Top Public Universities in Europe – The top public Universities in Europe are numerous. However, both private and public institutions are good in their own ways.
Also, It is important that students identify what factors they value most in order to make the right choice. Let’s explore the best public Universities in Europe below;
List of the top 10 public Universities in Europe
1. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is the oldest and biggest Finnish institution. Also, one of the public universities in Europe. It has 11 faculties and 11 research institutes with an overall enrolment of 31,000 students.
However, It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. Also, Teaching happens in Finnish and Swedish, however, the university also offers Masters and Doctoral degrees in English. Helsinki ranks 104th in the QS World University Rankings 2021.
2. University of Cyprus
This is one of the public universities in Europe. The University of Cyprus is located in Nicosia, which is the capital of the country. Also, It is home to more than 7,000 students and it offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
However, It is composed of 8 faculties and 22 departments. Programmes are taught in Greek, however, their MBA degree is taught in English. Moreover, UCY is expanding quickly and it is considered to be an important hub for researchers.
3. Nova University Lisbon
Nova University Lisbon is one of the youngest universities in Portugal. Also, one of the public universities in Europe. In fact, it opened its doors in 1973.
It currently counts over 20,000 students and 1,800 staff members.
However, The nine academic units are semi-autonomous. Nova School of Business and Economics offers the Lisbon MBA, in collaboration with the Catholic University of Portugal and MIT Sloan School of Management.
Moreover, last year, NOVA SBE was among the top 30 European Business Schools in the Financial Times ranking.
3. Radboud University
One of the public Universities in Europe. It is constantly ranked among the best 150 universities in the world by four major rankings, including CWUR and SARWU.
However, Nearly 23,000 students are enrolled at Radboud University, which also counts nearly 3,000 staff members. Also, Nine of the 46 undergraduate degrees are offered in English. Additionally, it offers 75 postgraduate degrees, half of which are English-taught.
4. Heidelberg University
One of the public Universities in Europe. It counts nearly 29,000 students, 20% of whom are foreigners. Also, It is composed of 12 faculties and it offers bachelor, master, and Ph.D. programmes.
However, The majority of programmes are offered in German, however, some are offered in English and even French.
Furthermore, Heidelberg University appears 3rd in Germany and 44th in the world in The Times Higher Education Ranking 2020.
5. Technical University of Munch
One of the top public universities in Europe. Technical University of Munch, TUM has a strong focus on research and is organized into 15 academic departments, 5 of which are schools. Also, It is the 50th best university in the QS World University Ranking 2021.
6. École Polytechnique
One of the best public universities in Europe. . École Polytechnique, also referred to as X, is 2nd in the Times Higher Education Small University Rankings and 61st in the QS World University Rankings 2021.
Also, It is considered a small university as it counts only around 3300 students, the majority of those at the postgraduate level. In fact, it offers only one English-taught Bachelor’s degree in Maths with the possibility to get a double major and choose between Physics, Economics, and Computer Science.
7. Sorbonne University

One of the best public universities in Europe. Sorbonne University is a public research institution headquartered in Paris that counts more than 42,000 students.
Also, It is referred to as one of the top 3 universities in France. Moreover, It is organized into the Sorbonne College and the Doctoral College. Sorbonne has strong international partners, including the University of Toronto and King’s College London.
8. Imperial College London
Imperial College London gained its independence from the University of London after 100 years. However, The university counts roughly 20,000 students and more than half of its student body is international.
Also, Imperial is composed of four faculties, including a business school. In 2015, the acceptance rate of Imperial was 14,3%. Moreover, In the QS World University rankings 2020, Imperial appears as number 9.
9. University of Cambridge
One of the best public universities in Europe. The University of Cambridge has operated since 1209 and it is known for being one of the long-lasting universities worldwide.
Also, It is composed of 31 colleges, which are self-governing institutions, 150 academic departments, and faculties, all divided into six schools.
However, As of 2015, the acceptance rate of Cambridge was 21% and it is still considered one of the hardest universities to get into. According to CWUR 2019-2020, Cambridge is the best university in the UK and the fourth in the world.