How to prepare for the IELTS exam on your own
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Applying to a foreign university requires a systematic approach to ensure that all elements work together. Each university has its own application deadline, separate deadline for scholarship application, exam requirements, and list of documents. Missing one of these deadlines means submitting a weak application or losing the opportunity to enroll that year.
Another important aspect is that preparing for the United States, Europe, and Asia requires a different approach. The application systems, deadlines, and exam requirements in these regions differ significantly. There is no universal checklist that works for everyone; you need a personalized strategy tailored to specific countries and programs.
In the US, most universities work through the Common App or Coalition App, a single platform where students create a single profile and submit applications to multiple universities. Each university adds its own supplemental essays and requirements. In the UK, UCAS is used with a separate application process. Each European country outside the UK has its own approach. Some universities accept applications through national portals, while others accept them directly through their websites. In Asia, the situation is even more diverse. Some programs are offered through government scholarships with separate portals, while others are offered through university systems.
In the US, there are several types of submission.
In the UK, UCAS sets centralized dates depending on the program and level of study. In Europe and Asia, the deadlines vary greatly even within the same country, so it is not advisable to rely on a general deadline.
The US requires a comprehensive application package with essays, letters of recommendation, descriptions of extracurricular activities, and sometimes the SAT/ACT. Europe accepts different formats depending on the country, program, and university. In Asia, you may need to provide proof of English proficiency, interview, specific documents, and participation in a government scholarship program.
18-12 months before admission
At this stage, choose countries and destinations, evaluate the budget and understand whether you need a scholarship. In parallel, it is worth checking the requirements for exams in the universities of interest and start preparing for the SAT/ACT (if the USA is planned), IELTS or TOEFL. Early preparation for tests gives time for retaking and calm preparation.
12–9 months before admission
Time to form a shortlist. At this stage, make a list of universities and programs by categories Dream, Target, Safety. Check scholarship options and deadlines for each university. In parallel, start working on personal brand: extracurricular activities, academic achievements, portfolio.
9-6 months before admission
Main work with documents: personal statement and essays, motivation letters, CV, transcripts, portfolio (if required), financial documents. Request letters of recommendation in advance, so that the recommenders have time to write a high-quality text, and not two days before the deadline.
6-3 months before admission
The application stage. Submit applications to universities, and send official test results directly from the College Board or British Council. If there is a separate scholarship application, it is submitted by its own deadline, which is often earlier than the final submission. At this stage, there may be interviews with the admissions committee.
After receiving an offer
Getting an offer does not mean that you can relax. You need to confirm acceptance, make a deposit, get confirmation on the scholarship, solve the issue with housing, apply for a student visa and prepare proof of funds. Visa terms vary from country to country, so it is better to start this process immediately after receiving an offer.
Deadlines in the US depend on the university and the type of application you choose. Common App maintains a requirements grid for each university, which includes deadlines, application fees, essay requirements, and standardized testing policies. It is not possible to rely on a single deadline for all universities in the US, as Harvard and UCLA may accept applications at the same time but with different formats and requirements.
In the UK, UCAS sets centralized deadlines for undergraduate applications. For most programs, the UCAS deadline is January 29 for entry in the following academic year. For specific fields (Medicine, Oxford, Cambridge), the deadline is earlier. It is important to check the UCAS website directly for the current dates, as they are updated annually.
In other European countries, there is no unified portal. Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Spain each have their own system, and some universities accept applications directly through their own websites.
In Asia, the dates vary depending on the country, university, and type of admission. In Singapore, each university can set its own application windows for international qualifications. Some universities require a separate deadline for standardized tests. Sometimes several weeks later than the main deadline. Japan and South Korea have government scholarship programs with their own application windows that do not coincide with university deadlines. Therefore, it is better to build a calendar of deadlines for Asia separately for each university and program.
English proficiency is required for most programs in English. The minimum scores vary by university. IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79-80 is usually sufficient for admission. For scholarships, the requirements are higher: IELTS 7.0-7.5 or TOEFL iBT 95-105+. TOEFL iBT scores are valid for 2 years, so make sure to schedule your test to ensure that your certificate is valid at the time of application.
Some universities accept the Duolingo English Test or the Cambridge IELTS as an alternative, but you should check the specific university’s policy. Some universities recognize previous English-language training as proof of language proficiency without an additional exam.
The SAT and ACT are particularly important for universities in the United States. Since the pandemic, universities have switched to test-optional policies, but strong test scores still enhance the application process for scholarships. The College Board publishes the current SAT test dates on its website, while the ACT provides a calendar for international students. It is advisable to plan the first test in advance, allowing for retakes, as it takes several weeks from registration to receiving official results.
It is important to check the requirements on the website of the specific university and program.
As a rule of thumb, it is best to schedule your first exam at least 3-4 months before the application deadline. This gives you time to retake the exam and to send in official documents with your grades, which are not sent automatically and require a separate request. For students applying to different regions at the same time, different dates mean different deadlines for exams.
Scholarship deadline may be earlier than admission deadline
This is one of the most common mistakes. A student focuses on the main deadline for applying to a university and does not notice that the scholarship program has closed 2-4 weeks earlier. Some scholarships require a separate application with additional documents: essays, financial forms, and recommendations.
Merit-based, need-based, and government scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded for academic achievements, test scores, leadership, or extracurricular activities.
Need-based financial aid is calculated based on the family’s income. An important nuance: not all universities abroad provide need-based aid for international students.
Government scholarships are government programs in the destination country, such as MEXT in Japan, Global Korea Scholarship in Korea, and Erasmus Mundus in Europe. Each program has its own criteria, deadlines, and documents.
Why can’t you apply for a scholarship after you’ve been accepted?
Some scholarships are only available when you apply for admission. There are programs with early deadlines that close before the official start of the admissions campaign. If you start thinking about a scholarship after receiving an offer, most opportunities will be closed.
In the US, it is important to check whether a particular university provides need-based aid for international students, as not all universities do so. It is also important to understand whether the request for financial aid affects the admission decision (the so-called need-aware approach). Merit scholarships often require a certain GPA or score range. Some universities automatically consider students for scholarships when they apply, while others require a separate application.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is one of the most well-known European programs. Applications are usually submitted between October and January for courses in the following academic year. The deadlines vary depending on the specific program, and there are several dozen programs offered by different consortia of universities. In addition to Erasmus Mundus, there are national programs (such as the DAAD in Germany and the Orange Knowledge Programme in the Netherlands) and university scholarships that can be found on the websites of individual universities.
MEXT Scholarship (Japan) is a government program for international students of various levels of study. Recruitment takes place through embassies or directly through Japanese universities; the procedure and timing depend on the category.
Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea) covers bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees. The conditions depend on the country of citizenship, the level of education and the year of enrollment. Both programs require submission well before the start of the academic year, usually 6-12 months in advance.
Academic documents
The basis of any application is academic documents. Depending on the country and the program, a certificate or diploma with a translation and notarization, transcript (grade sheet), predicted grades (for current students), GPA are provided. Some universities require an apostille on the documents.
Motivational documents
Personal statement, motivation letter, statement of purpose, study plan or research proposal – it all depends on the type of program. The task of these documents is to show thinking, professional awareness and specific motivation, and not to retell the resume. For master’s and doctoral studies, it is important to justify the research topic or professional goal. One template text for all programs does not work, each letter is written for a specific university and program.
Recommendations and CV
Recommendation letters should confirm academic potential, leadership skills, research experience or professional achievements depending on the program area. 2-3 letters are usually required. The CV is made according to the international standard without a photo (for the USA and Canada), with an emphasis on education, experience and achievements.
Financial documents
Visa applications and proof of financial solvency will require bank statements, proof of funds, sometimes tax returns, income statement or a sponsor letter. For need-based scholarships, family financial documents are part of a separate application package.
Additional materials
Portfolio (for creative and design specialties), writing sample (for humanities programs and law), certificates of Olympiads and competitions, school awards and extracurricular evidence — all of this can strengthen the application or become a mandatory requirement. Some programs conduct an entrance interview or set an entrance task.
Divide deadlines by type
One general list does not give a complete picture. We recommend keeping separate columns for each university:
Set internal deadlines before official ones
Technical errors on portals, delays with translations, and problems with uploading files happen more often than we would like. A good principle is to complete each task 1-2 weeks before the official deadline.
Create a calendar for each country and university
If a student applies to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany at the same time, they have three different application systems, three sets of deadlines, and three sets of requirements. It is better to create a separate tracker for each university, where all the steps are marked, from registering for the test to obtaining a visa.
Focus only on the university’s main deadline
Scholarship deadlines, tests, and document translations all have their own deadlines. A student who only plans around the application deadline runs the risk of missing out on a scholarship program or submitting an incomplete application package.
It’s too late to start preparing for exams
IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT require time. Starting to prepare a month before the deadline means that you will most likely not get the desired result and lose the opportunity to retake the exam. It is optimal to start preparing 6-12 months in advance and plan the first attempt with a buffer.
Don’t check the test policy of a specific university
After the pandemic, the test policy has changed at many universities. Some have become test-optional, others have returned to mandatory tests, and still others have introduced a test-flexible approach. It is not enough to rely on general information from the internet; you need to check the policy of each university on its official website.
Miss scholarship deadlines
This is one of the most painful mistakes: to get into a university but miss the funding. Scholarship applications are often closed 4-6 weeks before the main university deadline.
Make one motivation letter for all programs
Admissions offices see well when the letter is written “for all”. A template text without specifics reduces the chances, even if all other documents are strong. The motivation letter should reflect the understanding of a specific program and its connection with personal goals.
Do not take into account visa deadlines and proof of funds
A visa is issued after receiving an offer, and this process also has deadlines. In some countries, it takes several weeks to make an appointment at the consulate. Proof of funds must be prepared in advance. Skipping this step may delay the start of studies until the following year.
Going abroad is an admission strategy, not a set of individual tasks. At SelfStartGlobal, we help you build the entire chain from choosing countries and programs to submitting documents, receiving a scholarship, and getting visa assistance. Our students have already received scholarships worth more than $25 million, and a significant part of this result is due to a well-thought-out strategy rather than chance.
Depending on your needs, we offer different work formats:
It is optimal to start 12-18 months before the planned admission, especially if you have exams, scholarships, and a high-quality application in your plans. The later you start, the less room for maneuver you have: there is no time to retake the test, it is harder to write a strong personal statement, and there is a higher risk of missing the scholarship deadline.
Sometimes, yes. Many universities have implemented test-optional or test-flexible policies. However, even with optional tests, strong SAT/ACT scores can enhance your application, especially for scholarships. It’s important to check the current test policy of your chosen university before making a decision, as the situation may change annually.
Both exams are widely recognized. The choice depends on the requirements of the universities in your shortlist, the format of the test (IELTS involves a live interview, while TOEFL is conducted on a computer), the availability of dates in your city, and your personal strategy. If the universities accept both exams, choose the one that is easier for you to prepare for.
Some scholarships are available to students who have already been admitted, but they are fewer in number and often cover only part of the expenses. Most strong scholarships require that you apply at the same time as your admission application or earlier. Planning for a scholarship after admission means missing out on most of the opportunities.
All elements are connected. A strong application is impossible if the deadline has passed, the test result has not arrived, or the package of documents is incomplete. The deadline defines the framework. Exams open or close some of the programs. Documents determine the strength of the application. Removing any element from the system weakens the entire strategy.
AustriaHigh-quality education with low tuition costs. Attractive for its stable system, strong academic traditions, and high quality of life
GermanyOne of the most popular study destinations in Europe. Free or low-cost education, strong technical and engineering fields, and high demand for graduates
United KingdomClassical education with global recognition. Shorter study periods, strong humanities and business programs, and a highly valued diploma
ChinaChinese universities are rapidly rising in world rankings, and the country has turned into one of the largest educational hubs on the planet. Diplomas from leading Chinese universities are recognized by employers around the world, the cost of education is lower than in Great Britain or the USA, and the government actively finances foreign students. On this page - everything you need for admission: universities, cost, scholarships, documents and student visa.
CanadaHigh-quality education with strong support for international students. Attractive for its safe environment and career and immigration prospects
Singapore
South Korea
USAA popular destination for studying abroad. Prestigious universities, a flexible education system, a wide selection of programs, and broad career prospects
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