Study In Europe Quick Facts
There are different application deadlines for EU and Non-EU students.Study programs are categorized per cycle.European Higher Education Areafirst cycle programs = bachelor’s degreessecond cycle programs = master’s degreesEducation in Europe is highly subsidized through taxes.tuition feesNon-EU studentsThe ECTS system lets you understand your workload.ECTSThe Schengen Visa is only valid for 90 days.Study in Europe in the language of your preference.European higher education institutionsin English
Six Things You Need To Know About Uni In Europe
If you want to escape our Island, why look further than across the channel?
Uni in Europe is a wide-open field, as ready for the taking as Napoleon and Hitler once believed. Its universities are fantastic, the price is right and its culture is exquisite. Here’s the low-down:
1. OK, you do need another language. This is the biggest hurdle by far, and the reason that the continent has not been more exploited by Brits in the past. If you’re fresh out of school and want to start higher education in the traditional way, with a bachelor’s degree, you’ll struggle to find top quality European universities that will teach you in English.
In fact, you won’t even be admitted without native language skills, since most unis require a language test as part of the admission process.
However, bear in mind the following qualifications:
a) Many universities offer a number of individual courses taught in English. These normally last a semester, and you need a couple of dozen to earn enough points for a full degree, but if you choose a lot of them then the majority of your education will be in English anyway.
Such courses are, of course, typically the ones that are available to exchange students. This does not help with admission, which still requires a native language test in most cases if you want to study full time.
One or two unis now offer quite a few degrees in English – Maastricht and Groningen are probably the best.
Speaking of which,
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Welcome to University of Maryland Global Campus Europe. Take the first steps toward reaching your degree goals while serving your country overseas.
Eligibility: Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, American employees of the U.S. Government, and their family members residing within an overseas contracted site may enroll in classes through University of Maryland Global Campus Europe. See undergraduate or graduate admission requirements.
To get started, follow these steps:
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How To Apply To College As An International Student
Many colleges are seeking to make their campuses more globalized and welcome international applicants. At the same time, there arent as many spots available for international students in the USA as there are for domestic applicants, so you should make sure you understand the college process and can send off the strongest application possible.
Colleges vary in their individual policies and requirements, but for the most part, they all ask for the same materials. Most colleges ask for the following:
- Application
- Personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
Many of these components take months or even years to prepare, so college planning should start early in high school. Lets talk about each of these application components in detail, along with tips for preparing each.
Australia & New Zealand
Going much farther away from the US, the university sectors of Australia and New Zealand are well worth considering. The big difference here is that the southern hemisphere runs their academic year on a different calendar: in Australia and New Zealand summer happens in December, so the university year starts in late January or early February and runs through mid-December.
Both countries base their university systems on the UK model but offer more flexibility to choose electives and switch between courses.
There are forty-three universities in Australia and eight in New Zealand, all of which are regulated by their respective governments. All, except for three in Australia, are public universities.
Essential Tips:
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Australian universities offer students a combined or double degree pathway leading to two separate bachelors degrees. A standard degree is three years, but students who do well can stay for an additional fourth year and gain a degree with honors.
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Apart from medicine, expect to pay a maximum annual tuition of around $24,000 in Australia and around $18,000 in New Zealand.
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Both systems require you to apply directly to each university and will want to see evidence of your achievement in external examinations such as SAT, ACT, AP, or SAT Subject Tests.
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Get Prepared For The Toefl Or Ielts Test
If your first language is not English and youd like to study abroad, you will probably need to take an English language test. When planning your study abroad timeline and booking your test, take the preparation time for the test into account. Depending on your English language proficiency and your ability to use the English language, as well as the score that the university requires, youll need time to study and get prepared for the test.
Additionally, dont forget to book the test at least one month in advance because each test center offers tests a maximum of four times a month depending on local demand. If you apply late, it might be full.
The Appeal Of Studying Abroad
Perhaps the most common reason for attending an overseas university is to acquire a new and powerful life experience.
But there are more concrete reasons for crossing international borders. According to the Institute for International Education, research has shown that students who study in another country tend to graduate at higher rates than those who stay in the U.S. Whats more, with the increasing globalization of the economy, a graduate with an international perspective would seem to have an advantage over others in the job market, at least in some fields.
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What To Do If I Missed The University Application Deadline
Even if you missed the application date for a study programme, there is still a chance you can apply and get admitted. Here is what you should do:
- Check the university website, and perhaps the countrys application system website. You might find information on how to apply late.
- that offers the programme, and ask if they accept a late application. Dont explain too much why you missed the deadline, just focus on convincing them that you will be a good candidate.
- Once you can confirm that a late application will be considered for admission, dont waste time: Prepare all required documents and send them off. You may just be in luck!
Hong Kong & Singapore
Many options are available to study in English across Asia, in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, China, and India. However, two standout destinations with established English educational systems and populations fluent in English are Hong Kong and Singapore. Hong Kong, the special administrative region of China, was run by Britain for many years. The university system historically worked on the UK model. In 2012, however, the length of the degree was expanded from three to four years, allowing greater flexibility of study. Hong Kong has 21 higher education institutions, eight of which are public universities that are well-regarded internationally.
Singapore has some world-class universities among its total of 34 institutions, including six public universities. As Singapore has developed its education system in recent years, it has introduced new universities in partnership with US institutions. Yale-NUS College offers a liberal arts education. The Singapore Management University was created in partnership with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Essential Tips:
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Applying To College: International Vs Domestic Students
As an international student, you’ll largely take the same steps to apply to U.S. colleges as students from the U.S. You’ll just need to add a few extra steps to account for differences in languages, school curriculum, and grading systems. Below, you’ll find an overview of the main similarities and differences between applying for college as an international student in the U.S. and applying as a domestic student.
Check The Admission Requirements
Before applying, check that your current qualifications are recognized by your chosen university. To study in Germany you need to have a recognized Hochschulzugangsberechtigung , meaning higher education entrance qualification.
For prospective undergraduate students, a high-school diploma, school-leaving certificate or university entrance exam result is usually sufficient, and the DAAD has a database of information on admission requirements for selected countries. Students with qualifications from outside Europe may have to sit the Feststellungsprüfung entrance examination after attending a preparatory Studienkolleg, although high-achieving students may be able to bypass this.
Youll also need to check the language requirements. Most courses are taught in German, requiring international applicants to submit proof of proficiency in the German language. Two main tests are available for this purpose: the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang and the TestDaF.
Likewise, if your course is taught in English, unless you are a native speaker or have previously studied in English, you will need to prove your knowledge of the language with a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Universities will usually state the score/s they require on their websites.
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Translate And Authenticate Your Documents
If youre applying to study a program taught in English abroad, you will need to translate your documents to English. Be aware that the translations should be authenticated by a competent authority. If you arent sure what authorities are accepted by your prospective university, check their website or inquire about it with an admissions official.
Look For Scholarships And Student Aid
Student Aid from the U.S. government is available for many people who are interested in studying abroad. The Federal Student Aid website has a list of all of the European colleges that participate in the program, and you can also learn more about the loan application process through the site. There are numerous scholarships that are based in the United States but can be applied to schools outside of the country as well. When looking for financial assistance, it is important to verify that a loan or assistance program is available for the particular university that you want to attend.
Along with being able to get into a university in Europe, it’s also essential that you know that you will be able to do well in the environment that you will be learning in. When applying for admission, be sure to consider both the admission requirements as well as if you’ll be able to succeed at your chosen school.
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Cost Of Living Calculators:
College In Europe: Nine Reasons You Need To Evaluate This Option
Whether youre still in high school contemplating your freshman year, an older person returning to college, or if youre considering getting a masters degree, here are nine reasons why you should consider college in Europe:
1. Tuition is Much More Affordable than the US
In continental Europe, the average cost of all the English-taught bachelors programs is just $7,390 per year.
Since 1985, US college costs have surged by about 500 percent, and tuition and fees continue to rise. According to the College Board, the average tuition rates in the US for a bachelors degree is $9,410 for in-state tuition at a public university, $23,890 for out-of-state tuition at a public university and $32,410 for a private university. For masters degrees, the average tuition is just $9,050 per year and the average duration is 1.76 years, so the average cost of getting a masters is $15,928. With average tuition at over $30,000, getting a masters in Europe is less than half the tuition cost of getting a masters from a public university in the US.
Even when you factor in the cost of travel, going to college in Europe is at a minimum comparable to an affordable American college programand often cheaper.
2. Thousands of Programs to Choose From
According to our research, there are more than 300 European colleges and universities offering more than 1,900 bachelors programs in English. There are over 6,500 different masters programs at 475 schools. All are taught 100% in English.
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Applying To College As An International Student: 3 Final Tips
Applying to college is a complex process, and it becomes even more complicated for international college students due to additional steps, like taking the TOEFL and having your materials translated and certified.
By familiarizing yourself with the entire process, you can make sure that you have enough time to prepare all your materials by the deadline. With this knowledge, you can produce a competitive application that will secure you a spot at a U.S. college.
As you work your way through the steps, remember these three key tips.
Bachelor Degree Programs In Europe
Many of the bachelor degree programs in Europe are 3-year programs. Keep this in mind when you are doing your research and calculating the full cost of the degree. That said, Spain mainly has 4-year degrees, so it will vary based on country. This is just something for you to be aware of and make note.
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Which Documents Do You Need For Your University Application
The application closing dates in the table above usually mean that by then you must have submitted your complete application. Check with the universities for the details – but in general, applying for a Bachelor or Master means you have to submit the following documents:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Previous degree certificates or grade transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency
- Copy of your passport or national ID
- Academic reference letters
- Documentation for programme-specific requirements
In some cases, some of these documents can be supplied after the actual application deadline – so long as you began your application before that date. Make sure to read the admissions guidelines to know exactly what documents are needed when.
Tips For Your Letters Of Recommendation
Just as you should give yourself plenty of time to write your college essay, you should give your recommenders sufficient time to write your letters. You should ask your recommenders at least one month before your deadlines. You might also ask at the end of junior year.
Its best to ask teachers who had you recently and for a whole year junior year teachers tend to be a good bet. If your teachers write in another language, then youll have to get your letters translated.
The best letters come from educators who know you well, so you should ask teachers with whom you have a strong connection. You might also via conversation and a brag sheet, a document you can prepare to help your teachers. You could talk about your favorite classes, significant experiences, and academic and personal goals for college.
For many colleges, your recommendation letters are a very important part of your college application. Admissions officers are sifting through many strong applicants and trying to gain a clearer idea of who you are as a person. Your recommendation letters are a great opportunity to showcase your positive relationships with your teachers and successes in school.
Now that weve gone over the main parts of your college application – the application itself, transcript, standardized testing scores, essays, and letters of recommendation – lets consider some final tips for applying to college as an international student.
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When Do Grad School Programs Start In Europe How Long Are They
For the most part, the Masters programs start in September, though in some cases they will start in October . The standard European Masters program is 2 years in length, but there are a few that are just 1 year, full-time, and really dont allow for opportunities to work on the side.
Some programs are actually 2 years part-time, but only for EU students. Case in point with University College Dublin: I had to apply to the full-time version of the program because I was an international student.
A final consideration for timing is how the terms fall. Oxford has three main 8-week terms with two 6-week break terms separating them. Some German universities have two main terms, from October-February and March-July. It varies.
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2 main terms fall and spring, with summer break |
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