Why are students more attracted to European universities than to domestic ones?

If you ask an applicant which university he will choose: a European or a domestic one, the answer is obvious. Most will choose the opportunity to receive a European-style diploma. Now the question. Why?

Based on four criteria: cost, ranking, opportunities of the university and the standard of living in the country, we will try to explain this and draw conclusions. As an example, let's take the Higher School of Economics in Prague and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia in Moscow.

1. Tuition Fee

First, let's look at the cost of contract education in two universities. The first – the Higher School of Economics in Prague, the second – Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (Moscow). Training in Prague will cost about 1500-4000 euros, and in Moscow 1500-5000 euros per year. But do not forget about the possibility of free education. In Prague it is possible to study for free if you study in Czech language, in Moscow you can enter by quota through Rossotrudnichestvo or other internal structures of your state.

       2. Ranking of universities

The Financial Times ranking of business schools in Europe ranks the Prague School of Economics 88th out of 90. According to Eduniversal's ranking the university is one of five business schools with global influence in Eastern Europe. In the Czech Republic, the university is considered one of the most prestigious.

Now let's look at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. For the first time the University enters the top 400 universities of the world in QS World University Rankings 2020, taking 392nd place. The university is also in the second group of universities participating in the Project 5-100.

The two universities hold different positions in the rankings and have academic clout. But the important fact is that the Prague School of Economics does not appear in the QS World University Rankings, but other Czech universities do.

        3. Living Standards

Moscow or Prague? Red Square or Old Town Square? The Kremlin or the Prague Astronomical Clock? It's a question for the amateur, but still...

The two countries are not stuck in the last century, they are actively and modernly developing. Comparisons are useless because every country and every city has its advantages and disadvantages.

4. The potential of the university

One of the privileges of the Prague School of Economics is that it issues a Diploma Supplement. This is the European Diploma Supplement in Czech and English. This document facilitates communication of the student with foreign universities and employers because the supplement was developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO. The Russian University has not acquired such a document, but PFUR is known for its internships and double diploma programs. You can either get two diplomas at the university (in your specialty and a translation diploma) or study for a master's degree one year in Russia and one year abroad and get a double diploma.

Let's summarize, education in the CIS space sometimes comes out more expensive than in Europe. But the cost will fluctuate differently depending on the country. Do not think that universities in the CIS countries do not occupy leading positions in the rankings. PFUR has proved the opposite. And do not lose the opportunity to study for free, everything is in your hands.

Whether in France or Ukraine, Czech Republic or Russia, Germany or Kazakhstan, do not forget there are advantages everywhere. Remember that the 21st century – it's the age of technology and progress, the age of opportunity. And the opportunity to be a great professional can be found at any university, if you just want to.