- Start with where you want to end up
- Compare what you will actually study
- Check the entry requirements honestly
- Count the full cost
- Shortlist and ask questions
1Start with where you want to end up
Think about the job or path you want after graduating, then work backwards. Look at the qualifications people in that role actually have, and whether employers in your home country recognise degrees from your chosen destination.
2Compare what you will actually study
Two courses with the same name can be very different. Read the module list for each year, check how you are assessed (exams, projects, placements) and whether there is an internship or industry project.
3Check the entry requirements honestly
- Academic grades and the subjects you need
- English test scores, or whether a waiver is possible
- Portfolios, work experience or entrance tests for some fields
4Count the full cost
Tuition is only part of it. Add living costs for the city, health insurance, visa fees and flights. Then look for scholarships that match the course: a slightly less famous university with funding can be a far better deal.
5Shortlist and ask questions
Pick three to five courses and contact the admissions teams with any questions. How quickly and clearly they reply tells you a lot about the support you will get as a student.














