Bachelors vs Masters Abroad

Studying abroad is a dream for many students. However, as exciting as the prospect of studying abroad is, students remain conflicted on one particular matter: doing either bachelor’s abroad or masters abroad. While there are numerous benefits and disadvantages for both options, ultimately your decision will be influenced by factors that have a considerable impact on you, such as your finances and learning objectives. Explore this blog to find out more information about bachelors vs masters abroad. 

Why Study Bachelors Abroad?

Pursuing your bachelors degree right after the completion of your 12th is both an exciting and scary journey. Countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany have become the most destinations for students to pursue higher education. This may be due to a variety of factors such as :

• Studying bachelors abroad gives the students more choices when it comes to picking a degree or a program.
• Students also get the opportunity to complete their bachelors with honors, which certainly adds value to their CV.
• Foreign education focuses more on practical exposure rather than just the theoretical aspect.

Why Study Masters Abroad?

On the other hand, most students find it more convenient to complete their masters abroad. One major reason is that :

• Many international universities provide several financial aids, scholarships, and fellowships which acts as an incentive for many students to pursue their masters abroad. 
• Secondly, students get more exposure academically from reputed professors and institutions. 
• Third, international universities offer students an excellent chance to expand and explore their research projects with the help of reputed supervisors and mentors. 

Bachelors vs Masters Abroad: Learning Objective

Coming back to our main topic of bachelors vs masters abroad, the first point of difference that is important to highlight is based on learning objectives which becomes one of the major deciding factors for students is the learning objective. Students are motivated by a plethora of factors, but it is important to identify your main learning goal before you decide to study abroad. 

If you’re planning to do your bachelors abroad, you may want to think about your decision thoroughly before going for it. Your undergraduate degree is usually the start of your career. You begin to specialize in a niche that you’re interested in and will have more classes and subjects to pick from. This may put a little bit of pressure, especially if you’re focused on pursuing your bachelors abroad. However, if you’re quite confident and have found your desired bachelor’s program abroad, then you can always go for it. 

Coming to Masters, studying abroad gives students in-depth knowledge of their chosen subject matter. If your main learning objective is to expand your area of research and receive top-notch guidance from reputed professors and institutions, then you can go ahead with pursuing your master’s degree abroad. 

Bachelors vs Masters Abroad: Cost

Another important factor that you need to keep in mind when thinking about bachelors vs masters abroad is the cost. Generally, the cost of pursuing your bachelors degree may be considerably less as compared to your masters degree, depending on the university of your choice. Depending on the university and program chosen, the cost may range between INR 15 lakhs and 25 lakh. However, a bachelors degree takes around 3-4 years to complete, which may significantly increase your expenses in areas such as accommodation and transportation. 

When it comes to pursuing your masters abroad, the cost may not be that exorbitant owing to the shorter duration of the program in comparison to bachelors. Also, numerous scholarships and fellowships with large grants are available, making it ideal for students to pursue their masters abroad. The cost of studying masters abroad may range anywhere from INR 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs depending on the university and program chosen. 

Bachelors vs Masters Abroad: Eligibility Criteria

Another one of the most important deciding factors when thinking about bachelors vs masters abroad is the eligibility criteria. The general eligibility criteria for pursuing a bachelor’s degree abroad is as follows :

• The student must have completed their 10 + 2 to secure admission into a bachelor program.
• Certain universities also ask students to compulsorily submit their languages proficiency test results such as IELTS or TOEFL. 
• A competitive exam scores in exams like SAT, ACT, etc
• Certain universities may also insist on having a minimum percentage or score before applying for their specific bachelor’s programs or degrees. 

The general eligibility criteria for pursuing a master’s degree abroad is as follows:

• The students must complete their bachelor’s degree before applying for a masters program. Certain universities may require 12 + 3 years or 12 + 4 years of education.  
• There might be different academic requisites, hence students need to check course requirements before applying for a masters program abroad. 
• Language proficiency scores are also mandatory such as the IELTS or TOEFL. 
• A competitive exams scores in GMAT, GRE, etc
• Certain universities may also require the candidate to have a minimum of 3-4 years of working experience before applying for their masters program. 

It is important to note that these criteria may vary depending on the country of choice and the university. 

Bachelors vs Masters Abroad: Duration

The next major point that one must not overlook when pondering about bachelors vs masters abroad. Typically, it may take 3 to 4 years to complete your bachelors degree abroad, provided it is full-time. In countries such as the UK, it may take a maximum of 3 years to complete your undergraduate degree while in the USA, it may take a maximum of 4 years to finish your bachelor’s degree. Again, this depends on the university and program chosen. 

Studying for a masters degree abroad may last anywhere between 1 to 6 years, depending on the scope of your research and the choice of the degree program. A full-time masters degree may only last for a duration of 1 to 2 years, while a part-time master’s degree can range anywhere between 2 to 4 years. 

Bachelors vs Masters Abroad: Course 

Under bachelors, students generally have a variety of subjects and courses to choose from, with emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure. Students also get more flexibility and freedom when it comes to their curriculum. Some of the best bachelors degrees that you can study abroad are:

• Bachelors in Business and Management
• Bachelors in Engineering
• Bachelors in Computer Science and IT
• Bachelors in Medicine and Health Sciences 
• Bachelors in International Relations. 

A masters degree typically consists of a taught masters and research masters. The course structure varies for both of these kinds. Taught masters are less independent and similar to an undergraduate degree, while research masters are more independent. The subjects and curriculum vary under both and also depend on the university. Some of the best masters degrees that you can study abroad are

• Masters in Business Administration
• Master of Management Studies
• Masters in Economics
• Masters in International Relations
• Masters in International Business
• Masters in Computer Sciences

Bachelors vs Masters Abroad: Environment

It is equally important to also look upon the factor of the environment when deciding about bachelors vs masters abroad. Studying for a bachelors degree abroad can be highly competitive and challenging. Students may often feel alienated and alone at this stage since it is a new environment. It may take some time for students to get acquainted with the language, cuisine, and people. However, one added advantage is that you learn to adjust at an earlier stage when you pursue your bachelors degree abroad. Eventually, when you decide to continue your masters abroad, you are already acquainted with the people and the land, which makes it easier for you to focus on your studies. 

On the other hand, when you pursue your masters abroad, you have a higher level of financial freedom and more job opportunities. Not to mention, you’re more equipped to deal with any challenges and problems that may occur at the time of studying abroad. While you may have to remain dependent on your family while pursuing your bachelor’s abroad, there is a significant amount of independence when you pursue your master’s abroad. 

FAQs

We hope this blog helped you with bachelors vs masters study abroad options. Now the ultimate decision lies in your hands to make. You can always reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu to discuss career-related opportunities!