I’m researching getting my undergrad degree completely abroad, as opposed to attending college here in the States and just having a “semester abroad” experience as usual. I would love to hear which school you attended, how your experience was, etc? Are there any good American-esque / English speaking universities in Europe I should look into? Thank you so much 
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Hey! I’m also considering attending my undergraduate studies abroad in Europe. While I don’t have hat much information, my friend who also wants to go to college in Europe told me that it costs A LOT less to go to school in Europe (think a few thousand dollars per year, at the most) and they care about education a lot more over there. I’m mostly looking into Sweden, but here’s a school I found http://www.uu.se/ I wish you luck! Feel free to PM me anytime.
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I can’t answer the first part of your question, but as for English-speaking European universities, two you could check out are the University of St. Andrews and the University of Edinburgh. Both are in Scotland. They are both really good schools and probably at lot easier to get into than something like Oxford or Cambridge. My dad spent a year at St. Andrews, and he’s said it felt similar to American liberal arts universities.
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My uncle went to Oxford for his undergrad. Basically, they don’t consider GPA at all over there. Everything is based on ACT/SAT scores and then (for Oxford and Cambridge) tests you have to take for specific majors. For example, if you want to study history at Oxford you have to take the HAT test, and if you want to study law you have to take the LNAT. After that, you’ll interview either on campus in England or (I think) through Skype.
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Just keep in mind it can be very hard to get loans for schools overseas.
Except for St Andrews and a handful of expensive private colleges (eg, American College in Paris), you won’t find “American-esque” universities in Europe. The main differences, from a college point of view, include:
Most are much less ‘campus’ driven, and students live at home and in rented accommodation as much as (or, depending on the university) more than college dormitories.
You typically study only 1 subject (sometimes 2 or 3, such as History + Modern Languages, or Politics, Philosophy & Economics, that are set up by the university), without Gen Ed requirements, majors/minors, etc.
The courses are much more prescribed: very often you have few or no choices in years 1 and 2; where there are choices (in any year), they are almost always from a specific list within the subject.
In Europe and England (but not Scotland) many subjects are 3 years; in Scotland and many science and language subjects the program is 4 years, to allow for labs or study in the target language.
Teaching and assessment are typically very different: it is common for marks to be based entirely on final exams, for example. You pass a course or you don’t, with honors or not. GPAs are not really a thing. Professors are typically less involved with undergraduates, and there is less student-professor interaction than at an LAC, for example. It can be more like the experience of a first year student in a very large state university.
At most European universities there is much less hand-holding of students: you will be expected to figure things out for yourself. Also, if you go to a university that does not have many international students it can be hard to get people to understand what you need or are looking for.
When looking at prices remember to check for accommodation costs and additional fees for non-EU residents. Be aware that the more popular destinations have worked out that international students are good source of income, and have added hefty fees accordingly. @suicunejms
is a bit optimistic for most.
This may all sound a bit negative, but actually I think that it is a fantastic thing to do. It’s just important to go in with your eyes wide open.
Here are some websites for finding university programs in the EU that are taught in English:
http://www.eunicas.co.uk/
http://www.eahep.org/europeanhigher-education/study-in-europe/courses-in-english.html
http://www.bachelorsportal.eu/
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My D did some ChemE study abroad at Edinburgh - LOVED IT! Some of the locals even spoke English…
and some were like: Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee
Wi’ murd’ring pattle!
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If you’re interested in studying in Europe, Oxford and Cambridge are very friendly towards international students and are VERY campus oriented, especially Oxford.
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…not to mention VERY VERY selective…
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Agree that St. Andrews is probably the only European uni that feels akin to an American college (specifically, a good liberal arts uni with an emphasis on undergraduate teaching like W&M). “Expensive” depends on the school, though. Bard College Berlin is a fraction of the full-pay costs at Bard in the US.
Also, why is the only option a semester abroad if you go to college in the US? Pretty much all American colleges have year-long study-abroad programs, you know.
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Yeah, the schools are both very selective. However, they don’t consider your HS GPA, and if you can get a 32 ACT you at least stand a chance at admission.
For Oxbridge (and UK unis in general), relevant AP scores are what matter (because those are the closest American analogs to A-levels).
Oxbridge would want multiple 5’s in relevant AP’s.
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