5 Things to Consider While Shortlisting Universities Abroad

Dreaming about your ‘dream’ universities is easy; shortlisting them in real-time is a task too cumbersome. When you actually sit down to consider the available options, things may start to become messier and more confusing than you expected. It is not your fault, though. There are so many good universities abroad, and unless you have a lot of money to spare on application fees, you cannot apply to all of them. You cannot aimlessly apply to any university you come across. There are a number of things you should factor in before shortlisting universities.

Going to an international university is truly a challenging decision. You mustn’t go wrong in the first step, which is shortlisting. I am here to give you an insight into how one should shortlist universities for education abroad. There are 5 things which you must consider before anything else. So, let us take a look at them.

1. Location
   Our first instincts usually tell us to go to the United States or Europe, and it is understandable why. But, just because the world is going there doesn’t mean they are the only places where one can have a good education. You must consider all available locations. Consider the weather, safety, distance from your native country, aviation network, friendliness, and reputation in the world. Even in a country, you have to be specific about the city. For example, if you choose New Zealand, you must consider the specific location within it and what is in store for you over there. Auckland, for example, is expensive and could not be a viable option for you. Location, hence, is very fundamental.
2. What kind of curriculum there is
   You must check the performance of the universities in the course you are interested in. After that, you should take a thorough look at what the curriculum is all about. If you are going for a Master’s programme, make sure the curriculum does not repeat too much of the curriculum from your undergraduate programme. Also, note whether there are innovative and research-oriented modules that can offer you some practical education. You must assess the core courses in the programme and how they will be dealt with and by whom.
3. Tuition and other expenses
   Of course, this is something that can impact our decision to a great extent. International education comes at a great cost. Tuition fees for international students are generally more than that of domestic students. You must check whether there are any scholarship options available for you, and apply for the same if there are. There are some universities which sign up foreign students to part-time jobs throughout their time there so that financial needs can be met. There are also bilateral arrangements between countries that extend funding opportunities to students of merit.
4. Admission Requirements
   This is a very important thing. Read the requirements at least twice before you move forward. Check every requirement carefully, and note down what you might need. Many universities require foreign applicants to submit English proficiency requirements in the form of TOEFL/IELTS scores. You may be asked to submit GRE/GMAT scores. It is not necessary that these scores will be asked. Some universities, for example, exempt the submission of these scores if you come from certain countries such as native English-speaking countries or have had studied in select universities in your country. Whatever the requirements are, you must not mess up. If you have any confusion regarding the same, always inquire.
5. The rate of acceptance matters a great deal
   There are universities with a very high rate of acceptance, and those with a very low rate of acceptance. While a low rate of acceptance is often understood to indicate a better university, this is not always necessary. Quite a few universities do not readily accept foreign applicants, so you should avoid shortlisting too many of them. Always have a few of those with a high rate of acceptance and good reputation. You should talk to a reliable consultant in case you are not sure about this. Consultants can offer good guidance on where you should apply and where you can have the highest chance of acceptance.