Admission guide

Getting started is easy. You have two ways to get answers:

KastuGPT – your personal study assistant, available 24/7

• Which country suits your needs and your situation?
• How much do studies and living cost? How can you get financial support?
• Which documents do you need, and when do you submit them?
• How does the application process work from start to finish?

Explore the program pages – all the facts in one place

• Every program on kastu.eu has a description with requirements, deadlines and the documents you need.
• The official university page of the program always has the most up-to-date details – check it too.

Everything is completely free – KastuGPT and all the information on kastu.eu.

This is one of the most important decisions – but don't worry, the tools below will help you make it.

Don't know yet what you want to study?

• Visit the Career Center – take a career test and read our tips on choosing a career.
• Or open KastuGPT and type “Help me choose a study program”. You answer 10 short questions and get specific program recommendations based on your interests and strengths. Then you can ask for more details about each program or request other options.

Know your field but looking for a specific program?

• Use the study search – filter by country and field of study.
• KastuGPT can also compare programs for you and help you decide.

Already know what you want?

• Go straight to the study search and find your program.

In short: yes. Studying abroad is affordable, and in three of our five countries there are no tuition fees at all.

Key facts

• Tuition: Denmark, Sweden and Finland – €0. Belgium and the Netherlands – a small annual fee.
• Living costs: They depend on the country and city. You will find the exact amounts under Finances.
• Financial support: In many countries students receive government financial support – we explain how to apply for it.

Tip: We recommend having savings for the first 4–6 months (about €5,000–7,000). Later you can combine studies with work – in many countries students earn enough to cover their living costs.

For most programs the requirements are simple and clear:

• Secondary education (secondary school leaving certificate)
• English language skills (requirements depend on the university – some accept your school-leaving exam in English, others ask for IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo)

Where to find exact information?

• General admission requirements
• Required documents
• English language requirements

Each program may also have extra requirements (for example, a certain grade in mathematics). You will find them in the study search, in the description of each program.

Not sure if your grades are enough? Check the program description on kastu.eu and the official university page of the program – they show any specific grade requirements. You can also ask KastuGPT – it will help you find the requirements of the programs you are interested in.

Applying through Kastu is simple, fast and stress-free. Forget the paperwork chaos – one form covers all your universities.

How does it work?

• You fill in one Kastu application form (~20 min) – you choose programs from different countries in one place. No separate forms for each university.
• We review your documents – we point out errors and give tips on your motivation letter.
• We submit your application – your documents go to the universities you chose. You follow the status in your Kastu account.
• You stay in control – you get an email and SMS about every deadline and every university message. Read them and act on them.
• You receive your admission letter! – universities usually reply between April and July.

Sometimes a university sends a conditional offer – it means you are admitted, but still need to meet one or two conditions (for example, finish school). Great news – the place is yours as soon as you meet them!

You will find a detailed description of the process under Application process.

You have your admission letter – congratulations! Now the preparation for your new life begins. And Kastu is still here for you.

What you get from Kastu after admission:

• Student Buddy program – we connect you with a student who already studies at the same university. They help you prepare and answer your practical questions.
• WhatsApp groups – we add you to a closed group with other students applying through Kastu at the same time.
• Online pre-departure meetings – we organize meetings with university representatives and other future students.
• Kastu Survival Guide – we send you a practical guide with everything you need to know before you leave.
• Help with housing and work – guides, tips and useful links.
• Financial support – we explain how to apply for government financial support in your study country.

Once you have your admission letter, start looking for accommodation right away.

How we help:

• The Kastu Survival Guide has instructions on finding accommodation in each country.
• Your Student Buddy shares tips on finding accommodation in your new city.
• In the WhatsApp groups you can find roommates or dorm neighbors.

You will find general tips under Accommodation.

Good news: as a student with EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship you normally keep your public health insurance from home while you study in another EU country. That means your public healthcare is covered – you only need to do three things:

• Check your national health insurance rules for students studying abroad. In most EU countries you stay insured as a student, but each country has its own rules – ask your national health insurer before you leave.
• Confirm your student status when your insurer asks for it – a certificate from your university is usually enough. Some insurers ask for it every academic year.
• Order your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – the EHIC is a free card issued by your national health insurer. It proves that you are insured at home and gives you access to the public doctors and hospitals you need in every EU country, on the same terms as local residents. Order it online or at your insurer's office a few weeks before you leave – delivery times differ by country, so don't leave it until the last week. Official information: European Health Insurance Card.

With the EHIC you get the medical care you need during your studies – from a general practitioner to emergency treatment – in public healthcare. It does not cover private clinics or medical transport back home, so consider extra travel insurance for that. One exception: if you take a job in your study country, you may have to join that country's health insurance system – check the local rules before you start working. More: Health cover for temporary stays in another EU country.

The big day is coming! Here is how to prepare so everything goes smoothly.

Travel planning

• Many universities hold a mandatory Introduction Week at the end of August – check your university's dates.
• We recommend arriving at least a week before it starts – you will have time to settle in calmly.

Kastu support before departure

• Kastu Survival Guide – a practical guide from packing your suitcase to your first days in a new city.
• Student Buddy – your assigned student answers all your questions about life in your study country.
• Kastu ambassadors – students already living in your study country. They help with a bank account, transport and everyday matters.
• Online pre-departure meetings – your last chance to ask questions right before you leave.

After arrival you will need to handle a few formalities – but don't worry, universities help with most of them during Introduction Week.

Main steps

• Registration with the municipality – you get a resident number (for example, CPR in Denmark, BSN in the Netherlands). You need it for a bank account and for work.
• Opening a bank account – easy once you have your resident number.
• Getting to know your surroundings – shops, transport, university buildings.

You will need these documents

• Your ID card or passport
• Your university admission letter
• Your signed rental contract for your student accommodation (if you already have one)

Kastu ambassadors and your Student Buddy help you find your way – you won't be alone.

If you follow these steps, your first weeks will be full of new experiences and good memories.

• Be open – go to events and join student organizations.
• Don't be afraid to ask – all first-year students feel the same. Asking for help is normal.
• Ask KastuGPT anytime – it's there for you 24/7 if questions come up during your studies.

Thousands of students have already done it – so can you!