Studying abroad can be a very interesting experience wherever you go. But if you want to maximize your opportunities and get the most out of your experience, it is imperative to make an informed decision about where to study.

There are many resources to help you make the right decision, and below are all the factors you should consider.

University Ranking
Ratings shouldn't be the sole basis of your decision, but there are many good reasons to use them as a starting point.

World university rankings Times Higher Education provide the most reliable indication of the quality of teaching, research, innovation and global perspectives of the best universities in the world (more can be found h ere ). If you are looking for a premium academic experience, then a top-rated university is a solid bet. You can also highlight the top universities in your chosen subject using the relevant subject rankings.

Moreover, the reputation of being the best university opens doors to opportunities that would not otherwise be available. At the end of your course, getting a job in the country you come to is not always easy. Fair or not, employers are sometimes more willing to sponsor visas for those who graduate from the best university.

After the UK canceled a post-graduate work visa in 2012, students from non-European Union countries could no longer automatically work in the UK for two years after graduation. Employers are more likely to only hire foreign graduates from top universities, according to one recent Oxford University graduate from India who is now working in finance in London.

There are also scholarships for study abroad that are only available to students from top universities. For example, South Korean students may be eligible for a scholarship if they study at the top 100 universities, and Albanian students may receive a full scholarship from the government to study at a top 15 university.

Rankings can also provide information about another decision factor: the international environment on campus. As an international student, you will want to integrate as much as possible into the new foreign culture. It's much easier when there are already a significant number of international students on campus, as it provides an open, tolerant and diverse environment, according to Bruce Rayton, associate dean for postgraduate programs at the University of Bath.

He says: "The experience is made for everyone here on campus because we enrich the university community and provide a set of experiences, examples and cultural perspectives that we simply would not have received otherwise."

There is no easy way to choose which university is right for your specific needs, so you shouldn't base your decision on ratings and reputation alone. Here are some other factors to consider.