How international students apply to universities abroad
Reviewed 24 September 2026
The typical sequence
1. Shortlist programmes and read their official entry requirements. 2. Check the application route: some countries use a national portal, others apply directly to each university. 3. Prepare documents: transcript, degree certificate, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, language test and passport. 4. Apply for admission, and for scholarships where they are separate. 5. After admission, follow the official visa or residence-permit process of the destination country.
Know which portal is official
Use the university's own website and the government portals linked from it. Italy, for example, uses Universitaly, the Ministry of University and Research's portal, which includes pre-enrolment for students from abroad. Finland uses Studyinfo for many programmes.
Plan backwards from the earliest deadline
Scholarship deadlines are often earlier than admission deadlines, and translations, legalisations and language tests take weeks. Put every official date in one tracker and start with the earliest.
Official sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before applying.