Getting a Masters Degree Abroad

[AKScott]

I came within a hair of going to the University of Edinburgh several years ago for a research PhD. I strongly encourage the OP to take kilted scholar's commentary to heart.

The program I was considering at UofE was nothing at all like similar PhD programs in the States.

A taught masters level degree is probably attainable for someone with a high quality American undergraduate degree, but with a very steep learning curve attached. If you are going to be sucessful in a UK research PhD you should, 12-18 months into your masters, have essentially the same grasp on your PhD research project that an American student has with less than two years remaining before oral defense of same.

UK research PhDs are not for the faint of heart, and a taught Master's on the ground might be the best possible preparation for an American student hoping to pursue one.

[Burly Brute]

Just to quickly chime in, another factor you may seriously want to consider is whether your degree will be recongnized and accepted in the United States. The U.S. has a "thing" for accreditation -- something that doesn't really exist in other countries.

When I was applying to get into an American college for my Master's degree, they refused to consider my University of Alberta diploma and transcripts (a world-renowned research institution and reputable, public university) until I paid an American company a bunch of money to "translate" everything into "Americanese". No joke! Only then would they deal with me, but until then I may as well have gotten my degree from the Al's Gas Station School of Floor Sweeping.

Which is disgusting. When will they standardize a bit more, aye? Definitely something to keep in mind. And you have a good point, my undergraduate degree will be from a private university, which is accredited by the same standard as ASU or UofA, but they are definitely not known locally, much less internationally. A lot of things to consider, I am wondering if I was just looking for a reason to move out of the states haha!

[Woot22]

I still say if you can get accepted into a University overseas into a program you like and can afford to attend, do it brother.

[starbkjrus]

Ping Beloit Piper - Greg studied I think two summers at Trinity in Dublin. We also have a member (former member?) from Michigan who studied at Leeds.

[Calico]

provide a perspective student with scholarships based on acadamia

I can't help myself, this just struck me as amusing. I'm sorry to pick on you, Zach, typos on the Internet are merciless.

How about "prospective", instead?

[Burly Brute]

I can't help myself, this just struck me as amusing. I'm sorry to pick on you, Zach, typos on the Internet are merciless.

How about "prospective", instead?

Ha. I had a deep-rooted feeling something like this would happen! In the spirit of fun, however, I am going to leave it. By leaving this reply I hope to still bring laughter to the many who may stumble upon this thread in the centuries to come! haha. Thanks Calico!

-Zach

[beloitpiper]

Being the product of a giant American-ized bubble, you guys are my only real link to a world outside my own. My question is concerning studying abroad for a post-graduate degree. Here are some of my considerations:

I have been checking out Trinity Uni. in Dublin. I really like their history majors, religious studies, and their Irish language degree.

I guess I am looking for advice on international colleges (UK or Ireland) that offer Master degrees in History, language, or religious studies. That are affordable and can maybe provide a perspective student with scholarships based on acadamia, etc.


HELP!

Cheers,

Zach

I'd like to nominate my Alma Mater of the National University of Ireland in Galway as a great place to study. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

Also, as far as an Irish Language degree-- An bhuil tu Gaeilge agat? Usually, they like you to speak it before you go for your Masters.

[madmacs]

Which is disgusting. When will they standardize a bit more, aye? Definitely something to keep in mind. And you have a good point, my undergraduate degree will be from a private university, which is accredited by the same standard as ASU or UofA, but they are definitely not known locally, much less internationally. A lot of things to consider, I am wondering if I was just looking for a reason to move out of the states haha!

Engineering dealt with this rather thorny problem when it enacted the Washington accord etc... but i would say that a lot of US employers still look down on foreign qualifications...

[CDNSushi]

Engineering dealt with this rather thorny problem when it enacted the Washington accord etc... but i would say that a lot of US employers still look down on foreign qualifications...

That was precisely my point... HOWEVER, that said, the OP did mention he was looking for something in the realm of "Master degrees in History, language, or religious studies" -- not engineering. So I suppose mileage may vary.

If I received a Master's degree dealing with Irish history from a university in Ireland, I imagine that even an American employer would view that with respect, granting that such a person is what they were looking for...

But I know for a fact (first hand experience) and that of my own parents that transferring degrees across borders can indeed be thorny. Both my mother and father had advanced degrees prior to emigrating to Canada, but found very quickly that their degrees were meaningless there. So, both enrolled at the University of Alberta (See? It's a generational thing) to (re)-get their Master's degrees. My mom's was in Slavic Languages, and my father's was in Agricultural Engineering. Although neither had to do a FULL courseload, as they were granted SOME transfer credits for their previous work -- but it was still significant and they felt like they were simply re-doing something they had already done, simply because Canadians thought their education must have been somehow inferior or sub-standard. They didn't hold a grudge (although I know some people in their situation who did).

Anyway... I'm not saying: "don't do it" -- I'm saying: try to go into it knowing all the potential advantages and pitfalls first. ith:

[BEEDEE]

Just to quickly chime in, another factor you may seriously want to consider is whether your degree will be recongnized and accepted in the United States. The U.S. has a "thing" for accreditation -- something that doesn't really exist in other countries.

When I was applying to get into an American college for my Master's degree, they refused to consider my University of Alberta diploma and transcripts (a world-renowned research institution and reputable, public university) until I paid an American company a bunch of money to "translate" everything into "Americanese". No joke! Only then would they deal with me, but until then I may as well have gotten my degree from the Al's Gas Station School of Floor Sweeping.

Too true. My Masters is from the Open University in the UK. When applying for a position with a local community college I had to have the degree "evaluated" by a company in North Carolina who charged $90 to produce a letter that essentially said it's a master's degree!! This despite the fact that the Open University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education here in the USA.

Brian