In the past decade, there has been a huge increase in African students studying abroad. This is because more and more students are recognising that an education from a prestigious university abroad will lead to a better career with higher earning potential. If you’re thinking about going to university abroad, these tips will help you narrow down your options and choose the right school for you.
How do I know what degree I should study? The first step would be figuring out what course or degree level you want to study. The most important part of your study abroad should include finding a study abroad agent that will help you achieve your dream. We offers impartial advice on all matters study abroad for African students. Book your initial consultation here.
Check Your Finances (and The Tuition of Every University You're Applying to)
Studying abroad isn’t cheap. Before you embark on this journey you should check your finances. Work out your budget for student life. As well as tuition fees, you need to factor in extra costs like food, accommodation and travel. You may find it helpful to make a list of your expected monthly expenditure (including rent/mortgage for between-term months).
You need to make a financial assessment to see how much money you can invest in your education. Make a list of the expenses that the university will be asking from you and also those that they will cover. In most cases, universities will ask for a bank statement of the last six months that proves you will have enough money to pay the tuition.
Make sure you have valid bank statements ready to support your study abroad dream.
Choose Your Subject
What course do you want to study? Is the course that you want to study marketable? Most young people are made to think that careers such as law and medicine are the only careers that will guarantee them jobs and a higher pay. Well that is not the case anymore because a field like data analytics has grown over the past few years and continues to explode.
You have to actively do a lot of research on the right study abroad program for you. Technology continues to advance today and it is difficult to predict how the future job market will look like. If you are having doubts on what program to study abroad, fill out this contact form to arrange a meeting with one of our study abroad experts.
Check if the university you are applying to offers the subject or major. This is also a very big part of your research. What majors you want to study will play a very important role in choosing your university and country.
It’s also vitally important that you choose courses that you enjoy doing and that adding them up to the ones required for finishing your degree would tell a nice story about yourself.
List All the Factors That Are Important to You
Do you want to study in a country where you have an option of studying in either English or French or German? Or perhaps you want to live in a city where there is an active cultural scene? Think about what will play the most important part for you and make sure that your university ticks those boxes.
Once you’ve decided, start looking for universities that offer courses that fit with your preferences.
Follow Your Heart and Your Head Too!
Pay attention to your heart and your head when you’re choosing a university abroad. You don’t have to go to college or university in the same country where you grew up. In fact, most people who study abroad do so precisely because they want to get away from their home culture and experience a new way of life.
Make An Honest Choice
Be honest with yourself when choosing a university abroad. The decision to study abroad is a big one, so don’t just wander into it lightly. Rate your reasons for wanting to go on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the strongest motivation. Don’t choose a course or university because someone else expects you to or because studying abroad seems exciting. You need to be enthusiastic about the choices you make since they will determine your future.
Be Patient
The university admissions process takes time and you need to be patient with it. Don’t rush into things, as it can lead to hasty decisions. While doing your research on what university to study abroad, take your time and don’t be swayed by what others suggest. After all, you’re the one who has to live with your decision for another four years!
It’s important to remember that different universities have different requirements for entrance. Check which grades they expect from applicants. Sometimes, the process can take longer than expected because of differences in school systems or due to the many numbers of applicants.
Check If You Qualify for Admission
Make sure that you have all your grades and transcripts ready. What grades did you score in Maths? A level in chemistry? It’s worth checking if those grades are the same as your chosen university – chances are that they’ll require a higher grade.
Will you have to sit entrance exams? Will your grades be recognised by a different grading system? If the answers are yes, you’ll need to check out exactly what requirements apply in your case and how you can meet them.
How will you do that? That is where Seed educational Consulting come in, we have worked with the elite institutions around the world to help students achieve their goals.
Attend Educational Fairs or Pay the University a Visit
You could attend educational fairs, contact universities for information, or even talk to students who go there.
You should ask yourself several questions before you plan a visit. What are the things I wanted to see in a university? How can I get more information about this university? Who could I meet at the university to give me more information? There may be alumni, current students, faculty members or even other people who can give you useful information about the university.
Make a Priority List
A priority list is an effective tool for choosing the right university abroad. Make your own priority list with all the universities that you want to apply for and put them in order of preference. Keep in mind that there may be a number of factors which will affect your university choice. These factors may include: course of study, location of the university, tuition cost and living expenses, scholarship opportunities and many more.
As soon as you have your priority list ready, contact us to get started on your study abroad journey. Start by making a list of all the universities that you want to apply for. Once you’ve made your list, write down each university in order of preference. Next, identify what factors might be important to you when deciding which university is right for you. These may include: course of study, location of the university, and tuition cost. Be sure to check every university you plan on applying with, as some may have a different deadline.
Choosing the right university abroad can be a daunting task. There are so many factors to consider, from high quality education and affordability to living arrangements and cultural immersion opportunities. If you’re still not sure where is best for you, reach out to our team of educators at Seed Educational Services who specialize in international study abroad programs. We have extensive experience with universities around the world and will help match your specific needs with your dream school! contact us today.
