Study Abroad

Along with its cosmopolitan charm, Singapore is also considered one of the best destination places across the globe for students who seek a high-class education. English as the primary medium of instruction and the significant number of world-class universities tagged to its name make it the perfect blend between Eastern and Western educational influences. This guide will provide information on all the seesaws and snores related to studying in Singapore: application requirements, visa processes, top courses to study in Singapore, and more. Language of Instruction: English is the most widely used language in universities in Singapore, so this country is quite convenient for an international student. Though fluency in English is a must, the same might be cross-checked through availing of any of the accepted standardised tests—IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.  Exams Needed  In order to pursue studies in Singapore, international students need to meet certain minimum exam requirements for courses and the university. The generic ones are:  IELTS: 7 TOEFL: As per institution requirements Scores vary with institutions. GRE: As required by some postgraduate programs  Eligibility for Admission  Undergraduate: The applicant for undergraduate studies must have completed 12 years of general education by July of that year of application. For postgraduate applicants, they must have a relevant undergraduate degree and work experience as required by the course.  Intakes Singapore has different intakes through the year. Main periods for intake into public universities, NUS and NTU, are in August and January. For private institutions like PSB Academy, the intake is spread through the whole year, mainly in February and August. Sector of Interest Application Opening Period Program Start August Intake August December January Intake January July  Why study in Singapore?  Singapore is synonymous with quality education, safety, and richness in cultural environment. Among the leading reasons to consider Singapore as a study destination include:Global Recognition: Degrees attained in Singapore have high value across the world.Cultural Diversity: The multicultural atmosphere of the country provides excellent exposure in terms of culture.Safety: Singapore is a safe country with almost negligible crimes and stable politics.Strategic Location: Singapore is the central business and technology hub and offers innumerable scope for networking and career development. Top Masters Courses in Singapore  Singapore comprises a host of Masters-level courses, each assisting the achievement of goals in various fields and diverse career aspirations. Below are a few of the trendiest courses:  Actuarial Studies Tuition Fees: INR 30L to INR 40LTop  Colleges: National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University Design & Media Tuition Fees: INR 30L to INR 50L Top Colleges: Singapore University of Technology and Design, Nanyang Technological University  MBA Tuition Fees: INR 80L to INR 1Cr Top Courses: INSEAD SingaporeSP Jain School of Global Management  Business Management Tuition Fees: INR 40L to INR 50L Top Courses: Singapore University of Technology & Design Singapore Management University International Business Tuition Fees: INR 20L to INR 30LTop Courses: Curtin SingaporeSingapore Institute of Management  Visa Requirements  Any international student who wants to study in Singapore for more than 30 days will have to apply for a student visa, popularly known as a Student Pass. The requirements for the principal visa are as follows: Application Procedure: Application is made online to the ICA. Visa Processing Fees: INR 3,700Time Required: Within 1 week Exemptions: A holder of a valid dependent’s pass, long-term visit pass, or immigration exemption order is not required to apply for a student pass.  Additional Information  The applicant must be accepted to undertake a full-time course in Singapore. Courses undertaken must not be part-time or of the weekend nature to qualify for a student pass. A new student pass had to be applied for in case of transfer to another school. Singapore is the right place to study for any international student looking forward to quality education, cultural diversity, and career opportunities. The highly esteemed universities and multiple courses have continued to attract students drawn from across the world. For that matter pertaining to study—which could deal with law, business, design, or any other stream—Singapore has more than enough options available. Properly plan your application and meet the admission and visa requirements; stay on course to a bright future.

The country is a centre of innovation and academic excellence, thereby establishing a welcoming atmosphere for higher learning amongst students worldwide. This is the perfect place to gain an education in Europe, as it has numerous distinguished institutions offering an array of courses in the English language. From the top universities to costs and visa requirements, this guide has everything you want to know about studying in Netherlands. Top Universities in the Netherlands  The top-ranked universities are in the Netherlands, having many of the world’s most highly thought-of and well-reputed universities that are known for their high academic standards and research excellence. Here is a list of the leading universities in the country: Delft University of Technology University of Amsterdam Utrecht University Eindhoven University of Technology Leiden University Wageningen University & Research Erasmus University Rotterdam University of Groningen Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Maastricht University University of Twente Radboud University Tilburg University  They are institutions that offer a variety of programs through several fields and multiple opportunities from which students get to improve both academically and professionally.  Intakes in the Netherlands  Most universities in the Netherlands have two intakes—September and February. September is more popular, and many courses are available in this period. Nonetheless, few institutions have the February intake, with course availability being limited. It is therefore important that you establish the specific intake dates for the program and university you wish to apply for. Its education system is very good, and student-centred teaching forms part of the culture in the Netherlands. Most of its institutes place an emphasis on research-based learning. Basically, the universities in the Netherlands fall into two categories:research universities: they are aimed at giving research-based teaching and advanced study programs, including master’s and Ph.D. programs. Universities of Applied Sciences: They give practical-orientated programs that prepare students for certain professions.  Cost of Study in Netherlands  Compared to other countries, studying in the Netherlands is quite affordable. Since the amount charged is course, institution, and level-dependent, one cannot generalise it. However, here is a rough estimate of the tuition fees charged by these institutions for the master’s course:  Course Level Average Fee Master’s_From ₹ 2 L to ₹ 59 Llong with tuition fees, students have to incur expenses on accommodation, food, transport, and study materials.  Student Visa in the Netherlands  Any student who intends to study in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days needs an application for a student visa. The procedure leading to the visa involves two major steps: obtaining an Entry Visa, MVV, and then arranging for a Residence Permit, VVR. Entry Visa: It gives one the right to enter the Netherlands; usually, it is initiated by the university that one gets enrolled with. Residence Permit: Provided within a month of arrival, this permit allows you to stay in the country during the study period.  Important Facts on Visa Application for Students Visa Application Cost: ₹ 19,123 Visa Processing Time: Moderate When to Apply: At least 90 days before your course start date.  Conclusion  The Netherlands offers vibrant and caring surroundings, top-notch universities, cultural events to remember, and a very nurturing academic climate. Whether one aims to take up studies in technology, the humanities, or business, the Netherlands is packed with every prospect that will allow personality development and excellence.

Study in Finland has always been synonymous with quality education systems and lavish, unspoiled natural beauty. It is, therefore, very enticing for international students who wish to be associated with some of the best research bases and very innovative works done within universities. This article shall look at the main highlights of studying in Finland: leading universities, costs, part-time work options, and opportunities available post-study.  Key Highlights of Studying in Finland  Number of Universities in Finland: Among Finland’s 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences, each offers versatile programs that provide students with excellent opportunities to pursue their academic and professional interests. Top Universities in Finland:  Finland hosts numerous globally acknowledged universities. Following are some of the top universities in Finland: Aalto University University of Helsinki Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUTUniversity of Oulu University of Turku Tampere University University of Jyväskylä University of Eastern Finland Abo Akademi University  All of these universities hold high academic standards, and they offer an innovative teaching method along with international focus.  Cost of Studying in Finland  The cost of studying in Finland is different from one university to another and the type of program one wants to pursue. The tuition fee is usually around €5,000 to €18,000 per year for foreign students. Such information is important to note: non-EU/EEA students study at a tuition fee, while EU/EEA students study for free.  Cost of Living in Finland  The monthly cost of living in Finland is around €550 to €1,100, depending on the city one wants to stay in and the kind of life they wish to lead. This comprises basic expenditure on accommodation, food, moving around, and personal expenses. Helsinki, the capital city, comes a little more expensive compared to other big towns such as Tampere or Oulu. Part-Time Work Opportunities Part-time jobs for international students are allowed for up to 30 hours per week during the academic year. This restriction helps to provide students with the opportunity to find work experience while studying, with the purpose of supporting themselves. Post-study work permit  For international students, a post-study work permit is made available for up to two years on graduation. This allows graduates to stay in Finland, search for employment, and gain valuable international work experience. Conclusion  Interconnected, Finland offers international students one of the most unique and enriching experiences in terms of highly valued education, innovation, and quality of life. From a tech or science degree to an arts or business degree, the top universities in Finland welcome you to pursue your respective degrees in this friendly, cooperative environment.

SAT is an important test for admission that acts like a portal for students to be able to apply to important universities across the globe. It is not only a means of pursuing higher education but also enhances the chances of getting scholarships. SAT is indispensable for students who have just cleared grade 12 because it just becomes the first step of a student planning overseas study. Many renowned institutions around the world are reinstating SAT, so students planning to apply to such colleges must have an overview of the examination. Recent developments and relevance of the SAT SAT is an important test for admission that acts like a portal for students to be able to apply to important universities across the globe. It is not only a means of pursuing higher education but also enhances the chances of getting scholarships. SAT is indispensable for students who have just cleared grade 12 because it just becomes the first step of a student planning overseas study. Many renowned institutions around the world are reinstating SAT, so students planning to apply to such colleges must have an overview of the examination. Recent developments and relevance of the SAT In accordance with the action taken in February 2024, Dartmouth College reinstated the requirement for standardised testing in college admissions for the graduating class of 2029. This seems to pave the way for a growing number of schools on foreign soil to include SAT assessments within their application process. According to Meenakshi Kachroo Chatta, Senior Director & Regional Head at College Board, SAT is a powerful predictor of academic success. Schools such as Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth have reinstated SAT as a requirement for admission. Important Dates and Deadlines For the 2024-25 testing year, registration for SAT is now available for all students—both U.S. as well as international. The next exam date for SAT is next slated for August 24, 2024. The registration deadline is on August 9, 2024. Changes, regular cancellations, and late registration all have a deadline date of August 13, 2024. Remember, early registration is key, especially for those students who would wish to borrow devices from the College Board, as they are required to request them 30 days prior to the test date. Expected SAT test dates for the 2025–26 academic year: August 23, 2025; October 4, 2025 November 8, 2025, December 6, 2025 March 14, 2026, May 2, 2026, June 6, 2026 International SAT Registration Fees As of the test dates from August 24, 2024, the SAT registration fee stands at $68, and international students additionally pay a $43 regional fee. The other additional fees are: Test centre fee some locations only: $29Late registration: $34 ChangeLate cancel fee: $39 Fee waivers are offered to low-income 11th and 12th-grade students in the United States. or U.S. territories. College Board further allows up to 90% off SAT registration fees and many scholarships at Indian colleges and universities for Indian students under the India Scholars Program. How to Prepare for the SAT These two major parts normally include reading and writing and math. It tests a student’s ability to interpret text and his grammar and vocabulary skills in writing during the SAT reading and writing section. Mostly, the Math Section is designed to test basic skills in areas such as algebra, advanced math, problem solving, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry. Students can leverage resources on the College Board website for tasks as diverse as accessing study materials, practice tests, and time management techniques. Conclusion Please continue to check all important dates, test fees, and SAT preparation strategies as the SAT becomes more high-stakes within the college admission process. This test can help in winning space within prestigious chosen universities and pave the way to scholarship and academic success. Register on time and prepare adequately so you score as highly as possible on the SAT.

With key destinations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia making some important changes in their international education policy over the past couple of years, this has dramatically affected international student mobility. Students have started to eye other education markets seriously. In the next blog, let’s examine the changing policy at these erstwhile destinations and emerging trends from across the global education landscape. United Kingdom: shifting policy, shifting sentiment  The UK has consistently ranked as one of the most popular destinations for international students. Recent policy changes, however, have seriously dented its growth in international students. In the year that ended in March 2024, the UK awarded more than 446,000 study visas, which represents a 6.2% drop compared to the previous year. This comes after the ban on dependents and less friendly rhetoric from the previous government.  Since the election of the new government under Sir Keir Starmer on 4 July 2024, some new vigour and focus have been brought into economic growth by way of foreign students. This is supported in the right direction by the Graduate Route, which will enable students to stay and work for two years after completing graduation—making money and retaining talent. However, earlier restrictive policies have already led many students to look at other destinations.  Canada: Tightening the Regulations and Raising Financial Requirements Reform measures in Canada’s International Student Programme introduced a more restrictively controlled environment for international students through the temporary imposition of a two-year cap on study permits. The latter does not apply to Master’s, PhD, and K-12 students, nor to those currently holding permits. Facing this, the minimum financial requirement in study permit applications was increased to C$20,635 as a response to the galloping cost of living. Adding to the complications for a prospective student, some of the new visa requirements and removal of many institutions from the PGWP programme were brought into action. On one hand, there is a huge demand for health professionals and other skilled workers, but due to stricter regulations, the approval rate for study permits has remained low, with an overall delay in processing.  Australia: Tightening its Reign on International Student Intake  Australia brought out its migration strategy in December 2023 and the genuine student requirement in March 2024. All this in a bid to cut down intake of foreign students following a record intake in 2022–23. Making matters worse, the international student visa fee has now been increased from A$ 710 to A$ 1,600 with effect from July 1, 2024, making it dearer to study in Australia compared to other countries.  Preliminary student and education sector responses to these changes have been overwhelmingly negative. While the actual ramifications are yet to be realised, there is already evidence of a downturn in interest from prospective international students. The Growth of Non-traditional Markets With traditional destination countries continuing to tighten restrictions, rising markets in Asia and Europe vie for greater shares of international students. Germany and Ireland are among those that have also indicated very strong growths in international enrollments. Interest in Germany had grown for 50% of respondents in ApplyBoard’s latest Recruitment Partner RP Pulse Survey. In Ireland, there was a 12% increase in international enrollments in the academic year 2022/23.  Beyond these, other countries like the Netherlands, Singapore, and Malaysia are investing heavily in their education sectors. Courses taught in English make them, with partnerships from globally renowned universities, very attractive alternatives to the traditional Anglophone markets. Conclusion: A New Landscape for International Education  These policy changes in the UK, Canada, and Australia have been accompanied by government attempts at greater intervention over immigration flows and closer monitoring in schools. However, all of these policies contributed to unwittingly pushing students towards other alternative markets, able to remake the global education landscape. With more students eyeing fresh emerging destinations, the future for international student mobility will be more diversified and dynamic than ever before.

Applications from international students to study at British universities have slumped dramatically for the next academic year, sending higher education spiralling into a financial crisis. Home Office figures released today show that there has been a 28% drop in the number of applications for a sponsored study visa, with only 28,200 applications being lodged in June 2024, compared with 38,900 in the same month last year. Effect of Visa Curbs on Applications from Overseas Students This decrease in the application for student visas is very worrying, considering the fact that most of these applications were normally done in the summer months. Although the universities are optimistic that things will turn out well by September, data obtained by The Guardian indicates that the struggle for this sector is far from over. Deposits and acceptances by international students dropped by 41 percent at 31 UK universities up to the end of July, according to Enroly, a service helping international students with university enrollments.  Postgraduate and undergraduate applications hit hard.  The decline is worse in postgraduate-taught master’s courses, with a 55 percent drop compared to last year, while undergraduate numbers fall by 23 percent. This slump could be particularly worrying as many UK universities depend significantly on the money generated from tuition fees paid by international students, even as home tuition fees in England have been frozen. Financial Blow to UK Universities  According to Jeff Williams, chief executive of Enroly, international student recruitment has been in precipitous decline since the start of the year. Should Enroly’s figures represent the wider sector, then there will be some 150,000 fewer international students arriving on campuses in the UK this autumn. This is especially concerning when considering that, in 2021–22, over 240,000 full-time international students had started their postgraduate courses, while another 104,000 were undergraduates.  Reasons Behind the Decline  According to university officials, the falling number of international students is among many factors attributed to the visa restrictions imposed by the previous government. Since January, any international students studying for a taught postgraduate or undergraduate course have not been allowed to move with family members or dependents on a student visa. That was quite a huge dent in the attractiveness of UK higher education to international students. UK Higher Education Under Financial Pressure  The financial repercussions of this downturn are severe, and many universities are already feeling this strain. Fewer international students imply considerably reduced tuition fee revenue while also having the potential to trigger budget cuts and similar financial measures. Universities adjust strategies.  The universities are wary and monitor application trends very closely to adapt their strategy as the situation unfolds, trying to minimise the financial blow as much as possible. Hopefully, the closest it can get to September will be in September, but right now, the data paints a picture where the current institutions of higher education in the UK will continue to feel the strain in the coming months. Conclusion  What most people involved in UK higher education fear the most is the 28% drop in applications from international students as a result of post-Brexit visa restrictions. The financial burden on the universities is already intense, and this sector needs to evolve in light of such challenges. As the new academic year looms, the whole world is eyeing how UK universities are going to deal with such a crisis and what measures they will put in place to get international students back.