IT Education in Europe: 5 Universities You Actually Have a Chance of Getting Into

Demand for experienced IT professionals in Europe keeps rising — and with it, competition for Computer Science programs. Getting into a top technical university today has become a serious challenge for most students.

For example, the acceptance rate for the MEng Computing (Software Engineering) program at the prestigious Imperial College London is only about 6.2%. It’s one of the most competitive IT programs at the university, and realistically, only a handful of applicants get in.

So does that mean studying IT abroad isn’t worth trying anymore? Of course not.

Europe still has many strong universities that offer excellent programs with more flexible admission requirements and much higher chances of getting accepted. In this article, we’ll take a look at several of them.

Contents:

• Why is it harder to break into IT today?
• European universities with strong IT programs
• Help with applying to universities abroad

Why Is It Harder to Break Into IT Today?

The European IT market remains highly promising. However, entering the field as a beginner has become more difficult and competitive than it used to be.

First, most companies are looking for specialists with work experience. Over the past few years, the number of Junior-level positions has dropped significantly, while the number of candidates applying for them has grown.

Second, more and more people want to build a career in IT. As a result, competition among applicants has intensified — especially at leading universities such as ETH Zurich, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Delft University of Technology, and the previously mentioned Imperial College London.

The acceptance rate at ETH Zurich, one of the most prestigious technical universities in the world, averages around 27%. For international students, it’s even lower — about 20%. Yes, the odds are better than at Imperial College London — but the competition is still tough.

So what should students do in this situation?

The key is choosing universities wisely:

a) universities with reasonable competition and realistic admission chances;

b) universities that offer internships, practical training, and opportunities to build a portfolio during your studies — which will give you a real advantage when looking for a job later.

European Universities with IT Programs

We selected five universities located in major European cities (in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary) that offer strong English-taught programs in Computer Science and IT for international students:

• IU International University of Applied Sciences 
• SRH University of Applied Sciences
• University of Europe for Applied Sciences
• Unicorn University 
• John von Neumann University 

IU International University of Applied Sciences (Germany)

IU International University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany. Founded in 1998, IU now has over 130,000 students from more than 190 countries, making it one of the largest universities in the world by student population.

The university has two campuses — Cologne and Berlin. International students can enroll in bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA programs taught entirely in English, which are available at the Cologne campus.

Main fields of study include:

• Computer Science
• Cyber Security
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Business & Management
• Marketing
• Engineering, and more

Students who do not yet meet the language or academic requirements for direct admission to a bachelor’s program can take the one-year IU Pathway Programme.

One of the university’s key advantages is its strong connection with industry. IU partners with more than 15,000 companies, including well-known brands such as Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Volkswagen Financial Services.

Students complete internships and often combine their studies with part-time work at partner companies. This allows them to gain professional experience and build a strong portfolio while still studying.

According to the university, around 80% of graduates receive a job offer from a partner company after graduation.

In addition, after completing their studies, graduates can apply for an 18-month job-seeker visa in Germany or obtain an EU Blue Card, allowing them to start their careers in Europe’s largest economy.

SRH University of Applied Sciences (Germany)

SRH University of Applied Sciences is a private university of applied sciences and part of the SRH education group. The university brings together 18 campuses across Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Munich, and other major cities.

Founded in 2002, SRH is now considered one of the largest private universities in the country, with thousands of students representing more than 140 nationalities.

SRH offers more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA programs, as well as short-term courses in a wide range of fields — from technology and business to psychology, design, and media communications.

Among the most popular IT-related fields:

• Computer Science
• Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
• Business Informatics
• Engineering
• IT Management

Programs are taught in both German and English, making them accessible to international students.

One of the university’s key features is its proprietary educational model called CORE (Competence Oriented Research and Education). Classes are held in small groups, and the curriculum is built around short learning modules, allowing students to immediately apply what they learn in practice. The program also includes extensive teamwork and numerous hands-on projects.

SRH works closely with companies and industry partners, adapting its programs to current market needs. Students gain valuable professional experience even before graduating: many programs follow a dual study model, allowing students to combine their studies with a job at a partner company (with the employer often covering the tuition fees).

According to university data, about 85% of graduates find a job within six months after graduation.

University of Europe for Applied Sciences (Germany)

University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) is a modern private university of applied sciences with a strong international focus. It was established in 2017 through the merger of two specialized institutions — the Business and Information Technology School and the Berliner Technische Kunsthochschule.

In 2018, the university became part of the international education network Global University Systems (GUS). Today, UE has four campuses in Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Iserlohn, and Potsdam) as well as an international campus in the UAE (Dubai).

UE offers bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA programs in technology and computer science, including:

• Software Engineering
• Generative Design & Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Digital Media & Marketing
• Innovation Design Management
• UX/UI Design
• MBA in Digital Technology

Programs are taught in English.

UE collaborates with companies from a wide range of industries, including IT and the creative sector, and offers students:

• internship opportunities with partner companies
• project-based learning built around real business challenges
• workshops and career events with industry professionals

The university also offers dual study programs that allow students to combine academic studies with work at a partner company, while the employer covers the cost of tuition.

UE supports international student mobility through partnerships with universities around the world. Students in different programs can spend a semester abroad at a partner university in Europe, Asia, the Americas, or Oceania.

UE’s Career Center helps students search for job opportunities, prepare resumes, and navigate the hiring process. It also organizes individual career consultations, job fairs, and meetings with employers. According to the university, 93% of graduates find a job within 12 months after graduation, and 68% secure employment while still studying.

Unicorn University (Czech Republic)

Unicorn University is a private university of applied sciences located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It was founded in 2007 by the technology company Unicorn, which specializes in developing information systems and software. The university was originally created as an educational platform for training IT professionals.

Prague is one of the largest technology hubs in Central Europe, known for its rapidly growing IT ecosystem and a large number of international companies and startups. This creates excellent opportunities for internships and for launching a career in the tech sector.

The university offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in English in key areas such as Software Development and Business Management. The learning process includes projects, workshops, hackathons, and intensive practical training designed to help students work on real-world challenges.

Students can also participate in a Double Degree program (with part of the studies taking place abroad) and earn two bachelor’s degrees within one program — a Czech and an international one (Bc. and BA).

One of the university’s main strengths is its close connection with the IT industry, since it was originally established with the support of the Unicorn technology group. As a result, students have access to internships and projects with this company as well as other partner organizations, including Microsoft, KPMG, Allianz, Raiffeisenbank, and others.

Unicorn University also takes part in scientific and technological projects and collaborates with research organizations such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Its strong focus on practical skills and mandatory internships helps graduates integrate into the job market quickly. According to university sources, many students find jobs while still studying, and most work in the same field they studied.

John von Neumann University (Hungary)

John von Neumann University is one of the largest universities in Hungary, located in the city of Kecskemét in the southern part of the country (about a 40-minute drive from Budapest).

It is the youngest university in Hungary. The institution was established in 2016 through the merger of several colleges, one of which — the Kecskemét College of Engineering — dates back to 1964. The new university was named after the renowned mathematician and pioneer of computer science John von Neumann.

Kecskemét is one of Hungary’s key industrial centers. The city hosts major manufacturing and technology companies, including a Mercedes-Benz plant, which creates strong opportunities for cooperation between the university and industry.

John von Neumann University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral (PhD) programs in engineering, business, and information technology. Programs are available in both English and Hungarian.

Fields related to IT and technology include:

• Vehicle Engineering
• Computer Science Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Logistics Engineering

The university works closely with regional companies to help students transition smoothly into the job market after graduation. One of its key partners is Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary. This partnership includes:

• joint educational projects
• hands-on training
• internships and student participation in real engineering projects

Graduates of John von Neumann University are in demand in areas such as:

• IT and software development
• engineering and manufacturing
• technology project management
• logistics and industrial analytics

In addition, a Hungarian degree gives international graduates the opportunity to look for work and build a career in EU countries.

Help With Applying to Universities Abroad

The ED-EX.com team helps turn the dream of studying abroad into reality. We work with more than 2,000 universities around the world, giving you access to top institutions under more flexible and comfortable conditions.

What you get when applying through ED-EX.com:

• one application — submitted to 5+ universities within the same country
• more flexible admission requirements
• no application fee*

* When applying directly to universities, you usually have to pay an application fee to each one separately. With ED-EX.com, you can save about $300–500 on fees.

How to apply through ED-EX.com:

Step 1. Go to our university catalog and choose a university that interests you.

Step 2. Open the university’s page and click the Enroll button.

Step 3. Fill out the online application form.

If any information or documents are missing, ED-EX.com experts will contact you and let you know what needs to be added. We can also help strengthen your profile to increase your chances of admission.

Not sure which university to choose?

Selecting a country and university is a key strategic decision. A personal consultation with an expert can make this easier. In just one hour, you will get:

• answers to your questions about studying abroad
• analysis of your profile (grades, language skills, experience)
• clear step-by-step admission plan
• guidance on how to enhance your profile and improve your admission chances
• list of required documents
• recommendations of countries and universities that match your level, budget, and requirements

Don’t waste time — book your consultation today.