Study abroad glossary
Applications
- APS certificateAkademische PrüfstelleGermany
- A check of your Indian academic documents by the APS office at the German Embassy in New Delhi. Indian students need it before applying for a German student visa. APS India
- Conditional offer
- An offer of a place that you accept now but that becomes final only when you meet the listed conditions, such as your final marks or an English test score.
- Deferral
- Moving your offer to a later intake, usually the next one. Not every university or course allows it, and some keep your deposit only for one deferral.
- ECTSEuropean Credit Transfer and Accumulation SystemEurope
- The credit system used in European universities. One year of full-time study is usually 60 ECTS credits.
- Foundation year
- A one-year preparation course before a bachelor's degree, for students whose school qualifications do not meet direct entry.
- Intake
- The month a course starts and new students join, for example the September or January intake. Most countries have one main intake and one smaller one.
- LORLetter of Recommendation
- A letter from a teacher or employer describing your ability and character. Master's applications usually ask for one or two.
- MOI letterMedium of Instruction letter
- A letter from your previous college confirming you were taught in English. Some universities accept it in place of an English test, but a visa may still need a test.
- Pathway programme
- A preparation course, often run by a partner college on campus, that leads into the second year of a bachelor's or into a master's if you pass at the set level.
- Personal statementUK
- The essay sent with an undergraduate application through UCAS. One statement goes to all the universities you apply to.
- Pre-sessional English
- A short English course before your degree starts, for students slightly below the required English score.
- SOPStatement of Purpose
- A one- or two-page essay explaining why you want this course at this university and how it fits your plans. Some countries call it a personal statement. Our SOP guide
- Transcript
- The official record of your subjects and marks for each year or semester, issued by your school or university.
- UCASUniversities and Colleges Admissions ServiceUK
- The central system for applying to undergraduate courses in the UK. You can choose up to five courses in one application. ucas.com
- Unconditional offer
- An offer with no conditions left to meet. You usually need it before the university can issue the document you need for the visa.
- uni-assistGermany
- A service that checks international applications on behalf of many German universities before they decide. uni-assist.de
English tests
- Band score
- An IELTS score for one skill or overall, from 0 to 9 in half bands. Universities often set both an overall band and a minimum for each skill.
- CEFRCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages
- A scale of language level from A1 (beginner) to C2 (near-native). Visa rules often state English levels as B1, B2 and so on.
- Duolingo English Test
- An online English test taken at home. Accepted by some universities for admission but not by most visa systems.
- GRE / GMAT
- Aptitude tests some master's courses ask for. GRE is common for science and engineering; GMAT for business and MBA programmes.
- IELTS Academic
- The version of IELTS used for university admission. Scores run from 0 to 9 in bands for listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS preparation
- IELTS for UKVIUK
- IELTS taken at a centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration. Needed for some UK visas, such as for courses below degree level.
- IELTS General Training
- The version of IELTS used mainly for work and migration, not for most university admissions.
- PTE Academic
- Pearson's computer-based English test. Scores run from 10 to 90 and results usually come within a few days. PTE preparation
- SELTSecure English Language TestUK
- An English test approved by the UK Home Office for visa purposes, such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI.
- TOEFL iBT
- An English test by ETS, scored out of 120. Widely accepted in the US and by many universities elsewhere.
Visas
- Biometrics
- Fingerprints and a photo taken at a visa application centre as part of most student visa applications.
- CASConfirmation of Acceptance for StudiesUK
- An electronic reference number your UK university issues once your offer is final and any deposit is paid. You need it to apply for the Student visa.
- CoEConfirmation of EnrolmentAustralia
- The document your Australian education provider issues after you accept the offer and pay the deposit. You need it for the Student visa.
- Credibility interviewUK
- A short interview by the university or the Home Office to check that you are a genuine student and understand your course.
- CRICOSCommonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas StudentsAustralia
- The official list of Australian providers and courses allowed to enrol international students on a Student visa.
- DLIDesignated Learning InstitutionCanada
- A school approved by a Canadian province to host international students. You can get a study permit only for a DLI.
- eVisaUK
- The UK's online record of your immigration status, which has replaced the physical biometric residence permit (BRP) card.
- Genuine Student (GS) requirementAustralia
- Questions in the Australian Student visa application about your study plans and circumstances, used to check you intend to study. It replaced the older GTE statement in 2024.
- Graduate RouteUK
- The UK's post-study work visa for students who complete a degree. The length depends on the degree and on when you apply. Study in the UK
- I-20USA
- The form a US university issues to admitted international students. You need it to pay the SEVIS fee and apply for an F-1 visa.
- IHSImmigration Health SurchargeUK
- A fee paid with the UK visa application that lets you use the National Health Service. It is charged per year of the visa. GOV.UK
- OPTOptional Practical TrainingUSA
- Work permission in the US related to your field of study, usually up to 12 months, with a possible extension for STEM degrees.
- PAL / TALProvincial / Territorial Attestation LetterCanada
- A letter from the province or territory confirming you fall within its study permit allocation. Most new study permit applicants need one; IRCC lists who is exempt. IRCC
- PGWPPost-Graduation Work PermitCanada
- An open work permit for graduates of eligible Canadian programmes, valid for up to three years. Study in Canada
- Stamp 2 / Stamp 1GIreland
- Irish immigration permissions: Stamp 2 is for full-time students; Stamp 1G is for graduates looking for work after their studies. Study in Ireland
- Study permitCanada
- The document that allows you to study in Canada. It is approved before you travel and issued when you arrive.
- Subclass 485Australia
- Australia's Temporary Graduate visa, which lets eligible graduates stay and work after their studies. Study in Australia
- Subclass 500Australia
- Australia's Student visa.
Money
- Blocked accountSperrkontoGermany
- A German bank account holding one year's living money, from which you can withdraw only a set amount each month. The amount is set each year by the German government.
- Co-applicant
- A parent or relative who signs the education loan with the student and shares responsibility for repaying it.
- Collateral
- Property, a fixed deposit or other security pledged to the bank against a loan.
- Education loan
- A loan for tuition and living costs, repaid after the course. Loans with collateral (property or deposits) usually have lower interest than loans without.
- GICGuaranteed Investment CertificateCanada
- A deposit with a Canadian bank that many students use to show living funds. The money is paid back to you in instalments after you arrive.
- LRSLiberalised Remittance Scheme
- The RBI scheme under which Indian residents send money abroad, including for education, up to a yearly limit. RBI
- Moratorium period
- The time, usually the course length plus a few months, when you do not have to repay the loan. Interest may still be added during it.
- OSHCOverseas Student Health CoverAustralia
- Health insurance international students must hold for the whole Student visa in Australia.
- Proof of funds
- Evidence that you can pay your tuition and living costs, such as bank statements, an education loan sanction letter or a GIC. Each country sets the amount and how long the money must be held.
- Sanction letter
- The bank's letter confirming the approved loan amount and terms. Many visa applications accept it as proof of funds.
- Scholarship vs bursary
- Both reduce what you pay. A scholarship is usually based on merit; a bursary is usually based on financial need. Scholarship finder
- Section 80E
- An Indian income tax deduction on the interest paid on an education loan, available for up to eight years.
- Semester contributionGermany
- A fee paid each semester at German public universities, even where tuition is free. It usually covers student services and often a local transport ticket.
- TCS on foreign remittanceTax Collected at Source
- Tax a bank may collect when you send money abroad under LRS. The rate and threshold for education depend on the amount and on whether it is funded by a loan; ask your bank for the current rules.
MBBS abroad
- Clinical rotation
- Training on hospital wards during the later years of a medical degree. Under the FMGL Regulations, the whole course, including this training and the internship, must be done at the same foreign university.
- FMGEForeign Medical Graduate Examination
- The screening test foreign medical graduates take to register in India, run by the National Board of Examinations, until NExT replaces it. natboard.edu.in
- FMGL Regulations 2021Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations
- NMC rules for students who began a foreign medical course from November 2021. They set the course length, the internship, the medium of teaching and the requirement to be eligible for a licence in that country. MBBS Abroad
- MD (abroad)
- In many countries, such as Georgia, the basic medical degree is called MD (Doctor of Medicine). It is equal to an Indian MBBS, not to an Indian postgraduate MD.
- NEET-UGNational Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
- India's medical entrance exam. Indian students must qualify NEET-UG to study medicine abroad and later practise in India. NTA
- NExTNational Exit Test
- The common exit exam planned under the NMC Act for all medical graduates, Indian and foreign. Check NMC notices for the date it starts.
- NMCNational Medical Commission
- India's medical regulator. Its rules decide whether a foreign medical degree lets you register and practise in India. nmc.org.in
- WDOMSWorld Directory of Medical Schools
- A global list of medical schools. Being listed is useful to check, but it does not on its own mean a degree meets NMC rules. wdoms.org
Online degrees
- ABC IDAcademic Bank of Credits
- A government ID that stores the credits you earn, so they can count towards a degree. Many universities ask for it at admission. abc.gov.in
- LMSLearning Management System
- The website or app where an online programme's lectures, assignments and results are kept.
- NAAC gradeNational Assessment and Accreditation Council
- A quality grade given to Indian universities (A++ is highest). UGC rules link the right to run online programmes partly to this grade.
- NIRFNational Institutional Ranking Framework
- The Indian government's yearly ranking of universities and colleges.
- Online vs ODLOpen and Distance Learning
- Online programmes are taught and examined online; ODL (distance) programmes use study material with contact classes. UGC approves them separately.
- Proctored exam
- An online exam watched through your webcam, by a person or software, to make sure no one cheats.
- UGC-DEBUniversity Grants Commission, Distance Education Bureau
- The part of UGC that approves universities to run online and distance programmes. Approval is given for specific programmes and academic sessions. deb.ugc.ac.in
- UGC-entitled
- A university allowed by UGC to offer a particular online programme in a given session. Under UGC rules such online degrees are meant to be treated as equal to regular ones.
Rules and amounts change; each term links to the official page or our guide where you can check the current position. Missing a term? Ask in the chat at the bottom right.
#YouInspireUs
Stories from our students and parents
#1 Student name
MSc Data Science, United Kingdom · Study Abroad
Sample text. A short story in the student's own words: how the counsellor helped them shortlist universities, understand the full cost and prepare their visa file.
#2 Student name
PG Diploma, Business, Canada · Study Abroad
Sample text. How the counsellor explained college options, intakes and the study permit process, and what the student would do differently.
#3 Student name
MSc Mechanical Engineering, Germany · Study Abroad
Sample text. A student describes getting their documents, APS certificate and blocked account in order for a public university application.
#4 Student name
MSc Business Analytics, Ireland · Study Abroad
Sample text. A student explains how the counsellor helped them compare universities in Dublin and Cork, plan the cost and prepare for the stay-back rules.
#5 Parent name
Bachelor of Nursing, Australia · Study Abroad
Sample text. A parent shares how the course, the health cover and the Genuine Student answers were explained before their child applied.
#1 Parent name
MBBS (MD), Georgia · MBBS Abroad
Sample text. A parent describes how the NMC rules, the six-year cost and hostel arrangements were explained before they chose a university.
#2 Student name
MBBS (MD), Kyrgyzstan · MBBS Abroad
Sample text. A student explains how the counsellor compared universities, the language of teaching and the internship before they applied.
#3 Parent name
MBBS (MD), Uzbekistan · MBBS Abroad
Sample text. A parent shares how the documents, travel and the first weeks at the hostel were planned with the counsellor.
#4 Student name
MD (Doctor of Medicine), Philippines · MBBS Abroad
Sample text. A student describes how the BS pre-medical year, the NMC rules and the full cost were explained before they chose a university.
#5 Student name
MBBS (MD), Georgia · MBBS Abroad
Sample text. A student talks about the documents, the visa and the first semester, and how the counsellor stayed in touch after they arrived.
#1 Student name
Online MBA · Online Degrees
Sample text. A working professional explains how they compared online MBA fees, UGC approval and specialisations across universities before enrolling.
#2 Student name
Online MCA · Online Degrees
Sample text. A student describes how they chose an online MCA that fit around their job and what the admission process looked like.
#3 Student name
Online BBA · Online Degrees
Sample text. A student explains how they compared online BBA programmes, fees and exam formats before choosing a university.
#4 Student name
Online M.Com · Online Degrees
Sample text. A working student explains how they checked UGC entitlement, the exam pattern and the fee instalments before they enrolled.
#5 Parent name
Online BCA · Online Degrees
Sample text. A parent shares why an online BCA suited their child, and how the counsellor compared universities, fees and recognition.
#1 Student name
IELTS Academic · Academics
Sample text. A student shares what changed in their writing and speaking practice, and how mock tests and feedback helped them prepare.
#2 Student name
PTE Academic · Academics
Sample text. A student talks about the practice plan, mock tests and feedback that helped them get ready for their PTE test.
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Spoken English · Academics
Sample text. A learner describes how small-group classes helped them speak with more confidence at interviews and at work.
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IELTS General Training · Academics
Sample text. A learner describes the study plan and the mock tests that helped them prepare for the IELTS General Training test.
#5 Student name
Interview preparation · Academics
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