Bachelor's degree after Class 12
Four-year undergraduate programmes. Admission criteria, entrance tests (such as SAT or ACT, where asked) and subject choices vary by institution.
Check each institutionStudy visa, work visa and IELTS / PTE guidance for 6 countries
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Ayaan Global · United States
Shape Your Future Through Learning in the USA.
Choice, Innovation and Opportunity
Explore how studying in the United States can work for you: universities, community colleges, states and the rules that apply, with honest guidance for students and parents. Admission and visa decisions rest with institutions and the US Government.
Universities and community colleges
Research and innovation
Diverse campus communities
Wide range of fields and majors
Four-year and two-year pathways
Picture the USA
Coasts, cities and campuses
A glimpse of places students often read about. Swipe or scroll; it pauses when you hover or touch.
Why the USA
Three common pathways
The United States offers a very wide range of institutions and programmes. The right route depends on your marks, goals, budget and the programme itself.
Community college, then transfer
Two-year associate programmes, sometimes followed by transfer to a four-year institution. Whether credits transfer depends on the colleges involved.
Needs verificationGraduate study after a bachelor's
Master's or doctoral programmes. Requirements often include academic background, language scores and, for some programmes, GRE or GMAT or research and work experience.
Check each institutionStudying in the USA does not guarantee a visa, a work permit, permanent residence or a job. These are separate decisions made under rules that can change.
States and regions
Where you study matters
Institutions, climate, living conditions and local rules differ by state and city. Public and private institutions also work differently. Always read each institution's own information before shortlisting.
California
San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and more, with universities and community colleges of many types.
Verify on official siteNew York
New York City and upstate towns, with a large mix of universities, colleges and specialist institutions.
Verify on official siteTexas
Large cities such as Houston, Dallas and Austin, plus many public and private institutions.
Verify on official siteMassachusetts and the Northeast
Boston and surrounding towns, with a dense cluster of colleges and universities across several states.
Verify on official siteOther states
The Midwest, South, Mountain West and Pacific Northwest each have their own institutions and conditions. Ask us to help you compare.
Verify on official siteChoosing with care
Compare programme content, accreditation, location, living costs (needs verification) and support for international students, not only famous city names.
Sectors to research
Fields worth exploring
These are areas to research, not promises. Demand and pay vary by region and over time; check the official Occupational Outlook Handbook before deciding.
Technology and data
Outlook and pay: needs verification on official sources.
Healthcare and life sciences
Outlook and pay: needs verification on official sources.
Engineering
Outlook and pay: needs verification on official sources.
Business and finance
Outlook and pay: needs verification on official sources.
Creative and media
Outlook and pay: needs verification on official sources.
We do not quote demand figures, salaries or job outcomes here until they are checked against official sources.
Gallery
Moments from across the USA
Application plan
A step-by-step way to prepare
- Clarify your goalsLevel, subject, budget and timeline, discussed with your family.
- Shortlist institutionsCheck that each one is accredited and approved to enrol international students (SEVP-certified).
- Check entry requirementsAcademic criteria, any SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT policy, and accepted English tests. These differ by institution and programme.
- Apply to the institutionUse each institution's own portal or an accepted common application, and follow its deadlines.
- Review the offer carefullyRead conditions, costs (needs verification) and start dates before accepting.
- Student visa processAfter admission the institution issues the required form (Form I-20 for F-1). The visa itself is decided by a US consular officer and is never guaranteed.
- Plan your arrivalHousing, travel, insurance and settling in. Confirm details with official sources.
Document checklist (to start preparing)
- Academic records and certificates
- Test scores asked by your programme (English, and SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT where required)
- Statement of purpose or application essays, if asked
- CV or résumé, if asked
- Recommendation letters, if asked
- Offer or acceptance letter from the institution
- Identity and financial documents required for the visa process: see the official checklist
Requirements change by institution and over time. Never send passport or financial documents through this website's enquiry form.
Study visa & work rules
Know the rules before you plan
Rules are set by US authorities and can change. Treat this as an overview and confirm everything on the official sites.
SEVP-certified school and Form I-20
International students generally need to be admitted to an SEVP-approved school, which then issues the form needed for the visa process. Check your institution's status.
Verify on official siteStudent visa (F-1 for most degree study)
The visa involves an application, fees and an interview with a consular officer. Approval is never guaranteed, and an admission offer does not promise a visa.
Verify on official siteWork while studying
Work options for student visa holders are limited and depend on the type of work and authorisation. Conditions apply and change, so do not rely on income from work.
Rules changeWork after study
Some students may be eligible for post-study work options such as OPT, depending on programme, institution and current rules. Studying does not guarantee a work permit, work visa, green card or job.
Needs verificationEnglish and entrance tests
Institutions set their own language requirements and accepted tests, and policies on SAT, ACT, GRE and GMAT differ. Check the specific programme page.
Needs verificationOur role
We offer guidance and help you organise your application. We cannot guarantee admission, a visa, a job or permanent residence.
Official sources
Check it at the source
FAQs
Questions families ask
Does an admission offer guarantee a student visa?
No. The institution decides admission; a US consular officer separately decides on the visa.
Can I get a green card or work visa after studying?
Study does not guarantee a work permit, work visa, permanent residence or a job. Pathways, if any, depend on rules that change, so check official US sources.
Can I work while I study?
Options are limited and have conditions. Confirm current rules on the official sites before planning around any income.
What are the costs?
Tuition and living costs vary widely by institution, programme and city. We do not quote figures here; costs need verification with the institution and official sources.
Do I need SAT, ACT, GRE or GMAT?
It depends on the institution and programme, and policies change. Check the programme page.
Is community college a good first step?
It can suit some students, but credit transfer varies between colleges. Verify transfer arrangements before choosing this route.
When should I start?
As early as you can, because application deadlines, visa appointments and processing times vary and need verification.
Request Counselling
Talk to us about studying in the USA
Share a few basics and our team will get in touch. This is guidance only; we cannot promise admission, visas, work permits, PR or jobs.
Information on this page is general guidance and may be out of date. Always confirm with official US Government and institution sources.