To be eligible to study abroad, there are some criteria that a prospective student should fulfil:
Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE)
Country specific entrance exams for e.g., SAT/ACT at the undergraduate level and GRE/GMAT at a postgraduate level. However, not all universities or courses require them.
Course-specific requirements. It is best to look up the website of the course and university of preference to make sure you fulfil their criteria of a prospective student/ applicant.
We are here to help you choose the country and university that best fits your interests.
The cost of attendance at some universities can vary largely with some of the others. These costs also differ from country to country. Here are some of the aspects one should look at while calculating costs :
Apart from the cost of attendance, there are many costs to consider, such as cost of living, travelling and other miscellaneous expenses. These costs, in turn, depend on factors like the length of your program, nature of your study or stream, the country in which you choose to study etc.
Visa application and process is also an expensive affair. Moreover, most countries want an applicant to be able to show a certain bank balance and account as proof of your capability to finance your education.
Sometimes, costs can be overwhelming, but the most advantageous thing is that students get to work part-time and that can help them cover their extra costs and expenses.
These are some of the things to keep in mind while you make your choice :
Your area and subject of interest.
Coursework, research and internship opportunities and placements from a particular university.
Campus location: Whether you will be okay, moving to a place where it is colder or warmer than where you are currently from. Or whether you would prefer an urban environment with a busy lifestyle or a peaceful place to study in.
Total expenses for your study abroad experience.
Campus safety and rankings, however, do not blindly trust rankings as they may or may not be credible.
It is good to know the number of international students studying at that university. Sometimes, having a community of your nationality around can also be helpful in settling down in a foreign country.
You should know whether you wish to stay in that country or return to your country after studying. If you want to settle abroad, you should know the migration policies for that particular country. And it is advisable to visit and read their immigration website.
In a recent study, 4,500 ex-international students found out that the exact relevant skills that the US employers value are observed in recruits who have studied overseas. Living and studying abroad can make you adept at many skills such as speaking in English and improving communication and social skills. It is definitely an added bonus to the knowledge and skills that you have acquired through the course of your study and can aid you in finding you a good job.
In some fields such as medicine, pharmacy and law, it is advisable to inquire with the local official registration bodies and authorities to know about what is required to make your education meet the requirements to work in your own country.
There are some scholarships and fellowships available to students, but they are quite limited. These are some of the sources from which you can procure funding for your education :
The school/ university you wish to attend. Some have general scholarships, while some have departmental funding opportunities.
External scholarship opportunities from foundations and private organisations. E.g., Fulbright Scholarship/ Fellowships.
Government scholarships in your field
It is important to note that only a limited number of candidates with exemplary academic background and extra-curricular profile can procure such scholarships
While most countries allow working part-time during the course of your study, there are certain restrictions as to how many hours per week of work is permissible to an international student. It is best to consult your on-campus academic advisors and University career resource persons about work-study opportunities.
We recommend starting your application at least a year in advance to your intended intake. For e.g., if you wish to commence in September 2023, you should start preparing from Sept-Oct 2022. Different countries have different terms and semesters. Some of them are given below. These are just rough estimates and may vary
Semester 1 : late February/early March to late May/early June.
Semester 2 : late July/early August through to November.
Semester 1 : from February to June
Semester 2 : from July to November
Term 1 : from September to December
Term 2 : from January to April
Term 3 : from May to July
Fall Term : from August to December
Spring Term : from May to August
Summer Term : from January to April
It is not necessary to have an education agent and lots of people apply on their own. However, consulting an agent may give you a sense of confidence and provide you with expertise in all matters. It is really important to choose an accredited institution and trustworthy sources for your study abroad experience. With an education consultant that work becomes very easy. And even in uncertain situations like this year in COVID-19, a trustworthy education agent can go a long way in ensuring that you go in the right direction with the procedures and making decisions.
Staying away and studying overseas can be quite difficult and this can make your parents very anxious. If you are certain that studying abroad is the next step for your academic career, then visit us. Our counsellors will sit down with your parents and make them feel convinced and confident about your decision to study abroad and what a future with an overseas education holds.