It’s 2024, yet surprisingly, many people still don’t know how to process their study abroad applications despite all the information available online. When you decide to study abroad, you need to start gathering the necessary information. You can search on Google, YouTube, blogs, etc. Even if you’re short on time and need to use an agency or organization, you should know what they are doing. Sometimes, agencies might mislead you, so it’s your responsibility to verify everything yourself. Many people overlook this, especially in South Asia. Today, I’m going to discuss 6 simple steps that will help you easily complete the entire process for studying abroad. The process for studying abroad is almost the same for every country up to a certain point. After that, it differs from country to country. Let’s start with spep one.
Step 1
At the very beginning of your journey, you need to decide which subject you want to study abroad. Generally, most students are interested in studying the same subject as their bachelor’s major, but sometimes they want to switch subjects based on their interests, job, or business purposes. Students who complete A-Levels or 12th grade have the freedom to choose any subject they want. I always recommend studying a master’s program because students are more mature at this stage, and the study cost will be lower due to the shorter duration compared to a bachelor’s program abroad. Whatever you choose, you need to decide on your subject of study. If you’re still unsure, feel free to contact me with the information below, and I will guide you to the best of my ability.
Step 2
I suppose you’ve already confirmed your subject. Now it’s time to select the university where you want to study. It’s not safe to select only one university and apply there. I always suggest students who want to study abroad create an Excel sheet to note down university details. In this sheet, choose multiple columns with headings like University, Country, Location, CGPA, IELTS requirements, and others you want. Make a list of 20-25 universities based on your educational background. This step requires hard work because it is time-consuming. You need to search on Google multiple times to find the best universities based on your profile. Once you’ve done this, it will be easier to decide on the next steps. I recommend finding public universities because sometimes it is difficult to know everything about a university when you’re in another country. This isn’t always the case since many universities are well-known.
Step 3
When you have completed step 2, it’s time for elimination. The Excel columns named Country and City show you the locations for every university you listed. Now think about which country is best for you based on your needs. Sometimes students want to stay there after their studies, and sometimes they want to come back. You might find job opportunities or business prospects. So, it’s necessary to understand the current situation of the countries you listed and determine which one or two are the best fit for you. You can make a list of your major demands and then filter out the countries that meet most of your criteria. It’s not too difficult because all the information is available online. If you’re still confused, feel free to contact me.
Step 4
Now we are ready to collect documents. By now, you have likely selected two countries and four or five universities. Check the required documents for applying to these specific universities. This part is crucial because you can’t apply for admission without all your documents. Typically, these documents include a passport, academic transcripts, IELTS score, letters of recommendation (LOR), and a statement of purpose (SOP). There are usually no additional documents that universities require. The time needed for this step can vary based on your situation. Many students start their IELTS preparation and arrange their passports simultaneously, as these processes can be lengthy in some countries. For example, I obtained my passport almost two years before applying. However, due to the Eid vacation, I struggled to collect my academic records and LOR from my bachelor’s institute. Sometimes, universities require official papers via courier, so you must be mindful of your timing.
Step 5
Once you have all the required documents, you are ready to apply. You can apply on your own, and it’s a simple process. All the information about applying is available on the universities’ websites. Follow their instructions and apply to the 4 or 5 universities you have selected. Generally, you will need to create a portal on their website and upload all documents and pictures. Once you have completed this, the universities will inform you of their decision via email within 1 to 3 weeks. This decision is called an offer letter, confirming your selection by the universities. If you receive offer letters from all or 2-3 universities, you are now ready for the final step: the visa application.
Step 6
The final and most important phase is the visa application. If your visa gets rejected, you won’t be able to study abroad. So, you need to handle this very carefully. While the previous steps are almost the same for every university, the final steps for the visa application may differ from country to country due to their internal government rules and restrictions. This phase can be challenging, but all the information about applying for a visa is available on the embassy’s website in your country. Simply go on Google and search for the embassy of the specific country. For example, if you want to study in Canada and you live in Dubai, search for the Canadian embassy in Dubai. You will find their location, address, and website. If you’re not comfortable using the website, you can email them directly for visa application information, and they will reply with the details. Once you complete your visa application and receive your visa, it’s time to fly. Just buy a ticket and make your dream come true.