Faqs – Study Abroad
- Why study abroad?
Studying abroad can be intimidating, especially for students who have never been outside their home country for long. However, studying abroad is still very appealing as it’s a combination of gaining a global mindset, high quality education, exposure to a new culture and broadening future employability. Studying abroad is a challenge that provides a clear understanding to students about how the world works.
The study abroad experience for students will largely vary depending on the country he or she goes to study. Thus it is very important to look into the education system, job prospect, lifestyle etc before finalizing on a country.
- Where in the world should I study?
The most trickiest decision to make while going abroad to study is to finalize the right destination in order to have the right study abroad experience. Students must take into consideration their personal interests as well as other parameters like the overall living expenses in the country, safety, job market, city atmosphere etc. Students will also have to look at what’s comfortable for them.
- How do I get started?
Once students have finalized the destination to study, the next step is to finalise on the right university and the program to study. Student can look for universities or programs by browsing through different university platforms or platforms like FIND A COURSE in order to find the best fit for them keeping in mind their specifications like cost, ranking, reputation etc
- How long do study abroad programs take?
Duration of the study abroad program will vary on the basis of the country selected and the level of study. For example – A bachelor’s degree can be completed or 3 or 4 years depending on which country the student is in. If the student is in the USA, the study duration is 4 years and if the student is in the UK the duration is 3 years. Similarly a master’s degree can be completed in either 1 or 2 years. Details pertaining to the duration will generally always be mentioned on the university website with a general description on the curriculum for each year.
- When can I start applying for study abroad programs?
University applications need to be started well in advance in order to avoid missing the deadlines or performing poorly in the applications. Every University has a different requirement for International Students. Some universities might require an exam, an interview, additional tests like IELTS, GRE, SATs etc which will take time. Thus it is very important to plan out a timeline of 6 – 8 months before the application deadline in order to prepare and submit an effective application for a better impression on the University representatives.
- What are the entry requirements for study abroad programs?
Admission requirements vary based on the University selected and the curriculum the student belongs to. If you are an undergraduate student, you will have to look for your curriculum specific requirements before applying. If you are looking for post graduation, the requirements will mainly be your GPA , work experience or GRE/GMAT scores.
International students coming from a non English speaking country will have to prove their english proficiency by providing results of common english tests like IELTS OR TOEFL as the university wants to ensure that students will be able to follow the course without any comprehension issues.
- Do I have to speak a second language to study abroad?
It will completely depend on which country the student plans to study in. Majority of universities will have a requirement of IELTS/TOEFL to prove the students english language proficiency. However, there will be a few programs in some universities that would require the student to either learn the language before commencing the program or study the language as part of the university curriculum.
- Will I need to attend an admissions interview?
Interviews are commonly used by universities to understand reasons as to why students want to study in their university as well as to understand the student english proficiency. However, not all universities conduct interviews during the application process.
- After gaining a letter of acceptance, what do I do next?
Once the student has got the letter of acceptance, he or she will have to follow the instructions provided in the letter. Universities usually provide all the necessary details like deposit payment, date of commencement, enrollment process etc. The student will also have to start with the visa process. They can usually visit the government or embassy website in order to know more about the visa documents and process.
- Do I need to apply for a student visa?
Student visas are majorly required by all International Students in order to go and commence their studies in a different country. However, it will depend on what is the nationality of the student or what kind of program the student is looking to go and study. For instance, if you are a student with a EU nationality planning to go and study in Europe, you will not need to apply for a student visa separately. It will also depend on the duration of the program. If it’s a vocational course or short term course that will last only 2 -3 months, then a student visa will not be required.
- Where can I find study abroad scholarships?
Scholarships are provided by almost all universities. However, certain programs might not have the option for scholarships in the first year. Details pertaining to scholarships provided by the University or provided by the government will always be mentioned on the University website. After submission of the application, the university reviews the students documents and achievements and provides a decision of eligibility for the scholarship.
- Can I work while studying abroad?
It will depend if your student visa will allow students to work or not. Almost all countries allow international students to work part time as long as they are able to manage their studies while they work. Majority of countries have a limit of 20 hours per week during normal days and full time during holidays.
