(L to R) Gilles Verniers, Delegate to India, Sciences Po; Ambika Behal, Managing Editor, braingainmag.com; Caroline Gueny-Mentre, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation, Embassy of France; and Sudha Sudeep, Education Promotion Officer, Neso Nuffic.

Have you considered studying in Europe? Campus France’s Caroline Gueny-Mentre, Sciences Po India Delegate Gilles Verniers and Nuffic Neso’s Sudha Sudeep discussed why France and the Netherlands may be good choices.

Why should I consider these countries?

• French universities offer up to 800 different master’s programs in English. In the Netherlands, all programs are conducted in English.


• France is known for its management, engineering and pure sciences programs. Sciences Po, a social science and liberal arts school in Paris, offers well-reputed programs in these fields.


• The Netherlands has 14 research universities, out of which 12 are in the top 200 of the QS World University rankings.


• Both countries offer a number of scholarship opportunities.

Learn a language while you’re there

Scieces Po, Paris; Photo courtesy: www.sciencespo.fr/en

• Though you don’t need formal language training before you arrive (if your course is in English), you will have plenty of opportunity to learn French or Dutch while you’re here, and an additional language is a very strong asset to have.


• You’ll meet a very diverse group of people – as you would in the more traditional education destinations of Australia, the U.S. or the U.K.

Explore Europe

• Studying in one European country opens doors across the continent. Not only is travel within Europe easy and affordable for a student, but there is mobility across the university network as well. You can study semesters in institutes in different countries.


• Both France and the Netherlands afford graduates plenty of work opportunities. International students receive a one year work permit, during which they are allowed to work a certain number of hours a week while looking for a permanent job. Students are not limited to jobs within the country, but are eligible to apply for postings across the continent. In fact, 40% of Science Po graduates reportedly find their first posting outside of France.

Focus your efforts

Delf University of Technology, the Netherlands; Photo courtesy: www.tudelft.nl/en

• Since you don’t need to take specific exams (besides the TOEFL and IELTS), European universities tend to place more weight upon your motivation letter. So make sure it is a strong one.

Research further

• To learn more about studying in France, you can visit the Campus France offices, which are located in the Alliance Francaise Alliance Francaise centres across India.


• To learn more about studying in the Netherlands, check out Nuffic Neso

Advantages of a European Education

Tags: Campus France, Sciences Po, Nuffic Neso, Alliance Francais, Netherlands, Caroline Gueny Mentre, Gilles, Verniers, Sudha Sudeep, Europe, Jobs