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How to choose a university abroad

How to choose a university abroad

How to evaluate and choose a suitable university abroad? Here are the important criteria to consider when applying.

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International rankings

Most often, applicants check international rankings. There are quite a few of them, but the main ones are

QS by the British company Quacquarelli Symonds
THE by the British magazine Times Higher Education
ARWU by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Higher Education

Other popular rankings include URAP, RUR, US News & World Report's, Eduniversal, and Webometrics.

Each of them has a unique methodology for evaluating universities, with its own pros and cons.

For example, QS is based on surveys of employers and academics, which allows you to understand how the university is evaluated in different sectors of society. However, it is often criticized for being biased. At the same time, ARWU is based on the academic achievements of the university but does not consider other important factors such as learning conditions and opportunities for novice researchers.

All rankings are relative. This does not mean that they are completely wrong, but it is important to take into account several nuances when studying them. For instance, it is difficult for newer universities to get into such rankings. Meanwhile, they might have state-of-the-art equipment, conduct highly specialized research, and offer small group classes.

Not all programs at even the top universities are equally developed. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the first in the QS 2022 ranking for engineering, but for history, it occupies positions #51-100^[1]. That is why it is important to look at specialized rankings and seek indicators specific to your field of study.

When reviewing rankings, you need to take into account the level of education. If you are applying for a PhD, check if the university has scientific journals and their citation index, which can be found in the ARWU and QS rankings. If you are a prospective bachelor's student not planning a scientific career, look at employment rates and reputation among employers.

More about: World university rankings

Tuition and living costs

The cost of education is one of the most important criteria when choosing a university abroad. The most expensive countries to study in are the UK and the USA, followed by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The cost is slightly lower in Western Europe and Asia. The most affordable education is in Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries. Of course, this is fairly average data. When assessing the budget required for a particular university, many factors must be examined:

College or university. The cost of studying at a college is lower than at a university. There is a noticeable price difference between public and private institutions, with the former typically costing 2-3 times less.
Language of instruction. The most affordable option is to study in the national language of one of the European countries, like Germany, Austria, or Norway. Next are English-language programs in Europe and Asia. The most expensive universities are in English-speaking countries.
Foundation program. Sometimes it is impossible to enter the country's universities directly after 11 years of schooling due to academic differences — in some countries, pupils study for 12 years, for example, in the UK. This may require an additional year of a foundation program or a more budget-friendly option — 1-2 years at a university in your home country.
Living costs. Even if you are provided with a dormitory, its cost may not be lower than renting an apartment. It is important to find out in advance how much it costs to rent an apartment near the university and the average prices in the city for food, leisure, transport, and so on.
Scholarships from the state or university. Many universities offer grants and scholarship programs, usually for master's and doctoral studies. You can also get need-based scholarships — for students from low-income families. However, receiving a scholarship is more of an exception than a rule. Initially, you should choose a university only based on your financial capabilities.

More about: Options and cost More about: How to choose a country

Country, city, campus

Local languages. Even if you plan to study in English, you may not feel comfortable living in a country without knowing the local language. For example, in China, 30% of university programs are in English, but only 1% of the population is fluent in it^[2]. If you do not want to learn a local language in addition to the language of instruction, choose countries with multiple official languages, like Canada, India, or Singapore.
Security and standard of living. Check these metrics: crime index, peace index, quality of life, and cost of living. Consider local laws as well. Sometimes, violating non-obvious rules can result in deportation, imprisonment, or hefty fines. For example, in Singapore, chewing gum is banned, and importing it can result in a fine of 4,173 USD and imprisonment^[3].
Climate and weather conditions. For instance, James Cook University in Australia is considered one of the best places to study the ocean, but would a tropical climate be right for you?
Campus location and infrastructure. The comfort of studying and living abroad depends on the infrastructure. Check where the campus is located. Are there green areas, bus or train stops, and cafes nearby? What leisure opportunities do students have in this city?
Technical equipment. Does the university have laboratories, research centers, and libraries? How are they equipped? For students of natural sciences, this point is one of the most important.

Admission statistics

From the university's statistics, published by admission committees on the website, it is important to pay attention to the following:

Competition for admission. General numbers will most likely not tell you anything. Try to clarify the information for a particular faculty or program. How many people have applied per spot? What percentage of students were admitted?
Scores of admitted students. Do not rely on the minimum scores listed on websites. Instead, study the profiles of students who entered in previous years. Check their GPA, SAT, TOEFL or IELTS scores, and other exam results. The scores that you should aim for are usually higher than the minimum passing ones.
The number of international students. Are there quotas for the admission of international students? What percentage of students come from other countries? The higher it is, the more the university strives for a multicultural student body and the more comfortable an international student will feel.

Educational process

Faculty-student ratio. These figures show how many students per faculty members there are. In large groups, the individual approach tends to suffer.
Program content. Review the curriculum. Are there many elective courses in your field? What knowledge and skills will the university give you? What are the requirements to get a degree: completing a project or writing a dissertation?
Research opportunities. For admission to master's and especially doctoral studies, you often need to find a research supervisor. Check out the research interests of the faculty. Students are not always given access to laboratories and research centers, so scientific supervision is especially important.
Online resource. Pay attention to additional online courses. Studying online can help you earn the missing credits. Other important online services include digital libraries and job search applications. Check which platforms the university uses and what opportunities they offer.
International connections. Partnership agreements between universities provide interesting possibilities, such as dual degrees, exchange studies, internships at foreign research centers, trips to scientific conferences, and grants.

Student life

University life is not just about lectures, seminars, and research. Social, cultural, and sports activities broaden your horizons and develop soft skills.

Student government. How well-developed are student councils at the university? If the university has strong self-government bodies, then you can get organizational experience, which will become an attractive addition to your CV.
Leisure. Are there many student societies or communities at the university? Are there any that you would like to join? What major events, festivals, and fairs are organized by the university?

Visa issues and job opportunities

How difficult is it to get a student visa? Several factors can affect this: your visa history, the minimum amount on your bank account, and even compelling reasons to return to the home country after graduation.

But there is another very important requirement that applies to the university: it must be among the accredited educational institutions. This requirement exists in Canada, the USA, South Korea, and other countries.

Visa restrictions sometimes apply to employment. Not all countries allow international students to work while studying. Sometimes the restriction is partial — on average no more than 20-25 hours per week (part-time) during term-time and 40 hours per week (full-time) during the holidays. The university may also have additional rules. For example, the UK allows students to work up to 20 hours a week, and the University of Cambridge limits its students to only 10 hours.

Employment and immigration opportunities

Your future depends on the job opportunities the university offers, so it is crucial to consider them before enrolling.

Career Center. What events, training, and job fairs does it organize? Which employers does it collaborate with?
Internships during studies. If the internship is part of the curriculum, then this is an excellent chance to prove yourself and get a job offer after graduation.
Opportunity to stay in the country. If you plan to immigrate to the country after your studies, then this should be taken into account during the application process. In some countries, graduates can obtain a work or temporary visa to look for a job for 1-3 years after graduation. This is common in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. In European countries graduates can also receive a Job Seeker Visa and get a job after graduation^[4]. Before enrolling, check the conditions under which you can stay in your chosen country after graduation.
Employment statistics. Of course, a high percentage of employed graduates does not guarantee you the same successful result. Nevertheless, it speaks about the high reputation of the university with employers and the demand for its graduates.
Academic career. If you want to pursue a career in academia, remember that you may be choosing a university not only for the next few years of study but for many years of work. It is easier to climb the academic ladder at the university where you studied. Pay attention to the proportion of foreign researchers, the working conditions for academic staff, their salaries, and the time required to get promoted. Consider how prestigious the teaching profession is considered in the country.