Q. How will Informatics Services International help me?

A. Informatics Services has been sending students to Australia and other countries since 6 years. Informatics Services International has trained counselors who have got experience and expertise to assist students. All our offices provides student with
FREE counseling and information on various courses and institutions.
Application Assistance

Visa Counseling
Travel and accommodation arrangement
Procuring Residential Facilities with Pakistan for students going abroad

Q. Are Credit transfers possible?

A. As the Australian Government recognizes the Pakistani Universities, credit transfers are possible. However for this the students are required to submit their course syllabus to the institution and it can take minimum 6 months for credit to be granted.

Q. Are Australian degree recognized worldwide? Why is GMAT and GRE not asked for by all Australian Universities?

A. Australian Universities are recognized worldwide. The reason why Australian Universities do not insist upon students going for a GMAT or GRE etc. is because these exams are for American Universities so students have to give these tests to be judged by American Standards. Australia and India recognize each other's degrees.

Q. What are TAFEs and how is the quality of education?

A. TAFE stands for 'TECHNICAL AND FURTHER EDUCATION' and the courses are more vocationally oriented and on completion, the students are ready for a job. Diploma and advance Diplomas like Hospitality, Multimedia, Aviation, Fashion and Automobiles etc. are offered. Alternatively, after completion of Diploma, one can directly articulate into a Bachelors program at a university in Australia.

Q. How do you know which University is the best in Australia?

A. One can not rate universities in Australia as there are numerous universities and all are regulated under the Vice Chancellors Committee, which follow the code of ethics. Students generally follow the market trends like MBAs or BBA, MIT etc., but it would be un fair to judge universities as one can only compare the course structure and faculty.

A. Australia's tertiary education system is quiet flexible and hence caters to the high demand of computer related courses. If one has a Bachelor's Degree with 1st or 2nd class in any discipline then he can do a one year Graduate Diploma in Computer Studies and then proceed to 1-3 year Masters Degree in computing.

Q. Is it Possible for International Student to get a PR?
A. Yes, It is possible for International Student once their course is completed.


                                             FAQ's Canada

Q. What is financial aid?

A. Financial aid is a means by which students can reduce or eliminate the expenses that they will incur in the course of their education overseas.

Q. What is cost of education?

A. Cost of education is a cost incurred for your tuition fees at the university. It varies from country to country and from university to university.

Q. What is the cost of living?

A. Cost of living are costs incurred throughout your stay at an overseas country where you will pursue your education.


Q. What are costs before admission?
A. These are costs of test registration fees, application fees, and mailing costs.


Q. What are costs after admission?
A. These are living expenses, medical, personal and expenses incurred during your stay at the university.

Q. What is TA (teaching assistantship)?
A. Teaching assistants assist a professor by teaching an undergraduate class or checking exam papers. They are paid for this job, which covers most of their expenses while at the university..

Q. How much does a TA earn?
A. As compared to the cost of studying in Pakistan only, going abroad can seem to be steeply expensive. However one must keep the possible returns in mind which are in the form of quality of education, international exposure and boost to ones career when evaluating the costs of studying abroad. A student can rely on sources like family funds, bank loans, scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships etc to provide for funds required by him.

Q. What is RA (research assistantship)?
A. Research fellowship/assistantship is an award that allows you to work in the capacity of an assistant to a professor on the research project assigned to him.

Q. How much does a research assistant earn?
A. As a research assistant the student receives a tuition wavier or pays in-state tuition fees and earns additionally to sustain living expenses through their education

Q. What is a guarantor?

A. A guarantor is the person who legally co-signs your loan/financial aid documents. The guarantor takes the responsibility of assuring the bank that you can and will pay back the loan. If, in case you do not pay back then it is the responsibility of the guarantor to repay the loan.

Q. Can I get a loan to study overseas?
A. Yes! There are a number of loans for students looking to study overseas

Q. What is a loan fee?
A. This is the fee paid for processing your loan application

Q. What are SFG's
A. This is an initial for Scholarships/Fellowship/Grants.

Q. What is an application package?
A. An application package consists of the material required by the university:
· Application forms
· Application fees
· Recommendations
· Transcripts
· Essays
· Financial aid form
Q. What are financial aid packages?
A. A university offers a financial aid package, which consists of scholarships/grant and an on-campus employment program for the student. Hence this package helps you pay a large amount of your total cost.

Q. How do I apply for financial aid?
A. Ask the universities, to send you the financial aid form, which you should finish and submit before the financial deadline date mentioned in the application package of the respective university.!

Q. What is a transfer option?
A. A transfer option is to complete at least 2 years of the Bachelors program and then apply for a transfer to the University that you want to attend in the US. The years waived off in your transfer status will depend on the courses covered in India and the grades for the same.

Q. What are tuition-waivers?
A. Tuition waivers are awards that waive your tuition fees. These could range from partial to complete tuition waivers.

Q. What documents do I send with my financial aid package?
A. The documents sent are:
Financial aid form
Bank letter or Tax documents

Q. What is a Bank letter
A. A bank letter is the letter issued by the bank confirming the amount your parents can pay for your education.

                                            FAQ's Ireland

Q. Will the qualifications I gain at an Irish institution be recognised internationally?
A. Any academic award achieved from an Irish University is of a very high standard and will be recognized internationally.
Before undertaking a course at an alternative institution you should ensure that the qualification is approved by the Higher Education and Training Award Council (HETAC), a body established by the Irish Ministry of Education. Qualifications awarded by this body are internationally recognized by academic, professional, trade and craft bodies.

Q. How do I find more specific information on my chosen area of study?
A. Each of the individual institutions will be able to provide you with comprehensive information on course content, fees, academic entry requirements etc. Their individual websites are an excellent starting point.

Q. How much should I budget for accommodation and Living expenses?
Costs vary depending on the course of study, the length of stay and the lifestyle of the student. However, we have calculated that, on average, a student can expect to pay between Euro 6,500 and Euro 10,000 in living costs per year. For a more detailed breakdown of costs please refer to our 'Costs and Living Expenses' section.

Q. What additional services are available to international students?
A. Most of the universities have an International student office with trained staff on hand to deal with any issues arising for overseas students. This office usually organises an orientation programme at the start of the academic year to assist students in acclimatization to Irish life and college procedures. Other events such as day and weekend excursions and sporting and cultural activities are also run by the international student offices. Overseas students are also encouraged to join the many clubs and societies enjoyed by their Irish counterparts.

Q. Will my children have to learn the Irish Language if they are joining the Irish education system having had part of their education overseas?
A . Students exempt from studying Irish are those who:
a) have had their primary education outside of Ireland and enroll in the Irish Education System after 11 years of age.
b) Have lived outside of Ireland for the three years prior to their enrolment and return after 11 years of age.

                                  FAQ's New Zealand

Q. How much are the fees and what is the refund policy?

A. Fees are determined by the individual institution concerned. One year's fees (or the total fee for courses of less than one year) must be paid before a visa will be issued or a permit extended if a further course is to be undertaken for students studying at tertiary level. Fees must be paid in internationally acceptable, convertible currency. An institution may refund fees to a student who withdraws from a course. The refund must not exceed the difference between the total amount paid and the cost of the course up to the time of withdrawal. Private training establishments must provide every prospective student with a written statement of the total course costs and other financial commitments associated with each course of study or training before accepting that student's enrollment. Students enrolled for courses of study or training at a private training establishment may withdraw from the course at any time within seven days after the first day of the course and receive a partial free refund.

Q. What are the accommodation arrangements?

A. A written guarantee of accommodation is required before a student visa can be granted. Some institutions may be able to arrange residential accommodation for students who are not staying with relatives or friends. However, you may wish to arrange accommodation for yourself. You should indicate whether or not you want assistance in finding accommodation when you apply to the institution.

Q. Are dependents allow to come along?

A. Your dependents, who may include a spouse, de facto spouse, fiancé (e), and children, may a company you to New Zealand or join you later. They must apply for and meet the normal requirements for the type of visa requested (visitor, work, or student). School aged dependants will be required to pay full fees for enrollment in primary and secondary courses of study.

Q. Can I transfer to another institution?

A. If you wish to transfer to another course or institution, you must apply to the New Zealand Immigration Service to obtain a variation to your student permit, specifying the course and institution and, if appropriate, the extended validity of the permit.
Note: The New Zealand Immigration Service will revoke a student permit if an international student withdraws from a course of study at an institution

Q. Is health insurance compulsory?

A. It is strongly recommended that all international students obtain medical insurance cover because most temporary students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. A condition of your student visa is that you must have an adequate allowance and this should include coverage of medical costs.

Q. Can I work while studying?

A. Some formal courses of study include a requirement to complete up to three years course-related work experience. The training provider will try to help you find suitable employment. There is some flexibility on how this employment may be obtained, example suitable post-education work or the possibility of doing the work experience in your home country (under qualified supervision). Students undertaking a full time diploma or degree course that takes at least two academic year to complete, and students undertaking a full time course of study that would attract points under the General Skills category of Residence policy, may be allowed to work up to 15 hours per week. To do this you must request a 'Variation of Conditions' to your study permit after beginning the course of study. No application form or fee is required for this Variation of Conditions. If your student permit is for more than 12 months you may apply for a Variation of Conditions to work over the Christmas New Year Holidays. No offer of employment is required. You will need to pay a Variation of Conditions fee. If you have completed a polytechnic or university qualification that has a minimum completion time of three years, you may apply for a work permit that allows you to work up to maximum of two years. An offer of employment relevant to your qualifications is required. Further information on student visa applications can be obtained from the New Zealand Immigration website www.immigration.govt.nz.

                                           FAQs Singapore

Q. What are the entry requirements to study at educational institutions in Singapore?
A . Entry requirements vary from institution to institution. As English is the common language of instruction, most institutions require students to meet a minimum standard of English.
Generally, certification of competence in English is in the form of :
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
Test of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Besides English, different institutions and courses have different minimum requirements. These requirements are usually stated in the course prospectus, brochures or websites of the institutions.

Q . How do I apply to study in Singapore ?
A . Application procedures are dependent on the type of institutions the students are applying to.

Q . What is the difference between private and public institutions?
A . Public Schools - In Singapore, there are 11 gazetted public holidays and three scheduled school holidays in a calendar year.
Private Schools - There are various types of private schools in Singapore. Private schools are generally run by private companies or non-profit organisations. There are also some private institutions that receive public funds, eg. NAFA (The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts), SMU (Singapore Management University) and LASALLE-SIA college of the Arts.

Q . Do I need a Visa and Student's Pass to study in Singapore ?
A . Any international student wishing to study full-time in Singapore is required to apply for a Student’s Pass and visa (if applicable) from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For applicants who require a visa to enter Singapore, please ensure that your application for the Student Pass is submitted to the ICA at least 2 months before the commencement date of the course.
Currently, nationals from 28 countries are required to apply for a visa prior to their arrival in Singapore.

Q . How much are the school or tuition fees ?
A . Fees vary according to type of course and type of school (private or public). For course fees of private schools, please check directly with the institutions.
Junior College : $240 per month(excluding other charges eg. miscellaneous fees)
Polytechnic : $2,150 per academic year(excluding other charges eg. exam fees, miscellaneous fees, sports fee, student union fee, etc)
University : From $6,220 per academic year for non-lab based courses to $17,820 per academic year for medical / dental courses (excluding other charges eg. exam fees, miscellaneous fees, sports fees, student union fees, etc)

Q . How much does it cost an international student to live in Singapore?
Accommodation : $200 - $1,500
(rental varies with geographical area, type of accommodation, demand, facilities provided and the number of people sharing)
Utilities : $50 - $80
Food : $300 - $450
Public transport : $20 - $100 (varies with types of student concession pass)
Telecommunications : $30-$50 (varies with usage and package)
Books & Stationery : $30-$100 (varies with courses)
Medical Hospitalization Insurance : $5 - $8
Personal expenses : $100 - $200 (varies with individuals)
Estimated : $750 - $2,000
Q . What are the accommodation options available for international students and how much do they cost?
A . 1. University ~ Halls of Residence
2. Private Hostel
3. Room in public housing
4. Whole unit in public housing
5. Whole unit in private housing

Please note that the estimates were derived based on prices as at April 2003. Rental varies depending on geographical area, demand, facilities provided and the number of people sharing.

Boarding fees cover lodging, meals, laundry, tutorials, pastoral guidance, 24-hour security, recreational facilities, orientation & development programmes.

Public housing refers to government-subsidised flats developed by the Housing and Development Board, commonly called the HDB flats.

The classified advertisements in the local newspapers is a good source of listing of rooms and apartments for rent.
Q . As a foreign student at the local universities or polytechnics with a student pass, can I do part-time work during term time?
A . Full time undergraduates of Polytechnics and Universities are allowed to work part-time of up to 16 hours per week during school term. However, they need to obtain permission from the Students Liaison /Affairs Office of their respective Polytechnics and University . During their vacations, they are allowed to work full-time as the Ministry of Manpower has exempted them from applying for work permits.
Please note that other international students are generally not allowed to engage in any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid, or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of their Student's Pass, unless they have the consent in writing from the Controller of Immigration. Violators will be prosecuted by law.

Q . Are there any special support services for international students?
A . Educational institutions generally provide special support services for international students. Some even have an International Students Office to cater to your specific needs. Assistance rendered range from helping you look for accommodation to advice on financial, social and other matters. Please approach your school's Student Services or International Students Office for more information.

Q . How do I submit the Student's Pass application via the SOLAR system?
A . The applicant will have to log on to the SOLAR system from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website with your assigned SOLAR application number obtainable from your respective Institute of Higher Learning and your personal particulars. Once you have logged on to the system, you may proceed to complete the Student's Pass application form (Form 16) and submit the application online to ICA for processing.

Q . What is the processing time for applications submitted through SOLAR?
A . Student's Pass applications submitted via SOLAR are processed in 3 working days for foreigners who do not required visa to enter Singapore. For foreigners who require a visa to enter Singapore, the processing time is 10 working days. Some applications may take a longer time to process.

Q . Must my medical examination be done in Singapore?
A . If you are a new applicant and not in Singapore, the medical examination can either be done in your home country or in Singapore by a qualified doctor. However, the medical examination required for subsequent renewal of the Student's Pass must be done in Singapore. The doctor must record and certify the results of the medical examination in the designated medical report form. The medical report should not be issued more than 3 months from the submission date of your application or renewal. If a medical report was submitted to ICA or MOM not more than 2 years from your submission date, there is no need to re-submit a fresh medical report. (The above requirement is not applicable to applicants who are below 15 years old.)

Q . How do I collect my Student's Pass?
A . Upon the approval of your Student's Pass application, you will receive an In-Principle Approval letter through your respective Institute of Higher Learning. After you have arrived in Singapore, you may then arrange to collect your Student's Pass in person or through your respective Institute of Higher Learning at the Visitor Services Centre, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. To collect the Student's Pass, you need to produce the In-Principle Approval letter, your original travel document showing you have valid stay in Singapore, the white Embarkation/Disembarkation card (which you will complete on arrival in Singapore), results of your medical examination certified in the designated medical report together with the laboratory report, Student's Pass and visa fee as well as a hard copy of your electronic Student's Pass application Form 16 duly signed by you. Your Student's Pass will be issued if the conditions as stipulated in the In-Principal Approval letter are fulfilled.

Q . Can I sponsor my spouse and child for a Social Visit Pass?
A . Upon your submission of a Social Visit Pass application to the Visitor Services Centre of ICA, a 6-month Social Visit Pass may be considered for your spouse and child if your Institute of Higher Learning is sponsoring your application. All applications are considered on its own merits.

Q . Are foreigner undergraduates of Polytechnics and Universities allowed to work?
A . Full time undergraduates of Polytechnics and Universities are allowed to work part-time of up to 16 hours per week during school term, However, they need to obtain permission from the Student's Liaison/Affairs Office of their respective Polytechnics and Universities. During their vacations, they are allowed to work full time as the MOM has exempted them from applying for work permits.

                                         FAQ's Switzerland

Q. Is there another name for Switzerland ?

A. Yes, it is also called "Confoederatio Helvetica", therefore the abbreviation "CH".

Q.Can I determine the local language from the postal code ?

A. Swiss postal codes consist of four digits. The numbers 1000, 2000 .. 9000 belong to the 9 major centers. From the first digit, one can actually determine the region and up to a certain degree the local language. However, there are some regions that are bi-lingual. The following table shows an approximate mapping

Q. Can I pay with Euro (EUR) in Switzerland ?

A. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and therefore the Euro (EUR) is not an official currency in the country. It is widely accepted but you cannot count on the fact that a particular hotel or shop will accept Euro. However, you can exchange Euro (EUR) for Swiss Francs (CHF) and vice-a-versa at every bank or post office and at most railway stations.


Q. What are the official languages of Switzerland ?

A. German, French, Italian and Romantsch. However, official documents and declarations on goods have to be provided in German, French and Italian only.


Q. What are the largest cities in Switzerland ?

A. 1. Zürich, ZH (population 343'000)
2. Basel, BS (population 176'000)
3. Geneva, GE (population 172'000)
4. Bern, BE (population 129'000)
5. Lausanne, VD (population 117'000)

Q.What is the name of the Swiss currency ?

A. Swiss Francs ("Schweizer Franken"), its ISO symbol is CHF. "CH" derives from Switzerland's other name "Confoederatio Helvetica"

Q. What is the job status in Switzerland ?

A. It is easier to find employment in the large urban centers like Geneva and Zurich. Each university has a job placement office that provides information on student employment. Wages vary between SFR 20 and SFR 35 according to the job and your skills.

Q. What is B permit ?

A. B permit (permis de séjour, Aufenthaltsbewilligung, permesso di soggiorno ) is an annual residence permit. It gives you the right to live in Switzerland for 180 days a year or more. It has to be renewed every year. It also gives the right to your spouse and children below 18 to come and live with you.

Q.What is C permit ?

A.C permit is a permanent residence permit. It is valid for as long as you remain in Switzerland. It has almost no restrictions and enables you to do many things not possible with B permits such as buying real estate without restrictions, moving from one canton to another, buying weapons, becoming self-employed, etc...Depending on your citizenship, you can obtain a C permit after 5 to 10 years of residence with a B permit.

Q.What is CE permit ?

A.CE permit is a B permit for people with a EU passport. It is valid for an initial period of 5 years and gives you many rights not enjoyed by B permits, such as being able to bring your spouse, financially dependent descendants and ascendants (children, parents, grand-parents, nephews, nieces, great-grand-children, etc...), buying Swiss real estate without restrictions, moving within Switzerland without restrictions, becoming self-employed, etc...

                                      FAQ's United Kingdom

Q. What are the accommodation arrangements?

A. Both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students are guaranteed accommodation by many universities in their Halls of Residence, for at least their first year at the university provided they inform the university within the given deadlines.

Q. How are the universities rated?

A. British Universities do not have a formal ranking system but the government does take the responsibility to monitor and control the quality of education provided by each university through the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. The Government conducts a Research Assessment Exercise once in every 5 years. Which determine the level of research activity in a university department. The departments are graded as high as 5* and as low as 1. General League Tables prepared by newspapers like the Sunday Times and Financial Times can also be checked.

Q. What are Sandwich and Foundation programs?

A. Sandwich programme are made up of a combination of periods of study and time spent in industry. So the course duration extends to 4 years instead of the usual 3 years. Foundation programmes are of 1 year duration and are generally tailored for students as an alternative route to bridge between one's own qualification and that which is required for entry for a degree program in a university/college.

Q. Are there any benefits offered to international students while studying in UK?
A. Yes, There are 2 sources of benefit and they are
NHS: All international students studying in UK for the purpose of education for 6 months or more quality for free health care through the National Health Service.
NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS: Loads of discounts are negotiated on behalf of their student members on things like books, stationery, food, clothes, travel and entertainment. All students are entitled to free NUS membership.

Q. Is it tough to get Visas?
A. Student visas are relatively easy to obtain. Most of the applicants from Pakistan who provide a confirmed offer from a UK University and evidence of financial support for tuition fees and living costs are issued visas. In addition to our academic counselors at Informatics Services we also have special accounts/CA's who are trained in visa formalities to help students with the above.

Q. Will I get refund if my Visa is refused?
A. If your visa is refused and you have paid a deposit to your institution for tuition fees you will receive a refund of the deposit when you send the institution a copy of your visa refusal letter from the High Commission. A few institutions deduct a small amount usually no more than 100 Pounds for processing the refund payment.