BlueZone / Destinations
Study destinations: compare fourteen countries side by side
Funds, fees, intakes, work rights and after-study options for the UK, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Malaysia, China, Dubai and the UAE, Italy, France, South Korea, Cyprus and Lithuania.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Figures are checked against the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Talk to a counsellorChoose a country
Study in the UK
Historic universities and a Graduate Route for eligible graduates.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Australia
Many universities and providers, strong student support and friendly multicultural cities.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Canada
Respected universities and colleges with practical programmes in safe, welcoming cities.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in the USA
The widest choice of institutions, flexible degrees and strong research and campus life.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in New Zealand
A safe, welcoming country with small classes, practical teaching and a great outdoor lifestyle.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Ireland
An English-speaking EU country with strong technology, pharma and finance sectors.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Malaysia
Globally recognised education at lower cost, with English-taught programmes and a diverse community.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in China
CSC scholarships, costs, X1 visa steps and PM&DC rules for Chinese MBBS.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Dubai and the UAE
University-sponsored visa, branch campuses and Golden Visa.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Italy
DSU scholarships, low public fees, new visa funds rule and Universitaly steps.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in France
Campus France, visa, tuition and 964-hour work allowance.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in South Korea
GKS scholarship, D-2 visa and top technology universities.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Cyprus
EU Republic of Cyprus: English-taught degrees and visa pre-approval.
Read moreStudy destinationsStudy in Lithuania
Affordable EU degrees, National Visa D and job-search permit.
Read moreCompare the main numbers
| Country | Funds to show (living) | Visa fee | Intakes | Work during study | After study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | £1,171/month outside London, £1,529 London, up to 9 months | £558 plus health surcharge £776/yr | Sep, Jan | Usually 20 hrs/week in term | Graduate Route: 2 years now, 18 months from 1 Jan 2027 |
| Australia | A$29,710 | A$2,500 | Feb, Jul | 48 hrs per fortnight in study periods | Temporary Graduate visa |
| Canada | C$23,448 (from 1 Sep 2026) | C$150 + C$85 biometrics | Sep, Jan, May | Up to 24 hrs/week off campus | PGWP up to 3 years, conditions apply |
| USA | Per I-20 | $185 + $350 SEVIS | Aug/Sep, Jan | On campus about 20 hrs; CPT/OPT | OPT 12 months, STEM +24 |
| New Zealand | NZ$20,000 | About NZ$850 | Feb, Jul | Up to 20 hrs (25 reported for 2026) | Post Study Work Visa up to 3 years |
| Ireland | €10,000 plus €6,000 tuition paid | €60 | Sep, Jan | 20 hrs term, 40 holidays | Stamp 1G 12 or 24 months |
| Malaysia | Set by university and EMGS | Varies; EMGS fees | Jan, May, Sep | Very limited | No automatic post-study visa |
| China | Per university and visa | Varies by visa type | Sep, some Feb/Mar | Limited; check rules | Check local rules |
| Dubai / UAE | Tuition and living funds per university | About AED 5,500 to 8,500 all-in | Sep, Jan | Part-time with a permit (often 15 hrs) | Golden Visa for outstanding students |
| Italy | €10,179.85 per year (2026–27, 2027–28) | About €50 | Sep/Oct, some Feb | Up to 20 hrs/week | Job-search permit up to 12 months |
| France | About €615/month | About €50 plus Campus France fee | Sep, some Jan | 964 hrs per year | Up to 12 months job-search permit (master’s) |
| South Korea | About ₩20 million for D-2 (varies) | Set by Korean mission | Mar, Sep | Permit needed; hours depend on TOPIK | D-10 job-seeker visa |
| Cyprus | Tuition and living funds per university | Set by authorities | Sep, Jan | About 20 hrs reported | Check work or residence conversion |
| Lithuania | Per university and permit | About €80 to 120 (sources differ) | Sep, some Feb | Linked to residence permit | Job-search permit about 12 months |
Open each country page for dated sources. Rules change, so confirm on the official government page.
Application timeline planner
Pick your intake and destination. You get a dated checklist counted backwards from your start date. Steps already behind you are flagged so you can see what to compress.
- January 2027: Shortlist and start documentsChoose 5 to 8 courses (safe, match, reach). Start HEC and IBCC attestation for your certificates and degrees.
- February 2027: Book and take your English testIELTS and most tests stay valid for 2 years, so take it early enough to retake if needed.
- March 2027: Write your statement of purpose and brief refereesGive referees your CV and a one-page brief. Good references take weeks.
- April 2027: Submit first applications and scholarship formsMany scholarship deadlines fall 6 to 12 months before the intake.
- June 2027: Offers arrive: compare and decideCheck conditions, fees, refund rules and scholarships in writing.
- August 2027: Accept and pay the depositRequest your CAS, CoE, I-20 or equivalent visa document. Pay only to the university account.
- September 2027: Prepare funds and visa fileMatch names and dates across passport, transcripts and bank papers.
- October 2027: Lodge your visa applicationBook biometrics, medical or TB tests if your country needs them.
- November 2027: Sort accommodation, insurance and money transferBook first-night stay. Arrange tuition payment through an authorised dealer bank.
- December 2027: Book flights, SIM and packBook after visa approval. Carry attested originals in hand luggage. Check your polio certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Which destination is best?
It depends on your subject, budget and career plan. Use the table to compare funds and rules, then read the country page.
Which new European destinations are growing?
Italy (DSU scholarships and low public fees), France (Campus France), Lithuania and Cyprus (affordable EU study) are popular. Check each country page because Italy and Lithuania apply strict funds and genuine-student checks.
Which has the lowest cost?
Malaysia and China usually cost least overall, especially China with a CSC scholarship. Compare the full first-year cost.
Sources and how we verify
Checked on 30 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal, immigration, medical or financial advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change, so confirm with the official body before you pay or apply.