Free tools and a step-by-step guide for studying and working abroad, from budgeting and applications to visas and settling.
Studying or working abroad is a long process with many deadlines and a lot of paperwork. This guide follows the order most people go through it: choosing where to go and what it will cost, meeting the entry requirements, finding funding, applying for the visa, and planning what comes next. Each step links to free tools that do the sums and checks for you.
Pick the right tool
| I want to… | Use this |
|---|---|
| Compare the total cost of studying in different countries | Study Abroad Cost Calculator |
| Convert my grades to UK or percentage terms | GPA to UK Degree · CGPA to Percentage |
| Work out my IELTS score or compare English tests | IELTS Band Score · English Test Converter |
| Check if I can apply for Chevening | Chevening Eligibility Checker |
| Show enough money for a UK, Canada, Australia or Germany student visa | UK · Canada · Australia · Germany |
| Total a UK visa’s fees and health surcharge | UK Visa Fee Calculator · IHS |
| Check my points for a skilled worker visa | UK · Canada CRS · Australia · NZ |
| Find a UK employer that can sponsor me | UK Visa Sponsor Search |
| Count my days in the Schengen Area | Schengen 90/180 Calculator |
| Work out when I can settle or apply for citizenship | UK ILR · Canada · US |
A typical timeline
Deadlines differ by country, university and scholarship, but most people need about a year from first research to arrival. Work backwards from your course start date.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12–18 months before | Research countries, courses and costs. Note scholarship deadlines, as many close a year before the course starts. |
| 9–12 months before | Book English tests, ask referees early and draft your personal statement and CV. |
| 6–9 months before | Apply to universities and scholarships. Track every deadline in one place. |
| 3–6 months before | Accept an offer, pay any deposit and gather visa documents. Start holding the money you need to show. |
| 1–3 months before | Apply for your visa as soon as you’re allowed, then book flights and housing. |
1. Choose where to study and budget for it
The total cost is tuition plus living costs for the whole course, plus one-off costs such as visa fees, health cover, flights and deposits. Living costs differ a lot between cities, so compare like with like. The study abroad cost calculator adds everything up so you can compare countries side by side.
Also think about what happens after you graduate. Some countries let graduates stay and work for a period, which can help repay the cost. In the UK, for example, the Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027 (3 years for PhD graduates).
2. Meet the entry requirements
Universities and visa officers want to see two things: your academic record and your English (or other language) level.
- Grades: universities abroad often ask for a UK-style classification or a GPA. Use the GPA to UK degree converter, CGPA to percentage converter and GPA calculator for an estimate, then check the university’s own conversion table.
- English tests: the IELTS band score calculator works out your overall band from your four scores, and the English test score converter compares IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo. Always check which tests your university and visa accept.
3. Apply to universities and for scholarships
Most strong applications have the same pieces: a personal statement or statement of purpose, references, an academic CV and, for scholarships, essays. Keep track of each university’s deadline and requirements in one place with the university application tracker.
- Stay within word limits: the personal statement and essay word counter checks words and characters against common limits.
- Build a clear academic CV with publications and a language grid: academic CV builder.
- Help your referees with a well-structured draft: recommendation letter generator.
- Check eligibility before you spend hours on an application: Chevening eligibility checker.
4. Apply for your visa
Most student visas ask you to prove you can pay your fees and living costs. The rules are strict about how much, whose account it’s in and how long you’ve held it, and getting them wrong is a common reason for refusal.
| Country | What you show | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Course fees plus £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for 28 days in a row | UK funds |
| Canada | Tuition plus CAD 23,448 a year for a single student outside Quebec (applications from 1 September 2026) | Canada funds |
| Australia | Living costs, course fees and travel, plus amounts for family members | Australia funds |
| Germany | A set yearly amount, usually paid into a blocked account | Blocked account |
Then add up the government fees. In the UK most visas also need the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid upfront for each year of the visa. The UK visa fee calculator totals both for you and your family.
Supporting documents matter too. The visa sponsorship letter generator helps a parent or sponsor write a clear support letter, and the travel itinerary generator lays out a visitor visa itinerary.
5. Work visas and settling
Many students go on to work abroad. Skilled worker routes usually use points or minimum salaries, and some need a licensed employer.
- UK: check the Skilled Worker points and whether an employer is on the register of licensed sponsors.
- Canada: estimate your CRS score and compare it with recent Express Entry draw cut-offs.
- Australia and New Zealand: Australia points test and NZ skilled migrant points.
- Europe: the EU Blue Card salary checker and Germany Opportunity Card points.
Travelling in Europe on a short-stay visa? You can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. The Schengen 90/180 calculator counts your days so you don’t overstay.
Settlement and citizenship
Time spent outside the country can delay settlement, so keep a record of every trip.
- UK: ILR eligibility date, ILR absence check, citizenship checker and the Life in the UK practice test.
- Canada: 1,095-day physical presence calculator.
- US: N-400 early filing date calculator.
All study abroad and visa tools
Immigration & Visa
- Australia Skilled Migration Points CalculatorAdd up your points for Australian skilled visas 189, 190 and 491 against the 65 pass mark.
- Canada Citizenship Physical Presence CalculatorCount your days in Canada towards the 1,095 needed for citizenship.
- Canada CRS Score CalculatorEstimate your Express Entry CRS score under the rules in force from 3 November 2026.
- Canada Study Permit Proof of FundsTotal the funds you need to show for a Canadian study permit, using the September 2026 amounts.
- EU Blue Card Salary CheckerCheck a salary against the 2026 EU Blue Card thresholds by country.
- Express Entry Draw History & CRS Cut-offsSee every Express Entry draw, cut-off scores by type and how your CRS score compares.
- Germany Opportunity Card Points CalculatorCount your Chancenkarte points and check if you qualify.
- Life in the UK Practice TestFree 24-question Life in the UK mock test with instant marking.
- NZ Skilled Migrant Points CalculatorCheck the 6 points for New Zealand residence from qualification, registration or income.
- Schengen 90/180 Day CalculatorCount the days you have used in the Schengen Area and see how long you can still stay.
- UK Citizenship Eligibility CheckerCheck the residence and absence rules for British citizenship.
- UK ILR Absence CalculatorCheck your trips against the 180 days in any 12 months limit for UK settlement.
- UK ILR Eligibility Date CalculatorEarliest date you can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
- UK Immigration Health Surcharge CalculatorImmigration Health Surcharge for you and your family, with part-year rules.
- UK Skilled Worker Points CalculatorCheck the 70 points, salary floor and going rate for a UK Skilled Worker visa.
- UK Student Visa Funds CalculatorWork out how much money you need to show for a UK Student visa, with fees and living costs.
- UK Visa Fee CalculatorTotal UK visa cost with the April 2026 fees and the health surcharge.
- US Citizenship (N-400) Eligibility CalculatorEarliest N-400 filing date, physical presence and continuous residence.
- Visa Sponsorship Letter GeneratorAn invitation and support letter for a family member or friend applying for a visit visa.
- Visa Travel Itinerary GeneratorA day-by-day trip plan for your visa application that checks every night is covered.
Scholarships & Study Abroad
- Academic CV Builder (Europass Style)Make an academic CV with publications, grants and a CEFR language grid.
- Australia Student Visa Funds CalculatorHow much money to show for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
- CGPA to Percentage ConverterConvert CGPA to percentage with CBSE, VTU and other formulas.
- Chevening Eligibility CheckerCheck the Chevening Scholarship criteria before you apply.
- Germany Blocked Account CalculatorHow much to deposit in a German blocked account for a student visa.
- GPA CalculatorWork out term and cumulative GPA on the 4.0 scale from grades and credits.
- GPA to UK Degree Classification ConverterConvert your GPA, CGPA or percentage to a UK degree class.
- IELTS Band Score CalculatorConvert IELTS Listening and Reading raw scores to bands and work out your overall band.
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo Score ConverterCompare English test scores using the official concordance tables.
- Personal Statement & Essay Word CounterCheck UCAS, Common App, Chevening or custom limits, with repeated-word and sentence checks.
- Recommendation Letter GeneratorA reference letter for a university, scholarship or job application.
- Study Abroad Cost CalculatorTotal budget for studying abroad, including tuition and living costs.
- University Application TrackerTrack university applications, deadlines and offers in one list, saved in your browser.
Related guides
- Finance calculators: budget for living abroad, convert currencies and work out take-home pay.
- Job search and CV tools: CV formats by country, cover letters and interview answers.
Immigration rules and fees change often. Our tools are for planning and show the date and source of the rules they use. Always check the official government website, or ask a regulated immigration adviser, before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Are these tools official?
No. They’re free planning tools based on official rules, with the source and date shown on each one. Always confirm on the government website before you apply.
How much money do I need for a UK student visa?
Your course fees for the first year plus £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for 28 days in a row. The UK student visa funds calculator works out your figure.
Can I work in the UK after I graduate?
Usually, on the Graduate visa. It lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months from 1 January 2027, and 3 years for PhD graduates.
How do I compare IELTS with TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo?
Use the English test score converter for a rough comparison, but check which tests and scores your university and visa route accept.
How is the Schengen 90/180 rule counted?
On any given day, look back 180 days and count the days you spent in the Schengen Area. The total must not go over 90.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Student visa: money you need
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa
- IRCC: Proof of financial support for a study permit
- European Commission: Schengen short-stay calculator
- GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge
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