Admissions processes and funding

While some international students can afford US university fees and others need a full scholarship to attend, most sit somewhere in the middle – which can make finding the right university a challenge

At Henry Wilkinson’s school this year, US offers and scholarships were scarce compared with previous years. So he insisted that all students come up with a plan B

Is there a table of standardised-test requirements? Should my students take the SAT or not? Yein Oh answers some of the most frequently asked questions about standardised tests

There seems to be almost as many approaches to standardised testing as there are US universities. Yein Oh‘s spectrum of testing requirements helps make sense of the idiosyncrasies

Understanding different financial aid options across the US and Europe will help students make an informed decision

Many US universities value “positive character traits” in applicants. This activity helps students understand how best to showcase these traits in their applications

Now that it has moved so far from its original purpose – and is often written by AI or a ghostwriter – what purpose does the US college application essay actually serve?

In schools where the vast majority of students applying to US universities submit early decision applications, January is likely to be a busy time

If students are thinking about applying to university in the US, they will need to make sure they understand the system first. Augusto Neto offers a comprehensive guide

Sharing insights, resources and best practice with other counsellors is good for the profession as a whole, says Augusto Neto

Submitting an application to a US university requires students to navigate a baffling array of apps and platforms. Augusto Neto explains which app to use when

What types of financial aid are available to students at US universities? Augusto Neto itemises the various options

What does applying to a US university involve? Augusto Neto offers a comprehensive guide to the application process

University admission rates represent the percentage of applicants accepted into an institution. Why do prospective students need to know about them? Augusto Neto explains

With low tuition fees for international students and an increasing number of English-language programmes, Greece might be a good choice for some students

Belgium is not a conventional study-abroad destination, but it has a lot to offer students. Tuition fees for international students can be low and there are a range of high-quality universities to choose from

Universities in France are affordable and can provide a high-quality education. Here are some tips for counsellors assisting students with applications to French universities

Slovak universities are supportive; the environment is student-friendly and the education system is well-structured – and some courses are free for international students

Hungary offers affordable tuition, high-quality programmes taught in English – and one of the most generous government scholarships in the world

Motivational letters have become increasingly important in the admissions process for European universities, allowing applicants to demonstrate their interest in a particular subject and institution

Campaigners are pushing for a law requiring international students to sit an exam when they apply to university in Spain. How should counsellors advise their students about this?

With stunning landscapes and a strong university focus on sustainability, Finland is the perfect destination for students interested in ecofriendly living

Home to the oldest university in the world, Italy has recently expanded its range of English-language degree courses – but remains surprisingly affordable

Students burning the midnight oil can do so by the light of the summer sun, at one of Norway’s high-quality universities

Finland’s strong focus on education, innovation and design makes it an ideal destination for students looking to study design, technology or engineering at university

A recent increase in the number of English-language courses available has made Portugal a study destination worth considering

Determining whether a student fulfils the entry requirements for the degree they want to study at a Spanish university can be tricky – but this guide illuminates the process

Sweden has more than 1,000 English-taught programmes in a variety of universities across the country. What do your students need to know about applying there?

Applying to a Swiss university can take 20 minutes in total – but students first need to understand how the Swiss system works

Will your students’ high-school qualification grant them admission to a university course in Germany? And which of the many application platforms should they use?

Culturally rich Czechia is home to universities offering a wide range of English-taught programmes

University tuition is free for international students at many public universities in Germany – so how do they apply for places?

Applying to university in the Netherlands is very different from applying in the UK or the US. Here’s everything you need to know

Degree courses in the Netherlands have a reputation as “easy to get into, difficult to finish” for international students. It‘s vital that counsellors help students think carefully before applying

There are many great European study destinations, but where do you start when advising students on choosing the right place for them?

Flexible, affordable and English-speaking, Ireland is an often-overlooked gem for students looking to attend university abroad

Almost 86,000 international students from 170 different countries enrol in higher education in the Netherlands each year, and this number continues to grow. Here are some reasons why you should suggest the Netherlands as a study abroad destination for your students

Australia is known for its world-class universities – but how do you go about applying to them? Roma Deo provides an all-you-need-to-know guide

New Zealand is known for its serene landscapes and high quality of life – and its eight universities are all ranked in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings

With many English-taught programmes, Uzbekistan is a great choice for students looking for a study destination off the beaten track

Taiwan is not an obvious study abroad choice but with more English-taught programmes being introduced, now is a good time to explore this option

Macao has a unique Portuguese-Chinese history – and is a strong choice for international students because of its international community

Hong Kong is an international academic hub – but how do students go about applying to study there? And what pitfalls should they watch out for?

Brunei is a small, peaceful country – and its universities maintain high enough standards to transfer students to the UK, Australia and Ireland

Malaysia is home to some high-ranked, affordable universities for international students. Here is a step-by-step guide on guiding students to apply for university in Malaysia

Universities in Asia are changing their admissions requirements, often adversely affecting the recognition of international curricula. How should counsellors respond?

South Korea’s universities are known for their competitive application process – so students need to be well prepared

Mainland China offers high-quality education, advanced research facilities and rich cultural experiences – and is more affordable than most Western countries

For international students, applying to university in India can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide breaks down the elements involved

Malaysia offers affordable study at highly ranked universities, including UK and Australian branch campuses

All university courses in Bangladesh are taught in English, and the fees are affordably low – but the admissions process can be fiendishly complicated

Singapore is positioning itself as a key educational hub – and a popular choice for Asian international students

Thailand, known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities, is an increasingly popular destination for international students

Growing support for international students, as well as an affordable cost of living, makes Nepal an attractive destination for higher education

Singapore’s top universities consistently rank among the best in Asia – and the East Asian city state is renowned for its cosmopolitan society and low crime rates

There are 208 universities in Turkey, offering more than 45,000 programmes – and tuition fees and living costs are generally affordable

Kazakhstan is home to diverse cultures, striking landscapes, copious oil and gas reserves – and a government actively pursuing the internationalisation of higher education

Many Indian universities offer a high-quality education, recognised globally – as well as relatively low tuition costs, and scholarships specifically for international students

If your students are struggling to find reputable universities that offer significant scholarships, they should consider studying in Hong Kong

Japanese universities are becoming increasingly attractive to international students. This curated selection of links will help your students apply for a place, arrange a visa and secure funding

While not a traditional study-abroad destination, Japan provides a unique and rewarding academic experience – with many universities now offering courses in English

What do Japanese universities look for in a personal essay? What form do interviews take? And what are the admissions rates like for international students? Find out here

As well as its unique culture, Brazil has a growing reputation for higher education – particularly in agriculture, engineering, medicine and social sciences

Paraguay is a hidden gem in South America – and is particularly popular with medical students on a tight budget

The application process for Colombian universities can vary from institution to institution – but there are some common features

Costa Rica is a beautiful country in Central America and could be a great destination for students looking to study somewhere different

Mexico has a range of public and private universities, including two of the best universities in Latin America

The Chilean university admission system is designed to make higher education easy – and affordable – to access

Universities in Brazil are offering more English-taught programmes and the diversity of universities can offer a unique learning experience to students

Argentina, home to some of the best universities in Latin America, is an increasingly popular destination for Spanish-speaking international students

The Caribbean offers globally recognised degrees and experiential learning opportunities. Find out more about the application process

The ability to quantify their activities and achievements will help students secure a university place and, later, find a job. But there’s also peril to it

In a sea of ‘captain of the debate team’, the student who ‘led the debate team to its first state championship in five years, coaching 12 novices’ will stand out

The new School of Medicine at St Mary's is offering scholarships to students who want to change lives and make a difference – and who have demonstrated this through social action

Some students may feel daunted at the prospect of writing a personal statement from scratch. Asking them to record their answers to some questions may help them to unlock their experiences and stories

As the landscape of university applications evolves, guiding students to carry out projects to include in their applications can help their applications stand out

Supercurricular activities – academic activities that go beyond the taught curriculum – are highly valued by academically selective universities in the UK

What's in a word? Rather a lot, when it comes to writing university references. James Burnett runs through the coded messages, dos and do nots

Canadian higher-education provider LCI Education runs 12 institutions in nine countries. Each campus has a unique approach to helping learners unlock their potential, but they share a devotion to elevating the student experience

Should students choose extracurricular activities that will look good in their university application, should they pursue activities they enjoy – or is there a third way?

Teachers already use metacognition in the classroom. But counsellors should study it, too – metacognitive skills are essential when applying to university

While it is inevitable that students and their parents will refer to university rankings, counsellors should advise them to use them in conjunction with a range of sources of information

Students from low-income families often lack the documents needed to apply for a scholarship. This presents challenges for the counsellor – but they’re not insurmountable

Universities’ admissions decision-making can often seem shrouded in mystery. Here, a former admissions officer turned counsellor sheds light on the process

Can recording a podcast, writing a blog or even holding a part-time job help your students’ university applications? Yes – and their future employment prospects, too

The UK and US higher education systems are very different from each other, and it’s important to make these clear to students considering applying to both

Counsellors play a pivotal role in preparing students for the academic and cultural differences between the UK and US higher education systems

Your students have a long list of extracurricular activities for their university application – but how do they showcase them best?

Have students chosen to do an activity because they genuinely want to – or because they feel guilty and think they should?

This simple true-or-false quiz will help students reflect on the activities they choose to support their university applications

Choosing which activities to do to support their university applications is a source of great concern for students. Here are eight pithy statements to guide their choices

Letters of recommendation can make or break a student’s university application, so it’s important that we get them right

Cost can be a significant barrier for students wanting to pursue higher education. So how can you help them find scholarship and sponsorship opportunities?

More and more students are choosing to apply to universities in multiple countries, so how can counsellors support these students and help them make their decision?

Students need to research the details of their chosen courses of study carefully, in order to be happy and succeed at university – and afterwards

Learn about how the Times Higher Education World University Rankings are put together and how you can use them to help your students find their best-fit universities

University admissions traditionally involve students researching and then applying to higher-education institutions. But what if the process were reversed?

Here are a few reasons counsellors should be using university rankings when helping their students choose a university

Choosing a university is not only about finding the right institution – it’s also about working out what fits within a student’s budget

Sometimes students don’t believe that what they do is worthwhile – which is why Daniel Rabbers tells them to include everything in their university application