What do you need?

Thinking about studying or working abroad? There are several things that you’ll need to think about and plan for if you are moving overseas.

Different universities, courses and countries have different entry requirements and you’ll need to check what documentation and preparation is necessary for your chosen destination. Universities and colleges at home and abroad usually have an international student office which offers help and advice about planning your time away.

A crucial consideration is whether you need a visa - for some countries you’ll need one, for others you won’t. It’s important you check out if you do or don’t well in advance, as they can sometimes take a while to organise.

Accommodation is also important - research online and talk to people who have studied or worked in your destination country. And it’s a good idea to work out your budget to be sure you can afford it.

Another thing to look at are the course entry requirements. Although many overseas courses are taught in English, some are not and you may need to be able to show that you are sufficiently proficient in the destination language as well as meeting the grade requirements for your course.

Take the time to think about staying healthy - take out travel and medical insurance before you go, and register with a local doctor when you arrive.

And of course, if you can, don’t leave it till the last minute to arrange your travel. Get your travel organised well in advance of your departure date, and you can save hundreds of pounds!