How to shortlist universities

Every university has its share of pros and cons. Some important aspects to focus on include:

• Curriculum: Your hard-earned degree will make an impact only if you can apply your learning in real-life or work situations. Choose an institution that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date course curriculum and also provides state-of-the-art research facilities.
• Faculty: An institution, with friendly and knowledgeable faculty members who actively support students is a great place to study.
• Fees and scholarships: Tuition fees play a significant role in decision-making when planning to study abroad. Institutions, governments, companies and philanthropists offer scholarships. Most scholarships help students get a discount on tuition fees.
• Rankings: Rankings are a great start to shortlist universities. Refer to reputed ranking lists such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings or the QS Rankings to shortlist universities. However, the university's rank shouldn't be the sole reason for selecting it for your higher studies. 
• Accommodation and food: In addition to the tuition fees, your next big expenses will be food and accommodation. Most institutions require students to live on campus, and applicants are advised to apply for on-campus accommodation at the time of admission. Most American institutions have a concept called ‘meal plan’. Students pick a meal plan of their choice, which allows them a fixed number of meals every semester. Students get a pre-paid card, and money is deducted each time the students pay for a meal using the card, which can be recharged.
• Career support: An institution’s success can be measured by how soon its graduates find a job or choose to further their education. Check graduate job placement records of universities for these insights.
• Student life: Find an institution that gives ample opportunities to explore your hobbies and interests and offers an enriching student life.

Here are some pointers to help you do the job faster:

1. Understand your goals

Understand your goals, aspirations, and needs clearly, before narrowing down your university options. Each student has a different expectation of college life. Set your priorities by defining your short-term and long-term goals.

Reflect on questions like:

1. What benefits do you expect to get out of your higher studies?
2. What drives your interest in this subject area?
3. Do you want a master's degree or a professional qualification, or do you want to focus on research?
4. Do you want to be employment-ready after your studies?
5. What are your career goals and aspirations?
6. Do you have any preferences regarding the university size? Do you want to study at a huge campus or are you okay with a mid-sized or a small campus?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you will be better placed to do your research.

2. Research universities

Next, research universities that meet your criteria (identified above). Start by going through the university websites carefully. Check available courses, modules, syllabi, programmes, and more. Look at the faculty credentials and their accomplishments. Check the international admissions page for details on the application process, selection criteria, eligibility, tuition costs, and timelines.

Some universities may offer virtual tours to give prospective students a glimpse of the campus. You can also watch university videos on YouTube (often uploaded by students or staff). 

The most effective way to gain insights about the university is to speak to student advisors, course advisors, professors, or current students. They can give you firsthand details, including the pros and cons. Read student reviews and testimonials to get a pulse of what to expect.

3. Browse online databases

Additionally, go through online databases and search tools to learn more about available courses and universities in your area of interest. For example, IDP Hotcourses - India has a comprehensive database of thousands of universities across the globe and the range of programmes (undergraduate, postgraduate, certificate, diploma, etc) they offer.

4. Evaluating academic programmes

This should be an important factor to consider when selecting your university. Here are some sub-parameters to look for when gauging universities:

Rankings: Review and evaluate the institution’s credibility in your subject area by going through QS World University or Times Higher Education and checking the rankings for your subject and overall rankings in the world. Each country may have its rankings - don’t forget to review them too.

These rankings provide helpful information regarding the programme, research initiatives, and statistics such as the number of international students, acceptance rates, famous alumni, eligibility criteria, and more. You can even compare universities to evaluate better.

Curriculum: Go through specific departmental pages on the university website to learn more about your subject courses, curriculum, academic environment, and the facilities they offer.

Choose an institution that offers the most comprehensive course curriculum with state-of-the-art facilities. Consider factors like electives, majors, or double degree programmes that the university offers and see if they align with your degree and career goals. Some popular double degrees include JD/MBA, MD/PhD, BE/MBA, etc.

Faculty expertise: “The mediocre teacher says. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William A. Ward.

The university and the department websites will give you information on the intellectual capabilities and backgrounds of the faculty. This becomes a key factor, especially for research students, as the expertise and interests of faculty members will determine the research projects, assistantships, and electives for students.

Also, focus on the student-faculty ratio and class size. Ideally, a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1 or 20:1 would be the best option.

If your focus is on research opportunities, you can use the internet to gather information about the faculty members, their projects and grants awarded.

5. Check location and campus life

Research the city and country thoroughly. Consider the transport options, weather, climate, local culture, customs, and social activities so you can be better prepared to adapt to the new environment.

Weather: If you are sensitive to weather changes, it is important to get a clear understanding of the weather in the area. Some countries like Canada experience harsh winters, so you must be prepared with proper clothing.

If you are considering the US as your study destination, evaluate different time zones, weather patterns, cost of living, etc. as the US is such a vast country. For example, the east coast of the United States has a cool, temperate climate like some places in Northern India, while the south has a mild winter but a hot summer. The mid-west region has a lower cost of living and the west coast is known for its liberal lifestyle.

Campus life and setting: Universities typically have several campuses across the city or the country, and sometimes, spread across geographical regions. Research each campus to find the one that best suits you and check if your programme is available at that campus. Also, assess campus amenities like labs, cafes, libraries, lounging areas, and recreational facilities.

Consider campus size - some are small (with about 1000 students) and some are big (with more than 30,000 students). If you enjoy a close-knit setting, go for smaller campuses, if you like big places that offer diversity, select accordingly.

Safety: This is extremely important for international students as most of them are new to the place. So review the safety measures and security offered by the university. Check the location of the university and how far it is from the city centre. Research city’s crime rates and safety of public transport.

6. Understand the expenses

Tuition and living costs depend on the selected university, the course, the city, and the country of your choice. Research the funding opportunities available at the university. These can include scholarships, financial aid, bursaries, academic awards, etc.

If cost is a constraint, consider public universities or universities in rural or suburban areas, or look for more affordable countries. For example, studying in Australia, Canada, or Germany is more cost-effective than studying in the US or the UK.

7. Review visas and immigration policies

A key factor in choosing your university is the country's policy on international student work visas and career placement opportunities.

Many countries allow part-time work (up to 20 hours) during studies and full-time during breaks or holidays. Some, like Canada and New Zealand, offer post-study work permits or visas to graduates to work in the country after their education.

8. Student support services

Campus support: Evaluate the kind of support offered by universities to international students. You will need help figuring out finances, transport, health facilities, etc. It’s important to be with supportive students and faculty or to join student associations or professional groups for socializing and networking activities. Some departments or universities can help you get in touch with current students who can help you with any questions you may have.

Career support/opportunities: Check if the university has a strong career support system or an alumni network that can help with employment or internships. A key question to ask would be “Does the university provide campus placements?” Institutions with a dedicated career placement team, which assists students in securing a relevant job are of great advantage. Career Placement Teams also arrange mock interviews and conduct seminars to help students prepare for a fruitful career.

Support/activities during breaks: Find out if your university is offering leisure activities during breaks or holidays. You need to take a break and wind down at times. Several universities have student clubs or societies, specific to sports, art, charity, etc. Learn more about these from the university pages and see if they align with your interests.

9. Ties with India

A good thing to keep in mind when considering applying abroad is the relationship between the country of your choice and India, so that the application, visa, and immigration process goes smoothly, and the chances of rejections are low. Bilateral agreements between countries can also help with education exchange programmes, scholarships, and funding support for Indian students.

India has close relationships with several countries, such as the US, the UK, Australia, France, Ireland, the UAE, and Germany. These countries process a large number of Indian student applications every year.