S

The Ultimate

TUDY
ABROAD
Guidebook

studyportals
taking you further
Contents

I. Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure!

1. Popular Myths About Studying Abroad

2. Top Reasons to Study at a University Abroad

3. Find Out About the Main Types of Academic Degrees

4. What Institutions Offer International Higher Education?

II. Essential Steps You Should Take for Finding the Right University Abroad

III. Which Study Course Should I Choose?

IV. Using MastersPortal to Find the Perfect Study Programme

V. How a Preparation Course Can Support Your Studies Abroad

VI. Searching for a Programme with Good Tuition and Scholarships

1. Find Out Details About Tuition Costs for Your Studies

2. Seek Advantageous Financial Aid Options

3. Gather Documents for Your Scholarship Application

4. Apply for The StudyPortals Scholarship

VII. Key Facts about the University Application Process

1. A Few Important Steps to Keep in Mind

2. What Language Tests to Choose?

VIII. Finding Good Accommodation Abroad

1. Different Types of Accommodation for Students

2. A Reliable Way of Finding Quality Accommodation During Your Studies

IX. Meeting Your Living Costs and Working during Your Studies

1. Enjoy Your Stay and Pay Less during Your Studies

2. Advancing Your Work Experience While Covering Your Living Expenses

X. Find Out What Other Students Are Saying About Studying Abroad

1. Read About Student Experiences All Over the World

2. Check Out the Yearly International Student Satisfaction Awards

3. Join Satisfied International Students Getting a Higher Education Abroad!

Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure!

The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook is

provided by StudyPortals, the global study
choice platform that empowers students to
find and choose their dream studies.
StudyPortals believes in the value of
international education and is determined to
offer prospective international students
relevant, easy to find information about higher
education study options abroad.

In a market of growing options and an increasing need for easily accessible information
and international comparison, the StudyPortals platform has rapidly established a
central position for students interested in studying abroad. Currently our platform
includes over 20,000 Bachelors, 35,000 Masters, 4,000 PhDs, and much more.

This e-book is meant as an easy-to-read introduction to key steps every student should
take in order to successfully find their dream academic studies abroad.

Popular Myths about Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is too expensive

At first glance, it may seem impossible to handle

the financial side of your future studies: tuition
fees, living expenses, study materials. However,
there are many ways to overcome these difficulties,
including scholarships, study grants, part-time
employment, not to mention tuition free study
opportunities. In addition to popular destinations
such as the United Kingdom or the United States, plenty other countries offer high
quality study programmes for international students.

The Netherlands, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, China, or Finland have some of
the best education abroad, while inexpensive countries such as Portugal, Turkey,
Hungary, or The Czech Republic are constantly advancing their English study offer.
University world rankings show the best universities for you

Not always. It is usually better to look at the ranking of this university in your particular
subject. Rankings use different ways to measure universities and some top university in
one ranking may place quite low in another, or may not even be present in another.
Rankings should be taken as a reference tool, and not a general rule of law.

Its difficult to be admitted to a foreign university because of large differences between

education systems

Most universities accept foreign students

based on their high school transcripts (for
undergraduate level) or Bachelor transcripts
(for Masters studies) and English language
test results. Preparation courses offer
students coming from a different education
system an introduction to the curriculum,
academic expectations and local culture.

It is impossible to be accepted to highly regarded universities

Even though a very small percentage of applicants are admitted to renowned universities
such as Oxford or Cambridge, there is still a chance. Understand your true "calling" and
work hard. Gaining as much practical experience early on can make a great difference for
your application. Even if you dont get into a famous university abroad, you can still
receive very good international education.

All universities accept applications till late May

The deadlines for applications depend on the university and the chosen programme. For
some universities, deadlines can be as early as January for the fall intake. It is important
to choose the programme(s) you will be applying for as early as possible. Check
information about application deadlines for study programmes on MastersPortal and our
other portals.
Top Reasons to Study at a University Abroad
Still not convinced about the benefits of studying abroad?

Here are a few reasons you might not have thought of:

Become part of a global network

Studying in an international environment with

other students will help you become part of a
community, and form the basis for lasting
future business relationships.

Many more study options to choose from

International study destinations are famous for the wide study offers they provide. You
can effectively follow your dream career, by pursuing the courses you need. Theres
plenty of choices, as the number of international study courses is steadily increasing
every year!

Better paid job opportunities

Better specialisations and developed professional networks are a recipe for success,
resulting in higher salaries and advanced job opportunities. For example, an
international MBA is always an impressive addition to your CV.

More skills, more knowledge

Learning in an international environment presents a set of challenges that help you

develop a wider set of skills than you would by studying in a university at home.

Innovative learning methods

Study abroad to be exposed to ways of learning you might not be familiar with. Focus
on theory, or interact with students and teachers in class.

Cultural awareness

A diverse international student community will help you better understand diversity as
well as your cultural identity. Exchange ideas and find out how others think and feel.
High quality university facilities

International universities pride themselves with state-of-the-art facilities that greatly

assist your learning process. If finding the right study programme is essential, top
quality laboratories and classrooms come a close second.

Improve your language skills

To enrol in a university abroad you need to have good command of the teaching
language. However, during your studies your language skills will advance while you
engage in conversations with other students or the local population.

Learn to take care of yourself

Being away from your friends and family will help you build your self-reliance, teach you
how to live on your own and become more independent.

Explore a foreign country

Studying abroad means also a chance to

visit and travel in another country and its
neighbours, discovering marvellous cultural
and natural treasures.

Have fun!

University studies abroad are much more than a chance to gather information. They are
part of an all encompassing experience thats both important and very fun. Reserve
plenty of time for relaxing and entertaining activities.
Find Out About the Main Types of Academic Degrees

There are various kinds of academic Bachelors, Masters and PhDs offered by higher
education institutions abroad. Here are some explanations of the variety of study
course abbreviations you might run across:

Undergraduate level academic degrees

B.Sc. and B.A.

The Bachelors of Science (B. Sc.) and Bachelors of Arts

(B.A.) are the most commonly awarded degrees. The
study duration of a Bachelors programme is usually three
to four years. The Bachelor of Science is mainly awarded
to students of universities in the areas of natural sciences,
humanities, business sciences, engineering sciences,
mathematics and informatics, while a Bachelor of Arts is
more common for areas of social sciences, linguistics, or
cultural sciences.

LL.B.

The Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) is usually awarded at a university or law school. The
abbreviation LL.B. stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL. is the latin abbreviation for
laws. A consecutive Masters programme in the law sciences is awarded with a Master of
Laws (LL. M.). Many countries such as Germany still require an additional state
examination in order to be eligible for practising law.

B.Eng.

The Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng. or B.E.) is a Bachelors degree usually awarded to
graduates in engineering sciences. The Bachelor of Engineering is academically equal to
the Bachelor of Science. It is however common to award a B. Eng. for rather practical
oriented programmes at universities of applied sciences.

A.D.

The Associate Degree (AD) is an academic degree common in North America, typically
awarded after a 2-year study. Many colleges offer a so-called 2+2 programme where
students receive the Associate Degree after the first two years and a Bachelors Degree
after another two years of studies.

Masters level academic degrees

M.A. and M.Sc.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) can cover various graduate studies, and together with the
Master of Science (M.Sc) is the most commonly available type of Masters programme
worldwide. Students admitted to an M.A. typically study languages, history,
communication, or other of the humanities, philosophy, social sciences, and more. A
M.Sc. is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science, health
and social science professions. M.A.s include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation. Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete.

M.Phil.

A Master of Philosophy is a research-only

degree and is often a precursor to a PhD.
Most PhD students register for this degree in
their initial 1-2 years of study and may later
register to PhD studies. M.Phils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them. This way, theyll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree.

LL.M.

The Master of Laws degree usually takes one year as a full time programme to
complete, or 2-4 years part-time. Professional Law degrees give a general coverage of
the skills required to become an attorney, while LL.M.s give you an opportunity to
specialise. A LL.M. is a good study continuation after graduating a LL.B., though you
dont need an LL.B to enrol to a LL.M.

MBA

The Master of Business Administration is one of the most popular higher education
degrees, often designed for management professionals with minimum three to five
years of professional experience. MBAs usually address professionals, 27 35 years old.
MBAs include hands-on experience, with integrated teamwork and case studies. Read
more about the benefits of studying an MBA.
MiM

The Master in Management is an increasingly popular business study option. The MIM is
officially a Master of Science, hence it is prone to more in-depth theoretical knowledge,
and can even become research-oriented. MIM candidates can have less than one year
of full-time work experience. The average age of a MIM student is 23. Find out more
about the MiM.

Doctorate degrees

Ph.D. (or DPhil)

The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest

postgraduate degree that can be achieved in
a university. People awarded with a PhD are
normally allowed to have a teaching
position. The Ph.D. is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years. Typically, a Ph.D. degree is
pursued after completing of a Masters
programme. Read about a few things to
consider before enrolling in a PhD abroad.

DBA

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the highest postgraduate degree in the
academic management education. The Doctor of Business Administration can be seen
as a follow-up to a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Many DBA programmes
require several years of management experience for admission. DBA programmes
usually last between three and six years.
What Institutions Offer International Higher Education?

Even if different institutions in different countries may be known by the same name, they
may not provide the same type of courses. Its always best to search for detailed
information about the institution you are considering to attend. Here are a few categories
of institutions you will likely encounter while searching for your dream studies:

Universities usually refer to institutions that

may provide courses focusing on teaching,
research, or a mix of the two. Universities
provide diverse study fields and teach at
undergraduate and postgraduate level. They
may also offer summer schools, short courses
or distance learning (e-learning) options.

Colleges may refer to both higher educational institutions but also a part of a university
(like a department). A college may be a tertiary educational institution, a part of a
university, or an institution offering vocational education. The term varies between
European countries, but in the United States and Italy college and university usually
mean the same thing.

Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry. They offer Bachelors and Masters degrees, but no Doctorate level studies.
Degree programmes may include compulsory work experience or vocational degrees.

Polytechnics or Institutes of Technology are institutions of higher education and

advanced engineering and scientific research specialising in the fields of
science, engineering, technology or other technical subjects.

Business schools are institutions that provide practically focused academic programmes
focused on business education. Business schools provide specific degrees and
specialisations for programmes such as MBAs, Masters in Finance, Law or Marketing, as
well as Bachelors, short courses, business seminars or training programmes. Find top
international MBAs.
Academies are usually specialised
universities providing in-depth education
in a certain field, usually arts. Because of
the respectable tradition of the term,
many higher education institutions use
the word "academy" in their name. Entry
requirements for these schools are
generally very demanding, but well worth
the effort. Some may only provide
Bachelors level degree studies.

Discover thousands of opportunities to study abroad in high quality Masters with

diverse specialisations, as well as many other long-term or short-term study options as
well (preparation courses, Bachelors, PhDs, short courses, online studies, language
courses, and many more).
Essential Steps You Should Take for Finding the
Right University Abroad

Choosing a good higher education institution abroad is an important decision that will
greatly influence your future and should not be taken lightly. A wrong choice of
university or study course is the top reason students drop out after one year of studies.
If you've decided study abroad but dont know where to start from, here are a few
essential steps you should take before applying to a university abroad:

Think about what YOU want

Here are some key questions you should ask yourself

before beginning your search:

What are your long-term career objectives?

What study fields interest you?
Is there any particular specialisation you wish
to pursue?
What language do you want to study in?
Is there a particular country you prefer?
What are your available finances and will you
need a study scholarship?
Do you have the required grades?
Do you want to work during your studies?

Think what places you may want to go to

In addition to your personal preferences, you should also consider other important
factors in the city or country you want to go to. Don't limit your search to just a few
popular countries. Here are a few factors to take into account:

Study programmes taught in a foreign language you speak

Universities offering free tuition (some universities in the EU may offer free
tuition or a small fixed fee to EU citizens)
 Location inside or outside the
European Union (Students may
receive extra funding if coming from
an EU or non-EU country, depending
on university policies)
Affordable accommodation and costs
of living
Welcoming international
environment
Cities that are important cultural hubs with famous international sights, and
many travel opportunities
Big busy cities with vibrant student life, or smaller, more personal student
communities offering a peaceful study environment (often easier to get info,
though programme quality is high)
City and university safety

Consider a field of study you may want to pursue

Its important to try and figure out what youre good

at and what your potential future career may look
like. If youre not sure yet, try taking a career
personality test to give you some suggestions of
potential study opportunities in your field of interest.

Another helpful tool is to find information about

different disciplines you can find in undergraduate
and graduate programmes worldwide and the career outcomes they lead to.

Make a list of study options

Based on your study abroad goals, university advantages, or interests, you should be able
to come up with a list of study abroad destinations. This list is not final and you can always
add or remove universities while you gather more details. You can start making
comparisons between university offers, trying to gain as much information as you can.
Make your own ranking based on your preferences. A well-organised education website
will help you compare different types of details and make your choice easier.

Your MastersPortal profile (or your profile on our other portals) lets you create a personal
list of universities to keep track of the study programmes you have applied to or are
further considering. Include new programmes on the list by adding search results to your
favourites.
Conduct a thorough research

Luckily, the internet is a great source of information when it comes to finding the right
studies. Make a plan of what you need and what studies you would like to follow. The
more research you put into the process, the more likely you will make the right decision. Here
are some powerful research tools you might want to consider:

Use specialised academic study choice tools Extensive databases of study

options and ways to find the exact results you are looking for. The best academic
portals guide students during key stages of their university application. A good
example is MastersPortal, helping future students compare their study course
options offering.
Visit university websites These
may not always be easy to navigate.
Study choice websites, may provide
well-organised information about
the university youre interested in.
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies.
Read student reviews and experiences Student experiences are the most
trustworthy resource you can find on the internet. Find real people who share
their wonderful and less pleasant experiences on the worlds largest
international student experiences database.

Check prestigious university rankings

University rankings give an indication of the quality of education assessed following

certain specific criteria. Most rankings are conducted annually keeping updated to new
developments. Some of the most highly acclaimed international rankings you may want
to consider checking include:

World University Ranking by Times Higher Education

Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
QS World University Ranking
Financial Times Ranking (designed to assess the best international business
schools)

University rankings may serve both as a way to find new ideas for your study abroad
destination and check the international status of a university you had your eyes on.
However, these rankings should always be used just as guidelines. Always consider
other aspects not covered by rankings that are vital for making the correct decision.

Check official languages and teaching languages

Another point you may need to acknowledge is the language(s) spoken in the country of
your choice. You may be surprised how many less known study options there are to
study quality academic courses. For example:

a) While the United States and UK are the most popular study abroad destinations, The
Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand or the Nordic countries
provide equally valid English study options.
b) You may find quality Spanish in programmes Spain, but dont forget about top
universities in Latin America or the United States that provide courses in Spanish as
well.
c) France is a popular French study
destination, but Belgium or
Canada are other good study
options.
d) Central and East European
countries such as Poland,
Estonia, Romania, Hungary,
Lithuania or Russia provide
increasing study abroad options
at advantageous costs.
e) Asian countries such as Turkey,
China, Japan, or Hong Kong (SAR) are also advancing their competitive English-taught
higher education offer.

International language schools as well as some universities offer competitive language

courses to help you advance your academic language skills in top international
languages such as English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, Russian, Arabic,
and many more. Check them all out and more on LanguageLearningPortal.com.

Get information about tuition fees and other financial aspects

Most universities have tuition fees, but some offer free or partial tuition, and this can
make all the difference for a student with a limited budget. If study costs seem
unaffordable, there are ways to get the necessary amount through scholarships, if you
have good grades. Student loans or part-time student jobs are other viable options.
Many countries in Europe offer tuition free studies for students belonging to the EU
region, while others charge only small yearly fees. Examples include countries such as
Austria, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, France, or the Scottish part of the UK.

While non-EU students studying in the EU region have to pay larger tuition fees, they
usually have better chances of getting significant scholarships to cover costs. Check out
ScholarshipPortal.eu to find the one that matches your requirements best.

Make sure universities and degree have accreditation

In most countries degrees are accredited by a national body. Trusted accreditation

offers a guarantee that degrees meet certain educational standard. Universities in the
European Union usually adhere to a set of similar educational standards. However, for
academic programmes that lead to licensed professions, such as psychology, medical
studies, law, teaching, etc., you should check for information from national accreditation
bodies responsible for overseeing that specific profession.

Directly contact your top universities

If you cant find all the information you

need on a university website,
contacting the university directly
might be the best option. Some
university pages offer the "Request
information" options for an easier way
to ask your questions. In case the
university does not offer this service,
youll have to find their contact
information on the programme website. Each university also has an alumni association,
including an international network you could contact.

Consider a campus visit

Its always best to see where you might study with your own eyes and make your own
informed decision. Not anyone can afford a trip abroad to visit prospective universities,
but if you have the opportunity try to check out at least the top two universities on your
short-list. Universities host periodic student events to promote their university and
answer any questions.
Apply and wait for an answer

When you make a decision, keep in mind when the application deadline for your
programme is due. You should try to apply well in advance to be able to receive the
answer and have time to look for accommodation and handle visa paperwork. Gather
the necessary documents and apply to more universities at once.

Which Study Course Should I Choose?

Choosing the right study programme may be difficult if you are not sure what your
strengths are. Figuring out the future career you wish to pursue is one of the most
important elements that will set you on your way to the right future study choice.

Think about your high-school studies and

consider if you lean more towards sciences or
arts. Do you enjoy writing essays or solving math
problems? Are you a bit of a computer-wiz? Would
you rather play sports, or spend your time
painting or drawing?

Taking a self-assessment career test can offer you

great insight, or at least provide some valuable ideas. StudyPortals offers you a test
based on Holland's Theory of Career Choice that will help you determine your personal
interest profile and suggest study disciplines that might interest you, based on your
choices! The test takes 3-5 minutes and it's totally free! Take the test now!

You can also explore different types of academic disciplines and some popular
specialisations to give you a better idea of what courses you would like to pursue.
Choose a discipline and find a list of top programmes connected to that discipline.
Using MastersPortal to Find the Perfect Study
Programme
1. Visit the MastersPortal.eu homepage
2. Type in the What do you want to study? box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press Search.

3. Alternatively, leave the box empty and just click the Search button to see the full
list of over 35,000 Masters programmes worldwide.

4. If you have searched for a discipline, you will get a number of study programmes
relevant to the chosen subject.
5. If the list is too large, you can select one or more filters on the
left side of the page for a more in-depth search. After selecting
the filters, press one of the Filter buttons to update the
programme list based on your filter selections.
6. You can select:
A keyword
Programmes under a certain discipline and related
sub-discipline
A country where you want to study
The language of instruction you would prefer
Yearly tuition. To Find programmes without tuition
fees, just select 0 EUR under Maximum value
You can also select the desired duration, part-time or
full-time studies, or type of degree.
7. After narrowing down your search with filters that reflect your preferences, you
should look into each programme in more detail. If you click on the name of the
programme, you will find a description of the programme, the requirements,
sometimes funding information and often links to the

university/department/programme's website.

8. If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masters programme, fill in the request information box or click on the link to the
university website provided and contact the institution.

9. If you come across any difficulties during this

process, you can always contact us, the
MastersPortal advisors. We are more than happy to
help you.

Follow similar processes if you want to find a top

international Bachelors, PhD, short course, distance
learning programme, preparation course, or language
course.
How a Preparation Course Can Support Your
Studies Abroad

Not yet ready for university studies? A preparation course can give you the tools you
need to succeed in your higher education adventure abroad.

A preparation course (pre-Bachelor, or

foundation course) is a university
groundwork course for international
learners who have gone through a different
education system curriculum. These types of
programmes are especially popular in the
UK, but can also be found in other European
countries. Many preparation courses
guarantee the student qualification, allowing
him or her to pursue a Bachelors degree
once successfully completed. Read more about foundation courses.

Start searching for the right preparation course on PreparationCoursesPortal and begin
your journey to an international higher education!
Searching for a Programme with Good Tuition
and Scholarships

Find Out Details about Tuition Costs for Your Studies

Each country, university and sometimes

each study programme has its own tuition
fee structure, so there is no easy answer
when it comes to tuition fee costs abroad.
Every study programme listed on
MastersPortal and our other portals
includes tuition fee information. For more
details on programme costs, you can
contact the university directly, using the
request form or the contact information provided.

Always consider additional costs before enrolling in a tuition-free programme abroad,

as living costs in some countries may amount to more than high tuitions in others. Read
useful information about tuition and living costs in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden. In the last years, tuitions have
seen a steady increase, so you can expect tuition amounts to be a bit higher than the
previous year. Also, some countries may have changed their tuition policies. Make sure
you seek personalised information for the study programmes that interest you.

Seek Advantageous Financial Aid Options

Just in Europe there are in total 15.6 billion Euros worth of scholarships available every
year! So which scholarship is the right one for you? Check an extensive offer of
opportunities on one of the largest international scholarship databases
ScholarshipPortal.eu.

Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid:

a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) Usually awarded by private

organisations as well as by public institutions, or directly from the university,
considering the academic performance as well as extracurricular activities of the
candidate.
 b) Specific scholarships Many organisations award specific scholarships where the
awardees have to meet certain criteria such as nationality, gender, religion,
political affiliation, race, special needs, etc.
c) Need-based scholarships (grants) Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations, they depend on your personal and your
familys financial situation.
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Scholarship for Masters students anywhere in
the world, covering tuition, accommodation
and living costs. Read more here.
e) Student loans Governments or banks offer
loans, usually regardless of your income, than
need to be repaid after a certain amount of
time. Read about the new advantageous Erasmus Loan Scheme.
f) Student prizes One-time awards for academic achievements, winners of
competitions or research results that can be used to support your higher
education.

Gather Documents for Your Scholarship Application

The application process of many scholarships takes quite a long time. Start as soon as
you know what you are going to study. Make sure that you match all the eligibility
requirements. Check all the scholarship information on ScholarshipPortal, but also visit
the website of the scholarship provider.

Most of the time you will need to prepare the following documents for your application:

Certificates of your previous education

(first degree, school-leaving exams,
etc.)
Letters of recommendation
(work/academic)
Language certificate showing your
language skills for the programme you
intend to study
Motivation letter
Curriculum Vitae
Examples of your past work in a written essay, for instance

Read more about applying for scholarship.

Apply for the StudyPortals Scholarship

With a dedicated Scholarship of 1,000 EUR, StudyPortals now also helps you to cover a
significant part of the costs related to study abroad ambitions. Every quarter we
carefully assess the applications received in the previous 3 months and choose one
student beneficiary with a fascinating and motivating study abroad dream.

You can apply, if you:

come from anywhere in the world

are currently studying at a higher education
institute
have to cover a particular expense related to
your academic career
can convince us that you deserve this
scholarship

Tell us how 1000 Euro would help you to make your dream come true. Apply now!

Key Facts about the University Application

Process

A Few Important Steps to Keep in Mind

After settling for one or more universities you would like to study in, the application
process is the most important step on your way to studying abroad. Each university
generally has its specific admission requirements, so you should always check for
additional information. To ensure you won't miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time, heres what you should keep in mind during the application
process:

Step 1: Take Language Tests

Once you've decided you would like to pursue

an academic degree abroad, make sure to
check language requirement at the university of
your choice and proceed with all the necessary
tests. If your native language is not the same as
the teaching language youll have to take a
language proficiency exam. You can take the
IELTS in your country for your English-taught studies abroad. Book an IELTS test in your
country.

Step 2: Prepare your documents with all necessary translations

Documents confirming your previous

education (high school, Bachelor's or
Master's diploma or official transcripts);
Standardised test scores, if required;
Copies of your passport, passport size
photos, birth certificate, etc;
Proof that you will be able to afford your
education and living expenses abroad;
References from past teachers or employers.

Step 3: Complete the application

Apart from general information, you might be asked to write an admission essay,
motivation letter or have an interview. Check that from the university page and make
sure to meet all the criteria, as well as the deadlines. In the majority of cases, university
applications can be done online. Heres more about writing a successful motivation
letter for your university application.

Step 4: Apply for visa

After getting an acceptance letter from the university, you might need to start the
procedures for a study abroad visa. Immigration requirements are determined by
where you study and by your nationality. If you have to submit a visa application,
contact the closest embassy of the country you want to go to. Send your visa application
at least two months in advance of the start date of your studies, as processing can take
between a few days and several months to complete.

Dont Forget about Application Deadlines

A university will normally set a deadline for around April-May, when applying for an
autumn semester (starting in September-October). However, there are many
programmes that end up not being completely filled up. Its likely youll be able to apply
under a late registration! Read more about late registration.
What Language Tests to Choose?

If you are not a native speaker of the teaching language used in a university where you
want to study abroad, than you will need to take a language test to prove your language
skills are sufficient to be able to understand the course content.

Here are some of the most popular language certificates required by universities
abroad, for different international languages:

English certificates

International English Language Testing System

(IELTS)

Test of English as a Foreign Language

(TOEFL)
Cambridge English Examinations (CAE)
Test of English for International
Communication (TOEIC)
Business English Certificate (BEC)

German certificates

Deutsche Sprachprfung fr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)

Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)

French certificates

Diplme dEtudes en langue franaise (DELF)

Diplme approfondi de langue franaise (DALF)

Of course, you can find language certificates in any language you could think of. Read
more about how to get a language certificate for your studies abroad.
Enrol in a Language Exam Preparation Programme

International language schools worldwide specialise in teaching future students the

language skills they need to pass an academic study language test. Find a good exam-
preparation course on LanguageLearningPortal and prepare for getting high passing
grades for your chosen language exam. You can also find many other types of language
courses that will help you advance your language skills in a foreign language.
Finding Good Accommodation Abroad

An important aspect you should consider

before starting your studies abroad is finding a
good place where you are going to live in your
new surroundings. In many cases, especially in
the case of popular study destinations,
accommodation is scarce.

You might be right in thinking that most

universities, colleges, etc. have dormitory
accommodations available to their students.
However, you should make double sure that
these dorms are available to you, dorm rooms come in very limited quantities, and
might be reserved for local, non-international students only.

Different Types of Accommodation for Students

Here are a few accommodation

options international student should
consider when looking for a place to
stay during their studies:

a) Dormitories and student

residences are available at
most universities worldwide for
usually low prices. You may
apply for accommodation after
you have received your admission confirmation.
b) Private accommodation is an alternative to campus residences. In some cases,
you can request assistance from the university to find apartments and fellow
students interested in sharing rent.
c) In the case of studying abroad for a shorter time, or while studying a foreign
language in a language school, choosing to live with a local family (home stay)
might provide a cosy living environment.
d) A couch-surfing host or a student hostel may also provide temporary
accommodation during the first couple of days after your arrival in the country.
When choosing accommodation, consider the factors that will ensure you have an
enjoyable experience abroad:

Monthly costs
Distance from university grounds
Room size and facilities in working
condition
Neighbourhood security
Fair apartment owners
Proximity to city and
entertainment venues

Reliable Way of Finding Quality Accommodation during Your Studies

The services provided by Uniplaces and

StudyPortals take the strain off universities,
helping you to make informed study choices
without having to worry about
accommodation difficulties.

Uniplaces offers an affordable and reliable

way to find quality accommodation options in
Europe, by providing an extensive platform
where you can compare and contrast various
accommodation options in 39 cities in eight countries across Europe.

Read more about the services offered by Uniplaces.

Meeting Your Living Costs and Working during
Your Studies

Enjoy Your Stay and Pay Less during Your Studies

Living in a country abroad for a few years will

result in significant additional expenses you
should take into account. Students are known for
finding different inventive ways of having a
cheap lifestyle, whether it is riding their bike to
university, buying trendy clothes from the
second hand shops or scouting for the cheapest
supermarkets.

One sure way of reducing your extra expenses

during your study abroad adventure, while also
enjoying plenty of extra benefits, is to apply for
an ISIC student discount card, available in 130
countries. The ISIC card gives access to over
42,000 products, services or experiences in every stage and area of student life. Read
more about the ISIC card.

Read about a few other ways you can save money while living abroad.

Advancing Your Work Experience While Covering Your Living Expenses

You can also try to find alternative sources of income during your studies or at least
advance your professional experience over the period of your studies. Here are a few
examples:

Internships In addition to priceless

experience in a professional setting,
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions.
Volunteering Just like doing an
internship, volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment, even though it
 usually doesnt involve any pay. Volunteer work involves helping others, bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment.
Freelancing With all the internet resources currently available, it is no longer
necessary to sit in an office in order to perform a job. All that you need is a
computer with internet access and some free time.
Working in the university Many universities also offer paid positions for their
best students. While working in a student organization is not paid, the work
experience is a big advantage on the job market and looks great on your CV.
Student jobs implies more understanding and tolerance from your employer,
different benefits, a more flexible program and most importantly smaller or no
taxes to pay for your income. Read more about student jobs.
Find out What Other Students Are Saying about
Studying Abroad

Read About Student Experiences All Over the World

You can visit an extensive database of experiences from students who have lived and
studied abroad. Students from all over the world write and post reviews about their
experiences on different categories, and rate their overall impression, sharing precious
insight that will help you make an informed decision about your academic future. Visit
Stexx.eu and search through over 130,000 international student reviews.

Check Out the Yearly International Student Satisfaction Awards

The StudyPortals International Student

Satisfaction Awards are based on
comments made by thousands of
international students worldwide. These
reviews provide insights into universities
performance from a students perspective.
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 9.5 to 10) were
awarded certificates of excellence for the
current academic year.

Read the results of the International Student Satisfaction Awards 2014 and check out
which universities got the best scores.
Join Satisfied International Students Getting a Higher Education
Abroad!

Here is what some students had to say about their experience with finding their dream
studies abroad:

As StudyPortals is a trustworthy source for different international

scholarships, it helped me figure where to go and learn. I came to
Venice because they have a good reputation in the subject matter.

Samerawit Brehanu Habte: Ca Foscari University of Venice, Italy

I regularly visited StudyPortals. I had known about my host university

from this site, at first. This portal helped me to find the right university.
Then, I decided to file the required documentation for PhD study on
this website. I am tremendously grateful to the portal for helping me to
find out and define my next aims.

Abdulazizjon Abdullaev: Czech Technical University in Prague,

Czech Republic

Using StudyPortals really helped me compare different universities in

the UK which Id learnt was the best place to get an MA Translation
degree. The website gave me the ability to cross compare universities
and to pick my top four to which I would apply.

Rebekah Mae: University of Exeter, United Kingdom

There will never be a chance to grab hold of an opportunity of
such rich, immense and deep learning on so many levels. So many
study abroad students have ambitions to work in the big cities of
the world, which is proof of the great expansion of a persons own
horizons on their travels.

Daniel Kelly: Rotterdam University, Netherlands

I truly believe that if there are people who dream about studying
abroad, no matter the reason, they should definitely do it! Because, if
they plan it carefully and think about all the changes that studying
abroad involves, they accept these changes and work towards them,
nothing is impossible.

Delia Violeta Cislariu, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom

Ready to Start Your Study Abroad Adventure?

We hope you found The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook useful, making your search
for the perfect study programme abroad easier. We wish you good luck in your study
abroad life-changing adventure!

Visit MastersPortal, BachelorsPortal, PhDPortal, ScholarshipPortal,

LanguageLearningPortal, ShortCoursesPortal, PreparationCoursesPortal or
DistanceLearningPortal to make your international higher education dreams come true!