Two college degrees are not uncommon in today’s world, and regardless of your reasons for choosing to pursue a second degree, this step will enrich you – mentally, spiritually, and perhaps financially.
What is a second master’s degree for?
A second master’s degree is an opportunity to upgrade your skills, expand or completely change your field of study. Some people learn a new specialty in order to improve in the profession, some want to go into science, teaching or build a management career. Sometimes a combination of disparate qualifications helps one reach a new level: for example, with a master’s degree in public health and an MBA, one can apply for a position as a clinic manager.
Those who decide to pursue a second master’s degree at a foreign institution have other advantages:
A degree in demand in any country,
International work experience,
Learning a foreign language (or several languages),
knowledge and skills not available in the home country,
connections that will be useful for work or emigration,
The prospect of an international career.
What do I need for admission?
Graduate applicants need a bachelor’s degree, and a similar or related field of study is not always required. Many programs don’t rely on your previous studies, but rather on the skills you acquire through your bachelor’s degree and your specialized field of study: your ability to analyze and think critically, your ability to solve problems and manage projects, your ability to communicate, work independently or in a team.
As for the application package, it usually includes:
diploma and transcript,
resume, motivation and recommendation letters,
Certificate of language examination (for English – TOEFL or IELTS; for Master’s degree usually requires higher scores than for Bachelor’s),
GRE, GMAT examination certificate.
Master’s Programs Abroad: The Best Universities
The best university for a second master’s program abroad is the one that offers the program you need and fits other parameters: price, opportunities for work, research and internships, etc. It is not necessary that the university is in the world top. However, the universities that lead in rankings can indeed offer interesting programs and good conditions for graduate students. They are worth considering if they suit you academically and do not be intimidated by their status. Even (and especially) “giants” like Oxford or Harvard need promising researchers. We publish a list of the top universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings in 2022:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (U.S.)
- Oxford University (UK)
- Stanford University (USA)
- Cambridge University (UK)
- Harvard University (USA)
- California Institute of Technology (USA)
- Imperial College London (UK)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Switzerland)
- University College London (UK)