So, you’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree, but you’re not going to stop there? If so, you may wish to pursue graduate study abroad. In most cases, this is the right choice because a master’s degree abroad is considered evidence of a complete higher education.
What does a Master’s degree abroad give? Firstly, in-depth knowledge and valuable experience in the specialty. Secondly, a diploma allows you to get a better-paid job in any country.
It’s easy to get a master’s degree abroad, but it’s important to follow all the requirements and carefully choose your program and university. After all, this is the degree you will later rely on in your professional or academic career.
Applying to a master’s program at a foreign university consists of the following 6 simple steps.
Choose a major and program.
By the time they enroll in a master’s program in Europe or America, most students already understand exactly what they want to study and why. Usually, choosing a master’s degree becomes an essential step to building a dream career in a specific field.
The first step is to decide on the specialty and the appropriate curriculum. It is worth it no later than a year before the expected start of training in the Master’s program.
There are three main types of programs available to students at the Master’s level abroad:
- Master of Arts (MA) – a Master of Arts degree, usually in the humanities, arts, design, etc.
- Master of Science (MSc) – Master of Science degree, usually in science, engineering, technology, etc.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – A master’s degree in business administration, specializing in various business disciplines.
- Some colleges also offer a Master of Research (MRes) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil), which lead to further study in doctoral programs.
While the academic programs have a broader profile and are a logical continuation of an undergraduate degree, the research programs involve work on a research project. They are suitable for students who are preparing for an academic career. (Ultram)
It is also worth noting that the length of study in Master’s programs may vary depending on both the institution and the country of study. Thus, in Great Britain and most foreign countries, which adopted the British model of education, the standard duration of a Master’s program is 1 year, but in America, the study in Master’s programs usually lasts 2 years.
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Find the right university.
Once you have decided on your major and the appropriate type of Master’s program, you can proceed to choose a university abroad.
When choosing a foreign university to study for a master’s degree, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- general rating of the university
- rating of the program of Master’s degree program that you are interested in
- experience and reputation of the teachers (including expertise in scientific work, research, and publications)
- the research potential of the university and the availability of modern possibilities for research work
- duration of the graduate programs
- cost of master programs
- availability of scholarships and grants for international Master’s students
- additional opportunities for students (internships, exchange study, cooperation with famous scientists, etc.)
You can also explore universities’ social networks and interact with students to learn more about the educational process and student life.
Also, consider the city and country where the university is located. In some instances, the location of your graduate school may play an important role. For example, the universities and research centers in the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Australia now have the most significant research potential. The best MBA programs are traditionally offered in America, and the best creative programs are traditionally offered in Europe.
Learn about admission requirements and deadlines.
Once a university and program of study have been chosen, you should look carefully at all of the program’s admission requirements.
Typically, to be admitted to a graduate program, you must:
- have a bachelor’s degree
- have a certificate of proficiency in English
- pass additional examinations (for some countries)
- work experience (usually for MBA admissions)
You can find out about the program’s admission requirements you are interested in on the University website.
Gathering documents for admission to graduate programs can be time-consuming, so it is important to find out in advance about the deadlines for applying to universities. Deadlines usually vary from institution to institution or from country to country.
For example, the deadline for graduate applications to universities in Australia or New Zealand is usually late October or early November (since the first semester begins in February). In the U.K., the application period for graduate programs usually extends to June or even July, and in North America, universities can set their deadlines. Some U.S. and European universities even accept graduate admissions applications all year round!
You can also find out about application deadlines on the university website. However, we strongly recommend that all international students apply to universities as early as possible to ensure their successful enrollment in the program.
Take exams and assemble documents.
In most cases, your graduate admissions package looks like this:
- a completed admissions form (provided in the admissions section of the universities’ websites when you apply directly to the institution)
- copy of international passport
- bachelor’s degree
- transcript of baccalaureate grades
- certificate of language examination
- certificate of passing additional examinations
- motivation essay
- student resume
- letters of recommendation
- project of future research work (for admission to some research programs)
- art portfolio (for admission to creative programs)
This list may vary from institution to institution. A complete list of graduate admission documents can be found on the institution’s website.
Language test. To study for a master’s degree abroad in English, you must take the IELTS or TOEFL language test. This proves that you know English at the level required to study that language. Each university itself determines the passing score for the language exam. For example, the estimated average passing score on the IELTS for undergraduate programs is 6.5
Additional Exams. Certificates from the following exams may be required for admission to a master’s program abroad:
- GRE, a common standardized exam for access to a variety of programs
- GMAT – Test for access to business schools
- MCAT – medical school admission test
- LSAT – test for access to law schools
The LSAT is usually required for admission to graduate programs in the United States, but it may be a requirement for other countries.
A motivational essay. Experts are unanimous in saying that a competent motivational essay is essential to success when applying to graduate schools. After all, many more students will be applying simultaneously as you, and a great essay will help you stand out from them. If you’re having trouble preparing a motivational letter or want to save time, use this paperhelp.org promo code and use the services of professional essay writers.
Another critical component of success in graduate school admissions is letters of recommendation. Usually, universities require 2-3 letters of recommendation. You can get them from professors from your last place of study or, in some cases, from your employer.
Note that students are also asked to provide proof of work experience or an admissions interview in some cases. This requirement is especially true for admission to MBA programs abroad.
Apply for admission.
The package of admissions documents you have collected must be submitted to the university with the specified deadline in mind.
There are three ways to apply to a graduate program:
- directly to the university in an online format
- directly to the university by regular mail or through a representative of the university
- through a centralized admissions system
How you apply to a university depends on the institution you select. Currently, most institutions can apply directly online.
Some countries also have centralized application systems. With their help, international students can submit online admission documents to several countries’ educational institutions at once. For example, it is possible to apply for a master’s degree at several universities directly and through the UCAS system.
Apply for your student visa.
If the university reviews your application and decides to accept you, it will send you a letter of acceptance and an invitation to enroll. You may apply for a student visa for your country of study based on your acceptance. Without this visa, international students have no right to study abroad.
It is recommended that you apply for a student visa 2-3 months before starting your Master’s degree program. The period and cost of visa registration depend on the country of study.
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