How to enter a European university?
Although each country has its characteristics, to enter European universities, you need to meet several criteria and, of course, make some efforts, prepare for red tape with documents, and decide on finances. Most universities do not have an electronic application system, so you need to send documents in hard copy or sometimes apply through the consulate. So consider what you need to do to qualify for a place at a European university.
Get the right qualification
To enroll in a bachelor's program, you must complete at least 12 years of secondary education. The only exceptions are universities in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. All other members of the European Union do not recognize the 11-year school certificate as a sufficient basis for admission to a bachelor's program. Therefore, if it is your case, it will be necessary to enter and complete at least one course at a university in your country or enter a preparatory program at the chosen university.
For those who enter master's degree in Europe, you need to be a bachelor of the same specialty in which you plan to study. If you want to abruptly change your vocation, then there are two options: universities in Anglo-Saxon countries or admission to the second higher education – in Europe it lasts only 3 years for most specialties.
Learn a language
Which language to learn depends on the program. Firstly, in all European countries (except the UK), English is not official. Although English is 99% likely to be understood in European capitals, this still does not really change the essence of the matter. Not all programs (except in the Netherlands) are taught in English. And any government scholarship is available only to students who speak the local language. Yes, and most private scholarships (meaning financial assistance from the university itself) are designed for students of programs in the local language. Programs in English are often more expensive. The only ones who can get by with English are exchange students and masters in certain programs. Usually, the requirement is about 6.5 points of IELTS or 90 points of TOEFL.
As for the level of the national language, the requirements are different everywhere, and proficiency also needs to be proven in different ways. In most cases, you will have to pass an exam at the consulate and receive a certificate, which is issued only if you have at least an Upper-Intermadiate level of language proficiency. But for example, Italian universities do not need to provide any evidence at all – testing is carried out after enrollment.
Pass the required exams
In addition to the language exam, applicants sometimes also need to take some state exams. This applies only to applicants for bachelor's programs. To find out for sure whether you need to take something other than a language test, you can ask the university. It should also be taken into account that the exam is conducted in the national language.
As for the masters. They probably know what GRE is. If not: Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test that determines the overall level of knowledge gained during undergraduate studies. The test consists of an essay, linguistic and mathematical parts, conducted entirely in English. So, some universities in Europe and most universities in the UK can only be entered by passing the GRE. However, this test is very difficult, and it is worth preparing for it thoroughly.
Prepare documents
With all the advantages of living in Europe, one moment still spoils the life of everyone around – this is the ubiquitous and annoying bureaucracy. To apply, you will only need to: translate a diploma or certificate, collect recommendations and also translate them, write a motivation letter, attach a photo, provide a certificate of financial solvency, the results of the necessary tests, and still have time to send all this before the deadline. Not to mention how much time it will take to get a visa. This will make you run around and requires a lot of attention. For example, the prevailing myth that when entering a German university folding documents into an envelope in the same order in which they are indicated in the requirements is not an empty fiction. Sometimes, due to simple formalities, a student gets rejected. And you can imagine how disappointing that could be.
Deal with finances
Of course, an applicant will not go to any university to study if he does not have money for it. But one of the most pleasant features of education in Europe is that it not only costs very little, but also the fact that often the state provides financial assistance, and not according to the criterion of academic success, but for financial need.
Apply
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