Researching unis as an international student

As an International Student myself, I can remember how daunting and intimidating it felt to apply to universities abroad. “Which Uni should I go to?” “Will I like their campus?” “Do they have the right course for me?”, these were all questions I asked myself prior to choosing my five choices on UCAS. Though it may be difficult to decide, with the right approach, you can find the right fit.

Before you begin any research whatsoever, you need to address your priorities:

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Course: Focus on finding the right course first—what are the best universities for your chosen field of study?

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Location: Consider where you’d like to live. Do you prefer the busy city or a quieter campus town?

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Costs: Look at tuition fees and living expenses. You can look into potential scholarships, grants, or financial aid for international students.

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Career Prospects: Research how well the university supports international graduates in finding jobs or continuing studies.

Addressing these priorities will hopefully narrow down your options, and give you a filtered pool to choose from.

Researching entry requirements will immediately filter and eliminate the potential options in your long list:

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Ensure you meet the academic requirements for your course- A-Levels, IB, and you can cross check for grade equivalents if you’re applying with a grading system from your country.

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Check the english language proficiency requirements- this is very important for international students, make sure you achieve the requirement for IELTS or TOEFL.

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Depending on your course, you may also be required to provide a portfolio.

During this point of the decision stage, I’ve already listed my top five to seven universities. The logistical aspects of my lists have already been considered and filtered, so now I would get more personal and explore the universities’ websites and social media pages. This provides detailed information about courses, campus life, and international student services.

Seek out for pages from the universities dedicated to international applicants, which often include visa advice and support services. Does the university offer orientation programs or mentorship schemes for international students? Are there cultural societies or communities to help you settle in?

The final and more hands-on step you can take is to attend virtual open days and webinars. If you can’t visit in person, join online events to explore the campus and speak to staff. Additionally, many universities host Q&A sessions specifically for international applicants.

BCU offers virtual tour which shows you what a day in the life of a BCU student is like from the comfort of home: https://bit.ly/3NGd63P - You can personalise your experience and truly immerse yourself into what your potential years at university may look like.

These were the canon events I experienced as I began the research which ultimately led me to my decision. Remember that this is a lengthy process and is not something you should decide on overnight! Your decision will path out your next few years of uni life, and even your career- so do take your time!

Please feel free to ask questions, or if you need me to elaborate on anything specific :smile: