Studying abroad isn’t just a great adventure, employers love it, and you can develop a whole host of new skills, from language to appreciating other cultures.
You may be interested in applying overseas for these common reasons, whatever your motivation, we're here to break things down for you, alongside our expert tutors who can also offer valuable advice.
Top reasons you should consider studying abroad
There are some brilliant universities overseas
You’ve heard of Oxford and Cambridge, Harvard and maybe even MIT. However, there are many more top ranked universities you've probably never heard of before. Take ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) for example, one of the best universities in the world for engineering and technology. Most UK students we spoke to had never even heard of it!
In a recent survey, many students cited how well known a university is for their reason for application. The fact that a university doesn't ring any bells shouldn't put you off applying.
All it takes is a little research to know whether the course, university, and city are a good fit for your studies. There are many resources to help you with this research. Check university league tables and worldwide subject league tables to inform your applications.
You will learn a lot
Did you know that living abroad is one of the best ways to learn a new language from scratch?
Yep, that's right - there's no need to worry if you gave up on French in Year 9 and could only manage to grasp hello, red dress, or turn left. Immersing yourself in different cultures with little grasp of the language can be tricky at first, but with the right social opportunities and an open-minded outlook, you can learn a great deal.
Many universities offer entire courses in English, so a simple enquiry to admissions departments could help you identify the courses that fit best with your language requirements.
Employers love it
"It'll look great on your CV!" You've heard it all before, but this time it's true. We spoke to 10 different employers, and 80% said they'd look favourably on an applicant who studied abroad.
Not only is this a great selling point for employers, it'll help you once you get a job too. Studying abroad gives you new life skills that you might not get when studying in the UK. Throwing yourself into a completely new environment will help you to figure out what you’re good at and those things you really need to work on.
Things to think about before studying abroad
Student Loan Availability
Even though overall costs of living, tuition and accommodation are significantly lower in many European countries, student loans for international students are scarce. This means that despite the opportunity to lower your debt, upfront fees will amount to much more.
There are some scholarships available for international students, but undergraduate competition is fierce. These can be awarded on merit or need and vary in the level of assistance provided.
Part-time work overseas
As a student, you aren’t always entitled to work while studying, so it’s worth checking out what kind of work you’ll be allowed to do and what type of extra permission you need when considering foreign study destinations. Here is a list of some common destinations and conditions for working whilst studying as an international student.
Study overseas: A checklist
1. Choose the university and course
With all the above taken on board, pick the university and course that best suits your personality, requirements, and bank balance.
2. Apply to study abroad
Apply as soon as possible. As an international student, you’ll have a lot more to organise prior to starting your studies.
In some countries a specific online platform gives you the possibility to apply to more universities at once, like UCAS. However, it’s more common to be required to apply directly through university websites.
3. Get a visa (where required)
As a rule of thumb, if you’re from outside of your chosen country’s continent or region, you'll probably need a student visa. If you’re participating in an exchange for less than three months, you may only require a tourist or visitor visa, but you need to check this with the country you’re travelling to.
4. Organise accommodation
It’s best to do this as soon as you have received your offer and your student visa has been granted, then you can secure your preferred accommodation.
Make sure to do your research and choose somewhere within a reasonable distance to the university campus. Check it ticks all your boxes regarding dorm size, catering, and even the friendliness of your fellow peers (Facebook groups and pages are great to gauge the kind of students you could be living alongside).
5. Book health cover
You may have heard the horror stories about students who failed to organise appropriate health insurance prior to their travels and find themselves in thousands of pounds worth of debt following medical treatment.
Book early, make a note of the emergency contact number, and keep all your documents safe.
6. Book your flights
Try to book your flights nice and early, especially if you're planning on moving in a peak time like the summer holidays.
There are plenty of great flight price comparison sites. We recommend Skyscanner which lets you choose and compare the cheapest dates to travel in an entire month.
7. Luggage
Getting all your stuff to your chosen university is a common worry for students who have more than 20kg worth of belongings.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on extra suitcases on your plane, luggage shipping sites will ship your belongings direct to your university accommodation.
Out of all the baggage shipping companies we compared, Seven Seas Worldwide came out as the cheapest and was the highest rated amongst university students.
Example study abroad process: Australia
Patrick Evans is an international study expert from Studies in Australia, he takes us through the process for those planning a trip Down Under:
1. Choose a course and a campus
There is plenty to consider when deciding what and where to study. If you have a specific sector of industry in mind, identify a university that offers a specialisation that will help you navigate this career path.
Depending on your personality, you might want to study at a massive, urban university, or alternatively, enjoy a different type of experience at a more intimate campus in a rural setting.
The size and location of the campus are important factors, as are the type of facilities and level of support offered to international students.
2. Apply and wait for your application to be processed
Before you apply, check the academic and English language requirements. Make sure you meet them before you apply.
You can download application forms from providers’ websites, request they be posted to you, or hire an education agent to look after this process on your behalf. Most application forms will require personal details and certified proof of your level of English.
3. Accept the offer and prepare for departure
A successful application will result in a letter of offer and an acceptance form, which you should read thoroughly before signing.
You will then receive Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which may include a request to pay a portion of your tuition up front. Now it’s time to apply for a student visa, which you will require you to present your CoE and organise plane tickets, Overseas Student Health Cover, and accommodation.
Most providers distribute an admissions package with additional information.
