Since you are here, I guess you have plans to study abroad, but you’re unsure which documents will be required when applying. As a result, I have decided to list them in this article for persons who find themselves in this situation.
Studying abroad is excellent but can be frustrating when you are rejected or denied admission on countless occasions due to reasons you can easily avoid.
Just as schools in your native country have some admission requirements, which normally vary from citizens and international students, there are also some requirements you must meet before you are granted admission to study abroad. And in this case, we are focusing on important documents that are required if you wish to study abroad. These documents that I will be listing below are so important that you must also count yourself not suitable for admission without them.
Important Documents Required To Study Abroad
There are several documents required to study abroad. However, the ones I will be listing below are classified as very important and is generally required by most schools.
In no particular order, these important documents are:
Application Form
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
Academic Transcripts
Letter of Recommendation
English Language Proficiency Test Scores
Now, let us take each of these documents listed above and try to understand what they are and why they are so important in the admission process.
Application Form
The application form is an essential document required to study abroad. This is because the application form is actually the starting point of your admission since, without an application form, your desired school wouldn’t know you wish to enrol there as a foreign student. As a result, you must do well to get it right when it comes to completing and submitting this important document.
Be very diligent when it comes to filing an application form by providing accurate information about you (usually personal and professional information).
NB: Do well to cross-check or get someone to proofread for you before submitting.
Statement Of Purpose (SOP)
Another important document required to study abroad is a ‘Statement of Purpose (SOP), also known as a letter of intent. Applicants usually write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) to an admission panel detailing their interests, career path, goals, professional achievements, and what pushes them to pursue a particular course.
A Statement of purpose is critical in the admission process and must be well written. A well-written Statement of Purpose (SOP) increases your chances of being admitted; hence applicants must give it enough attention. An ideal statement of purpose should be between 500-1000 words long.
Academic Transcripts
Academic transcripts are also very imp ortant documents if you want to study abroad. A transcript is proof of education.
It is sometimes referred to as a diploma supplement, an academic record or statement of learning which has the complete list of all the subjects you studied, the grades you had and the credit score of each subject.
The academic transcript you will be submitting must be an official one. Ensure that it is stamped and/or signed by the registry of your previous University or school and must be on an official letter headed paper. If you don’t readily have your transcript with you, then do well apply/request for a copy from your institution’s registry department.
English Language Proficiency Test Scores
Most institutions accept English Language proficiency scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The test helps institutions determine or evaluate how fluent applicants can speak or communicate in English. Documentation showing the scores you obtain in an English Language proficiency test is also necessary as a higher score increases your chances of gaining admission.
NB; kindly note that some schools or institutions require other tests aside from the English proficiency test, such as GRE or SAT. If that’s the case, you will have to submit scores of such tests as well.
Letter Of Recommendation
A Letter of Recommendation is needed if you want to study abroad as it also helps increase your chances of admission. The letter details the student/applicants’ academic achievements, character, and goals, giving the admission panel a fair idea of what to expect from you should they admit you.
A letter of recommendation can also be termed as a Reference Letter or Reference, often written by a teacher/ lecturer, school counsellor, neighbour or a faculty member.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume
Last but definitely not least important document is your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. You must know well to put together a professional Curriculum Vitae summarizing your career, achievements, qualifications and education.
Get help from experts in putting your Curriculum Vitae (CV) together in case you’re not good at it. A resume is similar to a CV, only that the former is a lot more precise and shorter.