Study MA Abroad:Exams, Colleges, Fees, Eligibility & Job

Master of Arts or more commonly referred to as MA is a common post-graduation study pursued by individuals in subjects mostly related to humanities. There are a number of subjects that can be pursued at the Masters of Arts level by students. Candidates are required to have successfully completed their graduation to be eligible for MA studies. Read on to learn more about MA admission and eligibility process, MA specialization, MA Scholarships, MA top universities, and much more.

MA Abroad Eligibility & Requirements

Let us take a look at the eligibility guidelines for pursuing Masters of Arts (MA) abroad. Candidates should be well reminded that we are going to be talking about pursuing a general Master of Arts and at an advanced level. We are not talking about any particular specialization. Admission guidelines for pursuing Master of Arts (MA) abroad, include:

Age Requirements

No age requirement restrictions are imposed on studying MA abroad.

Academic Requirements

Candidates looking to pursue a Master of Arts would be required to ideally be holding a Bachelor’s Degree in a parallel field. A lot of universities are flexible about academic requirements and the number of education years undertaken. Since the academic requirements are never set on stone, hence graduates looking to pursue their higher education should always check the academic requirements of their preferred university and apply.

Work Experience Requirements

Work experience is another important factor in your admission process. Most courses at the MA level would require applicants to show some amount of previous work to be considered for admission. Past work experiences not only speak of the seriousness of the candidates towards his field but also talks about the aptitude of the candidate.  A lot of times, work experience may not be mandatory with the admission process but would definitely add weightage to your student profile and help you with your selection procedure. Hence, candidates should check the work experience guidelines and apply accordingly.

Application Requirements

Since the application would be for pursuing a Master of Arts and not limited to a particular field, we have provided general application requirements (but not limited to) for your MA application process. 

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university
• Portfolio of past work experiences
• English Proficiency Test
• GRE/ GMAT Scores (subject to country)
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation
• Resume (CV)
• Admission Essay

MA Application Process

All applications are online. Hence, the students would be required to read the admission guidelines before submitting their international student application form. Candidates would be required to pay the application fee and also attach all relevant documents to start their application process. Every university would have a deadline for application submission. Candidates looking to apply should adhere to this. Candidates seeking financial aid should apply early to start the scholarship process. 

MA Abroad vs MA in India

Without a doubt, India is home to some of the best universities that offer Master of Arts programs to students. They not only offer an in-depth curriculum but also overall growth. Similarly, there is a significant share of the population that plan to study overseas due to several reasons, from not getting the desired course combination to not being able to get through the limited number of seats on offer from top universities in India, the reasons are endless. 

Candidates who plan to study abroad are able to enjoy access to state-of-the-art university campuses, world-class faculty, and above all a globally recognized working degree. Candidates studying abroad would also get an opportunity to practice their profession in a foreign country and have a chance to settle abroad if the individual so wishes.

Studying abroad would come at a higher price than studying in India. Students can opt for scholarships and education loans to ease the financial burden. More information on financial aid and scholarships for pursuing an MA can be found towards the end of the article. 

Exams for MA Abroad

Candidates appearing for a Master of Arts abroad would be required to appear for their GRE or GMAT exam. It may or may not be mandatory for your university admission but would greatly improve your chances of admission. A lot of universities would also require candidates to appear for an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. As mentioned earlier, rules are never set on stone. Candidates are always advised to shortlist popular MA colleges abroad and check the eligibility criteria for each and apply accordingly.

MA Specialization

One of the reasons why we have not listed any particular course is because there is a vast number of subjects covered under Humanities that are further divided into subcategories that are eligible for MA. The major MA Specialization courses include

MA Popular Colleges Abroad

Candidates wanting to pursue a Master of Arts abroad would want to know more about MA popular universities. Given below is a list of popular MA Universities abroad for 2020 along with their program. Candidates can click on each college name to know about the courses offered, the eligibility guidelines, the fee structure, and much more.

Candidates should note that universities are bound to have multiple MA courses/specialization available for students. Provided below are details of sample courses. Candidates should visit the official website to know about all the courses available and apply accordingly. Most of the MA courses/specialization would take about 2 years to complete. Some courses/specialization could stretch for a year or so more if there is a mandatory internship attached to the curriculum. Courses could also be shorter in nature. The duration of your MA program would depend entirely on your curriculum and course specialization.

* Source: QS Top Universities

Popular Destinations for MA Abroad

Candidates wanting to pursue their Masters of Art abroad would want to apply to popular countries. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Germany are some of the top countries that see a large number of Indian and international students traveling to study abroad. These countries also have one of the largest number of schools and a variety of courses for candidates to choose from.

Read: Best Countries to Study MA (Master of Arts) abroad

MA Jobs and Career Opportunities

On the completion of your said MA course, the next obvious move would be to get a well-paying job in a similar field. Study abroad candidates would be aware that every country provides international students with a limited time period under the post-study work visa to search for employment. Graduates should always aim for roles that require their individuals to push themselves, hone their skills, and redefine boundaries. Candidates should utilize this time to the maximum and find themselves jobs with a handsome salary.

Scholarships to Study MA Abroad

One of the drawbacks of studying abroad is the high cost of tuition fees and living costs incurred by the student because of a number of factors. The poor strength of the Indian rupee against the foreign currency being prime. However, candidates who have a passion for studying abroad would make their dream come true. Candidates who would prefer to obtain an education loan or financial aid could check out a list of available scholarships to apply from.

Still confused about pursuing an MA from abroad? You can check out our Masters of Arts Frequently Asked Questions section (MA FAQs) for more.

Got more queries? Feel free to contact us in the comments section below.