Many people believe that a master's degree abroad is an unattainable dream, but this is far from the case. Let's try to figure it out.

Choosing a European country for admission to a master's program

Czech Republic

One of the countries where the largest number of students from the CIS is concentrated. You can get a master's degree at a Czech university absolutely free, provided you have perfect knowledge of the Czech language. To enter, you must pass an exam in your specialty.

Poland

The country provides free education opportunities for foreign students. To enter, you must have a bachelor's degree. Many Polish educational institutions cooperate with the program Erasmus Mundus, one of the most famous and popular student exchange programs.

Germany

To enter the master's program, you must pass an exam in German. It is also mandatory to take preparatory courses. At universities in Germany, foreign tourists are charged a fee for using the gym, library, and so on.

Norway

There are a huge number of programs for international students in this country. All of them are in English. When enrolling in a master's program, a fee of about 1,500 euros is required.

Greece

Free education is provided by state universities. Some universities may require an application fee. Its amount is much less than in Norway and is about 700 euros. International students pay their own accommodation, food and other expenses.

Study programs for international students

Today, there are many scholarship programs that partially or fully cover the cost of room and board while studying for a master's degree. The main ones:

1. Erasmus Mundus– one of the best student programs. Covers all expenses for accommodation, food and graduate studies. But this program has its drawbacks: in most cases, the student cannot choose a university on his own.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship for Developing Countries- one of the most famous and popular scholarship programs. Applies to master's programs only at British universities. Provides coverage of all undergraduate expenses.

Documents for admission to master's programs at European universities

As a rule, all universities have standard set of documents, but each educational institution needs to clarify the list. The main documents include:

• Bachelor's degree diploma;
• the result of a passed test in a foreign language (requirements vary depending on the country and program of study);
• motivation letter;
• optional certificates, awards, recommendations from teachers, master's degree.

After completing a master's degree in Europe, the student will reach a new level and will have the opportunity to find a well-paid job not only in his own country, but also abroad.

Master's degree abroad– this is, first of all, an excellent opportunity to gain international experience and a diploma. While in many European countries Russians can still obtain a bachelor's degree for free, master's degrees are already paid almost everywhere. However, compared to, for example, MBA programs, the cost international master's degree relatively small. Firstly, it is quite comparable to the cost of a master’s degree in Russia, and secondly, in Europe and North America there are many opportunities to receive a grant or scholarship that covers all or part of the cost of tuition and living.

Master's in Europe

Long gone are the days when it was possible to find a master's degree in English only in countries where this language is spoken, for example, the UK. Today, the majority of master's programs in many countries of both Western and Eastern Europe are in English, which, of course, significantly expands the possibilities of choice. The number of such programs has especially increased in recent years. More than 200 English-language master's programs in countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium (in each).

Of course, when choosing a master's degree, many are guided by the cost of training. That is why it is so popular in Russia (and throughout the world) master's degree in Germany. At a state university it is almost free (costs range from 600 to 1000 euros per year), but in order to get a free place, you need to go through a fairly strict selection process, and often you need to know German. In the same price category is master's degree in Spain. Many good programs also offer master's degree in France And master's degree in England. Here, however, you will have to pay more for training - a year of study can cost from 5 thousand to 20 thousand euros. If it's expensive, then you should pay attention to master's degree in Eastern Europe, in particular master's degree in the Czech Republic, where you can get a very high-quality education at 2-3 times cheaper. Master's programs in Ukraine and Master's programs in Kazakhstan are even cheaper, but here it is more difficult to find truly high-quality international master's programs in English. It is also worth remembering that some master's programs in Europe last not two, but one or one and a half years.

You can also finance your studies through grants. The most well-known program to support students planning to study in Europe is Erasmus Mundus. DAAD Master scholarships cover the cost of study and living in Germany, Bourse Copernic scholarships support international students in France, Chevening Scholarships are intended for future students of UK master's programs.

More information about grants and scholarships to study abroad.

According to the Bologna system, a master's degree serves as a transitional step between a bachelor's degree and a doctorate degree. Therefore, for those who have chosen an academic career, enrolling in a master's program is a logical and necessary step. However, studying for a master's degree abroad has much broader bases. Here are just a few of them:

• A master's degree is highly rated in developed countries; it increases the chances of finding a well-paid job.
• You can also find a job abroad, in the country where you received your master’s degree, or in any other place. Therefore, a master's degree abroad for Russians often becomes the basis for immigration.
• Studying for a bachelor's degree helps you learn a foreign language; studying for a master's degree in another country brings your language skills to a professional level.
• The master's program develops such qualities as personal discipline, systems thinking, independent planning skills and leadership. All this is also valued by employers in all corners of the world.

The top ten countries most popular among foreign undergraduates are the USA, Canada, Great Britain and European countries. This is largely a consequence of the recognition of the high quality of Western education. On the other hand, a master's degree abroad also serves as a way to live a rich life in pleasant places, communicate with interesting people, and make useful contacts.

All of the above are not mutually exclusive reasons. Each applicant to a master's program may have several motives.

Types of master's degrees

There are only a few commonly known master's degrees. However, in fact, master's programs abroad are quite diverse. For example, there is:

• Master of Divinity (M.Div, Master of Divinity)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA, Master of Public Administration)
• Master of Arts (MA, Master of Arts)
• Master of Science (MSc, Master of Science) - exact and natural sciences
• Master of Education (M.Ed, Master of Education)
• Master of Laws (LL.M, Master of Laws)
• Master of Technical Sciences (M.Eng, Master of Engineering)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil, Master of Philosophy - intermediate level Master of Research (MRes, Master of Research), which is awarded after a year of study
• Master of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA, Master of Financial Technical Analysis)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA, Master of Business Administration)

This is not a complete list; different universities and branches of academic science have their own narrow specializations, master’s theses for which receive the status of independent degrees.

Master's degree programs abroad

Studying in all master's programs can be divided into two blocks: educational and research. Academic programs are similar to a direct continuation of a bachelor's degree. Classes follow the same mode (lectures, seminars) and end with passing exams and writing a thesis. Research studies are much closer to doctoral research activities, have little to do with a rigid academic schedule and culminate in the preparation of a master's thesis (similar to a dissertation).

The duration of master's programs varies: the duration mainly depends on the country where the study takes place. For example, a master's degree in the UK can be obtained in just 1 year, while in the USA, for a number of specializations, it takes up to 4 years. In fact, 1800 hours for the entire master's course in the UK violates the standards of the European Education System, according to which the minimum number of teaching hours should not be lower than 2250. But this does not affect the recognition of English diplomas and, moreover, they are rated at the highest level in the world.

How to enroll in a master's program abroad?

The first thing you should do if you are planning to enroll in a master's program at a foreign university is language. It is necessary to find out the exact requirements for knowledge of a foreign language for enrollment, and then learn it and pass the certificate with a margin of the minimum score. A reserve is needed because, taking into account the competition, the actual passing score may be higher, and most importantly, good knowledge of the language will significantly affect the effectiveness of learning and the quality of one’s own life in a foreign country.

When entering European and Western universities, as a rule, one language is required (English, less often French, Spanish or another). Asian universities may require two languages ​​- English and national. And if admission to a master's program abroad is formally allowed, for example, with good English - but knowledge of Chinese or Korean will be an advantage - you should take care to take advantage of the hint. Asian students are often bilingual or speak several languages. This is taken into account when screening for enrollment, when allocating grants for training, etc.

In addition to language tests, good results in:

• GMAT (The Graduate Management Admission Test) - assessment of general knowledge
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) - assessment of analytical and verbal skills

Formal entry requirements typically include:

• Having a bachelor's degree (with a grade point average of at least 4.5 on a five-point scale)
• Motivation letter (explaining personal reasons for enrolling in a master’s program in general, in a specific specialty at this university in particular)
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, supervisors and/or employers

It should be borne in mind that the presence of documents does not mean their timely delivery. Postal delivery may take longer than expected. And most importantly, copies of original documents will often not be accepted without an official translation and apostille. Therefore, it is better to start preparing the package of documents in advance.

Features of master's programs in different countries

Germany

Most German universities offer master's degrees in English - not only to foreign students, but also to native Germans.

It should be taken into account that a master's program in Germany should be a direct continuation of a bachelor's degree. Simply having a bachelor's degree does not give you the right to enter a master's program in other specialties.

Czech

Master's students can choose their study format from a maximally flexible schedule. Studying full-time, part-time, and even online is allowed. In fact, university attendance is not an important criterion. The main thing is to carry out research work, present results and pass exams.

Norway

As a rule, enrollment in a master's program is automatic. That is, it is enough to submit documents, and if they are drawn up correctly, everything is in order. No exams or tests, interviews are also rare.

A caveat: you will have to study in Norwegian.

Switzerland

Unlike Germany, where the bachelor's degree must clearly coincide with the master's program, in Switzerland, on the contrary, there are no restrictions on changing professions.

Those applicants who decide to take a significant step away from their previously obtained diploma are offered special preparatory courses (to compensate for the difference in academic preparation).

Great Britain

Despite the general standards that define the concept of "English education", specific master's programs depend much more heavily on the practice of universities. This also applies to the requirements for applicants. The ranking of a university and its internal rules are a decisive factor.

USA

Master's students at US universities can receive education 1-2 years longer than is accepted by European standards. This is partly due to the fact that future masters conduct real scientific and exploratory research, and also conduct their own projects, not just for the sake of getting grades. The ultimate goal of many student works is business and humanitarian projects.

How much does it cost to study abroad for a master's degree?

The price of a master's degree abroad varies greatly, depending on the prestige of the university and the cost of living on its campus. Price levels vary by an order of magnitude, from several thousand to several tens of thousands of dollars per year of study.

Moreover, if in Norway, for example, the cost of a master's degree is on average below 10 thousand US dollars, then this speaks exclusively of training costs. The cost of living is high, and for a year there is no need to pay for rent, food, etc. you'll have to spend more. A master's degree in Italy may cost more (about $12,000 on average), but other costs will be significantly lower.

Therefore, when comparing prices, you need to take into account the approximate total amounts - correlating them, of course, with the expected quality of education and the university rating. With this approach, it may turn out that it is profitable to study in Europe for some specialties, for others in America, and for others in Asia.

Finally, with outstanding academic success, you can apply for a master's degree abroad for free - not literally, but in the form of reimbursement by grants, some of which actually allow you to reduce study costs to zero. A few examples:

• USA, Fulbright grant. State funded. Reimburses tuition, health insurance, transportation, and also includes a monthly stipend.
• UK, Chevening Scholarships. Funded by the British Government Treasury. The grant includes payment of expenses for a visa, flights, accommodation, meals, as well as training and scientific activities.
• Sweden, Visby grant. Funded by the Swedish government. The grant pays for tuition and insurance.

Master's programs abroad today can offer applicants from all over the world a variety of master's programs abroad - everyone can find a specialty and profile to their liking. Since Russia, like most countries in the world, has adopted the Bologna education system, which involves two levels of higher education, there are two ways to enroll in a master’s degree abroad: complete a bachelor’s degree in Russia and continue studying in a master’s program abroad, or immediately enroll in foreign university to obtain two degrees at once. How to do this and what you need for this - read in this article.

In today's dynamic world, it offers students from around the world a variety of master's programs abroad. A master's degree abroad is the same mark of quality as almost any education received abroad. Completion of any master's program abroad means, first of all, the highest professional training of the student, including not only theoretical aspects of training, but also practical ones. Master's degree graduates abroad can begin professional activities as a specialist with a certain amount of work experience already obtained immediately after completing the master's program abroad. It goes without saying that the vast majority of graduates have a high value not only on the international labor market, but also in Russia, which provides enormous opportunities and advantages when choosing a career.

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

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

Master's degree abroad - features of training for applicants from Russia

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

When considering the features of the admission process, it is important to emphasize that each higher education institution may have its own list of requirements for an applicant and a list of required documents - it is worth clarifying this issue further after the final choice of the educational institution. One way or another, a certain list of documents that will definitely be required when applying to any master’s program exists and includes the following items:

• Firstly, the main and primary requirement for applicants to master's degree programs abroad is mandatory knowledge of one or another foreign language (which one depends on the program itself) at a high level. Today, the vast majority of master's degree programs abroad are offered in English with duplication into some other foreign language. In addition, English is an international language, so speaking it at a high level will never hurt, but on the contrary, will provide an additional competitive advantage. To confirm your level of proficiency in a foreign language, you will need to pass an international language exam (, etc.).
• Secondly, you must first complete a bachelor’s degree - this requirement applies not only in Russia, but also in Russia. The fact is that a master's degree is the second stage of higher education: it is logical that you must first complete the first. As a rule, Russian-style ones are recognized by higher educational institutions in European countries, however, let’s say, in the vast majority of cases, an additional compliance exam will be required due to significant differences in the educational programs of the two countries. In addition, it must be remembered that the bachelor's diploma must be officially translated into English and notarized.
• Thirdly, to successfully enroll in a chosen master's degree program abroad, an applicant must have a sufficiently high average score. Abroad, the competition for admission to educational institutions of any level can overwhelm you; the most prestigious and elite universities select only the most capable students. Moreover, the more prestigious the educational institution and specialty, the higher the competition. The notorious “honor diploma” can play a role, giving you a certain advantage.
• Fourthly, letters of recommendation from two or three teachers (employers) will be required with a detailed assessment of the applicant’s abilities and skills, revealing his personal qualities and potential.
• Fifthly, the applicant himself must write a letter of motivation, in which he must tell in detail about himself and describe his goals both in the field of education and from a career point of view. Judging by the name, the applicant, of course, must demonstrate his motivation and high interest in studying for a master's degree abroad.

Some higher education 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 their personal account on the website - very convenient, because in this case there is no need to travel abroad until the moment of immediate enrollment. Original documents can be sent either by mail or brought in person after receiving news about the successful completion of all stages of admission.

It should also be noted that abroad (as well as in Russia) it is customary to send applications for admission to several higher educational institutions simultaneously (from 5 to 7 different universities depending on the country), which allows the applicant to increase his chances of being admitted to. The best option would be to apply immediately to all universities offering the specialization you are interested in. Thus, in any case, you will have backup options in case of refusal at the educational institution that is most desirable for you.

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, these processes should be started well in advance, at least 6-9 months before the expected start date of the school year.

Finally, in order to be guaranteed admission to the desired master's program abroad at the preferred university, it is necessary to first complete pre-masters courses, in which applicants are specially prepared for the specific requirements of one or another.

The cost of obtaining a master's degree abroad

Perhaps the overwhelming majority of people thinking about education abroad are under the impression that secondary or higher education abroad is available exclusively to rich and wealthy people. Of course, in many countries, a master’s degree even in not the most famous and prestigious higher educational institutions will cost a tidy 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 for financial support for students from abroad, which include grants, scholarships, tuition discounts, etc., are undergoing tremendous development every year.

To receive a free consultation about the possibilities of studying in master's programs abroad from our experts, simply leave a request at the bottom of this page. Our specialists have extensive experience in the field of foreign education and are ready to answer all your questions at any time convenient for you. – it’s effective, affordable and prestigious, don’t put off your future for later!

A master's degree abroad is an effective way to improve your skills, change your career direction, or simply get a high-quality second higher education abroad. Let's consider the issues that concern most: cost, grants and, of course, admission.

Why do you need a master's degree abroad?

The answer to this question will depend on your goals.

Improve your qualifications. If you already have work experience in some field, a master's degree abroad is a great way to improve your qualifications and learn new professional skills.

A master's degree from a good foreign university can improve your career prospects and your value in the job market.

Change career directions.If for some reason you want to change career direction,master's degree abroadnot in your profession will allow you to obtain a related specialty.

Get a second higher education. If you just like to educate yourself, then master's degree - this is a good way to get a high-quality second higher education abroad.

Find a job abroad.You might be interested in. Some countries provide the opportunity for foreigners to look for work for one to several years after studying a master's degree.

What kind of master's degree abroad do you need?

The answer to this question also depends on your professional goals.

Career in the industry.If you want to continue to engage in applied activities, then you need a regular master's program, where teaching takes place through lectures and seminars, the so-called taught masters program - Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science.

Career in science.If you are attracted to a scientific career, then you need a research masters program or, in other words, masters by research - Master of Reaserch (MRes), Master of Arts by Reaserch (MARes), Master of Science by Reaserch (MCsRes) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil ).

In these programs, students primarily engage in research under the supervision of a supervisor and often move on to doctoral studies at the same university upon completion.

If you are interested, then in many universities there is no obvious division into standard and research master's programs.

For example, the degree is called Master of Arts in Mass Communication, but it can be divided into an applied direction, professional track, and a research direction, research track. They differ from each other only in some mandatory courses.

Has a clear separation. Each program has a corresponding name.

How to enroll in a master's program abroad?

Requirements for candidates

Have a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification. Depending on the graduate program, you will be required to have a first-year degree in the same or related field in which you are applying for your graduate degree.

Know the language of instruction. This can be a master's degree in English or any other foreign language in which training is conducted. As a rule, a minimum level of proficiency in the language of instruction is established. For example, TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.5.

There may be other requirements, but they vary depending on the country of study, the chosen program and the university. For example: Average score.Sometimes the requirements indicate that candidates must have a GPA of at least a certain level in their first-year diploma. It is better to have an average score of at least 4.5 on a 5-point scale.

Other tests.For example, to enter a master's program in the USA you will need to pass a test GRE . If you are going enroll in , you will almost always need to take the GMAT.

Entrance exams.In most cases, you will not be required to take an entrance exam. Candidates for foreign master's programs are often assessed based on, and in some cases, the results of an interview conducted by phone or Skype.

If you have not yet passed the tests, have not prepared drafts of the necessary documents for the master's program, have not secured funding, or have any gaps in experience, then it will take you at least a year to prepare for admission.

What documents are needed for admission?

The standard package of documents for a master's degree abroad includes the following:

Motivation letter (). It should answer three main questions:

• Why did I choose this master's program in this specialty?
• What is special, unique or impressive about my education and experience?
• How will the chosen master's degree help me realize my goals?

Recommendations.2-3 letters of recommendation from your teachers and/or employer are required. The purpose of a letter of recommendation is to give an idea of ​​the abilities, achievements and personal qualities of a candidate for a master's degree.

Diploma and applications with grades.It is required to prepare a notarized and graded application (transcript).

Certificate of proficiency in the language of instruction.To confirm your proficiency in the language of instruction, you must pass a language exam. For example, for English it is.

In most cases, documents are sent through the website of the selected university.You need to register on it, fill out an online form and attach the necessary documents to it. Follow the instructions on the site and you won't go wrong.

When to submit documents?

The deadlines for accepting documents for master's programs abroad differ in different countries.Additionally, in some countries, deadlines may be set by the universities themselves.Therefore, it is better to check the exact dates on the websites of the universities you are interested in. Here is information for some countries:

Master's in Germany

Most universities in Germany accept documents twice a year: from June to July 15 - for the winter semester, from December to January 15 - for the summer semester.

Master's in Sweden

Acceptance of master's degree documents in English in Sweden occurs three times a year: until mid-January for the fall semester, until mid-August, and until mid-October for the spring semester.

Master's in the UK

UK universities accept applications until mid-January. Some universities may continue to accept documents until May.

Master's in the USA

If you are interestedmaster's degree in the USA, then you need to submit documents in December-January.If you are a final year student, in many cases you may be conditionally enrolled in a master's program abroad before receiving a higher education diploma.The main thing is that you have it in your hands by a certain date indicated on the website of the selected university.

How much does a master's degree abroad cost?

The cost of a master's degree depends on the country of study, university and specialty.For example, studying in Australia, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, as well as a number of European countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Holland will be expensive.

For foreign students, it will cost at least 15-20 thousand dollars a year, excluding living expenses.

On the other hand, in public universities in some European countries, you can study for a master's degree for free or inexpensively.Relatively affordable tuition fees in Asian countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong or Malaysia. Here, studying for a master's degree will cost at least 5-10 thousand dollars a year.

How to get grants for master's studies?

To get a master's degree , you don't have to be Einstein. However, you must stand out through your academic and/or professional achievements.

Here are the standard requirements for grant applicants:

High GPA.Almost all academic merit-based grants require a GPA of 4.0 or higher. But this, of course, is not the only indicator.If you don't have a very high GPA, you can make up for it with high test scores, professional achievements, and excellent recommendations.

High test results. This applies to international tests of foreign language knowledge or special tests such as GRE or GMAT. Here, the higher the result, the better.

Academic and professional achievements. Your experience of participating in scientific or industry conferences and publications will be a big plus.

It is desirable to have relevant work experience. Ideally, your achievements will be supported by excellent recommendations from your teachers and immediate superiors at work.

Achievements outside of school.Your achievements outside of school will be an additional advantage. This could be sports, social activities, some projects - in principle, everything that characterizes you as a leader and a versatile person, and not a boring nerd.

In your motivation letter (essay), you should correctly “package” your achievements: focus on your strengths, which are important specifically for this grant or master’s program.

Can be obtained at the universities themselves, or through international scholarship programs of various foundations and non-governmental organizations, or scholarship programs in your own country. For example, funded by an Erasmus scholarship.

Do I have a chance to enroll in a master's program?

First, your chances largely depend on the close alignment of your education, experience, academic and professional interests and goals with the chosen master's program or grant competition.

Secondly, which is extremely important, but often underestimated by inexperienced candidates, your chances depend on how convincingly you can present the above information in a letter of motivation, recommendations and CV to people making decisions about enrolling in a university or awarding a grant.

What's next?

A master's degree abroad should not be an end in itself. Based on your goals, interests and future plans after studying. The rest is a matter of technique.