From packing essential kitchenware and figuring out where to buy your bedding to signing up for every fresher’s week event, the preparation and excitement for studying abroad can often become overwhelming.

By now, many of you are likely in multiple group chats to get to know your fellow students and purchasing early bird discounts on your tickets to fresher’s week events. But before you fill your schedule to the brim, here’s a checklist of crucial tasks in the recommended order of importance to tackle first to ensure a stress-free arrival to the UK. 

Congratulations! You have secured a place at university – a huge achievement and the start of a new and exciting chapter in your life. 

As you prepare to start this new journey, it is normal to feel a mix of anticipation and excitement. To ensure you hit the ground running and make the most of your university experience, here is a simple guide with practical advice on how to prepare for university life.  

What are the steps to successfully apply to university? The following stages are likely familiar to you:

Students will have to weigh up many factors when researching university options. For those who are willing to take a leap into new areas, here are some destinations that offer English-speaking bachelor programmes beyond the top three international student destinations of the US, UK and Canada. 

My decision to embark on an MBA journey was driven by my desire to enhance business acumen, access invaluable networking opportunities, and propel my career forward. 

An MBA is not merely a credential; it is a gateway to leadership roles and higher-level positions that require advanced strategic thinking. The comprehensive curriculum of an MBA programme, encompassing finance, marketing, operations and strategy, equips professionals with the skills necessary to excel in a competitive business landscape.

Born and raised in Quang Ngai, a small coastal town in central Vietnam, I never imagined my journey would take me to the halls of the United Nations.

From a young age, I felt a strong desire to give back to my community, however small my contribution might be. Whether it was volunteering to teach at an orphanage or helping to clean up after flooding, I wanted to make a difference.

As a school counsellor, I often encounter students and parents, grappling with the prospect of a gap year: “I don’t know what to do, I didn’t get into any of the universities I wanted to go to.” 

With dejected faces, misty eyes and slumped shoulders, they struggle to come to terms with their situation. This guide aims to help students navigate their gap year with purpose and enthusiasm, enabling them to view it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity rather than a wasted year.

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is a New Zealand government scholarship, providing funding for students wishing to study in the island nation. 

The scholarships are open to students from selected countries in the Pacific, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. 

An applicant’s study programme will need to be related to their country’s human resource and development needs. After the programme is complete, students will be expected to return home to make a positive difference in their home countries.

A-level results day is a crucial moment for students. If you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for, it doesn’t necessarily mean an immediate change of plans is required. It’s essential to take a step back and consider what your results mean for you. 

Are you aiming for a specific career that requires certain qualifications or are you looking forward to campus life and the opportunity to live away from home and explore a new city? Having these conversations beforehand can help you make informed decisions if things don’t go as planned.

I started looking at universities in Year 12 and I was so excited; both my parents went so I knew what to expect and I also wanted to branch out and leave my hometown. I worked hard and overachieved at GCSE level and put myself through the entry process for dentistry including aptitude tests and interviews.