One quite important factor that is easy to overlook is that a very significant number of people on the .eu side will not only do this 3-or-so-year bachelor's/li

One quite important factor that is easy to overlook is that a very significant number of people on the .eu side will not only do this 3-or-so-year bachelor's/licenciate/candidate degree, but also the additional 2-3 year master's degree. In many fields of study, Master's is the standard target, including the lower degree.