Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, so take your time and do your homework before jumping into the first destination that comes to mind. It’s important to consider all of the advantages and disadvantages of a country where you plan to further your career.
The world is opening up to you, and a whole new way of life awaits you. Every year, universities around the world welcome an increasing number of international students. Studying abroad is no longer exclusive to the ultra-wealthy or exceptionally bright.
However, there is a drawback: with greater options comes greater confusion. How do you pick a college among thousands of universities and courses? So, here are 7 tips from with the help of which you can choose the best university to study abroad:
Everyone will have an opinion, some of which will be beneficial and others which will be completely contradictory. In this case, the best thing you can do is research! Research, research, research! Then consult with an expert study abroad consultant before coming to a conclusion with your parents. For official information, your research must take you to university portals. Forums are also an excellent opportunity to meet other students who have gone on the same path as you and can give tips.
Do you wish to study abroad for the experience or to gain knowledge? Often, it’s a combination of the two. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you pick where to study abroad. If you want to study a new language, for example, you may go to a nation like Germany where there are no tuition expenses. If you want to engage yourself in the local culture, you should look for a university in a larger city or town. If the degree is the most important factor, you’ll base your decision on the university’s ranking.
There was once a time when international students exclusively traveled abroad to study for their master’s degree and beyond. Many people nowadays choose to study abroad for their undergraduate degree. If you plan to study abroad for your undergraduate degree, be aware that many colleges need you to take pre-requisite courses before you may declare a major.
Decide on your topic of study if you’re going to a college overseas for your master’s abroad or Ph.D. abroad. This will influence your choice of country and university.
You will need to pay for more than just college tuition; you will also need to include in the costs of housing, food, phone, and commuting. You are one of the fortunate ones if your parents are willing to cover the entire cost. To reduce the final score, a few students receive partial grants. To pay extra expenses, most students will take out student loans and work while in school. Finally, your financial strategy will determine how you select a college and study abroad country.
Open days at universities might give students a better idea of what they can expect if they are accepted. Education fairs in their city are the next best thing for international students who are still contemplating how to choose a university. At these education fairs, representatives from universities and education agencies will give you the best opportunity to learn more about the courses and qualifications required. These education fairs are usually conducted at a hotel or convention center, and they are publicized on social media and at colleges. Keep an eye out for your city’s upcoming education fair.
All of your research will take time, and you may still be unsure about which university to go to. The college application process can add to your confusion. What if we told you that you could get all of the help you require for free? Education counselors have a lot of experience and have helped a lot of pupils. Counseling is also free, which is pretty nice, right? Use their experience and knowledge to quickly narrow down the universities and countries to which you can apply.
Most international universities have two admissions periods, one in the spring and the other in the fall. The Fall semester, which begins in September, normally has a higher number of applicants. In January, the spring semester begins. You must begin your research and application process early enough for the admission intake for which you wish to apply.
Every country, every university, and every program has its own set of qualifiers for admission. Generally speaking, you have to have the minimum academic qualification and the qualifying score in entrance tests (such as the SAT/ ACT, GRE, GMAT). In addition to this, you will be expected to have a certain level of proficiency in the native language of the country that you are applying to. For example, An applicant from a non-English speaking country should have taken the IELTS or TOEFL and earned the qualifying score in order to apply to programs in English-speaking countries. Similarly, Germany requires their international applicants to have a certain level of proficiency in German.
It is strongly advised that you thoroughly study the country’s policies for international students, the university’s regulations, and the qualifying criteria for your desired programs before applying. If you are unsure of the acceptability of your qualifications, it is highly advised that you contact the admissions department of the university that you want to apply to.
Again, this depends on the program and the university, but mostly it is the country that you are applying to. Studying in countries with a high cost of living will cost you more than the other countries where living costs are low. You also need to consider the duration of the courses because that will determine how long you are staying there and incurring those living costs along with the tuition.
With respect to tuition fees, in most cases, state universities have a lower tuition fee than private universities. Then, there are also countries that have no tuition fees at all, such as Germany and Norway. Almost all countries allow their international students to work part-time, but you need to strictly adhere to the rules regarding the number of hours you can work.
The type of VISA you have determines whether you can work and how much you can work. The work hours also vary between term days and holidays. Most countries allow students to work for 20 hours a week during the term and full-time during the holidays. Though you can work, you cannot depend on these part-time earnings to fund your living expenses because right at the time of applying for a Student VISA, you will have to show that you have ample funds for your tuition and living expenses.
If you are planning to study abroad and searching to match your profile with the best suited university, experts at Manya – The Princeton Review have gathered important information of top Universities from abroad. Surely, this information will help you narrow down your quest for universities.
You can access accurate & authentic information related to rankings, application fees, average tuition fees, cost of living, scholarships, latest updates, and much more from more than 1000+ universities. You may also search for universities by name, country, or courses in common specializations, such as Physics, Finance, Business, Language and Culture, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Computer and IT, Media and Communication Marketing.
Manya – The Princeton Review offers end-to-end study abroad services encompassing admissions consulting services, test preparation, English language training, career assessment, and international internship opportunities to study abroad aspirants.
For more information, call our Study Abroad Helpline 1800 102 4646.
