K Fisher

Student Guide for University Transfer Students

K Fisher2 Comments

Being a transfer student can feel like a daunting and unsure experience but it does not have to be. When it comes down to the necessary paperwork and official documents needed to help a student transfer to a new college or any higher education institution. There are a few important points and tips students should follow.

We will go through a general guideline that will contain the most needed documents such as transcripts and recent class rank to what items transfer students may be exempt from because they are considered a “new” student.

Table of Contents:

  • All Universities Follow the Same Method And College Credits
  • Transferring Colleges Can Add On More Years
  • Letter of Recommendation Matters
  • Scholarships for Transfer Students
  • Do Transfer Students Have A More Difficult Time Getting Into Universities?
  • How To Know You Are Eligible
  • Are There Certain Deadlines To Follow
  • What is the ‘Common Application’
  • Do Test Scores Matter?
  • Transfers Are Not Seen As Competitive
  • Research Colleges That Are Looking for Transfer Students
  • It Depends On What College a Student Wants to Transfer to, But Always Check What That University is Looking For In Their Academic Class
  • Always Plan Ahead
  • Last Note to Remember

There are a few facts that may not be known, but we will try to provide enough generalized information to help with any student who wants to transfer to a different college.

All Universities Follow the Same Method And College Credits

This is no joke, universities follow a method when it comes to admitting transfer students. The biggest requirement as well as question students should ask is what or how many of their credit college points will be able to transfer.

This is where the difference comes in. When a student transfers from say a community college to a higher end ivy league; students can be met with not being able to transfer over as many college credits as originally thought.

Now, universities have agreements with other higher education institutions when it comes to the college credit transfer. For example, in Canada most if not all of Ontatio has an agreement with it’s universities that all college credits can be transferred to another Ontario based college.

However, say a student has attended two to four years in the United States but they wish to be admitted to Oxford in the United Kingdom, this would be called foreign credits. And foreign credits may not hold as much merit with such a prestigious college as Oxford. The American student would need incredibly high grades, grade point average, and the similar skills that Oxford offers to their student population. Basically a place like Oxford only accepts college credits if they reflect that of the intended school that the student has decided to transfer to. This is where the issue with transfer credits comes in. 

When taking into account credits that are recognized by the college the student wants to transfer to? Because this highly matters. 

There are so many different policies that higher education institutions follow that the best step for students to follow is this:

  • Make sure that the college you want to transfer to, take similar classes that are needed at both colleges
  • Make sure to talk to one of the college’s advisors beforehand to see what college credits can be transferred and which ones will not be

Transferring Colleges Can Add On More Years

If a student transfers after having at least 2 years of studying or more accomplished at one university and the transfers… the student can expect to loose from college credit. Why? After the 2 year mark, this means that the student is out of the undergraduate realm and was already on their way studying their main subject field. And each university has different routes associated with classes and credits when it pertains to the 2 year undergraduate mark. This is just how it works.

Students should check the university website of their choice to see what options are available for transfer individuals.

Letter of Recommendation Matters

A letter of recommendation matters when a student is working towards college admissions, but a letter of recommendation is crucial for a transfer student. Preferably, a college professor should be the one behind the letter of recommendation, and it should be a professor where that student has taken that exact class. Why? Well the all admissions want to know that the student can sustain the workload that happens with projects, thesis, and homework. The more a professor has seen a student simply flourish in a college environment where the course work hasn’t bogged them down, will be come a real point of interest for any college admissions.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Ten years ago transfer students did not have many scholarship options. That has changed with today’s world, instead students can go to a university website and find a link to transfer student scholarships.

A few scholarship options include but are not limited to:

  • $2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
  • “Tuition Solution” Scholarship for STEM Students
  • Tallo’s $1,000 “Launching Into Your Future” Scholarship
  • Future Designer Scholarship
  • Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
  • $500 “A Bold Life” No-Essay Scholarship
  • $10,000 ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Program

Let’s take a closer look at the $5,000 Transfer Student Scholarship that is funded by IKB Canada. For this scholarship students must be a Canadian citizen and must be transferring to a college located in British Columbia. This one does look for an average B rated student that has not receive a lower grade than that on at least 30 college credits. However, students can still apply if they are still working on those 30 credits.

This is not a complete list of transfer student scholarship options.

Do Transfer Students Have A More Difficult Time Getting Into Universities?

Sadly the answer is yes. It comes down to what courses or programs has that student taken before transferring. There is so much information needed to access what level the student’s study abilities are at and what type of coursework that student was completing beforehand.

In Canada, there estimated rate for transfer students being accepted into a different university hovers around 60%. Which is significantly lower than a student sending in admissions to a college during their last year of high school.

As Essay’s Requirements Or Can They Be Exempt For Transfer Students

Luckily, essay’s can be exempt for transfer students. Since a certain question like “What do you intend to do while attending college” is a bit self explanatory when an individual is has already collected a few college credits. A student can be exempt from writing an essay when becoming a transfer student. This is a high advantage because it means that the judging panel or committee will not be judging based on character. Instead, the student will be judged on their grade point average and what programs they have already succeed at.

How To Know You Are Eligible

What makes a college student eligible as a transfer student? It does come down to the fact that the student must have completed at least one year of schooling elsewhere. This is hugely important because this will help toe stablish college credits. Each universities policies are a bit different but it doesn’t mean that some work together to ensure a high end transfer student guideline.

So yes, having at least one academic college year finished will make a student eligible for transfer options.

Are There Certain Deadlines To Follow

Absolutely! A lot of universities have a separate deadline issues out for transfer students and first-year admission students. However, there are a few universities that insist on a single deadline for both admission and transfer students. Anyone interested in transferring colleges should pay incredibly close attention to the academic calendar that each institution has available on their website.

What is the ‘Common Application’

There is a type of application that all transfer students will fill out called the Common Application. This is basically an application that will contain all viable knowledge for the universities to go through and affirm is the correct information from the student.

First the student will need to provide much needed personal information. This includes current address, citizenship, and name. This is important to give correct information, for example a student cannot give their nickname as their official legally registered name.

Secondly, students will need to provide all transcripts for their academic history. This involves a full year of grades, current class rank, and grade point average. This is needed to show the transfer college what classes or programs they have already taken and do not need to take again.

Third, what is supporting information? Well, students will need to provide an acutely aware experience section. This means any volunteer work or anything that has be done outside of school activities. While school activities can be included, this is the section where students can show who they are. How an individual spends their free time by helping the community or working with coding technology to further advance their own skills, should be expressed.

Lastly, students will need to provide program materials. Typically, this is where the big essay question comes in for first-year students. Yet, students may encounter a series for short questions that asks them to complete with a short answer as a response. These questions are their to help identify why the student is transferring and what they expect to receive out of their new college pick.

Do Test Scores Matter?

Many may be thinking of the standardized testing that is available in the United States. The SAT and other important tests that help to land a student with a scholarship or admission to the college of their dreams. The defining response is sometimes. Not all colleges require a transfer student to send over their standardized test scores. Since the student had already acquired at least a year minimum of college, then this states that the student has shared their test scores which advocated for their admission into the university.

Normally, if the transfer individual has the right amount of minimum college credits needed for the transfer, that university will not ask to see test scores.

Transfers Are Not Seen As Competitive

This may have been weighing on the minds of a few students. It would be easy to think that transferring to a different college could mean more competitive. However, that is simply not the case. Since transfer students will be going in as a Sophomore level or over, this means the transfer student has surpassed that first-year competitive spot.

Research Colleges That Are Looking for Transfer Students

There are multiple lists that a published each year that rate what colleges are a looking and creating scholarships solely for transfer students. Finding and researching these universities allows a student to successfully secure a quick access to a higher institution that maybe beforehand would have not chosen that student to be part of their academic population fits. That is, fitting the eligibility of that a single higher education institution is highly important.

It Depends On What College a Student Wants to Transfer to, But Always Check What That University is Looking For In Their Academic Class

This is one of the biggest points to remember. Researching what a university is looking for in the perfect academic candidate makes all the difference. For example, say Harvard University is your ideal transfer college. With that in mind, look up what does Harvard look for in academic students. Does the university prefer that the student has a 4.0 grade point average or instead show that the student has started to excel in their studies while they may not have beforehand. What about bringing experiences into the common application that stands out from many other applicants? These type of questions will help students to narrow down what it means to be eligible or the perfect candidate.

Always Plan Ahead

No one should attempt a quick transfer, instead a transfer option needs to be planned months if not a full year ahead. This type of planning requires the student to craft a thorough resource list of what advisors to contact. Why? Contacting advisors will help any student to navigate the tricky waters that include transfers. An advisor can help students to map out what their budget needs to look like (since colleges will ask if the student has enough funds to cover a year duration of tuition).

Reach out to 4-year institutions that fits within your transfer budget. A lot of individuals forget that 4-year instructions are incredibly more costly that community colleges. While that dream school may be within reach, will your bank account be able to suffice enough funds to secure tuition coverage? If not, this is where financial aid comes in.

Know your degree path – if you don’t it’s time to sit down and run through what type of major you want to pursue. Why? As a transfer student if you do not know what type of degree you intend to work towards, schools can deny your transfer if you are not clear about this subject. Because it will reflect as a “well this student is not serious about their college career so why should we be interested.” It’s quite incredible what aspects will provide enough information about the student that shows, just how well equipped and ready that student is to enter a tough 4-year academic career.

Last Note to Remember

Transferring colleges is really only for the students who are being serious about this option. There is a lot of information and documentation that will be needed to secure a spot within a high end 4-year university. This should not be taken lightly and should be figured out months in advance before applying for a transfer.

Here at Pick A Scholarship, we try to provide enough information for students looking for different options, scholarships, what universities are giving out funding opportunities to student guides. By providing valuable information, we aim to ensure all individuals have the access necessary for important resources.

Anyone can sign up to receive a university website newsletters to stay updated on the latest information, even when that student does not attend that university. This can give great access to the academic information that university is looking for in new students.

Any student that is unsure about the rules and guidelines that are meant to be followed when working towards a transfer option, should read through the university website. Normally, colleges provide enough information on their websites to help students out with what to look for, what to provide, and what questions will be asked that need quick and short answers.

We also suggest that all interested students should read through the information guideline page that is available through our website as well. This way the individual will be able to navigate the website correctly and identify what type of information that would like to read about.

We provide exact information for each article and provide much needed answers that are asked by the general public seeking to further their higher education.

What International First Year College Students Need To Have Before They Arrive In a New Country

K Fisher3 Comments

The amount of different types of items and must-needed electronic equipment that a first year student will need in a new country is quite a long list. While some things can be easily provided by going to a store located near the university, it can be difficult if the student does not know the main language spoken in the country they’ve arrived in.

We will go through what important items may be needed to help a first year students transition into a new way of life below.

Table of Contents

  • Why Every Student Needs An International Electronic Adapter
  • Language Translation App – and Book
  • Funds In International Currency
  • VPN For All Private Access on a Laptop or Computer
  • Medical History
  • A Map of The Campus Grounds
  • USB Flash Drives for Every Project
  • HDMI Cord or an Ethernet Cord For Computer/Laptop – With Available Adapter
  • Budget List Ready
  • Dressing Appropriately for Weather Conditions – One All Year-Round Coat
  • The Ultimate List
  • Laptop Backpack – Camping Backpack
  • A Pack of Sticky Notes to Mark Important Textbook Pages
  • SIM Card for Cell Phone
  • Day Planner
  • Do Not Pack Full Size Liquids (Like Shampoo/Conditioner/Mouthwash)
  • Don’t Forget The Umbrella
  • Overview and Insightful Thoughts

Why Every Student Needs An International Electronic Adapter

It is incredibly easy to forget that electronic plugs are different in most countries. Students will need to have an international power adapter to ensure that they can charge their iPhone/Android, Laptop, and other electronic accessories that essentially will not be able to charge or be useful otherwise. Normally, students have forgotten this item and an adapter is one of the most important aspects to have as a first year student.

Language Translation App – and Book

These two things will go hand-in-hand. One, there are a number of translations apps available where an individual can speak into the microphone of there cell phone and it will translate into the language of their choice. This is a great app to have since it can greatly allow a student who could be new to the country’s language, to develop confidence skills in speaking with others that involve a conversation in a different language.

Having a translation handbook guide on hand, will help any student. This will help the new student to be able to read signs in shop windows, street signs, and any building signs that may be along their way when they walk on campus. As a matter of fact, students typically learn to read a second language before being able to speak it fully. So, reading even children’s books is highly encouraged since this can help anyone to understand that basic level of understanding and language sentence structure.

Funds In International Currency

Everyone thinks that their debit or credit card will be the way to pay in any country. However, having actual currency can help all students to learn the currency difference. When a student has the actual physical currency in hand, they can distinguish how much something will cost verses solely relying on a credit card. Credit cards tend to have international fees and this is not a great way for any student to begin their college budgeting process. Instead, a small fee is presented for the student to order the correct amount in the correct physical currency from their main bank branch.

This is a very simple solution that can be done online and sent to the student via their main living address. All a student has to do is log in to their bank account, and select international currency and scroll down to the country that the student will be studying and living in for the duration of their stay.

VPN For All Private Access on a Laptop or Computer

This may be one of the more important aspects that students do not think about. A VPN can allow accurate privacy for any student that is not use to the normal security programs that are provided in different countries. Also, a VPN always private security both on a laptop and any mobile devices a student may own. So, anytime a student checks their bank account, they can rest assure that a VPN protects their privacy, login and password, and browsing history.

Medical History

Ironically enough, this is something that will slip the mind of most students. It is a requirement before entering any new country for a student to have the required medical shots to enter certain countries. Now, every student who intends to study at a university that is not in their own native country, will need to submit biometrics. This is essentially a collective of medical history and a recent medical screening from the student themselves.

Biometrics even includes fingerprints to legal name and current legal citizenship. This format can be provided digitally so it is easier to share with admissions of the college, the student has been accepted to attend.

A Map of The Campus Grounds

More times than not, nearly every new college freshmen finds themselves lost within the grand scape of the college campus region. This happens, and it is not something to feel insecure about because there are maps available to students upon request. Even using the satellite map to add a bit of reassurance to the student who may not know where their history lecture is located.

Also, taking an extra week ahead of schedule to explore the campus grounds will help any student to feel better about their surroundings. This little exercise can help implement a new route and that following week of ‘real studies’ will not feel as intimidating.

For students that may not live on campus their first year attending college, research public transport. Simply look up the local transport system either online or at a bus/train stop and see what the “line or route” is called. For example, in Canada, students have advantage with acquiring a monthly free public transport pass that has several universities located within the ‘green and orange route.’

If students are facing the real probability that they will need to take public transport, they can acquire a monthly discount or even a free pass from the head of admissions.

USB Flash Drives for Every Project

While it’s nice to think that our laptop or desktop computer may never crash, it can. Having a USB Flash Drive to place each important project or research resources on will literally help out every student, no matter if they are a freshman or a postgraduate.

From accidently hitting the delete button, or the electricity goes out. It’s hard to be reassured that the assignment you spent weeks on has been saved and edited in the exact format, that was intended. Instead, having a few extra USB Flash Drives can help students to feel less stressed and more certain that each of there projects are easily accessible no matter what happens to their laptop or desktop computer.

Students that utilize the available free library computers, would do better with owning a few USB Flash Drives to save all of their current progressive work on.

HDMI Cord or an Ethernet Cord For Computer/Laptop – With Available Adapter

Why? Because not every college dorm has wireless Wi-Fi, instead a lot of dorms will have a plug-in spot where an Ethernet cord plugs into. In this case, that means a student relies on plugged in internet instead of wireless.

Having an Ethernet internet connection also will provide a stronger internet connection and stability. This means a student will not need to proceed with continued outage from the wireless internet router, which is an added plus to bringing an ethernet/HDMI cord. The HDMI cord can help connect multiple devices that a student may have set up in their college dorm room, or rented room.

Budget List Ready

This is important, students should research near by grocery stores or necessity shops and add up a whole round total of how much everything will cost. But adding up a budget of the necessity items a student will need to get fairly immediately upon their arrival. This can help the student to find the right amount they need in funds, that will go to easing their transition from a long plane ride to having their favorite snack and haircare products.

Dressing Appropriately for Weather Conditions – One All Year-Round Coat

This may be the most essential clothing item a student can have. A year-round coat that will protect them from the elements will make things a lot easier. A coat that will protect against a sudden cold front or possibly the coldest Spring and Fall that the country has experienced in some time. The amount of times a student did not have the right type of clothing gear mixed in with their own bad experience of their first college year… tends to lead right back to not having the right coat. It may sound funny, but it is extremely serious when it comes down to protecting the body against the cold season.

Because there is typically so much excitement surrounding this new life changing adventure, students can easily become sidetracked. Being able to avoid any seasonal illness is needed, because no student wants to end up sick with a cold because they simply did not have warm enough clothing. Instead invest in a great coat that will last a good couple of years.

The Ultimate List

Yes! Having a check list of items that can be taken on a plane to travel to the next destination will help solve a lot of problems. Every student will benefit from making a long check list divide into sub sections such as clothing, electronics, toiletries, and additional needs. From a number of blogs and reviews students do not prefer immediately shopping for much upon their arrival in a new country. Students tend to experience heavy jet lag from their travels and want to settle into their new room as soon as possible.

This is were self care comes in, and that’s why creating the ultimate item list is needed.

Laptop Backpack – Camping Backpack

When it comes to finding the best backpack to use, camping backpacks tend to be the best travel need. When it comes to students taking their own laptops to each class or lecture, that laptop needs to be protected by a camping backpack for optimum protection.

Normally, the size of the best college campus backpack need is around 18.5 inches. This is to help carry textbooks (more than 1 will be carried) along with adjustment straps that will not hurt a students back. There are numerous lists out there on the internet that show the best made backpacks for college students.

A Pack of Sticky Notes to Mark Important Textbook Pages

Who knew post-it sticky notes would be so important in college? Well, they are and they provide a necessary tool… a way to bookmark important or resourceful pages in any textbook. Post-it notes allow students to write any footnote needed that is necessary on a certain textbook page. Also, post-it notes works so much better than writing in the textbook itself. Writing in college textbooks is not a great idea because these books can be re-sold after the student has passed those classes. This way students can receive a deposit amount back on what they paid for their expensive textbooks.

SIM Card for Cell Phone

This is the most forgotten item for all students. Anyone moving to a new country temporarily, will need to buy a SIM card in that country. This will help the student to access the data in that country, which will allow the student to call within that country. If a student wants an international phone plan, they need to discuss with their current phone carrier and implement the right type of international plan that covers there destination country. This way the student can stay in contact with family and friends.

Day Planner

Having a day planner that covers a full year academic duration, will make all homework assignments and lecture times a lot more manageable. A day planner will help the student to create a better time management schedule that they can follow on a daily basis. This way, no assignment will be missed or disregarded. College has been reported as one of the main times, where a student learns about time management when it comes to understanding what it means to split up the day with routine.

With more and more universities sharing selfcare ideas, a daily planner allows the student to focus on their time management to stop working on projects to give their brain a break. This is perfect idea for anyone that tends to forget things quite easily and needed that little bit of extra help.

Do Not Pack Full Size Liquids (Like Shampoo/Conditioner/Mouthwash)

It is easy to forget when it comes to packing for college, that full size liquid bottles will be thrown out at the airport. Why? This goes against all airline regulations of what passengers can carry on a plane. Whenever a passenger goes through security, each time, those large full size bottles of liquid will be thrown out.

Instead, all travel size bottles are accepted. A student should only shop for the travel size companion options because this follow regulations but at least the student will have a potential week supply for necessary hygiene items within their suitcase.

Don’t Forget The Umbrella

An umbrella to protect you from any downpour, to protecting your backpack that carries electronic items and expensive textbooks is simply needed. We tend to not think about this one item that can bring a lot of ease to life. Oddly enough an umbrella is the one tool that can protect your laptop from not soaking in a sudden intense thunderstorm.

No matter which country is chosen as the college destination, one fact remains. It will eventually rain and that umbrella will be needed.

Overview and Insightful Thoughts

Anyone attending college for the first time in a new country’s will definitely feel the effects of culture shock. This is completely normal for anyone to experience. But having a reference guide will definitely help with those overwhelming feelings that can transpire after trying to figure out what not to forget when it comes to packing necessary items.

No freshman should go through their days without items that can greatly impact there future health and wellbeing. While many universities put out huge decorative dorm lists each year, these simple things tends to be left out of the bunch. Yet, something as simple as a SIM card that is purchased in the destination country’s could be the item needed to make that call home.

We want to provide a general list of the items that may be easily forgotten about when it comes to the overwhelming nature of packing for a year-long trip. This way, students can double check to insure that all of the items that can make or break their stay a bit easier and calm. Hopefully, this list helps those that may have struggles to put together a confident “ultimate list” of necessary college life items.

How To Study in Malta: Student Visa and Student Sponsorship

K Fisher1 Comment

Going through the task that is acquiring a student visa for a new country along with identifying the aspects that makes up a ‘country sponsorship” can be incredibly daunting. However, we are going to break down the steps attached to these two process that can help international students in the long run, to acquire a higher education and career in Malta.

The University of Malta has a number of measures in store since it is the international student campus in Malta. Students will be able to find reliable information based on what is given out by the government and Embassy’s of Malta that are located in different countries. Luckily, the government of Malta has made the process easier by installing and creating an efficient and easily accessible online application and call in screening test for all international students. This has greatly cut down the wait time and students can receive their visa’s in a short 15 day turnaround.

Table of Contents

  • The University of Malta’s Guidelines for a Student Sponsorship
  • Focusing on the Visa
  • Official Documents Needed When Applying for a Student Visa
  • E-Residence Permit Card and Qualifications
  • What is a Student Sponsorship?
  • E-Residence Permit Cards for Non-EU/EEA Students
  • Renewal
  • Identity Malta Has All Students Covered – The Website Walks Students Through Each Section

The University of Malta’s Guidelines for a Student Sponsorship

First off, students should look into what Visa and E-Residence is in Malta. The more a student reads about a topic the easier it will be to understand and eventually fill out.

The difference between a Visa and an E-Residence I.D. card is quite simple. The official permission to be in the country for a certain amount of time as stated by the Malta government, is essentially want a Visa happens to be. Which authorizes a temporary stay for individuals to travel to a foreign country. All international students interested in studying in Malta need to check whether they are required to apply for this type of semi-permanent residence or not.

When it comes down to acquiring an E-Residence Permit which will also be used as an official identification card; this is the document that a student will need to be able to remain in Malta for the duration of their entire college career. This can be done and this will follow the immediate arrival and registration of the international student at the University of Malta. If an international student plans on to stay for more than 3 months (only 90 days) there only option is to apply for an e-Residence Permit Card. This identification will be paired with the international students passport, so they can travel around the country without hassle.

Focusing on the Visa

Although you might not need a visa to enter Malta, any international student that expects to study in Malta even just for a work-study program would be better off having a visa. The reasoning comes from just general consideration to the country and understanding that as a temporary resident, the student is following that country’s governement guidelines.

All international students should read through all of the available guideline review information that is available on the University of Malta website.

When it comes down to applying for a visa, it is strongly recommend that the student does so at the earliest possible time. Since all admission applications during the summer months may take longer during processing, which increases the processing time. There are some needs, where a student may have to physically travel to Malta to submit a visa application. Students should read through and familiarize themselves of the residence permit requirements before their travel departure. Everyone will need to be prepared to bring official and original documents which might be difficult to obtain after the departure time, (Bank statements, any bills with legal residence and legal full name).

Official Documents Needed When Applying for a Student Visa

First off there are two types of visas when it comes to studying in Malta, the Schengen Visa (short stay) and the National Visa (long stay). The National Visa is documented as being a longer stay than 90 days but shorter than a year.

Typically, the only place to apply for a Malta visa is through an Embassy of Malta available in Australia, Belgium, Austria, China, and many other countries. Applying for a visa is available online if students are unsure about where to go or to send in their information. However, there is a full embassy list available through the University of Malta website, which directs international students to the right location in their native country.

Students will have to pick also between visa’s that either exceed 90 days or do not exceed a 90 day school course. This will need to be stated that the individual is in fact planning on studying in Malta.

Those students that are not exceeding 90 days will automatically be issued a Schengen Visa or commonly referred to as the C-Visa. Along with sending in their application all international students must send in their biometric data. If this has not been collected the student will need to find out where to get their biometric tests from, which can be consulted by the embassy of their country. Typically, the turn around time is simply 15 days, so the student can quickly attain their credentials and be able to jet off to their course destination in Malta.

An extended stay visa or the National (D) Visa, will allow the student to stay longer than the 90 day period but not past a full 365 days (one year) in total. Official documents needed:

  • Fully completed national visa application that is signed by the student
  • One single passport photo that is attached to the completed application
  • Passport (must be valid through to the end date or the course end date)
  • Provide information that shows funding will not be an issue, in this case, students must show that per month they are at least above minimum wage
  • Airline tickets already purchased that so destination and return date
  • Accommodation information for the duration of the student’s stay
  • If the student has won a scholarship, they must show the congratulation letter
  • If applicable, student must show information on a sponsorship (we will cover this later on throughout the article)
  • Students must provide enrollment letter or acceptance letter
  • Students must present a full time table schedule of their courses
  • Language proficiency test in English
  • Travel insurance that as a minimum coverage of no less than 30,000 EUR
  • Medical insurance must be from a recognized provider that is fully refundable
  • If the student is below the age of 18, the student must present their birth certificate
  • If the student is below the age 18, there must be written consent from the students two legal guardians
  • If the student is below the age of 18, there must be a passport data page that shows both of the student’s parents information
  • Proof of educational payment, or tuition payment for the courses
  • The Consular Post may ask for additional informational documents, if so the student must compile if they wish to receive a visa

Above does not list all of the things that are needed, in fact, different countries may request different information if it is not already listed.

E-Residence Permit Card and Qualifications

If the student is a native citizen of the EU/EEA who intends to study at the University of Malta for at least two semesters, it is highly recommend that they apply for a residence permit within the first 3 months or exactly 90 days of their arrival date in Malta. When it comes to renewing a permit, all documents should be written or translated to English, as well as following the information that is provided below.

There are a few steps that students will need to proceed with, the first is by applying online.


Once Identity Malta has accepted the submission of a student’s application, the international student will then be asked to call in person for an appointment by the Expatriates Unit at Identity Malta. This is to ensure that the right individual is submitting their own original documents.

The following documents will be needed: 

  • Application Form for Residence Documentation 
  • Form ID 1A –  Electronic Identity Registration Form (Non-Maltese Nationals)  
  • Original and copy of passport or Foreign ID card (Bio data page only)
  • Proof of sufficient financial options

Bank statements will be needed, and at least for the previous 3 months. The statement should show a balance of 750 Euro or more for each month of that student’s stay in Malta, or the same amount only in a foreign currency. 

For any permit renewal there is a requirement to resubmit a new bank statement showing the same amount as previously stated. 

Foreign bank statements must be signed, stamped and dated by the manager of that bank branch. 

It is stated that a student must provide proof of an ATM withdrawal / Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) receipt to show that the bank account is accessible in the country of Malta. 

Photo copies of the receipt will be expected, both front and back.

What is a Student Sponsorship?

A student sponsorship can be obtained if any citizen of Malta requests that a foreign student should study in the country. This works out quite well if an international student has some sort of family connection that lives in Malta. This way the student will be sponsored and will not have to have all of the financial means that are needed to study in the country. Instead, the student will be (spoken for) by another citizen.

There should be a letter created by the sponsor detailing who they are, how long the duration of the student’s stay will be, and what that sponsor will be covering financially for that student’s stay. This sponsorship letter will be used when the student is applying for a visa or E-Residence permit.

More information will be needed such as a passport photo of the sponsor will be needed, along with bank statements or checks.

E-Residence Permit Cards for Non-EU/EEA Students

Now this may sound tricky, however, there is a normal track of non-EU/EEA students that apply for a National or Short-Term visa before they arrive in Malta. And within three months of the student already being in Malta, they are required to apply for an E-Residence Permit.

Here is why:

All international students that are applying, should apply and send in their application through the Identity Malta Online Application.

Afterwards, the student will receive an email notification that their application has been received and ready to move on to the next stage. This stage involves the student to call in person to have an exchange of information where the student provides their personal information with the Expatriates Unit at Identity Malta.

Students should have these documents on hand before the call beings:

  • Form ID 1A -Electronic Identity Registration Form (Non-Maltese Nationals)  
  • Original and copy of passport (All passport pages are to be photocopied – there are no exceptions)
  • Proof of date of arrival in Malta (e-ticket, physical plane ticket, or if in the absence of the Malta Police Immigration Stamp on the passport) 
  • A copy of current Maltese residence permit ( only for students that are considered applicable for returning students)
  • Proof financial funding

When applying for this type of residence, students have to have enough funds of around 792 EUR in their account. This is 792 EUR for each month, for that student’s duration stay.

All credit and debit cards will need to be photo scanned or copied to show that these cards are in fact those of the students.

When it comes to bank statements there are a number of rules that are meant to be followed. Such as stamped and signed by the branch manager of the bank that the student used in their own country. Along with having that student’s bank branch available as an ATM or some other service in Malta.

These are just the rules that are in place and students should follow them no matter what, if they wish to study in Malta for the duration of their stay.

When it comes to being a sponsored student who is applying for an e-residence permit, they should provide a copy of the rental agreement between the student and the property (in which the student is staying with) owner. Students need to have this Rental declaration form to send in as well.

Forms showing approved health insurance for the duration of the students stay and this health insurance should cover all co-pay or hospital stays. Finding the right type of health insurance for students can easily go to the University of Malta website to ensure that they are picking the right plan.

A health screening procedure will be done where students will need to have this health (chest x-ray) and tests completed before a 15 day arrival in Malta. This is just standard rules and procedure for all students However, returning students do not have to do this.

There is an application fee of just under 30 EUR for this application.

Renewal

The biggest piece of information when it comes to renewing either a visa, short-term or long-term is that the student has to provide up-to-date and within a 3 month time range, of their bank statements. The student cannot resubmit the same bank statements that they submitted a few months prior. This is strictly prohibited.

Along with a new and complete application form.

With renewal’s this is a general check up where students will not have to send in the excess health information like they had to before. However, if they are being sponsored by an citizen that has property in Malta and that students is living on that property, there should be some sort of revised and renewed tenant rental agreement.

Identity Malta Has All Students Covered – The Website Walks Students Through Each Section

International students do not have anything to worry about, as long as, they have all of their official document and information available.

If a student has lost their E-Residence Permit or it was stolen, they have nothing to worry about. The Identity Malta website has a whole section dedicated to helping students who run into this problem, and it’s simple, the permit will be replaced.

Also, if a student is having trouble with their visa, they can appeal. This option is readily available through the website as well.

Any international students that have disabilities, do not have to worry because they can receive an E-Residence Permit identification card as well with the available assistance where government officials will travel to the students house to take their passport photo and receive their signature.

International students will see that as long as they have the right application, and complete all of the blank fields, there will be no problem. While visa requirements can vary slightly from country to country, Malta has an excellent system to ensure students are received with the right health and legal information All student should use the contact information if they feel that they are unsure about any aspect of the application process.

What Public Universities are Available to Study in Greece?

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Students that are interested in studying in Greece, may find it difficult at times to see which universities are public and which are private. We will go through and divide a few higher education institutions down the middle so students can see what type of academic programs and courses are provided by each public institutions. And a quick fact, all higher education universities in Greece are open to the public!

Greece is known for it’s ever incredible history that involves emperors and dynasties that lasted hundreds of years. They also left a lasting mark on the world. Because of this historic reason, many students make Greece their study and major destination to learn more about the language, the history and the culture.

Table of Contents

  • Why Should an International Student Choose Aristotle University of Thessaloniki?
  • University Of Patras
  • Athens University of Economics and Business
  • International Hellenic University
  • University of Macedonia
  • University of the Aegean
  • University of Thessaly
  • University of Piraeus
  • Harokopio University
  • National Technical University of Athens
  • Getting a Student Visa to Study in Greece

To first open up this list, international students that go to Greece to study as an undergraduate will be happy to know that all foreign undergraduates will only need to pay 1,500 EUR for their entire first year. With that worry out of the way, students have an automatic understanding of how much needs to be saved for their first year of college.

Students will also be happy about how much normal cost of living can be budgeted to a low 300 EUR or to a higher 900 EUR. But this depends on the lifestyle of the student as well.

Why Should an International Student Choose Aristotle University of Thessaloniki?

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is among the top ten oldest institutions of higher education in Greece. For a student to visualize the mass scale of how big this campus is, would be to look at Google maps because the university is spread out over 230,000 square meters.

Since 2014, the student population has steadily increased past 40,000. More than half of that student population is made up of active undergraduates who live either on or very near campus. Since the establishment of this great public institution in 1925, students have been able to come from all over the world to enjoy the academic programs provided by the university.

These academic programs include:

  • School of Mathematics
  • School of Physics
  • School of Biology
  • School of Chemistry
  • School of Geology
  • School of Informatics
  • School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • School of Mechanical Engineering
  • School of Architecture
  • School of Civil Engineering
  • School of Chemical Engineering
  • School of Rural and Surveying Engineering
  • School of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Veterinary Medicine
  • School of Philology
  • School of History and Archaeology
  • School of Philosophy and Pedagogy
  • School of English Language and Literature
  • School of French Language and Literature
  • School of German Language and Literature
  • School of Italian Language and Literature 
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Law
  • School of Agriculture
  • School of Forestry and Natural Environment 
  • School of Early Childhood Education
  • School of Primary Education
  • School of Economics
  • School of Political Sciences
  • School of Journalism and Mass Communications
  • School of Theater
  • School of Film Studies
  • School of Music Studies
  • School of Visual and Applied Arts
  • School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences
  • School of Theology
  • School of Pastoral and Social Theology

There are still a few academic programs that have not been listed above that are available for undergraduate students to send in admissions for and to wait for their letter of acceptance.

With the list provided above, it is important to say “school of” because that is how spread out this university happens to be. Each of these subjects relatively has their own school section within the campus grounds. For example a single building will be dedicated to nothing but the ‘School of Architecture.’ However, the building that sits adjacent would be a whole separate study subject.

As a matter of fact, the school of Philosophy is taught in conjunction with Pedagogy, unlike the rest of the subjects taught at Aristotle University.

Classes can be taught in English, French, Spanish, and German. However, most classes are taught in Greek.

University Of Patras

This university is in the top three largest in Greece. While the massive grounds that surround the university are to be looked at in wonderment, this university also holds the top title for being one of the best higher education systems in Europe. Even a few European colleges have modeled their own philosophy classes after the University of Patras.

The University of Patras is where all major domestic and international research discoveries happen. With over 160 research lab and present, the university has become a haven for biological and biotechnology researchers.

Students can opt to study with this university digitally or through their online learning programs.

Available academics:

  • Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture
  • Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
  • Food Science & Technology
  • Crop Science 
  • Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises
  • Economics 
  • Management Science and Technology
  • Tourism Management
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering 
  • Computer Engineering and Informatics (CEID)
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics 
  • Nursing
  • Physiotherapy
  • Speech & Language Therapy 
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education
  • Education and Social Work
  • History and Archaeology
  • Museum Studies 
  • Philology 
  • Philosophy
  • Theater Studies
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Geology
  • Materials Science
  • Physics
  • Mathematics 

Students should understand that this is a difficult university to get into, when admissions time is happening. This is a highly competitive institution that only accepts the best and brightest students from all over the world. A student should make sure their grade point average is the best it can be, and that they have adequate research projects as part of their academic education.

Classes can be taught in English, but it is suggested that students should take an introductory course to understanding the Greek language.

Athens University of Economics and Business

This public university has been the number one School of Business and Economics since 1920. Most if not every political figure has spent at least one course here that has lived in Europe.

Courses are offered in German, English, and French. But students should know to succeed at the Athens University of Economics and Business present an undergraduates award that is equal to at least 4-years of college study. This means a student has to undergo and complete eight semesters to be deemed eligible for an undergraduate graduation. This is one of the toughest business institutions in the world.

Academic programs:

  •  Business Administration 
  •  Marketing and Communication
  • Management Science and Technology
  • International and European Economic Studies 
  • Economics
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Statistics 
  • Informatics
  • Data Science
  • International Shipping, Finance and Management
  • Business Analytics

International Hellenic University

Since 2005, the International Hellenic University was deemed the first fully English taught institution in Greece. The government in Greece created a university to help foreign students to better identify what studies they wanted to commence in Greece.

The academic programs list below, students will be able to see what the International Hellenic University has done to stand out from other universities. There progressive and forward approach to clean energy has several programs available the teach the basics of energy law and cybersecurity measures.

This university is funded by both the Greek state and the European Union, which students will be able to see based on the courses being taught in Oxford English.

Academic programs:

  • Forestry & Natural Environment
  • Physiotherapy
  • Nursing
  • Agricultural Biotechnology and Oenology
  • Food Science and Technology
  • Agriculture 
  • Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Interior Architecture
  • Creative Design and Clothing 
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Computer Science
  • Library, Archive and Information Science
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Tourism
  • Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Information and Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering and Management
  • Accounting and Information Systems 
  • Transnational and European Commercial Law, Banking Law, Arbitration/Mediation
  • International Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Management
  • Hospitality
  • Black Sea & Eastern Mediterranean Studies
  • Biotechnology and Law
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Business
  • Energy Law, Business, Regulation and Policy
  • Orthodox Ecumenical Theology
  • Classical Archaeology and the Ancient History of Macedonia
  • Data Sciences
  • Strategic Product Design
  • Energy Building Design
  • Smart Cities and Communities
  • Cybersecurity
  • ICT Systems
  • e-Business and Digital Marketing
  • Mobile and Web Computing

University of Macedonia

The University of Macedonia is for all intense purposes mainly a business college. However, the well known Ceremonial Amphitheatre which puts on some of the universities best art and theater productions in Greece. This amphitheater is not only an important symbol for the university student body community, but major art installations have been shown here as well.

The campus is large enough to accommodate every student that wishes to study here. Also, students that come from low income circumstances can attend the university café where they can receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is a card that students receive upon becoming an accepted student of the university, so they can use to ensure that they will not go hungry. This is part of the countries incentive to help low income students to available and healthy food.

Academic programs:

  • Economics
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Applied Informatics
  • Business Administration 
  • Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies
  • Educational and Social Policy
  • Music Science and Art 
  • International and European Studies

University of the Aegean

What may be strange to students when they read about the University of the Aegean, is that the Aegean is a series of islands. So the thought that a university could be spread across these islands seems like an ambitious idea. However, the university campus and classes is spread through out the six islands of the Aegean Sea.

The student population has grown to accommodate over 10,000 in population. The University of the Aegean is not necessarily a competition university, however, some students have found it difficult to acquire entry within admissions.

This university has outstanding research programs, for example the Department of Environment Studies conducted a research look on non-native fish fauna in the inland ecosystems of Greece. This was to establish the study on the fauna’s habitat, evolution, and understanding what the next steps could be in their evolutionary life cycle.

What about the eligibility to send in admissions to the university?

For Master’s degrees, the admission eligibility requires international students to show that they have taken a equivalent of courses that measure up to their system. Also, the university will ask for an undergraduate thesis, overall undergraduate grades, and all official documents that are needed to ensure that the student who wishes to study in Greece has passed all of the essentially general programs.

Academic programs:

  • Tourism Economics and Management
  • Food Science and Nutrition
  • Social Anthropology and History
  • Shipping, Trade and Transport
  • Sociology
  • Marine Sciences
  • Product and Systems Design Engineering
  • Environment 
  • Cultural Technology and Communication
  • Geography
  • Business Administration
  • Financial and Management Engineering
  • Track in Mathematics
  • Statistics and Actuarial-Financial Mathematics
  • Information and Communication Systems Engineering 
  • Primary Education 
  • Mediterranean Studies
  • Pre-school Education and Educational Design

University of Thessaly

Students do have the option to receive programs taught in English, French, German, or Greek. We do suggest that any student traveling to study in Greece, should learn some of the basic formations of the Greek language. Because the University of Thessaly will take a percentage off of tuition if a student shows encouragement and study towards the Greek language.

There very on Department of Special Education has put into place the  Laboratory of Psychology and Educational Applications to help students who may be struggling mentally, emotionally, or physically to there newly relocated country. The University of Thessaly is spoken out on helping foreign students to intergrate into Greek life but while helping the through counseling as well.

Academic programs:

  • Economics
  • Business Management
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Environment
  • Digital Systems
  • Energy Technologies
  • Forestry, Wood Sciences, and Design
  • Science of Animal Production
  • Science of Foods and Nutrition
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Planning and Regional Development
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Mathematics
  • Computer Science and Telecommunications
  • Physics
  • Biomedical Informatics
  • Veterinary Science (a total of 5 years of college is needed before graduating to Master’s)
  • Medicine (a total of 6 years of college is needed before graduating to Master’s)
  • Nursing
  • Physicotherapy
  • Biochemistry and Biotechnology
  • Public and Community Health

University of Piraeus

The University of Piraeus is the 2nd oldest and one of the largest institutions that focuses on business economics in Greece. Since the university’s creation in 1938, as a private banking and accounting educational school. It would not be until the 1960’s that the university would be restated as a public institution that introduced maritime studies.

This university also works with the Erasmus exchange student program, where students can come from all over the world to utilize and spend a few weeks taking a research lab program. This institution is in coalition with the European Research Association.

Academic programs:

  • Maritime Studies
  •  Banking and Financial Management
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Statistics and Insurance Science
  • Digital Systems
  • Industrial Management and Technology
  • Informatics
  • Tourism Studies
  • International and European Studies

Harokopio University

This university was actually deemed the successor to a prior institution called the Harokopios Higher School of Home Economics.

Harokopio University is extremely active with the  ERASMUS educational exchange program, as well as, providing adequate research centers to establish a look at the environment and sustainable city planning.

Academic programs:

  • Sustainable Development 
  • Education and Culture
  • Sustainable Tourism Development
  • Geography and Spatial Planning
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Informatics
  • Telematics

National Technical University of Athens

The student population with active students who attend classes everyday is around 10,000 plus. This higher education institution has a fantastic academic calendar that students should check out. For example, the National Technical University of Athens dedicates every 10th semester to the research and productivity of writing a thesis. Which is essential if a student wishes to pass their major at the current level they are at. So this means if a student is an undergraduate, writing and researching a thesis, is the the essential last grade that says either they pass or they fail.

Academic programs:

  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mining and Metallurgical Engineering
  • Applied Mathematical & Physical Science
  • Architecture
  • Mechanical Engineering 
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Rural and Surveying Engineering

Undergraduates students can also take part in the research labs from the five different centers, they are:

  • Interdisciplinary Research Center
  • Special Accounting for Research Office
  • Office of Researchers
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit 
  • Interdisciplinary Unit for Reusable Energy
  • Liaison Office
  • Internship Program

Getting a Student Visa to Study in Greece

Every international student that decides to study outside of their native home country, should inquire about a student visa. Student visa’s help college students to maintain a legal status in a country. Also, the misconception that students can receive a student visa after they have traveled to the university they are enrolled in, that happens to be in a different country… is a myth. All students have to receive their student visa before they decide to travel to the destination country’s where their university is located.

State officials are the border, will check over the student visa to ensure that the student is following all of the legal protocols and is in fact, not staying in that country illegally.

Each student must send in an admissions application to the Greek institution of their choice. Afterwards, students will experience a waiting period before the institution either sends them an acceptance letter or a letter that explains that the student do not fit the criteria.

When a student receives an acceptance letter, this is the time where the student can then send in their proper information to the government to inquire about a student visa to study in Greece. The acceptance letter acts as proof of reason to go to the country.

The next step is waiting for the student visa application to go through and wait for either an e-mail or a post letter that describes the acceptance of the application or the rejection of the application. The only reason an application for student visa would be rejected is because the student has a criminal record, or the host country is experiencing distress.