How to apply to foreign universities? 8 important documents required to study abroad

How easy is it to get your post-secondary education abroad these days? Every third person I know is studying abroad to step up their career options or get a better academic experience.

But what makes a study abroad journey successful? Besides other proactive approaches that you take, you must have a clear idea about how to apply to foreign universities. You should get ready in advance, with the right set of documents required to study abroad.

Not all universities around the globe require the same set of credentials. Hence you should pay attention to the requirements mentioned by the different universities and colleges. If unsure, you can speak to our counsellors who are experts with experience sending thousands of students to their dream universities abroad. They can guide you in the right direction.

Let’s jump to the topic.

How to apply to foreign universities

A student visa is not the first thing to be concerned about when you think about applying to foreign universities. You have a list of other documents you should get ready Always read through the university and course requirements carefully and take notes so that you don’t miss any. Look out for ways to strengthen your application. You’ll also find tips to make your application stand out.

What are the documents required to study abroad from India?

Here are the general document requirements mentioned by universities.

1. Application Form

The application form will have fields to enter all your personal and professional details. Fill in the application form carefully and properly. One quick tip if you are wondering how to apply to foreign universities: If there is an option to fill in the details before printing the application form, you should go for it. It makes it so much easier for the admissions officer to go through your application.  

2. Certificates

If you’ve just completed school, you will need your senior secondary certificates (SSC) and higher secondary certificates (HSC) along with the mark sheets when you apply for your post-secondary education abroad. If you have already finished your bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree, you will have to produce your degree certificate and the mark sheets.

3. Competetive exam scores

Depending on the course you opted for, you might have to sit different competitive exams.

Many universities require GMAT, GRE, LSAT or other competitive exam scores as part of the entry requirements. The test certificates are extremely important among the list of documents required to study abroad. Several of these documents are valid only for a fixed period. So, make sure the certificates are valid while you submit them to the university. Speak to our experts who can help you get things in order and guide you in submitting a complete application.

English language test scores: If English is not your first language, you will have to submit proof of English proficiency while applying to foreign universities, especially universities in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. This is because the courses will be delivered in English and the universities wouldn’t want the language to be a limiting factor for your studies.

IELTS and TOEFL are two of the most popular English language proficiency tests accepted globally.  Most institutions also demand a minimum overall test score and a minimum acceptable score for each skill. For example, if you are looking to study Computer Science in Canada, you will have to score overall of a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS with no individual band score less than 6.0.

You might be aware that several English language test providers offer online versions of their tests too. IELTS Online is a great option for those who would like to take the test from the comfort of their home. However, make sure you check with the universities before signing up for the test. 

4. Statement of Purpose

I can confidently tell you that my SOP bagged me my place at the university. This written document will signify who you are, what made you choose your career path, why you opted for that university, what are you planning to do after the course, your interests and other personal details. A well-written SOP will be the key to your way into the university. So, invest a good amount of time working on your SOP before you submit the application. You’ll find several tips on the internet for writing an effective SOP.

5. Resume

Did you expect that a resume will be necessary when considering how to apply to foreign universities? Right after you finish high school, it is a good idea to start working on it to eventually prepare an effective resume. I know it’s slightly unrealistic to have a powerful resume just after high school but give it a try! It is wise to get help while preparing your resume; stick to two pages at the most, if possible.

6. Letters of recommendation

People always want to know what others think of you. Institutions would like to know other people’s opinions about you, to help them make an informed decision on your application. Institutions might ask for more than one recommendation letter.

Make sure you ask for LOR  from the right person. He/she should be someone who you know for sure will nail it for you. Look up tips for writing LORs, find sample LORs and pass them along to the person writing the recommendation letter for you. A sad recommendation letter will push you down the ladder.

7. Passport size photographs

Sounds like a cakewalk, right? I almost lost my chances of getting out of India just because I attached a wrong-sized photo! Always double-check the dimensions of the passport size photo, be it admissions or visas. This is an aspect that students tend to overlook when checking the requirements to study abroad from India.

8. Experience Documents

If you are applying for grad school, make sure you have relevant experience documents. For example, several institutions that offer MBA courses abroad look for work experience. Griffith University in Queensland, Australia is one such institution that asks for a minimum of 3-years work experience from international students as part of their entry requirements to the MBA course.

You might not have experience certificates if you’ve just finished high school and are looking for post-secondary education. Ignore this step if that’s the case.

Additional Documents

Very rarely do institutions ask for financial documents at the time of application. These documents include bank statements, official letters from the bank, an official letter from any sponsoring authority, scholarship award letter etc. These are crucial at the time of your student visa. For more details, check out our article on acceptable financial documents.

Often, the smallest award you have received will push your application a little harder. Produce proof of achievements and other certificates that will explain your talents and extracurricular activities you’ve undertaken. If you’ve always been a bookworm, never mind!

Re-check the Documents

Once you have all the right documents, re-check them as many times as you want before you send in your application to foreign universities. This will take you one step closer to your dream university. Have attested copies of all the documents in a folder and arrange them according to the checklist. This will help you organize your application better.

It might seem like you have all the documents required to study abroad, but you won’t know until you sit down to get it in order. So, don’t wait till the last minute. Plan ahead of time and prepare all the documents a couple of months before the application process starts. This will ease your blood pressure and that of your parents!

Please speak to us if you need more information about how to apply to universities abroad. We'll give you a plan and suggest options tailored to your interests. Once you receive the offer letter from the university, you can think of applying for your student visa. All the best!