Written by Overseas Education Consultant and Study Abroad Career Counsellor in Mumbai, Karan Gupta

Admission process for universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

USA

US universities receive the largest number of international students in the world. The US is the most sought after destination for education abroad. The fees in US universities vary from $8000 USD to $38,000 USD. Bachelor’s degrees are of four years duration and Master’s degrees are of two years duration in the US.For admissions to the Bachelor’s degree programmes students need to appear for the SAT and the TOEFL. For admissions to the Master’s programmes students need to appear for the GRE and the TOEFL. For admissions to the MBA and other business programmes students should appear for the GMAT as well as the TOEFL.

While studying, you are allowed to work for 20 hours per week on campus only. You are allowed to work for one year after completing your degree in the US and after this one year you can apply for a work permit.

Canada

Canadian universities such as McGill University and University of Toronto have world renowned programmes in business, engineering, and other fields. The fees in Canadian universities vary from $6500 USD to about $17000 USD. The education system in Canada is very similar to the United States and most Bachelor’s degree programmes in Canada are of four years duration and the Master’s degree programmes are of two years duration.

For admissions to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes students need the TOEFL only. Having a SAT or GRE score respectively may enhance your profile in some universities. For admissions to the MBA and other business programmes students should appear for the GMAT as well as the TOEFL.

While studying, you are allowed to work for 20 hours per week on campus only. You are allowed to work for one year after completing your degree in Canada and after this one year you can apply for a work permit. Canada is deemed relatively safer than most places in the world and you have a wide range of places and universities to choose from.

 “Canada's universities and colleges are world-renowned for their high standards, safe campuses, and educational excellence. They are at the forefront of the information technology revolution and ensure that their students are equipped for the 21st century. A degree from a Canadian university is considered equivalent to an American degree. Many U.S. companies actively recruit on Canadian campus, and many students with a Canadian undergraduate degree are enrolled in top graduate programs throughout the U.S.,” states the website of the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C.

UK

The UK for the past few years has been vying Indian students with scholarships and work permits. The UK education system is very similar to ours and students can earn most Bachelor’s degrees in three years. Master’s degrees and MBAs, however, are of one year duration (in most cases). An average tuition fee in a UK university is about $16000 USD per annum. If you stay in an expensive city like London, your living costs are bound to be high. With the current Rupee-Pound exchange rate, the UK may seem like an expensive proposition, but keeping in mind the duration of the programme, the UK may not be that expensive after all.

For admissions to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes students need the TOEFL or IELTS only. Having a SAT or GRE score respectively may not enhance your profile. For admissions to the MBA and other business programmes students should appear for the GMAT as well as the TOEFL or IELTS.

While studying in the UK you can work 20 hours a week, even outside your campus. After completing your degree you will have to apply for a work permit to work in the UK. Unlike the US and Canada, you are not given one year of work experience on your student visa itself. With recent changes to the UK immigration policy, working in the UK after you complete your education may not be that difficult.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia boasts to be third largest English speaking destination for international students (the US and UK being the first two). The Australian education system is similar to ours and students can complete Bachelor’s degrees in three years and Master’s degrees in usually two years. The tuition fees of Australian universities vary from USD $7000 to USD $15000 per annum (some universities may charge higher fees). You can work for 20 hours per week on campus while studying in an Australian institution. Even though you do not get permission for a year of work after you graduate, you can apply to work in Australia through the skilled migration programme.

For admissions to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes students need the IELTS only. Having a SAT or GRE score respectively may not enhance your profile. For MBA programmes students should appear for the GMAT as well as the IELTS.

“Australia is an internationally recognised source of high quality education as well as research excellence. Our universities, vocational education and training colleges and schools are world-class. And Australia is a world leader in English language courses for international students. Australian Government legislation requires quality assurance agencies and codes of conduct to be in place so that international students in Australia and their parents enjoy a level of service and financial protection that is unrivalled. Multicultural Australia is a safe, friendly, sophisticated, and harmonious society in which students can learn and travel in an English speaking country. Australia also offers excellent value for money and a high standard of living,” states the Australian Government website.

Often described as ‘heaven on earth’, New Zealand has 7 state funded universities in the whole country. For admissions to the Bachelor’s, Master’s and MBA programmes students need the IELTS only. Having a SAT, GRE and GMAT score respectively may not enhance your profile. Some programmes may accept the TOEFL in lieu of the IELTS.

Karan Gupta is the leading international education and career consultant in Mumbai, India. Since 1999, he has given career counselling and has helped thousands of students with study abroad and get admission and visas to universities and colleges in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and EU and also helps them get scholarships, loans and financial aid. In addition to aptitude tests and career counselling, his firm also provides training and coaching for the GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE exams. Karan Gupta is the best study abroad career counsellor, consultant and career guidance expert in Mumbai.