I’m currently looking into American universities in Europe, particularly France / England / Italy though I’m definitely interested in any other unis in western europe. The main problem I’ve come across is that the options are either outrageously expensive or located outside of cities (not what I’m hoping for). I think it’d be beneficial to at least look into a complete college experience overseas instead of just a semester abroad. I’ve mostly looked into AUP (American Uni of Paris) but my main concern is that it is extremely expensive! Coming from a not-wealthy financial background, I’d love to see if there’s colleges similar to AUP’s scenario (located in a large city, taught in English, possibly live off-campus, etc) but around a more reasonable price range? I realize that it will still be expensive but there must be something cheaper than AUP? AUP’s tuition is expensive but the fact that it doesn’t even include living cost (aka rent in Paris!) that seems a bit too unrealistic for me sadly. I am in love with everything else about the school though - individual apartments, being able to live in the heart of a city, immersing myself in a new language! Does anyone have any suggestions for universities in Europe that are taught in English / resemble that of a typical US college? Thank you so much.
PS - I would also greatly appreciate any former/current accounts of anyone’s AUP experience, especially if they came from a non-wealthy background similar to me thanks!!
Bard College Berlin? They have limited programs, though: economics, politics, and the humanities generally. Electives are offered in foreign languages, and in the arts. It is also tiny. Costs are like 20k euros a year, though, so it’s a steal! All professors come from top universities, and Bard is recognized in the US too. You actually get two degrees: one that gives you German recognition (if you learn German), and the other that gives you American recognition, so you won’t have to deal with employer confusion that usually leads to having to submit your credentials to an expensive verifier like WES. And the best part: Bard College Berlin offers financial aid! It was my cheapest option, after fin aid, but ultimately decided that I had had enough of Europe at that point (I am an international student whose parents have moved around a lot.)
AUP? Why would you want to go that cashcow program? Do you speak French? If you have time, try to take an intensive course in French. If you do, many of the schools in France would be open to you, where tuition costs are nil. Of course your French would not be good enough to easily handle the curriculum, but you would get better.
Maybe consider Sciences Po? Not outrageously expensive, some campuses offer programs in English methinks. I think my exchange student friend from Sciences Po Lille said that she was studying exclusively in English, and study abroad there does not expect 2 years of college French. It is another school, after Bard Berlin, I considered while applying to schools.
England is going to be expensive, unless you are fine with going to a place like Swansea. A peer from high school currently attends Swansea, and she has been able to take all the advantages of Europe.
How do you feel about going to the Netherlands? Maastricht, Utrecht, and a bunch of other schools like Eramus Rotterdam offer 3 year liberal arts programs. Costs are similar to that of Bard College Berlin. Some offer $$ as well.
But honestly I think your best option would be Bard Berlin. I know that some of my suggestions are not in cities, but you really can’t have it all if you can’t dole out the $$ usually.
Some universities in Sweden, like Lund, offer low-cost programs in English. I believe some other Scandinavian universities do as well. Would you consider Scottish universities, like St. Andrews, Edinburgh, or Glasgow?
AUP offers pretty mediocre programs for the price. I wouldn’t bother dealing with it.
You can search by major and by language (eg, English). You will find that it is much more common to live off campus in Europe than in America, so I wouldn’t worry about that part.
BUT you should check out the courses carefully: EU unis that
are thin on the ground. Most of the time you study just your major subject, with very limited class choices (especially in the first year or two). The more like a “typical US college” the uni is the more likely it is to be expensive b/c it is trying to appeal to international students.
Hi people!
I was looking for a thread about Bard College Berlin but found only yours…!
Yesterday I got admitted to their Ba in Economics,Politics and Social Thought, but yeah, still waiting for their answer about Financial Aid… It’s not expensive as other american universities but I won’t go there unless I receive a scholarship because it is still too expensive for me :(((( However!! Someone else applied? Someone else attending that uni? How is it?
Congratulations! After nearly one-and-a-half years later, I still wonder about what my life would have been like there.
Be patient! I, too, was quite curious about the financial aid notice, but it came through ~3 weeks after the admission notice. Remember that they will only cover up to tuition (room and board, health insurance, flights, personal expenses are your responsibility).
thanks!!