For master’s programs, some universities in Europe accept HND certificates along with second and third classes.
Acquiring an advanced degree abroad is an incredible achievement and a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but the costs are usually exceptionally high.
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - See if you are eligible
However, what if you were able to eliminate the “high cost” factor? You’ll find the ideal place abroad, where you can take advantage of the cheap tuition and general low cost of living to earn your Master’s degree in Europe with just a third-class or HND certificate.
You should research EU countries if you are thinking about starting a Master’s program with a low GPA, an HND, or a third class.
Table of Contents
Why you should study in Europe
1. High-ranking universities to choose from
With over 50 countries on the continent, Europe offers you an array of choices if you’re looking for an excellent university or tertiary institution of learning. All European universities are open to international students across the globe. A recent survey conducted by www. study.eu reveals that at least 10 European countries score highly on rankings for the best universities attracted by international students. The rankings are based on three pillars:
- Quality of education offered
- Cost of tuition, which is based on affordability in terms of the average tuition fees charged by the universities and the cost of living
- Life and career, which considers the kind of opportunities available for international students in the country plus the likelihood of staying and working after graduation,.
The survey revealed that Germany is the best study destination for international students in Europe, followed by the UK, the Netherlands, and France. Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and Switzerland are also among the top 10 choices.
Read Also: Study in Croatia: Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2024
2. The cost of education is affordable in Europe.
The survey also revealed that international students concerned about the affordability of education abroad have even more study choices in Europe. Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, and Poland all rate high in terms of cost. Germany rates as one of the top 10 countries globally, providing an unbeatable duo of affordability and top-notch quality of education for international students (the reason it is number 1 in Europe). International students studying in Europe can expect to pay between EUR 7,000 and EUR 10,000, making studying in European countries cheaper compared to countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the USA.
3. The quality of life and education
If the quality of education is your topmost priority, then the UK is the center of quality education as it is home to the world’s influential centers of learning and university cities like Aberystwyth, Edinburgh, Cambridge, and Oxford. Germany is also a center of quality education, with universities like Heidelberg University, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Humboldt University of Berlin, and Technische Universität München (TUM) attracting lots of international students across the globe annually. Unsurprisingly, most universities in other Western European countries like Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands also offer the best quality of education within the continent.
When it comes to offering widespread opportunities, quality of life, and career opportunities after graduation, UK universities are the best. Ireland, home to University College Dublin (also known as ‘Ireland’s Global University’ due to its large international student populace), Trinity College Dublin, and the National University of Ireland Galway, come in second place in this. Other top European countries suitable for international students in terms of this factor are Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Iceland.
4. worldwide track record of academic excellence
One thing European universities are known for is their track record of academic excellence. The quality of education they offer is top-notch and second to none. On a general note, Europe boasts the most excellent educational system in the entire world. Furthermore, the quality of teaching and learning is closely monitored by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to ensure that a high level of education standards is maintained and the drive for continuous improvements.
According to the QS World University Rankings, an annual, highly respected publication, five of the world’s top 10 universities are in Europe. These are:
- The University of Oxford, UK, is ranked as number 3.
- The University of Cambridge, UK, is ranked as number 2.
- ETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology—Switzerland, ranked as number 7
- Imperial College London, UK, is ranked as number 6.
- University College London, UK, is ranked as number 9.
A host of other universities make it to the Top 100 list, including universities in Sweden, Russia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
5. Part-time job opportunities for international students
This is probably one of the best reasons why you should consider studying in universities in Europe that accept HND. Most European countries allow international students to secure part-time jobs while studying, as long as they meet the government’s conditions. For instance, in the UK, international students on a Tier 4 visa (pursuing six months or longer) can work part-time for certain hours based on the life span of their study program and the university’s term dates and conditions.
In France, international students can work part-time both off-campus and on-campus during session time. Students are only permitted to work full-time during scheduled holidays. On average, students in France can work for up to 984 hours per year. In Spain, there is a 20-hour/week restriction. Meaning international students are only permitted to work for 20 hours per week while studying. More so, students can only secure jobs related to their course of study. Students in Germany are only permitted to work for up to 120 days per year full-time or 240 days part-time.
List of Universities in Europe That Accept HND and Third Class Certificates for Masters
The universities in Europe that accept HND and third-class master’s degrees are listed below.
| Universidad de Alicante | Spain |
| Université de Genève | Switzerland |
| Technische Universiteit Delft | Netherlands |
| Trinity College Dublin (University of Dublin) | Ireland |
| Univerzita Karlova | Czech Republic |
| Université de Lille | France |
| Politecnico di Milano | Italy |
| Universidad Politécnica de Madrid | Spain |
| Rijksuniversiteit Groningen | Netherlands |
| Norges teknisk-naturvitenskaplige universitet | Norway |
| Aalto-yliopisto | Finland |
| Université de Paris | France |
| Universidad de Granada | Spain |
| Universitetet i Bergen | Norway |
| Universidad del País Vasco | Spain |
| Wageningen Universiteit | Netherlands |
| Università degli Studi di Bologna | Italy |
| Universidad Politécnica de València | Spain |
| Universität Bern | Switzerland |
| Universidad de Sevilla | Spain |
| Université Catholique de Louvain | Belgium |
| Umeå Universitet | Sweden |
| Universidad Pompeu Fabra | Spain |
| Universiteit Gent | Belgium |
| Linköpings Universitet | Sweden |
| Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona | Spain |
| Universiteit Twente | Netherlands |
| Aarhus Universitet | Denmark |
| Universidade do Porto | Portugal |
| Tampereen yliopisto | Finland |
| Universität Innsbruck | Austria |
| Universidad de Salamanca | Spain |
| Uniwersytet Warszawski | Poland |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | France |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| Sapienza Università di Roma | Italy |
| Universidade de Lisboa | Portugal |
| Università degli Studi di Padova | Italy |
| Universidad de Murcia | Spain |
| Politecnico di Torino | Italy |
| Université de Lausanne | Switzerland |
| Masarykova univerzita | Czech Republic |
| Stockholms universitet | Sweden |
| Université Paris-Saclay | France |
| Göteborgs universitet | Sweden |
| Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña | Spain |
| Sorbonne Université | France |
| Università degli Studi di Torino | Italy |
F.A.Q
Can I use HND for Masters abroad?
In the US, a master’s degree obtained with an HND is highly respected. On the other hand, in order to pursue a master’s degree in countries like Canada, the UK, Germany, or Spain, you would have to enroll in a postgraduate course or obtain a certificate or diploma.
Is HND accepted overseas?
There is no reason why you cannot attend a university in another nation using your Higher National Diploma (HND) as proof of enrollment. Your HND may make you eligible for a postgraduate diploma (PGD) or a direct Master’s degree program. Education establishments in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other nations accept the Higher National Diploma (HND).
What is the minimum CGPA requirement for a Masters in Poland?
Higher education establishments in Poland do not have a single, universal admissions requirement. However, a GPA of at least 50% is typically required for admission to master’s programs. Any university requires this to be in attendance.
What is the minimum CGPA requirement for Masters in Italy?
The grade point average (GPA), which can be given as a percentage or weighted score, must be at least 70 out of 100 to be eligible for the application.
Can I study in Italy with a W grade?
Going to school abroad is still an option, even if your grades aren’t the best. While some language schools abroad accept students at any level, other educational establishments, like American Community Colleges, accept students with lower grades.
Would the UK accept a third-class master’s degree?
Enrollment in master’s degree programs in the UK is open to students with an HND and those with a third-class average in their undergraduate program. Students who fall into this category have many options available to them; however, these opportunities come with certain requirements.
