Study Abroad Planning Guide for Indian Students:
From First Research to University Application
Studying abroad is exciting but the process of studying abroad is quite complex for those who don’t have much experience with it in the beginning.
Whether you’re planning on searching for universities, creating an application, managing your documentation, or budgeting, there’s quite a bit to think about when you decide to study abroad. For Indian students, taking the time to start early can have an enormous impact on the study abroad planning process.
This beginner’s guide will help you through the entire study abroad journey starting from the very first research to submitting your application to a dream university abroad.
Step 1: Clarity About Courses and Specialisation
Before you start looking for universities, you should have a clear idea about what you want to study.
You should ask yourself a few questions:
Which course or specialisation do I want to pursue?
I want to do an MBA/PGDM/Masters in Management/Commerce/Finance/Marketing/Business Analytics
What level of study do I want to pursue?
Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Doctorate, etc.
What are the job prospects after completing the course?
How long do I want to study for?
Do I want to pursue a particular field of study or qualification?
This will define your search criteria for universities and course.
Step 2: Research on Preferred Countries
Based on your desired course, specialisation, and personal preferences, you can start researching countries that offer the courses you’re interested in.
You should look into different country-specific aspects like,
Tuition and living fee
Entry requirements
Universities offering the desired courses
Length of the courses
Work opportunities and post-graduation options
Scholarships or financial aid
Language of instruction
VISA regulations and other legal documents, etc.
Although certain countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland, the USA, and European countries are the most preferred destinations for Indian students, your search should not be limited to these options. You should choose a country based on the requirements, cost, and other preferences.
Read More- How to Choose the Right Foreign Education Counsellor in Durgapur
Step 3: Shortlist Courses and Universities
Based on the countries of your choice, you can now search for universities that provide the courses that you’re interested in.
Apart from general information about the universities like their ranking system, you should look for the following:
Course curriculum
Location of the university
Facilities available at the university
Tuition and fees
Entry requirements
Language of instruction
Scholarships offered
Work opportunities after completing the course.
Now, shortlist a few universities keeping the following in mind:
Ambitious
Target
Safe
This way, you give yourself multiple options instead of putting all your efforts into one university.
Step 4: Check Eligibility and Requirement
As per the requirements set by universities, all the eligibility criteria and documents needed for the application process must be gathered.
Indian students usually need the following documents:
Academic mark sheet/certificates
Passport
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letter of Recommendation (LORs) – if required
CV or Resume
English Proficiency Test Report (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL) – if required
GRE/GMAT – if required
Portfolio – if required. Applicants must create a list of requirements for every university. This will keep them updated about the documents that are needed for the process.
Step 5: Start Preparing Documents
Applicants must make a list of all the documents that might be needed during the entire application process as preparing them might take more time than expected.
They should always have their academic and personal documents with them. Apart from academic transcripts, applicants must carry their passports with them as they might be required at any point of the application process.
Moreover, applicants must prepare their SOPs and CV beforehand. It is essential to mention all the relevant information about one’s academic and professional life, achievements, goals, etc. in the application. They should mention why they want to study abroad and the course of their choice.
Step 6: Budgeting
The entire application process for studying abroad can be expensive depending on the country, course, and the university.
Applicants should make a list of all the expenses that they might incur during the entire application process. This should include the following:
Tuition fee and other fees
Cost of boarding
Food and other daily expenses
Health insurance fee
Visa and application processing fee
Travel expenses
Cost of study materials
Emergency fund.
They should also research scholarships, education loans, grants, and any other financial aid that can help fund their study abroad dreams. Knowing the exact amount can be extremely helpful for students to prepare themselves for the process.
Step 7: Track Deadlines and Submit the Application
One of the best things about studying abroad in 2023 is that an applicant can track the different cut-off dates of various universities.
Applicants must keep a note of all the important dates for submitting the application, taking up the entrance exams, document verification, etc.
Before submitting the application form, applicants must ensure that all the personal and academic information mentioned is correct. After submitting the application form, it is essential to keep track of all the updates sent via emails or directly on the application portal.
Step 8: Take Help From Professionals
The study abroad process can be confusing at times which is why taking help from professionals can help you get clarity and make better decisions.
From helping you understand the courses, assisting in shortlisting the universities, looking over your application, documentation, and preparing you for the next steps, professional counsellors can help in every step of the way. The most important thing is to take action early on to ensure that there’s enough time to get everything ready.
FAQs
1. When should I start planning to study abroad?
Ideally, one should start by researching about the courses and universities 8-12 months ahead of time. Students might need more time depending on the entrance exam, English proficiency test, budget, and other requirements.
2. Do I need to take an English proficiency test?
The need for an English proficiency test depends on the university, course, country, and the applicant’s academic background.
3. How many universities should I apply to?
This varies from student to student. It is necessary to shortlist the universities based on your academic background, budget, course, etc. rather than focusing on a particular number.
4. Can I study abroad with an average academic score?
This depends on the university, country, course, and the applicant’s overall profile.
5. Can I get assistance with the entire application process?
Yes, students can get assistance with the entire application process from an education counsellor.
Take Smart Abroad Global’s Guidance to Study Abroad
Planning your international education doesn’t have to be a headache. With Smart Abroad Global, students can get guidance based on their academic background, course preference, country, budget, and other requirements.
Smart Abroad Global offers individualised guidance to students at every step of the way from university shortlisting to preparing the application and personal statements.
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