✍️ Studies Multiverse Admin📅 Published May 14, 2026🔄 Updated May 15, 2026⏱ 2 min read
Free Study Abroad Authority
The Complete Study Abroad Glossary
Every scholarship type, exam, visa term, and academic credential acronym you will encounter applying to free or tuition-free study abroad programs — defined in plain English.
Applying to study abroad means decoding a forest of acronyms — IELTS, ECTS, DAAD, Bologna, transcript, apostille. We have compiled every term you will see during your application journey below, organized by category.
A — Application & Admissions
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Apostille | An international certification (under the 1961 Hague Convention) that authenticates a document for use in another country — required for most diplomas and birth certificates. |
| Conditional Offer | An admission letter contingent on completing requirements (final grades, language test, visa). |
| CV / Resume | A 1–2 page summary of education, work, research, and awards — formatted in EU Europass style for most European programs. |
| Motivation Letter | Also called Statement of Purpose (SOP) — typically 500–800 words explaining why you chose this program. |
| Transcript | Official academic record listing every course, grade, and credit — must be certified by your home institution. |
B — Language & Standardized Tests
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System — scored 0–9; most programs require 6.5 minimum for masters. |
| TOEFL iBT | Test of English as a Foreign Language — scored 0–120; typical minimum is 80–100 depending on the program. |
| Duolingo English Test | Online test scored 10–160; increasingly accepted as a free or cheap alternative to IELTS/TOEFL. |
| GRE | Graduate Record Examination — required by many US masters programs, increasingly optional in Europe. |
| GMAT | Graduate Management Admission Test — primary entrance exam for MBA programs. |
| TestDaF / DSH | German language proficiency tests required for German-taught programs. |
C — Credits & Degrees
| ECTS | European Credit Transfer System — 1 year of study = 60 ECTS; a masters typically requires 60–120 ECTS. |
| Bologna Process | European framework standardizing higher education into Bachelor (3y) / Master (1–2y) / Doctorate cycles. |
| GPA | Grade Point Average — US 4.0 scale; European equivalents vary (German 1.0 best, Dutch 10.0 best). |
| Diploma Supplement | A standardized appendix to your degree describing your program, level, and grading system — issued automatically in EU. |
D — Scholarships & Funding
| DAAD | German Academic Exchange Service — Europe largest scholarship provider for international students. |
| Erasmus+ | EU funded mobility program — includes scholarships covering tuition + €1,000–1,500/month for joint masters. |
| Chevening | UK government global scholarship — fully-funded one-year masters at any UK university. |
| Fulbright | US government exchange scholarship — covers tuition + living expenses for masters/PhD in the United States. |
| Need-Based Aid | Financial aid based on family income — common at US private universities (Harvard, Yale, MIT cover 100% need). |
V — Visa & Immigration
| Schengen Visa | Short-stay visa (up to 90 days) for 27 European countries — separate from a study residence permit. |
| Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) | German visa requirement — typically €11,904/year deposited in a special account to prove finances. |
| OPT | Optional Practical Training — US work permit for F-1 students (12–36 months depending on STEM status). |
| Post-Study Work Visa | Allows international graduates to work in their host country — UK 2y, Germany 18m, Canada up to 3y, Australia 2–4y. |
Ready to apply?
Browse our free-to-study country guides to find the right destination, or check the Free Study Abroad Hub for application timelines.
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