Hardest European universities to gain admission to?

So, I'm considering broadening my horizons and maybe looking at colleges in Europe. I'm aware that there's a bucket list of competitive universities there. But, which ones are perceived as the toughest to get admission into?

There are indeed some highly competitive universities across Europe, some of which are considered as challenging as many elite U.S colleges. Here are a few of the most competitive European institutions:

1. University of Oxford (UK): It is famed for its stringent acceptance process, including a comprehensive application form, subject-specific admissions tests, and in-person interviews.

2. University of Cambridge (UK): Ranked on par with Oxford, Cambridge also has a rigorous process which includes subject-specific written assessments.

3. Imperial College London (UK): Known for its excellence in sciences and engineering.

4. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Switzerland): Famous for its STEM programs, admission is highly competitive, particularly for international students, as many courses are taught in German.

5. École Normale Supérieure (France): Renowned for humanities and sciences, admission here requires comprehensive written and oral examinations, plus pre-screening that assesses your academic history in depth.

6. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany): Although public German universities generally have higher acceptance rates, the prestige, faculties, and the competitiveness of students at LMU Munich make it one of the hardest in Europe to get into.

Remember, performance in the classroom is crucial, but these schools look at many different factors in your application. For most of these institutions, competitiveness isn't just about great test scores and GPAs but also demonstrated passion for your chosen field, essays, and recommendation letters.