What You Need to Apply to Universities Abroad After High School (Step-by-Step Guide)

A study abroad dream is only as good as the steps that guide you to it. If you are sitting in your high school classroom right now, scrolling through pictures of European and American cities, you are probably wondering how to actually make that jump. Passing your final exams is a massive achievement, but figuring out how to apply to universities abroad is a whole different project. 

The good news is that you do not have to pack up and move to the United States to get the academic flexibility of the Western education model. You can earn a US-accredited degree in Europe after high school, study in English, and graduate with a qualification that works globally. Navigating the paperwork does not have to feel like a final exam you did not study for. 

Key Takeaways 

• Your Abitur, Baccalauréat, Selectividad, IB, IGCSE, or A-levels all qualify as proof of high school completion for undergraduate admission to US universities in Europe. 
• You will need official transcripts with a sworn English translation if they are not already in English. 
• An English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and others) is required unless your secondary school was taught in English. 
• If you are studying in Europe for more than 90 days, you will need a national long-stay student visa from the country where your university is located. 
• Proof of financial support is a standard requirement for both university enrollment and visa applications. 
• Transferring credits from another university requires a foreign transcript evaluation from an AACRAO or NACES-recognized agency. 

High School Diploma Equivalency: What Qualifies 

The first thing most aspiring study abroad students wonder about is whether their high school qualification counts for US undergraduate admission requirements. The short answer is yes, most internationally recognized diplomas do. The following are all accepted as proof of secondary education equivalency: 

• Abitur (Germany and Austria). 
• Baccalauréat (France). 
• Selectividad (Spain). 
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. 
• IGCSE/O-levels and A-levels (UK and international). 
• GED equivalent for international students educated outside the American system. 

You will need to submit your official academic transcripts in their original language. If they are not in English, a sworn English translation is required alongside them. Your credentials go through an academic review during the admissions process, so originals only. Photocopies will not be accepted. 

English Proficiency Test Requirements 

When looking to study in Europe in English with a US-accredited degree, you have to prove your English language skills to show that you can handle college-level work. Unless your secondary school was taught entirely in English, you will need to meet English proficiency test requirements for university entry. The most widely accepted tests are: 

• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 51 for undergraduate entry at most institutions. 
• IELTS Academic: Minimum 5.5 for undergraduate programs. 
• Duolingo English Test: Accepted at many universities with a minimum score of around 95. 
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Accepted by a growing number of institutions. 
• Cambridge (B2 First/C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency): B2 level or above. 
• TOEIC: Accepted at select universities, typically requiring 650 or above. 

Most universities only accept scores from the past two years, so time your test accordingly. If your entire secondary school education was in English, this requirement may be waived, but you will need a letter from your school to confirm it. 

How to Apply for Universities Abroad 

Once you know your diploma qualifies and your English proficiency is covered, you can move on to the next stage of how the undergraduate admission process typically works at universities abroad. 

Step 1: Submit Your Application 

Most American universities in Europe have an online application for international students, and many charge no application fee. You will need a completed application form and a valid passport or government-issued ID. Many universities also use rolling admissions for international students, meaning there is no single annual deadline to stress about. Applications are reviewed year-round, so you can start whenever you are ready. 

Step 2: Receive Your Conditional Offer 

When your initial documents check out, the university sends you a Conditional Offer Letter. This outlines what you still need to submit before receiving full (unconditional) admission. 

Step 3: Submit Your Full Documents 

This is the stage where most of the document gathering happens. To move from a conditional to an unconditional offer, you will typically need to submit: 

• Official academic transcripts and a high school diploma in the original language. 
• Sworn English translation of transcripts, if applicable. 
• English proficiency certificate (unless waived). 
• Proof of tuition deposit or payment, as specified in your offer letter. 
• Signed enrollment agreement. 
• Any additional assessments the university requests, such as an online readiness quiz or language placement test. 

Step 4: Academic Interview 

Many universities abroad include a short virtual interview in the admissions process. It is not something to stress about. Think of it as a conversation about your goals, your chosen program, and what you are hoping to get out of studying internationally. The university uses it to make sure the program is genuinely the right fit. 

Step 5: Unconditional Offer and Enrollment 

Once everything checks out, the Admissions Committee makes a final decision. If accepted, you receive your Unconditional Offer Letter. If you need a student visa, a Visa Support Letter is typically issued alongside it. 

Student Visa Requirements 

Any full degree program in Europe lasts more than 90 days, which means most non-EU students will need to meet the student visa requirements for studying in Europe, specifically a national long-stay visa from the country where their university is located. This is different from the Schengen short-stay visa, which only applies to programs of 90 days or less. Most European embassies ask for the following documents: 

• Valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay. 
• Unconditional Offer Letter and Visa Support Letter from your university. 
• Proof of financial support, usually six months of bank statements showing you or a sponsor can cover tuition and living costs. 
• Proof of accommodation arrangements in your destination country. 
• Health insurance covering your full stay. 
• Criminal record check (required in some countries for stays longer than 135 days). 
• Proof of paid tuition fees or advance deposit. 

Processing times vary by country and consulate, but most advisors recommend applying at least two to three months before your program starts. Embassy appointments can take weeks to secure, and an incomplete document set can mean starting over. 

Transferring Credits from Another University 

If you have already started university somewhere else and want to continue studying abroad, transferring credits to an international university is possible at many institutions. Here is what you will generally need: 

• An official transcript from your previous institution 
• A foreign transcript evaluation from an accredited agency, since non-US transcripts cannot be self-assessed 

Recognized evaluation bodies include: 

• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). 
• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agencies. 
• Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). 

Once complete, the evaluated transcript goes to the admissions department at your chosen university. From there, the academic team determines which credits can be recognized and counted toward your degree. 

Why Schiller International University 

Schiller International University is a US-accredited university, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is recognized by the US Department of Education. That means the degree you earn on our campuses in Madrid, Paris, or Heidelberg carries the same US academic standing as one earned in Tampa, Florida, where Schiller's US campus is also located. The benefits of studying at Schiller are: 

• All programs are taught in English, making it a genuine study-in-Europe-in-English American degree experience. 
• Schiller accepts all the diplomas listed in this guide, including Abitur, Baccalauréat, Selectividad, IB, IGCSE, and A-levels, as valid proof of secondary education equivalency. 
• No application fees to start. 
• Rolling admissions means you are not locked into one deadline per year. 
• Intercampus mobility lets you move between European campuses during your studies. 
• Dual degree options are available through partner universities, including the University of Roehampton and Dublin Business School. 
• IB credit recognition is available for eligible higher-level subjects scored 4 and above. 

Learning how to apply to universities abroad is the first step in turning a dream into a reality. Your diploma counts, your language skills transfer, and the application process has a clear path from start to finish. The only thing left is to take the first step. 

Explore Schiller’s wide range of undergraduate programs to get started today. 

FAQs 

Q1. Does my Abitur/Baccalauréat/Selectividad /IB qualify as proof of high school graduation for Schiller admission? 

Yes, all of them are accepted. You will need to submit your official transcripts in the original language, plus a sworn English translation if they are not in English. Your documents go through an academic review, so make sure everything is official and properly issued by your school. 

Q2. Which English proficiency tests does Schiller accept, and what are the minimum scores for undergraduate programs? 

Schiller accepts TOEFL (51), IELTS (5.5), TOEIC (650), Duolingo (95), Cambridge at B2, Cambridge Lingua Skills at B2, and Pearson English Test at GSE 46. If your secondary school used English as the language of instruction, the requirement may be waived with supporting documentation. 

Q3. Do I need a student visa to study at Schiller's European campuses, and what extra documents do I need? 

It depends on your nationality and the country where the campus is located. For any program longer than 90 days, you will need a national long-stay student visa from Spain, France, or Germany, depending on which campus you choose. 

Q4. Can I transfer credits from a non-US university to Schiller, and how does the evaluation process work? 

Yes. You will need an official transcript from your previous institution, along with a foreign transcript evaluation from an AACRAO, NACES, or AICE-recognized agency. Once complete, the evaluated transcript is submitted to the admissions department, and the academic team determines which credits can be applied to your Schiller degree. 

Q5. Is English proficiency proof required if I attended a school where English was the language of instruction? 

No, it can be waived. If your secondary school officially used English as the primary language of instruction, Schiller may exempt you from the English proficiency test requirement. You will need documentation from your school to confirm this when applying.