International Graduate Schools
Consider Your Motivation
All master’s degree programs and destinations are not created equal. You should seek out a location that compliments your field of interest or that highly correlates to your end goals and objectives for earning a master's degree abroad. Do you want to study under famous professors and researchers in your field? Do you want to start creating a network in a city you'd love to permanently live and work in someday? Do you want to have physical access to special historical collections?
Earning a master's degree abroad will expand your general knowledge of the world on top of your specialty subject. Part of earning your degree abroad is growing accustomed to unfamiliar ways of thinking, learning and studying.
Select a Program Structure
When entering the world of master's degrees abroad, one easy way to quickly eliminate unsuitable degree programs is to decide if you prefer a research-oriented degree or a teaching, or "taught," degree. A research degree typically takes one to two years to complete and doubles as a first step toward earning a PhD. To enroll in a research master's degree program abroad, students typically need to submit a research proposal linked to their strong academic background in a specific subject. If you've already done a bit of research as part of your undergraduate work, this may be the best fit for you. When choosing a master's degree program abroad, do some research to ensure you know all of the types of degree program options available to foreign students.
Pick a Location
While the location of your degree program is highly personal and usually attached to your area of study, here are a few popular locations to earn a master's degree abroad.
Consider the Costs
The cost and availability of your master's degree program abroad will vary significantly based on the location, area of study, local cost of living and the lifestyle you choose to live. In many cases, earning a degree abroad can actually end up costing a fraction of the amount it would in your home country. Many universities around the world offer a number of master's degree programs for international students. Don't be too afraid to consider countries where English is not the native language or a national language, though, because master's degree programs at universities in Italy, Spain, Japan and Brazil are most definitely excellent options!
Reap the Benefits
From a hiring standpoint, employers are increasingly looking to recruit new hires that embody a number of skills that can be learned while living and earning a degree abroad. Initiative, willingness to take risks, ability to function in a multicultural environment and independence are all highly sought-after characteristics among many different types of hiring firms.