12 October, 2026
Author: Arcadie Cotruta
Studying abroad after school: what to do at 14–15
Planning for your child to study abroad after school? Here's what to do at 14–15: language, grades, entrance tests and the SAT, exchange programmes, and a year-by-year plan.
Also available in:УкраїнськаRomână
Why start at 14–15
A mum of a ninth-grader recently wrote to us: “My son wants to study in Europe. Isn't it too early to think about it?”
It isn't. Most of what an admissions committee will see in three years' time is being built right now, at 14–15.
- Grades already count. Many universities look at the last 2–3 years of school, so grades 9 and 10 matter.
- Language takes time. Admission usually requires IELTS 6.0–7.0, and getting there from a basic level takes years, not months.
- A school certificate and IELTS are often no longer enough. More and more universities run their own entrance tests, depending on the faculty and programme.
- Committees look for a story. They want to see what your child has cared about deeply for a long time, not activities collected six months before applying.
- A Ukrainian school certificate isn't always enough. In the UK, for example, students often need a foundation year or the IB or A-levels.
“The best application is one you started preparing three years ahead, not three months.”
Entrance tests and the SAT
The University of Vienna, Erasmus University Rotterdam, IE University and Bocconi all have their own entrance tests, and the requirements depend on the faculty and programme. Each one needs its own preparation.
Some universities accept the SAT instead of their own test. Check this early for every programme: one strong SAT score can sometimes open doors at several universities at once.
But you can't just turn up to the SAT and expect a high score. It takes proper preparation in maths and especially in the English section, which tests reading, reasoning and grammar at a native-speaker level. That's why it's worth thinking about the SAT from age 15, not a few months before applying.
“You can't just turn up to the SAT and hope for a good score. But start early, and it can replace several entrance tests at once.”
Exchange programmes: practice before the real thing
The easiest way to study abroad for the first time is before university, through an exchange programme or a school scholarship (for example FLEX, UWC or HMC scholarships to British schools).
Even if your child doesn't win, it's worth applying. The motivation letter, the tests, the interview — all of it comes back when applying to university. Better to go through it for the first time at 15 than at 17.
“Even an unsuccessful exchange application is the best practice for university admissions.”
A year-by-year plan
Age 14–15 (grades 8–9)
- Talk with your child not about “where to apply” but about what genuinely interests them. The country comes second; the subject comes first.
- Check their real level of English and set up regular lessons.
- Pick 1–2 out-of-school activities your child is ready to grow over 2–3 years: sport, debate, coding, volunteering, art.
- Start an “achievements folder” for certificates, olympiads, projects and references.
- Find exchange programmes and scholarships for school students, and apply to at least one.
- Look up admission requirements in 2–3 countries you're interested in.
Age 15–16 (grade 10)
- Keep grades steady.
- Take a practice IELTS to see how much work is left.
- Find out which entrance tests your chosen universities require and whether they accept the SAT. Start SAT preparation in maths and English, and plan the first attempt for the end of grade 10 or the start of grade 11.
- Try a summer school or an exchange programme abroad. It's a good test of whether your child enjoys that kind of life.
- Start a personal project that shows interest in the chosen field.
- Work out a budget for tuition and living costs, and look for scholarships.
Age 16–17 (grade 11)
- Take the final language exam and, if needed, retake the SAT to improve the score.
- Sit the entrance tests for universities that don't accept the SAT instead.
- Prepare the motivation letter and arrange references from teachers.
- Apply on time. Deadlines vary a lot: Oxford, Cambridge and UK medicine close in mid-October, while most European programmes take applications from autumn to spring.
- Have a plan B: a second country or programme, a foundation year or a preparation year.
The most common mistakes
- Choosing a country before working out what your child wants to study.
- Starting on the language only in the final year.
- Thinking you can sit the SAT or an entrance test without preparation.
- Collecting everything at once instead of building one strong story.
- Not working out the budget in advance.
Where to start
We've worked with teenagers since 2009. Our students have been admitted to Cambridge, King's College London, Bocconi, Groningen, Erasmus University and NUS.
Not sure where to start? Leave your details or message us on Telegram, and we'll set up a free 30-minute diagnostic call and suggest 2–3 steps for this school year.
