A guide to applying to universities across the globe

On top of finishing off high school, there can be the additional stress factor relating to "Where do I go next?" and "Which higher education program will best suit my needs?".

Although it is hard to get a glimpse of all information at one go, read on to discover the most important facts about university applications in the Benelux area, Germany, France, the UK and the United States.

When it comes to applying, most universities have their own application portals, but there are platforms online which you can seek out to see the different steps explained clearly, have a look at deadlines and requirements.

Before starting any kind of application process, it is important to find a university which suits your needs and interests. Don't try to hold yourself to one university’s style if it doesn't really fit you. You should choose a university that feels intuitively good for you, where you know you’ll feel welcomed and well-integrated.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has many higher education options and the University of Luxembourg has a wide variety of bachelor and master degrees to choose from, although most bachelor programmes do require sufficient skills in French, German and sometimes Luxembourgish in addition to English.

Their website uni.lu gives you an overview of everything they have to offer: for instance, a bachelor in musical education or computer science can be obtained with only speaking English. Most master degrees rely on the English language as well.

You can apply via their website portal right here.

Germany

The advantages of studying in Germany definitely include low tuition fees, as well as an abundance of university cities which offer something different to each student.

There are three types of higher education available in Germany: first off you have general universities, then there are universities of applied sciences and, in the creative field, you have film academies, universities of the arts and conservatories.

The universities in Gießen, Halle and Freiburg offer university degrees in English, such as a bachelor’s in English language which prepares you to become an English teacher later on. Munich Business School is also known for its international degrees.

Nevertheless, studying in Germany does require a proof of German language skills considering it is the main language of instruction and it helps to get on well with your university colleagues if you can speak German. All future students need a ‘Hochschulzugangsberechtigung’, short HZB, which is basically a secondary school diploma that qualifies you to study in Germany. In case you’re hesitant about your skills, you can take the TESTAS to test your aptitude.

The websites studyingermany.de and myguide.de offer valuable help along the way.

France and Belgium

Similarly to Germany, French and Belgian universities or ‘Hautes Ecoles’ are excellent options for those who wish to stay closer to Luxembourg. EU citizens can study for free at public universities, aside from registration fees, and these institutions offer high-quality, top-ranking education.

In France you can profit from an abundance of choices when it comes to the ambience you would like to experience: choose from a business university in a metropolitan city like Paris, to a Mediterranean study experience in Montpellier or a university in Grenoble close to the alps, France has it all.

While some courses are available in English, it is advisable to learn French, particularly if you plan to complete your entire bachelor's degree there. This will help with socialising and integrating into French society. Learning a few common phrases and everyday vocabulary should be sufficient. If you plan to stay in France after graduation, proficiency in French will be even more beneficial.

Other than French universities, the University of Kent has one location in Paris, as well as in Brussels!

What is interesting in Belgium is that you have the possibility to choose from French and Dutch-speaking universities, depending on their geographical location. Some universities in Belgium even offer bilingual degrees in French and Dutch. The ‘Vrije Universiteit Brussel’ has three bachelor’s programmes in English: Social Sciences, Business Economics and Linguistics and Literary Studies.

Although the University of Kent and the United Business Institutes are tailored towards postgraduate degrees, they might be worth keeping in mind for later on.

If you are doubting whether the tradition university is right for you, you could consider going to a ‘Haute Ecole’, which guarantee an identically good qualification for primary or secondary school teaching, social work, lawyer, assistant jobs, or a technical craft.

Make sure to check out student.be and the individual universities’ websites for deadlines and additional requirements, since each university works a little bit differently and have their own list of documents.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has a similar application process to the one in the United Kingdom, because you don’t apply to the university via an individual portal.

All Dutch universities are grouped on a website called ‘Studielink’, which you can then upload your documents to, such as your diploma, recommendations and personal statement. You will need to submit a personal statement tailored to each university. However, aside from this, Studielink will share your general information with the universities you have selected.

Something worth noting is the application fees you are asked to pay in the Netherlands, so when you apply to five universities you should keep in mind that it might mean spending €500 purely on application fees.

If you are thinking about studying a language or an English degree, you will have to provide a language proficiency test, for example a IELTS or TOEFL test. It is smart to complete these before starting your final exams, since those are already stressful enough.

The United Kingdom

Even though Brexit has made studying in the UK less accessible and more expensive, they are still a choice worth considering if your heart burns for the British lifestyle and culture. What is also noteworthy is that the learning methods at UK universities are quite different to what you might hear from students in Germany or Luxembourg.

The focus lies on independent learning and critical thinking on your own terms, so it is normal to only have 10-12 contact hours even as a first year student.

If you choose to not follow the tutorial preparation questions or to ignore the reading lists, that is your choice. Of course your professor will probably question why your not participating in tutorials or why maybe your essays don’t turn out as well as they could, but they cannot read the books/ develop your critical stance on a literary work for you. That said, university is different from high school: you are responsible for how smooth your academic career flows.

To apply to British and Scottish universities, all future undergraduates have to create a UCAS account. That account enables you to see the different application deadlines and present your academic profile to the five universities you have chosen to apply to in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales. Your grade transcripts, secondary school diplomas, recommendations from professors and your personal statement will be compiled in your profile and sent out to the schools.

From personal experience, if you are in the running to be accepted, some universities might ask you to write an essay out of three options they give you. It is highly recommended to complete their request because it gives them a further insight into your skills and heightens your admittance chances.

Nevertheless, considering that the UK is not in the EU anymore, you need to be sure that you can finance studying in the UK first of all, then take care of things such as a student visa, which you should apply for as soon as you’ve received your acceptance certificate.

In case you haven’t received an offer by March or April, there is the possibility to add an extra choice to your application. It means that you are eligible for the clearing process, where universities can admit you based on the spots they have left.

The United States

Last but not least, if you haven't found your perfect match yet, the US has a lot to offer in terms of universities and colleges. The website Education USA lists a set of five important questions to ask yourself when starting your research.

It is advisable to start looking for a school 12 to 18 months in advance, and to talk about how you would go about financing your academic career. it is definitely an investment to study this far from home, so keep your ears and eyes peeled on possible scholarship opportunities or financial aids.

Final tips

As soon as you have decided where you want to apply to, focus on receiving everything you need: the necessary final exam results, example essays, and collect recommendations from your professors or other mentors like sports coaches. Like in the UK, you need to apply for a student visa to be allowed to stay in the United States for the time that is needed.

The new school year is only just beginning, so compiling the information you need early on is already one of the biggest tasks you can fulfil to have a less stressful final year.

Remember that it is important to choose a higher education institution based on your needs and wishes, because that will make applying for it a much more pleasant endeavour!