Studying Abroad After the Tunisian Baccalaureate: Where to Start?

Are you in your final year of secondary school or have you just passed your baccalaureate, and you want to study abroad? France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom… the options are many, and so is the contradictory information. Here is a simple eight-step method to prepare your studies abroad after the Tunisian baccalaureate without getting lost.

Step 1: clarify your plans

Before choosing a country, ask yourself three questions:

1. What? Which field, which job are you ultimately aiming for?

2. Why abroad? Quality of education, language, international exposure, job prospects?

3. And afterwards? Return to Tunisia, work in the country where you studied, or elsewhere?

The answer to the third question is essential: if you are aiming for a regulated profession in Tunisia (medicine, pharmacy, architecture…), recognition of the degree must guide your choice of country. See Recognition of Tunisian diplomas abroad.

Step 2: choose the language of study

• French: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec in Canada, some programmes in Romania.

• English: United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Malta, and a great many programmes in Europe and Asia.

• German: Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland.

• Italian, Spanish, Turkish…: possible after a language year.

Your current level matters: going from beginner to university level in a new language often takes a year or more.

Step 3: set your budget

The annual budget combines tuition fees and living costs:

• Moderate fees: Germany (public universities), Italy (income-based), France (depending on the institution), Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic in Czech.

• Intermediate fees: Spain, Portugal, Poland, Turkey, Malaysia, Northern Cyprus with a scholarship.

• High fees: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland (for the cost of living), the Netherlands for non-Europeans.

Don't forget application, test, visa, translation and settling-in costs. And think about scholarships: see Scholarships to study abroad for Tunisians.

Step 4: shortlist 2 or 3 countries

Cross-check your plans, language and budget to shortlist 2 or 3 countries. Keeping several options gives you a plan B if one procedure doesn't work out.

Step 5: stick to the timeline

This is the most common mistake: starting too late. As a general rule:

• September – December of the final year: Campus France (France), UCAS (United Kingdom), applications to the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, government scholarships.

• January – April: Canada, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany for some programmes, Türkiye Bursları.

• Spring – summer: Italy (Universitaly), Spain, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Malaysia.

Each country has its own dates, and they change every year. Our Campus France Tunisia guide shows just how early everything happens.

Step 6: take the required tests

• French: TCF, DELF, DALF. See TCF Tunisia.

• English: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test. See IELTS in Tunisia.

• German: Goethe, telc, TestDaF.

• Aptitude tests: SAT (United States), IMAT (medicine in Italy), YÖS (Turkey)…

Book a session early enough to be able to retake the test if necessary.

Step 7: prepare your documents

From your final year, gather:

• transcripts from the last years of secondary school;

• the baccalaureate diploma as soon as it is available;

• a valid passport;

• translations and legalisations depending on the country;

• cover letters and a CV;

• recommendation letters from teachers;

• the family's financial documents.

For transfers abroad, also think about the non-scholarship certificate (attestation de non-boursier) and the tuition file (dossier scolarité) at the bank.

Step 8: get the visa and prepare to leave

Once admitted: student visa, proof of funds (for example the blocked account (Sperrkonto) in Germany), accommodation, insurance, plane ticket. Allow several weeks for the visa, more in summer.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a country only because "everyone goes there".

• Starting the procedures after the baccalaureate, when many procedures take place during the final year.

• Neglecting the language test.

• Underestimating the living budget.

• Not checking the recognition of the degree for your future job.

• Not having a plan B.

The right questions to ask an advisor

At your first meeting with an advisor, prepare these questions:

• Which countries suit my baccalaureate stream and my grades?

• Which deadlines apply to me this year?

• Which language test should I take, and when?

• What total budget should I plan for each option, including living costs?

• Which scholarships can I aim for?

• How is the degree recognised for the job I am aiming for?

• What is the plan B if my first option doesn't work?

Good guidance doesn't steer you towards a single country by default: it compares the options according to your profile.

The role of parents

Parents play a key role, particularly for:

• the budget and financial documents;

• the bank file and transfers abroad;

• administrative documents (birth certificates, legalisations);

• preparing for departure: accommodation, insurance, emergency contacts.

Involve them in choosing the country from the start: a shared plan is a plan that succeeds.

What if I'm not yet sure about my field?

This is common. In that case, favour systems that give you time to choose (the United States with its general first year, some foundation programmes), or broad fields (economics, sciences, general engineering) that open up many specialisations later.

Our support

Worldwide Studies supports you from thinking through your plans to departure: choice of country and institutions, timeline, tests, applications, scholarships, visa and accommodation. We work with more than 40 destinations. For younger students, also discover our junior programmes.

👉 Talk to an advisor to build your study-abroad plan, step by step.