Guide to studying abroad
Your options
Choosing further study abroad may well require a significant personal and financial commitment and it is important that you think through all the issues, practicalities and possible career benefits. The following pros and cons may help you decide if postgraduate study abroad is for you.
- World renowned education: Studying abroad can open up opportunities to study at institutions that are recognised internationally for specific subject areas or specialist research. These may be particularly well funded because of their international reputation.
- Competitive edge: Adapting to a new culture and gaining language skills can increase your employability, especially in areas such as international business. Employers are increasingly seeking ‘global graduates’.
- Develop language skills: Immersion in another country and culture will rapidly improve your language skills. However bear in mind that in some countries you will need to study in the native language so you will need a high level of proficiency. If your skills are not on that level, look out for the ever increasing number of European HE institutions where you can study in English.
- Costs: There are pros and cons here. Tuition fees can be less than in the UK but of course you have to take into account the costs of getting to another country, such as air fares, visa fees and the cost of admissions exams as well as living expenses. Some of these costs can be met by programmes such as university assistantships and a limited number of grants and scholarships are also available to fund postgraduate study.
- Life experiences: Living and studying in another country can be very valuable in terms of developing life skills and transferable skills that you can add to your CV. However using postgraduate study as a means of gaining an extended visit to another country is risky. A genuine interest in the chosen course of study is essential. Otherwise staying motivated while coping with an unfamiliar culture, may be difficult. If your main priority is to visit a particular country, consider summer vacation work or taking a language course.
- Recognition of qualifications: There is no universally accepted recognition of overseas undergraduate qualifications. This means that you have to allow more time to research and make your application, preferably starting 12-18 months in advance. However, in Europe the Bologna Process is making it easier for existing qualifications to be recognised, by standardising degrees and making them more comparable, so that a first degree will be worth the same whatever country you study in.
Fulbright scholars Lilijan and Maureen had positive experiences studying abroad in two very different locations:
Lilijan Sulejmanovic studied for an MBA at Harvard Business School with a scholarship from the Fulbright Commission.
Setting yourself up in an entirely different country can be very empowering and boost your independence as you’re taken out of your network and have to rebuild another life for yourself. This brings intangible benefits that stay with you for life and are recognised by employers as signalling a ‘can do’ mentality, along with a willingness to take on a challenge and make it work. On the MBA I benefitted culturally from being exposed to students from many different nationalities and diverse backgrounds who had different approaches to business issues and work. On a personal level it can broaden your horizons and in the workplace employers recognise that you can bring different perspectives and approaches to solving problems.
Lilijan Sulejmanovic, Fulbright scholar
Maureen Sier spent four and a half years in the South Pacific at the National University of Samoa, aided by a scholarship from the Fulbright Commission. An 18-month field work placement for her PhD in Religious Studies, Anthropology and Women’s Studies turned into a four and half year stay when she was offered a post as a lecturer and managed to change to a part-time PhD.
Being immersed in another culture was a huge learning curve but has been an enriching life experience. It has also given me a real affinity with the people and society that form the topic of my PhD. I feel I have two homes in two different parts of the world, as I continue to visit Samoa to conduct small research projects. It has been hugely beneficial to my current job. I feel I have been able to apply the cultural sensitivity I gained from Samoa to my current role of promoting religious tolerance throughout Scotland.
Maureen Sier, Fulbright scholar
Planning ahead
What are my options?
As with any decision to undertake postgraduate study, it is important to think carefully about what your options are, where you would like to study and how you are going to fund it. The most popular countries for postgraduate study are in Europe and other English speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand or the US. The European Union and English-speaking countries have qualifications that are broadly similar to the UK.
Management or business-related courses in Europe and the US (for example, MBAs) are particularly popular, often as a springboard into management roles in internationally focused organisations.
Most postgraduate study and research opportunities abroad occur in higher education institutions, but it is possible, in some countries, to carry out research in government departments. If you don’t want to commit yourself to a long period abroad it might be possible to spend part of a PhD in another institution outside of the UK, as a short term collaboration.
Identifying courses and institutions abroad
You may have a particular country that you wish to study in or perhaps a particular subject in mind. Identify institutions that specialise in your field of study by:
- searching databases of postgraduate courses, such as search courses and research;
- visiting your careers service - check if your university is offering any postgraduate fairs, which may include representatives from organisations that deal with postgraduate study abroad;
- having a look at country profiles;
- talking to lecturers, tutors and other researchers in your department;
- reading research journals and other specialist publications.
The following are useful sources of course information:
Most institutions now have information online. You can research the application process of each university by looking at their web pages for international students.
In addition, embassies are a useful source of information. Project Visa has a searchable directory of contact details for many of the embassies around the world.
Other issues to consider
- Remember that the range and quality of study available from country to country varies enormously. Institutions within countries may also have widely differing reputations and academic standards. Check that your chosen institution is accredited. Consider whether you want a brand name university with a worldwide reputation or one where it is cheaper for you because of availability of funding. Use Top Universities or Times Higher Education to see rankings of universities worldwide.
- Assess the facilities and support for postgraduate study/research. Remember, that you will be an international student. Look at relevant pages for international students on websites; you may be able to find contact details of current students to ask any questions you might have.
- Check the acceptability of your existing academic qualifications. A first, upper second or Masters degree will meet most eligibility requirements for both further study and awards competitions, but British first-degree programmes can be shorter than elsewhere so views on academic standing can vary.
- Many overseas institutions require you to have an acceptable mark in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). You will need to submit this with your application. You can find sample questions on the relevant websites and purchase test preparation booklets.
- You may also need to consider your ability to cope with the language in which the course is taught, and perhaps even schedule time to update your language skills.
Applying
Preparing your application
You may be asked to provide some or all of the following during the application process:
- CV and covering letter;
- application form;
- academic transcript (this details your academic record) and degree certificates;
- letters of recommendation (references);
- results of aptitude tests or language ability tests;
- essays, statements of purpose or research proposals;
- health certificates;
- evidence of financial support.
Preparing and processing this information can take time. Most departments will ask why you have chosen a particular subject and institution. Make sure you include evidence in your reply of thoughtful consideration of how your move to study abroad fits in with your long-term aims, as well as your current academic strengths and interests. Places are frequently competitive and awards or scholarships are even more so. See country profiles for details relating to individual countries.
Timetable for applications
An early start and thorough preparation will maximise your chances of both an offer of a place and funding. Familiarise yourself with the closing dates for applications as these can vary enormously. Even where there is an academic year system, they may begin and end at different times from those in the UK. A suggested timetable for preparing and making applications follows:
24-18 months in advance - Research your options and plan a timetable of action
- Identify possible areas of study and research and appropriate institutions.
- Attend open days, such as the Grad School Day or postgraduate study seminars offered by the Fulbright Commission
. Look out for organisations such as Study Overseas
at postgraduate fairs.
- Check if your careers service has scheduled any ‘study abroad’ talks or events.
- Browse your careers service website and check notice boards, including those in your academic department, for posters advertising study opportunities.
- Investigate eligibility, degree or qualification equivalence, and any language, residence, and visa requirements.
- Investigate financial arrangements and plan a timetable of action to meet application deadlines.
- If applicable, note the level of language proficiency needed and allow further time to acquire the necessary skills prior to the beginning of the course. Some countries offer short language courses for foreign students.
18-12 months in advance - Continue your investigations and finalise choices
- Speak to members of your departmental staff who have particular experience in your proposed areas of study or research, or are familiar with the country in which you hope to stay.
- Confirm that referees can provide the kind of references that will be needed.
- By the end of the academic year you should have a clear idea of what is required of you as a foreign student. You should also enquire about study facilities, such as libraries, before you make a firm decision to submit a formal application.
- Apply to take standardised tests (such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
) if required.
Final 12 months - Apply for places and funding, finalise arrangements
- Continue enquiries and form filling as appropriate to your circumstances.
- Familiarise yourself with application procedures and closing dates. Make sure you allow ample time to collect references, transcripts and standardised test results as appropriate.
- Apply for funding.
- As the year proceeds, complete any necessary procedural formalities such as visa applications, travel arrangements, and accommodation arrangements.
Funding
How much is postgrad study abroad likely to cost?
Tuition fees vary widely from country to country and even between institutions in one country. Public education is heavily subsidised in much of Europe and as an EU citizen you should pay no more than students from that country. Applying for courses in some parts of the world, however, can be very expensive. In the US, for example, just submitting an application can cost 50-100 dollars and that does not include the cost of any entry tests you may be required to take. You must also take into consideration the cost of making a visa application, see country profiles for visa and embassy details. Remember that outside the EU you will be classed as an international student, which often means higher tuition fees.
In addition you must take into account living expenses, accommodation, books and resources, travel including airfares back home, personal expenses and health insurance (which some universities require you to purchase). It is important to consider all these possible expenses in advance. Expense estimates can be found on some university websites.
Sources of funding
There are numerous ways of gaining finance for study or research abroad. There is a multiplicity of awards and scholarship schemes, many specific to a particular institution or country, while funding from external bodies is possible in a range of countries. The following may be useful:
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU): offers scholarships, awards and fellowships.
- Fulbright Commission: offers awards for the first year of postgraduate or doctoral study in any subject at accredited US institutions.
- University assistantships: in the US these involve 20 hrs per week of teaching or research in exchange for payment of fees, a monthly living grant and health insurance, see The Fulbright Commission for further information.
- Postgraduate Studentships: for a list of postgraduate study funding providers.
- The International Federation of University Women: offers international fellowships and grants for postgraduate study and research.
- The MBA Loan scheme: can be used for selected programmes abroad, see Association of MBAs.
If costs to undertake a PhD seem prohibitive it may be worth considering spending short periods abroad as part of a PhD. Wellcome Trust offers a collaborative PhD with a National Institute of Health in the US.
The search for funding can be both time consuming and frustrating and you may not be able to get support to cover all your costs. For many, however, early applications and persistence will pay off.
AGCAS
Written by Wendy Reed, AGCAS
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