The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad Through Direct Enrollment

Looking to skip the middle-man and enroll directly into a university? You’re in the right place! Studying abroad by directly enrolling in a university abroad is a budget-friendly way to study and is perfect for independent students seeking to take charge of their own adventure. 

Sound overwhelming? Don't worry! In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about direct enrollment, from choosing a university to navigating the application process, so you can confidently take the direct route to studying abroad.

Direct enrollment means signing up to take classes at a foreign university without going through a third-party program provider or a study abroad program facilitated by your home university. You’ll instead enroll as a visiting student, pay tuition to the foreign university directly, and typically handle your own logistics like housing and visas. It’s more independent and can be the more affordable route! 

Direct enrollment can be a good option for students for a number of reasons. Whether you're looking for a more cost-effective way to study abroad or want to call the shots on your educational experience, direct enrollment might be right for you.

Here are some potential benefits of direct enrollment:

• It can save you money: Third-party providers often charge a fee for their services, so with direct enrollment you’ll cut out those fees and pay tuition directly to the host university – sometimes even at the local student rate! Although it will take some extra work on your part, it will be well worth it.
• It can foster a stronger sense of independence: Direct enrollment gives you the opportunity to navigate the experience on your own. You get to choose how you design your study abroad semester or year, and although you might have to overcome some challenges along the way, it will leave you more prepared to handle independent travels moving forward!
• It can improve your language skills: If you're directly enrolling in a foreign university that doesn't offer the bulk of its course load in English, direct enrollment is a chance to really put your language skills to the test. You won't just be taking Spanish or Chinese classes, you'll be taking all of your classes in Spanish or Chinese. Meaning, you'll learn your major's jargon in another language and you'll get to practice speaking 24/7.
• It allows you to customize experience: Direct enrollment allows you to fully customize your experience. Want to pick the neighborhood your London flat is in? Want to live alone or with roommates? By enrolling directly you are not confined to your provider's housing options.
• You get the full student experience: You’ll be fully immersed as a student at your host university—attending regular classes, joining student clubs, and navigating campus life just like local students.

If you are a more independent traveler or are working with a tight budget, direct enrollment could be a great fit for you. 

Direct enrollment offers freedom and flexibility, but it can also come with a few challenges! Without the support of a program provider, you’re responsible for managing the logistics yourself.

Here are some potential drawbacks of direct enrollment:

• Less hands-on support: Without having a third-party provider, you’re in charge of navigating visas, insurance, travel, and housing solo, including if any issues arise with these logistics.
• Finding housing can be tricky: Housing in particular can present some challenges, especially in cities with limited student accommodation options or where you can’t view the place ahead of time.
• Language barriers can prove challenging: Immersion truly is the best way to learn, but if you’re not proficient in the local language just yet, then taking all of your classes in that language could be tough!
• Fewer options for length of study: Harder to find short-term (winter or summer) study options, as you often will need to enroll in the college or university for a full semester or year.
• It can take longer to build a community: When you go through a third-party provider, you often start off with a built-in community through pre-arranged social events, orientations, and roommates. With direct enrollment, it can at times feel lonely, especially if you’re not connected to a larger cohort of international students.

If you are a first-time traveler or prefer a larger safety net, studying abroad with a third-party provider may be a better choice. However, many students who opt for direct enrollment come away with a strong sense of independence and a truly immersive cultural experience!

While you can directly enroll into universities worldwide, direct enrollment is especially popular in countries where universities welcome international students and offer clear pathways for non-degree enrollment. Some countries even offer free or low-cost tuition to international students who enroll directly!

Top locations for direct enrollment:

• Germany: Known for offering free tuition at public universities, even for international students! Many programs are taught in English, but you could always immerse yourself in German if desired.
• New Zealand: Great for students who want classes taught in English and also love exploring the outdoors, of which New Zealand has some of the most stunning in the world.
• South Korea: Beyond the delicious cuisine, there are a few great universities for direct enrollment in South Korea, as well as options to take classes in English or Korean.
• Italy: Pasta, cheese, mountains, stunning coasts, what’s not to love? Accessible whether you are looking to immerse in Italian or take courses in English.
• The UK: For stays shorter than six months you don’t need a visa, and if English is your first language then you do not need to worry about a language barrier either.
• France: Known for its world-class art scene and rich history, this is a great place to dig into your French language skills. 
• South Africa: Another great option for students looking for classes taught in English, but interested in diving into the rich and challenging history of the country as well as exploring all that it has to offer.

Read more: 13 Best Places to Study Abroad in 2025

Now that we have some of the basics down, let’s dive into the differences between direct enrollment and going through a third-party provider. Really, both are wonderful options for your student abroad experience. It’s just a matter of figuring out which option is the right fit for you.

• You're on a strict budget.
• You feel comfortable being independent and handling a lot of the logistics on your own.
• You speak the host country's language well enough to attend college-level courses in said language.
• You're able to study abroad for a semester or full year.
• You want more interaction with local students.

• You can afford the program fee (scholarships and grants can help).
• You'd rather have more support with logistics like housing, visas, travel, etc.
• You don't have a sufficient level to study in the local language.
• You want to do short-term (summer or winter) study.
• You don't want to go abroad alone.

Read more: The Perks of Studying Abroad with a Third-Party Provider

Applying for direct enrollment is a lot like applying to your home university! You’ll research schools, meet admission requirements, and submit documents directly to the institution abroad.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:

1. Research your options: Look at schools that have program offerings that align with your major or academic interests. It might be worth considering some of these factors: foreign language immersion, ability to travel to neighboring locations, length of study, your personal budget, activity offerings, and climate, to name a few!
2. Check to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements: Many universities have minimum GPA requirements, usually a 3.0. You may also need to meet language requirements, either for English or for the local language you will be studying in.
3. Meet with your study abroad or academic advisor: You want to make sure the foreign credits will transfer back to your home university. Your student abroad advisor can also assist you with the application process, or might be able to help you with location/university selection.
4. Submit application materials, which might include: an online application form, an approval letter from home university, your academic transcripts, a copy of your passport, and proof of language proficiency (if applicable). Other documents might include immunization records or financial statements.
5. Complete any final steps: Some universities may ask for a personal statement and/or references to support the application. You may also need to complete an interview. 
6. Wait for a decision! Just like waiting on a decision from a university at home, it might take a bit for the university to let you know of your acceptance.However, once accepted you’ll receive an official offer of admission as well as instructions for how to enroll!  

Once you have your acceptance and are officially enrolled, you can begin working on other details such as visas, housing, flights, etc. Let the adventure begin!

While direct enrollment might not be the best fit for everyone, there are so many ways to make it a success for you if this is the path you’re interested in. As an independent study abroad student, you may feel insecure heading overseas without the help of a program provider. This is normal. Though it's true that you won't have the same level of support, you definitely won't have to find your way alone. 

Ways to receive support while abroad:

• Check out the international student or study abroad office and chat with one of their advisors.
• Reach out to other international students who might be going through the same transition you are.
• Befriend some of the local students, who will be your greatest sources for information on the best things to do and places to go!
• Lean on your community at home for support from afar when you are feeling lonely.
• Remember that this is a finite period of time, so try to be present and soak up as much of the experience as possible.

Just like when you begin any new adventure (whether it be going to college, starting a new job, or moving to a new place), it can take a bit of time to get adjusted. But don’t let that adjustment period discourage you from giving direct enrollment a try!

Studying abroad independently can be intimidating, but we hope this guide takes away most of the guesswork for you. Direct enrollment is a great option for students who are looking for a more independent and immersive experience, and many walk away with a deep sense of connection to the place they have been studying. Though you'll be managing most of the planning alone, you'll have much more freedom while studying abroad and will undoubtedly grow as a person.

Read more:

• How to Study Abroad for Free or Cheap
• Everything You Need to Know About Study Abroad Housing
• The Top 10 American Universities in Europe