Enrolling in a university in another country, besides being an opportunity for quality education, can also be a great stress for foreign students. Universities expect a foreign student to be able to adapt quickly to a new environment and to get into the learning process as soon as possible.
Note that requirements can vary significantly from country to country and university to university. Before starting the application process, you should carefully review the requirements of each university and program to be prepared to submit the necessary documents and meet the selection criteria.
There is a variety of criteria upon which the universities base their choice of grant applicants.
Your GPA or final year grades are important. Preference may be given to candidates with excellent academic records. A high school graduation certificate or apostille is usually required.
In addition to a transcript with excellent grades, an essay describing your motivation for applying to a particular university can be an important document. In some universities, such a letter is even more important than your academic record. Your teachers or professors can also describe your motivation and qualities in their letters of recommendation.
Universities are looking for not only a hard-working student, but an activist as well. Participation in clubs, sports, and volunteer organizations can demonstrate your leadership and adaptability.
Learning foreign languages is the most important skill for living abroad. Courses taught in English require proof of language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL. Some universities may require SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT scores.
For some programs, especially in business and technology, work experience can be valuable. It demonstrates your commitment to further study in the field. Your portfolio should be relevant to your chosen career. The better it is, the more likely you are to receive a scholarship.
If the program involves research, universities may award scholarships to applicants who demonstrate an interest and potential in this area. If you have published articles or research papers, be sure to include them in your CV.
Institutions may wish to assess a candidate’s potential for successful completion of the program and for future achievement. This may include motivation, future plans, personal goals, and ambition. The stronger a student’s interest in learning, the more attractive they are. However, you can’t just promise to be a good student. You need to show that you are ready to continue on the path you have set for yourself after you graduate.
Some scholarships are awarded to students based on financial need. Universities can provide assistance to those applicants who truly need it. Some scholarships are also awarded to ensure diversity within the student body. This may include criteria such as nationality, gender, cultural background, etc.