Foreign Institutions

Applying to study full time for a degree at a foreign institution is an education in itself. The application process is different than applying to a U.S. college or university and every country has its own entrance requirements and exams. The SAT and ACT tests that are recognized in the United States, are usually not even considered in other countries. Many countries require an additional year of high school prior to applying to university and the required entrance exam, taken after completing high school, may prove to be your downfall. The exception: those who have completed the International Baccalaureate.

The length of time to complete a degree at many foreign universities is usually three years---not the four that is typical for a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Instruction is usually in the language native to the country and the tutorial, not the lecture, is the standard mode of instruction. Exams, given once a year, are usually pass/fail---not the continuous assessment found at U.S. colleges. A degree from a foreign institution may not be recognized and accepted in the United States especially if they are from a University not well known in the United States.

Brian E. Davis
University Advisors