Study Abroad: UK, Italy, France, Germany: Europe/Universities in Europe

About Europe

Europe is the world's second-smallest continent by surface area, covering about 10,180,000 square kilometres (3,930,000 sq mi) or 2% of the Earth's surface and about 6.8% of its land area. Of Europe's approximately 50 states, Russia is the largest by both area and population, while the Vatican City is the smallest.

Schengen

Schengen is short for the Schengen Convention, named after the small town in Luxembourg where it was signed. Schengen allows freedom of movement for all citizens of the signatory EU Member States, other EU Member States or specified third countries. Signed on 14 June 1985 by Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, it has been extended over time to cover: Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Ireland and the United Kingdom have maintained their border controls, even if they have partly joined Schengen

Study in Europe

There are more than four thousand higher education institutions in Europe, from top-level research establishments to small, teaching-focused colleges. Europe itself is no less diverse, extending from the Arctic Circle to the coast of Africa, where tiny principalities sit side-by-side with many of the world�fs leading economies.

It seems that in Britain, the US or Australia, students have to choose subjects, while others (like English) are compulsory. In Cont. Europe everybody must learn all primary subjects (their native language, maths, sciences, history, geography, physical edducation...) and usually several foreign languages. In my school, everybody had to choose between 2 and 4 languages among 6 (incl. Latin and Ancient Greek). I had 3, because I had also a lot of sciences and maths and couldn't take more. In my school at least, students could choose to add hours in mandatory subjects. There are lots of optional subjects such as economy, sociology, psychology, religion, etc.

Over 80,000 Americans study abroad at the college or university level each academic year. The number of U.S. students going abroad has increased by about two percent annually over recent years, and this type of study opportunity is now an established part of American academic life. While most U.S. citizens who study abroad go to Europe (over 60 percent), growing numbers are going to Asia, Latin America, and Australasia. The majority of these students (nearly 70 percent) are short-term visitors who are enrolled in courses or programs sponsored, or offered, by U.S. postsecondary institutions or special foreign student programs provided by host country institutions. Most of these study abroad participants, about 90 percent, are undergraduate students. However, a small but significant number of Americans is enrolled in first or higher degree study programs at the university level in foreign educational systems.
taken from ed.gov

Lunds University , Sweden
Non-Exchange Students - Apply from March 16th 2009 Applications open on the 16th March 2009 for students wishing to study single subject courses at Lund University.
Courses are offered at the undergraduate (first cycle) and postgraduate (second cycle) level.
The application deadline is the 15th April 2009.
This information is for undergraduate students who are not involved in a formal exchange programme.

Study in Switzerland
Internationality begins on campus, amongst students. Switzerland has the highest share of international students in Europe (2005: 17 %), on bachelor and advanced studies levels, most of them coming from other European countries.

Foreign students are allowed to work up to 15 hours a week as long as the duration of the studies is not prolonged.

Admissions
Language Ability: Good knowledge of the language of instruction (either German, French or Italian, see above) is a prerequisite for admission to any Swiss university. In the meantime, universities are offering more and more study courses in English, in particular Master level studies.
Information for Foreigners Wishing to Study in Switzerland
Foreign School or College Certificates: To be admitted to a university, candidates must possess either a state-recognised Swiss maturity certificate or another foreign certificate recognised as equivalent by the university. The university in question decides whether to recognise the certificate and whether the holder is entitled to be admitted to studies. More information on the assessment of your certificate can be found in the list compiled by the Committee for Admissions (http://www.enic.ch �¨ Zulassung �¨ Zulassung in der Schweiz).

Ranking for cost of Living index
Moscow, Russia (1st)
London, UK (3rd)
Oslo, Norway (4th)
Copenhagen, Denmark (7th)
Geneva, Switzerland (8th)
Moscow is costliest city in the world...

Best/Top ranked Universities of Europe