Studying in Europe: Costs, Visa & Money Transfer Guide for Malaysians (2026)

27 April 2026

Studying in Europe 2026: Costs, Visa & Best Way to Transfer Money from Malaysia | Sunway Money

Europe is an increasingly popular study destination for Malaysian students. With a wide range of countries, world-class universities, and diverse cultures, Europe offers strong academic opportunities alongside valuable international exposure. Many European countries also provide affordable tuition fees, work opportunities, and post-study pathways.

This guide outlines key study opportunities in Europe, typical costs involved, and how Sunway Money can help Malaysian students and families manage international payments with ease.

Opportunities in Europe

Top-Tier Universities

Europe (outside the UK) is home to some of the world’s most innovative and highly ranked institutions. Many offer specialized English-taught programmes catering to international students:

ETH Zurich (Switzerland): Globally ranked #7; the "gold standard" for Engineering and Technology.
University of Amsterdam (Netherlands): A leader in Social Sciences and Communication with a vast range of English courses.
Technical University of Munich (Germany): Germany’s top-ranked technical university with deep industry ties.
Université PSL (France): An elite research powerhouse in the heart of Paris.
KU Leuven (Belgium): Renowned for its innovation and high research output.

Work Opportunities for Students

To help manage daily costs, these nations allow international students to work part-time. Current 2026 regulations include:

Germany: Up to 140 full days (or 20 hours per week).
Netherlands: Up to 16 hours per week (requires a work permit).
France: Up to 964 hours per year (roughly 60% of a full-time role).
Belgium: Up to 20 hours per week during the academic term.
Switzerland: Up to 15 hours per week (usually allowed after 6 months of residency).

Post-Study Career Pathways

These countries offer attractive stay-back options for graduates to gain international work experience:

Germany: An 18-month job-seeking visa for graduates.
Netherlands: A 1-year "Orientation Year" (Zoekjaar) visa to find work or start a business.
France: A one-year temporary residence permit (APS) for Master’s graduates.
Belgium & Switzerland: Generally a 6-month stay-back period to secure a professional employment contract.

Costs of Studying and Living in Europe

Tuition Fees (Updated for 2026)

Fee structures vary significantly depending on the country and university type:

Germany: Mostly free at public universities, though TU Munich now charges non-EU students between €4,000 and €12,000 per year.
France (Public): Approximately €2,895 for Bachelor’s and €3,941 for Master’s degrees.
Netherlands: Ranges from €6,000 to €20,000+ depending on the programme.
Belgium: Public university fees for non-EU students typically range from €1,500 to €8,500 per year.
Switzerland: Public institutions remain affordable, ranging from CHF 1,500 to CHF 4,000 per year, though living costs are higher.

Monthly Living Expenses

Budgeting varies by city, but a typical Malaysian student's monthly breakdown includes:

Accommodation: €450 – €1,200 (Highest in Zurich, Paris, and Amsterdam).
Food & Groceries: €250 – €400.
Transport: €30 – €80 (Significant student discounts available).
Health Insurance: €100 – €140 (Mandatory for visa and university enrollment).

Send Tuition Fee to Europe with Sunway Money

Send Money to Europe with Sunway Money

Looking to transfer money to Europe for tuition or living expenses? Sunway Money offers secure international money transaction services with competitive exchange rates and low fees.