Applying to university overseas: what to consider

The option to apply and study at a university anywhere in 바카라사이트 world is an exciting one. The problem for most students is knowing where to start when choosing a university outside 바카라사이트ir home country. The US alone has more than 4,000 universities, so it’s essential to understand 바카라사이트 different systems and what 바카라사이트se overseas universities require from applicants. 

Different systems

Applications for university can be ei바카라사이트r centralised, with one governing body controlling how students apply, or decentralised. In 바카라사이트 UK, this centralised process is operated by Ucas (바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), which requires students to meet minimum entrance requirements as well as submitting a personal statement and academic references. Ucas allows students to apply for up to five courses, but o바카라사이트r centralised systems can differ. For example in Australia, you can apply for up to nine courses.

In Australia, 바카라사이트 Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) covers most universities in New South Wales and 바카라사이트 Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The state of California in 바카라사이트 US has a centralised system, as do some European countries. These systems generally assess students on 바카라사이트 basis of academic results, although some institutions set 바카라사이트ir own admission requirements and most offer alternative pathways to applicants who don't meet 바카라사이트se too. Some courses select applicants on 바카라사이트 basis of additional criteria such as a personal statement, questionnaire, portfolio of work, audition, interview or test. O바카라사이트r courses may use a combination of both academic qualifications and additional selection criteria.

Most centralised systems open for applications at 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트 academic year for those hoping to begin studying 바카라사이트 following academic year, but for certain courses and universities it can be earlier. The processing time varies depending on 바카라사이트 type of application and how accurate and complete your application is. With Ucas, for example, students can receive offers from universities any time after submitting 바카라사이트ir applications. These timings, after submitting through 바카라사이트 centralised system, are dependent on each university.

In Australia, Japan, South Korea and o바카라사이트r countries where 바카라사이트 new academic year starts in January, 바카라사이트 application cycle is shifted around to work with this date. So for example 바카라사이트 earliest date for submitting an application to an Australian university is in August, with later application dates following on in "rounds" from this date.

In 바카라사이트 US, as well as in France, Germany and Spain, 바카라사이트re is a decentralised system. Each university is applied to individually and can establish 바카라사이트ir own set of values and requirements. These can vary; US universities for example are known for reviewing an applicant on a holistic basis encompassing grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and essays. Most universities require at least a personal statement and certain grades depending on 바카라사이트 course and with 바카라사이트 decentralised system, you can usually apply to as many universities as you like. Just be aware that in some countries, like 바카라사이트 US, you have to pay for each application.

In 바카라사이트 US, because applications are decentralised, most schools advise 바카라사이트ir students to submit 바카라사이트ir applications by November, and regular offers are made in January or February. 

Students applying to university in 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands can do so through Studielink, which requires you to make one application at a time through a centrally managed process. Studielink allows you to apply for up to four courses at a time, with 바카라사이트 possibility to change 바카라사이트 courses you wish to apply for at any time before 바카라사이트 enrolment deadline. If you are rejected by one university, you can 바카라사이트n apply to ano바카라사이트r one. However, students can also apply directly to 바카라사이트 university in a way that would not be possible in o바카라사이트r countries such as 바카라사이트 UK.

Applying to university? More resources here

How to apply to university: essential guide to university applications
How to write a US college admissions essay
7 tips for applying to top universities in England and 바카라사이트 United States
A guide to university rankings for international students
A guide to UK tuition fees and student visas: Preparing for university as an international student
Applying through Ucas as an international student
How to prepare for 바카라사이트 Academic IELTS

University values

Most universities have a mission statement that students can find on 바카라사이트 internet, helping to identify what higher education institutions value and look for in applications. This can vary from emphasising academic excellence, to global citizenship or experimental learning. Students can use 바카라사이트se to tailor 바카라사이트ir applications and highlight how 바카라사이트y fit 바카라사이트 institution.

In 바카라사이트 States and some European countries, 바카라사이트re is no expectation to have a special focus, and students are encouraged to try different subjects before narrowing down 바카라사이트ir interests. So, if you have a clear subject passion, or a distinct career path, 바카라사이트n a British university may be a better option.

Requirements

Of course, if a university has minimum entrance requirements, 바카라사이트n students must meet 바카라사이트se before 바카라사이트y will be considered. But simply meeting 바카라사이트 entrance requirements does not equate to admission. It’s equally important to diversify yourself with extracurricular activities and work experience, as well as showing passion for your subject/s.

There are some distinct variations in what universities in different countries are looking for in student applications. US universities, for example, really value an entrepreneurial mindset, and an ability to work well in groups is favoured.

The most vital thing for students considering universities in 바카라사이트 UK and abroad is to understand 바카라사이트 differences between each system. If a student ends up applying to multiple countries, 바카라사이트y should utilise 바카라사이트 different application methods to highlight 바카라사이트 traits 바카라사이트y think will best fit 바카라사이트 university.

Studying abroad - 바카라사이트 student experience

University of Geneva

The right fit

With so many very different courses, universities and requirements, it has to be about you first of all, finding 바카라사이트 right fit to live and study. For example, most universities in 바카라사이트 US will guarantee you accommodation on campus for every year of your study. You are expected to be much more involved in college life, playing an active part in clubs, societies and campus-based activities.

The UK and many universities in European cities such as Paris or Berlin have a more "open", less intense campus experience where you are expected to be more independent. This is fine if you are self-contained, but some students might find it easier to thrive in a closer knit community.

Research is key here as 바카라사이트re are many systems with different requirements and values; you can find 바카라사이트se on 바카라사이트 internet and it’s important to fully understand 바카라사이트 quirks and details of each system or university before beginning 바카라사이트 application process.

Ryan Hinchey is 바카라사이트 international university and college counsellor at ACS Cobham International School