Many students want to study abroad after their A-levels, although it’s more common for those who decide to leave to do so at the end of their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. But why? It’s generally easier to enter a foreign institution after a first degree than directly after the baccalaureate. If you still want to give it a try, we explain in this article how to study abroad after your A-levels.
In summary:
To study abroad after your A-levels, you must :
- Find out beforehand, well before the ferry.
- Opt for a language stay and catch up on your academic year thanks to delayed start dates.
- Choose a host establishment based on the programs and conditions offered.
- Keep your budget in mind when choosing your destination.
Is it possible to study abroad directly after high school?
It’s perfectly possible to study abroad directly after the baccalaureate, but it’s much more complicated to enter the first year of university studies. In fact, if you decide to wait one, two or three years, opportunities may arise to go abroad as part of a partnership, training or program. However, they are rarer just after the baccalaureate.
If you find out early enough, well before you take your baccalaureate, or even as early as tenth grade, you can find out what you need to know to leave after your baccalaureate. It’s essential to find out beforehand, and the sooner the better, to avoid missing out on rare opportunities.
Once you have all the information about the application and selection process, follow all the steps indicated in the letter. Depending on your host institution and the course you choose, you may or may not have to go through Parcoursup.
However, it’s worth mentioning that it’s safer to apply for French courses even if you’re already applying to a foreign institution. This is to avoid losing a year if your application is rejected.
Why study abroad after high school?
There are many reasons why you might want to study abroad after high school, if only to discover a new country and its culture. This is a perfectly valid reason, since “travel is a training ground for youth”.
Studying abroad after the baccalaureate is a great way to get to grips with a new environment. This can help you develop your ability to adapt to new situations.
By choosing to study abroad at an early age, you’ll discover the world and its different cultures. This can help you to define yourself and your goals, especially academic and professional, more quickly.
Study abroad after your A-levels: why not opt for language study abroad?
Language stays are also an interesting alternative for studying abroad after high school. It’s always useful to learn a foreign language, especially if you plan to have an international career in the future. These days, knowing at least English is a must if you want to go down this path.
That said, the thing that discourages students from choosing this option is the fear of missing the start of university and losing a year. However, this is the advantage of the “rentrée décalée ” system, which allows you to start your university year in France later, between January and March. This way, you can travel abroad and return in time to start your training.
This alternative is offered by our business school, which specializes in international careers. At ESCE, we have staggered start dates, particularly for the International Bachelor, Programme Grande École and Master of Science programs. Visit our website to find out more, and go to our FAQs to find answers to your questions.
Where should you study abroad after high school?
Studying abroad after high school requires careful consideration of a number of essential points, including the country of destination. Naturally, you should make your choice based on the availability of your budget, but also by considering the following criteria:
- the reputation of the host establishment and its international ranking;
- infrastructure quality ;
- proposed programs ;
- general living conditions and costs.
How much should you budget to study abroad after high school?
The budget for studying abroad after the baccalaureate varies according to conditions in the destination country. If you’re planning to go to the United States, for example, you’ll need to budget around 10,000 euros. If you choose destinations such as Switzerland, Belgium or Quebec, you’ll need to budget for 7,000 euros a year.
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