The need to study abroad amongst students is increasing in geometrical progression. This is not unconnected with the numerous benefits attached to traveling outside the country of one’s birth to acquire education. It increases the academic performance and status of many students. An abroad university degree is the philosopher’s stone.
It raises a man from the masses to the elite, this is because it affords a person the opportunity to acquire the knowledge which elites have acquired, in the same institution, the same classroom, and sometimes from the same erudite scholars.
Acquiring education abroad is part of self-development and its importance cannot be overemphasized. We have in this article compiled lists of documents a student must have before applying to study abroad.
The desire to study abroad is very good, but it is important to know the documents that are required. A lot of international students do not know the exact documents required to study abroad. This is why many who apply to foreign universities are not offered provisional admission, especially because of incomplete documents.
As a result of this, most dreams of traveling abroad to study are not achieved. Most have had the experience once while a lot of others have lost their chances to study abroad because they do not know the right documents to present.
The unique thing about foreign universities is that their academic requirements are similar. Although the requirements of language vary depending on the language of instruction in the country one desires to study. To be offered admission to any foreign university one must meet all of its entry requirements.
The documents one must have to study abroad are all of the following:
Academic Transcript or Certificate
The prospect of any foreign university who are going for undergraduate studies are required to provide official copies of their high school diploma or secondary school certificates as the case may be. Postgraduate students are required to have their first-degree transcript.
The secondary school leaving certificates an international student can study abroad with are:
- International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma)
- European Baccalaureate
- Cambridge A-Level
- O’Level
- GCE
- NECO
- ZGCE/GCSE
- HSCI/ISC/FSC
- NHSGC
- NSC
- SMA 3 and USBN
- Philippines K-12
For students who are seeking admission to study abroad in any international institution at the postgraduate level, a minimum of a second-class honors degree is required.
Language Proficiency Requirements
This is the reason for the IELTS test. Specifically needed for students who want to study abroad in English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States of America or the United Kingdom of Great Britain. If a person who is not from a country where English is the common language is seeking to study in an English-speaking country, such a person is required to pass prescribed English language tests such as PTE or IELTS to be qualified. The test requirements often go along with one’s course application.
Students who are residents or citizens of English-speaking countries do not need to provide English language qualifications but some English-speaking countries are excluded. For example, if you had your high school in the United States and wanted to study in the United Kingdom, you will not be required to provide English test qualifications. The same thing applies to other English-speaking countries.
Students who aspire to study in most non-English speaking countries like Korea, Japan, China, Russia, etc won’t need IELTS, TOEFL, or other tests. Most of the universities there do not teach using English except for a few courses that are taught in English.
The procedure is that one is required in the course application that he will spend his first year taking a language course before starting studies.
Personal Statement
Personal statement is a chance for you to explain why you want to study a particular course or subject and what skills and experience you have that show your enthusiasm for your chosen field. It is a unique statement of intent since two persons can not have the same personal statement.
The prospective student needs to think to write it down without any form of plagiarism or copycatting. Prospective students who want to study abroad especially in the United Kingdom must have a personal statement submitted along with their application since most UK universities require a personal statement.
Offer or Acceptance Letter
Anyone who has been offered a place to study a course must be issued with an acceptance letter or an offer letter as the case may be.
If a student’s application is accepted, the school will send an offer letter to the email of such student which the student will have to download and print out. Afterwards, admission can be accepted. In the United Kingdom, confirmation of acceptance study (CAS) will be given to students who have paid or deposited their tuition fees.
International Passport
An international passport is a valid means of identification of a citizen of a given country. It is worthy of note that a passport is different from a visa, an international passport is for identification, it is a national identity usually given by the authorities in one’s country of origin. Some universities insist that while submitting one’s course application, one must submit a copy of one’s passport along with it. US varsities always require that one adds his passport number to the admission application. A passport is a must-have to be able to travel abroad for studies.
Letter of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation or attestation is a written note from the principal of the high school which a prospective international undergraduate student had their secondary education attesting to the fact that such a student is of proven integrity and academically sound to be offered admission in any of the international institutions of higher learning.
For prospective postgraduate students, the letter of recommendation comes from the supervisor of the said student during his first degree or a senior academic staff who lectures students in 300 level and above. A recommendation letter is written to affirm one’s good conduct. Those who write this letter know the student very well, they can therefore attest for the student and recommend the admission of such student.
Other Proof of Identity
Further proof of identity is required when applying to study abroad. The reason for this is to certify that you will have to return to your country upon completion of studies and also to make sure you are a true citizen of the country you claim to come from. Most of the documents needed to further proof the identity of a prospective student include but are not limited to the local government of origin certificate, state of origin certificate, birth certificate, age declaration certificate, change of name certificate and so on.
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Conclusion
To study abroad the above documents are required compulsorily. It is important to note that there are also course-specific requirements. Requirements for admission may vary depending on the course one chooses to study but generally, the documents above must be needed for a student to travel abroad to study.
