Language is no longer a barrier, and new opportunities abound for students in Canada to earn a top-quality degree while living abroad.

Tapping into some of the world's best universities while experiencing the rich cultural life in Europe has never been as easy as it is today. Where once international students faced the challenges presented by the differing degree programmes, language barriers, and opaque information sources, the newly-created European Higher Education Area opens the higher education systems of 46 countries across the continent to top students from around the world.  Nowhere is this more evident than at the level of the Masters degree, now a one- or two-year degree offered in these countries.

There are over 10,000 European Masters programmes listed at Mastersportal.eu and this only represents a fraction of the total. Drill down and you will find programmes in nearly every subject area, offered in national languages as well as English and French. Keep researching and you'll find joint and dual-degree programmes where students gain a global perspective by spending time in multiple countries with an international group of faculty and professors. Scratch the surface just a bit more and you'll find the average annual tuition at Masters programmes in Continental Europe is EUR 4,000 (roughly 6,400 Canadian dollars) versus up to EUR 7,000 (CAD 11,200) in Canada or up to a whopping EUR 22,000 (CAD 35,200) in the United States - plus, there are thousands of merit-based scholarships to defray living expenses, and several countries charge no tuition for qualified international students.

Finding a Course

The sheer magnitude of choice can be daunting, so start by making a list of your priorities. You may want to finish the programme with the additional benefit of having mastered a foreign language. The presence of well-known faculty or the ability to continue on with a PhD may be critical for you. You may want to be tied into an international network of alumni in your field. Price may be a major factor. And, of course, the old real estate adage of "location, location, location" certainly holds true when students can choose between similar programmes taught in settings that reflect the full diversity of Europe's cultures and geography.

A good place to start any search for graduate school is by speaking to friends, family, co-workers, and current or past professors. They may have heard of programmes of particular interest, although keep in mind that the landscape has changed dramatically in even the past five years in Europe and sometimes their information may not be up to date. It is always best to take these leads and verify the information that is important to you yourself.

When exploring programmes across Europe, it is worth noting that there are some key differences between continental Europe and the United Kingdom, not the least of which is price. The average tuition in the UK is EUR 14,000 (CAD 22,400) and international students pay significantly higher rates than domestic students. The upside, for some, to study in the UK - aside from their high-quality programmes and institutions - is that it is the only European country where the majority of Masters programmes can be completed in one year instead of two. So while some tuitions may be higher, your living costs and overall costs can be the same or lower, since you will be spending less time to complete your degree.

Types of Degrees

Although the credit system and the length of study have mostly been standardized in Europe, there is still, as in Canada, a wide variety of types of Masters programmes. Knowing what your eventual goal is with the degree (particularly if you hope to qualify for entrance into a doctoral programme) will help you chose between programmes that are more practice- or research-based, ones that focus entirely on one subject versus interdisciplinary programmes, etc.

There are also, increasingly, professional Masters degrees such as the MBA or LLM, some of which are taught at the new private universities being created across Europe. Check to make sure that programs are accredited and ask to speak with alumni to get a better sense of the legitimacy of the degree and the reputation.

A major trend in Masters education is the creation of new joint or dual-degree programmes, where students may study in multiple countries and even earn more than one degree. This was spurred on, at least in part, by the European Union's massive funding program "Erasmus Mundus," which gave financial support to programmes offered by partners in several European countries and, in a second phase, European countries plus "third-party" countries outside the EU. These programmes provide generous scholarships for international students. The full list of Erasmus Mundus programmes can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/mundus/projects/index_en.html

Language

Most of Continental Europe was off-limits to students who didn't have a mastery of the native language: not anymore. Francophone students from Canada can take advantage of programmes primarily located in France and Belgium, while students looking for programmes taught in English will find an ever-growing offering, particularly in Germany, The Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries. And, of course, the UK!

Many Masters courses provide students with intensive language training before the program begins as well as ongoing language courses throughout the degree - everyone would agree that learning enough of the language to communicate with the locals on at least a rudimentary basis is a key part of making the most of the experience abroad.

Funding

Tuition and fee structures vary across countries and visa requirements may stipulate that incoming students have enough money in the bank to cover their living expenses for a certain number of months upon arrival. In many countries, international students can work a certain number of hours to defray their living expenses, although employment is not guaranteed. Individual countries and institutions may offer scholarships for international students as well.

Online Resources

Universities across Europe have websites with information in their local language as well as English and several countries have set up online resources to help students find the right program. Some useful web resources include: 

• Study in Europe Information about scholarships, European higher education, life as a student in Europe, etc. Website: http://www.study-in-europe.org/
• MastersPortal.eu Originally set up by student groups, this is the most comprehensive source for information and programmes across Europe. Website: http://www.mastersportal.eu/

Many European countries have agencies to help international students find their way. Some, such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or British Council, have offices around the world to counsel potential students. Almost all of them have websites with information about living in the county, scholarships, visas, and databases of master's or postgraduate degree programmes. Most of these agencies are members of the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), which means their websites are listed here: http://www.aca-secretariat.be/03membership/member_list.htm
 

Contributed by:

Megan Brenn-White. Megan is the Executive Director of the Hessen Universities Consortium New York Office and can help Canadian students find suitable Masters degree programmes in a wide variety of subjects at universities in Hessen, a vibrant region in the center of Germany (http://www.hessen-universities.org/).

http://www.mastersportal.eu/news/19/mastersportaleu-obtains-google-pagerank-of-8.html

http://www.mastersportal.eu/students/why-europe/

http://www.mastersportal.eu/students/why-europe/

Your GoStudy Team
www.gostudy.ca