaking study environment, the United Kingdom and Ireland are straightforward choices because English is the main language of instruction at most universities. The UK is home to institutions such as King’s College London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford, which continue to attract many international students.
Along with the UK and Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark also offer many English-taught programs, especially at the master’s level. Students should always check the language of instruction, tuition fees, scholarships, and entry requirements on the official program page before applying.
Since English is not the first or official language of many European countries, choosing a university may feel difficult at first. We hope this overview helps you compare some of the best English-taught universities in Europe and narrow down your options.
We hope this article on the best English-taught universities in Europe was informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
