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STUDYABROAD
The Ultimate
Guidebook
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 20000 Bachelors 35000 Masters 4000 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
Itrsquos 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 Masterrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 Therersquos
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 thatrsquos 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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 20000 Bachelors 35000 Masters 4000 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
Itrsquos 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 Masterrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 Therersquos
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 thatrsquos 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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 20000 Bachelors 35000 Masters 4000 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
Itrsquos 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 Masterrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 Therersquos
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 thatrsquos 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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
Itrsquos 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 Masterrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 Therersquos
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 thatrsquos 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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Therersquos
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 thatrsquos 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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 thatrsquos 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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
BSc and BA
The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts
(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The
study duration of a Bachelorrsquos 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
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The
abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for
laws A consecutive Masterrsquos 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
BEng
The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos 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
AD
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 Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
students receive the Associate Degree after the first two years and a Bachelorrsquos Degree
after another two years of studies
Masterrsquos level academic degrees
MA and MSc
The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the
Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme
worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history
communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A
MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health
and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a
research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to
complete
MPhil
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 MPhils provide a way
for students who run out of funding or
discover that a PhD is not the right option for
them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape
route that also awards a recognised degree
LLM
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 LLMs give you an opportunity to
specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you
donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM
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 ndash 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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
PhD (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 PhD is a scientific research
doctorate with a duration of typically three
to five years Typically a PhD degree is
pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Itrsquos 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 ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually
mean the same thing
Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to
the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos 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 Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as
well as Bachelorrsquos 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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
Bachelorrsquos 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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 youve decided study abroad but donrsquot 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 Dont 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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good
at and what your potential future career may look
like If yoursquore 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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 ndash 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 ndash These
may not always be easy to navigate
Study choice websites may provide
well-organised information about
the university yoursquore interested in
Subscribe to university or education
newsletters and download a
prospectus
Attend higher education fairs
Read education news ndash Keeping
informed about the latest international education policies
Read student reviews and experiences ndash 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 worldrsquos 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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 donrsquot 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 LanguageLearningPortalcom
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
ScholarshipPortaleu 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 canrsquot 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
yoursquoll 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
Itrsquos 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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Hollands 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 its 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 MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
Using MastersPortal to Find the Perfect Study
Programme
1 Visit the MastersPortaleu homepage
2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to
study and press ldquoSearchrdquo
3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full
list of over 35000 Masterrsquos 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 ldquoFilterrdquo 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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
universitydepartmentprogrammes website
8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the
Masterrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Bachelorrsquos 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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 156 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
ScholarshipPortaleu
Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid
a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash 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 ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
b) Specific scholarships ndash 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) ndash Often offered by governments but also by
charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your
familyrsquos financial situation
d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash
Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in
the world covering tuition accommodation
and living costs Read more here
e) Student loans ndash 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 ndash 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
(workacademic)
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 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
Apply for the StudyPortals Scholarship
With a dedicated Scholarship of 1000 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 wont miss any important deadlines and get your
paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application
process
Step 1 Take Language Tests
Once youve 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 yoursquoll 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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Bachelors or
Masters 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 Herersquos 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
Donrsquot 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 Itrsquos likely yoursquoll 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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
French certificates
Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)
Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
42000 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 ndash In addition to priceless
experience in a professional setting
some companies might offer paid part-
time or summer positions
Volunteering ndash Just like doing an
internship volunteering is beneficial for
your resume and does not require full
time commitment even though it
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing
a great sense of self-fulfilment
Freelancing ndash 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 ndash 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 ndash 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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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
Stexxeu and search through over 130000 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 universitiesrsquo
performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective
Universities which received the most
positive reviews (averaging 95 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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 Carsquo 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 ndash which Irsquod 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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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 personrsquos 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
- ebookCover
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook_v01
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