How to build a shortlist of five courses
Two you love, two that fit your grades comfortably and one safe choice, all with the full cost written down (sample).
Where you can study, and what each visa allows
Northgate Study Abroad (sample) helps students from Springfield choose a country and a course, apply to universities and get the student visa. The first meeting is free and takes an hour.
VisasSix destinations we know well
GBR
United Kingdom
Starts Sep and Jan
Work 20 h a week
Visa in about 3 weeks
CAN
Canada
Starts Sep, Jan, May
Work 24 h a week
Permit in about 8 weeks
AUS
Australia
Starts Feb and Jul
Work 48 h a fortnight
Visa in about 4 weeks
IRL
Ireland, English
25-week course
Work 20 h a week
Starts every month
DEU
Germany
Starts Oct and Apr
Work 140 days a year
Visa in 6 to 12 weeks
NZL
New Zealand
Starts Feb and Jul
Work 20 h a week
Visa in about 5 weeks
Degree course Not a degree: English, foundation or exchange
Usual conditions for students in 2026 (sample). Rules change; we check them with you.
How to read a stamp
Each destination is drawn as the stamp a student would collect, with the conditions that matter when you compare countries.
Rectangle
A degree course: a bachelor’s or a master’s, one to four years.
Round
A course that is not a degree: English, a foundation year or an exchange semester.
Code
The three-letter country code, as passports print it.
Starts
The months new students usually begin.
Work
Paid work allowed during term; holidays are usually full time.
Visa
The usual time for a decision once you have applied.
Destinations and what they cost
Six countries where our advisers have studied, worked or placed students for years. Tuition is for international students; living costs are a modest student month in a mid-sized city.
GBR
One-year master’s, three-year degrees and foundation years
Tuition a year
$19,000 to $32,000
Living a month
$1,500
CAN
College diplomas with paid work terms, four-year degrees
Tuition a year
$16,000 to $30,000
Living a month
$1,300
AUS
Degrees with a July start, nursing, engineering, marine science
Tuition a year
$20,000 to $34,000
Living a month
$1,600
IRL
English courses and degrees taught in English inside the EU
Tuition a year
$11,000 to $25,000
Living a month
$1,400
DEU
Master’s at public universities, many taught in English
Tuition a year
Semester fee about $350
Living a month
$1,050
NZL
Smaller universities, environmental and outdoor subjects
Tuition a year
$18,000 to $30,000
Living a month
$1,400
Example prices, converted to US dollars. Fees change every year and differ by course; your shortlist shows the exact figures.
From first meeting to arrival
Most students start a year before they want to fly. Start later and we compress the plan; the order stays the same.
112 months before you fly
First meeting
An hour with an adviser: your grades, budget, subjects and the countries that fit. Free.
210 months
Your shortlist
Five to eight courses with entry requirements, deadlines and the full cost of each year.
38 months
Tests and applications
Book the English test, write the personal statement with feedback, and send the applications.
45 months
Offers and deposit
Compare offers side by side, accept one, pay the deposit and receive the confirmation letter.
53 months
Student visa
Document checklist, proof of funds, the application and the biometrics appointment.
64 weeks
Before you fly
Room booked, insurance, a bank card that works abroad and a briefing on your first week.
What our help costs
First meeting, one hour
Free
Shortlist and applications
Up to five courses, personal statement feedback included
$450
Student visa support
Checklist, document review, application and appointment
$350
Scholarship search
Search, eligibility check and two applications
$200
Before you fly
Housing, insurance, bank and arrival briefing
$250
Full package
All of the above, one adviser from start to arrival
$990
Example prices. University application fees and visa fees are paid by you, directly.
How we are paid
Some universities pay us a fee when a student enrols. We mark them on your shortlist, and it never changes what you pay the university. Universities that pay us nothing go on the same list.
- The first meeting is always free
- You pay only for the services you choose
- No fee is taken from scholarships you win
Who you will talk to
Four advisers, each with one area they know closely. You keep the same adviser from the first meeting to the week you fly.
Maya Okafor
Director, United Kingdom and Ireland (sample)
Speaks English and Igbo
Daniel Reyes
Canada and Australia (sample)
Speaks English and Spanish
Hana Novak
Visa adviser (sample)
Speaks English, Czech and German
Arif Rahman
Scholarships and funding (sample)
Speaks English and Bengali
Two students, two routes
I wanted a one-year master’s and had a budget for exactly one year. Maya’s shortlist showed the full cost of each course, rent included, so we could rule three out on the first day.
Sample student, MSc Environmental Management, United Kingdom
My grades were fine but my English score was not. We planned an English course in Dublin first, then the degree. It took a year longer and it was the right call.
Sample student, English course then BA, Ireland
Advice for students and parents
Your first week abroad: a checklist
Registration, a doctor, a SIM card and a bank account: what to do in your first seven days (sample).
What a student month really costs in three cities
Rent, food, transport and a phone in Manchester, Montreal and Brisbane, in one table of example prices.
Visit the office
14 Market Street, first floor
Springfield (sample)
Monday to Friday
10:00 to 18:00
Saturday
10:00 to 14:00
Drop-in questions
Wednesdays 16:00 to 18:00
Opening hours (sample). Video meetings in the evening on request.
Start with a free hour
Bring your grades and a rough budget. We talk through countries, courses and costs, and you leave with a written shortlist plan. No fee, no obligation.