While Western Europe is not strictly defined as a region, it is generally thought of as encompassing the countries which remained independent of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This boundary roughly translates to the countries west of Germany to the north and Italy to the south, and is often stretched to include the Scandinavian countries as well.

Some of the most popular destinations for degrees abroad in Western Europe include the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. There are also many international degree programs available in some of the smaller, globally oriented Western European countries, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands. In total there are over 20 countries that are commonly acknowledged as belonging to Western Europe, and the majority of these countries are top destinations for earning degrees abroad.

Within these countries, there are some cities that are especially popular destinations for degrees abroad in Western Europe, including London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Geneva, and Florence. Obviously this is a very limited selection, considering the large diversity of cities in this region, so be sure to explore a wide range of options when deciding where to pursue your degree abroad in Western Europe.

Regardless of where you choose to earn your degree abroad, it is always important to consider the potential language barrier you may be presented with. Since most countries use their own national language as the language of instruction, it is best to assume that you will have to become adept in a second language in order to earn your degree at a local university. Many European languages, such as English, Spanish, French, and German, are widely used on an international scale, so becoming fluent in a second language can be a major perk of earning your degree abroad in Western Europe.