Study Abroad

Step-by-step process on how to bag a master’s degree abroad

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Liberty Okechukwu
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Do you want to study abroad for your Masters, but you’re not sure what it entails? Admittedly, the entire procedure may appear a little challenging. But in no time at all, you’ll be studying for a Master’s degree abroad if you know exactly what has to be done and how to get everything ready. Here is our in-depth, step-by-step process on how to bag a master’s degree abroad.

Now let’s get started!

1. Decide how much you wish to spend on your masters education.

Studying overseas may be thrilling, demanding, empowering, and transformative—but it’s also not exactly inexpensive. Naturally, some study locations are more reasonably priced than others, but it’s wise to establish your budget early on.

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree tuition costs vary greatly, but there is always a choice to fit every budget.

The cost of master’s degrees

  • Masters programs that run from 0 to 5,000 dollars a year
  • Masters programs that go from $5,000 to $10,000 a year
  • Masters programs that go from $10,000 to $20,000 a year
  • Masters programs exceeding 20,000 Dollars annually

Remember to factor in living expenses as well. Spending ranges from $300 to more than $1,000 a month, depending on the city and nation in which you choose to reside.

Note that: 148 Masters Scholarships in the UK for International Students (+Fully Funded) 2024

  • The United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Singapore are a few of the nations with the highest tuition costs.
  • One option to pay for your school is using student loans, but don’t apply for one too soon.
  • Though it is simply part-time, working while you study can make you feel more stressed. If you choose to do this, be sure to abide by the laws and guidelines, as international students are often only permitted to work a certain number of hours per week in many different countries.
  • International students can obtain a free degree from any public university in Germany or Norway, regardless of their country.
  • The majority of public universities in France and Austria provide study programs to all international students for less than 2,500 dollars annually.

Read Also: 15 Masters Degrees That Pay the Highest Salaries

2. Choose a subject to study.

Some people have known since they were very young what they wanted to become. Others learn later, in their high school years. However, weeks before submitting an application for degree-level coursework, for some people, the choice is still unclear.

You can always go with one of the most well-liked academic fields. This frequently ensures that you will command a high income and be in high demand on the job market. However, it’s not always the best idea to study something you dislike merely for financial gain. In light of this, the following are a few of the most well-liked disciplines:

  • Business and Management
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Engineering  
  • Law  
  • Medicine  
  • International Relations  
  • Psychology  

Read Also: Most popular Master’s program in the UK

3. Choose the location of your studies.

Your desired overseas destination greatly depends on your preferred discipline and financial situation. However, before deciding on one nation over another, there are additional things to take into account. The following queries and recommendations should assist you in focusing your search:

  • Would you be open to studying in a nation where not everyone speaks English?
  • Would you like to work while you are a student? If so, find out which nations offer the best conditions for foreign students.
  • To what extent do you value your social life and extracurricular activities?
  • Which would you prefer—a tranquil town or a large city?
  • Will you be commuting to your university by car?
  • Are you interested in studying in a nation that is not too far from your home country?
  • Do you enjoy taking trips? If so, choose a nation with a wealth of contacts and prospects in this field.
  • Try deciding on two or three perfect locations. Next, begin weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each.

You may not have complete control over your ultimate decision if you apply to universities across international borders. Assume you sent applications to colleges in Germany, Finland, and the UK. But even though Finland was your dream destination, only those in the UK accepted you.

4. Select and contrast the study programs that you find most appealing.

You’ve arrived at the stage where you are certain of the location and academic field you want to attend. Well done! Which academic course should you pick today, though? In the same discipline, each university provides one or more study programs.

Every program has a distinct curriculum and a range of learning objectives. You must exercise extreme caution while making your decision; you don’t want to discover midway through your first academic year that you’ve enrolled in the incorrect degree.

The easiest approach to preventing this is to refer to the course list or program summary constantly. Find out what and how you’ll study. Certain degrees place more of an emphasis on theory than on practice. Do you have inquiries? Never be afraid to get in touch with the college. A representative ought to be delighted to assist you.

Other elements to consider are:

  • Study time: most bachelor’s degrees require three or four years to finish; however, master’s degrees only need one or two years. Still, there are some exceptions! Studying in highly specialized fields can take five or even six years. This will raise your costs as well, so keep that in mind.
  • Both full-time and part-time study approaches have advantages; part-time study lets you handle other commitments and side projects. Studying full-time will save you time and let you take advantage of everything the campus has to offer.

Read Also: These 5 STEM Skills are Needed in Ireland- Apply now

5. Apply to several colleges.

Applying to more than one university is a good idea, even if you have excellent marks and a strong motivation letter or essay. It’s possible that you’ll be approved, but what will you do if not? That’s the reason you ought to apply to at least two or three universities.

You can apply to more than that, but bear in mind that foreign students are only able to apply to a certain number of universities in some countries.

While choosing universities from several different nations is a popular practice among students, applying to higher education schools within the same nation facilitates the procedure. Just be sure to thoroughly study the entry requirements and adhere to the protocol.

  • Certain nations have a centralized application process that allows you to apply to numerous universities.
  • You will have to submit a separate application to each university in other countries.
  • Certain universities just require digital versions of your transcripts.
  • Others need you to send them hard copies via postal mail and digital scans.

We suggest the following overseas universities:

  • University of California, Berkeley, the US
  • University of Toronto, Canada
  • Imperial College London, the UK
  • University of Cologne, Germany

Read Also: World Economic Forum Top 10 Skills

6. Pass the language test in English if you haven’t before.

In order to enroll in an English-taught program at a foreign institution, you must first show that you are proficient in the language. One of the following English language credentials is typically accepted by universities:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL iBT
  • PTE Academic
  • C1 Advanced

One of these exams must be completed before you may enroll in university. With just a few days or weeks of preparation, you could be able to pass an exam, depending on your current English proficiency. But if you need to work on your English, give yourself at least a few months to get ready.

Exams for international English assess four primary skills:

  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading

Every exam is different in terms of format, but tasks include writing letters and essays, answering multiple-choice questions, listening to speakers with different accents, answering questions based on various texts, and many other tasks.

7. Apply for financial aid.

This stage relates to a portion of the university application process as well as your budget. How come? because applying for a scholarship can sometimes be done at the same time as applying to universities. In other cases, you apply for the scholarship later on or following the confirmation of your enrollment.

You should be aware that there are various kinds of financial assistance programs available.

  • scholarships
  • grant
  • student loans

While some of them, like student loans, need repayment, others do not. You must fulfill the prerequisites for the application. Additionally, there are many different requirements.

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8. Once you have received the letter from the institution, confirm your reservation.

This is by far the most gratifying and pleasurable step. You’ve chosen the perfect program, done your homework, and applied, and now you’ve heard from the institution saying you’ve been admitted!

Well done! You’re about to become an international student in no time! What would happen, though, if you were accepted to several universities?

You’ll have to carefully consider your options and make a choice. It’s simple if you already have a favorite. If not, take your time responding right away. To make the best decision, give yourself at least two or three days to think things out.

Subsequently, ensure that the university receives the confirmation by sending it there. You could be required to send more paperwork or official copies at any point during or after this process.

9. If necessary, apply for a student visa.

Not every student traveling overseas has to apply for a visa. If you do, though, be sure you do your homework. The process of getting a visa requires a lot of paperwork, and it may take several weeks or even months to process! For this reason, you ought to apply as soon as possible to ensure that your studies abroad won’t start later than planned.

If you’re an EU/EEA student enrolling in an EU/EEA university, if you already reside in an EU/EEA nation, you won’t require a visa to study there.

Apart from a few instances, you will require a visa for all other cases. Here are a few instances:

  • you’ll need a visa to study in Canada
  • you’ll need a visa to study in the US
  • you’ll need a visa to study in China
  • you’ll need a visa to study in Australia
  • you’ll need a visa to study in the UK

The key piece of advice in this case is to find out as soon as possible whether you require a visa and how long it will take to obtain one. Next, apply for a visa in accordance with the start date of your studies to ensure that it will arrive on time.

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Do you want to study abroad? Note that obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field helps to improve your chances in the labor market. Studying abroad is no joke for international students due to the cost. However, you can achieve your dreams without breaking the bank by applying for student loans, which you can pay for as long as 10 years. 

MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. Reach out to us today, and let’s help you get started. 

Read Also:

30 Free Accounting Online Courses to Boost Your Accounting Skills

These 5 STEM Skills are Needed in China – Apply now

These 5 STEM Skills are in Short Supply in Canada

Author

  • Okechukwu Liberty is a graduate of Mass Communication and a content writer for AfterSchoolAfrica. He is dedicated to researching scholarship and empowerment opportunities for students looking to study abroad. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and taking long walks with friends.

    Content Research Writer

This post was last modified on November 3, 2023 2:50 pm

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