What is a Master’s Program?
Completing a bachelor’s degree only provides an overview of the field but a master’s degree provides a detailed insight and specialization in the area of competence chosen by a student. In today’s world, having a Master’s degree with the desired specialization gives you an extra edge the edge in the professional field. Also, the Master’s thesis becomes a stepping stone for those who intend to move for further research.
Why Consider a Master’s Degree Abroad?
One of the greatest aspects of pursuing a master’s degree abroad is the opportunity to study at top-ranked international universities. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to pursue your master’s degree abroad:
- A master’s degree is accepted as a professional degree, with a new emphasis on educating students for careers in business, government, and so on.
- A master’s degree program prepares you for a PhD by combining discipline-specific, advanced coursework with abilities such as critical thinking, analytic ability, and time management.
- To gain a deeper understanding of current stream, a master’s degree allows you to build on your undergraduate knowledge and become a subject specialist.
- An individual who demonstrates the ability to succeed in a long-term position requiring stamina, discipline, leadership, and the ability to work effectively with others is eligible for advancement chances within their company.
Popular/Trending Courses
- Masters in Management and Leadership.
- Masters in Computer Science.
- Masters in Business Administration.
- Masters in International Relations.
- Maters in Economics.
- Masters in Psychology.
- Masters in International Business.
- Masters in Biology.
- Masters in Engineering and Technology.
- Masters in Health Sciences.
Best Places to Study MS
- MS in the US – It is the most popular choice for students as it offers innovative course combinations, updated curriculum, a wide range of course choices and specializations, state-of-the-art infrastructure and excellent faculty. Many of the universities are top-ranked. Research-oriented students have a chance to continue with further research under world-class facilities and faculty.
- MS in U.K. – The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are probably the oldest study abroad destinations. Retaining its glory, the universities have pioneered innovations over the years retaining its prominence in the global education system. The academic system is well accredited and accepts the Indian Academic System (10+2+3 system). Master’s programs in the UK are mostly of 1-year duration, thus cost-effective compared to other popular choices like the US, Canada, and Australia.
- MS in Canada – Canada is popular for the intensive research-oriented programs in the Universities. The academic standards are very high and the programs are cost-effective because of the moderate cost of living.
- MS in Germany – Germany has become very popular over the last decade with highly rated universities. Most of the popular programs are being delivered in English, good research opportunities, subsidized tuition cost and nominal living cost, makes Germany a very attractive destination for overseas MS students.
Eligibility
- A 4-year Bachelor’s degree program from an accredited university is preferred in the USA and Canada.
- GRE score (in some business programs GMAT score as well) is required for making an application to the US. Though not mandatory but some universities in Germany, Singapore, and Canada also prefer a good GRE score.
- A good English language test score like IELTS or TOEFL is a must. The qualifying scores may vary depending on the university and program.
- Relevant work experience, co-curricular or extracurricular activities and research orientation are also given due weightage while considering a student’s profile.
- In some universities, pre-application networking with the intended research group is recommended. In some programs, students do receive interview calls as a part of the assessment process.
Duration and Cost of the Course
The study duration varies depending on the master’s program chosen. It can take anywhere from one to two years, depending on the course you choose. The tuition fee costs varies from country to the university and course selection.
Career Options
Most Master’s degree holders take up relevant job options as per their area of specialization. Students intending to move for Ph.D. complete their Master’s Degree to develop in-depth subject knowledge and build on their research acumen.
How to Choose the Right Master’s Degree Abroad?
The following are some factors to consider while determining the course’s time duration:
- Research or taught: A taught degree, such as an MA or M.Sc., can take up to a year to complete full-time, including courses, exams, and a dissertation. However, if you opt to pursue a research degree (such as MRes or Mphil), which can take more than a year to complete because you are completing original research, it is normally predicted to take one to two years.
- Subject Selection: Courses in arts, humanities and sciences will tend to be standard length – a year. In exceptions like Social Work MA, one can expect the time scale to be around two years so as to accommodate the work experience and vocational aspect of such a course.
- Course length: Courses in arts, humanities, and sciences will typically last a year. In other cases, such as the Social Work MA, the time frame will be roughly two years to accommodate the work experience and vocational aspect of the course.
- Full-time or part-time master’s degree: It goes without saying that a full-time master’s degree will take the least amount of time, namely one year. Part-time degrees duration varies from one university to the next, depending on how long you have to complete the course.
What is a Master’s of Business Administration program?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally-recognized post-graduate degree, designed to develop the skills required for careers in management of businesses. The value of the MBA, however, is not limited strictly to the business world. An MBA can also be useful for those pursuing a managerial career in the public sector, government, social enterprise and other areas.
Most MBA programs include a “core” curriculum of subjects; such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Strategic Management, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, and Operations. It also has elective courses that allow students to follow their own personal or professional interests. Some schools require that MBA candidates complete an internship at a company or an organization, before bestowing of the degree, which can lead to significant post-program job opportunities.
Popular/Trending Courses
- General Management.
- Innovation Management.
- International Management.
- Finance.
- Information Technology.
- E-Commerce.
- Accounting.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Marketing.
- Strategic Management.
- Operations.
- Consulting.
- Supply Chain and Logistics.
- Human Resource
- Management.
- Executive MBA.
Best Places to Study MBA
MBA in the US – The USA is currently considered to be the Mecca for Master’s in Business Administration Program. The global curriculum is a perfect amalgamation of innovative teaching methodology and practical experience in diverse business and management scenarios. The most crucial factor that makes US B-schools stand apart is the premium professional exposures that the students get. In addition, all the top companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, IBM, General Motors, General Electric, Deloitte, Mercer, Ernst & Young, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Caterpillar, Flextronics and many more are headquartered in the US. Another advantage for students is that, with the academia-industry interface, they are exposed to ever-expanding job opportunities and networks, to catapult their career.
MBA in the United Kingdom – After USA, UK is the second most sought-after destination to pursue graduate studies in Business and Management studies/ MBA. The main attraction of pursuing MBA from the UK is the fact that the programs are real value for money as they are of shorter duration, typically one year and therefore affordable.
MBA in Australia – Australia is the third most popular destination among students to pursue higher education. What sets Australia apart from other nations is the fact that one fourth of Australia’s population is non-native and constitutes of people belonging to other countries. Australia’s multiculturalism is a distinguishing feature that is a strong combination of various indigenous cultures. Also, being a secular country, it is open and welcoming to international students.
Some other popular options are Canada, France, Spain, and Singapore.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria differ for every program and B-schools:
- An undergraduate (Bachelor degree) – of 3 years or 4 years from a well-recognized, accredited university is a prerequisite.
- Most of the accredited programs require candidates with professional experience of minimum 2- 3 years. The average class profile of the B-schools differs widely amongst different universities. Some top schools have an average class experience of 5 + years while some others may have 7-9 years. Also, there are options of Fresher’s MBA – where no work experience is required and a student can enter immediately after completing his bachelor’s.
- Business and Management programs from the top and high ranked B-Schools require good Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores to have a realistic chance of admission, apart from a sound professional profile.
Career Options
Depending on the work experience level, students completing their MBA degrees can pursue a career in Management and Consulting, Marketing, Operations, IT, Finance and Banking and many other areas. Students can also start an entrepreneurial venture after a Management degree.
