A Step-by-step Guide To Studying Abroad

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Studying abroad has become easier with international funding provided by universities and government-specific scholarships and grants. When you can study at top universities, why not seize the opportunity right?

Many other reasons students study abroad are to explore a new culture, seek better career opportunities, learn a new language, be independent, and get the best student experience.

Studying abroad can be challenging for many, but it can be smooth depending on the courses you choose and places in the world to study abroad. So, choose the right study abroad destination based on your personal and academic interests to maintain a healthy intellectual and career life.

What are the steps to study abroad?

This easy step-by-step guide will help you plan and organize your journey on how to study abroad. By following these procedures for going abroad, you will be in the right direction to success in applying to universities.

Start with research: It’s one of the essential points to start with as it will define and give you the notion of the courses, countries, fees, etc., and a broader view of the whole picture.

Choose the course you want to study abroad: With so many options, you can weigh the ones that interest you the most. Do a deeper dig into the subject, and its prospects, and keep hold of those that meet your academic interests.

Decide on location: Before you choose a country, ask yourself if you want to stay in a city or suburb, its safety, travel expenses, weather conditions, culture, food, and language.

Apply to multiple universities: The chances of applying to one university can have a setback. It’s better to be safe and apply to many universities. But please be mindful and check the policies of how many universities you can apply to in one particular country.

Take the English Test: Many English language tests, like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Duolingo are available. It will vary depending on countries and university requirements. So, you will have to check based on their needs and apply for the test accordingly. Here is a suggestion to help you decide: Which test you should take?

Seek and apply for financial assistance: Many universities offer a scholarship to study abroad for Indian students, EU and other nationalities. Each country and university provides financial aid for international students as a repayment system, grants, and scholarships. Find out the one that can assist you financially while studying abroad.

Accept the offer letter and apply for the visa: Once you get the offer letter, start your next stage of applying for a student visa to study abroad. It involves the submission of many documents. The processing time will also differ depending on your country of interest and nationality. It’s best to be prepared before you start your journey.

Book flight tickets and student accommodation: Once you get your visa sorted, book your flight and student accommodation. This will get the best and cheapest deals on accommodation! But, above all, you can save money and organize everything without any last-minute worries.

What are the world’s top 10 universities?

According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, these are the top 10 ranking universities in the world: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard University, Stanford University, Imperial College London, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), National University of Singapore (NUS), UCL (University College London) and University of California, Berkeley (UCB).

What are the 10 best countries for study abroad?

According to U.S. News, the 2023 best countries to study abroad rankings are the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, France, Japan, Spain, Canada, Greece, Germany and Brazil.

What to study abroad for students?

There are many types of programs, courses, and degrees you can choose to study abroad. You can have a look at what suits your interests and requirements:

Foundation/PathwayProgramme: This UK-based inspired course is a preparation or pathway program. It is a course to help you meet the gap between your current studies and the level you need to get a qualification for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree to study abroad as an international student. In the U.S., Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, it’s called an Associate degree.

Language Course: Many students seek to study abroad only to gain experience in a foreign language. These courses are required, especially if you are looking to study in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, etc. Gaining knowledge and certifications in a language course opens doors for many opportunities to work worldwide.

Diploma/Certificate: These courses offer vocational or professional teachings. They are well suited for students who want to excel in their skill sets in a short time. The best country for short-term courses to study abroad is Canada.

Bachelor’s Degree: Studying the course of your choice at an institution is an undergraduate degree. The degree can take 2-5 years, depending on the subject, university, and country. The Bachelor’s Degree fee will be more than that in one’s home country.

Master’s Degree: For those who’ve completed a Bachelor’s degree, it’s easier to find a wide range of master’s degree programs. It depends on the course you choose to study will have a substantial impact on your career growth. Pursuing a master’s degree from abroad can be a stepping stone and carries more weight than one’s own country.

Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.): An international Ph.D. degree is highly valued. This program is the top of all educational degrees and can be very competitive. The US is the only student destination where you can apply for a Ph.D. without a master’s degree.

What qualifications do I need to study abroad?

The eligibility to study abroad can vary depending on your nationality, country of interest, course, and university. The basic requirements differ from each other listed on the table below:

Country/Region	Bachelor’s Requirements	Master’s Requirements	Phd Requirements
UK	High School Diploma	Bachelor’s Degree	Master’s Degree
US	High School Diploma/GRE	Bachelor’s Degree	Master’s Degree
Italy	Secondary School Diploma/Equivalent to Italy School	Bachelor’s Degree	Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent
France	Baccalaureate or equivalent	Bachelor’s Degree	Master’s Degree
Japan	High School Diploma (12 years of formal education)	Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent	Bachelor + Masters
Spain	High School Diploma	Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent	Bachelor + Masters
Canada	Secondary School/High School Diploma	Bachelor’s Degree	Bachelors, Masters in related field, GMAT/GRE
Greece	High school diploma or equivalent	Bachelor’s Degree	Master’s Degree
Germany	High School Qualifications	Bachelor’s Degree	Master’s Degree
Brazil	High school diploma or equivalent	Bachelor’s Degree	Master’s Degree

What are the basic documents required to study abroad?

Before applying to any university in any study abroad destination, you have to be prepared with these documents. Please check the university website for detailed information.

Original passport
Academic papers from previous degrees
SOP/ Personal statement essay
Application form for the interested university
Language proficiency certification
Academic Test scores
Recommendation letters
Financial proof
Acceptance letter from the university
Health certificate
Passport photos
Award/ Extra curricular certificates

How much money is needed to study abroad?

Studying abroad has a financial cost, and the fees and cost of living will depend on the university and country. You can get free study abroad or low-cost fees in Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Spain, Argentina, India, and Taiwan.

If you want to study in private institutions and other countries, there’s a cost of tuition fees. For instance, on average, the tuition fee per annum in the UK is GBP 11,400; US is USD 50,000; in Canada is CAD 35,000; Australia is AUD 18,000, etc.

You can apply and get a scholarship to study abroad. There are university-specific scholarships, government-funded scholarships, and other types of scholarships.

We’ve outlined all the aspects that can guide your study abroad journey. In the process, have patience, organize, and plan safely and securely. Recheck on everything always! Good luck!