Modern education abroad

Many school leavers are faced with the challenge of choosing a university every year, and some dream of studying abroad. Studying at European universities provides not only a diploma and quality education, but also opportunities for development in science. Before taking practical steps to enter a European university, one should be acquainted with the structure of the educational process, learn about the peculiarities of studies and some student traditions.

The main thing about studying in other countries

What are the advantages of studying abroad?

1. Prestige

The diploma of the European universities has a serious weight at employment. It will give you an opportunity to work in the best companies both in Belarus and abroad.

2. Internships

European universities provide their students with the best internships in international companies, so when you leave the university you will have luggage not only theoretical but also practical knowledge.

Foreign universities cooperate with leading international companies: from Washington State University, you can go for an internship at Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon.com, and from Goldsmiths University of London - at Yahoo! and BBC.

3. Practical orientation of training

Foreign universities provide students with access to scientific laboratories and modern libraries, and the teaching staff are the best professors with high academic degrees.

4. Flexible system of choice of specialty

Students are free to create their own curriculum and timetable. You can study programming, statistics, doing business, painting and more. Students can study subjects that they really like, but are not part of the required curriculum for their major.

5. Opportunity to stay in the country of study

Many European countries have an open immigration policy. This is due to the demographic crisis, so it is quite real to stay permanently in the country of their studies.

Opportunities and types of education abroad

Studying abroad includes 5 types of education.

1. Language courses

Language courses abroad give the student the opportunity to immerse himself in the language environment of the country. Educational institutions offer language programs for students of different ages and levels of training. Depending on the educational institution, classes may last from 1 to 6 weeks or more.

2. Secondary education
3. Preparing for university

The course is designed for students over 17 years of age and includes intensive long-term programs to improve the foreign language and study specialized subjects. Classes are held in groups of 6-15 people, and the duration is 12 weeks.

After the preparatory program, many institutions of higher education enroll students in the first year without exams and entrance tests.

4. Business courses

The business courses are designed to ensure that the listener will perfectly master the skills of conducting business negotiations, correspondence and preparing reports in a foreign language. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is particularly popular. It allows improving professional training in management and administration. This degree is highly appreciated by employers around the world.

5. Higher education

Secondary education

Secondary education abroad is available for Belarusians and Russians from the age of 7. However, many parents prefer to send their children to school abroad at the age of 12 to 15, as at this time the child is more emotionally stable than at the age of 6, and the stay in a foreign country is easier to bear.

Education is available in public and private schools, and the education system consists of two or three levels.

A two-tier system:

• junior school - for children 5-7 years old;
• high school for children aged 11 to 13 years and 16 to 17 years.

The two-tier system is used in England, Germany, Switzerland and other European countries.

The three-level system consists of primary, secondary and high school. Training lasts 12 years. This system exists in the USA.

Higher education

Russian students during their studies abroad can obtain Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees. Higher education institutions offer a wide range of specializations. Areas related to information technology, medicine, economics, business and law are particularly popular. The bachelor's degree program lasts 3-4 years depending on the chosen specialization. It takes 1-2 years to get a master's degree and 3-4 years for a doctoral degree.

Education in Germany

How do I get into a German university?

To enter a German university you need:

• have an academic record;
• have a high level of knowledge of German or English;
• have health insurance, a student visa and proof of financial independence;
• write a CV or motivation letter and have proof of practical experience or work experience.

Foundation

In order to enter a German university, Belarusians and Russians who have obtained a high school diploma have to study for two years in their home country, or 1 year in a university in their home country and 1 year in a preparatory course in a German university.

The pre-university training takes place at a college and lasts 2 semesters. Candidates are assigned to courses depending on the profession they have chosen and the one they are studying in their home country. All courses include English and German.

Admission to higher education

You may be required to obtain a certificate of English or German language proficiency for admission to a university in Germany. Certificates:

• TestDaF - German language;
• IELTS and TOEFL - English language.

We have already written above that it is only possible to apply to a German university two years after graduation in your home country. Besides studying at a Belarusian university and courses in Germany, there are some other options:

• after finishing school in Belarus, you can enter a boarding school in Germany;
• immediately after school you can enter a preparatory department at a German university.

Deadlines for application

Recruitment to German universities is held twice a year:

• for the winter semester (beginning in September) - until July 15;
• for the summer semester (beginning in March) until 15 January.

Since most universities are in great demand and popular, they accept a huge number of applications. If you want to maximize your chances of admission, start applying in advance: to be enrolled in the next winter semester, send your application by the end of February.

Learning Features

The German education system has the following features:

• there are no entrance examinations;
• education is provided only in German or English;
• free education in most higher education institutions;
• graduates of Belarusian schools need to get additional education;
• opportunity to get a scholarship;
• high level of education.

Picture 1 Photo by studyqa.com

Education in the UK

How do I get into a British university?

For a Belarusian applicant who wants to enter a British university, the initial requirements are as follows:

• to have a general secondary education certificate - 11 grades;
• to prove knowledge of English with an IELTS certificate with a score of at least 5.0, but each university has its own requirements.

Further, the choice of university and study program is up to the applicant. On official websites of higher education institutions, there is always up-to-date information about all conditions of admission and necessary documents.

You can apply for admission to five British universities at once. You should attach a motivation letter to your application.

Foundation

The Foundation Bachelor's Program allows you to enter the selected Bachelor's Program after its completion. This course aims to provide students with a thorough academic preparation for the Bachelor's degree and will help them to successfully continue their studies after completing secondary education.

The requirements for admission to a UK Bachelor's degree include a successful completion of either Foundation or A-levels programs.

Admission to higher education

In order to enter a higher education institution in England you need to pass the IELTS test of at least 5.0 points, apply, write a motivation letter, and collect the necessary documents for the admissions committee and visa center.

Deadlines for application

Specific dates depend on the training programme itself, so it is better to specify dates in advance. At medical institutions of higher education, application acceptance ends in the middle of October. In addition to the standard set of documents, the university may have additional requirements such as examinations and interviews. Depending on this, if the application is considered positively, the university will send you an invitation to study with or without additional conditions.

Special features of education

To date, the UK offers three main levels of education.

1. Bachelor's degree

In this case, the student must necessarily have pre-university training. The duration of study at the bachelor's level is 3 years.

2. Master's degree

The features of this course are in-depth research activities and an advanced theoretical course. The duration of the Master's course is 1 year.

3. Postgraduate course

In the vast majority of cases, postgraduate study involves various types of research projects. The duration of training in this case is about 3-4 years.

Picture 2 Photo by globaldialog.ru

Education in France

How do I get into a French university?

There are several ways to get into French university:

• with a school certificate;
• through preparatory courses;
• through transfer from a Belarusian university to a French university.

For admission you need the following documents:

• a copy of a foreign passport;
• a notarized translation of a secondary education document;
• a notarized certificate from the place of study, if the student is still studying;
• a certificate of French or English proficiency - Delf-Dalf or IELTS/TOEFL;
• letter of motivation;
• academic resume.

Deadlines for submission of documents

The application deadlines for French universities are as follows:

• 1st year of university and architecture schools: November 16 - January 22;
• for the rest of the university courses: November 16 - March 31;
• at universities not connected to the CampusFrance database, documents are usually accepted from November to January.

Learning Features

Students in France can study at three levels of education:

• baccalaureate;
• magistracy;
• doctorate.

The study process in France has a number of features. Here, students make their own curriculum and choose additional subjects. Theoretical training is organized on a lecture principle. Exams are given in writing. Students' knowledge is assessed on a 20-point scale.

Picture 3 Photo by zagranportal.ru

Education in the Netherlands

How to get to study in the Netherlands

In order to enter a higher education institution in the Netherlands it is necessary:

• have a secondary or higher education;
• take the IELTS or TOEFL exam;
• have enough material resources to study in Holland.

Admissions specifics

There is no free education for foreigners in the Netherlands, but you can get a scholarship that will cover part of the financial costs.

At higher education institutions in the Netherlands, you can learn the program in two languages - English and Dutch. However, education in English is many times more expensive, so if you know Dutch, it is an advantage.

Universities of applied sciences most often do not ask you to take entrance examinations. All you need to do is submit an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate.

Academic universities in the Netherlands are more demanding on applicants, especially high school graduates. Some ask to take an admissions test, most often in mathematics, others ask for an IELTS result, while others offer to study for a preparatory year or a year at a university in their home country.

Foundation

Many universities in the Netherlands offer preparatory courses for international students to help them improve their English and take a test, as well as introduce them to life and study in Holland. Some of them even provide students with scholarships for further study at university.

Deadlines for applications

Admissions in the Netherlands starts on 15 September and ends on 1 May for Bachelor's and Master's programmes from 1 May to 1 June.

Learning characteristics

There is a two-level higher education system in Holland. At the first level for 3-4 years you study the bachelor's program, and further if you wish you can study for a master's degree of 1-2 years.

Picture 4 Photo by pikabu.ru

Education in Italy

How do I get into an Italian university?

Italian universities put forward the following requirements for the Belarusians:

• to be 18 years old;
• have a good knowledge of Italian;
• education at home must be 12 years: 11 years of school and first year of university or 9 years of school and 3 years in college.

Deadlines for application

Application for admission to an Italian university for foreign citizens is made exclusively through the Embassy of Italy (for Belarusians - in Minsk). Otherwise, there is a problem with obtaining a residence permit in Italy. The applicant makes the application in person; legalization of documents for study is free for students.   

Peculiarities of education

In Italian universities there is "academic freedom", which allows the free choice of courses and lecturers.

Studying in Italian universities consists of three stages:

• bachelor - 3 years;
• master's degree - 2 years;
• specialist - 5 years.

Picture 5 Photo by mel.fm

USA education

How do I get to study in America?

In order to enter American university you need to have completed secondary education and take the TOEFL or SAT test, depending on the requirements of the institution you want to enter. Then you need to study for 2 years at an American college and continue your studies at the 3rd year of university or take an annual preparatory course and enter the university.

Foundation

It is mandatory for foreigners to take a preparatory course before entering an American university.

Standardized tests for admission: SAT and ACT

For delivery of SAT and ACT:

• no age restrictions;
• no limits on the number of attempts;
• examinations are held 7 (SAT) or 6 (ACT) times a year.

SAT is a standardized exam for admission to colleges in the United States. SAT assesses the applicant's basic mathematical, verbal, and analytical skills and is mandatory for both Americans and foreigners. The exam is valid for 5 years.

The ACT is an examination in the form of a test, the results of which must be presented when applying to undergraduate programs in colleges and universities in America. The test tests the applicant's knowledge in mathematics, English grammar, essay writing, reading and understanding of art and science tests. The test is mandatory for both Americans and foreigners. ACT results are valid for 3 years from the exam date.

How and when to apply

Two ways of filing are practiced in American universities: early filing and basic filing. The enrollment rate for early application is higher than for regular applications, although universities promise not to provide advantages in any case.

Universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford adhere to the Early Action program for early admission cases. However, an applicant cannot apply to other universities while waiting for an answer. Once a positive answer is received, the applicant is not required to accept it and can apply to other universities during the main application process.

Columbia, Brown University, and Dartmouth College use the Early Decision program, under which an applicant is required to accept a college invitation by rejecting the rest if a positive answer is received.

Almost everyone has the same early application deadlines - until November 1. The result is already known by the middle of December.

The deadline for the main application is mainly January 1. The result is already known by the end of March.

Picture 6 Photo by educationindex.ru

Learning Features

The cost of studying in the U.S. is quite high by the Belarusian standards. American students pay at least $7,000 for a year in college, while at university - $17,000. Many students use the "2+2" system. For the first 2 years they study at a college and pay a smaller amount, for example $14,000. Then in the 3rd-4th year of the university, they pay $34,000 for tuition by university standards. The difference between the minimum costs in these institutions already shows that students save a significant amount - $ 20,000.

Grants and scholarships in the USA

The United States provides grants for students in need. These grants are given to students who have financial difficulties in providing the required documentation package. In some cases, these grants may cover the full cost of tuition. Students may also receive an assistant work grant, which may include assistance with research, verification of work. In addition, students can participate in various programs where they can win a study grant.

Entry abroad is not an easy process. Collecting documents, exams, visa, moving - all this tires the applicant, but European and American education is worth it. We wish you good luck with your enrollment!