​Study Abroad Fair Benefits: Is It Worth Attending?

A study abroad fair is an event that brings together representatives from various universities and international educational organizations, allowing students to learn firsthand about academic programs, admission requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, application procedures, and the experience of studying overseas.
Depending on the specific event, you can explore institutions from various countries and speak directly with admissions representatives right at the fair.
Whether you already have a list of target schools or are just beginning to consider studying abroad, this event offers immense value. The fair is ideal for:
High school students looking for Bachelor’s or university foundation programs.
University students and working professionals seeking to advance their qualifications with a Master’s or PhD degree.
Parents helping their children plan the financial and safety aspects of studying abroad.

The main benefits of attending a study abroad fair are being able to compare different universities in one place, get answers relevant to your academic background, understand differences between courses, clarify costs and scholarships, learn about student life, understand the application process and discover options you may not have considered.

Here is what each benefit looks like in practice.

1. Save time by comparing multiple universities in one place

Instead of researching universities separately or arranging individual conversations, a study abroad fair gives you an opportunity to speak with representatives from multiple institutions during one visit.

This means you can compare universities and destinations side by side. For example, a student comparing business courses in two different study destinations could ask several universities about entry requirements, course structure and internships during the same visit.

This is an opportunity for you to directly compare key factors such as:

• Admission requirements

• Program structure

• Tuition fees and scholarships

• Intake periods

• Internship opportunities

• Accommodation options

• International student support services

• Post-graduation career prospects
  
  Fairs also help with discovery. You may arrive planning to ask about three or four familiar names, then notice a booth for a specialist institution or a university in a city you had not considered. That breadth can be difficult to achieve through online research alone.
  

2. Get answers specific to your academic background

Published entry requirements on university websites often read like general checklists. At a study abroad fair, you can ask how those requirements apply to your own qualifications and circumstances.
Depending on your stage of study, you might ask about:

• High school students: required grade point averages, compulsory subjects, or prerequisites for admission to your desired major.

• College and university students: transfer options, recognition of prior learning, or credit exemptions.

• Postgraduate applicants: how the institution evaluates Bachelor's degrees and work experience, as well as the specific academic requirements for each program.
  
  Fairs also give you an opportunity to ask follow-up questions about areas such as credit recognition, application timing and available study pathways.
  
  The exhibition also offers an opportunity to ask questions regarding:

• How your high school or university GPA translates to the institution's grading system.
  

• Whether qualifications such as a Diploma or Associate Degree from Vietnam are recognized for advanced standing (shortening the duration of a Bachelor's degree program).
  

• Whether practical work experience can compensate for your GPA when applying for a Master's program.
  

• Whether the timing of receiving your provisional graduation certificate in Vietnam allows for enrollment in the July or September intake.
  
  University representatives may not be able to guarantee an outcome on the spot, but they can explain how qualifications are assessed and what alternatives may be available if you do not meet direct-entry requirements.
  

3. Compare similar courses more easily

Course names can sound identical across universities while hiding meaningful differences. At a study abroad fair, you can ask the same question at several booths and compare answers directly.

Students can compare:

Core modules and available specialisations

Course duration and structure

Internships, placements or industry projects

Teaching and assessment methods

Professional accreditation

Career pathways after graduation

For example, two computer science programmes might both cover artificial intelligence, but one may offer a stronger focus on cybersecurity and industry placements while another focuses more heavily on AI research projects.

Speaking with university representatives can help you understand these distinctions without relying only on course descriptions.

4. Understand scholarships, fees and overall costs

Understanding the full cost of overseas education is an important part of comparing study options. Students and parents can ask university representatives about tuition fees for specific programmes, accommodation costs, deposits and estimated living expenses.

You can also ask which scholarships may be relevant to you, how eligibility is assessed, whether a separate application is required and what deadlines apply. Scholarship availability and eligibility vary by university and course, so confirm the details directly with the institution.

After the fair, compare the overall cost of your shortlisted options. Consider tuition fees alongside course duration, accommodation, everyday living expenses and travel, as these can significantly affect the total amount you may need to budget.

5. Understand what studying and living overseas could actually be like

Course information is only one part of choosing where to study. You may also want to understand what daily life could be like in another country.

• At a study abroad fair, you can ask about:
  

• On-campus and off-campus accommodation
  

• International student support and orientation programmes
  

• Campus and city life, clubs and societies
  

• Academic support services
  

• Wellbeing and mental health services
  

• Transport and getting around
  

• Adjusting to a different climate, food and culture
  
  Depending on the event programme, there may also be information sessions covering practical aspects of studying overseas. Parents can use the opportunity to ask about areas such as accommodation, healthcare, safety and student support.
  

6. Understand the application process and your next steps

A fair can help turn general interest into a concrete plan. Students can clarify application timelines, required documents, English language requirements such as IELTS, scholarship deadlines and available intakes.

The aim is to leave with a clearer idea of what you need to do next, whether that's checking your eligibility, gathering documents, completing an English language test or preparing an application.

Planning to attend? Read our guide on how to prepare for a study abroad fair, including what to bring and questions to ask.

7. Discover options you hadn't considered

Many students arrive at a fair with a shortlist of well-known universities or destinations. Through conversations, you may discover other options that you had not previously considered, such as a related major, a combined degree, a pathway programme or a different campus location.

The benefit is expanding the range of realistic choices that match your academic background and interests, rather than necessarily finding a “better” university.

University representatives may also be able to suggest courses or study options based on the information you share about your academic background and goals.

Online research is useful for finding published information, while a study abroad fair gives you the opportunity to ask how that information applies to your circumstances and compare options through direct conversations. 

The two approaches complement each other: research online before the fair, clarify and compare at the fair, then verify details and shortlist afterwards. 

Study abroad fairs can be useful for people at different stages of their education and study-abroad journey. 

• High school students exploring Bachelor's degree programs, majors, and admission requirements

• College or university students interested in transfer opportunities, credit recognition, or continuing their studies abroad

• Students nearing graduation or recent university graduates considering postgraduate programs
  Working professionals looking to pursue a Master's degree or enhance their professional expertise

• Parents seeking information on tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, and student support services

You do not need to have selected a university, course or destination before attending. A fair can be useful both when you're starting your research and when you're closer to making a decision. 

A study abroad fair is particularly useful when you have several options to compare or questions that general online research has not answered. Consider attending if: 

• You are deciding between universities or destinations and want to compare them efficiently 

• Similar courses are difficult to distinguish based on website descriptions alone 

• You are unsure how your qualification will be assessed by overseas universities 

• You want to understand scholarship opportunities and the overall cost of studying abroad 

• You are just starting your research and are not sure which options to explore 

• You are getting ready to apply and have final questions about the application process 

The more specific your questions become, the more useful a direct conversation with a university representative may be.

Students and parents are discussing their questions with school representatives at the international study abroad fair.

At an IDP Vietnam Study Abroad Education Fair, students can meet representatives from participating universities across countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. IDP counsellors are available to help interpret and compare information from different booths, and the event may include seminars tailored to Vietnamn students and parents. 

To get a sense of what past events have looked like, see highlights from past IDP Vietnam Study Abroad Education Fairs. 

Planning to attend? Check which universities will be there, identify the ones you most want to speak with and prepare a few questions before you go. Having relevant academic information available may also help you ask more specific questions. 

For a complete checklist, including what to bring and questions to ask, read our guide on how to prepare for a study abroad fair.

If you're considering studying overseas and would like to speak with universities directly, explore the next IDP Vietnam Study Abroad Education Fair. Check the current event details, participating universities and programme before you attend. 

Explore the next IDP Vietnam Study Abroad Education Fair