Click on the links below to read about studying in various countries. We'll provide you with general facts about the countries and tell you about the local systems of higher education, tuition fees, the build-up of an academic year, study possibilities for international students, and much more. You will also find some useful tips and practical information about health insurance, student visas, and the cost of living.
Postgraduate studies, whether master’s degrees, MBAs or short courses, are becoming increasingly common in our modern economy characterized by specialization and globalization. In fact, the growth of postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates in some countries is now higher than the growth in undergraduate degrees. Master’s degrees, PhDs and courses are available in just about every academic discipline imaginable and with thousands of universities around the world to choose from, everyone pursuing postgraduate studies can find a school and program that is perfect for their needs.
There are many different types of universities and other higher education institutions around the world. Although the details vary by country, most fall into one of several categories, such as:
Students who enrol in a master’s degree program from a research-oriented university can usually expect to conduct a research project or write a thesis in addition to coursework. Master’s programs taught by other institutions may also require some sort of project, but generally tend to focus more on coursework or practical experience. Nearly all PhD programs require original research and a dissertation.
Potential students may also want to consider studying abroad, particularly if they are interested in highly specialized academic disciplines such as international business or Middle East studies. Students are increasingly studying across borders for all levels of tertiary education (college or university-level studies). According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics (UIS), the number of students studying abroad is approaching 4 million per year, nearly double the 2 million studying abroad in 2000. Students from East Asia and the Pacific make up 28 percent of this total, while students from North America and Europe account for about 15 percent. The countries that send the most students abroad are China, India and the Republic of Korea. About 6 percent of students from Central Asia and about 5 percent of students from sub-Saharan Africa study abroad, making students from those regions the most mobile in the world. The current top destinations for international students are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany and Japan.
Many students are also enrolled in online or distance learning graduate-level programs taught in countries other than their country of residence. These students are not included in the UIS numbers, so the total number of international students is somewhat higher, likely more than 4 million.
Students may want to consider studying abroad for a variety of reasons, including:
Students considering pursuing a postgraduate degree may want to consider the following factors when deciding whether to study at a university in their home country or abroad:
Take the time now to check out universities from around the world. If you already know what you’re looking for, you can click directly to that country or to specific programs. Or take some time to browse and read about the exciting programs available worldwide.