Master's programs abroad for foreign students

Today, universities abroad can offer applicants from all over the world a wide variety of master's programs abroad - everyone can find a specialty and profile to their liking. Since the Bologna system of education, which involves two levels of higher education, has been adopted, there are two ways to enter a master's program abroad: to complete a bachelor's degree in your country and continue studying under any master's program abroad, or immediately enter foreign university for 2 degrees at once. If you want to understand how to do this and what you need to do - just read this article.

In a modern, dynamic world, universities offer students from around the world a variety of master's programs abroad. A master's degree abroad is the same quality mark as almost any education received abroad. The completion of a master's program abroad means, first of all, the highest professional education of a student, including not only theoretical aspects of education, but also practical ones. Graduate students abroad can start their professional career as a specialist with work experience already gained in a certain amount immediately after the completion of the master's program abroad. It goes without saying that the diploma of graduation from the vast majority of foreign universities is of high value in the international labor market, which provides great opportunities and advantages when choosing a career.

It is the prestige and relevance of the magistracy abroad that attracts more and more applicants every year: a master's degree diploma gives a tangible competitive advantage in employment, and also means the candidate’s high professionalism.

The specialists of SMAPSE educational agency will help you choose the most suitable master's program abroad for a high-quality and prestigious education, tell about the specifics of studying in a foreign master's program, various educational programs of a master's program abroad, which will allow you to find all the necessary information in one place and avoid unnecessary problems.

Master abroad - features of study for foreign applicants 

The completion of any master's program abroad allows undergraduate students to obtain a master's degree - the academic level immediately following the bachelor. Today, the vast majority of bachelors from around the world do not represent complete higher education without a master's degree. Despite the fact that a bachelor's degree is already a complete higher education, a magistracy allows you to achieve greater deepening of knowledge, gain practical skills in the learning process, and also focus on any specialization or field of activity, which will allow students to become professionals in their niches in the future.

As you know, there is serious competition on the international labor market, but graduate students abroad do not threaten to stay out of the fast-paced career and success, because holders of a graduate diploma abroad are highly ranked among employers from around the world. For example, in the USA, a master's program is higher education, and this degree can be obtained either in ordinary US higher education institutions or in specialized higher schools offering Master programs in law, medicine or economics / business.

And yet, despite its “optionality” in most countries of the world in terms of the completeness of higher education, master's studies abroad are very popular among applicants and students from all over the world. A master's degree is awarded after several years of study in any master's program abroad - usually lasting 1 or 2 years. There are 3 types of master's degree programs: study, research and combined, combining the features of study and research programs. For example, a Master's degree in art (Master of Arts) or Master of Science (Master of Science) is supposed to be obtained on curricula, and a Master's degree in philosophy (Master of Philosophy) - at research. However, often Master of Science involves mandatory research activities in the learning process. More details about the educational programs of the magistracy abroad will be described below.

The specifics of the master's program abroad, similarities and differences from undergraduate

Master's study programs abroad are generally similar to undergraduate studies: students attend lectures and attend seminars, and pass exams at the end of the year. As in undergraduate studies, students perform graduate work during the graduate course in the master's program. As for the research educational programs of the master's program, they provide students with much greater independence, since on such programs students work on their own educational project or are engaged in research.

Either way, both types of education graduate programs abroad requires attendance in educational buildings of universities. However, if in the case of educational programs, attendance is mandatory, then students of research educational educational master's programs can independently decide whether to attend this lesson or not, since this does not affect academic performance. And this is not surprising, because the main task of students in research programs is to complete a project or study.

Despite the rather large similarities between undergraduate and graduate programs abroad, there are significant differences. At the master's educational programs, students are especially educated in their independence and responsible attitude to research and scientific activity. Students who choose the path to obtaining a master's degree in a particular field, conduct practical research, engage in their own projects together with professors, act as assistants to professors and teachers, speak at various conferences and round tables - in short, they actively join the academic community, becoming its important part.

The main advantages of studying for master's programs abroad

Getting an education in a magistracy abroad offers several significant advantages, among which the following are especially worth noting:

• Firstly, the most significant advantage of obtaining a master’s degree abroad is the advanced education of students. Everyone can link their specialization obtained at the undergraduate level with a specialized course of the master's program abroad, which will deepen their own knowledge and skills, expand professional abilities, which, ultimately, will positively affect the demand for a specialist in the international labor market.
• Secondly, it is not necessary to choose the same specialization in the magistracy, because the student is not always satisfied with the education, or, more likely, the student would like to master 2 qualifications. To do this, you should enroll in a magistracy abroad in the desired specialty, which differs from that obtained in undergraduate studies. As a result, after graduating from a master's program abroad, a young professional will already have 2 qualifications.
• Thirdly, graduates of the overwhelming majority of educational programs of master's programs abroad have every chance to get not to the initial position in any company, but to the position of leader. One way or another, the competitive advantage provided by the diploma of the completion of the master's program abroad is quite significant.
• Finally, the completion of the master's education program is a separate stage of higher education, because graduates are awarded a separate diploma. It turns out that in 2 (less often - 3) years, the student has the opportunity to get a second higher education (especially true in the case of a choice of qualification that differs from that obtained in undergraduate studies), while the first stage takes 4 years.

It is necessary to clarify that the duration of studies at master's educational programs abroad directly depends both on the country and on a particular higher educational institution. An important role is played by the chosen specialty. For example, obtaining a master’s degree in universities in the UK can take a year, in higher education institutions in Canada - 2 years, and in the USA, education on master's programs can take from 1.5 to 4 years. Thus, it all depends on the university, the chosen educational program and the student's abilities.

As a rule, the standards of educational programs for master's programs abroad are determined by the European education system: the educational course should be from 90 to 120 credits (conventional units indicating the number of academic hours in all disciplines - ECTS).

Types of educational programs for master's programs abroad, the specifics of the process of preparing for admission and study in a master's program abroad

In the USA, as well as in most countries of the European Union, several types of undergraduate educational programs are offered to applicants from all over the world that differ in the requirements for the student's work experience.

So, in the absence of professional experience, bachelor graduates or young specialists can count on enrollment in a master's program called Post-graduate master's degree (master's program for graduates). Such educational programs are most suitable for students who have just completed a bachelor's or a specialist's degree and would like to immediately continue receiving higher education and a master's degree.

Another option for a master's degree abroad is a Business degree (Master's degree in business) or a management degree (Master's degree in management). These educational programs abroad are primarily associated with business and management, so if students see themselves in the role of leaders, then such undergraduate programs as Master of Science, Master of Arts or Master of Trade (Master of Commerce).

If the student is interested exclusively in scientific activity, then he will come up with master's programs abroad such as research master (Master of Research, Master of Arts by Research, Master of Philosophy and others. At such educational programs, students engage in their own research projects on the topic of their chosen specialization. After graduation from the undergraduate program, students continue to receive education, but already under the doctoral program. When choosing universities abroad, pay attention to the fact that not all higher education institutions offer both types of master's programs (that is, applied and research).

Perhaps the most prestigious and sought-after area of study at a master's program abroad is the MBA (Master of Business Administration, or master's program in business administration). As for this type of master's program abroad, it is designed primarily for young professionals, as well as for people with significant experience in the relevant field (from 2-3 years) who would like to deepen their knowledge both in terms of theory and obtaining new professional experience. It is worth noting that companies from all over the world send their employees to study in this area. Among the students can be noted high-level managers, top managers, directors and supervisors, as well as ordinary employees. The master 's MBA educational program allows you to significantly expand the scope of competencies, regardless of the degree of professionalism: even experienced specialists will be able to completely advance further in mastering their own or related specialties.

A distinctive feature of master's programs abroad in MBA is the need to pass the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) entrance exam - a special test designed to determine the abilities and potential of applicants to study directly in specialized business schools. Preparation for this exam should be started well in advance, as it has much more specific features than the same IELTS or TOEFL .

Features of admission to master's programs abroad - requirements and necessary documents

When considering the features of the process of entering a magistracy abroad, it is important to emphasize that each institution of higher education may have its own list of requirements for an applicant and a list of necessary documents - it is worth clarifying this issue additionally after the final choice of an educational institution. One way or another, a certain list of documents that are required when entering a master's program at any university in the world exists and includes the following items:

• Firstly, the basic and paramount requirement for applicants of master's degree programs abroad is the obligatory knowledge of a foreign language (which one depends on the program itself) at a high level. To date, the vast majority of master's programs abroad are offered in English with duplication into any other foreign language. In addition, English is an international language, so mastering it at a high level will never hurt, but rather will provide an additional competitive advantage. To confirm the level of knowledge of a foreign language, you will need to pass an international language exam (IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, etc.).
• Secondly, to study under the master's program abroad, you must first finish your undergraduate studies - this requirement is valid in foreign universities. The fact is that magistracy is the second stage of higher education: it is logical that you must first finish the first. 
• Thirdly, in order to successfully enroll in a chosen master's program abroad, an applicant needs to have a fairly high average mark in a bachelor’s diploma. Abroad, competition in admission to educational institutions of any level can astonish you, only the most capable students are selected at the most prestigious and elite universities. Moreover, the competition is higher, the more prestigious the educational institution and specialty. The notorious “red diploma” can play a role, giving you a certain advantage.
• Fourth, letters of recommendation from 2 to 3 teachers (employers) with a detailed assessment of the abilities and skills of the applicant, the disclosure of his personal qualities and potential will be required.
• Fifth, the applicant himself must write a motivation letter in which he needs to tell in detail about himself and describe his goals both in the field of education and from the point of view of his career. Judging by the name, the applicant, of course, must demonstrate his motivation, a high interest in studying in a magistracy abroad.

Some higher educational institutions accept applications for admission through the official website, which allows you to pre-compile lists of applicants. Subsequently, applicants send scans of documents through a personal account on the university’s website - it’s very convenient, because in this case you do not need to go abroad until the moment of direct enrollment. Originals of documents can be sent either by mail or brought personally after receiving news about the successful completion of all stages of receipt.

It should also be noted that abroad it is customary to send applications for admission to several higher educational institutions at the same time (from 5 to 7 different universities depending on the country), which allows an applicant to increase his chances of enrolling in a master's program abroad. The best option would be to leave a request immediately at all universities offering your specialization. Thus, in any case, you will have emergency options in case of refusal at the institution you wish to do.

In addition, the process of collecting the entire package of necessary documents, as well as correspondence with the university, can take from several months to six months. Therefore, you should start these processes in advance, at least 6-9 months before the expected start date of the school year.

Finally, in order to guarantee admission to the desired master's program abroad at the preferred university, it is necessary to preliminarily take pre-masters preparatory courses, in which applicants are specially educated for the specific requirements of a particular university.

Tuition fees of receiving an education in a magistracy abroad

Perhaps the vast majority of people thinking about education abroad have the impression that secondary or higher education abroad is available exclusively to wealthy and wealthy people. Of course, in many countries, master's programs even in not the most eminent and prestigious higher education institutions will cost a round sum, but today the field of foreign education has become so popular and developed that universities around the world offer a wide selection of educational programs for applicants with almost any income. In addition, various programs of financial support for students from abroad receive enormous development every year, including grants, scholarships, discounts on tuition, etc.

The cost of education in a magistracy abroad directly depends on a particular country, the standard of living in it, as well as on the prestige of the university. For example, the most expensive countries for higher education are the United Kingdom and the USA, Australia and Canada, some countries of the European Union, such as Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Educational undergraduate programs in these countries will cost you from 15,000 $  to 25,000 $, depending on the chosen specialization and the specifics of education. Moreover, this amount, as a rule, includes only the educational program itself, that is, for accommodation, meals, etc. you must pay separately. More accessible countries for applicants for master's programs abroad are the countries of Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia), South Korea, countries of Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Poland) and others - education in these countries will require from 5,000 $ to 10,000 $ for academic year.

It should be noted that in some countries there are programs to support foreign applicants. So, in Germany, foreign students can get a master's degree free of charge when studying at a public higher school, or get a substantial discount. At the same time, for foreign students and citizens of the country, the same rules apply.

In addition to the cost of the educational program itself, graduate students abroad must also take into account transportation costs (air tickets, transfers), the cost of accommodation for the duration of the education, meals and other current expenses. Do not forget about the cost of a student visa - in each country there is a specificity of its registration and cost. You can see the approximate cost of education in different countries in the table below:

In order to get a free consultation on the possibilities of studying for master's programs abroad from SMAPSE experts, just leave a request at the bottom of this page. SMAPSE experts have extensive experience in the field of foreign education and are ready to answer all your questions at any time convenient for you. Master's program abroad is effective, affordable and prestigious, do not put off your future for later!