Education abroad is chosen by a growing number of foreign students. For them, the doors of many prestigious educational institutions around the world are open. The difficulty lies in the fact that in each country the rules for admission of foreign citizens are regulated individually, while universities, both public and private, have the opportunity to create their own admission programs.
Several standard models for applicants from abroad, to which educational institutions rely on admission, are still available.
Training in foreign educational institutions assumes fluency in a foreign language. As a rule, this is English , and even in those countries where it is not public.
The most rigorous selection is for applicants wishing to obtain a specialty in the field of:
- jurisprudence;
- medicine;
- philosophy;
- journalism;
- psychology.
At admission, you need to demonstrate confident speaking skills, understanding the language, grammar, and mastery of special terminology. Knowing the essence of exam requirements, at the stage of preparation for entering a foreign university, it is necessary to improve in depth the language skills both in oral and in written terms.
The language competence of the applicant is determined on the basis of test results:
- in English - TOEFL and IELTS ;
- in French - DALF ;
- in German - TestDaF ;
- in Spanish - DELE ;
- in Italian - CELI / CILS .
Students can take preparatory courses, such as Exam Preparation, in order to have a clear understanding of testing.
Another prerequisite for admission to a higher education institution abroad is the completion of a twelve-year course of study. Since some countries still retain a program that is less than 12 years of study, graduates have to first complete some university courses or master a year-long course in a specialized program at a language school or college.
And the third point is the financial soundness of the applicant. Upon admission, it is necessary to provide documents that indicate the applicant has a certain amount of money, which in theory can cover the costs of studying and living, and also to pay semester fees as a member of one of the student clubs. The minimum range of solvency is established by higher education institutions independently.
Average students rarely become scholars, at best they can expect to receive a discount for training. Foreign universities are ready to allocate a grant only to units - the most promising young people who demonstrate extraordinary knowledge and skills.
In addition to the above requirements, the applicant for training in a foreign university should prepare a package of documents. Its content and design has a number of features. It is necessary to fill out the application form, present a copy of the diploma of graduation from the school or other educational institution and specialized courses with an extract-list of the passed subjects in the form of an academic certificate, and make a resume.
The University reserves the right to ask the applicant to voice the reasons that motivated him to choose a particular educational institution, as well as to attach several recommendations from credible sources.
All documents are first translated into the state language, notarized, and then sent to the address of the school.
Available Training Programs
The model of European education has a fairly standard structure. Students can get a degree:
- Bachelor's degree for 3-4 years,
- Master's degree in 1-2 years,
- Doctor of Science for 3-4 years.
Traditionally, some specialties require longer training. These are:
- Medicine;
- Architecture;
- Engineering;
- Veterinary Medicine.
To obtain a bachelor's degree in these specialties, you need to study for 5 to 7 years.
Students who have completed the entire course and successfully passed the exams receive Bachelor of Arts / Science first, then pass the next level of the Postgraduate level, which allows them to receive the title of Master of Arts / Science. At this stage it is possible to improve your qualifications and get a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
The highest degree is Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, which is awarded on the basis of the results of three years of study, scientific and research activities, the results of which are formulated in the thesis.
Applicants for admission to foreign universities on the bachelor's program can go in 4 directions:
- To finish high school in a foreign school or to get a secondary education under the International Baccalaureate program;
- to pass the programs prepared by universities for foreign applicants;
- undergo training in the preparatory program of the college;
Admission to the second and third stages also has a number of features.
Foreign School
The optimal option for a successful start in the higher education program is the end of the foreign school , at least its senior classes. In boarding schools, children can not only learn, but also live. This allows you to adapt to the impending way of life in a particular country (where the school is located), the peculiarities of training, and improve your language status.
If children study in such a boarding school from an elementary school, then by the end of the average they are no different from their peers - citizens of this country. It must be taken into account that entering the upper grades will have to undergo difficult introductory tests in a foreign language.
Here, the availability of certificates and certificates for passing a language exam for a special in-depth program, and the final grades for the whole period of study, but testing or interviewing (or both) that the school offers will have to be mandatory.
The preparatory program
The practice of completing preparatory courses is not limited to foreign universities. In some cases, students may need to attend weekly or monthly classes as a requirement for enrollment. The system of preparatory courses for foreigners is designed for a one-year period of study in three directions:
- to the language;
- to the subject subject;
- academic skills.
Preparation for the English course is called Foundation, German - Studienkolleg. The advantage of this training option is that at the end of the program the students fully correspond to the model of the foreign university entrant: they have a 12-year education, are communicatively and socially ready for learning and living in a non-speaking country.
End of college
The "transitional" program of the college could be considered the most favorable form of preparation for admission to the baccalaureate. There are really many advantages:
- students who have passed exams with dignity are enrolled in the university not at the first, but immediately at the second or even the third year, because during the period of studying in the college they recruit "credits" (pass obligatory and special disciplines) in the required amount for this;
- the conditions for admission to the college are practically the same as those that are to be observed when passing the preparatory courses;
- The cost of teaching in the college is significantly lower than at the university.
The only thing, because of what this option is used less often, is the lack of "transfers" with prestigious educational institutions. They are not very willing to enter into contracts with colleges, preferring to control the learning process on their own.
The visa regime
The choice of preparation for admission should be combined with familiarization with the features and formalities of obtaining a student visa.
The preparation process takes quite a long time, so it is necessary to prepare for it in advance. The best option should be chosen on the basis of the requirements of a particular institution and then move on purposefully according to the planned program.
Some citizens can study abroad on the basis of a student visa. Having on hand the results of the entrance examinations, documents confirming the fact of admission to a foreign educational institution, you can be taken for visa registration.
The standard list of documents looks something like this:
- application form;
- foreign passport;
- several photographs of the specified format;
- medical insurance.
In addition, it is mandatory to provide:
- document confirming the receipt;
- financial documents on the payment of tuition (usually for the first year);
- confirmation of the financial solvency of the student or his sponsor;
- confirmation of scholarship (if the student received it).
The list of documents and the specifics of their design and certification may vary depending on the requirements of the embassy of a particular country. To avoid unpleasant surprises on the eve of departure, you can use the help of educational agencies that know all the nuances of the visa regime and provide comprehensive support to the students of foreign universities.
