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Top study abroad destinations: Ready reckoner
As the academic year comes to a close, thousands of students across the country are considering studying abroad as an option. There are some nations that provide excellent education, and the colleges and universities there quality learning and opportunities. Here we take a look at the most popular destinations:
Study in the United States of America (USA)
USA houses the best institutes in all fields of study. Students get to interact with the best brains and gain knowledge, confidence and skills. Education in US is up-to-date and recognised internationally. There is an emphasis on practical training and application of theories learnt in classrooms.
The best educational institutions in USA are the University of Chicago, Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Amherst College, Stanford University, Brown University, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University.
The US academic calendar can be divided into three sessions. The Fall Semester (September/October) session admits the maximum number of students, with most courses and scholarships offered at this time. The Spring Semester (January/February) is a mid-year intake session, with negligible scope for scholarship. Summer School begins in July and is more of a preparatory nature.
Admission into a US school typically depends on excellent educational record, project work and transcripts, work experience, recommendations, essays submitted, the entrance examinations is certain cases and the interview.
Some of the main exams held for admission are the SAT Reasoning Test (standardised test for admission to undergraduate programmes in most US universities); SAT Subject Test (examines knowledge of students in a particular area of specialisation); ACT (for UG admissions); Test of English as Foreign Language or TOEFL (tests English language skills to be able to study in the English medium); Graduate Record Examination or GRE (for admission to accredited graduate, business or professional schools); Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT (for business schools); LSAT (for law); MCAT (for medical).
Deserving students are eligible for scholarships, fee waivers, and one can even apply for a loan or work while studying to cover the expenditure costs.
Students can either opt for the F-1 Student's Visa, which is for full-time academic or language courses, or the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa for training programmes.
Study in the United Kingdom
This country has always drawn students from around the worls. While USA is more technical, the UK offers courses that are more humanities-based.
Some of the highly acclaimed universities in the UK are University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Edinburg, University College London, University of Manchester, University of Warwick, University of Leeds, University of Nottingham, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and University of Birmingham.
For admission, a student generally requires good academic background, transcripts and projects, recommendations, experience, and interview in certain cases. The UCAS is a central organisation that is responsible for processing applications for undergraduate and postgraduate study in UK.
The one most important examination is the International English Language Testing System or IELTS. It tests a candidate's proficiency in the English language.
Scholarships and student loans are also available.
UK visas are offered based on a tier system. A student visa falls under Tier 4. It is firstly a preliminary visa for a period of one year, and the extension is usually dependent on the length and duration of the course opted for. Those who have not yet gained admission or want to go to UK and then apply for a course, should seek a visa as a 'prospective student'.
Study in Australia
The island continent of Australia attracts students in huge numbers, particularly Indian students.
The top universities in Australia are University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, University of Technology, University of Western Australia, Queensland University of Technology, and University of South Australia.
The university academic calendar is from early-March to late-November. Some institutions also have summer school from December to February. Australian institutes do not permit mid-year admissions.
To guarantee a seat, one's academic record has to be good, with proper submission of course work, recommendations and work experience benefits.
Like in the UK, the most prominent examination for admission to collegs here is the IELTS.
A number of scholarships and fee waivers are available to students.
To get a student visa to Australia, one should apply as per the visa option for the main course of study.
One is permitted to work for 20 hours in a week while studying.
Study in Canada
Of late, more students are opting to study in Canada. And to support them, the quality and quantity of Canadian educational institutions is improving significantly.
Top ranked institutes are the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, York University, McGill University, Laval University, University of Alberta, University of Montreal and the University of Victoria.
The academic year runs from September to May. Some universities have a semester system -- fall semester (September-December) and winter semester (January-May), or a trimester system.
Students should have a good school record, and also submit suitable recommendations and project work for admission if they intend to apply to Canadian schools.
The important admission examinations in Canada are the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and the LSAT.
All prospective students require a student visa for Canada, which is a student authorisation. One must necessarily fulfil the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations.
Study in New Zealand
New Zealand's education system is internationally recognised for its high academic standards.
Some of the sought after universities here are the University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Massey University, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, Lincoln University, AUT University and the Manukau Institute of Technology.
The country offers a variety of education options -- vocational and technical training, tertiary education, degree courses and short-term specialised programmes. Before applying for any course, one must ensure that it is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). NZQA has three types of assessments for international students -- Pre-assessment Result (PAR), International Qualification Result (IQA), and Overseas Study Assessment (OSA).
Students should provide educational certificates, transcripts, recommendations, purpose of study and police certificate to apply.
The main exams for admission are IELTS; National Certificate of Educational Achievement (common entrance test for admission to university); University of Cambridge International Examinations.
The cost of study and expenditure can be met with the aid of scholarship, student loan, part-time employment or sponsorship.
A student visa is required only if the duration of course is more than three months. The condition for a student visa is that one has to enroll as a full-time student, for a definite duration. The maximum validity period of the visa is four years.
Study in Singapore
For Asian students, Singapore is the hot seat of education abroad. The study options and job opportunities are immense here.
Some of the best institutes here are the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore Institute of Management, Melior International College, James Cook University, National Junior College and SIM University.
The academic calendar of universities and polytechnics comprises two semesters, but the sessions are usually determined by their respective academic calendars.
For undergraduate admissions, one requires transcripts, educational certificates, extracurricular certificates and test scores. For PG admissions, the basic requirements are the GMAT and/or IELTS, TOEFL or MUET Scores, essays, recommendations, resume and transcripts.
Important tests in Singapore are the SAT, and English language proficiency test which can be either the IELTS, TOEFL or MUET scores.
Indian students are eligible for a number of scholarships and student loans.
Getting a student visa for Singapore is not difficult and requires the submission of authentic documents as proof of the students' intentions.