What Do You Actually Need to Apply for a Masters Abroad?

What do you need to apply for a Masters? It sounds like a simple enough question and a lot of the answers – qualifications, personal statement, test scores – are fairly obvious. But things get a bit more complicated when you're applying to study internationally.

This post is here to help simplify things. It's a follow-up to our previous quick guides to visas, language requirements and entry tests. This time we've put together a checklist of the things you'll need to apply successfully for a Masters abroad, in roughly the order you'll need them.

Most postgraduate (or 'graduate') programmes require students to have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject. It doesn't have to be exactly the same subject, but it should provide a foundation for what you want to study next. So, an MSc in Quantum Mechanics probably expects a BSc in Physics, not a BA in Philosophy. And so on.

Once you've confirmed your degree is relevant, you should check it's recognised by universities in a different country (to make sure they accept your credentials as equivalent to those they'd expect from a 'domestic' applicant).

Most universities that recruit lots of international students have processes for checking overseas credentials. There are also national and regional systems for helping if things get tricky (the one in the UK and Europe is called ENIC-NARIC).

Universities may get lots of enquiries from prospective international students, particularly for popular courses with potential funding attached (more on that below). You need to make sure they take you seriously as a genuine applicant.

Here are a few ways to do that

• Take time with your personal statement. Avoid copy-pasted sections and other common mistakes. Focus instead on saying why you want to study this course, at this university, in this country.
• Get your references sorted early. Good referees are the best way to prove you have what it takes to study a Masters and that you're committed to a study abroad journey. Don't leave them too late!
• Communicate clearly and concisely. There's nothing wrong with contacting the university to ask questions about your application, provided you give them an actual question to answer. This isn't usually the place to ask very general questions about funding (see below) or copy your entire personal statement into the first email you send.

These steps will help show admissions tutors that you really are committed to moving abroad for their course.

Proving language skills doesn't always require a test score. If you're studying abroad in a language you already speak (and have perhaps already studied in) you probably won't need to take a language test.

If you do, you should get this sorted early. Most universities will need to confirm your language ability before they can accept you. The good news is that they may then be able to vouch for it if they end up sponsoring your visa.

The cost of studying abroad varies. Some countries charge very little for postgrad fees. Others, like the UK, are much more expensive for international students.

Either way, a university may want to check you can afford to study abroad with them before they offer you a place. There's a good chance they'll ask about this during your application.

You might not need to have all of your funding in place, but it will look good if you can show that you've started to research some options. This is another thing that shows you're a committed prospective student.

What doesn't look as good is appearing to rely on the university for all of your funding. Lots of institutions do have scholarships, but these are competitive and you shouldn't be completely reliant on winning one if you want your application to be taken seriously.

International study can seem complicated even when it isn't (and lets face it, sometimes it is). There are lots of sources of advice and information besides this blog and website.

Some of them (like UKCISA and Study UK) are absolutely great.

Some of the others include paid services that will offer to help advise you for a fee. Make sure you know what you're paying for and that you're sure it's worth it.

Be especially wary of any service that offers to handle your application (particularly if they charge). Some of these are genuine (like Study Options, who provide free official support for UK-based applicants applying to study in Australia or New Zealand). Others may not be. If you aren't sure, check our guides to study abroad (they're free and always will be).

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