Let's start at the more basic question - why pursue master's at all? Most likely, it's because you want to enhance your knowledge in the desired subject field and/or as a means to upskill and gain practical experience. While that is the ideal reason to pursue a master's course, there are also other ancillary benefits to it like getting the emotional, intellectual, and professional maturity needed for a successful career and professional satisfaction.
With that being said, it's necessary to ensure that the master's course has a well-structured course curriculum with focus on research/practical skills. Doing a master's degree is a great way to ensure you get the necessary skills and acumen required to achieve your career goals in this competitive environment.
Here, we bring to you some unknown facts about pursuing a master's degree abroad, the different types of master's courses and what doing a master's degree means to your career.
5 Lesser-known Facts About Pursuing a Master's Degree Abroad
There's more to studying abroad than the usual culture shock or international experience, such as leading an independent life, being a part of a global student community and getting ideal career prospects. While these are the common reasons to study abroad, here are some facts not many people know about pursuing a master's degree abroad.
- Networking opportunities - Being a part of an international student community helps enhance your networking skills and enables you to develop seamlessly in a professional environment. Let's say you make friends and become a part of a thriving student community. Once done with college, your friends could actually help you land a decent internship or even guide you in your career choices. These are students who are all about making it big in the global education scenario so networking with the right people could get you into the right places.
- Discover new interests and hobbies - Let's say you enjoyed a game of ball back at home and while studying abroad you realise you're interested in surfing. So you can enrol in a surfing course and become a certified surf instructor - that's an interesting part time work opportunity right there! Studying abroad opens up multiple opportunities across different sectors and enables you to discover and seek new interests and hobbies - because as special as playing a game of volley with your friends back home is, being a library assistant in a quaint old library in the UK or a surfing instructor in the beachy shores of Australia are special too in their own way. All you need to do is discover your passion and make the most of it!
- Boost your resume - Doing a master's degree abroad is an excellent way to add value to your resume. Prospective employers look for practical experiences and projects/internship experiences, so doing a master's would give you the real-time work skills and professional maturity that is needed to establish your skills in a work environment.
- Enjoy student benefits - The International Student Identity card is a golden ticket to access multiple student benefits, including discounted travel passes and specially negotiated services like subsidised access to libraries, cafeterias, museums, parks and entertainment hubs. With over 42,000 student benefits in over 130 countries, studying a master's degree abroad has never been more exciting and rewarding than it is now!
- Positive cultural experiences - Every country has its own culture and way of life, which can be very different from what you are used to. Adapting to these differences will be a positive cultural experience and a learning opportunity to experience the best of global education. Also, studying in a foreign country would familiarise you with the local culture and vernacular, thereby enhancing your study experience and making it more memorable.
Types of Master's Degree Programmes Abroad
- Master of Science (MSc) - This type of master's degree typically focuses on scientific and technical subjects, such as engineering, computer science, or natural sciences.
- Master of Arts (MA) - This type of master's courses typically focuses on humanities and social sciences subjects, such as history, literature, or economics.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) - MBA degrees focus on business management and leadership skills.
- Master of Laws (LLM) - This type of master's degree focuses on legal studies and is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate law degree.
- Master of Education (MEd) - This type of master's degree is designed for students who want to become educators or improve their teaching skills.
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) - This type of master's degree focuses on creative subjects, such as writing, visual arts, or performing arts.
- Master of Public Health (MPH) - This type of master's degree focuses on public health issues and prepares students for careers in healthcare policy, public health and administration.
- Master of Social Work (MSW) - MSW degrees focus on social work and prepares students for careers in social services, counselling, and other related fields.
- Master of Engineering (MEng) - This type of master's degree is similar to an MSc but focuses specifically on engineering disciplines, such as chemical, mechanical, electronic, IT and biomedical engineering.
How Does Doing a Master's Degree Abroad Ensure Your Career Development?
The knowledge you gain is ultimately to showcase your skills for a rewarding career opportunity abroad. When you get to do what you like everyday, there's nothing quite like it because it's no longer work, it becomes a passion. Here are a few ways in which doing a master's degree abroad helps build your career:
- Exposure to different cultures and perspectives - In the global job market that values diversity and cross-cultural competency, the experiences gained while studying abroad will come in handy while being a part of an international workforce. Studying a master's degree abroad can broaden your understanding of the world and make you more adaptable and open-minded, which is an invaluable asset in the competitive job market.
- Networking opportunities - Again, networking plays a crucial role in acquiring a valuable network of professional contacts with different perspectives and backgrounds, who could help you land suitable job opportunities in different parts of the world.
- Different academic perspectives - Studying in a different academic system can expose you to different teaching styles, methodologies, and research methods. This can broaden your knowledge, expose you to different academic environments and help you adapt to different learning styles.
- Personal and professional growth - While it starts out a bit challenging, studying abroad eventually unfolds into an enriching experience that gives shape to your academic and career aspirations. Your study experience abroad also helps you develop important personal and professional skills, such as independence, critical thinking, crisis management, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication, which are valuable career skills.
- Language skills - Studying abroad can improve your language skills, which can be a valuable asset in today's global job market. Bilingual or multilingual professionals are in high demand, particularly in fields such as business, diplomacy, and international relations.
Top Destinations for Master's Courses Abroad for International Students
Here's a list of the top 5 popular destinations abroad for international students for master's degree:
1. United States
- The US has been the most popular destination for master's courses for over a decade due to its high-quality education system, diverse range of courses, and excellent job opportunities after graduation.
- Average annual salary for master's graduates in the US is around $77,000.
2. United Kingdom
- The UK is another popular destination for master's courses, particularly for students looking to study in an English-speaking country. UK universities are well-regarded for their academic excellence and research opportunities.
- Average annual salary for master's graduates in the UK is around £31,000.
3. Canada
- Canada is becoming an increasingly popular destination for master's courses due to its affordable tuition fees, high standard of living, and welcoming attitude towards international students.
- Average annual salary for master's graduates in Canada is around CAD 87,000.
4. Germany
- Germany is another top destination for master's courses, particularly for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. German universities offer a high level of academic knowledge as well as practical training.
- Average annual salary for master's graduates in Germany is around €52,000.
5. Australia
- Australia is a popular destination for master's courses, particularly for students interested in subjects like business, engineering, and computer science. Australian universities are well-regarded for their innovative teaching methods and research-focussed courses.
- Average annual salary for master's graduates in Australia is around AUD 100,000.
You could be in a dilemma about what master's course to choose or where to study or even why do a master's at all. We hope this blog answers all those questions, but if you're still undecided, our team of expert counsellors will guide you on the best way forward for your academic and career goals. So, grab your phone and give us a call, or just drop in your details and have our counsellors call you right away!
1. What is a master's degree, and what does it involve?
A master's degree is a postgraduate academic degree that requires one to two years of study after completing a bachelor's degree. It usually involves coursework, research, and/or a thesis, in order to specialise in a particular subject area.
2. What are the different types of master's degrees available?
There are several types of master's degrees, including a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education (MEd), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
3. How can a master's degree help build my career?
A master's degree can help you build your career by providing you with advanced knowledge and skills in your field of study, making you more competitive in the job market. It can also help you qualify for higher-paying jobs, promotions, and leadership roles.
4. What is the difference between a master's degree and a PhD?
A master's degree is a postgraduate degree that usually takes one to two years to complete, while a PhD is a doctoral degree that can take four to six years or more to complete. A master's degree is focused on advanced coursework and may involve a thesis, while a PhD is focused on original research and requires a dissertation.
5. How do I decide if pursuing a master's degree is right for me?
Deciding to pursue a master's degree requires careful assessment of your career goals, interests, and financial situation. You should research different programs, speak with professionals in your field, and evaluate the potential benefits and costs before making a decision.
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