Beginner's Doubts

Which is the Best Country to Study Abroad?

Studying abroad is not only a great way to add additional academic skills to your profile, even Indian companies prefer a degree from a reputed international university over an Indian degree. Better infrastructure, quality education and focus on research are some of the main factors that students use to study abroad. However, before coming to this decision each student analyzes the countries they want to go to and the ones that fully meet their needs. To find out the best countries to study abroad, we will analyze them based on various parameters and find the best country where you can pursue your higher education.

The Criteria to Select the Best Country to Study Abroad

A Country with Best Education System:

With a number of world-class universities and research-oriented education, the US is considered to have a well-established higher education system. Their focused approach and preference for innovation make them one of the most sought after countries to study and work abroad. In addition, their high standard of living also attracts the largest number of international students every year.

Apart from the US, the UK has some of the most prestigious global institutions in the world. Prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Oxford and high quality of life make it one of the best study abroad destinations. Prestigious UK universities are known to produce the most employable graduates globally. According to 'The Global University Employability Ranking 2017', companies across the world prefer graduates from leading UK universities.

With educational institutions of global repute, affordable quality education and post-study work opportunities, Canada is today the most preferred destination for the international student community. Apart from this, Australia come at the top in terms of the best education system. Also, the vast and beautiful Australia made this list. The top 35 Australian universities have been ranked in the 'Times Higher Education's World University Rankings 2018'.

Acceptance of Foreign Students: 

One of the biggest concerns of students who wish to study abroad is the change of location. There is always this dilemma of accepting them in a completely different environment with different cultures, traditions and customs. Though he tried to get used to his culture but still being accepted is a big deal for him.

Countries like America, which is a land of immigrants, are considered friendly to foreigners. It already has a large proportion of different communities around the world. Therefore, one cannot feel alone in a foreign country. Apart from this, it is also called the land of opportunities. Due to its huge economy, students get a lot of opportunities after completing their studies. Although countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand have similar ethnic cultures and also offer a range of study opportunities, students are still apprehensive about countries such as the UK and Australia.

Budget:

This is one of the most crucial factors in selecting the country. Studying abroad can be a costly affair, but thankfully, Canada is a country that offers quality education at lower tuition rates than many other countries. It could more affordable to study in Canada as most universities in Canada offer on-campus residence facilities to international students. You can also opt for off-campus accommodation in which you can share the apartment with other students from India.

Best Countries with Post-study Work Opportunities

Canada:

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.

On a Canadian student visa, you are allowed to work for 20 hours/week of a paid job. However this is the maximum number of hours, and you are free to work for fewer hours. Typically, students enrolled in difficult or intensive courses are advised by universities to work a maximum of 12 hours a week. This is because doing a higher number of tasks can affect a student's performance in studies. So if you feel that you are unable to maintain work-study-life balance then you can reduce the number of working hours.

Usually, for part-time jobs, students are paid by the hour. Pay rates average around $10 an hour. If your objective is simply to gain work experience, such as helping your professor with research work, you do not need a work permit. This type of work has to be done on campus and will be paid less; You can work more than the prescribed hours. So with just a student visa, you can still engage in academic work on campus.

If an international student wants to work off-campus, he can apply for an off-campus work permit after completing six months of study. That permit will allow the student to work for a maximum of 20 hours/week off-campus.

The UK:

Generally, there is a perception that there are not many work opportunities for international students in the UK. However, the truth is that the opportunities are still there but the rules have become stricter. Staying depends on the type of visa one has obtained.

Post-study work opportunities in the UK:

The US:

The United States of America is the most popular international study abroad destination. The coming of the Trump regime and revised immigration policies have not had a significant impact on international students. Here international students can live and work for 12 months after completing their studies. Also, for students who go for STEM education, this period is 24 months. The grand size of the US economy makes it the most preferred destination for skilled professionals worldwide. Indians are the biggest beneficiaries of H1B visas, with over 60% of these visas being issued to the Indian community.

Which is the Most Affordable Countries to Study Abroad?

There are basically two major factors that define the most affordable country for any parent or student. First, how much money they will have to spend on tuition fees and second, the cost of living in the country. These two aspects are closely controlled by a number of features that directly affect student living costs and tuition fees.

1. Tution Fee

The tuition fee varies according to the different universities, courses and cities of a country. Some colleges will require you to apply for an education loan to get admission, others will just burn a hole in your pocket. Undergraduate courses which are of longer duration are going to cost the students more than the normal one or two years of postgraduate study, however, the tuition fee should not be taken as a criterion for the quality of education being provided in intuition Should be taken. In addition, the tuition fees for government-funded institutions are much lower than those for private universities. There are many scholarships and grants available for students to apply for, which will significantly reduce their study expenses. Below is a comprehensive table that shows the average first-year cost of study in that particular country for the benefit of students planning to study abroad.

*figures provided are in lakhs Rupees

2. Cost of Living

On average, a student spends about $10,000-$12,000 per year on living expenses. But this amount completely depends on the place where the student resides. If a student decides to live in a metropolitan city, it will cost more than a student who opts for hostel or suburban accommodation. Living expenses typically also include the cost of accommodation, room and boarding, food, travel, textbooks, weather-appropriate clothing, and entertainment expenses. Other expenses to be considered under living expenses include travel expenses between India and the country of choice while on vacation; Large purchases, such as PCs, furniture, or even a rental car; Medical expenses not covered by health insurance, eg. Dental care, eye care, cosmetic treatment; social outings; Weekend trips and personal and variable expenses. Keeping these factors in mind, we have compiled an all-inclusive Average Living Expense Index for students looking to travel abroad.

*figures provided are in lakhs Rupees

Here goes the List of a few Affordable Universities - Countrywise

The United States of America - The USA:

The top universities in the US are Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, and Stanford University. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Boston, New York, Cambridge, Old Seabrook, and New Haven. Business Management, Computer Science, Finance & Accounting, Economics, Communications/Media are popular courses that Indian students pursue in the US.

Canada:

Universities such as McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta and Simon Fraser University are popular choices for candidates seeking to pursue a full-time academic degree in Canada. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Toronto, British Columbia, and Montreal. The most popular higher study courses in Canada would be postgraduate diplomas in areas such as business management, media, engineering, computer science and hospitality.

The United Kingdom - The UK:

The top universities in the UK are the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, Imperial College London and Durham University. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in London, followed by Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester. Popular courses in the United Kingdom for Indian students include Sociology and Social Studies, Law, Business Management, Computer Science and Communication/Media.

Australia:

The top universities in Australia are The Australian National University, The University of New South Wales, The University of Melbourne, The University of Western Sydney and Monash University. The region of New South Wales on the east coast of Australia is home to all of its famous educational institutions. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Health Care, Information Technology and Hotel Management are popular courses that Indian students pursue in Australia.

New Zealand:

The top universities in New Zealand are the University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University. Auckland is the hub of all the famous educational institutions. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Napier-Hastings. Engineering, Business Studies, IT/Computing, Tourism and Hotel Management and Visual Communications are popular courses in New Zealand for Indian students.

Singapore:

The top universities in Singapore are Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Singapore Management University (SMU). International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Information Technology, Management, Finance/Accounting and Engineering are some of the popular courses for Indian students to pursue in Singapore.

Germany:

The top universities in Germany are Heidelberg University, Technical University of Munich, Open University of Berlin, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Humboldt University of Berlin. Berlin is the center of all the famous educational institutions. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities such as Munich, Baden-Württemberg, Frankfurt and Heidelberg. Engineering, Business Studies, IT/Computing, Tourism & Hotel Management and Visual Communications are popular courses for Indian students in Germany.

France:

The top universities in France are cole Normale Superiere, cole Polytechnique and Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University. Paris is the center of all the famous educational institutions. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Nice, Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and Orléans. Space and aviation teaching, engineering, business studies, art, history, tourism and hotel management are popular courses for Indian students to go to in France.

Netherlands:

The top universities in the Netherlands are the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University and Leiden University. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities such as Wageningenow, Groningen, Leiden, Maastricht and Nijmegen. Space and aviation teaching, engineering, business studies, art, history, tourism and hotel management are popular courses for Indian students in the Netherlands.

Ireland:

The top universities in Ireland are Trinity College, National College of Ireland, University College Dublin, Griffith College, National University of Ireland Galway, Waterford Institute of Technology, IBAT College Dublin, Maynooth University, Cork Institute of Technology and Dublin City University. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Dublin, Limerick and Galway. Language and literature, business studies, medical courses, nursing and social sciences are popular courses for Indian students in Ireland.

Sweden:

The top universities in Sweden are Lund University, Stockholm University, Uppsala University, University of Gothenburg, Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Linköping University. Most of the best colleges in the country are located in cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Which is the Most Immigration Friendly Country?

What really qualifies a country as immigration friendly? Flexible work permits, easy visa rules, availability of jobs and services, and a welcoming environment are just a few of the starters. With immigration, visa regulations and work permits tightening everywhere, it is difficult to stay updated about current post-study abroad work opportunities. We bring to our valued readers a comprehensive list of countries offering the most suitable opportunities and thus immigration friendly destinations for students studying abroad.

Post-Study Work Visa

Simply put, a post-study work visa is a period for which a student is allowed to stay after completing graduation or post-graduation in search of work related to their field of study. Different countries have different rules regarding the purchase of this type of post-study work visa. While some countries are liberal about allowing foreign students to stay back after their graduation and work with local people, others are strict about maintaining the integrity of their job market and often hold a position. Complicating and twisting the rules to achieve can make life difficult for students. -Study work visa.

Work Permit after Study

It is important for foreign students to understand that work permit visas can only be applied by an employer to its employees. Once a student has successfully secured a full-time job opportunity during their post-study work visa, their employer must apply for a work permit.

Top Immigration-Friendly Countries

As established earlier, post-study work visas in different countries have different durations. Let us evaluate the current job opportunities, post-study work visa options and other important aspects of the countries that are most visited by Indian citizens which also make them some of the most immigration friendly destinations.

Canada:

Known as one of the most immigration friendly countries in the world, Canada is rated by the United Nations as one of the best countries to live in. Canada is rich in resources, and the home to some of the best global universities in the world. Canadians enjoy a high standard of living and have low rates of crime and violence, making it a preferred destination for immigration.

The country has initiated a number of immigration programs through the Government of Canada for the benefit of those seeking to immigrate. These include a family sponsorship program, a skilled labour program, an immigrant investor program, a refugee program, and an Atlantic immigration pilot program, among other programs. The Canadian government has also recently introduced favourable immigration policies that bring many benefits to Indian students who have graduated from a Canadian university offering permanent residency to highly skilled students.

One of the fastest-growing job markets in the world, Canada records one of the lowest rates of unemployment globally. Flexible immigration rules and easy visa policies make Canada one of the most sought after destinations for Indians looking to settle abroad. There are many sectors in the country that experience a skill shortage and graduates who wish to enter professional services are most welcome to go to Canada to obtain a work permit and work there.

The country works on a point-based system. They allot marks for each of the criteria like work experience, education and age. Much importance is given to one's academic and language skills and experience is gained by employing those skills in one's profession. The country is often rated as one of the best countries to live in, however, applying for the immigration process requires a diploma or bachelor's degree.

New Zealand:

New Zealand is the home to some of the best universities in the world. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a great immigration destination. This small island nation exhibits a diverse culture and its citizens enjoy a high standard of living and education. Moving to New Zealand introduces you to world-class education, state-of-the-art infrastructure, beautiful subtropical climate and landscape. The country hosts many sporting activities to choose from and is considered to be one of the best countries for kids to grow up in.

To live in New Zealand permanently, one would need a resident visa. There are several ways to obtain a resident visa, many of which begin with temporary visas that allow you to work, study or do business in New Zealand. Some visas, such as those granted under the skilled migrant category, grant you immediate residency. You must comply with any conditions attached to your visa to ensure that your route of residence is not obstructed. Before moving to New Zealand permanently, candidates need to consider which visas you are eligible for and whether those visas will enable you to stay in New Zealand permanently for a long period of time. You also need to make sure that you are ready to move to New Zealand as you will need sufficient time to meet the requirements of your temporary or resident visa conditions.

Australia:

Australia - the land of kangaroos and koalas -  is a good place to relocate and settle. There are easy rules for permanent residency in the country for those looking to immigrate. The citizens of the country enjoy higher education and standard of living. Australia also follows a points-based system and is regarded as the land of job opportunities. The government allots marks for each of the criteria such as work experience, age and education. The maximum age of an applicant can be 49 years and the minimum educational qualification should be Diploma or Bachelor's degree.

International students are required to have completed at least two years of academic study in Australia to be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa in Australia. Candidates can opt for Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree to qualify for it. The subject area of ​​the field of study does not affect a student's eligibility for a post-study visa in Australia.

Which is the Country with Best Higher Education System?

Fifty years from now, the whole world will be ruled by the youth of their countries. His knowledge and thoughts will decide the future of the world. All these decisions will depend on what they have just learned, what they have experienced and what education system they have attended.

Here we shall let you know which countries have the best education system. We will analyze the education system of different countries on the basis of various factors like QS ranking established in foreign education and ranking given by reputed ranking institutions like Times Higher Education. We will also assess their higher education system on factors such as the research opportunities their institutions provide and the number of Nobel Prize winners awarded by any country.

1. The United States -The US

The QS World University Ranking includes 150 universities in the US, the top international study destination. In 2017 there were over 1.18 million international students studying in the US. Of these, 77% have come from Asia. According to the Open Doors Report of the Institute of International Education, the most popular courses are business and management, computer science, engineering and mathematics. In addition, the most popular study destinations for students are New York, Texas, and California.

The main attraction of American universities is their focus on research-oriented education. Researchers are always at the forefront and always ready to develop something new. Innovation and creativity have always been at the core of his educational philosophy. In the US, regular tests/homework and class participation are essential to get good results. Students are encouraged to focus on discussing issues and providing ideas.

The number of Nobel laureates associated with the University of Chicago validates the university's focus on creating ideas that will impact the world. So far, 97 Nobel laureates are associated with the University of Chicago only and 90 of them are listed as 'UChicago Nobel laureates'. Researchers, faculty members, students and other graduates of the university were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences and the Nobel Memorial Prize. In addition, there are currently 13 US cities listed in the 'QS Best Student Cities index. Each includes an established university and distinct culture and lifestyle. According to The QS Employer Survey, 13 of the top 50 universities in the world for graduate employment are from the US. In 2015, the US spent about $12,800 per student on primary and secondary education, 35% more than the country average for OECD countries.

2. The United Kingdom - The UK

The UK is the second leading study destination in the world with over 442,000 international students. Currently, 4 UK institutions are ranked among the top 10 global institutions. Also, 76 UK universities are also included in the 'QS World University Rankings 2019'. This reflects the global reputation and popularity of UK universities.

Even after its referendum on EU membership (2016), it has not lost appeal among international students. The country was ranked second in the 'QS Higher Education System Strength Ranking 2018' due to the popularity of UK universities. In addition, 18 UK universities feature in the top 100, and another 11 make it into the top global 200. Even after experiencing its worst drop in the QS rankings since 2016, the UK has not lost its charm as a top study abroad destination among students. globally. For the year ending March 2019, the UK spent 4.2% of its GDP on education.

More than 30 prominent world leaders, 26 Nobel laureates, 120 Olympic medalists and 26 British prime ministers were educated at the University of Oxford. Famous Indian leaders such as Indira Gandhi studied at Oxford and were among the most famous alumni of Mahatma Gandhi University College London. Also, B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, worked on his doctoral thesis at LSE.

As 10 UK universities feature in 'The Global University Employability Ranking 2017', it is proven that UK universities produce the most employable graduates worldwide.

3. Canada

Canada is well known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. In addition, 26 Canadian universities featured in Times Higher Education's World University Rankings 2018 and QS World University Rankings 2019, with 3 in the global top 50. Additionally, 11 more universities are among the top 300 in the world. The most popular study destinations for international students are Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.

There are various types of education providers:

• Universities: They focus on research and offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
• Community colleges and schools of technical applied arts or applied sciences: They offer diplomas, certificates, bachelor's degrees, and associate's degrees.

The easy application process, affordable study options and excellent post-study opportunities make it a preferred destination for international students. It is preferred by those looking for an alternative to the strict US immigration laws. According to an international student survey conducted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, 95 per cent of students recommend Canada as a study destination and 90 per cent were satisfied with their studies. In 2014, Canada spent 6.0% of its GDP on education, which is higher than the OECD countries with an average of 5.2%.

Canadian universities are known for their impressive research work and for producing some of the greatest academics of all time. The University of Toronto has produced 10 Nobel laureates and 5 Canadian prime ministers. Additionally, 7 Nobel laureates and 65 Olympic medalists are associated with the University of British Columbia (UBC).

4. Germany

It is considered to be the top study destination for non-English speakers in the world. Also, it is considered to be the third most popular study destination after US and UK. Almost every major city in Germany has at least one world-class university. 13 German universities are among the top 250 in the world and 30 in the top 500. This is enough to rank Germany among the best education providers in the world.

Low tuition fees, excellent postgraduate job opportunities, various scholarship schemes and high quality of life are some of the factors that make it a favourite among higher education aspirants. Furthermore, home to some of the oldest universities in the world, Germany is known to be a center of innovation and world-class discoveries. Germany spends an average of 5% of its GDP on education.

LMU Munich, founded in 1472, has produced 34 Nobel laureates and renowned scientists. In addition, 13 Nobel Prizes in the fields of physics, chemistry and medicine have been awarded to academics belonging to the Technical University of Munich. In addition, Germany's oldest university, Heidelberg University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 100 different subjects. In addition to 56 Nobel laureates, the university has produced influential philosophers, politicians and scientists.

Another one on the list is the Humboldt University of Berlin which has produced some of the most influential figures in the country such as Albert Einstein and Walter Benjamin. The university has also produced an impressive 40 Nobel laureates, most in physics, chemistry, and medicine. The university library contains 6.5 million books and thousands of periodicals and periodicals. In addition, the RWTH Aachen University has also produced 5 Nobel Prize winners who were awarded for their extensive work in physics or chemistry.

5. Australia

Australia is home to just 24 million people and it is also one of the most popular study destinations for international students. Australia's excellent higher education system was ranked third in the 'QS Higher Education System Strength Ranking 2018'. Australia's Group of Eight (such as the US Ivy League) is included in the global top 100 and 37 universities appear in the rankings of top universities globally. In addition, Australia has the largest number of institutions in the QS Top 50 Under 50, which includes the world's leading youth universities. Also, the top 35 Australian universities are included in the 'Times Higher Education's World University Rankings 2018'. Moreover, Australia spends more than 5% of its GDP on education, on average.

Australia is home to the third-largest number of international students, after the UK and the US. In addition, six Nobel Prize winners were among the faculty and alumni of the Australian National University. Currently, it is run by Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt, who won the prestigious prize in physics in 2011. The top 5 Australian universities have produced Nobel laureates, scholars and renowned world leaders whose work has impacted the world. 5 Australian Prime Ministers Attend Oldest University

Points to Keep in Mind before Choosing the Country to Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a dream that often excites but confuses students as well. While the general excitement of an American dream thrills the outer limits, often students are left questioning which country to visit. True, all countries offer a different set of possibilities and each comes with a great bag of promised gifts that include a better lifestyle, greater career prospects and for some even immigration options and permanent residency. . So, as we look at the world and many countries that offer attractive packages… How to choose the best study abroad destination? Read on to understand the 5 questions you'll need to find answers to in order to choose the right country.

Question 1: Which course are you planning to do?

The first thing every student should consider, regardless of what kind of return on investment you expect, is the type, of course, one is planning to take. While most of the top colleges in different countries offer great opportunities, the fact is that there is always a particular course that has more benefits in one country than the next.

For example, students from top courses apply to universities abroad. Research has shown that more students opt for MS courses as compared to MBA courses at the postgraduate level. Now, while many of the top-ranked universities belong to the United States (which ranks first among equals for studying abroad), we can't ignore countries like Germany and even Australia that cost more. Provide good quality education at a fraction of the cost (for Germany!). Also, if you are interested in taking a language course in French, France and Canada will offer better opportunities and credibility than any other study abroad program, for obvious reasons.

Therefore, we suggest that the first step a student should take is to understand which course to take. Once this is done, move on to question 2.

Question 2: What is the industry base of the course of choice in the city/country you plan to visit?

Often I've met students who are more interested in looking at the rank of the college than the opportunities the place has to offer. It is important to understand why you are planning to move abroad because you can take a leap in your lifestyle that combines with a dream job. Now, if this is the reason, then how will taking a course like aeronautical engineering in some obscure land help if there is no industry nearby?

Industrial training is required in every course. Be it at the undergraduate level or the postgraduate level or indeed at the research level, the fact is that there are top companies among which attracts the best. And although the top companies hire the best, they also reach out to local colleges for their interns and specialized training.

That's why we highly recommend that once you have chosen the course you are planning to start, look at the cities that are close to the university/institutes and what kind of industries mark that area. Ideally, it should be close to the big names in your industry of choice. This will not only ensure better job opportunities after completing the course, but will also help you to assimilate the culture of the area, which will help in better job performance.

Question 3: What is the return on investment?

Often a mistake common among students is cost calculation - the cost of tuition, cost of living, while really the thing they should be concerned about is the return on investment.

Return on investment, simply put, is the expected earnings after a course divided by the cost of obtaining the required education. To explain this further, while the cost of doing an MBA is quite high, the returns of the degree are still high. But the student should consider calculating it for specific countries.

A good way to do this is by researching the country's job and salary figures by industry. Often, relevant statistical data is readily available for the sensible. So before finalizing a country, also understand what kind of pay-out you can expect from the job you are looking forward to after completing your education. Unless your aspirations are purely academic, you would be wise to calculate the expected salary. Even if the professions are academic, the return on investment can be calculated by understanding the type of research facilities available in the country you plan to visit and the tie-up the university has with research centers in the region. Is.

Question 4: What are the opportunities available to your spouse/family members?

Perhaps more relevant to students applying for postgraduate courses than undergraduate courses, the other thing a student should also research is the options for life partner in the country. While some countries are conscious that you might want to bring your spouse or child along, they don't necessarily have many opportunities for them. As such, it becomes an important determinant and must be considered. Especially for students who are in the middle of their careers and have a working spouse, this is important to understand because when you increase your income, you may want to add, rather than leave, your spouse's income.

Question 5: What is the significance of that degree in India?

The last thing and arguably the first thing a student should evaluate is the value of the country's degree in India.

Needless to say, we can't exclude the worst-case scenario and the possibility of your return to India if something doesn't go as planned. If a student doesn't check the credibility of the degree he or she intends to pursue in India, you could end up with a huge student loan, no relevant work experience and a degree that is good for your future prospects. does nothing. This is especially important for students who plan to take accounting courses, medicine, and even law. These practices are country-specific and it is essential to choose a country that offers an acceptable degree so that you always have a fallback option. Even for a more acceptable degree like an MBA, we recommend you check out the value of that MBA.

Obviously, there are other things like cost of living, security, and ease of gaining admission that one must consider, but we prioritise the above more for the obvious reasons that all the top destinations overlap each other when it comes to higher education. are quite close to. One country may offer an affordable cost of living but must have strict entry requirements, while another country may offer you easy entry but has a higher cost of living. Whatever the case, we recognize that these are things one cannot really escape from, but when deciding which is the best country to study abroad… think about the first 5 questions There are more possibilities... Whatever your choice, the country will give you the best value for your time and money. To understand the countries start your research with the country pages in Aar Overseas and then make an informed choice.

Choose wisely... good luck!

Which Exam to Give for which Course to Study Abroad?

If you plan to study abroad, the admissions process requires you to take a language test and a standardized test. While you may be exempt from standardized tests depending on the country, course, college or university you are targeting, you will still need to take a language test to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Depending on the course and college/university, you may also be required to pass a standardized test score.

Language Test

The language test reflects your English proficiency skills. To get into any university in an English-speaking country, you will have to pass one of the language tests. These are required to pursue almost all the courses; Undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, certificates, or diplomas (unless otherwise noted).

Different countries give preference to one language test over others. Some of the top English language tests that are used by major study abroad programs are:

• IELTS: The IELTS exam is the preferred test to get into universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. IELTS score has a validity only of two years.
• TOEFL: The TOEFL exam is the preferred test for universities in the US and Canada, while it is not accepted at many UK colleges. The TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years only after the declaration of your result.
• PTE: The PTE exam is accepted by some colleges in the US and most colleges in the UK. CAE and CPE are preferred by British universities. In addition, PTE academic scores are valid for two years from the date of the exam.

Standardized Entrance Test for Foreign Universities

The entrance exam for study abroad for different courses may be different. The examinations required to study for different courses are different. Depending on the courses of your choice, you will only have to take a standardized test for education abroad. So, if you are going to do MS then you have to give exam for MS abroad. Similarly, if you are going for MBA abroad then you have to take the exam for MBA abroad. In addition, different countries have standardized tests for different countries.

Here is a table describing the exam requirements as per the course of your choice:

Exam for Study Abroad with Scholarship

The most popular and important entrance exams to study abroad are IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT, and ACT. Excellent performance in these international competitive examinations can also lead to financial aid in the form of scholarships to the students. Many colleges and universities consider a candidate's performance in these international entrance exams to award scholarships to the candidates while granting admission.

Exams for studying abroad after 12th

Those students who have passed their higher secondary have the option to take various entrance exams to study abroad. The SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS are some of the important standardized tests that students can take to study abroad. The choice of exam always depends on the course, college and country you want to go to.

Exams for studying abroad after 10th

There are many exams that students can take after class 10th, however, it is always better to go for studies abroad after completing your schooling. It is better to go for studies abroad after completing your higher secondary studies or opting for a particular stream. Students can go to Singapore to study after completing class X. In addition, many colleges and universities demand that the candidate must have completed 18 years of age and must be accompanied by a guardian to take care of the student.

How to Choose the Right College to Study Abroad?

One of the most important steps for students applying abroad is choosing which institute to apply to. Creating applications for universities requires a lot of time and effort, making it even more important that students shortlist institutes based on careful planning and consideration. The most common way to shortlist colleges is to look at rankings, but is ranking really that important? In this article, we'll explore why it's important to look beyond rankings, and how students can do that.

There are many research companies that publish rankings for universities around the world. Some are specific to a country, while others issue global rankings. It is important to understand that each ranking is based on a certain number of parameters, each of which is given a different weighting by the publisher before computing the rank of the institutes. This is the reason why the difference in the ranks of a particular institute is generally seen in different publications.

The question students need to ask themselves is – do the rankings weigh in on factors that matter to them? Very often, the answer to this question may be 'no'. And that is when students need to be careful while shortlisting colleges based on ranking only. This is because the information entered in the ranking may not help you find a college or university that is the 'best fit' for you.

Another important thing to remember when looking at rankings is that just because an institute is ranked higher overall, it doesn't mean that they rank higher in the course you want to pursue. So, if you wish to look at rankings, focus on those that are course specific.

Each student has their own unique expectations of college life, and their choice of the institute is bound to be influenced by these expectations. Different things may be important to different students when shortlisting colleges.

Let's take an example that you might not be able to deal with extremely cold weather. Even though it sounds silly, this is a parameter for you to consider while shortlisting institutes. You may decide not to apply to universities located in geographic areas where winters are too harsh. Can a ranking capture this information to help you identify colleges that don't have cold weather? No.

As such, there may be many factors that influence your decision about which institutes you should consider applying to, such as:

• Does the institute offer the course you want to pursue?
• If you depend on financial aid, you may need to limit your options to only institutes that offer aid to international students.
• You may want to take a particular sport seriously in college, and choose to apply to colleges where that sport is popular
• The size of the college can influence your decision - are you studying well at a state college with 30,000 students, or do you prefer a smaller college with only 3,000 students?
• Some students may prefer to study on city campuses, such as institutes in New York, or London, where there is not necessarily a college campus – university buildings are spread throughout the city. Other students may prefer to study in a smaller town/town where institute life is campus-based and offers more community living.

These are just some of the criteria students can think of. There are many others. The bottom line is that rankings don't capture this kind of information, which can be critical to your decision-making process.

It is always good to aspire and work hard to get into a competitive college, but it is equally important where you stand, and what are your chances of getting into the shortlisted colleges. While students should certainly apply to their competing dream school(s), they should also apply to certain colleges, where their chances of gaining admission may be slightly higher. Remember, however, that these colleges should not be treated as a 'back-up' or a 'second choice'. You will spend 3-4 of the most important years of your life in college, so you need to be happy with all your choices.

The best way to get information about a college is by talking to the people associated with it. Students currently studying at university can give you a good idea of ​​what they think is good, and what they think is not good about college. University professors and admissions officers are also great resources and will always be happy to give you the information you need. Contact them over email and try to connect with students through your network of friends or family.

Often, students who are not able to shortlist the colleges with clarity, end up sending too many applications. This is not the proper way as it requires a lot of hard work, time, and effort to write the applications. It is generally considered optimal to apply to 8-10 colleges. If you burden yourself to make 20 applications, the quality of your essays is bound to suffer. Also, remember that applying to every institute cost money, so it's important to be practical during your shortlisting process. The 8-10 colleges you choose have to be carefully selected keeping in mind all your parameters and your chances of acceptance.

Although it's not always possible, if you can, try and go to some of the colleges you're most passionate about attending. This will give you a real feel of what student life will be like once you join and will provide you with the opportunity to meet students and faculty and see the campus.

Selection of the right university is a personal experience, and hence it is very important for students and parents to identify the parameters that will influence their decision while shortlisting institutes to apply to. Once these standards are set, students can conduct research to identify which colleges best meet their needs.

Do College or Univeristy Rankings Matter?

Do college rankings really matter? Do prospective students really consider them when making decisions about a particular college or university? Have you ever thought about ranking while applying to colleges or universities? How did you make your decision or how are you going to give advice about a particular institution? In this article, we will answer all these questions that come to your mind when you hear about college rankings.

There are always two views on this matter. Understanding college or university ranking is a difficult task. What do they really tell you about the true value of a specific college degree? For some, these rankings are not accurate as different evaluation bodies use different methods to rank colleges. For others, it gives a neat list that makes it easy to choose where you want to apply. So, what's really behind these numbers?

In a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), students listed some important factors on which the ranking of colleges/universities should be taken into consideration:

• Possibilities of getting a good job after completing the degree/course
• Chances of getting into top colleges/universities
• Total cost of attending school
• School and student body size
• Details about the premises

Types of Rankings

There are two types of ranking:

• Institute Based
• Course Based

Ranking Method

Some of the factors/criteria adopted by various reputed ranking agencies while evaluating the institutes:

Faculty of the Institute:

This most important factor is taken into consideration while deciding the goodwill of the college. A great deal of weight is given to this indicator while assessing any school. An important factor is how many students feel comfortable with their professors or how satisfied they are with them when attending classes. The student-faculty ratio or the major work of professors or the highest degree in their field or their remuneration, are all these factors are considered in different proportions when deciding the reputation of the college.

Student Selectivity:

Access to higher education is one of the major aspects, as countries today also want to promote their higher education institutions. The acceptance rate of admitted students compared to the total number of applicants. How can colleges improve their selectivity? They can make the application process easier for students or they can upgrade their technology so that the number of students can apply.

Economic Strength:

One of the most important indicators to assess the higher education scenario of a country or higher education institutions. To measure the status of higher education in a country, expenditure in the field of education is seen in relation to its GDP. Whereas institutions with larger budgets whether they earned it, or the money came through typically higher rated endowments than schools with fewer financial resources. However, large funds do not directly affect students' studies. What matters is how the institute is using this money so that the students can get direct benefits from it.

Performance of graduates:

This is the most important aspect of measuring the academic excellence of any institution. The difference between the 'Estimated Graduation Rate' and the 'Actual Graduation Rate' of an institution plays an important role in deciding the ranking of a particular university/college. For example, Caltech has an estimated graduation rate of 99% while only 85% are able to graduate successfully with a degree from a university. According to Gerhard Kasper, former Stanford president, this problem stems from the fact that many students find Caltech's curriculum to be too harsh. The predetermined parameters applied to predict the graduation rate fail to consider this point.

Research:

It is one of the most important factors as it can be used to assess the role of universities in the dissemination of knowledge and ideas through which the research excellence of an institution can be ascertained. To measure this, the number of papers published in peer-reviewed journals can be counted. If the university has a great reputation for its research work, it increases its income of the university by receiving research grants from various sources (eg government, industry). Apart from this, the impact of research work can also be measured by the citation of its research work, that is, how many scholars around the world have mentioned its research work.

Teaching:

This aspect is perfect to see how successful an institution is in nurturing the next generation of leaders and academics. Some ranking bodies consider doctoral awards received by an institution; however, this is not an optimal criterion to measure academic success as it does not consider the institution's subject or course mix. One can get an accurate picture of the infrastructure and resources of the university and their utilization.

International Outreach:

The ability of any university to attract students and faculty from all over the world is an indicator of its presence on the global stage. In addition, the industrial cooperation of any university and its international associations are also accounted for.

The strength to go through the rankings

Comprehensive Overview:

Getting into a reputed college is paramount for some people. There can be many factors related to this. For them, this can open a range of opportunities, while for others it is a matter of gaining extensive knowledge in their field of study. If it matters to you, evaluating some of the top schools that appear at the top in various lists will make the selection process comparatively easier for you.

Easy Assessment:

The schools that top the various lists assure you that you will get quality education there. Faculty, research-oriented approach towards learning and even the ratio of student professor (receiving individual attention to faculty) are some of the factors that are taken into consideration while giving the ranking. It sets a baseline for college selection where students can achieve academic excellence and gives them an idea as to which school will live up to their expectations.

Disadvantages of relying only on rankings

One-size-fits-all approach:

Rankings are based on certain set parameters that may not meet a large group of students because they lack diversity.

Set your priorities:

If a school is included in the list of reputed schools, it does not mean that it is perfect for you and best suited to meet your goals. For example, if one survey gives more importance to 'earnings after placement', while another completely ignores it, it becomes difficult to believe them.

After going through various aspects of selecting the top colleges/universities, we have come to the conclusion that the ranking of colleges matters. However, this should not be considered as the only criterion for the selection of colleges, as some colleges are good, but they do not figure in the ranking due to several factors. With college rankings, one can evaluate whether you are a good fit for the college or not, but it does not establish whether the college is a good fit for you. Since just one list cannot give the complete story of a college.

What is the Difference Between University and College?

As students begin to explore their post-secondary education options, they often wonder about the difference between a college and a university. While most of the times, both are confused by most of the students and parents alike, we bring you a comprehensive list of how a college differs from a university.

Colleges are generally smaller in size than universities. Due to their small size, colleges offer limited research options for students wishing to pursue their higher education. On the other hand, a university can be home to several colleges operating on or off the campus. They are huge in size and offer many options to their students. There are also several schools on the campus of the universities, such as the School of the Arts, the School of Music, and the School of Architecture.

A college usually offers bachelor's and associate's degrees to its students due to the limited number of courses available in the college. On the other hand, a university is home to various departments and faculties that offer all the major degrees including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to the students, leading to a master's degree or Ph.D. It is also important to note that due to the limited resources available in a college, it is comparatively cheaper to enrol in a college as compared to a university because the university has a fee structure that is much higher due to the number of facilities and programs available to the students.

Not all colleges offer professional degrees to students, however, all universities integrate with a medical or law school for students seeking to pursue a professional degree. Sometimes universities also offer special programs where a student can earn a bachelor's degree with a bachelor's degree in less time, a feature that is rare in a college. In short, we can conclude by saying that universities have a more diverse offering of classes and programs than colleges due to the larger number of students enrolled.

At a Glance

Can you Study Abroad for Free?

Getting a quality education is not cheap! Especially when you think about countries that have an excellent education system, it seems impossible without a five-digit budget. While university fees and other living expenses continue to rise across the country, students are looking for options to earn an accredited degree, without feeling too much of a burden on their pockets. This brings us back to our basic QUESTION; CAN STUDENTS STUDY ABROAD FOR FREE?

In theory, you will be relieved to hear... YES! Now comes the ANSWER, how is this possible? Studying abroad for free is possible but there are a lot of elements to it. The aspects mentioned below can help students to cover their tuition fees partially or fully. We will also tell them how they can get a quality education at the least cost.

Scholarship

Scholarships that are fully funded scholarships are a way to pursue higher education without feeling too much pinch on your pocket. However, getting a fully funded scholarship is extremely difficult, as the number of applicants is huge while the number of scholarships awarded is limited. There are different types of scholarships such as general scholarships and some special funding schemes. In addition, scholarships are offered by individual universities, government agencies, charitable institutions, and some private enterprises.

There are two types of expenses covered under the scholarship:

• Tuition fee
• Living expenses

Apart from this, there are some scholarship schemes that are given to certain specific groups like 'Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC, etc. candidates'. This fellowship is provided by the Government of India to those scheduled caste students whose annual family income does not exceed INR 6 lakhs.

Scholarships Offered by Individual Universities

Some universities automatically consider students for scholarships whose profile is above 50% through the class. This means that some universities automatically consider students for scholarships if their profile is above 50% of the criteria set by the university. Also, some universities also consider students for need-based scholarships, so, they can pursue higher studies without worrying about the tuition fee.

Education Exchange Program (EEP)

The Government of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding or Education Exchange Program (EEP) or Joint Declaration (JDI) with 54 countries globally in the field of education. The purpose of such agreements is to promote the exchange of students. The list of countries and their agreements can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD).

In addition, eight countries South Korea, China, Mexico, Commonwealth Scholarships (UK), Commonwealth Scholarships (New Zealand), Israel, Hungary, and Italy offer scholarships to Indian students to pursue higher education in their respective countries. Interested students can apply online to avail these scholarships, MHRD facilitates the enrollment process for these scholarships.

German Public University

Public universities in 15 of the 16 German states do not charge any tuition fees from students regardless of their nationality. Only universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg (South-West Germany) charge EU €1,500 per semester from students. Generally, students have to pay a nominal administrative or registration fee which ranges from €50 to €250. This fee also includes a regional transport pass, which is only beneficial to students and includes student union membership. Germany's strong economy, excellent education system and low cost of education make it a favorite among students and parents globally. In addition, more than 40 German universities are included in the QS World University Rankings, a testament to its prominence in education.

People have a belief that they can study in German universities for free, however, getting admission in a German university is challenging as the candidate's profile must be excellent, also, various universities ask for German language knowledge. In addition, with no tuition fees, the number of candidates applying to German universities is always high, which increases the level of competition. Even if you succeed in getting into a German university, you still need to bear the cost of living. To obtain a German student visa, a candidate must show approximately €8,700 (US$10,400) per year. In addition, around €9,600 (US$11,500) is needed to live a comfortable life in Germany. So, those who think of pursuing higher studies in Germany for free should now be clear in their mind that they have to bear at least the cost of living themselves.

Assistantship

In addition, MS (Bachelor's) and Ph.D. Financial assistance is also provided to scholars in the form of assistance. Both Ph.D. There are different types of assistance for, And the MS Scholars are:

• Graduate Assistant
• Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
• Teaching Assistant
• Research Assistant

These scholars or graduates are responsible for supporting (assisting) university or teachers/professors to work on their research or during their undergraduate studies. Attending graduate schools or doing research can be an expensive affair for some. Assistant hours can vary between 15 to 20 hours a week depending on the college, department, discipline, or work assigned to them. These assistants are remunerated in the form of stipend, and it depends from college to college. This stipend helps the students to focus on their studies/work instead of working full time.

Those who are planning to make a career in the field of education can get invaluable experience from teaching aids. In addition, it also helps them understand the subject better and can also help them by developing relationships with professors. This networking opportunity can work wonders for them in the future if they need letters of recommendation.

Bursaries

A bursary is a monetary award given based on financial need. They are different from scholarships. Generally, scholarships are merit-based and are awarded for excellence in academics. Whereas Bursaries are financial-need-based awards that do not need to be repaid. Various colleges and universities provide financial grants to students in the form of bursaries, so students can pursue higher education without worrying about fees and other expenses. The terms and conditions for obtaining it varies from university to university. Most institutions that offer bursaries require students to donate or contribute after completing their studies so that others can benefit from it as well. Also, in many institutions, students have to give their services in lieu of a bursary.

Paid Internship

An internship is gaining formal work experience offered by an employer to potential employees for a specified period. This work is related to the field of the student, which ultimately helps them to raise their profile and helps them to know about their field. Also, the work gives them an edge over the job seekers in the market. In addition to giving them some extra money, internships give students industry experience that can prove to be easier on the job and so they can manage more responsibilities while receiving less on-the-job training. Most important, interns get a chance to network with other professionals in their field which can benefit them in the future as well.

Part-Time Work

Various countries allow foreign students to work 20 hours of paid work a week. For example, students with a Canadian student visa or a New Zealand student visa can take up to 20 hours of paid jobs/work a week. Most of the popular study destinations around the world allow students to work up to 20 hours a week while completing their studies. Generally, these are the maximum hours that students can work along with their studies, allowing them to work for less time. In part-time work, students are paid on an hourly basis. Typically, the rate of pay varies from $10 to $12 per hour. Working hours are restricted because officials do not want part-time work to distract students from their studies.

So, after looking at all the aspects, we come back to our question which asked whether students could study abroad for free, practically… no! Students are required to bear other costs themselves, but the cost of pursuing higher education abroad may be comparable to that of the Indian education system.

How to Apply to Universities Abroad?

Before understanding the application process for universities abroad, you need to know what the steps are to apply abroad. Indian students are used to the application process in India, which is linear in nature. The university abroad application process is not that simple and follows the task of multiple steps being done simultaneously at the same time. Following are the several stages of application abroad:

1. Selection of Country
2. Selection of Universities and/or Courses
3. Appearing for the Required Tests
4. Arranging Recommendation Letters (LoR)
5. Preparation of Essay and Statement of Purpose (SoP)
6. Collecting all necessary transcripts
7. Filling the Application Form
8. Reporting various Test-Scores to Universities
9. Accepting admission offer
10. Payment of Requisite Admission Fee

This stage is the most time-consuming and critical stage. From an admissions point of view, it requires a lot of research and active participation in the shortlisting process. Since applying to foreign universities is a costly affair for most Indian applicants, the choice of universities is usually limited to six or eight universities that meet your needs and best suit your profile.

To help you shortlist the university, here are a few pages to help you with the process

• Study in the US
• Study in the UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia

Concept of Best University:

The right match for you may not be the renowned university, but the one that offers you a suitable course in your field of study and the tuition fee there fits within your budget. Again the process of shortlisting the best university is not a single step but it consists of several steps. Below are the steps involved -

• Self-Assessment Stage – The applicant shortlists universities on the basis of criteria like location, city, ranking, tuition fee, etc.
• College Fit – At this stage, the applicant checks whether he/she is a suitable candidate for the university or not. The criteria in question are academic merit, academic record (GPA), standardized test scores, financial aid considerations, and other issues.
• Application Steps - After receiving the application form and prospectus, the applicant finally makes a final list of colleges to apply for.

Scholarships:

Since all international students are interested in getting scholarships for their studies through scholarships, you should start looking for scholarships at the research level itself. The various sources of scholarship are described below:

1. College-Funded - Many colleges offer financial aid to students based on merit. You may have to apply for them separately or your application will automatically be considered for financial aid upon submission. It is recommended to contact the student cell or admission department of the university to get the details and complete information.
2. Private-funded – There are many scholarships offered by private organisations, which may cover your course fee etc. for a particular country. To receive the scholarship, you may need to appear for an examination where the most deserving candidate will be selected from among a pool of meritorious students. One such example is the Reliance Stanford Scholarship.

You may also need to apply for a scholarship before applying to university or after you have submitted your application. It is advised to research each scholarship thoroughly and plan so that you can properly divide your attention between admission and scholarship processes.

For the purpose of having all the information about the admission process in one place, all the universities provide the admission brochure. It contains all the information that a student may need about a course. Since this is the first step in your application process, you can request or download brochures for selected 20 to 25 universities.

There are many ways to get the application form:

1. Requesting Application Form - Most university websites have a provision to request brochures through e-mail by filling up the form available online.
2. Downloading from Website - Many universities have a downloadable file of the brochure available on their website for viewing the brochure in PDF format.
3. Standardized Forms/Portal – For some countries or universities, you will need to apply for undergraduate courses in the UK through a common admission form such as UCAS. In that case, you cannot apply to individual universities but have to fill out the standardized application form online and send it to the universities of your choice.

Note: These brochures usually no longer contain the application form as most universities accept online applications. If the university of your choice still accepts paper applications, contact them if you need to submit the form attached with the brochure.

You have to read the information given by the website thoroughly. Keep a tab on application eligibility, score requirements, admission deadline, transcripts required, etc. Organize all the information you need and see where you stand. You need to assess yourself from the eligibility point of view and see whether you match up to the required levels.

Now you can differentiate between schools that match your profile and those that do not. The final list of colleges matching your profile will be around 10 in number. After ascertaining the eligibility checklist, you need to consider the remaining colleges on this basis.

• Types of Courses offered and Teaching Method
• Admission Criteria
• Availability of Scholarship/Financial Aid
• Research Facilities
• Class Profile
• Affordability of Tuition Fees and Cost of Living

Your final list of universities will be around 5-6 colleges. Once you have this final list, you need to start the registration on the university website and create an admission account. You need to upload information such as personal statements, academic records, official transcripts, essays, details of personal achievements, and extra-curricular activities along with recommendation letters.

A recommendation letter or LOR is an important part of the admissions process. A letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a document written by professors or managers who know you well. They may have managed you on a job or taught you a subject that is related to the course you are applying for. The writer should write about their position, and how long they have known the applicant. Now usually universities usually provide a format for LOR so the writer just needs to rank the applicant according to the criteria asked. You need to let the writer know in advance what kind of questions to expect so that there are no surprises at the end.

Your academic degree and mark sheets are called academic transcripts. Your score will be converted into a credit or GPA depending on the education system of the destination country. The following are the documents that you need to scan and submit to the universities:

• All Academic Marksheets/Diploma
• Secondary School and College Reports written by the Principal or Counsellor
• Character Report

Note: If transcripts are not in English, they should only be translated into English by the issuing authority or university otherwise they may not be acceptable.

The Personal Essay and Statement of Purpose (SOP) help admissions officers evaluate your application for admissions and financial aid purposes. It provides an impression of you as a person to the people assessing your application. In the SOP, the student should define his/her academic goals along with the reasons for choosing that university and course and the benefits the applicant wants to enjoy.

Once you have prepared all your application documents, you should create a docket for it. Collect all your relevant application documents in one folder. This ensures that you do not miss any document at the last moment of applying. On university-to-university basis, you have to submit the documents before the deadline and through the channel that the university prefers. Basically, there are three types of submission channels:

• Online Submission: Most foreign universities prefer online submission of all the documents related to the application. In this channel, you just need to attach the required documents in the given space. Keep in mind the format of the document asked by the university as they prefer and support only certain types of file formats, for example, .doc, .pdf, etc. All your documents (CV, SOP, LOR, Essay, etc.) are required. be in this file format only.
• E-mail Submission: Some universities allow the option of submitting your documents and application form via e-mail. For this channel also, you need to make sure that all the drafts are in the correct file format preferred by the university. After drafting a mail which is as per the requirements of the institute, you will attach all the documents in a sequence. For example, if you're appending LORs, append them appropriately: LOR1, LOR2, then LOR3. You may need to combine all the documents into one ZIP file. So it is always advisable to double-check the requirements as stated by the university.
• By Post Submission: Sending the hard copy can be a hassle and since it is a time-consuming process, it is best if you send the documents 15 days before the deadline. All the hard copies of the documents must be duly signed and stamped before sending. Also, do thorough research on all international courier services available and their prices to get the best deal. By opting for the DHL Student Offer on Education, you can avail up to 40% off.

Universities also have deadlines to notify students about their admissions decisions. If you receive acceptance letters from more than one university, you will have to decide which university you want to attend.

Here are some objective and subjective criteria that you should consider while making the final decision -

• Program Duration, Choice of Courses
• Financial Aid Offer
• The Cost of Living
• The Prestige of Concerned Departments/Programs
• The Reputation of the University
• Location of the Campus and Safety
• Climate and Weather Changes
• Social life, Off-campus Activities
• Accommodation and Housing options

It is necessary to do a lot more research on universities and their offerings. You have to find out which of these are most likely to meet your goals by spending time online, doing more research on that. by making a final checklist of.

You must quickly answer yes or no to the university for each offer of admission. In most cases, you will be required to submit a financial deposit for the first semester/year at the institution you plan to attend. This is to guarantee your acceptance. You need to make sure that you do not miss any deadline at this stage. Each college will tell you what steps to follow to confirm your place for admission. This information will be included in the acceptance letter or in the material/e-mail which will be sent shortly afterward.

Waiting List: If you are on the waiting list, you will receive a letter notifying you that you are on the 'Waiting List'. It means that though you were eligible for admission there were not enough seats available for the eligible applicants. You will be asked again whether you are interested or not. If you say yes and accept to be on the waiting list, you may be offered admission at a later time when space becomes available, if someone cancels their admission.

Can students apply for studying abroad on their own?

Studying abroad is expensive, and therefore, many aspirants consider applying themselves to save on the money charged by foreign education consultants. You will be happy to know that there are many free study abroad consultants, who can help you with their expertise and connections to recognized global universities.

The process of applying to foreign universities is undeniably lengthy and requires a lot of awareness. Fortunately, there are some cases where the hard work put in by the applicants pays off and they get admission to good colleges. For this, they need to do really good research on the education industry abroad as well as patiently follow the tedious process till the end and keep their hopes high even after many rejections. The applications made for the first time are often rejected and it becomes really difficult to continue for those who cannot handle the rejection. The time and money spent creating rejected applications is completely wasted, and you can't get it back. You can always take the help of outside agents to save yourself from this disappointment.

Every year lakhs of students from India apply to universities abroad. Certainly, not all of them get admission. The number of applications made by Indian candidates is much more than the number of admissions received by them. On average, only 15-20% of the students get admission abroad, of which some percentage are still unable to join the institutes due to some reason or the other. The number of students actually going and studying is much less than expected. Given such a wide gap, it can be recognized that the market is full of competition. To rank in the top 10% of successful students living their dreams, one really needs to have determination and focus.

Obviously, students who successfully make it to the university of their dreams have either got an excellent profile or in-depth domain knowledge. From course/university shortlisting to flying abroad, everything requires immense domain knowledge. Steps include:

• Finalizing the Course
• Country Selection
• Evaluation of your Profile Eligibility
• University Shortlisting
• Understanding University Requirements
• Tape arrangement
• Preparation of Supporting Documents
• Applying to College/University
• Clear College Interview
• Filing Visa Application
• Cracking Visa Interview
• Apply for Education Loan
• Helping you till the Loan is Approved
• Air Ticket Booking
• Foreign Currency Exchange

The list itself sounds tedious, doesn't it?

How would you feel if you had outside help to get you through all these steps without charging you a dime?

Do you know that thousands of students with average or below average candidature are living their dreams? How did they do it?

Study Abroad Consultants is the only answer to the above questions.

With the wide range of services they provide, overseas education consultants can assist you at every step from profile assessment to cracking those tough interviews with confidence and through tedious visa applications and loan approvals. The commendable work they do to make your profile stand out is what helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. They guide you in working on your weaknesses and overcoming all the hurdles that you may face while applying on your own.

They hire consultants having vast domain expertise and are aware of the latest industry trends. They are trained to serve you on a case-to-case basis, some counsellors are experts in the field you wish to study, while some are skilled in the type of course you are applying for want. By conducting brainstorming sessions with you, they understand your academic aspirations, which they then use to properly assess your profile and make an excellent shortlisting of universities where you can apply. If you have a predefined list of universities, they help you explore other relevant options keeping your priorities on top. If you are sure about applying to a particular university, they help you with the best guidance to get there.

One surprising fact about taking services from mentors is that your chances of getting scholarships and aid go up. They can help you explore the many options available in the colleges and countries of your choice. Moreover, the editorial services provided by these consultants help you to do all the documentation work with ease. They help you edit necessary supporting documents, such as SOP, Admission Essay, LOR, CV, etc., while applying. In addition to the variety of specialty-essays required by universities, editors also help you with drafting. Your scholarship essay. In the case of business and graduate courses or management studies, applicants are required to submit a variety of university-specific dissertations. The consultants provide samples of a few selected essays for you to refer to and provide guidelines and formats for building your draft from scratch. Once these are finalized by the editors, they guide you in using these supporting documents along with your academic transcripts in applying to your chosen university or college.

Then comes the interview part. Many acclaimed business schools evaluate your candidacy in university interviews as well as your transcripts, scores on standardized entrance exams, and supporting documents. The overseas consultants help you prepare for the same to impress the admission committee with confidence. The next step is to get your loan and visa interviews cleared, which is a huge challenge. Students often fail to crack difficult visa interviews due to lack of knowledge and preparation. In this context also consultants have a major role to play. Their tie-up with various banks also helps you to get your loan sanctioned and sanctioned easily.

How helpful can be the Consultant in your Journey to Study Abroad?

Many study abroad aspirants tend to save counselling fee by applying themselves. Yes, students can apply themselves to study abroad as everything is available on the internet nowadays. But, at the same time, they should also remember that efforts pay off in very few cases and students get frustrated in more and more cases.

Since the study abroad application process requires a lot of time, patience and effort, the ideal time to start planning your application to foreign universities is anywhere between 8-10 months. It takes about a year of a candidate's life from the beginning of your coursework to visa approval as well as applying for admission to universities as well as getting an educational loan approved. Hence, proper planning and time management is imperative.

Discussed below are some of the benefits of taking assistance from foreign educational agents when applying for yourself:

Market Insight

Study Abroad Consultants employ industry experts who have market insights. They stay updated with the latest industry trends regarding the best education providers, countries with better industrial exposure, and even evolving application processes. Self-application is much more research-oriented than it sounds because somehow you need to have access to their database to follow these consultants. Be updated with the latest emerging trends in your particular industry related to the best education providers and the whole process of studying abroad becomes more challenging when you apply on your own.

Follow-up and Time Management

You can follow up with consultants at every stage of your application and get an update on your previous step, which will help you know what your next step should be and thus save you time. During the entire application process, from choosing the college of your dreams to getting your air tickets to the country, you can get updates on everything you do or want to do. In the case of self-application, there is no one whom you can refer for an update on your status even after filing the application.

Visa Filing

The Visa filing is an important stage of the application process. Losing any essential information can result in visa rejection. No one wants to be rejected at this stage of application especially when they have got offer letter from their dream university. Agents stay up to date with changes in visa filing and can assist you with this. In addition, they help you prepare for tough visa interviews. If you apply yourself, you have limited information on the internet to help you crack this interview. It's also worth noting that the interviewers sitting outside at the Visa office are smart enough to figure out that you've prepared everything via the Internet, depending on the way you answer their questions.

Discount

Studying abroad is expensive, so is the application process. There are very high application fees charged by universities abroad, and you obviously don't apply to one university or college. You are likely to apply to at least 2-3 colleges to get admission from one. Fees are not reimbursed when your application is rejected. However, consultants can help you waive some amount of your application fee so that you can easily make multiple applications. In addition, they help you send hardcopy to universities using the shipment services they provide, where you can save money. And that's not it, some advisors also cover your expenses for standardized entrance exams like the GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and ACT.

Loan and Travel Tie-up

How would you feel if you had the offer letter of your dream university or college in one hand and a rejected loan document in the other? No one wants to give up on their dream after reaching here.

Funding your education is another important step that requires a lot of time, patience, and awareness. The process of loan application and approval varies from country to country, college-to-college and bank-to-bank. Study abroad consultants know everything in this regard. They understand the value of money and the importance of getting an approved loan to make your dream come true. Surprisingly, they have tied up with various banks which will not let you down. Not only this, but they have also tied up with travel agencies to help you get your travel tickets faster and even help you provide foreign currency exchange without any hassle.

Since this is an important step in the process, you definitely don’t want to delay your loan application. You should know when to start thinking about finances.

As we can see, seeking expert help will help with almost every step of the application process. You can find top foreign education consultants in every corner of India; it is recommended that you choose your advisor wisely.