What you should know before entering the foreign university
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Daria Kroshkina
founder of the project on education abroad StudyFree.
What do you think of when it comes to education abroad? Most likely, you visit the following thoughts: "This is unreal," "Too expensive", "Only for the elite," "I can not do it." And so say almost anything.
Today, however, education abroad - this is not a pipe dream, but a reality accessible to everyone. Almost anyone can learn for free in a foreign university through scholarships and grants. To enter a university dreams and receive full funding, it does not even need to be a genius.
Tell us what it looks like admissions process and what you need to get started.
1. Select country of training and educational programs
These two points combined into one special item. If you are at least roughly determine the direction of training, it is important not to be mistaken with the relevant country.
For technical specialties is better to go to Germany, the Czech Republic and the United States - a country historically a leading advanced technology, engineering and innovation. Also do not forget about the Asian countries: Singapore, South Korea, Japan and China. They are now at the forefront of technological development.
The degree of design and fashion is better to go to sunny Italy or refined France - the homeland of world-famous brands and fashion designers. If you are interested in ecology, environmental protection and protection of the rights of people choose the Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway) or Switzerland. They are the world activists in these areas. But remember that they can always be exceptions to this rule.
2. The choice of University
Once you have decided on the country of study and specialization, should choose the most suitable university. Here it is necessary to pay attention to the price and rating of not only the university, but also specifically selected program. One of the most useful resources is a publication ranking The Times - Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
It is also desirable to take into account, as far as is comfortable for the university training of foreign students, whether there is a necessary adaptation support and international programs.
It is important to choose the type of institution: private or public. There is a private university at their own earnings and sponsors. In education it is quite expensive, but more elitist. Public universities exist at the expense of public funds. Education in them more accessible (up to 1000 USD per semester).
Not always in the private education institution better. For example, the University of California at Berkeley - public and Stanford - private. But while these two universities historically compete for the best students.
3. preparation of documents
Final list of documents depends on the particular country, the university and the program. But a common minimum set of required documents usually looks like this:
- Notarized translation of the diploma of the previous education (high school diploma to a bachelor degree and a Bachelor / specialist to graduate).
- Notarized translation rated applications.
- Motivation letter. This is one of the most important documents, which will present you in a favorable light.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Language certificates. For learning English - IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL. For training in other languages need the appropriate international certificates.
- Additional exams. For example, GMAT / GRE for graduate programs in business and finance or portfolio for designers and artists.
4. Selection of scholarships and grants
There are several major types of scholarships:
- State. Are given by the host and sending countries. As a rule, are not tied to a particular university and specialty, you can choose your own.
- Universities. Are coming to the individual university.
- External funds and organizations. Suffice point, cover a specific area or program. They find information about the most difficult.
Number of scholarships and grants are also heavily dependent on the country and specialty.
There are a limited number of aggregators of information about scholarships and grants:
- Germany - DAAD;
- France - CampusFrance;
- China - CSC Scholarships.
Summary information is presented there in foreign languages, including English. Russian-language resources is to provide StudyQA and StudyFree project, where several times a week, there is information about current scholarships and grants.
5. admission deadlines
As a rule, for admission to a foreign university are served in the March-June in order to start training in September. By this time you have on hand should be all the results exams and other documents.
However, the scholarship application deadline ends much sooner. Applications for major scholarships at prestigious universities are no longer taken in September and October on the program, which start next autumn. Some universities end up accepting applications in November and February. Most major scholarship does not consider candidates after March.
At the time of applying for a scholarship you have to have a package of ready documents. This means that you need to prepare at least a year and a half better.
Enroll in a foreign university with full funding - this is real. Only one must not be afraid of the process, begin to explore the issue in advance, to choose the direction and the country, to prepare all the documents. If you realize that the process is too complicated, you can always seek help from special education agencies that decide for you all questions.
see also
- How to survive in the university: 10 tips for freshmen →
- Where to go to learn: a check-list for choosing university and specialty →
- Why are teenagers so difficult to choose a profession →