“Post-pandemic surge in study abroad education: How to get ahead of the game?”

Studying abroad is often one of the plans for middle and upper-middle-class families in China, and even the pandemic did not affect the choices of most people. The popularity of studying abroad has even increased instead of decreasing. According to data released by the UK’s University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) as of the end of 2022, a total of 761,740 people of all ages were admitted to undergraduate programs in the UK, an increase of about 2.09% compared to the previous year (746,120 people).

What makes overseas education so attractive that families and students are willing to endure the pain of homesickness and isolation? According to the “2022 Overseas Fresh Graduates’ Employment Competitiveness Insight Report” released by Liepin Big Data Research Institute, we can find that 80.85% of corporate HR believe that overseas study experience will be an advantage for candidates under the same conditions, and the salary advantage of students studying abroad is obvious, especially in high-paying fields.

With the full relaxation of the epidemic, the policy of nucleic acid testing negative within 48 hours for those coming to China has been introduced, and studying abroad will surely usher in a new wave of popularity. So, how to apply for studying abroad? What is the application process? I will introduce them to you one by one next.

For international students, studying abroad is not only about the growth and expansion of academic qualifications, knowledge, and experiences, but also about adapting to a completely new environment and starting a completely different life. During the study abroad period, students may encounter many difficult problems, so choosing a suitable country for study is very important. Below, let’s understand the advantages of studying in four popular countries.

UK

The UK is famous for its profound cultural heritage and rigorous educational style, and it also has many well-known universities with a long history and high academic level, such as Oxford and Cambridge, which have a history of a thousand years. There are a total of 110 universities in the UK, among which 10 are among the world’s top 100 universities. Therefore, the teaching level and educational quality of the UK are self-evident.

One of the advantages of studying in the UK is the short duration of the study system, with a 3-year undergraduate program and a 1-year postgraduate program. In addition, the strength of various disciplines in the UK is relatively balanced. Among the top 30 professional rankings, there are more choices for schools in engineering and media-related majors. Among them, majors such as business, service industry, architecture, engineering, and energy are more friendly to international students in terms of employment.

The United States, as a developed country, has long been a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education and teaching standards. With its advanced technology, open and inclusive cultural environment, and abundant educational resources, it not only attracts Chinese students but also has the largest number of international students in the world.

As a major player in technology and economy, the United States has strong programs in fields such as economics, computer science, business, and media studies. Being an immigrant country, it also offers a favorable job market. There is a significant demand for high-level science and engineering professionals, and business students have good employment prospects with substantial income potential.

Select country

Australia

Australia has a comprehensive and favorable educational environment, with relatively relaxed education management and study environment, and the teaching quality is also not to be underestimated. Among the world’s top 100 universities, 5 universities are included, and there are more than 50 local universities and hundreds of private and public high schools available for international students to choose from.

Civil engineering and economics are Australia’s strengths, and the overall cost of studying abroad is relatively lower than that of the UK and the US. The diverse and inclusive atmosphere is also very friendly to international students. In addition, the visa policy is quite flexible. International students who have studied in Australia for more than 2 years and obtained a bachelor’s degree can apply for a two-year work visa after graduation, regardless of whether they have found a job or not.

Singapore

Singapore is the fourth largest financial center, trade center, and foreign exchange trading center globally. Its strong capabilities provide a broad range of employment opportunities for international students. Additionally, its unique cultural environment, high-quality education, advantageous geographical location, and cultural identity make Singapore a desirable destination for Chinese scholars.

Apart from the extensive job opportunities, the favorable bilingual environment (English and Chinese) is very conducive to the adaptation and integration of Chinese students. Overall, the cost of studying in Singapore is relatively cost-effective compared to the aforementioned countries.

Based on the purpose of studying abroad, major, and economic conditions, choose a good country. Next, prospective students can apply to about 5 schools that they like, taking into account their preferences for humanities, social environment, climate, and their own economic conditions, which can increase the chances of getting an offer.

The required personal information varies depending on the stage of application, but typically includes: degree certificate and notarization, graduation certificate and notarization, transcript and notarization, language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.), CV (curriculum vitae), PS (personal statement), letters of recommendation, GMAT or GRE scores (required by some institutions), and work certificates (required by some institutions or majors).

Before submitting application materials, international students need to understand the application deadlines of their target institutions and prepare in advance. When submitting application materials, it is necessary to provide the required documents according to the official website requirements of the target institution.

Select schools and majors of interest

After the school application is approved, you will receive an offer from the school. Students who do not have a passport need to apply for one first, pay the tuition fee, and then apply for a study visa after obtaining the CAS/COE official admission. It is generally necessary to apply for a study visa 3-5 months in advance. When applying for a study visa, you will need a medical examination report, a health certificate, and some countries may require a deposit certificate, financial guarantee, etc.

After obtaining the visa, you should start booking flights and accommodation. It is advisable to book flights in advance, and there is no need to pack too much luggage, as you can purchase most items locally upon arrival.

Prepare personal materials

Overall, the entire process of studying abroad is quite complex and tedious. Under new circumstances, there are still many details that international students need to pay attention to. Therefore, families and individuals planning to study abroad need to do their homework and plan ahead in advance. In this context, having a reliable and professional education team is particularly important.

VERTU collaborates with top global educational resources to connect you with elite educational opportunities worldwide. Whether you are a parent planning to send your child abroad for education or an international student yourself, VERTU has tailored activities and curriculum plans for you, aiming to provide a better future.

For parents of international students, there are inevitable concerns about their children who are about to go abroad. To address this, VERTU offers themed exchanges for study abroad families and interviews with parents of international students. This not only provides a platform for parents considering sending their children abroad to share and communicate their educational experiences but also allows children to make new friends in a pleasant atmosphere.

As for international students, the choice of country and institution, as well as solid professional knowledge, are more important. VERTU provides a one-stop college planning service, led by experienced Oxford and Cambridge tutors, offering full support to international students throughout the process of choosing a major and institution, reviewing and expanding professional knowledge, systematic training for written exams, and enhancing interview skills. Numerous successful cases of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies abroad testify to the success of our teaching. Our one-stop service assists international students in obtaining their desired offers and embarking on a new life experience.

A year ago, Ms. Liu came to consult about the future study abroad issues of her junior high school child after being recommended by a friend.

Ms. Liu mainly wanted to compare the two ways of studying abroad in advance for high school education and entering university, and studying abroad in the second year of high school for preparatory classes and then entering university. Since she had done some homework in advance and consulted some study abroad agencies, she was quite sensitive to the teacher’s answers.

With a professional attitude and rigorous work style, after a preliminary understanding of Ms. Liu’s demands, general planning, and the child’s teaching background, we first provided two sets of one-stop admission planning schemes for different admission methods, including application time planning, famous school application requirements, customized background enhancement guidance, test preparation plan, and so on.

Finally, after nearly two months of continuous communication and repeated revisions, Ms. Liu was completely assured of the teacher’s patience and professionalism. Ms. Liu made a choice that was more in line with the family and child’s situation, and accepted more refined study abroad education services from VERTU. Next, she will prepare materials, guidance on documents, writing, revision, application guidance, interview guidance, and admission guidance step by step.

At present, Ms. Liu’s child has already studied in a high school abroad and is gradually approaching the ideal university.

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