Study sociology abroad

What awaits a school student abroad and what are the prospects for students entering foreign universities? Consider the main features of studying sociology abroad:

1. Profession and specialization in the framework of sociological education

Sociology is an extensive area that prepares future specialists for working with society and for the benefit of society. A direct list of disciplines depends on the chosen specialization - in general, graduates of foreign sociological faculties can work in one of the following professions:

• Sociologist
• Psychologist
• Philologist
• Consultant and Human Resources Specialist
• Political scientist
• Journalist
• Anthropologist
• Historian
• Economist
• Lawyer
• Teacher
• Culturologist
• Media Worker.

2. Features of studying in foreign universities for foreign students 

Sociological education in the general sense has a humanitarian focus, involves the study of a large number of disciplines, the implementation of a large project and individual work. In order for students to learn to perceive social processes and analyze them correctly, they study many disciplines. Most students on undergraduate courses prefer fundamental general education, while the graduate programs are applied and private. Duration of undergraduate studies is 3-4 years, Master's programs are 1-2 years.

3. Directions within the framework of social science education

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Economy
• Social work
• Security
• Ethnography
• Media and Communications
• Anthropology
• Journalism
• Political science.

4. Education options for international students - admission to a university abroad after school

Admission to a university abroad after school is a fairly common trend, however, it should be borne in mind that not all universities in Europe and the USA accept foreign students right after school. The fact is that in many countries, children attend school for a year or two longer, which makes schoolchildren’s preparation in European countries much deeper.

Moreover, those students who decided to enter a university have studied only specialized subjects at the level of the first university of the university for the last two years. For foreign students  special programs have been developed that will help fill in the existing gaps and increase the chances of admission: OxBridge Pre-U, A-Level, International Baccalaureate, Foundation, etc. But even if universities do not put forward official requirements for additional studying, it is difficult for foreign students to compete with students trained in high-quality courses. Graduation from a leading private school in Europe and the USA will allow to prepare qualitatively, improve language skills and adapt in the academic environment.

5. Admission to a foreign university by transfering from another university

Transfer from a domestic university is another option that will make up for the difference in educational systems. However, as a rule, students from abroad will be able to enroll only in the first year, that is, courses taken in their native country are not taken into account. 

6. Master's programs

To enter a magistracy abroad you need to have a diploma of higher education. Typically, master courses are chosen by those students who have realized the need to deepen their knowledge, seek retraining and a career elevator. A Master's degree will help to obtain a narrower and deeper specialization or to plunge into the research and management field. At the end of the Master's program, all students are awarded the Master of Arts degree.

5. The cost of training

The price range is quite wide, the cost depends directly on the country and the university program. Prestigious education, which is considered to be elite, can be obtained at top universities in the the UK, Switzerland or France, the USA and Canada is no less popular and expensive. More acceptable options can be found in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

6. Financial support for students.

The most popular scholarship programs for foreigners are Psi Chi and the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation Dissertation Award for Public Policy. About 400 thousand US dollars are allocated annually in international funds for students with high academic performance or who need financial support.

The popular publication Times Higher Education has published Best Educational Institutions for Studying Social Sciences Ranking. The ranking includes 666 higher schools from Europe, Australia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. TOP-10 included 3 universities from the UK, while the majority - universities from the United States.

TOP-5 best universities

1. University of Oxford

The most famous faculties in Oxford are Economics, Philosophy and Political Science. A huge number of prominent politicians and public figures received a sociological education here, including a large number of British prime ministers. In addition to the faculties of economics, philosophy and political science, the university has Bachelor's programs in geography, archeology, anthropology, and jurisprudence.

2. Stanford University

The main directions are anthropology, communications, economics, political sciences, psychology and sociology. Most faculties are multidisciplinary, including the study of the foundations of democracy, ideology, political methodology, theory and many other areas.

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The university offers a wide range of programs in the framework of the study of social sciences. Students take an active part in solving the problems of society and offer their own solutions to the challenges of the time.

4. Harvard University

Education at Harvard can be obtained in a large number of areas: economics, government, sociology, gender, psychology. Lectures, seminars and master classes at the university are conducted by invited teachers, outstanding personalities.

5. Princeton University

The university has a lot of competition and only 10% of applicants usually manage to enter the Princeton faculties. The most famous university students are American presidents, James Madison, Woodrow Wilson and ex-first lady of the country Michelle Obama.

Already at the stage of secondary education, more and more students are striving to receive specialized education. In this case, studying and living in a private boarding school in Europe will be a great start in the life of a child: during his school years he will be able to master English, get comfortable in a foreign environment and receive a prestigious foreign certificate.

Most of the leading academic programs - GCSE, A-Level, International Baccalaureate, Foundation - have specialized areas, which means that a student get a wide list of disciplines for study.