Student Housing Abroad: How to Find It and Avoid Scams
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Europe wins in terms of the variety of free and nearly free education — primarily in Germany — and in terms of established state scholarships such as DAAD and Erasmus Mundus. Asia wins in terms of the speed of growth in the quality of education, the availability of English‑language programs in individual countries, and proximity to rapidly growing technology and manufacturing markets. No region is “cheaper” or “more advantageous” in a general sense — you need to compare a specific country, city, specialty, and real chances of securing funding.
The variation across Europe is enormous. Germany is one of the few examples where public universities are free for almost all international students: only a semester fee of 150–350 euros is paid, with the exception of the state of Baden‑Württemberg, where non‑EU/EEA students pay 1,500 euros per semester.
The UK is the opposite pole: tuition for foreigners costs between £21,000 and £50,000+ per year, depending on the university and programme, and at Oxford and Cambridge it is noticeably higher. France, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries fall somewhere between these extremes: state‑funded programmes are often cheaper than British ones, but they are not free, as in Germany.
Asia is also heterogeneous. Singapore is the most expensive option in the region: without a subsidy, tuition costs $33,000–40,000 per year, and with the MOE Tuition Grant, it’s about $21,000–24,000 per year, but with the obligation to work in the country for three years.
China and South Korea are noticeably more affordable: annual tuition in China usually costs between 20,000 and 50,000 yuan, while in Korea it costs 4–8.7 million won per semester, depending on the university. Japan occupies an intermediate position: at national universities, tuition is about 535,800 yen per year — regardless of citizenship, with no surcharge for foreigners, but private universities are significantly more expensive.
Cost of living
The cost of living is determined more by the specific city than by the region as a whole. London and Singapore are among the most expensive cities in their respective regions, with a budget of $1,500–2,000 per month excluding tuition. Berlin and Munich are cheaper than London, but more expensive than Beijing or Seoul outside the capital.
Tokyo falls at the higher end of the range, comparable to Singapore, while Beijing and regional cities in China and Korea represent the most affordable end of the spectrum in both regions.
It makes sense to make a final comparison based on a specific city, rather than on an abstract notion like “Asia is cheaper” or “Europe is more expensive.”
Both in Asia and in Europe, there are strong government programs, but the logic is different. In Europe, DAAD (Germany) offers master’s students around 934–992 euros per month, plus insurance and travel, while Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees offer around 1,400 euros per month, with full tuition fee waiver and travel compensation for non‑EU students (ec.europa.eu).
In Asia, government scholarships — GKS in Korea, CSC in China, MEXT in Japan, MOE Tuition Grant in Singapore — operate on a similar principle of full or partial coverage, but the selection criteria and the amount of funding vary greatly from country to country.
In both regions, competition for major government programs is high, and applications must be submitted in advance and in accordance with the official rules of the specific cycle — it is not advisable to draw categorical conclusions about “where it’s easier” without taking into account the candidate’s profile.
At the master’s level, both regions offer a sufficient number of options in English: in Europe, this is particularly noticeable in Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries, where master’s programs in English are often found even in public universities.
In Asia, the largest number of English‑language programs is in Singapore, where instruction at public universities is virtually entirely in English, and in Hong Kong. In China, Korea, and Japan, the choice of English‑language bachelor’s programs is noticeably narrower than that of master’s programs, while in continental Europe the opposite trend is not as pronounced — French‑ and German‑language bachelor’s programs are still common, but English‑language options are also becoming more numerous.
Academic requirements in both regions are based on a similar set of documents: a certificate or diploma, an academic transcript, a language certificate, and a motivation letter. The difference lies in the details. European universities more often require proof of knowledge of the local language for programs not taught in English, while for English‑language courses, IELTS or TOEFL is usually sufficient.
In Asia, language requirements and entrance exams vary more significantly from country to country: in some places, a specialized test is required (such as the EJU in Japan), in others, an internal university exam is needed, and in some places, like Singapore, the requirements essentially align with Western standards. Interviews and additional tests are common in both regions, especially for competitive and creative fields.
The overall university ranking is not the most reliable guide for making a choice: the strength of a specific program and faculty is more important. Europe has historically been strong in the humanities, engineering, and medical fields, with long‑standing academic traditions, as well as in research programs at the PhD level.
Asia is rapidly gaining ground in engineering, IT, business, and applied technical sciences — universities such as NUS, Tsinghua, Seoul National University, and the University of Tokyo regularly appear in the top world rankings for specific disciplines, even when the university’s overall ranking is lower than that of European giants. A reasonable strategy is to compare ratings by major, rather than by the university as a whole.
Germany offers one of the longest opportunities for job search after graduation — up to 18 months on a job search visa (§20 AufenthG), during which you can take on any part‑time job while looking for a position in your field of study. The UK offers the Graduate Route — up to two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates and up to three years for PhD graduates. The conditions vary significantly from country to country within the EU, so you should always check the specific rules for the country of study.
In Asia, approaches also differ by country: in Singapore and Hong Kong, with their well-developed international business environment, graduates have a real chance of finding a position in the local offices of global companies; in China, Korea, and Japan, there are opportunities, but they often require at least a basic knowledge of the local language for full integration into the work environment. The conditions for work visas and transitional statuses after graduation vary by country and region and require separate verification on official resources before making a decision.
Both in Europe and in Asia, large international companies actively hire graduates from local universities, but the density of such job openings is noticeably higher in financial and technology hubs — London, Berlin, Singapore, and Hong Kong — than in less international cities in both regions.
Visa opportunities for graduates
The general approach in both regions is similar: a student visa grants the right to study, and upon completion, some countries offer a separate transitional status to find employment or switch to a work visa.
Specific deadlines, salary requirements, and available categories change quite frequently and vary noticeably even between neighboring countries within the same region — these details should always be checked on the official immigration resources of the specific country immediately before making a decision, rather than relying on general impressions about a “simple” or “complex” visa system.
In Europe, adaptation often occurs through gradual immersion: even without knowledge of the local language, one can find an English‑speaking social environment in large cities, and the proximity of countries to each other makes it easier to get used to the way of life. In Asia, the cultural distance is felt more strongly by many international students — a different alphabet, a different everyday culture, a different rhythm of urban life.
At the same time, major international hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong almost completely mitigate this effect, while in China, Korea, and Japan, adaptation requires more effort, especially in matters of everyday life and social integration outside the university.
those who are focused on technology, engineering, IT, or business with an eye on Asian markets;
those who want affordable education without compromising quality — primarily in China and Korea;
those who are ready to invest in learning the local language for the sake of their career and long‑term integration in the region;
those who consider Singapore or Hong Kong as an English‑speaking, yet Asian‑located option.
Start with the budget — how much are you or your family actually willing to invest, excluding any possible scholarship.
Then determine your major and look at which specific universities are stronger in that field, rather than relying on the country’s overall ranking.
Assess your language readiness — how much time are you willing to invest in learning the language to have a wider range of program options.
And finally, think about your career plans after graduation: if you see yourself in Asia, you should choose a region for your studies accordingly, and vice versa.
The combination of these four factors usually narrows the choice to one or two realistic directions.
At SelfStartGlobal, we help match your budget, specialty, and career goals with specific countries, universities, and programs — both in Asia and in Europe — by selecting suitable scholarships and building an admission strategy based on the candidate’s real chances.
If you haven’t yet decided between regions, come to a consultation; we’ll review your profile and help you make an informed choice.
There is no однозначного answer: Germany offers virtually free education at public universities, while China and Korea are among the most affordable options in Asia. At the same time, the UK and Singapore are among the most expensive options in their respective regions. It is necessary to compare a specific country and university, not the region as a whole.
In Europe — especially in Germany, the Netherlands, and Northern Europe at the master’s level. In Asia, Singapore and Hong Kong lead the way, where instruction is virtually entirely in English, whereas in China, Korea, and Japan, the choice of English‑language programs is noticeably broader at the master’s level than at the bachelor’s level.
It depends on the profession, the language, and the specific country. Germany and the UK offer long‑term transition visas for job search, while in Asia, Singapore and Hong Kong have strong positions thanks to the international business environment. In both regions, knowledge of the local language significantly expands career opportunities.
On average, adaptation in Europe proceeds more quickly due to the geographical and cultural proximity to most students’ countries of origin, as well as the widespread use of English in the daily life of major cities. In Asia, adaptation depends more on the specific country: in Singapore and Hong Kong, it is quite easy, while in China, Korea, and Japan it requires more time and effort.
SpainEducation in a friendly European student environment. Promising English-taught programs and strong fields in business, tourism, and design
United KingdomClassical education with global recognition. Shorter study periods, strong humanities and business programs, and a highly valued diploma
South Korea
JapanJapan is one of the most unconventional destinations for studying abroad. Japanese diplomas are highly valued in the international job market, universities are ranked among the top in the world, and students work with technologies that have not yet been mass-produced in other countries. If you are ready to immerse yourself in a unique culture and a systematic approach to knowledge, this is the right choice for you.
ChinaChinese universities are rapidly rising in world rankings, and the country has turned into one of the largest educational hubs on the planet. Diplomas from leading Chinese universities are recognized by employers around the world, the cost of education is lower than in Great Britain or the USA, and the government actively finances foreign students. On this page - everything you need for admission: universities, cost, scholarships, documents and student visa.
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