What do you need to enter a foreign university? Tips for preparing for admission to foreign universities and mistakes that are best avoided. Standardized Tests, Essays, and Research Projects
Students enroll in Western universities to live abroad and gain more opportunities for future employment. But the cost of tuition at many universities runs into thousands of dollars, and after the fall of the ruble, education abroad has become even less affordable for Russians.
But you can get a diploma from a good Western university for free or for little money. The Village spoke with students who went to study in the USA, Canada, France, Italy and Germany, and asked how they managed to enroll on a budget and what they did for it.
How to proceed?
Sofia Rakitina
student at the University of Tor Vergata, Rome
I graduated from the Faculty of Sociology of Lomonosov Moscow State University last year. The dream of going to study abroad appeared in my mind while still in school - I remember how, while submitting documents to Moscow State University, I saw on the first floor of the Social Sciences Department building a wall newspaper with students’ impressions of educational internships in Finland and Germany, this largely determined my choice upon admission. Unfortunately, during my studies I was never able to fulfill my dream: visits to the international department of Moscow State University ended with me being sent to my department, where they told me that I needed to go back to the main building. I collected information bit by bit.
Then I chose the country and study program rather among the available offers than based on any of my own desires, although, of course, English-speaking countries were a priority. After graduating from Moscow State University, I entered the master's program at The University of Bradford. I chose the university based on its ranking and passing scores in the IELTS exam. That year, the exchange rate rose very strongly, and after much deliberation, my parents and I decided that even with scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, textbooks and flights would hit our family’s budget very hard. I had to turn down this opportunity.
This year my choice fell on the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata), where I will study in the master's program at Faculty of Economics. I also entered the University of Pisa, but decided that I still wanted to study and live in Rome. What’s captivating is that it’s easier to find a job in a big city, and besides, I really like to spend my leisure time not sitting on the couch.
The admission process was long and not without hassle. I submitted my documents back in March. I received a response from the universities only in mid-June, and then I was frantically running around filling out documents. In general, according to the rules for admission in Italy, documents can only be submitted to one university, and the procedure for communication with the university takes place through the cultural center of Italy. The student brings documents there, the university sends them to the university, and after a while lists of students whose candidacies have been approved by the admissions committee are published.
There is no public higher education in Italy. Studying at public universities is relatively inexpensive - from 300 to 3 thousand euros per year, in private schools the price tag is much higher
To submit documents, you must translate your diploma into Italian language, get a diploma apostille and issue Dichiarazione di valore - confirmation of educational documents at the Italian consulate, which also costs money and time. But, probably, in order to increase the number of applicants, some universities are ready to give students an answer in advance about the possibility of admission without these papers, so that they, having secured their approval, can calmly begin to fill out all the papers.
There is no public higher education in Italy. Studying at public universities is relatively inexpensive - from 300 to 3 thousand euros per year; in private schools the price tag is much higher. My university pays tuition for students from poor families (unfortunately or fortunately, I do not meet the criteria). I will still be fighting for a scholarship to cover housing costs in the fall, when the competition opens.
Accommodation on the campus that my university offers is very expensive (from 500 to 900 euros per month). Therefore, I will rent a room in an apartment within walking distance from the faculty for 300 euros. There are really a lot of expenses: paying for housing for two months in advance, air tickets, a visa, buying shoes and clothes for the new school year, and so on. In order to obtain a study visa, you need to have about 450 thousand rubles on your card.
So far, my plans are to adapt to another country, improve my Italian, and find work opportunities. I don’t like to shout about big goals; I prefer to show results.
Sasha Levkun
PhD student at the University of California, San Diego
In June of this year, I graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the Higher School of Economics. Since September, I have been continuing my studies in the PhD program at the University of California, San Diego.
At the beginning of the third year of my bachelor's degree, I thought about an academic career, and by the end of the course I had already convinced myself that the level of aspirations and the rhythm of life in an academic environment corresponded to my ambitions and character. Professor Anton Suvorov, who was my supervisor in the third year and brought me to my thesis supervisor, Maarten Janssen, helped me a lot with his advice and guidance. The process of choosing a country was quite simple, because most of the leading PhD programs in economics are located in the USA.
The package of documents consists of GRE and TOEFL certificates, transcripts of grades, resume, motivation letter and, probably the most important thing - recommendations of professors with whom you worked during your studies. Recommendations are usually a key factor in deciding whether to admit a student to a program. When applying for a PhD, the entire package of documents is sent to 10–20 universities to maximize the chances of admission to a program whose level matches the student’s intentions. I sent documents to nine American universities and one French one. The documents themselves are sent in December, and responses from universities come from February to mid-April.
PhD programs in the USA usually support students entirely for the duration of their studies, so this was not a problem. All the money comes from the university itself, which covers the cost of training, and also provides a scholarship and salary for the services of a grader, seminarian or laboratory assistant.
The program lasts five years. In the first year, the emphasis is on three core courses: microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. At the end of the year you will have to take very important exams for these courses. In the second year of study, an idea usually appears of an area of economics that is more interesting and within which the student would like to write his dissertation. Accordingly, the student takes courses that suit his interests. The last three years are devoted to the actual writing of the dissertation. Now I’m interested in something at the intersection of game theory and statistics, but perhaps my field of interest will change or expand.
For the first year, my two classmates and I rented a house not far from the university - this is a common practice, at least in California. The moving costs themselves consist of purchasing plane tickets and visa fees. Expected local costs, which include rent, transportation, food, clothing, etc., should be covered by the stipend with a small margin. Scholarships at universities vary, which is due to naturally different living expenses in different cities: they range from 20 to 35 thousand dollars a year.
Now I want to successfully complete my first year of study. I’m not yet ready to answer about a longer-term time interval.
Nastya Dreval
student at the Sorbonne, Paris
Before moving, I studied for a master's degree at the theater studies department of GITIS. I was interested in the theater of the absurd and the drama of the absurd. I started studying Beckett a lot. That's how I decided to pursue my studies abroad: I decided that, to be completely absurd, I wanted to sit on Beckett's grave and write a dissertation on Beckett. And Beckett’s grave is in Paris, and going to the Sorbonne or the Ecole Normale Supérieure is beautiful. That's how I chose the University Paris III New Sorbonne (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3 - Département: Institut d'Etudes Théâtrales, IET).
I don’t think that studying abroad provides any special advantages in finding a job, for example. In my opinion, the more mobile a person is, the more mobile his thoughts are. Going somewhere to study or do an internship is like adding a little butter to pasta. I don't want to get stuck together, so I look for and use any opportunities that involve movement.
The concepts “on a budget” and “on a scarf” are not entirely suitable here. In France, all education is free, with the exception of some special schools and institutes. I decided to do it easy. The next stage was perhaps the most difficult, but once you have really made up your mind, it is impossible to quit. There is some kind of unhealthy excitement in collecting documents. In total, this is about 80 scanned pages that need to be uploaded into a special Campus France dossier. These pages are not only translated copies of the certificate, diploma and certificate of study, but also all the documents that are related to my activities in the theater. Few people think about this, but preparing documents is expensive! All these translations and notarizations cost me about 30 thousand rubles.
Collection of documents takes place in autumn and winter. Around the same time, it would be good to prepare for the language exam. In France you can take either DALF or TCF. I chose TCF because it seems easier to me. The required passing level is different at all universities. I applied to nine programs, three of which rejected me due to a low language level (I have an average B2).
It is quite difficult to raise money to apply for a visa. Long-term student visa is requested for a year, that's why it counts there must be a large amount lying around
Having received the exam result, I added this last document to my dossier, clicked the “send for review” button and waited. Campus France checked all the documents and invited me for an interview. At the interview, they ask you to tell us what you want to do after training, how well you know English, and they may ask you to correct some scanned documents. If everything is in order with documents and motivation, Campus France presses the no return button. Responses from universities begin to arrive by mail in mid-April.
At the beginning of July, as a rule, everything is already clear regarding admission.
I haven't received a scholarship yet, but I hope so. I don’t have a schedule yet, but from the program I learned that I will study until about three, theory and practice will be approximately equal, and there will be about a million additional seminars and special courses.
My program does not provide for dormitories, so I will rent a room (or rather, half a room in a studio with an attic) together with a neighbor. You can rent a private room in some hostels for the same money or even a little cheaper, but I wouldn’t want to live in unsafe areas.
It is quite difficult to raise money to apply for a visa. A long-term student visa is requested for a year, so a large amount must be in the account. On the site visa center It is written that the monthly cost of living is 615 euros. I multiplied 615 euros by 11 months (because we are studying until July), and my mother collected this amount from her savings and from friends. As soon as I was given a visa, we, of course, gave the money back. Another financial challenge is renting a place to live and buying food. I calculated that on average I would need about a thousand euros a month for the first time, and once I got used to it, about 850 euros. 550 of them is the monthly rent for half a room (chambre partagée) in a good area.
I hope to understand in two years whether I want to build an academic career or work. I also hope that being thrown from one cultural background to another will help me write a couple of good stories or a short book.
Anna Malova
Glasgow University student
Frankly speaking, I have always wanted to study abroad. While studying at the Faculty of Economics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, I traveled to Canada and realized that I would like to get a scientific degree abroad. There was only one problem with this scheme - finances. I quickly realized that the easiest and most straightforward way for me was to get a fellowship for research programs.
The PhD program is designed for five years, which you must spend entirely on research in your chosen field. Tuition is paid in full by the host universities, including accommodation, meals and any related expenses. However, the enrollment for such programs is only 10-20 people, and there are many more applicants, so the university needs to prove that you have great research potential and will bring glory to the university when you become an important shot in the scientific world. You can’t get into the world’s top universities without publications in scientific journals and recommendations from literally world-famous professors. Not to mention the fact that you will have to pass TOEFL or IELTS with a very decent score, GRE (if we are talking about economics), write a strong motivation letter and spend a lot of effort filling out various forms when applying.
In the fall of my fourth year, I thought that I would go to get my PhD in the States, so I passed all the necessary exams, enlisted the support of several teachers and applied to two universities. I was stupid when I hoped for something, and, naturally, I didn’t get in anywhere, because in order to get in, you need to apply to at least ten universities and that this list should include those in which admission to which is almost certain. In principle, I didn’t really try to enroll in a PhD, because the five-year commitment scared me terribly, and I couldn’t find a similar kind of scholarship for a master’s degree in the USA. By the summer, I had calmed down and decided to stay in Russia for a master’s degree, and only then decide whether I still wanted a doctorate degree or not.
But on the day of the exams for the master's program at Moscow State University, a letter from my faculty came to my personal email that the University of Glasgow (University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK) has a scholarship for Masters by Research in Economics (a master's program that you can complete in two years, complete your studies three more years and get a PhD), but you need to apply urgently. Since I received all the necessary certificates back in the fall, I simply decided to try my luck and sent all the documents that I had.
Two days later I received an answer that I had been accepted and that I urgently needed to apply for a visa: academic year starts on September 5th. The scholarship was enough for the British Embassy to issue me a study visa without hesitation. By the way, the visa itself turned out to be terribly expensive, and since I could only get a scholarship directly in the UK, my mother had to invest. But I promised to return everything to her in a couple of months! The embassy requires about a thousand pounds sterling per month if the university is not in London, and the scholarship should be slightly higher than this amount. I think I can live on less money - I hope that about 300-400 pounds will remain in my piggy bank every month. By the way, living in a hostel will cost about 450 pounds a month, which is not cheaper than renting an apartment, but I would like to spend at least the first year on campus surrounded by other students. I lived in a hostel for all four years in Moscow.
For the next two years, I will be taking classes and doing research under the guidance of several professors on a topic that interests me. But if I hadn’t invested in exams and recommendations last fall, no one would have invited me to study economics “at the expense of the institution.” You need to prepare and plan your studies at least one and a half to two years in advance, accumulating money for applying and passing exams, engaging in research activities, in addition to coursework and a diploma. Submitting an application on the website to a foreign university costs about $100, each exam (language proficiency certificate and GRE/GMAT) costs another $255.
Personally, I don’t know what will happen in ten years, but I know for sure that in the foreseeable future I would like to get a PhD in one of the most prestigious universities world, definitely in the USA, because childhood dreams are ineradicable, and postgraduate education in the States is practically the best in the world.
Lina Markina
student at the University of Avignon and Vaucluse
I love studying, I always wanted to get a second degree. She graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University and a year ago decided to move to France for this purpose. Why exactly there? This is one of the very few countries where foreign citizens Free training possible. I chose an educational institution based on a slightly strange principle - I looked for cities that were close to the ocean or sea, relatively calm, and not crowded with tourists. I applied to six universities, I was accepted into several, and I decided to go to Avignon - the climate is suitable, and not far from all major cities, and the sea is several tens of kilometers away (and there is also Provence, as Yolka sang).
There was only one exam to pass - for language proficiency (level B2–C1, depending on the university requirements). In Russia and not only there is a special office called Campus France - their representatives advise future students, conduct interviews, accept your documents in the electronic dossier for those entering the university. Without this procedure, foreigners simply physically will not be able to get to study in France.
You must first pay the registration fee, then transfer all documents (diploma, certificate, birth certificate, work certificates and/or work book) to French and notarize all this, and even with an apostille. Campus checks all this, if everything is ok, it confirms the dossier, and you can start sending documents to universities. The most important thing is to also write a good motivation letter, where you explain why the hell you need all this and why the hell this country (not your own, but the host, of course) needs you. The application for study must be submitted by March 31, then the off season begins until mid-summer - this is when you sit and wait for all universities to respond. Usually they begin to respond in May, but they can also do so at the end of July.
To tell the truth, it’s a mystery to me how they choose who goes to the paid one and who goes to the free one. Typically, state universities have a certain quota for students who are provided with free places. In general, the French have a division between the university and the high school, studying at school is considered much more prestigious, but the cost of education exceeds all imaginable limits. So I just sat and hoped that they would accept me for free, although I didn’t really doubt it, because I sent the documents to not the most popular cities (Paris was not even considered by me).
I don’t yet know how exactly everything will be arranged at my faculty, because studies begin only on September 5, and in August all universities are on vacation. I will wait until the beginning of the month to go through all the administrative and pedagogical procedures and choose my subjects.
I rented a room while in Moscow: the French embassy requires students to provide accommodation reservations for the first three months in France. Why three is unclear. I looked for housing on websites. I managed to find an adequate landlady who was ready to rent out a room to me without ever seeing me in my life, and I paid her a deposit and the first month’s rent without even looking. The stars have aligned, and now I have a nice room and a 20-meter-long ivy-covered private courtyard that only my neighbor and I can use.
It is impossible to determine the exact amount of money my parents and I spent on the move. I can only say that from August to December I spent a lot of money on teachers who prepared me for the DELF exam (during this time, by hook or by crook, I managed to reach level B2, although back in July I had A2), I spent literally everything money for this, I didn’t go anywhere, I sat and crammed all day and night. After the exam, I began saving almost 70% of my salary for my future life in France. Then you had to provide the visa center with a certificate stating that you have a sufficient amount of money in your current account, buy a plane ticket, pay for second luggage, buy medicine with you, because everything here is by prescription, go to the doctors and much, much more. .
My department's program description provides a list of positions that I can apply for after graduating. To be honest, I don’t know yet whether I’ll even want to study for two years in Avignon - maybe in three months I’ll miss the birches and leave the smiling French city back to grumbling and dissatisfied Moscow.
What is it like to study abroad
Anastasia Melnichenok
student at the University of Hamburg
I studied for five years at St. Petersburg State University of Economics in St. Petersburg with a degree in Regional Studies Western Europe", which she graduated in 2015. I decided to study abroad because I believe that Western education is valued more than Russian education, even in Russia itself. Most of all, I wanted to enroll in the International Business and Sustainability program at the University of Hamburg, where I am currently studying. The topic of sustainable development is a very popular and hot topic in Germany. My program is new, it appeared only in 2013, the job market is wide enough, so there should be no problems with work in the future.
Not in Germany paid education V state universities. Everyone pays only the semester fee - for us it is 300 euros. This amount includes payment for a travel card for the entire semester (170 euros) and fees for the university and student organizations, services, dormitories, canteens, and so on. For example, at the university there is an organization that helps students with financial, psychological, educational and other issues, all for free. The semester pass is a real lifesaver because we can travel throughout Hamburg without restrictions.
I don't receive a scholarship. I tried to get a DAAD scholarship, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. Here in Germany, I did not try to apply, because other scholarships must be received during the process of studying, with grades for exams. I didn’t pass one exam very well - there was no point in applying: there are few scholarships, and the requirements are high.
The learning process in Germany is very different from Russia. You can make the schedule as you want - a list of courses is given, and you choose.
I have six modules, and in each you need to achieve a certain number of credit points. Typically, for each subject we are given six credit points, for the entire period of study you need to gain 120 credit points (90 credits for courses and 30 credits for master's work). That is, it turns out that during the entire period of study you take only about 15 subjects.
The first semester was difficult because I had to attend many subjects, which included lectures and seminars. I had to go every day, most often at eight in the morning. One professor, fortunately, posted his lectures on the Internet, so I only went to seminars on his subject, and listened to the lectures at home while preparing for the exam. In my major, there are three types of final papers at the end of the semester: written exam, presentation plus coursework, or coursework only.
Our exams are written. On average they last one and a half to two hours. You need to learn everything that was in lectures and read at home further reading. Often professors will tell you which slides from their presentations are important and which ones will not be on the exam. The best score in Germany is 1.0. Then there are ratings of 1.3, 1.7, 2.0 and so on. 4.0 is the worst grade, below is considered to have failed the exam. I've never gotten a 1.0 on my exams yet, no matter how hard I try.
In the second and third semester there are not so many lectures, we now have five courses for which we need to make presentations in a group and then write term papers. There is practically no need to go to the university, only for consultations. As a result, I have more time to work without sacrificing my studies. In Russia, it was enough to make a beautiful presentation with cool pictures and somehow tell the text. Presentation is a lot of work. In general, I don't really like working in a group, but in Germany it's important.
Usually after presentations you need to write term papers. There can be two or three coursework per semester, and, as a rule, they must be written during the holidays: the deadline ends two weeks before the start of the next semester.
The master's thesis takes six months to write, and then it takes up to three months to check it. My joy knew no bounds when I found out that there is no master’s degree defense here, since I am very afraid of speaking in front of an audience, and here also foreign language I would have to make a serious presentation and then answer tricky questions.
I live in a dorm. It is very difficult to get a place in a dormitory in Hamburg: there are many students - both foreigners and Germans from other cities. I was lucky, I saw on the student society website in time that I could pay for three months at once and they would give me a place in one dormitory. I pay 244 euros per month for the hostel, there are 20 of us living on the floor, each of us has his own room, about 14 meters. The room has a bed, table, chair, shelves, bedside table, wardrobe and sink with mirror. On the floor there are four showers and toilets, as well as a kitchen. Every day in the morning the kitchen and toilet are cleaned by a cleaning lady. In other hostels the rooms are newer and cost up to 380 euros.
In the dormitories, no one watches us; there is a house manager (housemeister) who comes at nine in the morning to resolve some issues and problems.
And there is a universal lock on the entrance door to the dormitory, so everyone who has keys to their rooms can open it. Some illegally rent out their rooms to other people.
An average of 600–700 euros per month is enough for me to live on. The hostel costs 244 euros, medical insurance costs 86 euros. I pay another 20 euros a month for the fitness room, and I put 15 euros a month on my phone. I spend about 150–200 euros on food. Of course, it is much more profitable to take food from home than to eat in cafes and canteens. I was lazy to cook for some time, and as a result, by the end of the month I was left with almost no money. Of course, I sometimes go to a cafe with my friends, very rarely to a bar.
In general, at first I spent a lot more money. Firstly, because I didn’t earn money myself, now my money is already spent differently. I already choose products and things differently - I make fewer rash decisions.
The most important goal for the near future is to complete a master's degree. I haven’t started my master’s work yet, but I’m already planning to start. Many students here study longer than expected. My program, for example, officially lasts two years, but you can study the same amount additionally. I plan to finish my studies on time - I like studying, but I’m tired of sessions, writing articles, and presentations. I don’t know yet whether I will stay in Hamburg after studying, but in the future I want to find a job in Germany.
Students from Russia and the CIS countries can receive education abroad in any country. The most popular countries among Russian-speaking students are the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Every year, several thousand students go to universities in these countries to study.
With good academic preparation and a well-written application and portfolio, you can enter any university in the world, even one of such prestigious ones as Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, Harvard or Stanford.
What requirements do foreign universities impose on foreign students, how to choose a university and program and prepare documents for admission - you will find answers to all these questions on the Education Index website.
How much does it cost to study at a foreign university?
The cost of a semester at an educational institution abroad depends on the country you have chosen, the university’s place in the world university rankings and the chosen specialty.
In countries where students receive financial support from the state, the cost of a year of study can be very low, and free programs can be found. Such countries, for example, are Germany, the Czech Republic, and France.
True, in most cases the state funds only programs in the language of the country in which the university is located. Programs for English language in non-English-speaking countries they are usually paid. But if you try, you can find free or low-cost options even for studying in English.
Education at universities in the USA, Great Britain, and Canada is paid. The most expensive foreign universities are US universities. A year of master's study in the USA costs from $25,000. A master's degree in the UK can cost from $17,000 per year. The cost of studying for a master's degree in Canada starts from $6,000. Tuition fees in many European countries may be cheaper.
You also need to take into account living expenses: housing, transportation, internet, textbooks and other expenses. Also, a foreign university may require confirmation of the student’s family’s wealth, that is, a bank statement with a certain amount in the account. You need to be prepared for this.
Although it is possible to obtain a grant or scholarship for training, it is extremely difficult to obtain them. This requires brilliant success in academic and extracurricular activities. Therefore, it is better to prepare and carefully study the prices for studying at various universities abroad. You can use the program search engine on the Education Index website for this.
Do I need to take exams to enter a foreign university?
Foreign universities require proof of academic achievement, that is, a translated and notarized certificate or certificate of previous education.
Additional exams and tests must be taken for some programs and specialties and depend on universities and countries. Before taking such an exam, you need to determine what specialty you are applying for at a foreign university and study the document requirements at that university.
Of course, you need to pass an exam on knowledge of the language of the country of study. You should start preparing for them a year in advance. And even if you speak the required language perfectly, you should spend 2-3 months preparing to get used to the exam format.
Which foreign university should I go to?
When it becomes clear which country and which budget for studying abroad are the most attractive, it’s time to get serious about choosing a university. It is important to choose the best possible foreign university - the best in your chosen specialty, closest to the top of world university rankings, affordable, with the prospect of staying in the country or finding a prestigious job at home.
What to rely on when choosing a foreign university?
Of course, there are universities known all over the world: Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton. However, it is not only difficult to enter these universities, although it is possible with properly prepared documents. It's even more difficult to study there.
The good news is that there are a huge number of universities abroad with reputable programs, excellent teachers and plentiful internship opportunities. How to choose such universities if they are not well-known among students in Russia and the CIS countries?
To help future students, there are ratings - international ratings of educational institutions and internal ratings of countries. Hundreds of universities participate in the rankings, they are conducted by leading rating agencies, and assessment methods are verified by reputable auditing companies. The most famous rankings of foreign universities are the rankings of the European agencies QS and THE, the American agency U.S.News and the Asian agency ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. On our website you can study and compare all these ratings.
However, to choose a university specifically for your purposes, you should not blindly rely on its place in the ranking. Methods for evaluating foreign universities depend on the purpose of the study. Accordingly, universities occupy different places in different rankings. To understand which university for studying abroad is right for you, it’s worth getting a little familiar with the evaluation criteria for each specific rating. The criteria usually include: quality of teaching, overall quality of programs and research, student satisfaction ratings and the percentage of graduates being employed, technical equipment, difficulty of admission, percentage of graduates and GPA students. As you can see, there are a lot of criteria and it will take some time to understand them.
Remember also about the internal rankings of countries. Even if the university you like does not occupy the highest place in the world rankings, it can occupy a very high place in the country’s rankings and enjoy prestige.
Depending on what you want from your study abroad and future career, you have the flexibility to choose your school. Education Index consultants can also help you choose a university based on your criteria.
Now the whole world is open to future students. Studying at a foreign university is a difficult and very important decision in life. You will gain the experience of living in another country, an excellent education will launch your career or scientific activity, and you will have connections and friends all over the world. If you decide to study abroad, the results are worth overcoming many difficulties. And the website and Education Index specialists will help you understand all the intricacies of entering a foreign university!
I will list 5 ways of such training:
- Grants or so-called social assistance to students , which is intended for educational expenses, implementation of a professional project, training in summer schools, taking courses, etc. The grant is issued as a one-time incentive. You can receive it again.
- Scholarship . When receiving a scholarship that can cover the cost of all or part of your studies, a motivation letter plays a huge role. The scholarship can be awarded for achievements in volunteer, sports, creative, academic, or other talents. The scholarship can be issued by the university itself or by the Russian state.
- Research Fellowship . This method of obtaining an education is intended for those who have graduated from a higher education institution and plan to enroll in a master’s program for further research activities. Such a scholarship can be issued by the state, representatives of private or public foundations.
- Assistant . Intended for those who wish to enroll in doctoral studies. In addition to teaching, you will work as an assistant professor. His duties include reading introductory courses in your specialty, participation in research projects that your department implements. Such financial support can be provided by both the state and the institution itself.
- Global Education Program . A program was developed so that a student studying abroad at the expense of the Russian Federation budget, after graduating from a university in a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral program, would return to Russia and work at the enterprise for 3 years. This is a great opportunity to get free education and have workplace at the end.
So, as you understand, get free education abroad is possible . The main thing is to have a desire. When choosing an educational institution, I rely on entrance exams and requirements.
If you are also planning to study abroad, then my advice is: think through everything down to the smallest detail, how you will finance your studies, how much money you will need for accommodation, food and other expenses, what exact documents should be sent to the university upon admission.
Last updated 03/25/2015
1. Decide on the country and specialty
You need to start preparing for admission to a foreign university in advance - preferably a year in advance. This is due to the difficulties in completing the package of documents. First of all, you need to decide in which country you would like to receive your education. Make a list of universities that suit your specialty and tuition fees. And then start reducing it according to such parameters as: cost of living, student reviews, teaching staff, competition for a place, availability of grants, university equipment and other parameters that seem important to you. After all the manipulations, you should have about five universities left on your list.
2. Try to get a training grant
Education abroad is expensive and not everyone can afford it. However, most universities are interested in talented applicants and provide various scholarships and grants for studying to the most talented of them. Please review the financial support requirements carefully and submit your application if you qualify.
3. Check the university requirements
When preparing for admission, it is worth carefully studying the requirements that the institute imposes on foreign students. These may vary depending on the country. For example, British universities, in addition to excellent knowledge of the language, may ask for a bank account statement confirming the presence of an “airbag” in the amount of 1000-3000 pounds sterling for each month of residence in the country. It would be a good idea to find out how the university views part-time work for students.
In addition, undergraduate applicants may be required to take a preparatory course. For those who have already received the first higher education in Russia, these requirements, as a rule, are not imposed. However, universities usually ask applicants to take additional exams in the most complex areas, such as law, medicine, biology or chemistry.
4. Pass the language exam
Fluency in the language is a standard requirement of most foreign universities. Let's name the main language exams that future students take in different countries peace.
IELTS(English) The IELTS certificate is accepted by 125 countries around the world. These include the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Norway and others.
Exam cost: approximately $260
Validity period: 2 years.
TOEFL(English) The TOEFL certificate is accepted in more than 150 countries (USA, Canada and many others). It should be noted that if IELTS is the internationally recognized British version of the foreign language exam, then TOEFL is the American one.
Validity period: 2 years.
GMAT(Business; English) This exam should only be taken by those planning to pursue a business degree (MBA).
Exam fee: $250.
Validity period: 5 years.
“Nihongo noryoku shiken” (Japanese) An exam for those who plan to study at Japanese universities. It is held centrally 2 times a year (in June and November) in Japan and 13 other countries of the world: India, Indonesia, Korea, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia and Russia).
The cost of passing the exam: varies depending on the level: from 1500 rubles to 2300 rubles (data valid for March 2015).
Validity period: 2 years.
"TestDaF"(German) Certificate of passing the exam in German language is recognized by all universities in Germany and is also accepted in 80 countries around the world.
Exam fee: 130 euros
Validity period: indefinitely.
DELE(Spanish) Exam Spanish for foreigners, the results of which are recognized by all Spanish educational institutions.
Cost of passing the exam: varies depending on the level: from 2900 rubles to 6000 rubles (data valid for March 2015)
Validity period: unlimited.
Take time to prepare for the exam by first finding out the required number of points for admission to your chosen university
5. Submit documents for admission
So, you have chosen a university and have a language exam certificate with passing scores. Now you need to collect all the necessary documents.
A copy of the educational document (school certificate, diploma of first higher education). Schoolchildren can submit documents before receiving a certificate; instead, they can attach a copy of an interim document, for example, an extract from a report card with grades under the visa of the head of the educational unit. Copies of documents must be translated into a foreign language and certified by a notary.
A transcript is a document in a foreign language indicating the number of hours listened and grades. In different countries it may be called differently, for example, in America it is Cumulative Record File (CRF), in some European countries it is Transcript of Records (ToR). Not all Russian educational establishments provide such a service, so it’s worth finding out in advance whether you will have to do it yourself.
An autobiography (Сuricullum Vitae, or CV) may not be required for admission to a bachelor's degree, but will be required for those going to higher levels of study. In fact, an autobiography is a long resume containing a story about the most significant achievements of a future student (prizes, cups, sports victories).
Language test result. A copy of a document confirming that the applicant has scored the score required for admission.
Questionnaire. As a rule, large universities require you to fill out an application electronically, but you may be asked to send a printed and completed application.
Financial documents. May be required depending on the chosen university. Often necessary when entering Japanese and British universities, where special attention is paid to the financial viability of students.
This is just a sample list. Be sure to check the list of documents required for admission published on the official website of the university.
Important: remember the deadlines! Most universities finish accepting documents in June-July; Specific dates need to be clarified with the university itself.
6. Pay for the course and get a visa
After you have successfully passed the entrance exams and you are enrolled in an educational institution, you need to pay for a year of training or a specified portion of the amount. Once the money has been deposited into the university’s bank account, you can receive a visa. Important note: a place in a university dormitory is usually given only after receiving a visa, so the sooner you apply for it, the sooner you will be allocated a place.
To apply for a study visa, you will need a form that you previously filled out on the embassy’s website, and a package of documents with which you must come to the visa center, namely:
The original document of your enrollment received from the university;
Confirmation of payment for your course (or part thereof);
An extract from your bank account (or from the sponsor’s bank account) to confirm financial solvency;
Receipt of payment of the visa fee.
You may be invited to a visa center for an interview, but this applies to visas of only some countries. Thus, the US Visa Application Center staff will definitely conduct a face-to-face interview. The visa processing time is usually 15 working days. Students with a duration of study of more than six months are issued a student visa (Student Visa). It is valid from one to three years, depending on the duration of study.
7. Accommodation
If you do not plan to live on campus, you should take care of your place of residence in advance. The most common options during training:
Homestay;
Renting an apartment;
Dormitories for students (for a fee).
Homestay is one of the most convenient options for students who do not have the opportunity to budget place on the university campus. The price for a room is usually not as high as the cost of renting an apartment. In addition, daily communication with native speakers will help you in learning it. Living in a hostel also has its advantages. And although you will most likely have to share a room with another student, you will always be surrounded by peers with the same goals as you - to get a good education.
The material was prepared with the support of the Westudy.in project
Stanford - the names of these universities are well-known to everyone, but when choosing a university to study abroad, this information is scarce. There are many factors to consider.
Choosing a university
Once you have decided on the country (you can find information about choosing a country for studying and an overview of the countries themselves in the "" section), you can narrow the search to a specific educational institution. Usually, the first thing everyone studies is university rankings. You need to know them, but the information presented in them should be analyzed very meticulously. Most often, you need to choose a program, not a university.
Ratings, for example, the QS World University rating, can be sorted according to the criteria you need. For example, you are looking for universities in Germany where you can study biology. The Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich and the University of Heidelberg will be in the top. If you are interested in computer technology programs, you will see a different situation: Technical University Munich, Institute of Technology Karlsruhe and Humboldt University Berlin will occupy the top positions.
In addition, ratings are compiled based on different criteria. For example, there may be a rating based on the academic base or the attractiveness of graduates of this university to employers. If you are planning to pursue a career in science, then the first criterion will be more important to you than the second, and if you are thinking about a career in business, then most likely the opposite. When studying ratings data, be sure to take an interest in the methodology: it happens that researchers equally take into account both the equipment of laboratories and the quality of food in the student canteen.
In addition to global ones, study the rankings for universities in a specific country. For example, the Guardian newspaper ranking is authoritative for British universities. In this case, the choice of universities will be wider, and universities that are not included in global rankings are not obviously bad. The reason for not being included in the “big” ranking may be due to the small age of the institution or narrow specialization, but maybe this is exactly what you need.
Select several universities to compare. Carefully study the content of courses and programs, the number of academic hours, and biographies of teachers.
Typically, you will find this information on the university website. If there is not enough publicly available information, you can always contact the university by email.
For those who are going to enroll in a master's program and especially in graduate school, the key point is the personality of the supervisor and research base on a topic that interests you. In some universities, despite the big name, it is in your specialty that the star scientist and scientific developments may not be.
If you want to receive during your studies practical experience, find out the university's policy regarding student internships. It can't hurt to talk to students and alumni: many universities advertise internships, but in reality they may be a formality. Look for universities that take internships seriously and those that have established partnerships with companies.
Do you dream about international career? Then choose programs where you will have the opportunity to study in an international environment and go on an exchange internship in other countries. Also, ask how the diploma of this university is valued in the international arena.
Choosing a specialization
If you still haven't decided what you want to study, it doesn't matter. In some countries, such as the USA, undergraduate studies begin with general courses, and only then can you choose a specialization, and if you don’t like it, you can change it.
As a rule, most European universities are divided into two types - academic and applied. Firstly, the emphasis is on theoretical knowledge And Scientific research. However, if you are applying for a bachelor’s degree, then a diploma from such a university will be a good start. As a rule, academic universities are the oldest and most famous educational institutions in the country. However, if you are planning to enroll in a master's program or obtain a second higher education to develop a career in business and industry, then you may be more interested in practice-oriented programs at applied universities.
