Studying overseas, without paying an agent anything
Every step below can be done by your family directly. We explain the process so you can judge for yourself whether you need help — and never pay a percentage for it.
What actually happens, in order
Start roughly eighteen months before the intake you are aiming at.
Decide the country before the college
Post-study work rights differ enormously and matter more than a university’s ranking. A mid-ranked university in a country that lets your child work for three years afterwards usually beats a famous one that gives them ninety days to leave.
Sit the English test early
IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, depending on what the country accepts. Sit it early — scores are valid for two years, and a retake costs you time you will not have later.
Apply direct to the university
Every university has an international admissions page and accepts direct applications. No intermediary is required. Apply to a spread: two ambitious, three realistic, one safe.
Get the offer, then arrange funds
Most student visas require proof you can pay tuition plus living costs. Education loans from Indian banks are common and often cheaper than family borrowing. Start this the day the offer arrives.
Apply for the student visa
Always on the official government portal, never a lookalike site. See our visa guidance page for the traps.
Sort accommodation and the first month’s money
University halls for the first year are usually the safest choice. Budget for a deposit plus six weeks of living costs before any part-time earnings begin.
Four things families underestimate
Living costs, not tuition
Tuition is the number everyone quotes. Rent, food and transport for three years is usually the larger figure.
Part-time work limits
Most student visas cap you at around 20 hours a week in term time. Plan on that covering some living costs — never tuition.
Health cover is compulsory
Several countries require paid health insurance up front. It is a real line in the budget, not an optional extra.
Homesickness is real
The first winter alone is harder than the coursework. This is exactly what our diaspora network is for.
There may already be a Pal family where you are going
Our member directory exists so your child arrives knowing one person. Free, and behind a sign-in.