English-Taught Programs in Non-English Countries 2026

Germany offers over 2,000 English-taught master's programs with zero tuition. The Netherlands has 2,100+ English-taught bachelor's and master's programs at €2,530–€15,000 per year. Sweden, Denmark, and France together add another 2,000+ options. You do not need to speak the local language to earn a degree in these countries — but daily life gets easier if you learn some basics. This guide maps out where to find English-taught programs, what they cost, and what you need to get in.

For country-specific details, see our guides on studying in Germany, studying in the Netherlands, studying in France, and studying in Japan.

Top Countries for English-Taught Programs

Country	English-Taught Programs	Annual Tuition (International)	Language Needed for Daily Life
Netherlands	2,100+ (BA + MA)	€2,530 (EU) / €8,000–€15,000 (non-EU)	Minimal — 95% speak English
Germany	2,000+ MA, ~200 BA	€0 (15 of 16 states)	A2–B1 recommended
Sweden	900+ (BA + MA)	SEK 80,000–SEK 295,000 (~€7,000–€26,000)	Minimal — 90%+ speak English
Denmark	700+ (BA + MA)	€6,000–€16,000	Minimal — 86% speak English
France	1,600+ (mostly MA)	€243–€3,770 (public) / €5,000–€20,000 (private)	A2–B1 recommended
Italy	500+	€0–€4,000 (income-based)	A2 recommended
Spain	400+ (mostly MA)	€1,500–€6,000 (public)	A2–B1 recommended
Japan	200+ (BA + MA)	¥535,800 (~€3,300)	A2 Japanese helpful
South Korea	300+ (BA + MA)	KRW 4M–8M (~€2,800–€5,500)	Basic Korean helpful

The Netherlands is the best choice if you want a fully English-speaking environment. Nearly every Dutch person speaks English fluently. You can open a bank account, visit a doctor, and sign a lease in English. Germany offers the best value — zero tuition — but daily life requires more German than you might expect.

Germany: The Zero-Tuition Leader

Germany has the largest number of free English-taught master's programs in Europe. Public universities in 15 of 16 states charge no tuition. You pay only the Semesterbeitrag of €150–€400 per semester, which includes a public transport ticket.

At the master's level, over 2,000 programs are entirely in English. Fields like engineering, computer science, business, and natural sciences have the widest selection. TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and Heidelberg all rank in the QS top 100 and offer multiple English-taught master's degrees.

At the bachelor's level, options are more limited — about 200 programs. Most bachelor's degrees are taught in German and require C1 German proficiency. If you want a free bachelor's in English, look at programs at Jacobs University Bremen or specific international tracks at established universities.

Daily life in Germany requires at least basic German. Rental contracts, the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office), and supermarkets operate in German. Most employers expect B2 German for professional roles. For more, see our Germany guide.

Netherlands: The English-Friendly Leader

The Netherlands has the highest concentration of English-taught programs per capita. Over 2,100 programs are available in English, including a strong selection at the bachelor's level.

Non-EU students pay €8,000–€15,000 per year — higher than Germany but much lower than the UK or USA. EU students pay the statutory fee of €2,530. Universities like TU Delft, University of Amsterdam, and Erasmus University Rotterdam all rank in the global top 100.

English proficiency among the Dutch population is 95%. You can live, study, and work without speaking Dutch. But learning Dutch improves your career prospects and social integration. A shared room in Amsterdam costs €600–€900 per month. In Groningen or Eindhoven, you pay €350–€500. See our Netherlands guide for details.

France: Low Fees, Growing English Options

French public universities charge some of the lowest tuition in Europe: €243 per year for bachelor's and €3,770 for master's programs (non-EU rates since 2019). Over 1,600 programs are now available in English, up from just 700 a decade ago.

Most English-taught options are at the master's level in business schools (grandes écoles) and engineering schools. HEC Paris, ESSEC, and INSEAD are globally recognized. Public university English-taught programs focus on sciences, engineering, and international business.

French is essential for daily life. Signing a lease, visiting a préfecture, and shopping at markets all happen in French. Even in Paris, English proficiency outside tourist areas is limited. Budget €800–€1,200 per month for living costs in Paris, €600–€800 in smaller cities like Lyon or Toulouse. See our France guide.

Scandinavia: High Quality, Higher Costs

Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway offer excellent English-taught programs. English proficiency across Scandinavia is 85–95%. You rarely need the local language for daily life.

The catch: tuition and living costs are high for non-EU students.

Country	Non-EU Tuition	Monthly Living Costs	EU/EEA Tuition
Sweden	SEK 80,000–295,000/yr	SEK 9,000–12,000 (~€800–€1,050)	Free
Denmark	€6,000–€16,000/yr	DKK 6,000–9,000 (~€800–€1,200)	Free
Finland	€4,000–€18,000/yr	€700–€1,000	Free
Norway	NOK 0 (public, still free!)	NOK 12,000–15,000 (~€1,050–€1,300)	Free

Norway stands out: public universities still charge no tuition for any student, including non-EU. But living costs in Oslo are €1,200–€1,500 per month — among the highest in Europe. A shared room in Stockholm costs SEK 5,000–7,000 (€440–€615). In Copenhagen, expect DKK 4,000–6,000 (€540–€810).

Asia: Japan and South Korea

Japan offers around 200 English-taught programs through initiatives like the Global 30 (G30) Project and MEXT scholarships. National universities charge ¥535,800 (~€3,300) per year. The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Osaka University all have English-taught tracks. MEXT scholarships cover tuition plus a monthly stipend of ¥144,000 (~€890). Daily life in Japan requires basic Japanese — few people outside Tokyo speak English confidently. See our Japan guide.

South Korea has over 300 English-taught programs. Tuition at top universities (Seoul National, KAIST, Yonsei) ranges from KRW 4–8 million (~€2,800–€5,500) per year. The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) covers tuition, living costs, and airfare. Seoul living costs are €600–€900 per month. Basic Korean makes daily life much smoother. See our South Korea guide.

Admission Requirements

English-taught programs in non-English countries typically require:

Requirement	Typical Standard
English proficiency	IELTS 6.0–7.0 or TOEFL 80–100
Academic transcripts	Translated and certified
Motivation letter	Required at most European universities
CV/Resume	Required for most master's programs
GRE/GMAT	Rarely required (some business schools)
Local language	Usually not required for admission

Most European universities do not require GRE or GMAT scores. Admissions are based primarily on academic performance, motivation letters, and English proficiency. This is simpler than the US system, which demands SAT/ACT, personal essays, recommendations, and extracurricular profiles.

Deadlines vary by country. German universities typically close applications in July for October starts. Dutch universities close April–May for September. French programs close in March–April through Campus France.

How to Find English-Taught Programs

The best search databases for English-taught programs:

Database	Coverage	Best For
DAAD (daad.de)	Germany	All German programs with filters
Studyfinder.nl	Netherlands	All Dutch programs
Campus France	France	English-taught programs in France
Universityadmissions.se	Sweden	All Swedish programs
Studyinfo.fi	Finland	All Finnish programs
Mastersportal.com	Europe-wide	Cross-country search for master's

Quick Decision Matrix

Your Priority	Best Choice
Zero tuition	Germany or Norway
English daily life	Netherlands or Scandinavia
Lowest total cost	Germany (€0 tuition + €900/mo living)
Business school prestige	France (HEC, ESSEC, INSEAD)
Engineering/STEM	Germany (TU9) or Netherlands (TU Delft)
Asian study experience	Japan (MEXT scholarship) or South Korea (KGSP)
Bachelor's in English	Netherlands (widest BA selection)
Post-study immigration	Germany (18-month job-seeker visa) or Netherlands (orientation year)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to learn the local language?

For studying, no — English-taught programs are fully in English. For daily life, it depends on the country. The Netherlands and Scandinavia function well in English. Germany, France, Italy, and Spain require at least basic local language skills (A2–B1) for housing, bureaucracy, and social life. For career success, learning the local language to B2 significantly improves your job prospects everywhere.

Are English-taught programs as respected as local-language ones?

Yes. At established universities like TU Munich, University of Amsterdam, or Sciences Po, English-taught programs carry the same academic weight and institutional recognition as their local-language equivalents. The diploma does not distinguish between teaching languages. Employers value the university's reputation, not the language of instruction.

Can I get a scholarship for English-taught programs?

Yes. Germany's DAAD scholarships fund international master's students with €934 per month plus tuition waivers. The Erasmus Mundus program covers tuition and living costs across multiple European universities. Japan's MEXT scholarships cover everything. The Holland Scholarship gives €5,000 to non-EU students in the Netherlands. Sweden offers the Swedish Institute Scholarships for students from specific countries. See our scholarships by nationality guide.

How many bachelor's programs are available in English outside English-speaking countries?

The Netherlands has the best selection with over 400 English-taught bachelor's programs. Germany offers about 200. Scandinavia adds another 300+. In total, over 1,000 bachelor's programs across Europe are fully in English. In Asia, Japan and South Korea together offer about 150 English-taught bachelor's programs. The selection is much wider at the master's level.

Is the teaching quality lower in English-taught programs?

No. English-taught programs at reputable universities use the same professors, facilities, and academic standards. In many cases, English-taught programs attract more international students and professors, creating a more diverse learning environment. Some smaller universities may have less experienced English-speaking faculty — check teaching evaluations before applying.

What English test scores do I need?

Most programs require IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 for bachelor's programs and IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 90–100 for master's programs. Some universities accept Duolingo English Test (110–120) or Cambridge C1 Advanced. If your previous degree was taught in English, many universities waive the language requirement entirely.

Can I work during studies without speaking the local language?

In the Netherlands, yes — many companies use English as their working language. In Germany, English-speaking student jobs exist in tech, startups, and international companies, but options are narrower than for German speakers. In France and Southern Europe, finding work without the local language is difficult outside multinational companies. In Japan and South Korea, English-only jobs for students are limited to teaching, tutoring, and international firms.

Which country is easiest for staying after graduation?

Germany gives graduates an 18-month job-seeker visa — no job offer needed. The Netherlands offers a 1-year orientation year (zoekjaar) for graduates. France provides a 1–2 year post-study residence permit. Japan allows graduates to stay for 1 year to job-hunt. South Korea offers a D-10 visa for 6 months of job-searching. Germany's pathway to permanent residency (2 years with EU Blue Card) is the fastest in Europe.