How to Choose the Best Universities to Study Master's Degree Abroad

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Cyril Zachariah
Updated on Jun 30, 2023 10:37 PM IST

Want to study for a Master's degree at one of the top universities abroad? Students from India, stoke your ambition and broaden your horizons. Discover the enchantment of global education, a kaleidoscope of knowledge, cultures, and aspirations. Your master's degree is there, prepared to change the course of your life!

How to Choose the Best Universities to Study Master's Degree Abroad

How to Choose the Best Universities to Study Masters Degree Abroad: Studying abroad has transformed Indian students' life, opening doors to a universe of endless possibilities. It is a life-changing event that penetrates beyond boundaries, transforming viewpoints and promoting personal development. In this day of increased global connectedness, choosing the best institution is a crucial choice that might affect your future.

Studying a Master's degree abroad offers many advantages and may represent the most exciting time in a student's life. Determining to apply for graduate admissions at several universities in countries including the US, UK, Germany, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, thousands of students from diverse regions of the world do so.

Moreover, it is important to pick a university that supports your personal and professional goals in addition to academic achievement. It is the setting where fantasies become a reality and you may develop your skills, widen your horizons, and make enduring relationships. So let's start a journey of self-discovery where the world is your school and knowledge has no boundaries via this guide on how to choose the best universities to study master's degree abroad.

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Why Studying Masters Degree Abroad is the Right Choice

  • Broader Vision: Studying at a foreign university helps you broaden your perspective towards life. As you meet students, professors and people from different parts of the world, you get a chance to exchange ideas, knowledge and culture. You gain inspiration from the people around you. Eventually, your thinking process changes and you tend to set up higher goals in your life.

  • International Exposure: Studying abroad is a great way to enhance your CV. You can demonstrate your invaluable experiences and personal development while studying at a university abroad. Many employers prefer candidates who have international exposure and perspective for a specific job role. You can often talk about your foreign degree and how studying at a foreign university helped you grow at an intellectual and personal level.

Find and compare graduate programs around the world using our comprehensive search!

  • Opportunity to Work Abroad: After acquiring a university degree abroad you can apply for jobs at your study abroad destination. While pursuing a Masters course abroad you can alternatively look for jobs. Once you get an offer letter from your employer you can apply for a work visa and choose to stay in the same country.

  • Opportunity to study at a Top University Abroad: If you have a strong academic background then why not apply to top universities abroad? Studying at the best universities in the world is a rare opportunity and you must not miss it. Based on your academic scores and achievements you not only can apply to the best universities in the world but also apply for merit-based scholarships.

  • Helps build StrongNetwork: While studying abroad you meet people from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities. Networking helps you develop interpersonal skills and communication skills. Seminars, meetings and social events hosted at the universities help you connect with people in your field and areas of interest. Later, it can also help you with your career as you get to know about job openings and opportunities that can be suitable for you.

How to Choose the Best Universities to Study Master's Degree Abroad

With hundreds of universities to choose from, it is important to think carefully about choosing the best university to pursue a Master's degree. Consider these 7 important tips to make a decision.

Decide the Course You Want to Study

Universities abroad offer a wide range of courses to international students at a Master's level in various fields like engineering, management, liberal arts, applied science, medical science, arts, etc. Among various areas of studies, MS and MBA are the top-ranked graduate-level degree programs opted for by international students, according to the university subject ranking by top publishers. Both MS and MBA degree programs are offered under various specialisations - MS in Computer Science, MS in Data Science, MS in Information Technology, MS in Business Analytics, MBA Supply Chain Management, MBA in Finance, to name a few.

Anyway, it is not mandatory to choose the most popular degree program to study abroad. The ideal thing to do is to make a choice based on your area of interest and the scope of the study. Say, you can also opt for other Master's degree programs like Masters in Economics, Masters in International Relations, Masters in Psychology or Masters in Nursing.

You cannot think of choosing the best university to study abroad unless you are sure about the course you wish to study. Spend some time to explore your interest in subjects, the scope of studying a Master's course abroad, and the advantages of studying the desired course abroad before moving on to the next step.

We can suggest the best graduate course to study abroad based on your interest and academic background.

Choose the Right Study Abroad Destination

Lately, various countries from different parts of the world like America, Europe and Asia have emerged as popular destinations to study abroad. While the historical trend shows the USA and UK as the best countries to pursue a Master's course, this is not the actual case today. Several other countries like Singapore, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Hungary, and Netherlands have some of the best universities in the world offering Master's courses. Every year, these countries attract several international students to pursue graduate studies.

Once you have decided on the course to study at a Master's level, start doing a bit of research on countries that offer the desired course. You can consider various factors while choosing the study abroad destination like location-wise preferences, cost of study, quality of education, the scope of study and job opportunities in the country. Select some countries before you begin shortlisting the universities and colleges.

Determine Why You Want to Pursue MastersAbroad

If you are thinking of pursuing a Master's course, it may be mainly because of two major reasons i.e. either you want to get a job or you wish to go for research. Usually, students do a random selection of universities to pursue Master's courses without considering the reason to study the Master's course.

Whether you want to take a job or go for research will help you shortlist universities in a better way. Know-how in the section that follows.

Search Best University- (Subject Wise Ranking)

Universities are ranked by publishers based on academics and other factors like infrastructure, student satisfaction level, employability rate, international reputation etc. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranks universities based on academics in its annual publication- QS World University Rankings annually. Some of the other popular university-ranking publishers are THE World University Ranking, US News Ranking, and Round University Ranking (RUR).

If you are sure about the subject you wish to study at a Master's Level, then you must look for the subject-wise ranking of the college. You can filter country-wise universities and colleges to look for the best universities that offer the course.

As mentioned earlier, you must also consider the reason to study a Master's course to shortlist universities. If you wish to go for research after a Master's then look for universities based on academic programmes, infrastructure, lab works, equipment and facilities used to deliver courses. On the other hand, if you wish to get a job after graduation, you must emphasize the employability rate and industrial collaborations of the university.

Shortlist some universities before checking the admission requirements for the course like GRE, GMAT, English Language Test requirements like IELTS, TOEFL, PTEetc. and academic qualifications requirements like GPA.

No doubt, you must be thinking of studying at a top-ranked university. However, you must know that the top-ranked universities have a higher score requirement than other popular universities abroad. While you must apply at universities that are ranked in the top list it is equally important for you to apply at some other popular universities. This will increase your chances of getting admission to one of the best universities abroad, if not top-ranked.

Do Research About the Universities

Once you shortlist universities, refer to genuine sources for reviews and collective information. You can connect with current students, alumni and even professors at the university through social media platforms. You can ask for genuine feedback and questions that you may have about the university and the course.

Along with the academics, there are several other factors that you must consider like whether the college provides accommodation facilities or not, the infrastructure of the university, employment rate, students satisfaction level, environment and culture of the university etc. Considering these factors will help you choose the most suitable university for yourself.

Look for Projects Undertaken by the University

If you are serious about the Master's course and the motive is not just to get a degree but to grow intellectually and enhance your career then you must look for projects undertaken by universities in the field of your interest.

You can check the graduate schools or department pages of the university for the list of projects. Graduate schools usually look for candidates who have a similar area of interest and are willing to contribute in the field during their studies or even after graduation. Search universities that suit you the best for taking up a course. You can also try to get in touch with the professors of a university before taking admission.

Take Help From a Study Abroad Expert

While you can find enough stuff online about the Master's course to study abroad, nobody but a study abroad expert can help you know the exact scenario of the universities, budget, quality of education and minute details that you may want to know.

Make sure you approach the right person who has relevant experience in the field to help you choose the most suitable university based on your interest and requirements. When you meet the study abroad counsellor or expert make sure you ask all questions. You can expect him/ her to give you the right information and fully assist you in any way that you need.

Popular Universities to Pursue Masters Abroad

Here is the list of some popular universities abroad to pursue a Master's course:

University

Country

Courses on Offer

Average Course Fee *

University of Illinois, Chicago

USA

List of Courses Offered

21 to 27 lakhs

University of South Florida

USA

List of Courses Offered

8 to 22 lakhs

New Jersey Institute of Technology

USA

List of Courses Offered

19 to 22 lakhs

University of Massachusetts, Boston

USA

List of Courses Offered

18 to 28 lakhs

University of Chester

UK

List of Courses Offered

10 to 11 lakhs

Manchester Metropolitan University

UK

List of Courses Offered

12 to 15 lakhs

University of Nottingham

UK

List of Courses Offered

15 to 22 lakhs

Dublin City University

Ireland

List of Courses Offered

11 to 13 lakhs

Middlesex University Dubai

UAE

List of Courses Offered

13 to 22 lakhs

Griffith College

Ireland

List of Courses Offered

11.85 lakhs

The importance of selecting the right university abroad cannot be stressed enough for studying master's degree abroad. It is the foundation that connects dreams and realities, leading one to a successful future. This decision becomes the roadmap that navigates you through the study abroad journey after a thorough analysis of interests and programme offerings. 

In case you have any doubts about choosing the best universities to study Masters degree abroad, you can write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.

Take help from our academic experts to speed up your study abroad application!

FAQs

How do I choose the best university for a master’s abroad as an Indian student?

As an Indian student, selecting the ideal university for your master's degree abroad necessitates extensive study. Consider programme relevance, faculty competence, worldwide rankings, scholarships, campus diversity, alumni network, and job opportunities. Examine the reputation, curriculum, location, and cultural fit of each university. Engage with current students and engage with education advisors. Make an informed decision that is in line with your dreams and ambitions.

Why one must choose abroad for Master's studies?

The decision to pursue a master's degree abroad has several benefits. It offers access to prestigious colleges, a variety of cultural encounters, and chances for international networking. It promotes independence, intercultural competency, and personal growth. Studying abroad improves employability, broadens perspectives, and provides access to global professional opportunities. It is a life-changing event that broadens students' views and gives them priceless skills for a globalised world.

What are the important criteria in choosing a university and programme?

The alignment of a university and programme with your academic and personal goals is the most important factor to consider. Take into factors including programme relevancy, faculty qualifications, availability of resources, internship opportunities, and alumni network. Examine the university's support services, location, and cultural fit in addition. In the end, pick an institution and a programme that will best prepare you for your intended professional path and academic goals.

What are the general requirements to study master’s degree abroad?

The standard eligibility requirements for master's degree study abroad differ between colleges and countries. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, scores of standardised tests (such as the GRE or GMAT), proof of English language competence (TOEFL or IELTS), and a resume or CV are the usual items included. It's crucial to study the precise requirements for each university and programme you're interested in as some may have additional requirements.

What are the benefits of studying abroad for Indian students?

There are several advantages for Indian students who study master's abroad. It offers the chance to experience many cultures, have access to top-notch education, and gain a global perspective. It improves linguistic abilities, boosts self-assurance, and promotes independence. It broadens professional networks, increases employability, and opens doors to worldwide employment prospects. Additionally, studying abroad offers the possibility of lifetime experiences, personal development, and self-discovery. 

What are some challenges of studying master's abroad as an Indian student?

There are several difficulties when an Indian student is pursuing a master's degree overseas. Cultural misunderstandings, homesickness, and adjusting to a new school system are a few of them. It may be challenging because of financial constraints, language challenges, and visa processing issues. In a foreign nation, it might be difficult to manage one's finances and build a social network. However, these challenges may be surmounted to ensure that the study abroad experience is a success with the right planning, support networks, and tenacity. 

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