The advantages of studying abroad are not only obvious, but also confirmed by statistics: 84% of students acquire the necessary skills for their future profession, 96% of students feel more confident, and 80% adapt faster in the workplace. Education abroad is a global trend, and this trend is inextricably linked with the situation on the labor market.
The absolute leader in the number of foreign students is the United States – 23% of the total number of students. 35% of students choose European countries. Also in the top countries are Australia, Germany and Canada.
Great Britain
Among European countries, the most popular is studying in the UK – every fourth student who goes to study in Europe comes here. Once again, there is no need to talk about the prestige of British education – take only the fact that in the top ten ranking of the best universities in the world, four places are occupied by the universities of the United Kingdom.
True, educational institutions in Great Britain are known not only for the quality of education, but also for the high cost of training. Particularly undemocratic prices will seem to a foreign student: if a citizen of the Kingdom costs about 9 thousand pounds for a year of study, then a student from another country – from 15. Another problem may be finding a job after graduation if the student plans to stay in the country. You should think about this already during your studies; an internship would be a good option. For example, students at the Graduate School of Business in Jersey, a British offshore zone in the strait between France and England, have the opportunity to take a paid internship with job prospects. Offshore education is gaining popularity and attracts students with a relatively low cost of education: for example, a year at the Graduate School of Business costs about 12 thousand pounds.
Of course, when choosing a university, you should be guided by the percentage of students who found a job after graduation. According to this indicator, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland is among the five best universities in the UK. Education in the oil and gas industry is especially attractive for foreign students – in Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, there are head offices and branches of transnational energy companies that are ready to take students for practice. The cost of a year of study at the University of Aberdeen is 17.8 thousand pounds.
To enter and study in British universities, you need a high level of English – IELTS 6-6.5. Also, due to the differences in the educational systems of Russia and the UK, the student will definitely need to pass the British analogue of the Unified State Exam A-levels or take a one-year preparation course for the Foundation University.
Holland
The cost of studying in the Netherlands is an order of magnitude lower than in the UK, on average a year of study for a bachelor’s program costs 6-10 thousand euros, for a master’s program – from 7 thousand. But it’s worth it: Dutch universities now and then fall into the rankings of the best educational institutions: for example, in the QS world ranking of Dutch universities there were as many as 13. Total: the popularity of education in Holland is growing, and in 2016 every tenth student in the country was a foreigner. Many cover part of the cost of training with grants – there are many of them, and some of them are paid before graduation. It is worthwhile to allocate time not only for finding funding opportunities, but also for improving the level of English – applicants must speak it at the level of 6.5-7.0 IELTS. In addition, 94% of the country’s citizens speak excellent English.
The most popular areas among international students are engineering and business majors. In these areas among European countries, Holland offers the widest selection of English-language programs. At Fontis University, programming and engineering courses are in demand. University of Twente allows students to simultaneously specialize in multiple subjects: Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, and Business Management.
Those looking to pursue an education in management and entrepreneurship may be interested in universities in Amsterdam and Groening. You can also choose MBA programs – in Holland they are shorter and cheaper, and the student himself chooses the form of study – full-time or part-time, which are especially suitable for those who want to open their own business in this country. The Netherlands has all the conditions for this: low tax rates, ease of registration and many options for financial support from the state and private companies. Another important reason to open a business in the Netherlands is long-term start-up visas and, accordingly, the prospects for life in the country.
Germany
Sprechen Zie Deutsch? If you answered yes to this question, and the level of language proficiency is not lower than B2-C1, then you have every chance to get a free education in Germany. Most of the programs in state universities, especially if they are in German, are free of charge – that is the law. And foreigners are happy to use this: in 2016, students from other countries made up 7% of the total number of students. Many people go to Germany for medical education – if in other countries it is inaccessible, then in Germany foreigners are only encouraged to obtain a doctor’s diploma. The profession is incredibly in demand, the salary after graduation is an order of magnitude higher than that of graduates of other specialties, but the staff is sorely lacking – especially from the lack of doctors, residents of rural areas suffer. The prospects for a young doctor with a German diploma are good, the chances of finding a job are high not only in Germany, but throughout the European Union, where such a diploma is recognized.
Medical universities in Germany accept applicants on a competitive basis, regardless of the applicant’s country of origin. But since Germany has a 12-year school education, applicants from Russia must complete their twelfth year at school or college. German language skills are required at the B2 level – students take the exam at the university or provide a certificate. Some universities require an exam in chemistry, biology and basic medicine. The training lasts six years – three years are devoted to the study of theoretical aspects and three years – to practice. The future doctor spends another year in an internship.
There are 35 medical universities and faculties in the country. The best are the University of Heidelberg, the Charite, the University and Hospital of Tübingen, the universities of Lübeck and Freiburg.
Canada
Knowledge of English allows you to consider another great option – studying in Canada. Students note a high percentage of applicants from the total number of applicants, especially in comparison with US universities. Also, relative to the States, Canadian education is cheaper: on average, a year for a student from another country costs from 11 thousand dollars, but these prices are not too democratic for applicants from the CIS countries. Bad news awaits those who would like to study in Canada as a doctor, dentist, lawyer or architect – programs in these areas are usually closed to foreign students or have an extremely small number of places with high requirements.
An interesting idea is to go to college in Canada, not a university. And no, colleges are not considered to be the “poor relatives” of decent educational institutions for a long time. On the contrary, it is a place where students gain valuable practical skills faster and cheaper. American students have already understood this. “We were taught a little from books, we found ourselves in real life situations and got work experience,” one of the students from the United States shares his impressions. Indeed, colleges cannot boast of a traditional academic education, but this is even an advantage – educational institutions are in close contact with enterprises and strive to meet the emerging needs of the economy.
Colleges in Canada offer a wide variety of programs: Arts and Culture, Business and Administration, Food Processing, Tourism, Fire Safety, Agriculture, Programming and Telecommunications. The cost of studying at colleges in Toronto and Montreal is from 12 thousand dollars per year, which is half the price of universities.
The holder of a college certificate or diploma can continue their education at the university. Which course he enters is determined by student credits – points earned for a certain number of academic hours. Typically 120 credits are required to complete a bachelor’s program. The certificate is equal to 30 credits, the diploma – 60. Among the popular Canadian colleges are Seneca, Simon Fraser, George Brown, Centennial, McGill.