Have you been thinking of going overseas to pursue your higher education degree? If yes, you've probably spent countless hours doing research online, right? While doing so, have you gotten clarity on which path you should be taking? Which destination should you choose? Maybe yes, maybe not.
Recently, many universities, especially in Australia, New Zealand, UK, the US and Canada, are providing foundation programmes to help international students and prepare them for their future dream studies. These international programmes offer a lot of benefits to foreign students who are looking for a chance to pursue a degree in university for higher education. In order to take the big step forward, you need to have the right information before you fly.
Well if you’re still unsure of what's next, we have some good news for you! We know that studying overseas at certified universities requires international students to be fully prepared. Hence, here comes all the information you need!
Academic/ Educational Requirements
It is a certainty that universities look for a good high school score or academic grades when international students are applying to take up a course, irrespective of the degree (Undergraduate or Postgraduate). Keep in mind the fact that your high school record should confirm the precision and hard work in the types of courses you have pursued, especially if the courses are closely associated with what you are planning to study. If your high school offers an International Baccalaureate course (IB) or honours classes, make use of them! Try to have a competitive academic record, showing the challenging advanced-level work that you have achieved.
The academic requirements for universities in Australia vary, depending on the educational institution and program. Minimum academic requirements in Australia always includes a sufficient level of English language proficiency. Your English language skills are required in order to receive a student visa, and IELTS it is the only test accepted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Majority of the institutions require students to have a qualification that is equivalent to the 12th year (completion of high school with a score of 60% and above) in Australia.
The academic qualifications you need depends on the course that you want to take. You should have completed a minimum of 13 years of education in your own country, and you are required to have taken pre-university qualifications similar to UK A-levels, or National Diplomas. Generally, universities post on the minimum score that is accepted for each country of origin for students. For instance, foundation programmes in the UK accept the qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, and with an IELTS score of 5.5-6.0.
Universities in the US require international applicants to take English as a second language test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) exams for undergraduates or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for postgraduates. It is also mandatory for your completed application form as proof of your higher-secondary (i.e., secondary) school completion, which is usually 12 years of schooling.
Universities require a 2.5+ GPA or equivalent in their high school. Plus, a TOEFL iBT minimum score between 68 and 80 is necessary to analyse your English language skills. You also have to provide information on your academic achievement(s), thereby, demonstrating your ability to succeed in university-level studies.
In New Zealand, for most undergraduate level programmes, the minimum academic entry requirement is that you must complete schooling of 13 years and be a certified NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 University Entrance. The NCEA is the official higher secondary school qualification in New Zealand. The best part is you can apply to study in educational institutions with a minimum overall score of 6.0. Your band score should be no less than 5.5 in IELTS . For TOEFL undergraduate students, it requires a minimum score of 550 or a scaled score 0-30(80-120). Postgraduate students require a minimum score of 600.
In Canada, each university has its own entrance requirements by which you will be evaluated on. However, graduation from a secondary school with a minimum academic score of 65% or above (for humanities) and 70-80% or above (for Science and Commerce) are typically the requirements for undergraduate study.
- IELTS - A minimum score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0, is required. IELTS is likely to be the best pathway to study in a Canadian educational institution, as all of them accept it.
- CAEL - Minimum score of 70 and no part below 60 to meet the English facility requirement.
These are some of the most important things to keep in mind, as you pursue your study overseas dreams. Keep a lookout for more information on our page and keep yourself updated!