How to Study Abroad in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Studying abroad takes more than just shortlisting country and university followed by filling out the college application. It takes a lot of documents to be submitted and a lot of tests to be taken. If you wish to study abroad, check out this comprehensive guide that will help to ease your journey of getting to a university to study abroad.

For students who are aiming to study abroad in 2025 and have queries as to how to apply and make a choice between their selected options, here’s a guide catering to all these queries. Check out how to study abroad after class 12th, how to apply to foreign universities and the costs that must be borne along with funding options. A step-by-step guide on how to study abroad has been elaborated in this guide.

Related Reads:

• The Role of Education Consultants in Studying Abroad
• Consequences of Choosing the Wrong University Abroad

How to Study Abroad in 2025?: Step-by-Step Guide

To study abroad and apply for admission, applicants will have a list of things to do. To ease off the dilemma of where to start preparing to study abroad, a step-by-step guide has been curated for applicants given below:

Step 1: Research & Shortlist Universities & Courses

There are over 5,000+ universities abroad and each has a long list of courses they offer. Based on the applicant’s interest, applicants can first shortlist their courses followed by the universities and the country. Once the applicants choose the course of studying abroad and the university, they can check the eligibility criteria for study. 

Applicants can choose based on their comfort, the type of opportunities available and how their goals will align after studying abroad.

Aiming to apply to the top-ranking universities in the world, check out the list below:

For more details on recent global university rankings, check out the Top 100 Universities in the World 2024-25.

Also Check:

• 5 Things to Consider Before Studying Abroad
• How to select a course for studying abroad?

Step 2: Check Eligibility After Shortlisting University/Course

The eligibility criteria vary per level of course and universities in different countries. But a basic overview of the eligibility requirements to study abroad is discussed below for each level of study:

For Undergraduate Admission Abroad: 

• Passed senior secondary education or high school with a certain minimum percentage and subject combinations.
• International students may have to comply with the existing standards of class XII qualifications for undergrad admissions in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK.

For Graduate Admissions Abroad:

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s from a recognised university.
• A diploma degree is also accepted in countries like Australia and New Zealand for graduate course admissions.
• Some professional courses like MBA and Law courses abroad may require applicants to have some work experience as well.

Step 3: Analyse Your Finances to Study Abroad

The cost of studying abroad along with the cost of living abroad plays a major role in deciding whether or not an international student should study abroad. The following table summarises the average tuition fee and the living expenses in the top abroad countries for international students:

It is expensive to study in countries like the USA, Australia and Singapore whereas, the cheapest studying options can be found in countries like UAE and Germany. 

Check:

• How Students Are Paying for Study Abroad in 2025 [Insights from 1,630 Students]
• Affordable Countries to Study Abroad

While the average living costs for Canada and Singapore are the highest, the lowest living expenses were recorded for the UAE and Sweden. Hence, Sweden is the cheapest country to study and live abroad, while the USA is the most expensive country to study and live abroad.

Students must note that fees are subject to change without prior notice, hence it is advised that students calculate their expenses before processing to apply for the desired country and university.

Step 4: Check for Financial Aid to Study Abroad

International students are eligible for scholarships abroad or education loans. There are four types of scholarships offered in foreign universities for international students - merit-based, need-based, need-blind and external scholarships.

• Merit-based Scholarships: are offered to meritorious students who have performed well academically.
• Need-blind Scholarships: are offered to a handful number of students at a handful of US universities without assessing the applicant’s financial or merit background.
• Need-based Scholarships: are offered to promising students with good academic backgrounds but with financial constraints. Universities help students pay for their tuition costs through these scholarships.
• External Scholarships: are also offered to students based on their academic performance or based on their financial background.

Some of the top fully funded scholarships to study abroad are as follows:

1. Fulbright Scholarship
2. Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship
3. Commonwealth Scholarship
4. MEXT Scholarship Japan
5. Chevening Scholarship

Step 5: Begin Preparing Your Admission Application

Irrespective of applying to foreign universities as an undergrad or a graduate student, international students are required to submit the following documents as part of their application process:

• Transcripts and/or mark sheets of the previously attended academic institution.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Admission essays
• Work experience proof in CV or resume
• Letter of recommendation (LOR)
• Portfolio 
• ELP test score reports of either: TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo
• Standardised test scores of:
• SAT or ACT for undergrad admissions
• GRE / GMAT / MCAT / LSAT for graduate admissions
• If transcripts are in a language other than English, then they will have to be evaluated through agencies like WES or ECE or EP.
• Financial documents
• Health insurance
• Proof of funding like scholarships or loans if any.

The admission requirements while applying for admission will be mentioned on the university website. Applicants must check the requirements for SOP, LORs, essays and other documents and submit them in that format only. The cut-off for standardised scores or English proficiency tests may not always be available on the university website, thus, applicants can check the previous year’s admission trends of the university for that particular course. 

Step 6 Select Your Intake & Deadlines to Study Abroad

After the student decides to study abroad to get higher education, they should check the intake to apply. There are usually three intakes abroad namely:

• Fall intake: Between September to December
• Spring / Winter intake: January to April or May
• Summer intake: May to August

While the Fall intake is the most preferred in top countries and witnesses maximum admissions, the Spring intake is mostly the second preferred intake. Students who are unable to apply in the Fall intake apply for the next intake. Summer intakes are for short courses or summer courses only, a lot of countries do not offer full-time course admission during this intake. 

Deadlines will vary based on the university chosen for admission. Each university deadline abroad is based on the intake abroad. How the both are connected, is discussed in the table below:

Check: Different Types of Deadlines to Study Abroad

After deciding on the intake, the applicants should check the respective deadlines for the course and university to which they are applying. Intakes may also vary per country the applicant is choosing for his/her education. Usually, the deadlines vary for undergraduate and graduate courses and so does the application process.

Step 7: Choose the Application Submission Method

The process of applying to universities abroad can be very lengthy. A lot of details, documents, write-ups and supporting material are required to complete an admission application. There are two processes for applying abroad:

1. Applying on your own or
2. Applying through an agent - either paid or free consulting

The students who are confident enough can apply on their own without anyone’s help. However, those who are required to apply through agents like Australian universities or those who are not confident enough to apply on their own can always seek help from Shiksha Counsellors for free to apply to foreign universities. 

Step 8: Application Process to Study Abroad

Applicants can follow the step-by-step process for applying to universities abroad:

• Step 1: Log on to the official website and check where to apply for your desired course - through the university website, partnered application websites like Common or Coalition App or through the specific Department of the university.
• Step 2: Register first and then when you get your login credentials, begin filling out your application form.
• Step 3: Be accurate with the information you provide and work on your application section-wise.
• Step 4: Ensure to attach all your academic and personal documents plus your passport-sized photograph in the correct suggested format.
• Step 5: Keep your recommenders ready to fill an LOR for you if your application requires it. Also, make sure you share their details correctly and follow up with them so that they submit their recommendation in time. 
• Step 6: If applying for Arts or Music or Dance-related courses, upload your portfolio wherever the university wishes you to submit it. Make sure you have everything in place before submitting it.
• Step 7: Check your details once more and then submit.
• Step 8: Pay the application fee online via a credit card and take a print of the receipt. Please note, that some universities, like Australian universities, do not charge application fees so check before you submit.

Check out: The Complete Application Process for Studying Abroad

Step 9: Patiently Wait for Admission Decision

Admission decision time varies with each university in question. While US universities may take up to 3-4 working weeks, UK universities can take up to 10 weeks to deliver admission decisions. Applicants during this time must check their mailboxes regularly, revert to college mail promptly if any and keep documents handy in case they are requested again. 

Step 10: Securing a Study Visa to Study Abroad

Once the applicant submits their admission application to the respective foreign universities, they will receive a decision in the designated timeframe. In cases where applicants receive an offer, they can either accept or reject it, there is usually a limited time for this. Some universities also give the option to defer admissions. 

After the applicant accepts his or her offer, he or she can wait for an official document like the: 

• I-20 form (in USA)
• CoE in Australia and New Zealand or,
• Letter of Enrollment or Acceptance

Once the student visa is granted after the check at the Embassy of the respective country of study, international students can begin prepping for studying at the university of admission abroad.

Finally, it is time to prepare yourself to fly! There are certain checklists which Indian applicants must keep handy when preparing to depart to study abroad. Check out:

• Pre-Departure Checklist for USA
• Checklist before going to study in Europe
• Your Checklist Before you Leave for Australia
• Indian Student’s Checklist Before Studying in Canada

By following the steps outlined in this guide, applicants can navigate the abroad application process, secure funding, and successfully embark on their international academic journey. The key to a successful study abroad experience lies in thorough research, meticulous planning, and a positive mindset. So, take the leap, embrace the adventure, and let the world become your classroom. Have more queries? Write to us in the comments below.