Suppose you know that you want to study abroad for your Masters degree, but you’re not sure where exactly to go. There are so many great destinations, from North America to Asia, each with their own pros, cons, and unique experiences. Well, our ranking of the best countries for Masters degrees might help.
We analysed reviews data collected from students and graduates in 2023 to see which countries were rated the highest overall. Institutions were rated on their facilities, location, professors, student accommodation, student life and more—so this ranking can give you a broad overview of what it’s like to study a Masters in these destinations!
Without further ado, let’s see which countries have made the list of the best countries for Masters degrees in 2024.
Best Countries for Masters Degrees 2023
10. The netherlands
The Netherlands has long been considered one of the top destinations for Masters students in Europe thanks to low tuition fees, top-ranked universities, and ease of travel (you can go from one side of the country to the other in just a few hours!)
EDUopinions reviewers ranked the Netherlands high for its value rate for Masters degrees—not a surprise given that EU students can study a degree there for as little as €2,000 per year. While you’ll likely find it difficult to find housing (the country ranks worst on this list for accommodation), you’ll find the country a welcoming place for expats with a high fluency in English and plenty of jobs for internationals after you’ve graduated.
Student Review of the Netherlands
NHL Stenden always stood out as a progressive University where you are always part of something evolving. Lots of room for debate and an excellent relationship between teacher and student make this a very nice University to study at. The diversity of programmes en nationalities makes it a great representation of the working world
9. Spain
Beating the Netherlands in this ranking is sunny Spain. Home to some of the oldest universities in Europe, Spain has developed a reputation for a great student lifestyle, where you can get some downtime from studying at the best coastal locations. Reviewers rate the lifestyle very highly—Spain comes top of the ranking for this factor.
While Spanish is still the predominant language in the country, international students will find a whole range of English-language Masters at top universities like the University of Barcelona and the University of Navarra. If you want to spend a year in the sun, soak up some unique culture, and explore a growing technological scene, then Spain is the place for you.
Student Review of Spain
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos is an excellent university that imparts valuable knowledge to its students. The courses are exceptional, featuring a well-designed curriculum and excellent faculties. The university boasts great infrastructure and provides top-notch education. The support and counseling offered to all students are remarkable. I highly recommend this university.
8. France
Traditionally one of the most popular destinations for study abroad students in Europe, France also excels on a worldwide stage. Masters students flock to top universities in Paris like the Sorbonne and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, but you can find excellent Masters programmes across the country, from Nantes to Grenoble to Marseilles.
Studying a Masters degree in France enables you to get close to flourishing industries like luxury retail, energy, gastronomy and tech. Plus, EDUopinions reviewers rank France particularly highly for internationality—so you’ll get to study and work with students from all around the world, exchanging perspectives and learning new things.
Student Review of France
I’ve had the opportunity to study in GEM. Great programme, excellent teachers, an amazing student life, and impressive work opportunities (I signed my first long-term work contract one year before finishing my masters).
Grenoble was also such a nice city to be in!
7. poland
Poland is growing in popularity with Masters students. The country is one of the cheapest locations for your study abroad experience, where you can get by each month with just €600 and pay between €2,000 to €6,000 for a top Masters degree. Indeed, Poland receives a particularly high rating from Masters students for value; if you study here, you’ll be able to experience lots for less.
Students regularly comment on the strong community atmosphere at universities in Poland, and overall satisfaction for students is higher than in other destinations like Spain, France, and Italy.
Student Review of Poland
I love how lecturers accommodate the fact that us masters students have full time jobs and some are parents. We have a say in how the schedule is structured due to this. I find this very beneficial.
My only downer is that some lecturers had a hard time communicating in English and this made some classes frustrating to attend
6. The United Kingdom
Given its diversity of cities, industries, and people, the United Kingdom really has something for every Masters student. It’s a place where you can study finance and business in the European business capital, London, or head to Oxford or Cambridge for a top-ranked humanities education. There are major science research hubs in Manchester and Newcastle, while Scotland beckons for students who want strong scenery with their degree.
While the United Kingdom scored low among students for accommodation (likely brought down by the expense of London), it received some of the best scores for internationality and career prospects. Here, you can study in some of the most multicultural destinations in Europe, and find work at the world’s biggest companies after your degree.
Student Review of the UK
I am pursuing a Master’s in Luxury Brand Management at Birmingham City University (BCU). Based on my experiences, the university provides a positive learning environment. The faculty in my program are exceptionally supportive and committed to teaching, ensuring that classes begin punctually and that assignment details are communicated to prevent any confusion during the research phases. The university also addresses various facets of student well-being, offering resources for mental health, career counselling, and more. As an international student, I feel secure and well-supported within the BCU community, making it a commendable choice for prospective students.
5. Canada
From Europe to North America; Canada is the first country outside of Europe to appear on this ranking of the best countries for Masters, and it makes the top five! This country recently topped our ranking of the countries with the happiest students, and it’s easy to see why. Here, you can study alongside a friendly local population at top universities, and explore exciting industries afterwards.
As with other large countries, Canada scores low for accommodation, but excels in internationality and the quality of professors. It claims eight universities in the top 200 in the world, and is one of the best places to study engineering, agriculture, energy, and geosciences.
Student Review of Canada
I got into Western University for a one-year Masters of Professional Education program specialising in TESOL. Before entering the program I was skeptical about the entire concept. Being an English teacher for 10 years I was sure there wouldn’t be anything new for me to learn except the cultural difference in teaching.
Contrary to my expectations and building on its reputation Western University, which is ranked 8th in Canada taught me more than I could imagine. In fact, it made me reflect on all my previous learning and teaching methodologies.
The university culture is very welcoming, with support in every aspect of a student’s life. Inclusivity is based on every religion, race, belief and gender which gives you a sense of belonging immediately.
The fees are higher in comparison to other universities, especially for international students. But as the cost of living in London Ontario is lower than the metropolitan cities you can survive.
Overall, it is a wonderful experience to be a part of one of the renowned universities of Canada and learn everything I can about teaching English to speakers of other languages.
4. The United States
The US occupies most of the ranking positions in the Times Higher Education top 100 universities, so it’s no surprise that students love studying their Masters here. Although you’ll pay for your tuition in the US, you’ll gain it back with top-paying jobs afterwards, which may be why students still gave their Masters degrees such a high value rating.
The US is renowned for the quality of education at its Ivy League universities, but in reality there are thousands of institutions to choose from, each with their own specialisms. This may be why students rate the US so highly; the amount of choice is undeniable. Plus, if you want to study business, there’s no better place than the home of the world’s biggest companies.
Student Review of the US
This is a top notch masters program in Business Management for working professionals that can be tailored to your specific needs and goals. The academic rigor is high: Only 3% of the students that start the program finish it. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to any individual that wishes to attain a better future.
3. Ireland
Breaking into the top three best countries for Masters in our ranking is none other than Ireland. This small island nation next to the UK has built a reputation for the quality of its educational system—Dublin alone contains two top-200 universities. Plus, EU students can benefit from low tuition fees and an attractive work visa scheme for after your Masters degree.
With so many companies moving their operations to Ireland in the wake of Brexit, there’s never been a better time to start your career in Ireland. Students gave Ireland the best score of all the countries on this list for career prospects, while it also scored particularly high for university location and value for money.
Student Review of Ireland
One of the things that I love most about Trinity College Dublin are all the opportunities it gives to its students to visit many companies and network with potential employers during their studies. The college has strong partnerships with various industries and sectors, and organises regular career fairs, workshops, seminars, and company visits for students. I was able to attend some of these events and meet with representatives from leading organisations such as Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Honeywell, and many more. Those visits gave me valuable insights into the work culture in such organisations as well as the expectations and challenges of applying for positions.
2. Belgium
Surprisingly, this small nation scores even higher on the ranking of best countries for Masters degrees than its neighbours France and the Netherlands! Students in Belgium can explore a lively, historic culture in quaint cities like Ghent and Leuven, at the same time as they study at a top university. The ratings don’t lie—students gave university location one of the top scores.
Belgium also scores high for student accommodation; it’s the only country on this list to reach 4/5 stars. Considering the country’s multicultural nature, the presence of top European institutions (across politics, the charity sector, and STEM), and low tuition fees for EU students, you’ll start to see why students rate this country so highly for their postgraduate studies.
Student Review of Belgium
Generally KU Leuven is a great choice for international students from all over the world. I will recommend it for several reasons. First, it provides an inclusive and open environment, with most master programs taught in English, it attracted many international students, and create a multi-cultural study atmosphere. Second, the university provides high quality service for students in various aspects including study advising, life and accommodation and etc. Third, the program I studies encourage students to choose the specialising field and courses based on their interests and needs, which is quite flexible.
1. Sweden
Beating other top destinations for Masters degrees such as the U.S. and the U.K. is none other than… Sweden! The Nordic country was rated highest overall by students on Masters programmes in the country, but it also came top for internationality. Although you might not consider Sweden one of the more diverse destinations in Europe, 20% of the country’s population is foreign-born or has one or more parent that was born in a different country. Sweden also has a high rate of English fluency, so you won’t need to learn a new language to study in the country.
What else do students rate highly about studying a Master’s in Sweden? Well, it scores second among the countries on this list for the location of its universities. There are 39 institutions dotted around the country, from urban centres like Stockholm and Malmö to regional universities in stunning landscapes like Umeå University, where you can catch the Northern Lights on campus.
Sweden particularly excels in environmental studies. So, if you want to study sustainability, biology, forestry, or natural science, you’ll find plenty of top-ranked programmes.
Student Review of Sweden
Lund University has a strong academic reputation both nationally and internationally. It is known for its research contributions and academic excellence in various fields. The university is often praised for its research facilities and opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research across different disciplines. Lund University attracts a diverse student body and faculty from around the world, creating an international and multicultural learning environment. Lund is a picturesque town, and the university campus reflects this beauty. The surroundings can provide a pleasant atmosphere for studying. However, The weather in Lund, like much of Sweden, can be cold and dark during the winter months which was challenging for me. I would recommend Lund University because it attracts a diverse and international student body and faculty. Studying in such an environment can broaden your perspectives, enhance your cross-cultural communication skills, and prepare you for a globalized world.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about studying for a Masters degree, then you might consider studying at one of the best countries for Masters in the world. Whether you want to soak up the traditional culture in France or the Netherlands or head to the bright lights and big cities of Canada or the US, then there are plenty of fantastic options for you.
If you’re still unsure about studying abroad (maybe you’re worried about the costs, or the time away from home), give our blog on the top benefits of studying abroad a read.
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