The benefits of studying abroad and how to make it happen

Top three benefits of what studying abroad

Studying abroad can benefit your personal and professional life in many ways but three of the most practical are:

1. Stepping out of your comfort zone

Finding yourself in a new environment will require adjusting to your new normal quickly. This is especially true if you choose a country that you have never visited before. Acclimatising to a new culture and languages may take a while but it’s an investment well worth making and will prove useful if you decide to pursue a career abroad.

2. Make your CV stand out

To employers, international graduates stand out among job applicants. Besides showing your dedication to completing a degree abroad, it also reflects on your character, showing traits like resilience and adaptability and the will to challenge yourself to accomplish your goals.

Being a candidate with international experience will also work in your favour considering how employers are becoming increasingly globalised. If you opt for a career in the country where you chose to study, you’ll find yourself among colleagues who grew up there. Your familiarity with the country’s culture and language may also help you stand out in this regard.

3. Build a network that will last

Finding yourself in a new city, let alone a new country means making new friendships. One of the greatest advantages you can look forward to is building relationships that could serve you across your university and professional career. Your friends, professors and classmates may all open doors to new opportunities in the years to come.

Need more reasons? Visit Study Abroad Expo 2025

For a look at what other benefits an international education can get you, visit Study Abroad Expo 2025 from 10 - 13 February. You’ll have the chance to speak to our expert study advisers and representatives from some of the world’s leading universities. Together, they’ll help show you what your dream campus abroad can offer and what it can mean for your future career.

Now that you have an idea about all the good studying abroad can do for you, it’s time to see what you need to make it happen.

What else do you need to know about studying abroad

Studying abroad, while an amazing opportunity, also presents some important questions you may want answered before you start packing your bags.

Is your national senior certificate enough to study abroad?  

Most institutions in the UK, US, Canada and Australia accept a National Senior Certificate (NSC) so don’t worry if that is your only qualification after completing Grade 12. If you intend to apply to an institution where your NSC might not be enough, an international entrance exam may be required to counter this but that depends on the university and the country it’s in to be sure.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements to study abroad, contact our expert study abroad advisers for advice.

What do you need to know about student visas for studying abroad?

The first, and most important item, you’ll need for your study abroad journey is a student visa. Its cost and how long it remains valid will depend on which country you choose to study in and the length of your course. You’ll also have to keep the following in mind:

Points-based systems

Applying for a student visa in some countries can only be accomplished if you reach a certain point threshold. The required amount differs from country to country, but points are assigned based on criteria such as proof of finances and English language proficiency, among others. Australia, Canada and the UK are examples of countries that use this system.

When to apply

You typically need to wait for an acceptance letter from the university where you want to study. Once you receive it, you may apply for your student visa. The UK, for example, allows you to apply for a visa up to three months before your course is due to begin.

What you need to make a student visa application

Most countries require that you provide documents like your passport and bank statements to prove your financial status, as well as your university acceptance letter.

How much does a student visa cost and what are the processing times?

The price and the amount of time it takes for your visa to be processed varies, but here’s a quick look at what you can expect from some of the most popular countries to study abroad.

• UK: It costs £490 to apply for a student visa. Times may vary from three weeks for applications made outside the UK, to eight weeks for those made inside the country.
• Australia: The price of a subclass 500 student visa is AUD 1,600 and it takes an average of between 50 to 70 days for it to be processed.
• US: Processing times for the US F-1 student visa can range from anywhere between a week to several months. It costs $510, which includes the $160 application fee and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System processing and maintenance fees of up to $350.
• Ireland: An Irish student visa takes about eight weeks to process and costs either €60 for a single-entry visa or €100 for a multiple-entry visa.

Read more: Top study destinations for postgraduate degrees

Why could choosing an international campus be best for you?

An option worth considering is that many universities, like some in the UK, have international campuses in locations like Mauritius and Malaysia. This gives you the dual benefit of earning a degree under the name of a prestigious university while also saving on tuition costs.

Pursuing this option comes with additional benefits over choosing the country of origin for a university. Some of these are:

Exposure to new cultures

South Africa is fairly westernised so attending a UK university wouldn't require much of a shift on your part. However, attending an international campus in a country, like Malaysia where Middlesex University has a campus, will expose you to new languages, cultures and foods you might not have experienced before.

Work opportunities

After wrapping up your postgraduate degree, pursuing a position in the country where you studied could give you a foot in the door for your respective field. Your field of expertise and the country you’re in could make this decision as important as deciding to study abroad in the first place so make sure you consider all your available options.

Travel

Your travel options also open up when you opt for an international campus. Depending on where you go, neighbouring countries will offer a collection of new experiences you can't find elsewhere.

How we help you start your study abroad journey

If you have decided to make studying abroad the next chapter of your life, this is how we can help you:

Choose a university that suits you

There’s no shortage of institutions to choose from no matter which country you opt to settle in. Depending on your course, academic and career goals, and your budget, we can help you choose one that will help you reach your maximum potential.

Getting your application ready

Ensuring you have all the correct information when applying to your university of choice is vitally important. We’ll see to it that every detail is in order so the whole process goes smoothly, giving you peace of mind.

Getting your visa

After you receive your university acceptance letter, our dedicated study abroad advisers will help you secure your visa application so you don’t have to worry about any administrative mishaps that may come from dealing with immigration departments.

The rest is up to you. Once all your documents are sorted out and the path ahead for your study abroad adventure is clear, you can start what could become a defining chapter of your life. Our study abroad consultants will help you at every stage of your journey.

Book your free ticket to Study Abroad Expo 2025 to see what other exciting benefits an international education can offer.

Get in touch with our knowledgeable study advisers at study@sableinternational.com or give us a call on +27 (0) 21 657 2120 or +44 (0) 20 7759 7514.