How to read a university admissions page: dates, requirements, documents

A university's official admissions page is the most reliable source, but because it gathers a lot of information in one place, it sometimes looks confusing. In this article we suggest a method for reading the page systematically.

1. The right programme and level

First make sure you are in the bachelor's, master's or doctoral section. At the same university, the conditions for different levels can be completely different.

2. Application dates

• Opening and closing dates: there may be several rounds (for example early and regular).
• Intake semester: autumn, spring or January intake. More: January intake.
• Time zone: check which time zone the deadline ends in.

Put the dates in your calendar: Application calendar (12 months).

3. Minimum admission requirements

This includes the academic indicator (score, GPA), required subjects and the programme's special requirements. Reaching the "minimum" score does not guarantee admission, because selection is competitive.

4. Language requirement

Which exams are accepted and what is the minimum score? Besides the overall score, a minimum per section may be stated. More: CEFR levels, IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo compared.

5. Document list

Transcript, diploma, motivation letter, recommendation letters, CV, portfolio. Translation and certification requirements for documents are also stated. More: Documents needed for studying abroad.

6. Application portal

It may be the university's own portal or a centralised national system (for example UCAS or Studielink). Check on the page which channel you must apply through.

7. Costs and scholarships

Tuition fees, application fees and scholarship options may be in a separate section. Plan your budget accordingly: Study abroad budget.

Commonly misunderstood phrases

1. "Conditional offer": the offer is valid if a certain condition is met (for example a language score or graduation result).

2. "Deadline": sometimes it also refers to the document upload deadline, not only the form.

3. "Recommended": being "recommended" sometimes means required in practice. To be sure, write to the admissions office.

If you have questions

Write a short and precise email to the admissions office, for example: "I would like clarification on the requirement for the programme name, level and admission year." Document the reply once it arrives.

For an application plan, contact EDDE Global on +994 77 255 56 54.

Related articles: January intake: which countries offer it and how to apply? | Application calendar for studying abroad (12-month plan) | CEFR levels: from A1 to C2, what do B2 and C1 mean? | IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo: which language certificate should you choose? | Documents required to study abroad: bachelor's, master's and visa