Choosing a university abroad
Studying abroad means choosing a country, a system and a university at once. Each choice affects cost, how long the degree takes and what you can do afterwards.
Start with the course
Pick the subject first, then look for the universities that teach it well. The structure of a degree varies by country. Bachelor's degrees in England usually take three years, in Scotland four, and in the United States and Canada usually four. Some systems let you choose your major later. Others expect you to specialise from the first day.
Check recognition
Make sure the university is recognised by the government of the country it is in, and that the degree will be recognised where you want to work. For regulated professions, such as medicine, nursing, law, teaching and engineering, check with the professional body in the country where you plan to practise before you accept a place.
Use rankings with care
Global rankings weight research output and reputation surveys heavily. They say little about teaching quality in a particular subject. Subject rankings, course content, class sizes and graduate outcomes are more useful for choosing a course.
Count the full cost
Add tuition for every year, accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, visa fees and flights. Most student visa systems ask you to show funds for tuition and living costs, and the amounts change, so read the immigration authority's current figures.
Entry requirements and tests
Universities set requirements for each school qualification, such as the IB Diploma, A levels or a US high school diploma with AP scores. Non-native speakers usually need an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or the Pearson Test of English. Some courses add admissions tests, portfolios or interviews.
Application systems
Many countries use a central system: UCAS in the UK, Studielink in the Netherlands, and provincial systems such as OUAC in Ontario. In the United States, most universities accept the Common App. Deadlines differ, so build one calendar for every application.
Comparing offers
Once you hold offers, compare total cost, scholarships, course structure, work rights during and after study, and the conditions you still need to meet. UniversitiesDB lists universities by country, and its comparison tool puts universities next to each other.