Want to make the best use of your term break? We have the perfect solution for you! Top universities across the globe are offering international students to learn a new course for a fraction of the time. International students can enroll in summer or winter courses to gain new skills and improve their knowledge.
Short-term courses are becoming increasingly popular as students wish to learn something new or different from their current studies. Although short-term courses in New York, in particular, have been making heads turn for quite some time, several other countries have begun offering short-course options for international students. Countries including New Zealand, Canada, and the UK have developed short-term course options for international and domestic students.
In this blog, we will be taking you through the different options available, eligibility, and countries that welcome international students for short-term courses.
Let’s dive right in…
What are Short courses?
Short-term courses are certificate programs that students can take up during summer or winter breaks. These courses are typically between a few weeks to a month-long. Short-term courses are an ideal choice to learn some hands-on or complementary skills. It also provides a great opportunity to learn and earn a new certificate in their preferred field of study.
Short-term courses are becoming increasingly popular among Filipino students as they get to visit, learn and experience the international student lifestyle in a time and cost-effective way compared to a regular course or degree. Short-term courses also offer Filipino students an intensive and continuous learning experience to specialise in the same field (that they are pursuing) or learn a subject of their choice.
Why Should You Consider a Short Course?
Learning about the possibility and the opportunity to take up a short-term course opens you up to a new horizon of hopes and dreams. So, what exactly would you get as an international student with a short-term course? Let's take a look at some of the top benefits of a short-term course!
- A chance to explore new areas of study: Short courses are a boon for international students who aspire to learn a new skill or improve their secondary interests. Short-term courses allow you to learn an entirely new field without having to compromise your ongoing studies back home.
- Time and Cost-Effective: The duration of short-term courses varies from a few days to a couple of weeks long, depending upon the course and the university. Filipino students can go overseas without having to make any changes to their study plan back home. The shorter duration makes it incredibly time and cost-effective for Filipino students to enroll and complete a course.
- Interdisciplinary Perks: In today's dynamic work culture, companies are looking for inter-disciplinary talents. For instance, if you are pursuing a full-time degree in Hospitality, a short course in tourism might come in handy. In addition, short courses in leadership, communications, and management have also been of interest among international students.
- Adds a new dimension to your CV: An added certification or recognition improves the value of your CV. This is especially useful when you are looking for job opportunities as a recent graduate. Your additional qualifications and international experience will make you an ideal candidate for hiring managers.
- Explore and Enjoy the extra time: Although short-term courses are intensive in terms of syllabus, you will find plenty of chances to explore the country. This would be a great time to meet new people and gain experience.
Eligibility for Short Courses
International applicants must fulfil a few basic and standardised requirements to enrol in a Short term course. Here is the list of requirements:
- Students must be 18 years old upon enrolment. Students under the age of 18 must publish a consent form or letter from their parents or legal guardians.
- A temporary student visa or study permit is mandatory.
- International students need to prove their English proficiency by taking up IELTS, TOEFL, or an acceptable equivalent.
- Students also need to provide details of their financial support for the study duration.
- It is also essential for students to submit their: birth certificate, academic transcripts from the previous year in case of a UG short course, and their graduation certificate in case of PG. These documents need to be in both the original language as well as the translated version for submission.
Although some courses may have specific requirements, these are the general guidelines for eligibility.
Where Can You Pursue a Short-Term Courses Abroad?
Short term courses have gained momentum globally in recent years. Every top university and institute offers a short course for international as well as domestic students.
Here are the top 4 locations we recommend:
- United States of America: As an international student, you can earn your Short term degree or certificate by enrolling in any one of the top universities and colleges in the US. We recommend the University of Idaho and Missouri State University.
- New Zealand: New Zealand, apart from being a great study destination, is also the most peaceful and safest country for international students. You can enrol in any top university, and rest assured knowing you'll be enrolling in the best.
- Canada: Canada is the most international student-friendly country and ranks first in quality of life. During your stay, you will get to explore and meet the warmest and most wonderful people. They provide a ton of options for international students wishing to pursue unique and mainstream courses.
- United Kingdom: Universities in the UK have a history of providing the best education. Many of the universities even date back to many decades. Every year, the UK welcomes half a million international students for various courses.
Top 10 Short-term Courses
Short courses are available in many different fields for Filipino students. To help you make a quicker and easier decision, we have compiled the top 10 short courses preferred by the Filipino students below:
- Business Administration and Management
- Engineering and Computer Science
- Healthcare Management and Public Health
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Foreign Languages
- Nursing
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Law
- Data Science and Analytics
These options should help you explore more about your area of interest.
Duration and Fees
The duration of the course depends largely on the nature of the study. Ideally, short courses are anywhere between 4 days and 1 month. Therefore, it is essential to look into the programme details you would like to apply for and plan your stay accordingly.
Some short courses are also 1 year long and are completely different from the summer or short programs.
There are multiple free short courses available today, but most of them are online and mostly self-learning-based. As an international student, you can expect to spend anywhere from 500 to 800 Euros per programme. Some courses may even cost 20,000 Euros. The fees depend mainly upon nature, duration, and the institute you enrol with.
The fees mentioned above do not include food, travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses. Students need to plan for these expenses and any unforeseen expenses that may arise during their stay.
Are you looking to pursue a short course abroad? Get in touch with our expert counselors and kick-start your study abroad plans!
FAQs
Which country is best for short courses?
The best country for short courses varies depending on the field of study and personal preferences. Countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany are popular for their diverse range of quality short courses in various disciplines.
Can I go to Canada for a short course?
Yes, you can go to Canada for a short course. Canada offers various short courses for international students, but you may need to apply for a study permit or visitor visa depending on the length of the course.
Which short-term course is best for abroad jobs?
Short-term courses in fields like Information Technology, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Data Analysis, and Language Proficiency are highly valued for abroad jobs due to their global demand and applicability across industries.
Can international students work while studying a short course?
Policies vary by country. In some countries, international students are allowed to work part-time while studying, including during short courses, but there are often restrictions on the number of hours. Always check the specific regulations of the host country.
Do short courses lead to a degree?
Generally, short courses do not lead directly to a degree. They are designed to provide specialized knowledge or skills in a specific area. However, some institutions may allow credits from short courses to count towards a degree program.
Are short courses recognized internationally?
Recognition of short courses internationally depends on the institution offering the course and the industry. Accredited institutions and courses recognized by professional bodies are more likely to be internationally recognized.
