Best places to study abroad

Studying abroad opens the doors to adventure, the opportunity to acquire a new language, and enhance your employment prospects. Discover some of the world's top study destinations

Before taking the leap to apply for a course abroad, it's crucial to research fully, assess your visa eligibility, and factor in any travel restrictions.

Australia

Australia is a popular destination for gap year backpackers and is also known for its strong higher education system. It is especially appealing for postgraduates seeking to study in a culturally diverse environment with a focus on outdoor activities.

The country is home to almost 567,000 foreign students, making it a welcoming place for international students. However, it is also considered one of the most expensive countries for overseas students. On average, annual tuition fees and living expenses can amount to over £30,000.

Despite the high cost, many British students are attracted to Australia due to its high quality of life and its reputation as a top educational destination. Notably, Melbourne and Sydney consistently rank among the best student cities globally. Other popular student areas in Australia include Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth.

Australia has 42 higher education institutions, which are structured similarly to those in the UK. The country boasts 38 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with nine of them ranking in the top 100. The highest-ranked Australian institution is the University of Melbourne (13th), followed by the University of Sydney (18th) and the University of New South Wales (19th).

If you plan to study in Australia, you will need a student visa, and the type of visa required will depend on the course you are applying for.

Find out more about studying in Australia.

Canada

The second-largest country in the world, Canada is known for its natural beauty and high academic standards. Most of its population lives close to the USA border. The country welcomes thousands of overseas students every year, mainly attracted by its friendly, lively, and multicultural cities such as Montreal and Toronto, which are consistently rated among the best student cities in the world.

Students can pursue a full-time Masters degree, known as a 'grad' programme, for one to three years. Canadian universities offer globally recognised qualifications, with 28 institutions making the QS rankings. Three of these universities are in the top 100 list:

• University of Toronto (25th)
• McGill University (29th)
• University of British Columbia (38th).

Tuition fees are lower compared to those in the UK. There are also scholarships and bursaries, such as the International Tuition Award, available for international students. While living costs may not be the lowest, Canada regularly ranks high in the standard of living indexes.

English is one of the two official languages in Canada, and you may not need to speak the other official language - French - unless your study destination is in Quebec. If you plan to stay in Canada for longer than six months, you'll need a study permit.

Learn more about studying in Canada.

France

France's proximity to UK shores makes it popular among students looking to study abroad. The country's world-class higher education, especially in Paris, is a significant draw. Paris, also known as the 'City of Light', attracts visitors with its thriving arts and fashion scene, royal palaces, beautiful architecture, and trendy cafes.

According to the QS rankings, Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, and Université Paris-Saclay are the top-ranked institutions in the country. While tuition fees are low, it's important to budget for high living costs in the capital city to live comfortably.

Discover what it's like to study in France.

Germany

Every year, more than 450,000 students from around the world choose to study in Germany, making it a popular destination for higher education and publicly-funded Masters programmes. Germany hosts the highest number of international students in the European Union (EU).

To qualify for postgraduate study, you will need to pass an entrance qualification called the Abitur, which is essentially a high school leavers' certificate. Many universities in Germany are free for international students, but it's important to confirm if this applies to your specific course. While some Masters programmes may have fees, they are typically much lower than those in the UK.

In addition to universities (Universitäten), Germany also has specialised institutions and universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) offering courses in engineering, technology, and business. While many programmes are taught in English, having a basic understanding of German is useful. As German admissions are not centralised, it's advisable to reach out to individual institutions directly.

Germany boasts 48 universities featured in the QS rankings. The Technical University of Munich leads the pack in 28th position, followed by Ludwig-Maximilians Universität (59th) and Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (84th).

Berlin and Munich are consistently ranked as affordable student cities, with low living costs.

Following the UK's exit from the EU, British students will need a visa to study in Germany.

Find out more about studying in Germany.

Japan

While the cost of studying in Japan is relatively high, the 'Land of the Rising Sun' has a lot to offer international students. Japan boasts some of the highest educational standards in the world and a wide selection of top-quality universities. Studying in Japan can be seen as a worthwhile investment.

To emphasise this point, 49 Japanese universities are featured in the QS rankings, with five featuring in the top 100. These include:

• The University of Tokyo (32nd)
• Kyoto University (50th)
• Tokyo Institute of Technology (84th)
• Osaka University (86th)
• Tohoku University (107th).

Similar to the Russell Group in the UK or the Ivy League in the USA, Japan also has a group of prestigious institutions known as the 'National Seven Universities'.

While Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are popular choices for international students, lesser-known cities such as Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Tsukuba are also student hot spots.

The primary language of study is Japanese, so it's important to research which institutions offer programmes in English. Alternatively, this could be viewed as a great opportunity to learn a second language.

The academic year runs from April to March, and international students will need a visa to study in the country.

Read up on studying in Japan.

USA

The USA is often called the 'Land of Opportunity' and is a great place to study. The country spans six time zones and is home to some of the world's finest educational institutions.

With 226 American higher education establishments featured in the QS rankings, including five in the top ten, it's fair to say that the USA is the number one destination for international students.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the top-ranked university, but the USA's diverse range of quality options in both rural and urban settings is what makes it such a prime postgraduate location. The USA boasts several major student cities, known for their concentration of prestigious universities. Within these cities, you'll find some of the top-ranked universities in the country, including:

• California Institute of Technology
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Harvard University (Boston)
• Stanford University (San Francisco)
• Columbia University (New York)
• New York University
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• University of Chicago

Studying in the USA can be expensive, but with varying costs, it's worth doing thorough research before committing. You can apply for funding from sources such as the US-UK Fulbright Commission, which offers around 20 scholarships a year.

To study in the USA, you'll need an F-1 visa and must be accepted and approved for your course before applying for one. You'll then be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Learn more about studying in the USA.

Find out more

• Take a look at where else you could study abroad.
• Read out top 10 study abroad tips.