Application checklist for international students

Requirements differ by university and country, so treat this as a list of things to look for on the official application page.

Documents commonly requested

• Passport or national ID
• Previous diplomas and transcripts, often with an official translation
• Proof of language ability, where the program requires it
• A CV, a motivation letter or a personal statement
• Letters of recommendation, for some programs
• A portfolio or test results, for some subjects

Steps

1. Shortlist three to five programs and open each official admissions page.
2. Write the deadline and the document list for each in one table.
3. Request transcripts and translations early; they are often the slowest part.
4. Submit the application before the deadline, not on it.
5. After admission, check the deadlines for accepting the offer, paying any deposit and applying for a visa or residence permit.

Tip

If your qualifications are from a different education system, ask the university how it assesses them before you pay an application fee.