Planning to study abroad is exciting and empowering, but it can sometimes be confusing. Every step of your academic adventure will come with new information, and you cannot be expected to understand it all immediately. So, asking questions is encouraged. Institutions are ready to answer queries on any subject you want clarified. Start thinking about this now, as we set out the most important questions to ask a university as an international student.
What are the application deadlines?
Confirming this information is essential. Application deadlines are taken seriously by universities, so you should always do everything you can to get organised as early as possible. This means getting all your documents, test results and supporting material ready in good time. Even if you are unable to avoid delays or obstacles, you should always have one eye on the important dates for your course, as well as things like scholarships and accommodation.
Discover how to apply to university.
Where will I live?
Whether or not you are moving away from home for the first time, you will want to know that you are going somewhere safe, secure and comfortable. To make sure of this, you can speak to your university's international office about your student accommodation options. They can give you information on availability, types, costs and application procedures. Many universities even allow you to tour their accommodation virtually, which is ideal for international students who can't visit in person.
Consider some more questions to ask about student accommodation.
Does the university have an international student community?
Some universities are more globally minded than others. For that reason, you might want to know how many international students there are at your intended institution. Finding a student community with similar experiences to yours can help you settle in and make firm friends.
In addition, a multicultural and diverse campus enables the exchange of ideas, experiences and perspectives. You could encounter people from all over the world, as well as the same place as you. To that end, consider asking universities how many students they have from your home country. These people could help you with homesickness, and may join you in clubs and societies.
What are the campus and local area like?
While independent research into campuses and their surrounding areas can give you a good sense of what they are like, there is no substitute for experience. Hearing from those who live, work and study there will give you an extra level of insight. Whether you are able to attend an open day or are only in contact online, the following are questions you could ask universities:
- What facilities are there?
- How expensive is the area?
- How diverse is the area?
- What public transport is available?
- What are the main attractions?
- What other places are nearby?
- Where are the medical and support facilities?
These are just a few suggestions. Whatever you would like to know about the place in which you may live, you should feel free to ask. Everyone has their own preferences with this fundamental part of student life, so you should not pass up an opportunity to see how yours can be met.
Explore the world's top student cities.
Is financial aid available?
Even before you have selected a university or course, you may want to investigate financial aid options. You might gather some information about these online and in university prospectuses, but could learn a lot more by asking the right people. You may find them in a university's international office, admissions team or finance department, or in one of its schools.
It is advisable to do some research before getting in touch. That way, your questions will have some focus and understanding behind them. Nonetheless, universities appreciate that there is a lot you will want to know about, so they will always be keen to make things clear. The finer details of things like scholarships can be complicated, and they will not want them to be lost on you.
Try our top scholarship application tips.
How will my course be taught?
You should not overlook the way your course will be structured and taught. Each one is different, and some may suit you better than others. By asking questions about this in advance, you will give yourself time to prepare and make informed decisions. While much of the information you need will be available online or in a prospectus, some details may not be.
To build on the facts you can gather independently, you may want to speak to a faculty or staff member who is involved with the course that you are considering. Virtual open days and information sessions offer a great opportunity to do this, as they are often attended by course leaders. Some questions you may have could include:
- Is the course taught via lectures, seminars or practical work? Is it a combination?
- How are classes structured?
- What is the student-to-staff ratio of classes?
- How much face-to-face time do students get with lecturers?
- How are students assessed?
- Is there project and group work?
- Which campus is the course based at?
- Can students take courses with other departments?
Get to know the differences between higher education systems around the world.
What will I study on my course?
You may be keen to know what modules, themes and topics are covered by a study programme. This can help you evaluate how well it matches your preferences and interests. Course outlines generally set things out clearly, but they may still leave with you questions.
These can be asked to a member of the relevant academic department. Whether you are unsure about the specifics of an unfamiliar topic on the curriculum, or just want to know about its structure in more detail, they should be able to help. Everything from core to elective modules can be discussed.
Consider how to choose a major.
What should I do if I want to study at a higher level later?
Understanding what you will study on your course is also important if you intend to progress to another one. Many master's and doctoral degrees have entry requirements that include the need to have studied in a particular field, or even on a particular programme. If you think further learning is in your future, you should consider this in advance.
Similarly, you may want to consider how a course qualifies you for a particular line of employment. Some roles require professional accreditation that may only be offered by some courses in its area. Additionally, some may offer valuable work placements or internships, while others may not.
Learn exactly how to qualify for a master's degree.
What have alumni achieved?
Universities are eager to tell you all about their graduates' success. This means the stories of those who have gone on to change the world, as well as statistics like employment rates. You can confidently ask about both and get a good picture of where studying at an institution could take you.
Some universities may take this a step further by allowing you to talk to alumni personally. Their first-hand insights could be invaluable, and provide you with some much-needed inspiration and motivation. Even if it doesn't, the discussion will be eye-opening.
Think ahead with our tips for finding a graduate job.
Can the university help me find work after graduation?
One way universities enhance graduate prospects is with dedicated careers services. These can offer everything from job application advice to work experience opportunities, so it is always worth finding out if an institution has one, and what it might do for you.
You may want to ask how extensive a university's careers service is. Is it open every day, with enough time to help all interested students? If it has sufficient capacity, you may be able to drop in for an in-person session, but if not, you may have to make an appointment. Further, while most careers services have physical offices, some may be centred online.
We hope these key questions to ask universities help as you explore your options. For further advice, you can read our guides to choosing where to study abroad, choosing student accommodation and how to compare universities. Alternatively, you can find courses now with our simple search tool.
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