From choosing a country to the visa, what to know before studying abroad so you don’t waste time or money. In plain language, with a checklist and score converter.
Global Vision
If you want to study abroad, start preparing at least 10–12 months before admission. First decide what you will study and why, then choose 2–3 countries that match your budget and results. Reach the required score in the English test your universities accept (IELTS, PTE, Duolingo or TOEFL), get your documents ready, including your SOP and recommendation letters, and work out the full cost of tuition, living, visa and bank balance. Apply for scholarships on time, and learn the visa rules in advance, as they differ by country.
Many people dream of studying abroad. But many students start at the last minute. By then test dates are gone, application deadlines have passed and pressure builds while arranging the bank balance.
Every year thousands of Bangladeshi students go abroad for higher education. Competition is growing, so whoever plans ahead gets the good universities, scholarships and a timely visa. The good news is that the whole process breaks down into a few clear steps.
Starting from “my friends are going, so I’ll go too” means changing your mind again and again about country, course and cost later. Instead, ask yourself three questions:
Rankings matter, but deciding on rankings alone is a mistake. Look at the course content, total cost, the city’s living costs, work opportunities during and after study, and the university’s accreditation together.
Below is a short comparison of some popular destinations. Tap a country name to see it:
Tuition ranges are approximate and change by university and course.
To study in English, almost every university wants proof of English proficiency. The four most common tests are IELTS, PTE Academic, the Duolingo English Test and TOEFL iBT. Each tests reading, writing, listening and speaking.
| Test | Score | Where to take it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 1–9 bands | At British Council or IDP centres | Almost every country, including the UK, Europe and Malaysia |
| PTE Academic | 10–90 | At Pearson centres, on computer | If you want results fast; accepted in many countries |
| Duolingo English Test | 10–160 | Online from home, about 1 hour | Universities that accept it, including in the USA |
| TOEFL iBT | 0–120 (also on a 1–6 scale from 2026) | At ETS-approved centres | Universities in the USA and Canada |
Results from all tests are usually accepted for up to 2 years. So if you take the test too early, it may expire by the time you apply.
Say you have a PTE score, but the university states its requirement in IELTS. Choose your test below and enter your score to instantly see the equivalent on the other three tests.
Many universities in the USA ask for it for bachelor’s admission. Scored out of 1600, and you can take it in Dhaka.
For master’s and PhD, especially science and engineering in the USA. Scores are valid for 5 years.
Asked for MBA and business master’s programmes. Scores are valid for 5 years.
German language courses may need TestDaF or DSH, Korea TOPIK and Japan JLPT.
Documents take the most time for both the application and the visa. Tick what is ready in the list below. Your progress is saved in this browser.
In your SOP, write why you want to study this subject, how the interest developed, how your previous studies and experience prepared you, and what you want to do in future. Tailor the SOP for each university. Sending the same text everywhere is easy to spot.
Get recommendation letters from teachers or managers who have seen your work closely and can write with specific examples. Check the university’s instructions in advance for how many letters you need and how to submit them.
Many people budget for tuition alone and are shocked by the other costs later. Include these in your first-year budget:
| Cost item | When it is paid | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | When applying | Many universities charge none, some do |
| English test fee | Before the test | Retaking doubles the cost, so take it when prepared |
| Tuition deposit | After the offer, before the visa | Ask in writing whether it is refundable |
| Visa fee and health costs | When applying for the visa | The UK charges a separate health surcharge |
| Bank balance | For a set period before the visa | The money is not spent, but must stay in the account for a set number of days |
| Air ticket | After the visa | Cheaper if booked early; check the baggage rules |
| Accommodation and food | Every month | The first month’s rent and security deposit are needed upfront |
Usually not. In most countries you can work only a set number of hours a week while studying, often around 20. That covers some living costs, but planning on tuition or visa money coming from it is risky. Working more also adds to study pressure.
There are two kinds of scholarship. One is given by the university itself, usually a tuition discount for good results. The other is given by governments or large organisations; these often cover the full cost, but competition is high.
| Scholarship | Country | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master’s |
| Fulbright | USA | Master’s, PhD |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | South Korea | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD |
| Swedish Institute (SISGP) | Sweden | Master’s |
| Erasmus Mundus | Several European countries | Master’s |
| DAAD | Germany | Master’s, PhD |
Tap a column name to sort. Conditions and deadlines change every year, so check the official website before you apply.
Every country’s rules differ, but the main steps are much the same. Tap each step you have finished to mark it:
It is safest to arrange accommodation before you leave home. There are usually three types of option:
Close to campus, safe and the easiest choice for the first year. You may need to share a kitchen or bathroom.
Living with a local family or other students. Lower cost, and learning the language is easier.
More independence, and more cost. Sharing with a few people splits the cost.
The first few weeks may feel a bit lonely, and the food and weather will be different. This is called culture shock, and almost everyone gets it. Talk to your family regularly, make new friends, and go to the university’s student support office if you have problems.
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at the last minute | No test dates or application time left | Start planning 10–12 months ahead |
| Applying without reading the instructions | Incomplete applications are rejected | Keep a separate checklist for each university |
| The same SOP everywhere | The application looks weak | Tailor the SOP for each programme |
| Budgeting on tuition alone | Money runs short before the visa | Work out the full cost, including accommodation, visa and tickets |
| Mismatched details on documents | The visa gets stuck or delayed | Match your name and date of birth across all papers |
| Enrolling at an unrecognised institution | The degree has no value | Check official accreditation |
Say you want to start classes next September. You can proceed roughly like this:
It depends on the country, city and course. Countries like Malaysia or Hungary cost relatively less in the first year, the UK or USA more. Add accommodation, visa, health insurance and tickets to tuition to make a full budget.
In many cases, yes. Some universities accept PTE, Duolingo or TOEFL, and some accept a medium-of-instruction (MOI) certificate or their own test. But the proof needed for the visa differs by country, so confirm first.
It depends on your skills. If you are comfortable typing and speaking on a computer, many prefer PTE or Duolingo because results come quickly. But first check which tests your preferred universities accept.
Yes, if your results and English score meet the requirements, many countries offer direct entry. Some require a one-year foundation programme first.
You can cover some living costs, but usually not everything. Weekly work hours are limited while studying, and tuition and the bank balance must be shown before the visa.
At least 10–12 months before admission. Earlier if you want major scholarships, as their applications close almost a year ahead.
Check whether it is accredited by an international body such as ICEF, whether it states costs clearly in writing, and whether it offers a visa “guarantee”. Avoid those that do. Global Vision is ICEF accredited, and the first counselling session is free.
Free, one to one, in our Baridhara office or by phone.
Study abroad tipsপরিবারের ফান্ড ক্যালকুলেটর (টাকায়)স্পাউস ভিসার কাগজপত্রের চেকলিস্টভিসা প্রসেসের ধাপ ট্র্যাকারস্বামী বা স্ত্রীকে সাথে নিয়ে বিদেশে পড়তে চান? ২০২৬-এর নতুন নিয়ম মিলিয়ে কানাডা, নিউজিল্যান্ড, জার্মানি, ফিনল্যান্ড ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের স্পাউস ভিসা, কাজের অধিকার, বাড়তি টাকার হিসাব ও প্রসেসিং গাইড।
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Study abroad tipsস্টাডি গ্যাপ চেকারদেশভিত্তিক তুলনামূলক টেবিল২, ৫ বা ১০ বছরের স্টাডি গ্যাপ নিয়ে কোন দেশে ব্যাচেলর বা মাস্টার্স সম্ভব, ভিসা অফিসার কী দেখেন আর কোন প্রমাণে গ্যাপ শক্তি হয়ে ওঠে। গ্যাপ চেকার ও দেশভিত্তিক তুলনাসহ।
