What preparations are needed before the 'changes' in studying abroad?

International students in Australia - Photo: ASIA TIMES

In preparation for the spring 2025 intake in various countries, many students have been starting to prepare their study abroad applications as early as the end of July 2024.

One upcoming trend is that major universities will no longer require essays when applying; instead, they will place more emphasis on extracurricular activities and personal projects that students have participated in.

Mr. Pham Hoang Phuc

Is studying in Australia "unpredictable"?

The Australian student visa application fee has increased by 2.25 times, officially effective from July 2024. Specifically, the Australian Department of Home Affairs announced that the fee for an Australian student visa (visa 500) has risen sharply from AUD 710 (VND 12 million) to AUD 1,600 (VND 27.1 million). Applicants traveling with a family member over 18 years old will have to pay an additional AUD 1,190 (VND 20.2 million).

Hugo Nguyen, the admissions representative for the University of Technology Sydney (Australia) in Vietnam, said that many parents felt this increase was quite high, but overall it would not significantly affect many families who were already financially prepared for their children's overseas studies.

When advising on study abroad plans, counselors or school representatives often remind parents to anticipate unexpected fee increases due to policy changes.

Furthermore, during the recent 2024 fall intake, many students were surprised by the excessively long visa processing time. Previously, a student visa could be issued in about two weeks. However, under the new regulations, some applications have to wait up to 45 days, or even longer. In some cases, applicants almost missed the visa deadline.

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Therefore, when applying for study abroad programs in the spring of 2025, according to Hugo Nguyen, students should make their study abroad decisions at least 3 months before the official enrollment date to mitigate risks.

From July 2024, another notable regulation introduced by the Australian Department of Home Affairs is the cessation of converting tourist visas (visa 600) to student visas. Students already in Australia holding a temporary post-graduation work visa (visa 485) will also not be granted a student visa. These students will be required to return to their home country if they wish to apply for a second student visa.

Mr. Mai Viet Thuy, principal of University Preparation College (Australia), said these regulations aim to tighten control over illegal immigration. Generally, if Vietnamese students have clear and transparent study plans and applications, they don't need to worry too much about being denied a visa.

However, students from certain regions, such as some central provinces, may face more difficulties in obtaining an Australian student visa because many students from these regions have previously been blacklisted by immigration authorities.

According to Mr. Thuy, one piece of advice for students is to consult the list of occupations currently experiencing labor shortages in Australia when choosing a field of study. Of course, the student's interests and aptitudes will still be the top priority, but students should look at these lists to find fields where their own aspirations align with Australia's labor market needs. This will give students more opportunities, not only when applying for a visa but also in their plans for employment or permanent residency.

More changes in Canada and the US.

Mr. Thai Dung Tam - Southeast Asia admissions representative of Vancouver Island University (Canada) - believes that as Australian visa requirements become increasingly stringent, students are considering other markets such as the US and Canada.

He said that in 2024, many parents reported that they had shifted their focus from Australia to the Canadian market. Visa processing times have been shortened to just 14 days, and in some cases even as short as 10 days.

In the US, Mr. Pham Hoang Phuc, Vietnam market director of Ingenius Prep (USA), said that in the upcoming spring admissions season, many American universities will require the SAT again. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some schools reduced the SAT requirement in their application process. Now, many Ivy League schools are requiring this criterion again.

According to Mr. Phuc, competition for admission to top universities is becoming increasingly fierce, with acceptance rates steadily declining. He cited the example of Harvard University, which was 11% ten years ago but is now only 4%. He explained that the increasing number of applicants, coupled with limited resources at universities, leads to even more intense competition for admission and makes securing scholarships even more difficult.

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In particular, Mr. Phuc revealed that some universities are researching the possibility of eliminating essays altogether during the admissions process due to the strong development of AI applications like ChatGPT, which are having a significant impact on applicants' essays.

Investing in English is still necessary.

According to Mr. Thai Dung Tam, in the upcoming admissions season, many universities in Canada may lower their IELTS entry requirements to attract more international students, especially those currently requiring IELTS scores between 6.5 and 7.0. Some universities may also create more opportunities for students who do not meet the English language requirements to participate in supplementary classes before officially starting their programs.

"Once you've decided to study abroad, you should know that English is the most important thing. If you plan to study abroad, invest as much as possible in your language skills," Mr. Tam said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuan-bi-gi-truc-bien-dong-du-hoc-20240722084334759.htm