What are the steps to study abroad?

The decision to study abroad is not an easy one. You must leave your family and friends behind. There is a substantial cost involved. You also must adjust to a new environment and culture. However, the rewards of studying at a reputed university or college abroad are very significant. A bachelor’s or master’s degree from a renowned institution abroad can help you fast-track your career, with access to the world’s best employers. If you have decided to study abroad, it is time to answer the big question: how to study abroad? What are the steps to take? Let us help you with our step-by-step guide.

Are you wondering 'How can I study abroad?'. Here's an infographic summary of the steps:

Step 1: Do the groundwork

Preparation must be done well before you get to the application form-filling stage. So, what happens in Step 1? It's time to answer some important questions:

• Decide what you want to study. Do you want to do your bachelor’s degree in India and then go abroad for your master’s degree? Do you only want a professional qualification, certificate, or diploma from a known university abroad? 
• Where do you want to study? The cost of living, the reputation a destination has for academics, the job prospects, and how welcoming the country is of foreigners are all factors you should consider. 
• Compare programs offered by different universities and colleges to find the right one for you. Shortlist the programs you want to apply for and track when admissions open and the entry requirements. This helps you be fully prepared to submit your application when admissions open. 

You can talk to us for help with every aspect of applying to universities abroad. Just fill out the form on this page.

Here’s an article that can come in handy: What is the cost of studying abroad?

Step 2: Prepare to apply

Get ready to apply to your shortlisted programs. Here are some points: 

• Prepare an Excel sheet with details of application opening dates, eligibility requirements, and documents required with the application. Follow the list so that as the admission opening date nears, you can collect all the necessary documents and keep them ready to send to each college/ university.  
• Research scholarships, student loans and grants you are eligible for and learn how and when to apply. 
• Some programs (for example, master’s courses) need specific documents such as work experience certificates, letters of recommendation and more. Prepare for this so that when needed, you know who to contact. Usually, you must include a personal statement outlining why you want to study at an institution. This is the time to prepare these statements. 
• Take stock of your finances. Even students who get scholarships may have to cover some expenses. Ensure you have the funds necessary after determining what costs are involved in studying abroad and which can be paid from scholarship funds. 

 Find more information to ease your application preparation:

Step 3: Take the necessary tests

Most universities ask for English proficiency scores from Indian students. Here’s more about this step. 

• Find out which test is accepted by the universities you wish to apply to. Generally, the IELTS test is accepted worldwide. 
• Give yourself enough time to prepare for the test- understand the format and the scoring system, and then work through enough practice tests until you are confident of a high score.
• Take the test with enough time to spare so that you have ample time to get the scores before you apply, and you can retake the test and improve scores, if necessary. 

Some universities or specific programs may need you to take other tests. Plan for them similarly so that you have your best possible scores when you get to Step 4. 

Step 4: Send the applications

This is a very time-sensitive step in the process. 

• So now to apply to foreign universities without missing out on any good opportunities. In the previous step, you made a tracker listing every university/ college you want to try to get admission to. Update this tracker with the admission opening dates for each in ascending order. Now, you have a resource to tell you when you to submit your application for each institution. 
• Follow the tracker meticulously and gather all the necessary documents for each application in advance before the admission opens. 
• Do not wait until the last date of admission to apply. Send in your application early, but only after ensuring it is complete and has all the necessary documents attached. 

Step 5: Apply for scholarships

Check beforehand if you must apply for a scholarship while submitting your application or after getting your acceptance confirmation from a university. Usually, it is the latter. 

• In Step 2, you already researched scholarships that you are eligible for. Now is the time to apply. 
• Understand what the financial aid requires you to do. Some may be repayable, but some need not be repaid. Ensure you read everything about the scholarship/loan/grant and understand what you must do.  
• Apply for as many scholarships/ grants as you are eligible for. If you are taking out a student loan, compare different products to find the most affordable ones. 
• If one scholarship/ grant/ loan is approved and awarded, ensure that you adhere to rules about taking up other financial aid. It may be possible to receive more than one scholarship grant or loan, but you must understand and follow the rules in such circumstances. 

Step 6: Get the acceptance letter

This step is not in your hands but is still the most critical part of your study abroad process. 

• Each university that you apply to analyses your application and then decides whether to give you a place in the program. If you are eligible and qualify, you get an acceptance letter from a university. The time to get your acceptance letter may be as soon as two weeks from application, but it can take more time depending on the university and the program. The expected time frame for acceptance is another data point to fill into your spreadsheet tracker. 
• You generally get an acceptance letter and a form you must fill in and send back to confirm that you will study the course. 
• If you get accepted from multiple universities/ courses, sit back and carefully analyse the pros and cons of each before you pick one. Give yourself a couple of days before you make your final decision. Talk to people who have been through the same process a few years ahead of you to get pointers on decision-making. 
• Make sure you send the confirmation before the deadline. The university may ask you to send more documentation along with confirmation. 

Step 7: Apply for student visa

A few countries do not require you to get a student visa, but most do. If your university is in a country that requires a student visa, this is the step where you apply for one. 

• The visa processing can be complex if you are a first-time applicant and you have not done some homework on the process in advance. Your IDP counsellor can simplify the process for you. 
• Apply as soon as possible to have your visa by the time your academic program begins. 
• For your visa processing, you typically need the following documents:
• Valid passport
• University acceptance letter
• English language proficiency scores
• Consent letter from parent/ guardian if you are a minor
• Proof of funds
• Recent photos
• Academic credentials/scorecards
• Vaccination certification, if required
• Find out when you will get your visa and ensure you have it in time to fly to your new home. 

Step 8: Preparing to travel

With everything else in place, you must focus on the actual trip to your new college or university. 

• Check if the college/ university has accommodation for you. Fulfil any requirements needed before you get there so you are assured of a place to stay on campus. 
• If you don’t have on-campus accommodation, then research rooms for rent, or private dorms nearby and coordinate with other students to see if you can share accommodations. Local hosts and homestays are also potential options, but these will be more expensive than dorms or sharing rooms with others. Renting a flat is also an option, albeit a more expensive one.
• Get your tickets to travel to your college. Buying tickets early gets you a more affordable price than leaving this task to the last minute. Compare costs across airlines to get the best deal. Do pay attention to baggage restrictions and extra baggage fees.
• Verify what are the entry requirements at your destination and be prepared accordingly. 
• Get warm clothing or rain gear if necessary. 
• As you get close to your travel date, pack your bags with care to ensure you have all the essentials, but also leave out stuff that you can easily and affordably replace when you get there. Remember that you will have to handle your bags, so don’t pack so much that you cannot move around without help. 

There you have it. You are all set to fly towards your new life. Being prepared and understanding what to do and when can alleviate the anxiety associated with studying abroad. Follow all these steps and talk to your IDP counsellor for support whenever you have questions. 

Editor's note: This article was originally published in September 2016 by our content writer, Kavitha Vijeyavelan. We have since revised it to include up-to-date information and ensure its comprehensiveness.