studyportalstaking you further

STUDYABROAD

The Ultimate

Guidebook

Contents

I Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure

1 Popular Myths About Studying Abroad

2 Top Reasons to Study at a University Abroad

3 Find Out About the Main Types of Academic Degrees

4 What Institutions Offer International Higher Education

II Essential Steps You Should Take for Finding the Right University Abroad

III Which Study Course Should I Choose

IV Using MastersPortal to Find the Perfect Study Programme

V How a Preparation Course Can Support Your Studies Abroad

VI Searching for a Programme with Good Tuition and Scholarships

1 Find Out Details About Tuition Costs for Your Studies

2 Seek Advantageous Financial Aid Options

3 Gather Documents for Your Scholarship Application

4 Apply for The StudyPortals Scholarship

VII Key Facts about the University Application Process

1 A Few Important Steps to Keep in Mind

2 What Language Tests to Choose

VIII Finding Good Accommodation Abroad

1 Different Types of Accommodation for Students

2 A Reliable Way of Finding Quality Accommodation During Your Studies

IX Meeting Your Living Costs and Working during Your Studies

1 Enjoy Your Stay and Pay Less during Your Studies

2 Advancing Your Work Experience While Covering Your Living Expenses

X Find Out What Other Students Are Saying About Studying Abroad

1 Read About Student Experiences All Over the World

2 Check Out the Yearly International Student Satisfaction Awards

3 Join Satisfied International Students Getting a Higher Education Abroad

Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure

The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook is

provided by StudyPortals the global study

choice platform that empowers students to

find and choose their dream studies

StudyPortals believes in the value of

international education and is determined to

offer prospective international students

relevant easy to find information about higher

education study options abroad

In a market of growing options and an increasing need for easily accessible information

and international comparison the StudyPortals platform has rapidly established a

central position for students interested in studying abroad Currently our platform

includes over 20000 Bachelors 35000 Masters 4000 PhDs and much more

This e-book is meant as an easy-to-read introduction to key steps every student should

take in order to successfully find their dream academic studies abroad

Popular Myths about Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is too expensive

At first glance it may seem impossible to handle

the financial side of your future studies tuition

fees living expenses study materials However

there are many ways to overcome these difficulties

including scholarships study grants part-time

employment not to mention tuition free study

opportunities In addition to popular destinations

such as the United Kingdom or the United States plenty other countries offer high

quality study programmes for international students

The Netherlands Germany France Canada Australia China or Finland have some of

the best education abroad while inexpensive countries such as Portugal Turkey

Hungary or The Czech Republic are constantly advancing their English study offer

Contents

I Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure

1 Popular Myths About Studying Abroad

2 Top Reasons to Study at a University Abroad

3 Find Out About the Main Types of Academic Degrees

4 What Institutions Offer International Higher Education

II Essential Steps You Should Take for Finding the Right University Abroad

III Which Study Course Should I Choose

IV Using MastersPortal to Find the Perfect Study Programme

V How a Preparation Course Can Support Your Studies Abroad

VI Searching for a Programme with Good Tuition and Scholarships

1 Find Out Details About Tuition Costs for Your Studies

2 Seek Advantageous Financial Aid Options

3 Gather Documents for Your Scholarship Application

4 Apply for The StudyPortals Scholarship

VII Key Facts about the University Application Process

1 A Few Important Steps to Keep in Mind

2 What Language Tests to Choose

VIII Finding Good Accommodation Abroad

1 Different Types of Accommodation for Students

2 A Reliable Way of Finding Quality Accommodation During Your Studies

IX Meeting Your Living Costs and Working during Your Studies

1 Enjoy Your Stay and Pay Less during Your Studies

2 Advancing Your Work Experience While Covering Your Living Expenses

X Find Out What Other Students Are Saying About Studying Abroad

1 Read About Student Experiences All Over the World

2 Check Out the Yearly International Student Satisfaction Awards

3 Join Satisfied International Students Getting a Higher Education Abroad

Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure

The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook is

provided by StudyPortals the global study

choice platform that empowers students to

find and choose their dream studies

StudyPortals believes in the value of

international education and is determined to

offer prospective international students

relevant easy to find information about higher

education study options abroad

In a market of growing options and an increasing need for easily accessible information

and international comparison the StudyPortals platform has rapidly established a

central position for students interested in studying abroad Currently our platform

includes over 20000 Bachelors 35000 Masters 4000 PhDs and much more

This e-book is meant as an easy-to-read introduction to key steps every student should

take in order to successfully find their dream academic studies abroad

Popular Myths about Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is too expensive

At first glance it may seem impossible to handle

the financial side of your future studies tuition

fees living expenses study materials However

there are many ways to overcome these difficulties

including scholarships study grants part-time

employment not to mention tuition free study

opportunities In addition to popular destinations

such as the United Kingdom or the United States plenty other countries offer high

quality study programmes for international students

The Netherlands Germany France Canada Australia China or Finland have some of

the best education abroad while inexpensive countries such as Portugal Turkey

Hungary or The Czech Republic are constantly advancing their English study offer

Welcome to Your Study Abroad Adventure

The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook is

provided by StudyPortals the global study

choice platform that empowers students to

find and choose their dream studies

StudyPortals believes in the value of

international education and is determined to

offer prospective international students

relevant easy to find information about higher

education study options abroad

In a market of growing options and an increasing need for easily accessible information

and international comparison the StudyPortals platform has rapidly established a

central position for students interested in studying abroad Currently our platform

includes over 20000 Bachelors 35000 Masters 4000 PhDs and much more

This e-book is meant as an easy-to-read introduction to key steps every student should

take in order to successfully find their dream academic studies abroad

Popular Myths about Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is too expensive

At first glance it may seem impossible to handle

the financial side of your future studies tuition

fees living expenses study materials However

there are many ways to overcome these difficulties

including scholarships study grants part-time

employment not to mention tuition free study

opportunities In addition to popular destinations

such as the United Kingdom or the United States plenty other countries offer high

quality study programmes for international students

The Netherlands Germany France Canada Australia China or Finland have some of

the best education abroad while inexpensive countries such as Portugal Turkey

Hungary or The Czech Republic are constantly advancing their English study offer

University world rankings show the best universities for you

Not always It is usually better to look at the ranking of this university in your particular

subject Rankings use different ways to measure universities and some top university in

one ranking may place quite low in another or may not even be present in another

Rankings should be taken as a reference tool and not a general rule of law

Itrsquos difficult to be admitted to a foreign university because of large differences between

education systems

Most universities accept foreign students

based on their high school transcripts (for

undergraduate level) or Bachelor transcripts

(for Masterrsquos studies) and English language

test results Preparation courses offer

students coming from a different education

system an introduction to the curriculum

academic expectations and local culture

It is impossible to be accepted to highly regarded universities

Even though a very small percentage of applicants are admitted to renowned universities

such as Oxford or Cambridge there is still a chance Understand your true calling and

work hard Gaining as much practical experience early on can make a great difference for

your application Even if you donrsquot get into a famous university abroad you can still

receive very good international education

All universities accept applications till late May

The deadlines for applications depend on the university and the chosen programme For

some universities deadlines can be as early as January for the fall intake It is important

to choose the programme(s) you will be applying for as early as possible Check

information about application deadlines for study programmes on MastersPortal and our

other portals

Top Reasons to Study at a University Abroad

Still not convinced about the benefits of studying abroad

Here are a few reasons you might not have thought of

Become part of a global network

Studying in an international environment with

other students will help you become part of a

community and form the basis for lasting

future business relationships

Many more study options to choose from

International study destinations are famous for the wide study offers they provide You

can effectively follow your dream career by pursuing the courses you need Therersquos

plenty of choices as the number of international study courses is steadily increasing

every year

Better paid job opportunities

Better specialisations and developed professional networks are a recipe for success

resulting in higher salaries and advanced job opportunities For example an

international MBA is always an impressive addition to your CV

More skills more knowledge

Learning in an international environment presents a set of challenges that help you

develop a wider set of skills than you would by studying in a university at home

Innovative learning methods

Study abroad to be exposed to ways of learning you might not be familiar with Focus

on theory or interact with students and teachers in class

Cultural awareness

A diverse international student community will help you better understand diversity as

well as your cultural identity Exchange ideas and find out how others think and feel

High quality university facilities

International universities pride themselves with state-of-the-art facilities that greatly

assist your learning process If finding the right study programme is essential top

quality laboratories and classrooms come a close second

Improve your language skills

To enrol in a university abroad you need to have good command of the teaching

language However during your studies your language skills will advance while you

engage in conversations with other students or the local population

Learn to take care of yourself

Being away from your friends and family will help you build your self-reliance teach you

how to live on your own and become more independent

Explore a foreign country

Studying abroad means also a chance to

visit and travel in another country and its

neighbours discovering marvellous cultural

and natural treasures

Have fun

University studies abroad are much more than a chance to gather information They are

part of an all encompassing experience thatrsquos both important and very fun Reserve

plenty of time for relaxing and entertaining activities

Find Out About the Main Types of Academic Degrees

There are various kinds of academic Bachelors Masters and PhDs offered by higher

education institutions abroad Here are some explanations of the variety of study

course abbreviations you might run across

Undergraduate level academic degrees

BSc and BA

The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts

(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The

study duration of a Bachelorrsquos programme is usually three

to four years The Bachelor of Science is mainly awarded

to students of universities in the areas of natural sciences

humanities business sciences engineering sciences

mathematics and informatics while a Bachelor of Arts is

more common for areas of social sciences linguistics or

cultural sciences

LLB

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The

abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for

laws A consecutive Masterrsquos programme in the law sciences is awarded with a Master of

Laws (LL M) Many countries such as Germany still require an additional state

examination in order to be eligible for practising law

BEng

The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos degree usually awarded to

graduates in engineering sciences The Bachelor of Engineering is academically equal to

the Bachelor of Science It is however common to award a B Eng for rather practical

oriented programmes at universities of applied sciences

AD

The Associate Degree (AD) is an academic degree common in North America typically

awarded after a 2-year study Many colleges offer a so-called 2+2 programme where

students receive the Associate Degree after the first two years and a Bachelorrsquos Degree

after another two years of studies

Masterrsquos level academic degrees

MA and MSc

The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the

Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme

worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history

communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A

MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health

and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a

research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to

complete

MPhil

A Master of Philosophy is a research-only

degree and is often a precursor to a PhD

Most PhD students register for this degree in

their initial 1-2 years of study and may later

register to PhD studies MPhils provide a way

for students who run out of funding or

discover that a PhD is not the right option for

them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape

route that also awards a recognised degree

LLM

The Master of Laws degree usually takes one year as a full time programme to

complete or 2-4 years part-time Professional Law degrees give a general coverage of

the skills required to become an attorney while LLMs give you an opportunity to

specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you

donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM

MBA

The Master of Business Administration is one of the most popular higher education

degrees often designed for management professionals with minimum three to five

years of professional experience MBAs usually address professionals 27 ndash 35 years old

MBAs include hands-on experience with integrated teamwork and case studies Read

more about the benefits of studying an MBA

Find Out About the Main Types of Academic Degrees

There are various kinds of academic Bachelors Masters and PhDs offered by higher

education institutions abroad Here are some explanations of the variety of study

course abbreviations you might run across

Undergraduate level academic degrees

BSc and BA

The Bachelors of Science (B Sc) and Bachelors of Arts

(BA) are the most commonly awarded degrees The

study duration of a Bachelorrsquos programme is usually three

to four years The Bachelor of Science is mainly awarded

to students of universities in the areas of natural sciences

humanities business sciences engineering sciences

mathematics and informatics while a Bachelor of Arts is

more common for areas of social sciences linguistics or

cultural sciences

LLB

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is usually awarded at a university or law school The

abbreviation LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus where LL is the latin abbreviation for

laws A consecutive Masterrsquos programme in the law sciences is awarded with a Master of

Laws (LL M) Many countries such as Germany still require an additional state

examination in order to be eligible for practising law

BEng

The Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng or BE) is a Bachelorrsquos degree usually awarded to

graduates in engineering sciences The Bachelor of Engineering is academically equal to

the Bachelor of Science It is however common to award a B Eng for rather practical

oriented programmes at universities of applied sciences

AD

The Associate Degree (AD) is an academic degree common in North America typically

awarded after a 2-year study Many colleges offer a so-called 2+2 programme where

students receive the Associate Degree after the first two years and a Bachelorrsquos Degree

after another two years of studies

Masterrsquos level academic degrees

MA and MSc

The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the

Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme

worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history

communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A

MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health

and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a

research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to

complete

MPhil

A Master of Philosophy is a research-only

degree and is often a precursor to a PhD

Most PhD students register for this degree in

their initial 1-2 years of study and may later

register to PhD studies MPhils provide a way

for students who run out of funding or

discover that a PhD is not the right option for

them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape

route that also awards a recognised degree

LLM

The Master of Laws degree usually takes one year as a full time programme to

complete or 2-4 years part-time Professional Law degrees give a general coverage of

the skills required to become an attorney while LLMs give you an opportunity to

specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you

donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM

MBA

The Master of Business Administration is one of the most popular higher education

degrees often designed for management professionals with minimum three to five

years of professional experience MBAs usually address professionals 27 ndash 35 years old

MBAs include hands-on experience with integrated teamwork and case studies Read

more about the benefits of studying an MBA

students receive the Associate Degree after the first two years and a Bachelorrsquos Degree

after another two years of studies

Masterrsquos level academic degrees

MA and MSc

The Master of Arts (MA) can cover various graduate studies and together with the

Master of Science (MSc) is the most commonly available type of Masterrsquos programme

worldwide Students admitted to an MA typically study languages history

communication or other of the humanities philosophy social sciences and more A

MSc is mainly focused on research and can be earned in a wide range of science health

and social science professions MAs include a significant taught element and end in a

research project and accompanying dissertation Both degrees usually take 2 years to

complete

MPhil

A Master of Philosophy is a research-only

degree and is often a precursor to a PhD

Most PhD students register for this degree in

their initial 1-2 years of study and may later

register to PhD studies MPhils provide a way

for students who run out of funding or

discover that a PhD is not the right option for

them This way theyrsquoll get an early escape

route that also awards a recognised degree

LLM

The Master of Laws degree usually takes one year as a full time programme to

complete or 2-4 years part-time Professional Law degrees give a general coverage of

the skills required to become an attorney while LLMs give you an opportunity to

specialise A LLM is a good study continuation after graduating a LLB though you

donrsquot need an LLB to enrol to a LLM

MBA

The Master of Business Administration is one of the most popular higher education

degrees often designed for management professionals with minimum three to five

years of professional experience MBAs usually address professionals 27 ndash 35 years old

MBAs include hands-on experience with integrated teamwork and case studies Read

more about the benefits of studying an MBA

MiM

The Master in Management is an increasingly popular business study option The MIM is

officially a Master of Science hence it is prone to more in-depth theoretical knowledge

and can even become research-oriented MIM candidates can have less than one year

of full-time work experience The average age of a MIM student is 23 Find out more

about the MiM

Doctorate degrees

PhD (or DPhil)

The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest

postgraduate degree that can be achieved in

a university People awarded with a PhD are

normally allowed to have a teaching

position The PhD is a scientific research

doctorate with a duration of typically three

to five years Typically a PhD degree is

pursued after completing of a Masterrsquos

programme Read about a few things to

consider before enrolling in a PhD abroad

DBA

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the highest postgraduate degree in the

academic management education The Doctor of Business Administration can be seen

as a follow-up to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Many DBA programmes

require several years of management experience for admission DBA programmes

usually last between three and six years

What Institutions Offer International Higher Education

Even if different institutions in different countries may be known by the same name they

may not provide the same type of courses Itrsquos always best to search for detailed

information about the institution you are considering to attend Here are a few categories

of institutions you will likely encounter while searching for your dream studies

Universities usually refer to institutions that

may provide courses focusing on teaching

research or a mix of the two Universities

provide diverse study fields and teach at

undergraduate and postgraduate level They

may also offer summer schools short courses

or distance learning (e-learning) options

Colleges may refer to both higher educational institutions but also a part of a university

(like a department) A college may be a tertiary educational institution a part of a

university or an institution offering vocational education The term varies between

European countries but in the United States and Italy ldquocollegerdquo and ldquouniversityrdquo usually

mean the same thing

Universities (or Colleges) of Applied Sciences are more practical and well connected to

the industry They offer Bachelorrsquos and Masterrsquos degrees but no Doctorate level studies

Degree programmes may include compulsory work experience or vocational degrees

Polytechnics or Institutes of Technology are institutions of higher education and

advanced engineering and scientific research specialising in the fields of

science engineering technology or other technical subjects

Business schools are institutions that provide practically focused academic programmes

focused on business education Business schools provide specific degrees and

specialisations for programmes such as MBAs Masterrsquos in Finance Law or Marketing as

well as Bachelorrsquos short courses business seminars or training programmes Find top

international MBAs

Academies are usually specialised

universities providing in-depth education

in a certain field usually arts Because of

the respectable tradition of the term

many higher education institutions use

the word academy in their name Entry

requirements for these schools are

generally very demanding but well worth

the effort Some may only provide

Bachelorrsquos level degree studies

Discover thousands of opportunities to study abroad in high quality Masters with

diverse specialisations as well as many other long-term or short-term study options as

well (preparation courses Bachelors PhDs short courses online studies language

courses and many more)

Essential Steps You Should Take for Finding the

Right University Abroad

Choosing a good higher education institution abroad is an important decision that will

greatly influence your future and should not be taken lightly A wrong choice of

university or study course is the top reason students drop out after one year of studies

If youve decided study abroad but donrsquot know where to start from here are a few

essential steps you should take before applying to a university abroad

Think about what YOU want

Here are some key questions you should ask yourself

before beginning your search

What are your long-term career objectives

What study fields interest you

Is there any particular specialisation you wish

to pursue

What language do you want to study in

Is there a particular country you prefer

What are your available finances and will you

need a study scholarship

Do you have the required grades

Do you want to work during your studies

Think what places you may want to go to

In addition to your personal preferences you should also consider other important

factors in the city or country you want to go to Dont limit your search to just a few

popular countries Here are a few factors to take into account

Study programmes taught in a foreign language you speak

Universities offering free tuition (some universities in the EU may offer free

tuition or a small fixed fee to EU citizens)

Location inside or outside the

European Union (Students may

receive extra funding if coming from

an EU or non-EU country depending

on university policies)

Affordable accommodation and costs

of living

Welcoming international

environment

Cities that are important cultural hubs with famous international sights and

many travel opportunities

Big busy cities with vibrant student life or smaller more personal student

communities offering a peaceful study environment (often easier to get info

though programme quality is high)

City and university safety

Consider a field of study you may want to pursue

Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good

at and what your potential future career may look

like If yoursquore not sure yet try taking a career

personality test to give you some suggestions of

potential study opportunities in your field of interest

Another helpful tool is to find information about

different disciplines you can find in undergraduate

and graduate programmes worldwide and the career outcomes they lead to

Make a list of study options

Based on your study abroad goals university advantages or interests you should be able

to come up with a list of study abroad destinations This list is not final and you can always

add or remove universities while you gather more details You can start making

comparisons between university offers trying to gain as much information as you can

Make your own ranking based on your preferences A well-organised education website

will help you compare different types of details and make your choice easier

Your MastersPortal profile (or your profile on our other portals) lets you create a personal

list of universities to keep track of the study programmes you have applied to or are

further considering Include new programmes on the list by adding search results to your

favourites

Location inside or outside the

European Union (Students may

receive extra funding if coming from

an EU or non-EU country depending

on university policies)

Affordable accommodation and costs

of living

Welcoming international

environment

Cities that are important cultural hubs with famous international sights and

many travel opportunities

Big busy cities with vibrant student life or smaller more personal student

communities offering a peaceful study environment (often easier to get info

though programme quality is high)

City and university safety

Consider a field of study you may want to pursue

Itrsquos important to try and figure out what yoursquore good

at and what your potential future career may look

like If yoursquore not sure yet try taking a career

personality test to give you some suggestions of

potential study opportunities in your field of interest

Another helpful tool is to find information about

different disciplines you can find in undergraduate

and graduate programmes worldwide and the career outcomes they lead to

Make a list of study options

Based on your study abroad goals university advantages or interests you should be able

to come up with a list of study abroad destinations This list is not final and you can always

add or remove universities while you gather more details You can start making

comparisons between university offers trying to gain as much information as you can

Make your own ranking based on your preferences A well-organised education website

will help you compare different types of details and make your choice easier

Your MastersPortal profile (or your profile on our other portals) lets you create a personal

list of universities to keep track of the study programmes you have applied to or are

further considering Include new programmes on the list by adding search results to your

favourites

Conduct a thorough research

Luckily the internet is a great source of information when it comes to finding the right

studies Make a plan of what you need and what studies you would like to follow The

more research you put into the process the more likely you will make the right decision Here

are some powerful research tools you might want to consider

Use specialised academic study choice tools ndash Extensive databases of study

options and ways to find the exact results you are looking for The best academic

portals guide students during key stages of their university application A good

example is MastersPortal helping future students compare their study course

options offering

Visit university websites ndash These

may not always be easy to navigate

Study choice websites may provide

well-organised information about

the university yoursquore interested in

Subscribe to university or education

newsletters and download a

prospectus

Attend higher education fairs

Read education news ndash Keeping

informed about the latest international education policies

Read student reviews and experiences ndash Student experiences are the most

trustworthy resource you can find on the internet Find real people who share

their wonderful and less pleasant experiences on the worldrsquos largest

international student experiences database

Check prestigious university rankings

University rankings give an indication of the quality of education assessed following

certain specific criteria Most rankings are conducted annually keeping updated to new

developments Some of the most highly acclaimed international rankings you may want

to consider checking include

World University Ranking by Times Higher Education

Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University

QS World University Ranking

Financial Times Ranking (designed to assess the best international business

schools)

University rankings may serve both as a way to find new ideas for your study abroad

destination and check the international status of a university you had your eyes on

However these rankings should always be used just as guidelines Always consider

other aspects not covered by rankings that are vital for making the correct decision

Check official languages and teaching languages

Another point you may need to acknowledge is the language(s) spoken in the country of

your choice You may be surprised how many less known study options there are to

study quality academic courses For example

a) While the United States and UK are the most popular study abroad destinations The

Netherlands Germany Switzerland Australia New Zealand or the Nordic countries

provide equally valid English study options

b) You may find quality Spanish in programmes Spain but donrsquot forget about top

universities in Latin America or the United States that provide courses in Spanish as

well

c) France is a popular French study

destination but Belgium or

Canada are other good study

options

d) Central and East European

countries such as Poland

Estonia Romania Hungary

Lithuania or Russia provide

increasing study abroad options

at advantageous costs

e) Asian countries such as Turkey

China Japan or Hong Kong (SAR) are also advancing their competitive English-taught

higher education offer

International language schools as well as some universities offer competitive language

courses to help you advance your academic language skills in top international

languages such as English German French Spanish Chinese Mandarin Russian Arabic

and many more Check them all out and more on LanguageLearningPortalcom

Get information about tuition fees and other financial aspects

Most universities have tuition fees but some offer free or partial tuition and this can

make all the difference for a student with a limited budget If study costs seem

unaffordable there are ways to get the necessary amount through scholarships if you

have good grades Student loans or part-time student jobs are other viable options

Many countries in Europe offer tuition free studies for students belonging to the EU

region while others charge only small yearly fees Examples include countries such as

Austria Finland Germany Denmark Norway France or the Scottish part of the UK

While non-EU students studying in the EU region have to pay larger tuition fees they

usually have better chances of getting significant scholarships to cover costs Check out

ScholarshipPortaleu to find the one that matches your requirements best

Make sure universities and degree have accreditation

In most countries degrees are accredited by a national body Trusted accreditation

offers a guarantee that degrees meet certain educational standard Universities in the

European Union usually adhere to a set of similar educational standards However for

academic programmes that lead to licensed professions such as psychology medical

studies law teaching etc you should check for information from national accreditation

bodies responsible for overseeing that specific profession

Directly contact your top universities

If you canrsquot find all the information you

need on a university website

contacting the university directly

might be the best option Some

university pages offer the Request

information options for an easier way

to ask your questions In case the

university does not offer this service

yoursquoll have to find their contact

information on the programme website Each university also has an alumni association

including an international network you could contact

Consider a campus visit

Itrsquos always best to see where you might study with your own eyes and make your own

informed decision Not anyone can afford a trip abroad to visit prospective universities

but if you have the opportunity try to check out at least the top two universities on your

short-list Universities host periodic student events to promote their university and

answer any questions

Apply and wait for an answer

When you make a decision keep in mind when the application deadline for your

programme is due You should try to apply well in advance to be able to receive the

answer and have time to look for accommodation and handle visa paperwork Gather

the necessary documents and apply to more universities at once

Which Study Course Should I Choose

Choosing the right study programme may be difficult if you are not sure what your

strengths are Figuring out the future career you wish to pursue is one of the most

important elements that will set you on your way to the right future study choice

Think about your high-school studies and

consider if you lean more towards sciences or

arts Do you enjoy writing essays or solving math

problems Are you a bit of a computer-wiz Would

you rather play sports or spend your time

painting or drawing

Taking a self-assessment career test can offer you

great insight or at least provide some valuable ideas StudyPortals offers you a test

based on Hollands Theory of Career Choice that will help you determine your personal

interest profile and suggest study disciplines that might interest you based on your

choices The test takes 3-5 minutes and its totally free Take the test now

You can also explore different types of academic disciplines and some popular

specialisations to give you a better idea of what courses you would like to pursue

Choose a discipline and find a list of top programmes connected to that discipline

Using MastersPortal to Find the Perfect Study

Programme

1 Visit the MastersPortaleu homepage

2 Type in the ldquoWhat do you want to studyrdquo box the name of the discipline you want to

study and press ldquoSearchrdquo

3 Alternatively leave the box empty and just click the ldquoSearchrdquo button to see the full

list of over 35000 Masterrsquos programmes worldwide

4 If you have searched for a discipline you will get a number of study programmes

relevant to the chosen subject

5 If the list is too large you can select one or more filters on the

left side of the page for a more in-depth search After selecting

the filters press one of the ldquoFilterrdquo buttons to update the

programme list based on your filter selections

6 You can select

A keyword

Programmes under a certain discipline and related

sub-discipline

A country where you want to study

The language of instruction you would prefer

Yearly tuition To Find programmes without tuition

fees just select 0 EUR under Maximum value

You can also select the desired duration part-time or

full-time studies or type of degree

7 After narrowing down your search with filters that reflect your preferences you

should look into each programme in more detail If you click on the name of the

programme you will find a description of the programme the requirements

sometimes funding information and often links to the

universitydepartmentprogrammes website

8 If you want to find out more about the application process or characteristics of the

Masterrsquos programme fill in the request information box or click on the link to the

university website provided and contact the institution

9 If you come across any difficulties during this

process you can always contact us the

MastersPortal advisors We are more than happy to

help you

Follow similar processes if you want to find a top

international Bachelorrsquos PhD short course distance

learning programme preparation course or language

course

How a Preparation Course Can Support Your

Studies Abroad

Not yet ready for university studies A preparation course can give you the tools you

need to succeed in your higher education adventure abroad

A preparation course (pre-Bachelor or

foundation course) is a university

groundwork course for international

learners who have gone through a different

education system curriculum These types of

programmes are especially popular in the

UK but can also be found in other European

countries Many preparation courses

guarantee the student qualification allowing

him or her to pursue a Bachelorrsquos degree

once successfully completed Read more about foundation courses

Start searching for the right preparation course on PreparationCoursesPortal and begin

your journey to an international higher education

Searching for a Programme with Good Tuition

and Scholarships

Find Out Details about Tuition Costs for Your Studies

Each country university and sometimes

each study programme has its own tuition

fee structure so there is no easy answer

when it comes to tuition fee costs abroad

Every study programme listed on

MastersPortal and our other portals

includes tuition fee information For more

details on programme costs you can

contact the university directly using the

request form or the contact information provided

Always consider additional costs before enrolling in a tuition-free programme abroad

as living costs in some countries may amount to more than high tuitions in others Read

useful information about tuition and living costs in Austria Belgium Denmark Finland

France Germany Netherlands Norway Spain Sweden In the last years tuitions have

seen a steady increase so you can expect tuition amounts to be a bit higher than the

previous year Also some countries may have changed their tuition policies Make sure

you seek personalised information for the study programmes that interest you

Seek Advantageous Financial Aid Options

Just in Europe there are in total 156 billion Euros worth of scholarships available every

year So which scholarship is the right one for you Check an extensive offer of

opportunities on one of the largest international scholarship databases

ScholarshipPortaleu

Here are a few of the most common types of student financial aid

a) Merit-based scholarships (fellowships) ndash Usually awarded by private

organisations as well as by public institutions or directly from the university

considering the academic performance as well as extracurricular activities of the

candidate

b) Specific scholarships ndash Many organisations award specific scholarships where the

awardees have to meet certain criteria such as nationality gender religion

political affiliation race special needs etc

c) Need-based scholarships (grants) ndash Often offered by governments but also by

charitable organisations they depend on your personal and your

familyrsquos financial situation

d) The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship ndash

Scholarship for Masterrsquos students anywhere in

the world covering tuition accommodation

and living costs Read more here

e) Student loans ndash Governments or banks offer

loans usually regardless of your income than

need to be repaid after a certain amount of

time Read about the new advantageous Erasmus Loan Scheme

f) Student prizes ndash One-time awards for academic achievements winners of

competitions or research results that can be used to support your higher

education

Gather Documents for Your Scholarship Application

The application process of many scholarships takes quite a long time Start as soon as

you know what you are going to study Make sure that you match all the eligibility

requirements Check all the scholarship information on ScholarshipPortal but also visit

the website of the scholarship provider

Most of the time you will need to prepare the following documents for your application

Certificates of your previous education

(first degree school-leaving exams

etc)

Letters of recommendation

(workacademic)

Language certificate showing your

language skills for the programme you

intend to study

Motivation letter

Curriculum Vitae

Examples of your past work in a written essay for instance

Read more about applying for scholarship

Apply for the StudyPortals Scholarship

With a dedicated Scholarship of 1000 EUR StudyPortals now also helps you to cover a

significant part of the costs related to study abroad ambitions Every quarter we

carefully assess the applications received in the previous 3 months and choose one

student beneficiary with a fascinating and motivating study abroad dream

You can apply if you

come from anywhere in the world

are currently studying at a higher education

institute

have to cover a particular expense related to

your academic career

can convince us that you deserve this

scholarship

Tell us how 1000 Euro would help you to make your dream come true Apply now

Key Facts about the University Application

Process

A Few Important Steps to Keep in Mind

After settling for one or more universities you would like to study in the application

process is the most important step on your way to studying abroad Each university

generally has its specific admission requirements so you should always check for

additional information To ensure you wont miss any important deadlines and get your

paperwork ready on time herersquos what you should keep in mind during the application

process

Step 1 Take Language Tests

Once youve decided you would like to pursue

an academic degree abroad make sure to

check language requirement at the university of

your choice and proceed with all the necessary

tests If your native language is not the same as

the teaching language yoursquoll have to take a

language proficiency exam You can take the

IELTS in your country for your English-taught studies abroad Book an IELTS test in your

country

Step 2 Prepare your documents with all necessary translations

Documents confirming your previous

education (high school Bachelors or

Masters diploma or official transcripts)

Standardised test scores if required

Copies of your passport passport size

photos birth certificate etc

Proof that you will be able to afford your

education and living expenses abroad

References from past teachers or employers

Step 3 Complete the application

Apart from general information you might be asked to write an admission essay

motivation letter or have an interview Check that from the university page and make

sure to meet all the criteria as well as the deadlines In the majority of cases university

applications can be done online Herersquos more about writing a successful motivation

letter for your university application

Step 4 Apply for visa

After getting an acceptance letter from the university you might need to start the

procedures for a study abroad visa Immigration requirements are determined by

where you study and by your nationality If you have to submit a visa application

contact the closest embassy of the country you want to go to Send your visa application

at least two months in advance of the start date of your studies as processing can take

between a few days and several months to complete

Donrsquot Forget about Application Deadlines

A university will normally set a deadline for around April-May when applying for an

autumn semester (starting in September-October) However there are many

programmes that end up not being completely filled up Itrsquos likely yoursquoll be able to apply

under a late registration Read more about late registration

What Language Tests to Choose

If you are not a native speaker of the teaching language used in a university where you

want to study abroad than you will need to take a language test to prove your language

skills are sufficient to be able to understand the course content

Here are some of the most popular language certificates required by universities

abroad for different international languages

English certificates

International English Language Testing System

(IELTS)

Test of English as a Foreign Language

(TOEFL)

Cambridge English Examinations (CAE)

Test of English for International

Communication (TOEIC)

Business English Certificate (BEC)

German certificates

Deutsche Sprachpruumlfung fuumlr den Hochschulzugang (DSH)

Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)

French certificates

Diplocircme dEtudes en langue franccedilaise (DELF)

Diplocircme approfondi de langue franccedilaise (DALF)

Of course you can find language certificates in any language you could think of Read

more about how to get a language certificate for your studies abroad

Enrol in a Language Exam Preparation Programme

International language schools worldwide specialise in teaching future students the

language skills they need to pass an academic study language test Find a good exam-

preparation course on LanguageLearningPortal and prepare for getting high passing

grades for your chosen language exam You can also find many other types of language

courses that will help you advance your language skills in a foreign language

Finding Good Accommodation Abroad

An important aspect you should consider

before starting your studies abroad is finding a

good place where you are going to live in your

new surroundings In many cases especially in

the case of popular study destinations

accommodation is scarce

You might be right in thinking that most

universities colleges etc have dormitory

accommodations available to their students

However you should make double sure that

these dorms are available to you dorm rooms come in very limited quantities and

might be reserved for local non-international students only

Different Types of Accommodation for Students

Here are a few accommodation

options international student should

consider when looking for a place to

stay during their studies

a) Dormitories and student

residences are available at

most universities worldwide for

usually low prices You may

apply for accommodation after

you have received your admission confirmation

b) Private accommodation is an alternative to campus residences In some cases

you can request assistance from the university to find apartments and fellow

students interested in sharing rent

c) In the case of studying abroad for a shorter time or while studying a foreign

language in a language school choosing to live with a local family (home stay)

might provide a cosy living environment

d) A couch-surfing host or a student hostel may also provide temporary

accommodation during the first couple of days after your arrival in the country

When choosing accommodation consider the factors that will ensure you have an

enjoyable experience abroad

Monthly costs

Distance from university grounds

Room size and facilities in working

condition

Neighbourhood security

Fair apartment owners

Proximity to city and

entertainment venues

Reliable Way of Finding Quality Accommodation during Your Studies

The services provided by Uniplaces and

StudyPortals take the strain off universities

helping you to make informed study choices

without having to worry about

accommodation difficulties

Uniplaces offers an affordable and reliable

way to find quality accommodation options in

Europe by providing an extensive platform

where you can compare and contrast various

accommodation options in 39 cities in eight countries across Europe

Read more about the services offered by Uniplaces

When choosing accommodation consider the factors that will ensure you have an

enjoyable experience abroad

Monthly costs

Distance from university grounds

Room size and facilities in working

condition

Neighbourhood security

Fair apartment owners

Proximity to city and

entertainment venues

Reliable Way of Finding Quality Accommodation during Your Studies

The services provided by Uniplaces and

StudyPortals take the strain off universities

helping you to make informed study choices

without having to worry about

accommodation difficulties

Uniplaces offers an affordable and reliable

way to find quality accommodation options in

Europe by providing an extensive platform

where you can compare and contrast various

accommodation options in 39 cities in eight countries across Europe

Read more about the services offered by Uniplaces

Meeting Your Living Costs and Working during

Your Studies

Enjoy Your Stay and Pay Less during Your Studies

Living in a country abroad for a few years will

result in significant additional expenses you

should take into account Students are known for

finding different inventive ways of having a

cheap lifestyle whether it is riding their bike to

university buying trendy clothes from the

second hand shops or scouting for the cheapest

supermarkets

One sure way of reducing your extra expenses

during your study abroad adventure while also

enjoying plenty of extra benefits is to apply for

an ISIC student discount card available in 130

countries The ISIC card gives access to over

42000 products services or experiences in every stage and area of student life Read

more about the ISIC card

Read about a few other ways you can save money while living abroad

Advancing Your Work Experience While Covering Your Living Expenses

You can also try to find alternative sources of income during your studies or at least

advance your professional experience over the period of your studies Here are a few

examples

Internships ndash In addition to priceless

experience in a professional setting

some companies might offer paid part-

time or summer positions

Volunteering ndash Just like doing an

internship volunteering is beneficial for

your resume and does not require full

time commitment even though it

usually doesnrsquot involve any pay Volunteer work involves helping others bringing

a great sense of self-fulfilment

Freelancing ndash With all the internet resources currently available it is no longer

necessary to sit in an office in order to perform a job All that you need is a

computer with internet access and some free time

Working in the university ndash Many universities also offer paid positions for their

best students While working in a student organization is not paid the work

experience is a big advantage on the job market and looks great on your CV

Student jobs ndash implies more understanding and tolerance from your employer

different benefits a more flexible program and most importantly smaller or no

taxes to pay for your income Read more about student jobs

Find out What Other Students Are Saying about

Studying Abroad

Read About Student Experiences All Over the World

You can visit an extensive database of experiences from students who have lived and

studied abroad Students from all over the world write and post reviews about their

experiences on different categories and rate their overall impression sharing precious

insight that will help you make an informed decision about your academic future Visit

Stexxeu and search through over 130000 international student reviews

Check Out the Yearly International Student Satisfaction Awards

The StudyPortals International Student

Satisfaction Awards are based on

comments made by thousands of

international students worldwide These

reviews provide insights into universitiesrsquo

performance from a studentrsquosrsquo perspective

Universities which received the most

positive reviews (averaging 95 to 10) were

awarded certificates of excellence for the

current academic year

Read the results of the International Student Satisfaction Awards 2014 and check out

which universities got the best scores

Join Satisfied International Students Getting a Higher Education

Abroad

Here is what some students had to say about their experience with finding their dream

studies abroad

As StudyPortals is a trustworthy source for different international

scholarships it helped me figure where to go and learn I came to

Venice because they have a good reputation in the subject matter

Samerawit Brehanu Habte Carsquo Foscari University of Venice Italy

I regularly visited StudyPortals I had known about my host university

from this site at first This portal helped me to find the right university

Then I decided to file the required documentation for PhD study on

this website I am tremendously grateful to the portal for helping me to

find out and define my next aims

Abdulazizjon Abdullaev Czech Technical University in Prague

Czech Republic

Using StudyPortals really helped me compare different universities in

the UK ndash which Irsquod learnt was the best place to get an MA Translation

degree The website gave me the ability to cross compare universities

and to pick my top four to which I would apply

Rebekah Mae University of Exeter United Kingdom

There will never be a chance to grab hold of an opportunity of

such rich immense and deep learning on so many levels So many

study abroad students have ambitions to work in the big cities of

the world which is proof of the great expansion of a personrsquos own

horizons on their travels

Daniel Kelly Rotterdam University Netherlands

I truly believe that if there are people who dream about studying

abroad no matter the reason they should definitely do it Because if

they plan it carefully and think about all the changes that studying

abroad involves they accept these changes and work towards them

nothing is impossible

Delia Violeta Cislariu Bournemouth University United Kingdom

Ready to Start Your Study Abroad Adventure

We hope you found The Ultimate Study Abroad Guidebook useful making your search

for the perfect study programme abroad easier We wish you good luck in your study

abroad life-changing adventure

Visit MastersPortal BachelorsPortal PhDPortal ScholarshipPortal

LanguageLearningPortal ShortCoursesPortal PreparationCoursesPortal or

DistanceLearningPortal to make your international higher education dreams come true