Top Places to Study a Bachelor’s in 2026: Leading and Emerging Countries

• Big names like Germany, the UK, and the US continue to dominate as top destinations for Bachelor’s studies, but interest in some has plummeted because of stricter visa requirements.
• Meanwhile, destinations like Australia and Hungary are gaining traction with their affordable tuition, increasing number of English-taught programmes, and policies that support international education. 

In 2025 you have more choice than ever when deciding where to begin your degree abroad. Long-standing favourites like the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Germany still attract the most interest, but some are seeing shifts in popularity due to rising costs and stricter visa rules.

At the same time, Australia and Hungary are experiencing big surges in student interest, while other destinations such as Canada, Spain, Poland and Ireland are seeing declines.

Top Study Destinations for Bachelor’s

The United States

A US degree is highly valued worldwide, opening doors to careers and postgraduate education in other countries. With loads of degree options and great career opportunities, the US is the perfect spot to study and kick-start your future. That said, some recent policies have sparked worries about restrictions aimed at balancing international and local student numbers. Here’s what you need to know about how things differ for Bachelor’s and Master’s students.

• Top universities: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University (Discover more top universities in the US here!)
• Popular programmes: Business Administration, Nursing, Cyber Security, Language Studies, Electrical Engineering.
• Student visa: You’ll need an F-1 visa to attend a US college or university. The process is similar to that for Master’s students, but Bachelor’s applicants often face stricter requirements to show financial resources for the longer programme duration (4 years). Consular officers might check how strong your ties are to your home country to make sure you plan to return after graduation, as required by your visa.
• Affordability: Tuition fees for Bachelor’s programmes range from USD 20,000 to USD 50,000 annually. Since Bachelor’s last longer (4 years), you’ll need more money or long-term funding solutions (scholarships, loans, or part-time work). You can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during breaks.
• Career prospects: After you graduate, you can apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows you to work in the States for up to 12 months (36 months for STEM degrees). Bachelor graduates expect stronger competition for high-level jobs compared to master’s graduates.

Find your Bachelor’s in the United States

 

The United Kingdom

The UK is a top destination for Bachelor’s students, known for its world-class universities, vibrant cities like London and Manchester, and historic towns like Oxford and Cambridge. It combines academic excellence, cultural diversity, and a rich history, though high tuition fees and living costs, especially in London, can be challenging.

• Top universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London (Discover more top universities in the UK here!)
• Top programmes: Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, Biomedical Science.
• Student visa: Getting a UK student visa as a Bachelor’s student involves proving acceptance at a university through a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), a unique reference number issued by your university once you accept their offer. You’ll also need to meet financial requirements, showing funds to cover tuition and living costs, with living expenses set at around £1,000  per month (£1,300 in London) for up to 9 months. Bachelor’s programmes take 3–4 years, so the required financial proof is higher than Master’s students. Academic checks may include verifying high school qualifications or completing a foundation year if necessary.
• Affordability: While tuition fees can be high (£10,000-£40,000), scholarships like the Chevening Awards help international students reduce costs. Living costs vary, with London being the most expensive.
• Career prospects: After graduation, you can stay in the UK for up to 2 years on the Graduate Route visa to look for work.

Find your Bachelor’s in the UK

 

Italy

Italy is an excellent choice for international Bachelor’s students, offering affordable education, cultural experiences, and some of the best universities in the world. The government has policies to attract international students, such as more English-taught programmes and scholarships specifically for non-EU students, like the Invest Your Talent in Italy programme. This programme targets countries like Turkey, Tunisia, India, and Egypt, which are highly interested in studying in Italy.

• Top universities: University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome (Discover more top universities in Italy here!)
• Popular programmes: International Law, Architecture, Management Studies, International Relations.
• Ease of Obtaining a Student Visa: Getting a student visa for Italy used to be pretty simple. However, the Italian government recently imposed stricter visa policies, starting in 2025 (international students must get an appointment at an Italian consulate for fingerprinting) .
• Affordability: Tuition fees are low (€1,000-€4,000 annually), and living costs are manageable in most cities.
• Career Prospects: After securing a job, non-EU students can apply for a work visa, while EU students benefit from free movement within Europe.

Find your Bachelor’s in Italy

 

Germany

Germany is one of the top spots for Bachelor’s students wanting to study abroad. If it continues the same student growth, it will pass the half-a-million international students benchmark in 2025. Why? It’s got everything: free public universities, cutting-edge innovation hubs, buzzing multicultural cities, and fantastic career opportunities after you graduate.

• Top universities: LMU Munich, Heidelberg University, Uppsala University (Discover more top universities in Germany here!)
• Popular programmes: Management Studies, Web Technologies & Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Health Sciences.
• Student visa: Getting a student visa for Germany is pretty simple: You must have a high school diploma recognised by Germany. You also need to be accepted by a university, prove you’ve got about €11,000 to cover a year’s expenses (BA programmes take 3-4 years), and get health insurance. To apply to most public universities you can use the Uni-Assist platform, which checks if your foreign qualifications meet German standards.
• Affordability: Public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees, just a small admin fee of €150–€350 per semester. Living costs are reasonable, especially in student-friendly cities like Berlin and Leipzig.
• Career Prospects: Graduates can stay for 18 months on a post-study work visa to find a job in Germany. STEM fields are especially hot right now, so it’s perfect if you’re aiming for a career in tech or innovation.

Find your Bachelor’s in Germany

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a fantastic option for Bachelor’s students, offering high-quality education, a wide range of English-taught programmes, and a welcoming international environment. Known for its innovative teaching styles and student-friendly cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands combines affordability with strong career prospects. While tuition fees are reasonable compared to other top destinations, non-EU students may face stricter financial requirements.

• Top Universities: University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, University of Groningen (Discover more top universities in the Netherlands here!)
• Popular Bachelor’s Programmes: Software Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, International Law.
• Student Visa: Non-EU students need a residence permit to study in the Netherlands. This requires an acceptance letter, proof of having enough money (the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service requires around €1.220 per month) to cover tuition and living costs, and health insurance. The visa process is relatively simple, and universities often assist students. The visa also allows part-time work (up to 16 hours per week during the academic year) but restricts full-time employment to summer months.
• Affordability: EU/EEA students pay about €2,300 per year for tuition, while non-EU students can expect fees between €6,000 and €15,000 annually, depending on the programme. Living costs are around €800 to €1,200 a month, depending on the city, making the Netherlands cheaper than places like the UK or US.
• Career prospects: After graduation, non-EU students can apply for the Orientation Year Visa, which allows them to stay and look for work for up to one year.

Find your Bachelor’s in the Netherlands

 

Emerging study destinations

Australia (+40%)

Studying in Australia gives you a rich, multicultural experience, with vibrant cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane offering a relaxed lifestyle and welcoming campuses. Australian universities are well-known globally and provide hands‑on degrees in science, engineering, health, and business. You can explore diverse landscapes, from sandy beaches to national parks, while completing a degree that is recognised worldwide.

• Top universities: University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney (Discover more top-ranking universities in Australia here!)
  Popular programmes: Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Environmental Science
• Ease of obtaining a visa: To study in Australia, you need a Student Visa (subclass 500). You must prove you have enough funds to cover tuition and living costs (around AUD 21,000 per year), and have valid health insurance. 
• Affordability: Tuition fees range from approximately AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year, depending on the programme. Living costs are high, but many universities offer scholarships, and you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time.
• Career prospects: After graduation, a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) may allow you to stay and work in Australia for two to four years.

Find your Bachelor’s in Australia

Hungary (+17.3%)

Studying in Hungary offers a rich cultural experience, with vibrant cities like Budapest, Szeged, and Pécs providing a multicultural environment. Hungary's central location in Europe allows for easy travel and exploration of neighbouring countries. Hungary's higher education system is internationally competitive, particularly noted for its medical and dental schools tailored for international students. Degree programs follow the European Bologna Process, ensuring that qualifications are recognised across Europe and beyond.

• Top universities: Eötvös Loránd University, University of Szeged (Discover more top-ranking universities in Hungary here!)
• Popular programmes: Mechanical Engineering, Economics, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Technology
• Ease of obtaining a visa: International student numbers are growing. However, starting in 2024, Hungary will have a new immigration law introducing major changes and stricter conditions for non-EU students. Hungary also faced some challenges regarding participation in EU programs like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe due to political disputes, so check this out if it is your case.
• Affordability: Hungarian universities provide quality education at relatively low tuition fees, ranging from approximately USD 2,500 to USD 9,000 per year, with medical degrees up to USD 18,000. Living expenses are also lower compared to Western European countries.
• Career prospects: The “study-to-work” permit allows applicants to stay another 9 months in Hungary after graduation to look for work in Hungary or another EU country. The job market is growing, particularly in IT, engineering, and healthcare.

Find your Bachelor’s in Hungary

In conclusion…

Choosing where to study your bachelor’s in 2026 is no longer just about reputation. You are comparing visa rules, real living costs, work rights, and what happens after graduation just as much as university rankings. While the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany still attract the largest share of student interest, fast growth in places like Australia and Hungary shows that students are actively looking for strong career pathways and better value for money.

At the same time, declining interest in some European destinations highlights how sensitive students are to stricter immigration policies, housing pressure, and financial requirements. This means your decision should focus on the full picture: tuition fees, part-time work options, post-study visas, and how easy it is to build a career after you graduate.

Methodology

• We analysed both leading and emerging Bachelor’s study destinations to understand their appeal and trends.
• Our approach included identifying the main countries sending international students to each destination and highlighting destinations with the highest concentration of students from specific origin countries to showcase their influence.
• We measured the proportion of international students from certain countries to pinpoint where destinations hold the most sway.
• Trends in student interest were tracked using data from Studyportals to identify destinations with rising or declining popularity.
• We also reviewed the ease of obtaining student visas for key nationalities by examining official requirements, processing times, and recent data on student visas issued by each destination country, demonstrating their openness and appeal to international students.