How to prepare your application to study at international universities

Annually, over 6,000 international students choose to continue their studies at abroad universities, which offer complex educational programmes, scholarships and opportunities for a successful integration in the labor market upon graduation.

Get ready for university early!

The admission process to international universities is often simplified for applicants, but in order to be prepared and to get the most benefits from this choice, it is better to be well informed.

The selection of the universities, the field of study and the application process to an institution of higher education abroad can start as early as the year before graduation, in order to avoid adding more stress in the last year of school/university.

EDMUNDO counsellors can guide you for free through the whole admission process to an international university!

Partnerships with universities around the world

So, if you graduate in the near future, you probably have established what your field of interest is and you know what professional career you want to pursue. You only have to choose the country where you will study and the university that can offer you the most advantages.

EDMUNDO has partnerships with more than 70% of English universities, but also with universities in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland Italy and others.

These universities offer a wide variety of undergraduate or postgraduate degree studies in traditional or innovative fields. Our counsellors can help you find out everything about each university.

However, if you are confused about the area you would like to pursue, we can help you find out which option is best for you.

You can apply to any of these universities with EDMUNDO!

Preparing your application

Even if you have not made a final decision, but you have a few options in mind, you must take into consideration the entry requirements of international universities.

Your application will most likely contain some/all of the following documents:

• Transcript of grades – scan of the original and English translation in free EDMUNDO template
• Final high school/bachelor diploma – the diploma not required at the moment of application
• ID - scanned
• 1 or 2 letters of recommendation - from teachers/employee
• an English test - usually not required at the moment of application
• a personal statement – your EDMUNDO counsellor will help you with guidelines and feedback

The final diploma and the final transcript are documents that you will obtain upon graduation, but the rest of the requirements can be prepared in advance, since they require time and dedication.

Here are the steps you need to follow in order to complete your application:

1. The letter of recommendation
2. The English test
3. Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE)
4. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
6. English at your final high school exam
7. Other English tests
8. Personal statement
9. Submit your application before the deadline

The letter of recommendation

The teacher's recommendation letter should outline how you interact during the courses and how you get involved during classes or in extracurricular projects. These activities are not mandatory, but they are appreciated, especially if they can show a constant and passionate involvement from you. We recommend that you get involved in those projects that you are really passionate about, to increase your level of involvement, but don’t exaggerate! Quality is more appreciated than quantity.

For master programmes employer recommendation letters are also accepted, but usually didactic ones from university professors are preferred.

The English test

All international universities with English-teaching programmes require a proof that the student can communicate in English. The required level, the accepted types of English exams as well as the deadlines for submitting an English certificate differ from university to university, so it’s best to ask your EDMUNDO counsellor before starting preparation for any of the following tests.

Myth or Reality: Do certain English certificates have lifetime availability?

No, all universities require an English certificate that is no older than 2 years upon application since unless you have had constant contact with the language, they cannot guarantee that you maintained your level of English.

Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE)

CAE is one of the best-known English language tests and has global recognition.

EDMUNDO counsellors can tell you what test is recognized by the university you want to apply to.

The test itself consists of the assessment of four competencies: Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking and can be completed physically (paper-based) or online. The approximate time is 4 hours, and the score obtained (from 160 to 210) corresponds to a qualification from C to A (A is the maximum, equivalent to 200-210 points). All universities accept grade A, it being the maximum score. Most foreign universities require a CAE certificate with the minimum grade C or B (C1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

The test can be taken in several cities, and the price for this test is around €170. Here you can find all the details about the testing dates and the locations where they can be taken.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS test is also globally recognized and can be taken in two versions: Academic or General Training. IELTS Academic is the one required for admission to universities abroad. The evaluation also follows four aspects: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and the test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.

In the case of this test, the score is expressed in Bands, a scale from 0 to 9, where 9 is the highest score. EDMUNDO counsellors recommend that you score as high as possible in order to have the best chance of admission.

The test costs € 200 and information about the test dates and locations can be found here.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The TOEFL test is recognized by over 90% of UK universities and is preferred by most universities in the US. As in the other cases before deciding on this test, ask an EDMUNDO counsellor if the university you chose accepts TOEFL.

This test costs around €216, and the time required to support it is about 4 hours. Several topics are evaluated: Reading, Listening, speaking and Writing, and the score is awarded on a scale from 0 to 120 points. Each of the four sections receives a score from 0 to 30.

For the bachelor's degree, most international universities accept the minimum of 70-80 points in total (minimum between 17-20 points, for each component).

English at your final high school exam

If you do not have time to prepare for a language test listed above, you might still be lucky. Some international universities accept the English language subject from your Apolytirion/Baccalaureate.

Ask your EDMUNDO Counsellor which they are and what grade they require.

Other English tests

Some UK universities have their own English language test or accept qualifications other than Cambridge, IELTS and TOEFL.

Many EDMUNDO universities offer free or affordable alternatives to the English language test for those who want to apply for a Bachelor’s or a Master’s programme.

Ask your EDMUNDO Counsellor about the universities that run their own language test free of charge or for a fee, online or at any of the EDMUNDO offices.

Personal Statement

One of the application elements that can certainly make a difference is the personal statement.

It is recommended that you begin with an introduction about your motivation to follow the studies for which you apply and about your passion for that field of study.

In order to make a very good impression, you have to prove that you are well informed about your chosen course, but most importantly you need to be able to connect your past activities, experiences and interests to your acquired skills and abilities.

Also, you should include information about your future plans from a professional point of view and details on how you believe that the university's programme will help to reach your goals.

You can achieve this with the help of an EDMUNDO counsellor, who will guide you through the process of writing the essay and help you with constructive feedback.

Submit your application before the deadline

The deadline for submitting your application to universities abroad is different from the one in Greece. For example, the first deadline at UK universities is in mid-January, and for Dutch universities the deadline is the early May, while Danish universities end their admission period in mid-March. After these deadlines, some of the higher education institutions from abroad may extend their admission period, to dates that will be subsequently communicated.

In order not to miss the deadline for submitting your application, you should contact an EDMUNDO counsellor, who can keep you informed in this regard.

EDMUNDO is a free educational counselling service for admission to international universities, and our counsellors assist students in all the steps necessary in becoming international students, from selecting universities and study programmes, checking their eligibility and offering guidance in preparing their application, to informing students regarding the available funding options as well as applying for them.

Even if you have another year until you graduate, get in touch with us, so you will have enough time to build a perfect application for your desired university.

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