Study abroad – international study advice and applications
Our study abroad advisers have been helping students take their first steps towards building a successful future with an international education since 2016. As the official, in-country representatives for over 500 international education partners, we can help you every step of the way, from providing guidance around university programmes and country selections, to university admissions and applying for your student visa.
Get in touchGet a global education at the institution of your choice
Our international universities and education partners are located across the world in countries such as Australia, Canada, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Mauritius, Ireland, Hungary, Sweden, Finland and the United Arab Emirates.
Meet the students we've helped
Mthikazi Shezi
Thank you to the organisation for assigning someone who respects and genuinely loves working with students. Her understanding of processes and competence made it all possible.
Tolu Babatope
Wow this company is the best. If you need help in schooling abroad, they helped me from beginning to end and the communication is excellent. They helped my family to fulfil our dreams of relocating and studying abroad.
Eunice Neidy
Such a great communication between the agent and the student. She made sure everything was in order and that things were well organised. Whenever possible she was able to help me, explaining doubts and was very patient, especially for not being in the same country. It was 100% great communication and interaction.
What Study Abroad can do for you
1. Institution search
Browse through our catalogue of international universities and educational institutions to discover what they have to offer.
2. Tailored admissions advice
We guide you through the various study abroad programmes and help you choose what and where to study, tailored to your education and career goals.
3. Application and admissions support
Our access to the admissions department at our partner universities and educational institutions means that students get a quicker, more streamlined application process.
4. Visa application assistance
Once you’ve been accepted at an international university, our advisers will guide you through the visa application process and assist you in preparing the necessary documents required for submission.
5. Pre-departure assistance
We can help you organise everything from on-campus accommodation to airport pickups and orientation in your new home.
The benefits of a global education
Better employment opportunities
Whether you choose to stay abroad after your studies or return to your home country, studying abroad contributes significantly to having a more global mindset, which is highly favoured by employers.
Education at top-tier institutions
Gain access to the best institutions for your chosen field of study across the globe. You don't have to limit yourself to your home country, you can choose and apply based on your long-term goals.
A route to immigration
Some people choose to return home after studying abroad, but you can also decide to stay in your new country. Many countries have reduced immigration requirements if you have chosen to study there.
Build international connections
Studying at an international institution is a fantastic opportunity make friends across the globe, not to mention encountering new cultures, languages and experiences.
Access over 500 top institutions across 24 countries
We work with over 500 international education partners, many of whom are top international universities throughout the world, offering foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. We have direct access to the university admissions teams, making it easy for you to apply and get your enrolment letter.
Speak to an expert to discuss your options.
Frequently asked questions about studying abroad
If you don't find the answer to your question below, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Our skilled study advisers are here to assist you in any way they can.
1. Can you help students from anywhere in the world?
Yes, our advisers can assist from any location. Counselling sessions are done via Skype, Zoom or a digital platform that works for you, as well as over the phone. All paperwork is received via a secure portal so advice and assistance can be offered to anyone without the need to come to our offices.
2. Do you have a special agreement with the institutions?
Yes, in most cases we will have a contract which allows us to represent the institution. This also means that the institution will have given specialised training to our study advisers and that we have direct access to the admissions teams.
3. Do I need to do a foundation/pre-university year or can I go direct to the first year?
This will depend on your grades. However, in most cases, you should be able to enter the first year if you have high grades and have studied for at least 12 years. It will also depend on your chosen country and institution so please discuss this with your study adviser.
4. How long will my visa last for?
Your visa will generally be valid for the duration of your course. However, this will depend on the type of visa you applied for. It may be possible to move to a post-study visa, depending on your course and which country you study in. Please speak to your study adviser for more details.
5. How long will my visa take once I have applied?
It will depend on the country and the type of visa you have applied for. There are also fast track visa application services for most countries. Speak to your study adviser to find out more.
6. Can you help with scholarships?
Most universities offer partial scholarships. However, these are normally academically based and take the form of a fee reduction once you’ve been accepted. You will still need to show proof that you can pay the fees before you will be accepted. Browse our list of recently announced partial scholarships to see if you might qualify.
7. Can I work while I study?
It will depend on your visa and country. In most cases, you will be able to work around 20 hours per week and full time during breaks.
8. Can I get my tuition deposit back if I decide not to go to the university I applied to or I get a visa rejection?
This will depend on the institution’s refund policy. In most cases you should be able to apply for a refund of your deposit if you receive a visa rejection.
9. When are the intake dates?
There are two intakes for most universities, one in January/February and the other in August/September. However, some universities offer a third intake in May/June.
10. Can I transfer my university credits to another university abroad ?
Yes, you can. Requirements will depend on the university where you're applying.
11. Can I do my honour's degree overseas?
Yes, you can. It would depend on the university and whether they have an honour's programme.
12. Can I remain abroad after I've completed my studies?
Your student visa will be valid only for the duration of your studies. However, many countries have immigration programmes for recent graduates. Your study abroad adviser will be able to provide more information about possible post study work visas.
13. Who can be my sponsor?
This is dependent on the visa restrictions of your destination country. Usually your sponsor needs to be someone in your direct family and you will need to provide proof of your relationship in your application.
14. Will I need to prove my English language ability?
This depends on the entry requirements of the university you apply to and what previous English qualifications you hold.
15. Do I pay tuition fees directly to the university and are there payment plans available?
Tuition fees are paid directly to the university through their chosen payment platform. Some universities will offer payment plans. Your study abroad adviser can help you discuss these options with your university of choice.
16. Can I take dependants with me?
This depends on which country you are studying in and your choice of programme. Most countries will allow you to bring dependants if you are studying a post-graduate research programme. Ask your adviser for more information on the different country requirements.
17. Can I apply for a short course abroad?
Unfortunately we are only able to assist students studying courses that are longer than nine months.
18. How long does it take to get an offer/response to an application?
Times can vary depending on the university and programme you are applying to, as well as the time of year the application is made. We cannot guarantee responses from univeresities within a certain timeframe. However, our advisers make sure to follow up regularly if no feedback is given after two weeks.
Meet the study abroad team
Our latest news and articles
How to use studying abroad as a route to immigration
The idea of being able to study abroad is enticing but daunting and that may put people off entirely. But there are many benefits including a possible route to immigration. Getting an education from an overseas university could be easier than you think — here is our guide on how to study abroad as a South African.
This article was originally published on Daily Maverick
Research all your possible study abroad destinations
Choosing a location
When making big life decisions like studying abroad and immigrating, the first thing you should do is thoroughly research your options. Before you choose a course of study, you should consider the location. Research what different countries offer, in terms of cost of living and safety – especially for people new to the country.
There are some other factors that can help you narrow down your choices. In terms of travel, a country with a strong passport would give you access to an extensive list of countries that you can visit visa-free. If learning a new language is a learning curve that you are not willing to overcome, then you should choose a country where you speak the language. You can also narrow your search by comparing the earning potential in different countries for the job you will be studying toward.
How to choose a course of study
When you’ve narrowed down your list of potential countries, the next thing to consider is what career path and degree will help you on your road to citizenship. A good guide is having a look at which occupations are on the skills shortage lists of your desired countries. Countries like the UK and Australia have skills shortages in areas such as nursing, construction and ICT and they rely on foreign workers to fill the gaps in these industries. There are skilled worker visas in the UK and Australia available to individuals who can fulfil these roles, in addition to meeting other requirements on their points-based immigration systems.
Investigate which countries have post-graduate friendly options
Foreign governments have realised that they have access to a convenient stream of workers who have been trained by trusted institutions. It’s beneficial for them to offer these international students a way to extend their stay post-study and have them contribute to their economies through a graduate visa. For example, in the UK, the Graduate visa is considered a “stepping stone” to immigration because you’re able to seek work on this visa and when it’s complete you may find that you’re in the position to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. This visa is a route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) which is the precursor to British naturalisation.
The UK is not the only country to offer post-graduate visa options. Countries like Ireland, Canada, the US, Australia and Mauritius have routes for you to extend your stay in their countries and find paths to citizenship.
Consult a study adviser
It’s a good idea to consult a study adviser when you’re exploring the idea of studying abroad. One of the first things they will do is help you with the initial legwork in researching all your options. A study adviser will take into consideration your plans of eventual immigration along with all the other information that you provide them about your grades, aptitude, interests and life goals and will then help you implement a plan for this.
They will find the best university for you and help you choose a course that fits in with your career and immigration goals. Other information a study adviser will give you are the costs involved when studying abroad such as university application fees, tuition and living expenses as well any costs involved with your visa application.
Apply to International Institutions
Use a bridging course to fill the gap
There are times when the level of education you receive from your home country isn’t the same as the country you wish to study in. This may make it difficult for you to gain direct entry into a degree programme. But your dreams of immigration via studying abroad aren’t dead just yet. There are pathway and foundation programmes – otherwise known as bridging courses – that are preparation courses for international students, designed to boost their level of academic knowledge, English language skills and the grades they need to enter university.
The difference between a pathway programme and a foundation programme is simply that the former is offered by a third-party organisation, while a foundation programme is offered by the university you plan to attend. Most universities guarantee placement in the first year of your chosen course should you pass either of these programmes.
One of the great things about bridging courses is that they also ease students into a new culture, country and, for some, give them an introduction to a new language.
Assisting you with university applications
Choosing the right university is as important as choosing the right course to study. Often, when students think of studying abroad, they associate it with big-name universities like Yale or Cambridge. But these schools are notoriously difficult to get into. In 2021, Yale had an overall acceptance rate of 6.9%, while Cambridge had mere 21% acceptance rate. Aside from being difficult to get into, these universities also charge exorbitant fees. You should remember that these institutions are not the be-all and end-all of obtaining a degree from an international university. There are many international institutions that offer quality education that will bolster your resume and help you with your goal of immigration. The right university will be a feather in your cap when trying to secure a job in order to extend your stay in your host country, which could ultimately lead to settling there.
A study adviser will not only assist you with finding the perfect university for you, but once you have decided on your shortlist of universities, they will assist you in submitting your applications. University applications can be complicated and there are so many things to keep track of. You will need to get all the relevant documents verified and make a note of all the application dates of the different universities you’ll be applying to.
Usually, you can apply directly through the university’s website and submit all the required documents. In some countries, you may even be able to apply through a specific online platform, such as UCAS in the UK, which allows you to apply to more than one university at once.
Because we have direct access to our partner universities’ admissions departments, we can make this entire process easier for you. We are also a registered UCAS agent in the UK so we’re able to take the stress out of this situation by submitting your applications on your behalf.
Get your student visa
You can only apply for your student visa once you have received your acceptance letter from the educational institution you’ll be studying at. Some countries, like Ireland, don’t require you to apply for a student visa beforehand so you should check the relevant government’s immigration website to see their requirements.
To apply for a student visa, generally you would need:
- An acceptance letter from the educational institution
- Proof of funding for your stay
- Proof of at least a partial payment for the course
- A valid passport
- English Test (IELTS test)
- Health Insurance
Having a study adviser to guide you through this can help take the anxiety out of this process. They will manage the application process, assist you in preparing the necessary documentation as well as helping you with interview preparation if an interview is required for your visa process.
How Sable International’s study abroad consultancy can help you
Our study abroad service helps students from the moment they decide they want to study at an international institution, right up until they settle in their destination country.
We apply to the universities on your behalf with the necessary documentation. We will also assist you with applications for any pathway or foundation programmes you might need to do, what scholarships are available to you, help you with any entrance exam preparations, liaise with the university on your behalf, track your application and send you the receipt of your offer letter, keeping you informed every step of the way. We will assist you in applying for your student visa and help you prepare for any interviews if one is needed.
Once you have completed your studies, we can help you with internationalising yourself by giving you sage advice on immigration and charting your path to becoming a global citizen.
When exploring your options to study abroad it is useful to have someone guiding you through the process of your application. Our study advisers are qualified to help you with applying for foundation programmes and will assist you at every step of your journey.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us at sastudy@sableinternational.com or by calling +27 21 657 1543
Our vision and mission
We believe in helping students explore all the options available for furthering their studies and acquiring a top-tier education.
We are proudly African and believe the best way to build local communities is through ensuring local students have access to the best education the world has to offer, so that they can bring those skills home.
- We provide unbiased information to our students about our institution partners.
- We value our partner institutions and see them as independent to our own mission.
- We see our students and institutions as part of our team and all strive for success together.
- We are disruptors in the market and do not follow trends.
- Our outlook is international, our empathy is local.
- We see education as the future.
Accredited members of ICEF
As the official, direct, in-country representative for our university partners, we continually train to ensure we are up to date with the correct procedures for each country and educational institute. We're proud to be accredited members of the ICEF, and confident in the exceptional service offered by all our study advisers.