Beginner Doubts

How to Apply to Universities Abroad?

Since the application process to universities abroad is considerably longer than that of Indian universities, it makes logic to treat the subject in its entirety and not cherry-pick a few topics. Study abroad could be a life-changing experience to all aspirants. By studying abroad, you are giving yourself an opportunity for all-round development, to explore the world beyond your home country, to learn and accept a new culture, make new friends and most importantly increasing your employability globally. Those interested to study abroad must be thoughtful with the college selection and application process. It is also important to understand that not every college or university abroad is a top or recognized one. In such a situation ‘research becomes the key’ to a successful application and when we talk about research it means exploring factors such as university and subject ranking, admission requirements, fee and scholarships, post-study work options, career opportunities and visa requirements to name a few. These factors are different from campus to campus. They will also differ for a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree applicant.

Exploration points to know as a aspirant/ an applicant 

Know what to study – be distinct – Identify your interests, aptitude, career aspirations and choose your desired subject or program accordingly. Every individual for that matter has different skills and potential. Find out yours and be unique in your own terms.

Significance of University Ranking –  Ranking could be based on the university’s range of academic programs, student-teacher ratio, industrial tie-ups, quality of faculty, acceptance rate, extracurricular activities, financial aid, student outcomes, alumni network, internship placements and many more. As an applicant you should explore more on above points before placing applications to Universities in Abroad.

Admission Requirements and Intakes Depending on what your desired destination of study is; international students must prepare for study abroad entrance exams. Popular exams include IELTS, GRE, GMAT, TOFEL, SAT, PTE. Additionally, applicants must keep a note of the admission intakes and deadlines for each country and university offers.  

Post Study Work Opportunities – Students are intended to work in abroad for several reasons such as strengthen their profile, gaining some work experience and that too in a foreign country will undoubtedly increase your employability in your home country when you return. Post-study work options after you complete your studies is another major criterion for an international applicant while choosing your study abroad destination. However, Proper plan will lead you to enroll into desired program in an appropriate time. So, you should plan your academic career at right time while choosing right options to your profile.

Do you need any assistance with the application process? Can application be done by the student?

The procedure of applying to abroad universities is undeniably long and demands a lot of awareness. Fortunately, there are some cases where the hard work done by applicants pays off and they get the admissions from good Universities. This requires them to conduct a really good research on the abroad education industry. Applications made for the very first time often get rejected and it becomes really difficult to continue for those who can’t handle rejections. The time and money spent in making the applications that get rejected are entirely wasted, and you cannot get that back. To save yourself from this disappointment, you can always take help from Us! We can assist you with wide array of services in each and every step ranging from profile evaluation to confidently cracking those difficult interviews and getting through the tiring visa applications and loan approvals. These services include;

• Course finalization
• Country selection
• Evaluating your profile eligibility
• University shortlisting
• Understanding the university requirements
• Preparation of supporting documents
• placing the application to university
• Clearing the college interviews
• Applying for education loan
• Assisting you till the loan gets sanctioned
• Filing VISA Application
• Cracking VISA interview

We help you with editing the supporting documents you need while making the application, such as SOP’s, LOR’s, CV’s etc. Students often fail to crack the difficult visa interviews due to lack of knowledge and preparation. Our tie-ups with various backs also help you get your loan approved and sanctioned easily. The obligatory step-by-step procedure for applying to abroad universities would require you to connect with the experts at some of the other points in time. If you have tried applying on your own before or you are going to do so in the near future, do remember to share your experiences with other aspirants about our valuable services offerd to you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Application Process

Just the thought of applying to universities abroad, stresses most students out. With the universities offering you many benefits, you need to make the most of the opportunity by making sure you avoid a few common mistakes that you may be guilty of –

Not exploring enough –  Students should thoroughly browse the websites of all shortlisted universities so they are aware of every information about program and University services range.

Not making right inquiry – On many university websites, there are links available to contact the international admissions counselor. If there are no such counselor at any university of your choice, then you can send an email to the international student group. There are high chances you will find someone who will provide correct information to all your questions.

Not planning enough and ahead of time – Unlike Indian college admissions, the admission process abroad is not streamlined. There are many universities which accept applications throughout the year, then there are some which have only three application deadlines. You need to be mentally prepared to accommodate all the different processes for the upcoming one year.

Not bragging enough about yourself – The most important document for any university application is the Statement of Purpose or the College Essays. These include nothing but a list of your accomplishments and goals. These documents help the admission officers decide if you are a good fit for the university or not. They need to see what you bring to the table, and how you can contribute to the college community. Don’t be modest about yourself in these papers. If you have done well on certain exams, mention it. If you have played sports, mention it. If you have been involved in theater or music, mention it. Sharing your accomplishments will enhance your application immensely and may also make you eligible for scholarships opportunities. However, don’t exaggerate your achievements or lie about them. Be truthful and don’t underplay your accomplishments.

How to choose the right Country?

Studying abroad is not only a great way to add additional academic skills to your profile, even the Indian companies also give preference to a degree from a reputed international university in comparison to an Indian degree. Better infrastructure, quality education and focus on research are some of the main factors because of which students use to go to study abroad. However, before coming to this decision every student evaluates the countries where they want to go and which caters to their needs perfectly. Through research and guidance can help individuals to decide the study destination where opportunities are most approached. Almost every country in the world is open to accepting International students in their Universities. Often ask yourself significant questions like;

‘How studying this course in this country will benefit me?’

‘Are there any career opportunities after studying this course?’

‘What kind of environment is ideal for studying abroad?’

‘What is the country or destination most known for?’ 

One who considers and moves to pursue higher education highly benefits from it as there is abundance of exposure for students.  A return on investment, simply put is the expected earnings after the course divided by the cost of acquiring the necessary education. So before you finalize a country, also understand what kind of pay-outs you can expect from the job which you are hoping to get after completing your education. Unless and until your aspirations are purely academic, you would be wiser to calculate the expected salary. In case the pursuits are academic, even then a return on investment can be calculated by understanding the kind of research facilities available in the country you are planning to go to and the tie ups that university enjoys with the research centers in the region.

Needless to say, we cannot forego the worst situation and the possibility of your returning back to India if nothing goes as per plan. If a student does not check the credibility of the degree s/he is intending to pursue in India, you might end up with a huge student loan, no relevant work experience and a degree that does nothing to your future prospects.

One country might offer a cheaper cost of living but a must stricter entry requirements while another country might offer you easier admissions but have rather high cost of living. Students who go to study abroad always look for getting international work exposure. This also helps them in recovering a major part of their overall studying cost. Various countries are making changes to their immigration policies and making strict rules for foreigners. However, despite this, skilled professionals and qualified students will make sure to benefit through post-study work opportunities. What really qualifies a country as immigration friendly? Flexible work permit, easy visa rules availability of jobs and services, and a welcoming environment are a few to start with. With immigration, visa rules, and work permit getting tightened everywhere, it is difficult to remain updated about the current post-study work opportunities in the foreign countries. Hence, your approach to us make you every single opportunity can be scrutinized and evaluated to choose right destination matching to your aspirations.

How to choose the right program?

Typically, a student after finishing his/her degree from a premier college has two options to consider; either to continue his/her education or to enter the job arena. Of course, the ultimate goal of every student is to get employed, but the course of that journey is different for everyone. The options open to students after finishing recent studies are:

• Go for higher education immediately in home country
• Go for options in Universities located abroad
• Work for some years and then apply for higher studies

Before picking up a program you need to reevaluate and reflect upon yourself. Spent some time off your phone, make efforts to gather your thoughts, list down your choices, and plan for yourself. Ask yourself about what interests you the most, what makes you happy, know about your personality type and define your goal. It is very important to have clarity of thought in knowing whether you are ready to be in the profession which your prospective career program will take you for the rest of your life. rather than going on and choosing a random program that is not in your best interest will only harm your future. While having so many options to choose from is great, it can also be intimidating, especially when you’re already stressed about studying abroad. Your program should be chosen according to your future career goals. You don’t need to send dozens of applications to Universities, just a few carefully selected Program options are fine.

Questions to consider while checking the ROI of your program:

1.  If the college has good placements?
2. If the teaching methodology is good?
3. If industrial visits/guest sessions or any events are held?
4. How good is the infrastructure?

If you find yourself torn between different universities, choose which comes under your budget, not too heavy on you, your travel distance and a good ROI. 

Types of master’s degrees

There are several types of master’s degrees that you can pursue based on your personal interests and professional career goals. Here are the most common types of master’s degrees:

• Master of Science (M.S.):An M.S. typically takes about one or two years to complete depending on the program. Students can choose between a variety of science-related subjects, such as engineering, earth science, information technology and marketing.
• Master of Arts (M.A.):An M.A. program typically takes about one or two years to complete. Most M.A. programs are related to humanities subjects like philosophy and history. However, students may also get their M.A. in subjects like marketing or finance where the educational approach differs from that of these programs in an M.Sc..
• Master of Business Administration (MBA):An MBA is a flexible degree program that teaches a variety of business disciplines. A student may opt to get a general MBA or concentrate in finance, marketing, human resources or entrepreneurship.
• Master of Education (M.Ed.):An M.Ed. is an advanced degree that emphasizes the theoretical and practical study of the education system instead of teaching in a classroom. The subjects a student can concentrate on are curriculum instruction, educational psychology, educational leadership and policy or special education. This program typically takes two years to complete.

Doing your research and comparing study abroad programs beforehand make big difference on the experience you’ll have in your program. As an investment of your time and money, it’s important to do your due diligence and weigh all the options available to you.  Studying something that interests you will make it easier to get to class, study, complete assignments, pay attention in class or during labs, manage your time, and get good marks.

Which Exam to give for which course & which country?

Thousands of aspirants migrate to various parts of the world every year to complete their higher studies. Whilst the global study abroad scene has opened up tremendously to accommodate students of all academic backgrounds and interests, there are still certain preset academic standards that need to be met in order to gain admission to a university or college abroad. These are achieved by clearing competitive international entrance exams. Good performances in competitive ‘study abroad’ exams also help you to win scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Some of the most popular, and most important international entrance exams include the SAT, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS and the TOEFL. These are required for admission to universities and colleges in various countries across the globe. At times, the need may be a combination of one or more of these and other tests/examinations specific to that country and its education system.

IELTS

IELTS or International English Language Testing System, is a standardized English proficiency examination taken by non-native speakers going to English speaking countries to study, work or live. IELTS is jointly owned by IELTS Australia, British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment Test. To serve different purposes there are two types of IELTS examination: Academic and General.

The test total time is: 2 hours and 45 minutes, Valid for 2 years. The four parts of the IELTS test;

• Listening: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time)
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 60 minutes
• Speaking: 11–14 minutes

Listening, Reading and Writing are completed in one sitting. The Speaking test may be taken on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests. All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests, while the Reading and Writing tests differ depending on whether the test taker is taking the Academic or General Training versions of the test.

Fee – US$ 250

Offering – up to 4 times a month. Up to 40 times a year.

More information: You will receive a free IELTS preparation book within 10 days after registration at the address provided by you in the application form. You can expect your IELTS result to be available online 13 calendar days after your test. On completing your registration for the test, you will receive an email with full exam details including venue information approximately 5 days before the test.

for more information on IELTS, visit, https://www.ielts.org/

TOEFL

TOEFL refers to the test of English as a foreign language which evaluates a candidate’s proficiency in English. Because it is a valid and reliable test with unbiased, objective scoring, the TOEFL test confirms that a student has the English language skills necessary to succeed in an academic setting. More than 8,500 colleges, universities, and agencies in 130 countries accept TOEFL scores. It is administered at more than 4,500 test centers in 180 countries. More than 27 million people have taken the test since it began in 1964.

Validity of score: Valid for 2 years.

Fee – US$ 180

Duration- iBT – 2hours 47 minutes to 3 hours 23 minutes, Paper delivered test- 2 hours 25 minutes

Restrictions- iBT, can be taken only once in any day period

Scores/ Grades – iBT: 0 to 30 (in 1 point increments) on each of the 4 sections. So total of 0 to 120. PBT: Reading: 0 to 30, listening: 0 to 30, Writing: 0 to 30. No overall score.

More information: To check the score requirements for the particular college you want to get admitted to, check out the ‘Destination search’ tab on TOEFL’s official site.

For more information on TOEFL, visit, https://www.ets.org/toefl

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is another popular examination among Indian students aspiring to study in the US or Canada. It is a fairly standardized test that measures the verbal, mathematical and general analytical skills of the candidate, though the format has undergone quite a few changes over the years. It is an admission requirement for many graduate courses, especially in engineering and the sciences, in the US.

Duration – About 3 hours and 45minutes 

Fee- US$205

Restricted- Computer-based test: Can be taken only once after 21days from the day of exam in every year. Maximum of 5 times a year. Paper – based test: Can be taken as often as it is offered. Validity of score: 5 years after testing year.

For more information on GRE, visit GRE https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/ 

GMAT

Management aspirants need to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which is an admissions assessment for business colleges. Average GMAT scores are in the range of 570-580. However, for top school admissions a score of at least 700 is almost mandatory. New sections have been introduced recently, such as Integrated Reasoning, which have made the test more competitive than before. GMAT test is available throughout the world in more than 500 locations. The slots have to be booked in advance.

Validity of score: Up to 5 years

Duration – 3 hours and 7 minutes

Score/ Grade range- Quantitative Section: 6-51, in 1 point increments, Verbal Section: 6-51, in 1 point increments, Integrated reasoning section: 1 to 8, in 1 point increments, Analytical Writing assessment: 0.0 to 6.0, in 0.5 point increments, Total Score (from verbal and quantitative sections only) ; 200 to 800

Fee – US$ 250

More information: Candidates will be able to view their Official Score Report online using their date of birth to authenticate their access. Both GRE and GMAT can be used for taking admission in management schools, so one has to look into the intricacies of both the exams to see which is more suitable for the candidate. One can even convert their GRE score to GMAT online through ETS, if needed. For more information on GMAT, visit https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat

SAT

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) test, required for entry into some universities in US, if a person has not completed an equivalent, is of two types –  the Reasoning Test to check the general writing skills and grammar and the Subject Test to check a candidate’s knowledge in the subject chosen. The SAT is owned, developed and conducted by the College Board of the United States of America. Within the USA, the SAT is offered seven times a year, generally on the first Saturdays of October, November, December, January, March, May and June.  Most other countries follow the same dates.

Validity of score: 5 years

Fee- up to US$ 101.50

Duration – 3 hours (without the essay) or 3 hours 50 minutes (with the essay) 

Score/ Grade range – Test scored on scale of 200–800, (in 10-point increments), on each of two sections (total 400–1600). Essay scored on scale of 2–8, in 1-point increments, on each of three criteria

More information: Students must aim for a score of 2100/2400 at least in order to get into a top college in the US.

For more information on SAT, visit, https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat

MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required to be taken for admissions to undergraduate course in medicine in nearly all medical schools in USA, Canada, and 18 other countries. Designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MCAT is a multiple-choice examination to assess problem-solving, critical thinking and writing skills. It also tests knowledge of science concepts and principles which are a must for the study of medicine.

Scores/ Grades Validity – Usually 2 to 3 years, Restrictions on attempts – Can be taken a maximum of three times in a one-year period; four times in a two-year period; and seven times for life. Fee-US$ 310. for more information on SAT, visit students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/

PTE

The Pearson Test of English Academic is an English language test designed to assess the readiness of non-native English speakers to participate in a university-level English language instruction program. Pearson created PTE Academic in response to demand from institutions, government and other organizations for a more accurate way of testing non – native English language students who enter the English-speaking academia world. est scores are reported on the Global Scale of English, a standardized, numeric scale from 10 to 90 which can measure English language proficiency more precisely with reference to the widely known set of levels distinguished in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR.

The Pearson Test of English Academic comprises 3 sections: i) Speaking & Writing ii) Reading and iii) Listening.

Here is the detailed paper pattern:

For more information on PTE, visit https://in.pearson.com/

LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test administered seven times each year at designated testing centers throughout the world. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the LSAT for prospective law school candidates. It is designed to assess reading comprehension as well as logical and verbal reasoning proficiency.

Scores/ Grades- 120 to 180, in 1 point increments. Duration – 35 minutes for each of the 5 sections, for a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes (excluding breaks)

Restrictions on attempts – Starting September 2019, no more than 3 attempts in one LSAC year (June- May), No more than 5 attempts in 5 years, no more than 7 attempts in a life time. For more information on LSAT, visit https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat

Types of Scholarships for Indian Students from Universities in Abroad

A scholarship from a foreign University is a monetary award given to academically gifted students. This amount could be used toward the tuition expenses, additional expenses of the program such as air travel, course books, and accommodation. There are some scholarships where the students need to apply, and some scholarships don’t need an additional application. Some scholarships tend to be competitive, while others could be underutilized.

These are types of scholarships meant for studying abroad-

1. Merit-based scholarships – These scholarships are based on the student’s academic, athletic, artistic or other abilities. These qualities feature as the applicant’s extracurricular activities. Note that these qualifications and requirements will vary from scholarships and scholarship.
2. Country of origin specific– These are the scholarships which are awarded to international students planning to attend a study abroad program in that particular country. These are awarded as a motivation to study in that country. You will have to check with government-sponsored education websites or student bodies to study to see what scholarships are available.
3. A student from special backgrounds– These are scholarships for applicants who qualify on the basis of factors like race, gender, religion, and medical history. There could be other student-specific factors. The reason these scholarships exist is to promote equality among different sections of society. The most common awards in this category are minority scholarships.
4. Subject-based scholarships – Subject-based scholarships are awarded by colleges or government institutions to students according to the particular major or field of study they want to pursue. These scholarships require the applicant to be enrolled in the subject-specific courses while abroad. Please note that qualifications and eligibility will vary from scholarship to scholarship.
5. Program-specific awards– Program specific scholarships are presented by universities and colleges. These scholarships are awarded according to the academic and personal achievements of the applicant. Again, qualifications will vary based on scholarships.

When to start Thinking about finances?

One of the biggest hurdles for students planning to study abroad is figuring out the right time to start thinking about finances. It is important for students and parents to know that it is always advisable to start thinking 7-8 months in advance to avoid any last minute hassle which can be a daunting experience to the student and his family. The cost of study abroad varies depending on location, program type, duration, and your own personal expense budget. That being said students who choose a study abroad program based on their future career and educational goals report that studying abroad was well worth the cost.

Before deciding to start thinking about finances, it is important for the aspirant and his family to be aware of the budget they would like to indulge in. Students can opt for self-funding which would basically mean the entire expense would be borne by the family or they can even opt for an Education Loan from a financial institution. Students who excel in academics can also opt for various scholarship programs available on the university websites to ease their financial expenditure. Once the budget has been decided, it is important for the aspirant to figure out the total expenditure and plan accordingly. The expenditure would cover more than just tuition fee and living expense. The expenditure would include visa costs, airline expenses and all other miscellaneous expenses that would have to be endured during the entire tenure abroad. As proof the student can self-finance his study abroad he would be required to show the following:

• Bank solvency letter
• Fixed deposit certificate
• Bank statement for the last 6 months showing requisite finance

It is important for students to understand the eligibility guidelines and qualify the same, to be able to apply to their preferred money lending institution/bank for their Education Loan. The eligibility criteria vary for different banks. However, some common factors that are taken into account by all money lending institutions (banks) include, the student is required to be a citizen of India. the candidate must possess a good academic background. the aspirant must have secured admission to a recognized foreign university. at the moment, annual costs are roughly estimated at:

Most of the countries have a basic minimum living expense requirement that is specified. The students are in turn requested to provide proof that they have access to the same. Most of the European Countries require liquid funds in the amount specified available with the student called the statutory fund requirements. In the USA, while there is no statutory amount specified in terms of minimum monthly expense, students would be required to provide proof of financial support and/ or capacity to make the payments. Students need to provide documentary proof that they have access to that amount for the tenure specified. Again, a country might request proof of funds for one year while some might ask for fund availability for the entire tenure of the course’s normal duration. 

Facts about international education costs

Here are eight key things to remember when you’re budgeting for your study plans:

1. Fees can increase while you study, so check with your university whether the fees in their offer letter are fixed or not…
2. Exchange rates can also change and could affect your ability to pay for fees and accommodation. If you think the rate is as good as it’s going to get, transfer more money over sooner.
3. You can’t rely on part-time work while you study to cover your fees or major costs – no matter where you are studying or what your job is. It will not be considered in your student visa application. Remember you’ll also be paying tax, and it could affect any financial aid you’re able to claim.
4. The little things can add up. Don’t forget to factor in some fun. Movie tickets, trips, and nights out all need to be included in your budget.
5. Living in urban areas (in or near a big city) generally costs a lot more than living in a smaller town or rural area.
6. Not all countries offer international students the same concession cards as domestic students. If you do have access to a student discount card, use it! If not, save money with off-peak travel, or buying weekly passes instead of single trips.
7. Credit cards are not savings. Don’t be tempted to live on credit, as you’ll have to repay it eventually and the interest and minimum payments will add to your costs of study.
8. Don’t expect to live the same lifestyle as a student if you’re currently living at home with your parents. Your bedroom may not be as nice. You may have to catch public transport all the time. You might not be able to make as many phone calls, or buy as many new clothes.  But it will be worth it!

What is Student Visa?

Student Visas, as the name suggests are visas issued to applicants whose primary purpose of visit to the country is the pursuit of education. A student visa is an endorsement by the immigration authorities on your passport. It indicates that you are allowed to enter and stay to study for a specified period. students are always advised to apply 3-4 months in advance to avoid any last-minute rush. Candidates seeking financial aid, scholarships and education loans should add another couple of extra months to the process as these applications take more time. 

Documents Required for Student Visa Application

• Valid Passport Copy
• Language Proficiency Certificate
• Enrolment in a recognized educational institution
• Proof of Financial Capacity
• Health Insurance proof
• Medical Examination reports

What is the process for applying for a student visa?

The process for applying for a student visa begins with your university offering you a letter of acceptance. Students who have received their letter of acceptance are required to go ahead and begin their Visa Application Process. Candidates can apply for their visa via two methods:

• Online Visa Application Process:the more convenient of the two, candidates can apply for their student visa through the online method by simply creating a student profile. The forms are all online and would have to be correctly filled by the student.
• Offline Visa Application Process:the offline visa process would require candidates to download the application form, fill in the details and submit it to the required authorities.

The next step includes paying a Visa Application Fee. Every candidate would be required to pay a student visa fee for his application process. The final process would include the student submitting his application process along with their supporting documents.

We will direct you to the official websites and to authorized immigration representatives to ensure you have the latest applications forms and guidance. To reduce your hassle, we can also help certify, translate and courier your documents. And also, our experts assist you to lodge country specific Student visas while following specific time lines of study destinations.