QS Top Grad School Guide 2010

TOP GRAD TOP SCHOOL GRAD SCHOOL GUIDE 2010 GUIDE 2010 WORLD GRAD WORLD SCHOOL GRAD SCHOOL TOUR™ TOUR™ 1 cover.indd 1

Top Grad School Guide 2010

Seeking out a brighter future Reflecting the aspirations of the world’s Masters and PhD students

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Since 1881, HEC Paris educates leaders and creates knowledge to develop management sciences. As a leading business school in Europe, HEC benefits from more than 105 permanent faculty, a powerful network of 42 000 alumni around the world and 50 partner international companies in its Foundation. HEC, the more you know, the more you dare. www.hec.edu The more you know, the more you dare

I have learned to jump in the water without sinking. I have learned that a wave can hurt more than a knife. I know that I am just a drop in the ocean.

Masters - MBA (part-time and full-time) Executive MBAs - Executive Education - Ph.D

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

Publisher – Nunzio Quacquarelli Editor – Peter MacDonald Art Director – traylertrash.co.uk Contributors – Tim Rogers, Ann Graham, James Donald, David Williams, Renatha Iussa Picture Research – George Snell Cover picture – istock Head of Research – Ben Sowter Finance Manager – Don Broodie

Sales Team Head of Graduate Products – Peter MacDonald Latin America – Jose Antonio Cruzado North America – Jason Newman, Kam Ahmed, Nicolas Cletz, Damian Bryant UK – Damian Bryant, Jason Newman, Nicolas Cletz Europe – Nicolas Cletz, Jason Newman, Jose Antonio Cruzado, Kam Ahmed, Zoya Zaitseva, Simona Bizzozero Asia – Mandy Mok Australasia – Jason Newman, Dina Tattersal

Market Specialists David McClelland, Renatha Iussa

Publisher QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, 1 Tranley Mews, Fleet Road, London, NW3 2DG, UK Tel + 44 (0)20 7284 7200 Tel + 44 (0)20 7284 7201 Offices in London, Paris, Alicante, Stuttgart, Washington DC, Beijing, Singapore, Sydney, Johannesburg, www.topgradschool.com QS accepts no legal responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of submissions. The editorial team try to ensure that all contributions are correct and true at time of publication. The entire contents of this publication is protected by copyright.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission from the publisher.

Features

6 Focus on graduate study

Just how valuable is a graduate degree?

Five students give their opinion

11 Leadership development Employers reveal what they look for in a graduate employee 14 Education fairs

An interview with Peter MacDonald, Director, QS World Grad School Tour

16 Tickets to success

Top tips on how to shine through this daunting challenge

23 Test prep

|Contents

77 Immerse yourself in the culture Studying abroad - is it really a life changing experience?

80 The shock of the new Are you experiencing culture shock?

82 Internships

Do they enhance or replace your graduate degree?

Subject Guides

92 International affairs Learn the art of diplomacy

95 Law

There is more to law than you may think

Everything you need to know: GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL and LSAT

98 Maths Number crunching in the corporate world

30 Swimming against the tide Funding your graduate degree

101 Public policy Serving your ambition

41 QS Scholarship How can you be the next winner?

104 Public health Become part of the solution

45 Studying off the beaten track The new destinations for your grad degree

107 Bioscience Are you suited for this dynamic career?

50 Mastering management Who are the non-traditional providers offering top quality grad degrees?

56 Distance learning

The benefits of studying for your graduate degree from afar

62 Global competition for talent PhDs and the war for talent

70 Beyond the material world The world of social entrepreneurs 74 Certificates for Internationals Qualifications that let you work and study in the US

110 Administration Organizing your talents 112 Creative arts

Creating a career path

Country Guides

119 USA, 122 Canada, 124 Chile, 126 China, 129 Singapore, 133 UK, 137 France, 145 Italy, 147 Spain, 152 Switzerland, 155 Netherlands, 159 Sweden

Institution Profiles 165-198

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The Graduate Programs at GW Arts & Humanities Business Computer Science Education Engineering International Affairs Law Medicine & Health Sciences Nursing Professional Studies

T

he George Washington University has been in the heart of the U.S. capital for 185 years, connecting students to people, ideas, and power in one of the world’s most dynamic and influential cities. With more than 12,000 graduate students from all 50 states and 110 countries, we are a vibrant, truly international university.

The main GW campus is located in the center of Washington, DC, and graduate courses are offered at several off-campus educational centers throughout the metropolitan area and through distance learning.

GW graduate programs provide a well-balanced blend of the practical and theoretical, often incorporating courses from multiple disciplines to address today’s social, economic, technical, and political issues. With a faculty of world-renowned scholars and practitioners, and over 200 innovative master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs, we can help you realize your goals.

Make a difference in your career, your life, and the world.

Public Health & Health Services Public Policy & Administration Science & Technology Social Sciences

To learn more about The George Washington University, please visit www.gwu.edu/gradinfo.

The George Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Editor’s letter

Welcome to the QS Top Grad School Guide 2010

It could improve your job prospects and future earnings potential. It could help you become a lawyer, scientist, artist, graphic designer, mathematician, pilot or poet. It could open up the world for you and take you to a university in Europe, the Americas or Australasia.

Whatever your reasons for considering a specialist Masters or PhD the QS Top Grad School Guide will be an invaluable tool. The expert opinion will provide you with clear, concise, independent advice to help you choose what and where you want to study.

Highly qualified, multi-lingual graduates are increasingly in demand - across all disciplines by all sectors. Governmental agencies, employers and universities are collaborating like never before to entice students like you to apply to one of their schemes where funding and future employment are tied into programs at some of the very best institutions. This gives you more power as the consumer.

One benefit of this is that universities are now extremely skilled at communicating with target candidates the advantages of studying with them – this guide being a case in point. Other resources available to you for further advice and information include the THE - QS World University Rankings (www.topuniversities.com/ worlduniversityrankings/) or indeed our own website www.topgradschool.com.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our QS World Grad School Tour Fairs where leading universities, employers, and alumni will outline to you the benefits of graduate study. Take advantage of this opportunity so you can make the right decision and I wish you all the best in your search to find your ideal Masters or PhD. Peter MacDonald Editor, QS Top Grad School Guide

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Focus on graduate study Masters of their universe Staying on to further your education, especially in the current job market, might be a very smart move. Ann Graham talks to five Masters students about their experiences

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ou’ve already survived three, possibly four years of undergraduate study, you’ve most likely got a student debt against your name, and by now you’re probably wishing for a regular pay cheque to be coming your way. So why then, would you be considering graduate study?

Studying for your Masters is going to mean another two years at university, studying for your PhD could mean another five. It’s going to cost you more money, and you’ll be a few years away from scoring that job. So it all better be worth it!

Well, according to many graduate students from all corners of the globe it is. Graduate study is providing them with additional skills and knowledge they didn’t get during their undergraduate years; they’re gaining in confidence, developing an international network of contacts, and what’s more – job prospects and salaries are looking promising.

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|Feature

Profiles Research by QS involving more than 450 international employers shows the difference in salary between an employee with a first degree and a graduate qualification can be as much as 71%. Nunzio Quacquarelli, Managing Director of QS says: “During the last five years or so there has been a fundamental shift in attitude on the part of recruiters to encourage candidates with more qualifications to apply for positions in their companies. Global employers now use graduate degrees as key points of differentiation between candidates seeking employment.”

With almost every industry giving more prominence to niche, specialised knowledge, a Masters degree has become essential for one’s professional capacity.

“In fact, in some specialized areas where technical skills are particularly significant, the benefit of a Masters degree can also outweigh that of up to four years work experience,” says Quacquarelli.

So whether it is updating your skill set, or securing that job you’ve always wanted with lucrative benefits, more and more graduates worldwide are finding that a Masters degree is like the icing on the cake as far as your CV is concerned.

It’s a stamp of creditability, reliability, and efficiency, and can facilitate a rapid and significant upswing in one’s professional career development.

I

Edward Scott-Clarke

Masters in Archaeology of Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East University College London (UCL), UK

Edward’s dream job is art and antiquities recovery, so he’s learning from the best.

Having studied for his bachelors degree at University College London (UCL), he was already well acquainted with the staff and the application processes of the university.

“The course had only been created one year before I applied and as such it was unique,” he says. “I already knew the exceptional education UCL had to offer and the Institute of Archaeology has some of the foremost professors in the world in my topic.”

Edward took a year out after completing his bachelors to work and save money for the one-year of intensive graduate study he had ahead of him.

“I believe that a Masters is highly valuable today, particularly as the standard for even low-key jobs has risen

Global employers now use graduate degrees as key points of differentiation between candidates” Nunzio Quacquarelli, MD of QS

dramatically in the credit crunch. There are hopelessly over-qualified people going for every job vacancy in the country. It seems sensible to try and weather out the storm by taking a postgraduate degree.

Not only will you finish in a better economic climate than when you started, but you’ll be better qualified.”

Although two degrees in Archaeology may not be the best stepping stone to a varied job market upon completion, it’s important to Edward for the avenue of employment he wants to go down. “The police gave a presentation about joining the art and antiquities division in the UK and from there I can apply to other things, possibly abroad. So far, UCL organized lectures have been essential to opening up career opportunities for me.”

Edward’s advice for others considering graduate study is, ‘make sure you’ve saved a bit of money before hand.’ “If you haven’t, then consider taking a part time course and working while it goes on. If you think a Masters degree could be a good idea then it probably is, especially if you don’t >> have a job lined up.”

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II

Hyewon Park

Masters in Marketing and Strategy University of Warwick, UK

“For international students who want to pursue a career in the UK, studying for a Masters degree will boost their employability,” says Hyewon Park.

The Korean student is speaking from experience. After graduating with a Masters in Marketing and Strategy from the University of Warwick in the UK, Hyewon has qualified for a post-study work permit, allowing her to stay in the UK for the next two years. She’s begun her career as a marketing assistant for QS, the organizers of the QS World Grad School Tour.

“I was always interested in marketing, ever since studying at ESADE, Spain on an exchange program during my undergraduate year. I was fascinated with European marketing strategies, which were quite different from those of the US or Korea. I was quite surprised to know that the European market was very diverse, even though European countries are almost borderless due to the EU. That triggered me to choose marketing.”

Hyewon was fortunate enough to secure a £5,000 scholarship to study at Warwick. That funding, combined with her parents support and her own money, allowed her to consider studying abroad for her Masters degree. She says the skills she acquired during her graduate study included working in a multicultural environment.

“My class consisted of 88 students from 28 different countries. Therefore it was crucial to understand different cultures especially when doing group work. I wouldn’t have gained this in Korea.”

Hyewon would encourage other students to study for a Masters degree when they have a clear objective in mind.

“If you choose to study for a Masters degree for no reason, unemployment or on your parents’ recommendation, there’s no point. However, if you expect to gain international experience, and be able to work and study with people from all walks of life, I’d definitely recommend it!”

She also recommends studying, working and living in the UK - in particular London. “The highlights of the UK are London, London, London,” she says. “I never knew that London was a ‘liveable’ place. People who don’t live in London think it is expensive but if you get to live here, you get the hang of saving money and spending it wisely!”

III

Carrie Bee Hao

Masters of Business Law Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan

“Studying is never a waste of time,” says Carrie Bee Hao, a Filipino-Chinese student currently studying in Japan. “If you’re at a point in your life when you are tired of working, you think there is little or no room for advancement at your current job and you want to experience student life once again, I think taking up a Masters degree is a good solution.”

Carrie Bee has taken leave from her law firm in Manila for at least three years, while she studies for an LLM. “My main speciality in my law firm is intellectual

Most people now possess a bachelors degree, so a graduate degree is a leg up” Stephanie Chow, MSc student, USA

property law and getting an LLM after a few years of practice is the usual career path for most lawyers in the Philippines - 90% go to the US for their LLM but I wanted to go somewhere rather unusual.

I also wanted a program that is really specialized and has a more practical and business-wise approach. Japan is very advanced with respect to intellectual property law - likewise, it has a very complicated, yet challenging corporate law structure in place, which is something I would like to study as well.”

Studying for her graduate degree in Japan has allowed Carrie Bee to become fluent in advance Japanese – the level of Japanese required for law. She is confident this will make her more desirable for employment as she is now multilingual in

English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Filipino.

“I believe that the point of graduate study is two things: a) to further deepen your knowledge and skills on a specific field of study in relation to your profession, which will more likely lead to better career opportunities, and b) to create or increase your network all around the world that might lead you to your dream job sooner.

“Most importantly, you will gain a lot with the connections you will make during your program so your networking skills will also improve during that time.

The experience alone of applying [for your graduate degree], waiting for the results and knowing that you have been accepted is an experience by itself!” she says.

IV

Stephanie Chow

Masters in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Columbia University, USA

“Conflict resolution is fascinating to me. The same cooperation and conflict theories apply for interpersonal relationships as well as international conflicts,” says Stephanie Chow, a Masters student at Columbia University in New York.

“I like the versatility of the degree as conflict resolution professionals work in a myriad of fields – law, business, education, health care and government.”

Originally from Long Island and with an undergraduate degree from Boston, Stephanie chose Columbia University as it offered her the opportunity to live in the city, close to home. To fund her grad study she has a combination of scholarships, student loans and parental support.

“A graduate degree is another credential so it opens up more opportunities – a greater network of professionals and job opportunities,” says Stephanie. “It has also become a standard.

Most people now possess a bachelors degree, so a graduate degree is a leg up.”

Stephanie has acquired a number of skills while studying for her Masters: strong analytical thinking, the ability to adapt in a variety of settings (be it international, cultural, office dynamics); and an ability to apply theory and other

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Feature

Holding a graduate degree can make all the difference in securing the job you want

things learned in class to daily life. “I have also fine-tuned my time management skills and detail oriented nature,” she says.

However, she does wish she’d known more about the program options, curriculum and classes for her concentration before she began her Masters program.

“My advice to others considering graduate study would be to make sure you love the location, the school and the culture because you have to spend at least three years studying there. Not enjoying where you live and where you go to school will almost certainly affect your grades.”

V

Karol Kaczmarczyk

Masters in Economics and Management of Innovation and Technologies Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

Karol Kaczmarczyk had to decide early on where he wanted to study for his Masters degree – selection was taking place before he graduated with his bachelors. “I decided to stay at Bocconi for my Masters because I knew the school and I liked the Masters program. The MSc in Economics and Management of Innovation and Technologies was an innovative program,” he says.

Originally from Poland, Karol says his Masters program has prepared him for positions such as a business analyst, researcher or consultant. “I’ve acquired international experience, learnt statistical multivariate analysis using SAS software, gained a profound understanding of innovation processes and realised the importance of it for sustainable growth quest. I’ve also developed entrepreneurial skills and financial analysis.

“A Masters helps your preferences and interests mature so that you do not need to make things up during an interview when asked for motivation. It also gives you more specific and practical tools to do the job you’re looking for.”

His advice for anyone considering a graduate degree is to know exactly what the courses are before choosing a program.

“Many students make a choice based on assumptions and find out that it is far from what they expected when it is too late,” Karol says.

“Remember that a good graduate program at a top school justifies a premium on the job market and eases the entry-level competition. A sole reputation however, is insufficient. Although entrylevel implies little or no experience, the competition has made some well-defined practical skills indispensable for a successful job interview.”

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Feature

Leadership Development – How employers view the MA If you’re considering investing a few years of your life studying for a Masters or PhD, you may want to first ask whether or not employers value such a qualification. James Donald finds out

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hat is the point of a Masters degree? It’s a lot of work, a lot of expense, a lot of effort and a lot of sleepless nights - you want to be sure you’re going to benefit at the end. The QS Top Grad School.com masters and PHD applicant survey 2009 questioned the study motivations of over 3,000 candidates, asking them what they expected to get out of a graduate degree.

Over 70% said they wanted to undertake further study as it would help to improve their employment prospects. It seems that prospective postgraduate candidates believe they will not only land a better job, but progress faster up the career ladder with an MA next to their name.

Whilst this may be true for some graduates, Steve Icampo, Manager of Worldwide Staffing at Amphenol Corporation, sounded a note of caution for those who believe a Masters will be a passport for future success. “You should not assume that education will get you to where you want to go; what will get you there is you.” Icampo says anyone contemplating studying for a Masters should be armed with two things.

Firstly, work experience. “I would hope that candidates have worked a bit before they make a decision,” says Icampo. “The further you go with education, the more specialised you become – so you really need to make sure that the course is for you. You need to think it through very carefully before you undertake the course.

I have seen young people make mistakes, and that can be really discouraging for >>

Companies look for employees with academic skills and work experience

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From page 11 them. A Masters is a major investment and it will determine how you will be perceived in the market place.” Icampo says candidates should use their time in work to plan for the future and to work out where they want to be in years to come - that will make it easier to choose the right course to achieve those goals.

Icampo says candidates should also research where they want to work once finished. “Ask yourself, what commercial project do you want to be involved with?

You have to be able to capitalise on your course, and show the market place that you have something that people need. You won’t know what that is unless you find out for yourself and sometimes the only way to do this is by working.”

The second thing Icampo believes potential graduate students should have before they make their course choice is passion for their subject. “You have to follow your passion. If you’re not passionate about what you are doing, you shouldn’t do it.”

Icampo believes that school and course choice will become much easier once a candidate has thought through their decision. “You could end up going to a small school with an expertise that is highly regarded, so make sure you research both the school and the department’s reputation.” For career prospects, Icampo says if candidates have thought through their decision, finding a job at the end should be easy.

“As you go through the graduate project, the choices you make on the program you take, your internship, and your thesis will help with your job search.

You should be thinking of where you are heading with it – and taking it for a reason. Have a plan,” he says.

Amphenol is a S&P 500 company involved in making connectors and inter connectors for high speed data. The company is the second largest maker of connectors and has 85 facilities in 30 countries. Icampo says that recruiting is often done locally, but once someone has joined the company it is very easy to be noticed, despite the company’s size. “There are plenty of opportunities to shine. In this industry it is impossible to say with any certainty where the industry will be in ten years time, so the company relies on people who are happy to work in flexible environments.” Icampo says that one of

Make sure you choose the best graduate program to suit your career needs

You have to be able to capitalise on your course and show the market place you have something people need” steve icampo, amphenol Corporation

the great strengths of the company is that engineers get to see the manufacturing process from end to end. “Our engineers are involved with the whole life cycle of design, so they tend to see things in a much broader way.”

Icampo’s final piece of advice for potential Masters students is - don’t just focus on the academic side of life. “Having technical skills is obviously incredibly important, but you also have to make sure you develop your other skills and that you are a well rounded individual. We work in tight teams, so you have to be able to get on to succeed.”

Hannes Vedin is HR Senior Consultant for Capgemini Sweden. Over

75% of the company have a Masters degree and 7% a PhD. “There is a big difference between a bachelors and a Masters. I find, and I don’t know why, that people with a Masters have much more maturity in their work. It is much easier for them to use their knowledge and to switch their knowledge into practice.” Vedin says he has noticed a big difference in the quality of the Masters around Europe thanks to the Bologna Accord. Capgemini Sweden is involved as a consultant company with IT and management and the company recruits through networking, contacts, searching databases, ads on the internet and their website.

“The Masters definitely gives you an advantage but we are also interested in finding the people who have the right ambition and the right attitude – as these can be just as important as the Masters qualification,” he says. n

www.amphenol.com www.se.capgemini.com

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Education fairs

Each year, the QS World Grad School Tour travels to over 35 countries, giving interested Masters and PhD candidates the opportunity to speak with some of the world’s top universities and grad schools. James Donald talks to Peter MacDonald, Director of the Tour, about how prospective graduate students can get the best out of each fair

Who should attend the tour?

The QS World Grad School Tour caters for the full A-Z of Masters and PhD degrees.

Institutions taking part in the tour offer programs in subjects as diverse as astrophysics, biology, creative arts and zoology. As a result, the tour provides a beneficial experience for any candidate considering an additional qualification to their undergraduate degree. According to the QS Global Report 2009, Masters and PhD Applicant Analysis, the average age of candidates attending last year’s events was 24.7 years old. This figure includes both undergraduates and graduate students.

get a diverse range of advice and viewpoints about university life, graduate study and career opportunities from careers centres representatives, alumni and current students.

How should a candidate prepare?

First impressions last! Candidates need to make sure they have fully researched the institutions they are interested in and that they are clear in their own mind why they want to study for a Masters or PhD. On average 1,000 students attend each QS World Grad School Tour event, so there will be a lot of fierce competition on the day. Candidates should prepare three or four salient points to discuss with each university representative.

Which universities attend?

More than 230 universities from 36 countries take part in the tour each year. This includes the more traditional nations such as the US, UK, France, Italy, Australia and Canada, as well as emerging destinations such as Switzerland, Korea, Austria and Norway – all are popular destinations for international graduate study. Increasingly, institutions from diverse locations such as New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Indonesia and Costa Rica are taking part in the tour.

Who represents the universities?

In most cases, universities will send leading and senior figures from their admissions team to speak with candidates at the fair. QS prohibits the use of local education agents representing universities, so candidates are guaranteed to speak with members of the universities they are most interested in studying at. Candidates will also be able to

What should a candidate bring?

The best thing a candidate can bring with them is personality. Admissions staff appreciate candidates with aptitude, enthusiasm and an ability to be a team player, so it is important candidates do all they can to stand out from the crowd – within reason of course. Graduate study requires a significant investment of time and money and admissions staff want to see this investment being taken seriously. It is not always necessary, but some candidates come prepared with a transcript, reference or CV.

A QS World Grad School Tour event will allow candidates to ensure they are choosing the right university”

What sort of questions should candidates ask at a fair?

There are many voices that seek to influence student choice with regard to their education, be it student associations, media channels, websites, rankings (such as the THE - QS World University Rankings), parents and peers. However, face-to-face contact with target universities is an integral and critical component of choosing where, when and what to study at graduate level. Students who enrol in a university degree based solely on information gleaned from a website are taking enormous risks with their education and their career. The face-to-face time with admissions officers at a QS World Grad School Tour event will allow candidates to ensure they are choosing the right university and degree for them and their future goals.

Do current students attend from the universities?

Yes, many universities understand the benefit of bringing current students and alumni to the events. If they don’t bring current students, candidates can always ask to be put in touch with them or their local alumni networks. Social networking sites and group pages, such as the QS World Grad School Tour Facebook page, is another way to network with past and present students.

What information can a current student give about a university?

The beauty of bringing current students to an event is that candidates can ask questions about the university that admissions or academic staff can’t answer, such as: l how well are expectations met?

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Around 1,000 students attend each QS World Grad School Tour event

l how approachable are staff? l is it really good value for money? l what have your experiences been like? l where else did you consider studying?

This gives candidates a chance to get beyond the glossy brochures and corporate communications messages to get a real feel for the human element of a particular university.

Can a candidate apply to a university on the day of a fair?

Candidates can apply to some universities, and some offers will also be made but these will only be conditional offers. Candidates can bring transcripts, references, and CVs but these will not ensure a confirmed place.

Can a candidate apply for a scholarship at a fair?

Many universities travelling with the tour have scholarships available, but each requires its own unique application process. QS also offers US$1.6 million directly from universities and business colleges that participate in the QS World Grad School Tour and QS World MBA Tour. These scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, community and leadership. Candidates should ask about scholarships at the fair or see the website: http://www.topuniversities.com/gradschool/ worldgradschooltour/scholarships/

QS fairs

A QS World Grad School Tour fair is a great place to find a university and course that suits you

All QS World Grad School Tour events are free to attend. For information and dates for the forthcoming events go to: www. topgradschool.com

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Tickets to success

Ann Graham speaks with admissions officers from all corners of the globe about the dos and don’ts of applying to grad school

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o you work well to deadlines. In other words you leave things to the last minute and have superb procrastination skills. Well, don’t we all! But when those deadlines are for admission into the graduate program of your choice, it pays to be prepared. Late applicants are stressed applicants and you won’t be doing yourself any favours.

When’s the best time to apply to grad school?

“The best time to apply to graduate school is after you’ve graduated from your bachelor program,” says Christiane Roth, Director of International Recruitment Services at Università Bocconi, Italy. “I believe one should not wait for too long before going ahead with graduate school.”

Roth says she personally believes it is more difficult to get ‘back on the books’ after having experienced working life as a professional. However, she admits, “one to two years of work experience can be helpful before choosing a Masters that will complete one’s academic education and give you a head start into your career.”

Choosing a course and institution for your postgraduate degree can seem like a daunting task – but it needn’t be.

There are some simple rules to follow which will help you work out where to go. Veronica Boulton, Faculty Business Director at Bond University in Australia says postgraduate study does more than increase our knowledge and skills base.

“It is undertaken for many different reasons by many different people to either diversify their undergraduate qualifications, change their career direction, enhance employability or purely for intellectual endeavour.”

Once you’ve decided to pursue graduate study, the challenge is to find the school that best fits you, your study and your career needs. “That’s where the QS World Grad School Tour is so valuable,” says Peter MacDonald, Director of the Tour. “When you’re at that stage of your studies, when you’re looking for a university at which to pursue your Masters or PhD degree, being able to meet the admissions officers and alumni helps with this research process.”

Boulton suggests that potential students should always keep an open mind. “Be prepared to consider other options and look for alternatives that offer different strengths, such as smaller classes, strong leadership focus, or an international location. Overall, it is important to find a program that meets your needs and brings your ambition to life.”

Top tip: Global rankings, such as the Times Higher Education – QS World University Rankings (www.topuniversities.com/ worlduniversityrankings/) can help you quickly focus on some of the most highly regarded institutions worldwide.

Make sure your application stands out from the crowd

Analysis by subject area help you further hone your shortlist of universities that are outstanding in your chosen area of study.

It is just as important to aim high when you study abroad as it is when selecting a university at home.

What are the admissions deadlines?

Making the decision to pursue graduate study and narrowing down your choice of grad schools means you’re two steps closer to that Masters or PhD degree.

The next step is making sure you meet the admissions deadlines which vary depending on where you want to study.

In Europe for example, most students start applying in November through until April or July. In the southern hemisphere there are generally two intakes – March and July. Some universities operate a rolling admissions process to try and fill their spaces as early as possible, but this is usually dependant on the graduate program of study. “There is no explicit deadline for applications to a particular intake at IE Business School in Spain,” says Cayetana Aranzadi, Associate Director of Admissions. “Applicants set their own deadlines, but we do recommend applying well in advance – about a year for international students and around eight months for European students.”

Whichever hemisphere you’re applying to or from, as an international student studying abroad, you’ll need to get your application in early. This is because not only do you have your program application to finalize but also your visa. If you don’t leave enough time for your visa to be processed, you could lose out on your place at grad school.

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|Feature

Many universities allow you to fill your application form out online

Be prepared to consider other options and look for alternatives that offer different strengths” Veronica boulton, Bond university, aus

“If you need a student visa, you should bear in mind that the process may take from 30 to 60 days from the moment of the application at the Spanish Embassy in your country,” says Aranzadi. “One of the requested documents from the Embassy will be a proof from IE that you are officially enrolled in our institution.

To issue this document and send it to your home address, we will need around 15 days from the moment you make your place reservation. This can be done once you have been admitted and received, from the Admissions Department, the instructions for the down-payment of 20% of the tuition fees.”

Aleksandr Voninski, International Director at the University of New South Wales in Australia says for the majority of programs, students should submit their applications at least four months in advance. “The application process is generally four to six weeks from the time of application lodgement to an offer letter being formally issued.

Successful applicants will be notified as to the acceptance deadline, as this may

vary program by program depending on the number of applicants accepted.

Applications can be made by paper or online,” Voninski says.

If you’re also planning to apply for funding, give yourself plenty of time as many scholarships have early deadlines.

See our interview on pp 41-42 with David McClelland, QS Graduate Scholarships Manager, for scholarship application advice.

Top tip: Every university has its own process with deadlines. Candidates should carefully study the information available on the website and, in case of doubt, contact the university’s admission office to make sure there are no important steps that have been missed.

What to include in your application

Most grad school applications will require you to submit record of your previous qualifications, English-language test results, a covering letter and your CV. “Dutch universities are highly selective,” says Carla Fluhr, Director >> of Recruitment for the Faculty of 17

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|Feature

Unlocking your potential starts with a well-presented application

>>

Every single step of the application process is equally important” Cayetana Aranzadi, IE Business school, Spain

From page 17 Economics and Business Administration at Tilburg University in the Netherlands.

“Students are selected based on their educational background, achievements and motivation.”

For an economics and business university like Bocconi, candidates often need to provide a dossier with external tests, such as GMAT, or an English language certificate. These take time to prepare and often have their own deadlines which need to be taken into consideration as well.

Meanwhile, IE looks at each application individually. “Every single step of the admission process is equally important,” says Aranzadi. “ We value a balance between the application form, GMAT/GRE or IE’s Admissions Test and the formal interview.” Aranzadi says IE also looks for potential of development: those inherent skills in each candidate that we want to develop during the program so he/she can become an excellent professional and IE ambassador.

“Our future representatives should be

innovative, think out of the box, have international exposure, the ability to express their ideas, listen to others, be idea generators and have a social conscience to promote business in an ethical way.”

The University of New South Wales looks for students with a strong academic background from a good university, in an area of study that follows a logical progression towards the desired area of graduate study, says Voninski.

“Professional experience is taken into account as are test scores. For example, while GMAT is only required for our MBA, a high score will be of great advantage for the admission to other business programs,” he says. “Professional experience is highly regarded in areas such as design, engineering and architecture.”

However, if you’re looking for a change of career, chances are you want to study a subject in which you have no experience or previous education. “Certain graduate programs are designed to give students without any background in a certain field the ability to move their careers down a >> different path,” Voninski says.

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From page 19

>>

Top tip: Make sure you read the fine print.

If you haven’t included everything in your application the grad school has asked for, you’re already one step behind the other candidates who did. It all comes back to giving yourself enough time to prepare.

The dos and don’ts of admissions

Applying to graduate school isn’t just about the next two years of your life – it’s about your future. “Ask yourself, where do you want to be in five, ten, 15 years from now,” says Voninski. “What sort of career are you hoping for? Is it realistic? Can you afford it? What are the job prospects like?”

It may seem a bit daunting – after all, anything can happen in ten years time.

The key is not to think of your graduate degree as a short term investment. Once you’ve graduated, your Masters or PhD will be with you for life, and future employers will look favourably upon the

Applying to graduate school isn’t just about the next two years of your life - it’s about your future” investment you made.

However, don’t enrol in a graduate program just for the sake of it. If you’re not sure about the course, it might not be for you. “But don’t be afraid to take the leap either,” says Voninski. “After all, you have 40 years of exciting career options ahead of you!”

Dos:

·

Take your time when filling out the application form. This will be your first contact with the admissions committee.

Your application should reflect in full detail your personal and professional information and your motivation and expectations with the program.

Supply clear contact details: one telephone number and one email address that you can be reached on is all you need.

Consider your options and look at what each university course can offer you.

It’s important to find the right fit.

Choose your referees carefully.

These can be anyone that benefits your candidacy. It’s always better to choose >>

· · ·

A winning CV

It’s not just a job you need a CV for – graduate schools admissions directors will expect to see one as well. So what are the tricks to making sure your CV gets to the top of the pile and stays there?

“The first mistake most people make is the length of their CV,” says Ben Carpenter, consultant at Acumin, the leading provider of Information Risk Management staff in the UK. “Two pages is conventional, however, depending on the industry, anything up to four or five is acceptable.”

With limited space, how do you fit your work and education history, as well as your achievements, interests and personal statement on two pages? “Give a general overview,” says Carpenter. “Don’t go into too much detail about every role and project you’ve ever been involved in. You need to find a balance.”

While providing evidence of your previous experience is important, your CV should also include what you’re looking to do in the future. This is crucial in enabling those looking at your CV to see if you have the right fit – with a graduate program or with a potential employer.

Another mistake many of us make is burying important and relevant information.

“This really has to stand out,” Carpenter says. “If you’re a sales person list relevant performance against targets in bullet points; if you’re a project manager succinctly list the scale and type of projects you have been involved with.”

When it comes to listing your achievements in your grad school application, your potential school wants to see your academic achievements and how relevant your previous qualifications are.

If you don’t make this kind of information stand out there’s a very good chance that it won’t be spotted. “There’s a much

quoted saying that if your CV doesn’t grab someone’s interest within ten seconds they won’t read on,” says Carpenter. “It’s not just a cliché, it really is true.”

But what about that dreaded personal statement? Carpenter advices people to approach it like a mini essay. “Write one to two lines as an introduction, one to two lines about relevant experience and use another one or two to briefly explain what you’re looking for. People often fill personal

If your CV doesn’t grab someone’s interest within ten seconds they won’t read on.

It’s not a cliché. It really is true Ben carpenter, Acumin consulting

statements with words like dynamic and self-starter – avoid these at all costs, they have been over-used to the point of losing their meaning,” he says.

Top tips for making your CV effective Use bullet points – they’re easy to read Don’t use pictures, colour, company logos or anything ‘creative’ that you may expect to make a CV stand out Leave the reader wanting more. For example, say you achieved 150% of your target, but don’t explain in the CV how you did it.

See your CV as a passport to an interview and no more, there’s no need to completely reveal your hand at this stage.

· · · ·

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your efforts. If you want to find out more about the admissions process, why not speak to alumni? After all, not only have they been through the process before you, they did so successfully!

Top tips from admissions directors on how to shine in this daunting challenge

1

Prepare yourself thoroughly. Be enthusiastic and motivated. Keep in touch with the institution. Leave your contact details and make sure you are easy to contact (one clear e-mail address and phone number).

Carla Fluhr, Director of Recruitment for the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Tilburg University, The Netherlands.

2

Plan ahead. With time and effort, you can find the right course for you and your future, without the stress.

Aleksandr Voninski, International Director at the University of New South Wales,

Applying to graduate school is a major step in your life you should evaluate your options carefully” Christiane roth, Universita Bocconi, Italy

Australia.

3 A good application will put you on the path to success

>>

From page 20 someone that knows you well and can confirm your sense of responsibility, commitment, leadership and team work.

Prepare yourself for the personal interview. When it comes time to answer questions try to go straight to the point and be concise.

·

Don’ts:

· ·

Submit an incomplete application.

You’ll only put yourself at a disadvantage.

Wait until the last minute. Get organized, give yourself plenty of time,

and apply before the deadline. Murphy’s law says that in that particular moment the internet will break down, the mail will be stolen and you have missed the deadline!

Be afraid to ask questions. There are real people sitting in real offices who are happy to give you all the required details and support you need to get through the admissions process.

Don’t send your mum – you’re an adult person, you should do it yourself!

Gaining admission into graduate school is challenging, but you’ll be rewarded for

· ·

Be yourself. Show us why you are choosing IE to develop your career and why we should choose you to represent IE in the future. Remember, there are no perfect candidates, but pieces of a perfect and diverse puzzle that we try to build up for each intake.

Cayetana Aranzadi, Associate Director of Admissions, IE Business School, Spain.

4

Applying to graduate school is a major step in your life – you should evaluate your options carefully and go through this process well prepared. The documents you send are your ‘visiting card’. We at Bocconi do the same when reading it and evaluating your candidacy.

Christiane Roth, Director of International Recruitment Services, Università Bocconi, Italy.

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Graduate Record Examinations www.ets.org/gre

Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Feature

Test Prep: Pass notes

Do you know your IELTS from your TOEFL? Confused about the difference between GMAT and GRE? Our quick guide tells you all you need know.

Thousands of students are required to take test preps every year

GMAT

Graduate Management Admissions Test www.gmac.com/gmac Duration

Four hours (with two five minute breaks).

What to bring

Nothing. Everything you need to sit the test is provided, although it is advised to bring enough clothes in case you get cold in the testing room. However, all bags will need to be stored in lockers.

Region

More than 400 locations in nearly 100 countries.

Audience

For candidates wishing to study at business school.

Purpose

To predict how suitable a candidate is for business school. The test measures basic verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills.

Scale

The GMAT has a total score from 200-800. The writing section scored between 0 and 6 is presented separately.

Which institutions require it?

Business schools

Test content

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)/Essay (1st section), One hour, two essays: One essay type is called: Analysis of an Issue, where you are asked to present your perspective on an issue; the other type is called: Analysis of an Argument, where you are asked to critique an argument. Quantitative/Math (2nd), multiple-choice format. 75 minutes, 37 questions. Verbal (3rd & last section), multiplechoice format. 75 minutes, 41 questions: Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning.

Cost

US$250 (worldwide)

How long is it valid for?

Five years

Results needed

About 66% of test takers score between 400-600 (The verbal and quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. For the verbal section, most people score between 9 and 44. For the quantitative section, common scores are between 7 and 50).

Point to note

The test has been created for native English speakers so candidates for whom English is a second language have a slight disadvantage, particularly in the verbal sections - although less so than the GRE.

Top tip from a candidate

This is a test of endurance. It is important that you keep your concentration for the duration of the exam, especially on the verbal section.

Resources

Many candidates enrol in a GMAT preparation course and use books and online resources such as www.beatthegmat.com

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GRE

Graduate Record Examinations www.ets.org/gre Duration

3 3/4 hours (Analytical writing: 1 x issue task 45mins/1 x argument task 30mins; Verbal: 2 sections x 30mins/section; Quantitative 2 sections x 30mins/section; Pretest: 30mins).

What to bring

Computer based test: official identification, names of schools to send scores to, authorization voucher (if applicable).

Paper based test: official identification, admission ticket, three to four sharpened soft lead pencils, good eraser.

Region

Worldwide

Audience

For candidates wishing to study non-business graduate level degrees.

Purpose

The GRE measures the extent to which undergraduate education has developed a candidate’s verbal and quantitative skills in abstract thinking. The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study and can help forecast a candidate’s potential for success in graduate school. Each subject test is intended for students who have majored in, or have extensive background in that specific area.

Scale

The GRE includes three sections. Each section is given a score from 200-800, making a maximum total score of 2400.

Three scores are reported on the general test: verbal and quantitative scores each on a 200-800 scale in ten-point increments; and an analytical writing score on a 0-6 scale in half-point increments.

Which institutions require it?

Graduate school admission panels use the results of GRE tests to see how suitable a candidate is for graduate study. Some departments or divisions within a school, may require or recommend that an applicant take the General Test, a subject test, or both.

Test content

The GRE includes three sections: verbal, quantitative and writing. The writing section includes two essays, one on an issue and one on an argument. The verbal section tests vocabulary knowledge out of context. The GRE requires a far broader knowledge of vocabulary, writing skills and general subjects than the GMAT.

Cost

$150 (US); $205 (China); $180 (all other locations)

How long is it valid for?

Five years

Results needed

You can see your results immediately after completing the exam. It’s at this stage that you can decide whether you want to keep that score or not. Your score will be sent to your chosen schools within 10-15 days of sitting the exam.

Top tip from a candidate

Know your vocab and find the right study methodology that works for you. Always work on the section that you know is your weakness, but don’t ignore your strong suites either.

Resources

GRE preparation courses are available from test prep centres including Manhattan Review and Kaplan.

IELTS

International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org Duration

2 hours, 45 minutes. The listening/reading/writing is all done in one sitting; the speaking section may be done on the same day or seven days before/after the test

What to bring

Current passport for photo ID, IELTS test registration card, pencils, sharpener, eraser.

Region

Worldwide - available in over 500 locations

Audience

The academic IELTS test is for candidates wishing to study in an English speaking university or higher education institution.

The general training IELTS test is for those wishing to go to secondary school, work, or migrate to an English speaking country.

Purpose

Testing English language proficiency and a candidate’s ability to communicate in English.

Scale

Each section is marked on a band scale from one to nine. Candidates will also be given an overall score between one and nine.

Which institutions require it?

Candidates wishing to study abroad, who do not have English as their first language, need to sit the IELTS. Some professional organizations also require it as do the Australian and Canadian governments for anyone wishing to immigrate.

Test content

Four parts: Listening (30mins), Reading (60mins), Writing (60mins), Speaking (11-14mins).

Cost

The cost of the IELTS test varies depending on location. An example of costs include: London: £105, San Francisco: US$170, Mumbai: RS7200; Sydney: AUS$280; Berlin, €170

How long is it valid for?

Two years

Results needed

Results will be posted to you 13 days after sitting the test.

Top tip from a candidate

Make sure you practice your spelling in preparation for the writing section. You can’t use a computer with a spellchecker, so you have to rely on your own knowledge of how to spell words correctly. The test starts in the morning so go to bed early!

Resources

Official practice materials are available from www.ielts.org. Many people use the IELTS CD for practice and enrol in IELTS preparation courses.

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TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language www.toefl.org Administered by the ETS (Educational Testing Service) Duration

One day

What to bring

A valid ID with your name, signature and photograph, admission ticket, signed photo-file record with a recent, recognizable photo, three or four sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HB) pencils and a good eraser and the codes for institutions that will receive your score reports.

Region

Worldwide

Audience

For candidates planning to study abroad at the undergraduate level for whom English is not their first language.

Purpose

Measures a candidate’s ability to communicate in English in colleges and universities.

Scale

Scores 0-300 in each of the four skill areas, as well as an overall score 0-120. You can view your scores online 15 days after the test.

Which institutions require it?

Over 6,000 universities and colleges in 110 countries, including the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Asia-Pacific.

Test content

Listening, reading (both multiple answers), writing (short essay), speaking.

Cost

Internet based test: US$125; Paper-based test: US$150

How long is it valid for?

Two years

Results needed

A score in excess of 200 is usually required, but certain more competitive schools will ask for scores of 250 or above. Each institution decides what score it requires. Find out from your university of choice what score range you need.

Top tip from a candidate

Immerse yourself in the English language. Read English newspapers and websites every day, listen and watch English programs and movies. Practice speaking English to native speakers as well – this will help to improve your ‘real English’ not just your ‘test prep’ English.

Resources

Sample tests are available from www.ets.org

LSAT

Law School Admission Test www.lsac.org/LSAT/about-the-lsat.asp Duration

Half a day, although allow a full day for getting to and from the test centre and sitting the test. The LSAT can only be taken at four times throughout the year (September, December, February, June).

What to bring

Admission ticket, ID (passport or driver’s licence), three or four sharpened No. 2 or HB wooden pencils (mechanical pencils are not allowed). You need to have these in a clear plastic ziplock bag, which can also hold your wallet, keys, wristwatch, medical or hygiene products, tissues, a drink in a clear container and a snack.

Region

Worldwide

Audience/Purpose

For students who are looking to gain admission into law school.

Scale

The LSAT score ranges from 120 being the lowest possible score, through to 180, the highest possible score. A candidate’s score is based on the number of questions answered correctly. There is no deduction for incorrect answers. This raw score is then converted to an LSAT scale (120-180).

Which institutions require it?

Many law schools require the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following fall. However, taking the test earlier, in June or September, is often advised.

Test content

Five 35min sections of multiple-choice questions. Two sections are logical reasoning, one is reading and another is logical games.

The fifth section, which does not contribute to your score is an experimental one and can be any of the three. This section is used to ensure the questions are fair for future LSAT test takers. A 35min writing sample is administered at the end of the test. The writing sample is not scored but copies are sent to all law schools of which the candidate wishes to apply to.

Cost

US$132, Can$137

How long is it valid for?

Five years

Results

You’ll need to wait three to six weeks for your results. The higher your score the more competitive your application, but law schools will take your entire admission into account when considering your application.

Top tip from a candidate

Do it right the first time! Only take the exam when you have the time to dedicate to studying for it. The LSAT is a huge time commitment if you want to do well.

Resources

Sample questions and practice tests are available from www.lsac.org

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Take the TOEFL® Learn how you can study abroad with the TOEFL® test

N

ow more than ever, if you want to attend a university where English is spoken, you need to prove you have the academic Englishlanguage skills needed for success.

With TOEFL® test scores, you can go anywhere in the world.

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language™) test is the most widely accepted English-language test in the world. More than 7,000 institutions in more than 130 countries use TOEFL test scores as part of their admissions requirements.

Robert Watkins, Assistant Director of Graduate and International Admissions at the University of Texas at Austin puts it most perfectly: “We truly want to make certain that our international students can fully participate and perform in our classrooms. So for us, the TOEFL test is a very critical tool in assessment.”

All English-language tests are not the same. The TOEFL iBT™ test is the only true academic English test available. It simulates your real educational experience by measuring how well you read, listen, speak and write in English, and how you combine these skills to communicate your ideas effectively in a university environment of your choice.

In the coming years, more students will register to study abroad, and more students will take English assessment tests than ever before,” says Phil Tabbiner, Senior Vice President of ETS’ Partnerships and Global Division. “The TOEFL test is the most valuable tool for

any student who wants to measure and improve their use of the English language.

It’s not just an admission ticket; it’s a roadmap to a lifetime of success.”

Institutions trust TOEFL test scores because ETS uses rating methods that meet the highest standards of fairness.

Students can be sure that their TOEFL test scores represent a fair and accurate picture of their ability to succeed in an academic setting.

• Registering for the TOEFL test online is convenient and easy. Take the test near you at any of the 4,500+ testing sites in more than 165 countries.

• Every year, more than six million people choose to take English-language tests created by ETS, the pioneer and world leader in educational assessment.

See why more than 23 million test takers have relied on their TOEFL scores to prove they have what it takes to get accepted into their school of choice. Now you can, too!

Visit www.ets.org/toefl to learn more.

It’s not just an admission ticket; it’s a roadmap to a lifetime of success” phil tabbiner, senior vice president, ets partnerships and global division

Sitting the TOEFL test will ensure you are prepared for

The TOEFL® test can take you to more destinations

The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English-language test in the world. No matter where you want to study, the TOEFL test can help get you there.

Fact: More than 7,000 colleges

and universities (and thousands of departments within those institutions) in more than 130 countries use TOEFL test scores for admissions decisions. So no matter where you want to study, the TOEFL test can help you get there.

Fact: TOEFL test scores not only fulfil

your admissions requirements, they assure that you arrive at your institution ready to communicate in English with your professors and peers.

The top 100 universities around the world, ranked on the www.topuniversities.com website, rely on the TOEFL test to select the most qualified candidates, because only the TOEFL test contains 100%

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you

Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Feature

true academic English test available. It simulates your real educational experience by measuring how well you read, listen, speak and write in English, and how you combine these skills to communicate your ideas effectively in a university environment. You will be prepared to read textbooks, understand lectures, write essays and speak with confidence.

Fact: The TOEFL score report provides

valuable feedback on how you can improve your English skills to better reach your educational goals.

Fact: TOEFL test scores are delivered to

test takers, quickly and securely, on average within two weeks. Score reports are available online and mailed to you as well.

The TOEFL test does more to help you prepare for test day

Fact: Preparing for the TOEFL test is

for

easy. ETS (the world leader in Englishlanguage assessments) provides you with resources, official test preparation and test practice tools to make your TOEFL testing experience rewarding and, most of all, successful.

your university study

academic content and measures the skills actually used in the classroom.

Regarded as the most fair and reliable, your TOEFL scores can take you to these highly respected universities, as well as thousands of others across the globe.

• Harvard University (US) • University of Oxford (UK) • Australia National University (Australia) • McGill University (Candada) • University of Hong Kong (China) • Imperial College London (UK) • Princeton University (US) • and many more…

Getting accepted by the university of your choice is only one step toward achieving your goals – you must also use your English-language skills effectively after you get there. Performing well on the TOEFL test gives you confidence that you have the skills needed to succeed at your university, and go further in your chosen career.

Regarded as the most fair and reliable, your TOEFL scores can take you to highly respected universities” View the TOEFL Destinations Directory at www.ets.org/toefl/directory Not the same English-language test

Unlike other tests, the TOEFL test is scored using a combination of human and automated rating methods that provide a complete, fair and accurate picture of your ability to succeed in an academic setting where English is spoken.

Fact: Your responses are evaluated by

many, highly trained raters who are closely supervised to ensure that the scores you receive meet the highest standards of fairness and objectivity.

Fact: The TOEFL iBT™ test is the only

• The TOEFL Destinations Directory, lists 7,000+ institutions that accept TOEFL test scores • Worldwide test centre locations, dates and times • The TOEFL® TV Channel on YouTube® • TOEFL iBT sample questions that are taken from real TOEFL tests • Free, downloadable test prep tips and publications • TOEFL RSS feeds for weekly tips and updates • New e-book: The Official Guide to the New TOEFL® iBT • TOEFL® Practice Online - the only official practice test for the TOEFL iBT test Registration is convenient and easy Fact: You can find a test centre near you

and register online. The TOEFL iBT is given at more than 4,500 test centres in 165 countries.

Take the test that takes you further.

Register now at www.ets.org/toefl/register 29

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Swimming against the tide Funding your graduate degree in troubled economic times, by Tim Rogers

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|Feature

The recent economic storms have buffeted many a students’ funding plans

R

udyard Kipling once famously wrote, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs” about a situation not dissimilar to the current financial crisis. And keeping your head might be exactly the right thing to do if you are currently either considering applying to a grad school program or staying on at university for either a Masters or PhD degree. With talk of the global recession, mounting debts and bank collapses dominating the daily news, is there really a chance that you will find funding for a Masters or PhD degree in the coming year?

Funding stays the same

The reality is that for most international students the same amount of funding is available to them for graduate study as there was a year ago. In fact, universities around the world have recognised that, in the face of increased economic uncertainty, more students are likely to consider returning to grad school as a means of shelter from the difficult international labour market and supporting these students is likely to be a key factor in securing the most talented graduate applicants. While the recession is an economic reality for many of us, universities and funding agencies have, in general, yet to cut their scholarship budgets. The seven UK funding bodies, for example the Economic and Social Research and the Science and Technology Facilities Councils, are committed to fund at least the same number of students in 2009/10 and 2010/11 as they did in 2008/2009. Awards include the 1+3 studentships that fund students for a one-year Masters program and, on satisfactory completion of the first year of study, a three-year research degree, in addition to a range of fellowships for taught and research students.

Other scholarship agencies and foundations have also confirmed their continued commitment to funding students for international graduate study.

The Ford Foundation’s International Fellowship Program (IFP) continues to support outstanding students whose aim it is to contribute to the development of their home countries

through international PhD studies in a diverse range of fields. Dr Joan Dassin, Executive Director of the IFP confirms that the commitment of funding large scholarship schemes exists. “We believe that even with a changing international economic climate it is more important than ever before to support the most able and talented students in their ambitions to study at the graduate level. Many of the students we fund are from nontraditional backgrounds and, without our funding, would be unable to access higher education of any kind,” Dassin says.

The funding budget provided by the Ford Foundation amounts to more than US$355 million and is guaranteed until 2014. Awards under the IFP are valid for up to three years of graduate studies and

It is more important than ever before to support the most able and talented students in their ambitions” Dr joan dassin, executive director, IFP

include either a Masters or PhD degree qualification. Scholarship recipients are selected from a range of backgrounds, with the IFP’s main aim focusing on drawing candidates from communities and countries that face great obstacles in accessing higher education. Those awarded IFP scholarships are selected from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Russia and chosen based on their leadership potential and academic excellence. Unlike many of the large international schemes, the awards made under the IFP do not limit the choice of destination country for studies, although the scholarship’s regulations do insist that students must study in a destination university or grad school that is accredited and offering Masters or PhD programs. These need to be in a range of specified academic subject fields, including anthropology, communications and journalism, conflict management, economics, education, environmental studies, linguistics, natural science, public >> administration and women’s studies.

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

From page 31

>>

Continued investment in large scholarship schemes

Many of the large-scale scholarship programs, such as those offered by transnational organizations, like the World Bank, or national government schemes, such as the Australian Endeavour Awards, the UK’s Chevening Scholarships and the US’ Fulbright Commission awards are also relatively untouched by the current financial crisis.

However, evidence suggests that these bigger scholarship schemes are very likely to be more competitive than in previous years with more prospective graduate students seeking to escape the downturn in the global economy by returning to university and grad school. The British government’s commitment to their flagship scholarship scheme, Chevening, continues in 2009, with no significant reduction in either the funds invested in more than 1,000 new scholarships for Masters students under the main awards or the additional 300 scholarships funded jointly with the corporate sector.

The Chevening scholarships are likely to continue to attract candidates of the highest calibre, with more than 17,000 applications for the 1,000 or so central awards and competition in the years to come will continue to be stiff. But the benefits of successfully applying for a Chevening scholarship are significant – a full tuition award and generous living costs, including pre-departure allowances, ensure that these are among the most highly sought after scholarships for any prospective international graduate student wishing to study abroad.

Tigist Hailu was a successful Chevening scholarship student at the University of Bradford in 2006 and the experience of both winning the scholarship and studying in the UK has literally changed her life. Having pursued a Masters in International Politics and Security Studies, Tigist has now returned to Ethiopia and is working in one of the key intergovernmental organizations bringing peace and stability to some of the most rural parts of the country. “The opportunity to further my education in the UK has changed my life. It has granted me the good fortune to gain graduate studies in one of the most respected institutions in the world.

Some scholarship schemes haven’t been affected by the financial crisis

The opportunity to further my education in the UK has changed my life” Tigist hailu, Ethiopian student

The Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford is a leading institution in the field and in addition, the opportunity to experience life in the UK as well as the opportunity to interact with British society and students from other nationalities, has greatly widened my horizons. The scholarship has also allowed me to build life-long relationships and contributed immensely to my personal development.”

Turning to the scholarship programs offered by individual universities in all of the major recruiting countries it is perhaps surprising to discover that the majority are maintaining their budgets in order to support students wishing to continue their education from undergraduate to

graduate programs, at a time when reports of reduced employment opportunities are dominating the national newspapers.

University College London (UCL) has recently invested more than £250,000 in a new scholarship scheme to support international research students, whilst at the same time continuing their Global Excellence Scholarships, each worth £5,000 for one year of study open to all students of high academic potential.

According to Professor David Bogle, Head of the Graduate School at UCL, maintaining a good level of funding for new Masters and PhD students is an essential way to attract the highest quality candidates. “As UCL is a research intensive institution with a global reputation PhD students in particular are central to our research mission - they contribute to our research effort and to the vigour of our research environment.

It is important to continue to seek the best and the brightest of these prospective students from around the world. Many are able to find funding but we wish to be able to recruit excellent students who, >>

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05/08/2009 13:24:29

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World-class faculty Hult’s highly distinguished faculty hail from the U.S., U.K., and Europe. We also collaborate with professors from some of the world’s top institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, Duke, Wharton, and INSEAD. Email: postgraduate@hult.edu The Americas: +1 617 746 1990 Europe & Eastern Europe: +44 20 7636 5667 Middle East, Africa & India: +971 4 375 30 88 Asia: +852 2111 2370

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Prestigious Internship Gain the experience you need to compete in today’s job market. Participating companies include (but not limited to): Bloomberg, Estee Lauder, The World Future Council, MSK Global An experienced Career Services team Hult’s Career Services team specializes in helping international students find global employment opportunities. Hult’s dedicated staff have created a vast network of companies, organizations, and institutions to provide you with a wealth of options.

To apply for our programs, please visit http://www.hult.ed/application or email postgraduate@hult.edu

We were very fortunate to receive continual support from Hult’s Global Career Services and Development team during our job search, whether it came in the form of votes of confidence, practical advice, suggestions, mock-interviews, and any other aspect of our career pursuits. Our instructors provided us with practical and relevant guides to succeed not only in finding a job, but also in distinguishing ourselves in our professional lives.

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05/08/2009 07:57:17

Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Commercial student loans are still available from many major banks

for a variety of reasons may not. Masters students, for example, are a vital pipeline to research student recruitment as well as being increasingly necessary for entry to the workplace, hence UCL’s interest in providing scholarships aimed at this level as well as for those more focused on research. Overall, we have little funding for Masters students but do recognise the difficulties that they face in finding support and loans for Masters study so where we do offer support it is for our research preparation Masters programs.”

The good side of banks

Banks, both local and international, are continuing to do their bit for funding students seeking a graduate degree.

While it is true that commercial loans for international graduate study are not quite as freely available as they have been in previous years, UK-based banks such as Barclays, the Co-operative and The Royal Bank of Scotland have announced they will continue to fund the Career Development Loan (CDL) scheme, backed by the Learning and Skills

PhD students in particular are essential to our research mission and contribute to our research effort” Professor david bogle, ucl, UK

Council (LSC) for UK and European students. Further afield, large international banks like HSBC and Banco Santander are committed to continuing their support for schemes for international students throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America. Indeed, Banco Santander is among the first banks, and certainly now the greatest investor from the banking and finance industry, to develop a higher education-specific focus that benefits universities as well as individual international students.

Beginning in 1996, Banco Santander founded their Santander Universities Global Division focused on developing cooperation between universities and encouraging student mobility between

universities, colleges and grad schools in Latin America, China, the EU and Russia. In 2009, their 700th funded institutional link was signed bringing their total investment to more than €600 million over a 12 year period. With a range of projects being funded, the Banco Santander has had a very real impact on the mobility of international graduate students seeking Masters or PhD programs all over the world. Scholarships and loan funding is available for students either already enrolled at a partner university or through open schemes advertised in local press depending on the exact requirements of the specific award.

In 2007, 12,270 students and academic members of staff were awarded university scholarships for international study and other kinds of academic mobility.

The opportunity to secure a scholarship through the Santander Universities Global Division is significant for many prospective international graduate students. With a focus on a diverse range of countries and an emphasis on facilitating access to universities for students from lower income households, many of the Banco Santander scholarships are awarded to talented students that are ineligible for some of the more commercial loans schemes or international scholarship schemes. Although a Spanish-based bank, Banco Santander makes funding available to all students where their schemes and partnerships operate. One scheme that focuses on the promotion of international student excellence is the Carolina Foundation Leadership Scholarships, short-term mobility awards for 60 graduate students from Latin America, Spain and Portugal intending to study for a short period of their Masters degrees in universities throughout Spain. Other awards under the Banco Santander schemes include those for graduate students from specific countries, such as that offered to students from Uruguay, who may apply for one of the ten full mobility scholarships tenable at European universities for a full academic program and perhaps the largest scheme, the 200 graduate-only scholarships available to students of 32 of Latin America and the Caribbean’s largest universities to study at another university in the region. Jamil Hannouche, Vice President of Santander Universities sees such scholarship schemes as important >>

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

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From page 34 to individual students in a much broader context. “Cultural exchange is the main starting point to build a new identity for the region, a key process in its growth. I firmly believe that cultural exchange is a unique experience that improves our world vision. Thanks to the stimulation provided by looking beyond our borders, this scholarship program strengthens integration among the countries in this region through new mechanisms for dialogue, cooperation and reciprocity.”

New student loans

A further and very recent innovation on the more commercial side of funding international students is the introduction of banks making specific arrangements with individual universities for the exclusive benefit of their international students. Earlier in 2009, a number of US universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University, concluded months of careful negotiation to replace their commercial funding agreements that had become unworkable in the current financial circumstances with new schemes in association with high profile and, perhaps more importantly, financially secure banks.

Harvard University’s agreement with JPMorgan Chase now provides graduate and professional students with access to private educational loans where they are not eligible for the USA’s federal loan schemes. Dan Shore, Harvard’s Chief Financial Officer believes that by making an agreement with a commercial finance provider, the recruitment of international graduate students to one of the most famous universities in the world is secure.

“We have a significant international student population and we pride ourselves on the contributions these students make to a diverse campus. With this agreement we are pleased to be able to say, once again, that a Harvard graduate education remains accessible to all talented students, regardless of where they live.”

Lauren Welch, Head of Advising at the US-UK Fulbright Commission in London, believes that US universities will continue to attract students through the financial crisis, particularly with the new agreements being made between universities and banks. “US colleges continue to have access to financial aid packages that are the envy of the world.

Banks have started making commercial funding agreements with individual universities

We pride ourselves on the contributions international students make to a diverse campus” Dan Shore, harvard university, US

With more international students than ever before, it certainly seems to be business as usual.”

It is likely that more universities around the world will follow the Harvard lead and develop partnerships with some of the more stable international banks to facilitate the mobility of graduate students to either their Masters or PhD programs.

The advantages of such schemes are clear – with universities undertaking to share the risk of providing loans to international customers, students are able to access previously protected sources of funding and benefit from their often reduced rates of interest payments. More importantly, with these institutional agreements, the need for a local co-signatory is abandoned

– the university or grad school taking on that role – enabling students not to have a local sponsor other than their intended place of study.

Work and study: part-time for both or just one?

Different economic realities might also require different approaches to funding your Masters or PhD degree program overseas. One solution is to consider studying part-time, halving your tuition fees and allowing you to work throughout the course of your degree. Although such an approach has to be balanced with the implications studying part-time have on your ability to secure a visa as an international graduate student, the rules vary significantly from country to country.

The majority of non-EU students coming to the UK, The Netherlands and France are required to study full-time at the graduate level, but some students obtain visas and then change their immigration status once they arrive. European students throughout the EU, however, have far more flexibility in securing a place on >>

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top_grad_school_Guide:Layout 1

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One Campus, 3 schools A World of Opportunity Regent's College is situated in central London within Regent's Park and offers a unique setting with excellent academic facilities.

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EBS London, the UK’s oldest private business school, offers specialist Masters programmes designed to enhance students’ skills in a specific area of business.

• MBA International Business • MSc Global Banking and Finance • MA Entrepreneurial Management • MA Human Resources • MA International Business

Regent’s Business School London offers three fulltime Masters programmes suitable for students looking to gain general management skills. Challenging and rewarding courses with a practitioner’s focus and a focus on employability.

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advertpages.indd 37

www.regents.ac.uk

05/08/2009 08:00:21

Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

>>

From page 36 a part-time basis allowing them to balance the commitment of paying their tuition fees with either full-time or increased levels of work.

In recognition of this, an increasing number of universities in the UK and other EU countries are offering Masters programs in particular in a genuinely more flexible fashion, with evening and weekend teaching, or compressing modules into a fixed afternoon every week allowing students to work to fund their degree. The University of Westminster’s MA in Photographic Studies, one of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the UK, offers a part-time mode allowing students to attend classes one afternoon and evening throughout the term. Colin Mew, a part-time student is in no doubt that being able to work throughout the week enables him to study. “Without my classes arranged on one day, there’s no way I could have taken this Masters degree. I can work near enough full-time to pay my fees and living expenses and still have just enough time to work on assignments.”

However, in the months to come, the issue of international students working while they study in a more traditional sense is likely to mean balancing full-time study with increasing levels of part-time employment. Such approaches have become the reality for many international students over recent years, but the current financial climate is likely to push more students to look for part-time

I can work near enough fulltime to pay my fees and living expenses and still have enough time to study” colin mew,, university of westminster, UK

employment as soon as they begin their graduate studies. In most cases, a more liberal attitude to international students working while they study in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and the US will support more students in their search for work and enable them to raise relatively substantial funds during the course of their studies. Although international student visa regulations do vary from country to country, it is common for full-time students to be permitted to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week during term-time and potentially full-time during their vacations, although detailed regulations should be consulted to confirm the legal position for all international students before starting to look for work. In addition, and depending on the country and university you are studying in, you may also receive some support in locating a part-time or casual job through studentrun employment agencies on campus,

particularly in countries where a Students’ Union or Guild is well established. While the current economic position in many countries may have reduced some work opportunities, the number of casual positions available in the service sectors of the larger economies continue to offer international students with a range of work possibilities while they study.

Although the financial crisis has altered the economic reality for many of us, those international students interested in pursuing their Masters or PhD programs overseas continue to have a range of funding options open to them. With the large international scholarship schemes continuing for the foreseeable future, albeit with the possibility of increased levels of competition for the same number of awards, and banks offering a range of opportunities for students opting for specific universities or countries, the picture for international grad students may not appear to be as bleak as at first sight. And despite these changed economic times, the rules for funding your international graduate study remain the same – plan ahead; remain flexible in case you are not successful with all of your funding applications; and look at all the options – there continue to be many to fund your Masters or PhD program.

38 030-038 funding.indd_TO GO.indd 38

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05/08/2009 08:03:59

Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Feature

QS World Grad School Tour Scholarship

Each year, the QS World Grad Tour offers a US$10,000 scholarship.

Ann Graham talks to QS Graduate Scholarships Manager David McClelland on how to put a winning application together

Y

ou’ve made the decision to go to grad school and been accepted on to the course. Now the hard part begins! How do you go about funding your graduate qualification? There’s the savings account, the piggy bank and the parent fund to tap into, but to cover tuition, accommodation, living costs and your social life, you’re going to need a little bit more.

Each year, the QS World Grad School Tour offers a US$10,000 scholarship to a recipient who has demonstrated academic achievement. So how do you go about applying for this scholarship and what do you need to stand out from the crowd?

Criteria

To be eligible for the scholarship, you need to attend a QS World Grad School Tour fair. There are 47 of these held each year around the world – Latin America, North America, UK/Europe, Asia, India and the Middle East – so chances are, there’s going to be one near you.

Attending a fair is not only an opportunity to become eligible for this scholarship, but also to find out what financial assistance international graduate schools offer. As you speak with the different schools, ask them what funding options they have available.

You then need to showcase your academic achievement. “Due to the broad range of study areas covered by the World Grad School Tour, we believe that the best marker for measuring talent is excellence,” says David McClelland, QS’ Graduate

Scholarships Manager. “Therefore, we want to award the individual who can successfully demonstrate that they have consistently achieved success throughout their study life, and that they have channelled their success with clear goals and targets.

“In my experience the best students in the world know exactly where they want to go and how to get there,” says McClelland.

The application process

Once you’ve attended a QS World Grad School Tour fair, you must then fill out an application form. This can be found at www.topgradschool.com. You’ll need to fill out a research survey on postgraduate education before you can apply.

You’ll then need to outline: where you’re from which university you’d like to study at what kind of program you’re interested in where you did your undergraduate degree how you plan to fund your study if not from a scholarship

· · · · ·

QS also wants to find out more about you

In my experience the best students in the world know exactly where they want to go and how to get there” David mcclelland, Qs

as an applicant so will ask questions such as: what is your ideal career? how do you see an MSc or PhD helping you to achieve this? where do you see yourself in 20 years time? how do you intend to use your qualification to help your local community?

· · · ·

This is the initial round of applications.

If the QS scholarship selection panel is impressed with your answers, you’ll then be asked to write an application essay. The essay question will be along the lines of: “Describe how you plan to build on your academic achievement to date to a) maximise the benefits that your imminent postgraduate program can offer you and b) once you have the postgraduate qualification, apply it in your place of work to generate social, scientific or economic advantage.”

“We’re looking for someone who has the ability to think outside the square,” says McClelland. “Someone who can genuinely demonstrate that their postgraduate qualification is going to be beneficial to, not only their career, but to the communities around them.”

The selection process

The scholarship is open from September to April each year, so you have plenty of time to apply. Once the application deadline has passed, McClelland has a huge task on his hands. >> “The QS scholarship team and I 41

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

>>

From page 41 read through each application form and every essay that has been submitted to narrow down a shortlist. We then evaluate these applications to decide on a winner.

There’s usually always an application that stands out from the crowd, so I then get the best part of the job – letting the winner know they’ve been successful,” he says.

The winning edge

So how do you ensure that you, and your application, stand out from the crowd?

Follow QS topgradschool.com’s top five tips on putting together a successful scholarship application and you could be on your way to winning some money.

1. Provide all that is requested

Make sure you have all the information that the selection panel has requested of you in your application. “If an application is incomplete, we won’t look at it,” McClelland says. “We want someone who can follow instructions and go the extra mile, not someone who gives the impression of being unorganized.”

2. Sell yourself

Write down everything you’re good at and all that you have achieved – this is what a scholarship selection panel wants to know.

“Don’t be afraid to sell yourself,” says McClelland. “You’re up against hundreds of other candidates who want this $10,000, so make sure you and your application jump out at us. Tell us about your academic, personal, professional and social achievements – it will all help us to decide whether you should be the winner of our scholarship.

“Just don’t exaggerate too much, because we’ll be able to find out the truth from your referees,” he says.

3. Presentation

A scholarship application is very similar to a job interview. You want to give a good impression and spelling mistakes or illegible writing don’t look good. “Give your application the time it deserves $10,000 is a lot of money,” McClelland advises. “Take care when putting your application together. Formatting can be a time consuming process, but it could all be worth it in the end. Ask a friend or family member to check it for mistakes as well.

They may see something that you haven’t.”

Just think what a difference US$10,000 could make to your prospects

You’re up against hundreds of other candidates who want this $10,000, so make sure your application jumps out” David Mcclelland, QS

4. Referees

Choose these people carefully - after all, there’s a lot hanging on this application.

“We want to speak to a referee who can give us a genuine insight into a candidate’s qualities – both personal and professional,” McClelland says. “It’s a chance for us to be able to ask questions to see what they’re like as a person, a student or an employee – it helps us to get a much greater picture of who our potential winner is.”

Let each of your referees know when you’re applying for a scholarship, so if they’re asked for information about you, they’re not taken by surprise and can give a detailed answer praising you and your abilities.

5. Don’t miss the deadline

Always give yourself an extra few days up your sleeve when applying for a scholarship. You may need it if you’re getting your application professionally printed, or if you’re waiting for confirmation from a referee. The selection panel won’t consider late applications.

Documentation checklist:

· · · · ·

Scholarship application form Scholarship application essay Covering letter CV Academic records

QS Education Trust

The QS World Grad School Tour is administered by the QS Education Trust, a non-profit organization with a prime objective of providing a conduit for this, and other scholarships. Its mission is to become the world’s largest independent community-based provider of postgraduate scholarships.

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Feature

i n ter v i e w

And the 2008 QS Scholarship for Innovation goes to...

Anna Pak, a law graduate from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Germany talks to Tim Rogers about how she plans to use the US$10,000 Scholarship and her ambitions for the future

T

he competition for scholarships can be intense, with excellent applicants being unsuccessful every year. But for the lucky few, receiving a scholarship can be a life changing experience and the winner of the 2008 QS Scholarship for Innovation certainly believes that the US$10,000 she has been awarded will make a difference.

A law graduate from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Germany, Anna Pak was awarded the scholarship after fierce international competition among the 63,000 students that attended one of the 48 QS World Grad School Tour events held in 2008. She now intends to pursue her law studies in the UK. “Experiencing the culture of the country first hand will offer a different platform for personal development and deepen my knowledge of the law.”

Anna (25) qualified for the scholarship after attending the QS World Grad School Tour in Frankfurt, where she had the opportunity to meet representatives from a selection of the world’s top universities and grad schools. Recalling her experience, Anna believes that the opportunity to meet universities face to face is invaluable in deciding where to study internationally. “The universities there were very professional and I was able to get my general questions answered.

The atmosphere at the fair was also very friendly and it was a good way to get in touch with other future Masters students.

One of the other aspects of attending an event like this is perhaps less expected – an education fair is also a good way to get in touch with other future students of the same study program and start to build a network very easily in advance.”

Anna, who will use her scholarship to study the LLM program at King’s College

London, chose the Masters degree there for understandable reasons. “King’s has a worldwide excellent reputation as a School of Law and is known for their outstanding teaching.” But, like many other international students heading to a new country, there were other important factors. “The city of London is beyond comparison in regard to lifestyle and cultural diversity on the one hand and its significant history on the other.”

While prospective international students often apply to the same scholarship scheme for a number of years without luck, Anna’s success with the QS award was on her first

The atmosphere at the QS fair was very friendly and it was a good way to get in touch with future Masters students” Anna pak, 2008 QS Scholarship winner

application. Peter MacDonald, Director of the QS World Grad School Tour, believes this was the result of her unique background and excellent academic record. “Anna’s application stood out from the other candidates this year through a combination of excellent university grades, good and very relevant work experience and an eagerness to make the most of her international LLM studies in her career hopes. We are delighted the scholarship has gone to such a worthy student.”

Anna, currently an intern at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, spent a year researching what and where she would study for her international Masters program. Her focus for studying abroad was threefold. “Firstly, I wanted to have

the chance to deepen my knowledge of international law. Secondly, I wanted to be able to experience a different culture first hand, and thirdly, the opportunity to meet different people from all over the globe and exchange ideas and experiences with my fellow students is something not to be missed.”

She hopes her period of international graduate study will support her ambitions to become a legal professional in the future. “I envisage my future in an international organization, so I need to deepen my knowledge of international law through the LLM. During my current internship at the NATO headquarters I have realised that hands-on experience is very helpful and enriching. For me, an LLM in international legal studies is a must for someone who seeks a career in an international context.”

Like so many international students preparing to start their programs in another country, Anna is excited about what the future might hold for her. The QS Scholarship for Innovation will support her through the one-year LLM in London and hopefully onto a successful and fulfilling career. “I certainly look forward to applying the knowledge gained from my studies in a legal framework in an international organization. I am eager to participate in the promotion of security and peace, economic development and human rights all around the world. I would be very honoured and delighted if I could help to develop friendly relations among nations and make a contribution to social progress in the global community.” n

Details of the QS Scholarship for Innovation are available on the website: www.topgradschool.com 43

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Studying off the beaten track The US and UK are still among the most popular places for students to study, but with the help of the QS World Grad School Tour, universities from less well-known destinations are attracting new students. Tim Rogers examines some of the countries, campuses and courses that might appeal

New destinations offer students alternatives

I

nternational graduate students have never enjoyed such an array of potential universities in a huge selection of countries than is the case today. While the US, Australia and the UK dominate the minds of many students keen on pursuing their Masters or PhD degrees overseas, thousands of students are increasingly focusing on different countries, all offering qualifications of exactly the same academic quality but in less well known destinations.

These countries range from Italy, where international programs are taught in both Italian and English; Switzerland, where tuition fees remain at a modest level for students in the government-subsidised

system; and Finland, where both the quality of life and university experience frequently see the country’s universities to be among the most popular by international students choosing to study in one of the less known countries.

Standing out from the crowd

The reasons for choosing a less well known country as the destination for an international graduate program vary from student to student, but the financial aspects associated with international education, including both tuition and living costs, the language of instruction and access to the local labour market are all considerations that feature strongly

in the minds of many. While an international graduate student choosing to apply to universities in Australia or the UK will be one among tens of thousands of other applicants, deciding to study in one of the Nordic countries or even The Netherlands will automatically help you stand out from the crowd. Whereas universities in the UK now attract more than 350,000 international students every year, a country like Finland has no more than 10,000 students from overseas wishing to study a full degree program in one of the country’s universities. If you’re seeking an experience that is altogether more unique, then one of the less >> well-known countries will help you 45

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From page 45 achieve your goal. Each of the emerging study destinations for international graduate students are characterised by particular aspects that make them unique and different from one another.

In some cases these factors are entirely associated with the country itself, for instance, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, where the societies are seen as being open and democratic, enabling international students to settle and make friends very quickly; or with the study style, for example The Netherlands, where the problem-based learning approach adopted by many universities brings international students together with their local counterparts in small groups throughout their course of study. While the popularity of Australia and the UK dictates that the advantages of studying in these destinations are very well known to many international students, less visible countries, who may have similar advantages to their popular counterparts in other countries, tend to have lower profiles with reputations known by only the few students who have already made the decision to study there.

Meeting the alternatives face-to-face

Showcasing some of these less wellknown graduate study destinations is something the QS World Grad School Tour has pioneered since its founding in 2000. Having forged partnerships with national representative bodies in a range of countries, including Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain, QS has successfully brought students from over 40 countries face-to-face with universities from some of the newly emerging countries on the international graduate education scene. By supporting the marketing and recruitment activities, Peter MacDonald, Director of the Tour, believes that students now have more opportunities to find the best graduate program possible through these international education fairs. “Bringing some of the less well known study destinations and their universities on the QS World Grad School Tour has enabled students to make better choices from a greater range of possible grad school programs. Students are able to attend any one of these events and compare programs from 15 or 20 different countries to find out exactly which of them – by city,

Sweden offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional destinations for graduate study

By promoting a growing range of countries we are better able to meet the demands of students” Peter macdonald, QS

university or academic program - is the right match for them. By promoting a growing range of countries we are better able to meet the demands of students interested in exploring well known and lesser known study destinations.”

New study destinations working together

One impact of the increasing range of study destinations for prospective international graduate students is that more and more universities and grad schools from the same country are working together to attract students not only to their programs but the country as a whole. The need to ensure

that international students have a good selection of grad schools to choose from is one of the activities that characterises the behaviour of many of the newer countries to international student recruitment.

Whereas universities in Australia and the UK are more likely to directly compete for the same students, countries like Italy recognise that to encourage international students to consider the country as a whole as their destination for graduate studies is a benefit not only to any single university but potentially for the development of a future international network for Italian industry, commerce or diplomacy. According to Michelangelo Balicco, from Italy’s Politecnico di Milano, working together has some very clear benefits for students. “By working with other Italian schools, students have a far greater choice over where they might eventually study their Masters program. If a student does not have the background or the grades to go to one university, then they may have the right qualifications to go somewhere else – either way, Italy >>

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From page 46 benefits because the student has still chosen to come to study with us.”

In some cases, international students are reluctant to apply to universities in a country they know little about simply because they lack a basic knowledge of the country and its education system. Arnold Persoon, Associate Director of International Relations and Communication at Leiden University in The Netherlands, has been active in promoting both his university and the broader benefits of studying in The Netherlands to international graduate students for close to ten years and believes that marketing activities like the QS World Grad School Tour encourage more students to apply to Masters and PhD programs. “In order to compete for the best international students, Leiden University and other Dutch universities need to raise their profile and make plain the advantages and strengths of Dutch graduate education. We have high quality degree programs, reasonable tuition fees, more Masters programs are taught in English here than in any other European

The QS World Grad School Tour is committed to promoting a range of top universities” country outside of the UK. Holland is an open and friendly country and students enjoy their time here, but we need to remind people of this so they can consider us at the same time as other countries.”

In recent years, many universities from Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and The Netherlands have used the QS World Grad School Tour as a key tool in the promotion of both their graduate programs and the country as a whole to talented prospective international students. Graduate degrees in these countries offer viable alternatives to those in the UK, Canada and the US, often with advantages that the mainstream study destinations simply cannot offer.

Mikko Toivonen, Project Manager of the Helsinki Education and Research Area, a body that supports the marketing of

all higher education institutions in the Helsinki region in Finland, believes that only by becoming more visible on the international stage will more students be attracted to the lesser known countries.

“The Helsinki region has some of the most famous universities in Finland and some of the most prestigious research-led Masters and PhD programs anywhere in the world. Through our regional consortium of higher education institutions, Helsinki Education and Research Area, we are able to offer the international students an outstanding selection of programs - from business to biotechnology and ICT to design.”

Universities from smaller countries are using the QS World Grad School Tour to promote their courses

Strength in numbers means more scholarships

The issue of tuition fees for international students studying Masters and PhD degrees is one of the key themes that the QS World Grad School Tour is committed to promoting. Many top universities from around the world, have adopted alternative approaches to charging fees to international graduate students. While the international perception of low or no tuition fees is sometimes equated to poor academic quality, the reality is very different indeed. Although currently under review, the majority of Masters and PhD programs offered by the Finnish and Swedish universities attending the QS World Grad School Tour do not charge international students tuition fees, rather the tax systems in each country subsidise the teaching of all students in higher education, encouraging those from a range of financial backgrounds to attend universities there. Similarly, state run Swiss and German universities continue to offer graduate education to international students without charging tuition fees, believing that the recruitment of students from outside of their countries will contribute to both the internationalization of their local students and the development of valuable international networks for the future.

With so many more countries and their universities using the QS World Grad School Tour and other means of promotion as showcases for future international students to chose their Masters or PhD degree program, the wealth of information on offer can be staggering and, to an extent, confusing.

One clear advantage to students, however, is that they are increasingly aware of the number of scholarships and other forms of financial aid offered to them by these less well-known countries and their universities. National, regional and institutional scholarship schemes, for example, are among the most attractive features of the international promotional campaign “Invest Your Talent in Italy,” administered by the Italian government, focused on international graduate students interested in studying and eventually working in Italy. By focusing their campaign on attracting students through the scholarships, Mauro Battocchi, Head of Trade and Investment Promotion at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, believes that more international students will consider studying in Italy. “In Italy

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there’s an increasing awareness that we need to attract the best talents for our companies to thrive in the long term. We have brought together a large coalition of governmental bodies, chambers of commerce and corporate sponsors to promote Italy as a brand for excellent higher education.”

Another distinct advantage in meeting universities and admissions officers from emerging study destinations face-toface is that students get a genuine sense of what it might be like to study there.

Despite the acknowledged importance of the internet for researching future study decisions, the importance of human contact for prospective students remains critical. MacDonald believes that raising the general awareness of alternative graduate study destinations is

an important feature of these international education fairs. “More countries are seeking to secure well-qualified and talented international Masters and PhD students for their university programs and eventually to help their skills gaps in the job market. One of the purposes of our education fairs is to ensure that students are aware of the wide range of countries that offer programs of a very high quality outside of the common choices of Australia, the US and the UK, and to enable them to make a better choice based on their personal circumstances. In most cases, students are unable to physically visit these new study destinations, so our education fairs bring the universities directly to the students.”

While destinations like the US and the UK will remain the most popular

|Feature

for international graduate students for many years to come, the emergence of viable alternatives throughout Europe and Asia is very good news for the hundreds of thousands of students considering pursuing Masters or PhD programs away from their home countries. The increased choice allows students to question whether the most popular destinations really are the very best for their academic subject and whether alternative choices may offer an element to them that is entirely unique and perhaps the most critical in their final choice.

With an increasing number of universities from a range of countries attending the QS World Grad School Tour in 2009, there is no better platform to meet representatives from these emerging countries.

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Mastering management Look at the Financial Times rankings of Masters in Management degrees and France dominates - seven of the top ten programs are French. But are they getting a run for their money by other non-traditional providers?

Ann Graham finds out.

I

f you want a successful career in business and the field of management appeals, start researching Masters in Management degrees. Designed for students with little or no work experience, a Masters in Management will provide you with skills in a diverse area of business and management including: finance, accounting, economics, markets, strategy, statistics, decision analysis, business and society.

Each year, the Financial Times ranks the top Masters in Management programs – different from the MBA which requires a candidate to have several years of work experience. Students studying for a Masters in Management usually do so immediately after their undergraduate degree. One of the main criteria of the ranking is an evaluation of the careers that alumni enjoy three years after graduating from the programs, which includes a survey of salaries. Over the past few years, France has dominated this ranking. Schools such as HEC School of Management, ESCP-EAP School of Management and ESSEC Business School fill the top ten. Their performance and record in these rankings is impressive, but that doesn’t mean to say there aren’t other top management schools throughout Europe.

So which other European schools are offering top quality Masters in Management programs and could potentially give France a run for its money? We take a look at four contenders.

Schönbrunn Palace, a must see icon of Vienna for any student studying abroad in Austria

I

Vienna University of Economics and Business

Austria Accreditations EQUIS Rank 18 in the 2008 Financial Times Ranking of Masters in Management programs.

The Vienna University of Economics and Business is also one of the 23 business schools that are part of the CEMS, the Global Alliance in Management Education, which ranked third in the 2008 Financial Times rankings.

What is unique about Vienna University’s program?

The Masters in International Management, in cooperation with CEMS, has been offered since 1990 in both English and German. Students, who study for this 24-month program, obtain the double degree - Vienna University’s Masters in International Management (MSc) and the CEMS MIM offered by the Community of European Management Schools. It is open to a

select group of only 80 students from all over the world.

How does Vienna University compete with other Masters in Management providers?

Vienna University (WU) is the European Union’s largest business university. It has more than 25,000 students from over 100 countries, studying in the fields of business and management as well as business law.

Eva-Maria Zastera, Marketing Director says the program is designed to give students an excellent academic and practical education in international management. “Some core components include: excellence in management education, a term abroad at an elite partner school, hands-on business experience through an international internship, a capstone business project, special skill development workshops and many on-campus opportunities to meet with CEOs and corporate partners.”

Education in Austria is free (no tuition fees), thus WU is not competing on a revenue basis but merely on talent. “In

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The University of St Gallen, Switzerland

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University of St Gallen

Switzerland Accreditations EQUIS and AACSB International Rank The University of St Gallen is one of the 23 business schools that are part of the CEMS, the Global Alliance in Management Education, which ranked third in the 2008 Financial Times rankings.

What is unique about St. Gallen’s Masters in Management program?

the quest for the best students, we try to provide an academically challenging, yet practice-oriented curriculum that prepares students to assume leadership once they have graduated from our program,” Zastera says.

What will students gain?

In the fall of 2009, WU’s Masters in International Management/CEMS will launch as a two-year, full-time program taught entirely in English. It is specially designed to meet the needs of the global marketplace in an international setting, creating a stimulating learning environment through the wide variety of professional, academic, and research experience brought to the classroom.

Zastera says the university constantly listens to the more than 50 CEMS corporate partners. “To foster the university business link, we run skill seminars, invite executives to deliver guest lectures and ask our corporate partners for input in course development. The last initiative we launched was to incorporate more components on social corporate

In response to the Bologna Reforms, the University of St Gallen (HSG) created a course architecture in 2001, which aims to develop students’ chosen subjects and their personalities. It also provides them with a humanist education. A student’s studies consist of three pillars: • contact studies: in the classic form of lectures, seminars and exercises, • independent studies: preparatory and follow up work for lectures, • contextual studies: made up of courses in cultural awareness, critical thinking and leadership skills.

How does HSG compete with other Masters in Management providers?

“‘The University of St. Gallen provides

We try to provide an academically challenging yet practice-orientated curriculum” Eva-maria zastera, vienna university, Austria

a setting which marries the promise of the future with the foundations of traditions and an absolutely essential link between academic work and the practical world.’ ” “These words by Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, show very well indeed where HSGs great strength lies - in its traditional high degree of practical relevance,” says Professor Thomas Dyllick. “The full-time faculty is complemented by more than 100 parttime faculty from management, practice and public office. Projects with companies are part of its long-standing standard, as is close research cooperation in all the areas of the economy with such reputable partners as SAP, Audi, UBS and KPMG, to name but a few.”

What will students gain?

HSG has traditionally had strong links to the working world. Measured in terms of the relative number of top management executives in the 500 largest Swiss companies, HSG is Switzerland’s business school with the greatest job placement power for graduates.

A degree from HSG provides exclusive access to the HSG Alumni Network - one of the oldest of its kind in Europe - with more than 19,000 alumni represented in over 80 clubs on four continents.

The HSG is one of the very few preferred recruitment partners for international banks and consulting companies like McKinsey and BCG. More than 80% of students have a job at the time of graduation, and are able to choose from an average of 2.5 job offers.

With a starting salary of CHF99,500 they >> earn more than the Swiss average.

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“I believe the knowledge and systematic marketing tools that I have learned at BI, along with living in Norway and understanding Norwegian values associated with environmental issues, helped me secure a job at DNV, Shanghai.”

You Lu, China, MSc in Strategic Marketing Management, BI Norwegian School of Management.

Explore a World of Energy BI Norwegian School of Management is an internationally accredited (EQUIS) and independent academic institution in the area of Business and Management. It is located in Oslo, capital of Norway, one of the world’s leading energy producers. BI’s campus is an innovative state-of-the-art teaching and research facility of Scandinavian design.

BI Norwegian School of Management’s portfolio of two-year Master specialisations provides a stimulating learning environment that helps you gain the knowledge and skills required to develop a successful career in your chosen area!

• MSc in Business and Economics • MSc in Financial Economics • MSc in Leadership and Organisational Psychology • MSc in Strategic Marketing Management • MSc in Political Economy • MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship • MSc in International Marketing and Management Visit www.bi.no/msc BI NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT Nydalsveien 37, 0484 Oslo Tel: + 47 810 00 500 study@bi.no

EFMD

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From page 53

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International students can experience daily life in Helsinki, Finland

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Helsinki School of Economics

Finland Accreditations Triple Crown - EQUIS, AMBA, AACSB Rank 36 in the 2008 Financial Times Ranking of Masters in Management programs.

What is unique about Helsinki School of Economics Masters in Management program?

The Helsinki School of Economics (HSE) is the leading business school in Finland with around 3,200 MSc students of which approximately 45% are women and about 6% are international students.

The founding fathers of HSE in 1911 envisioned a management school with an international orientation. Today, the school has over 100 international partners and the coveted triple crown accreditation.

Although the institution is small, it has big connections and close ties to business .

How does HSE compete with other Masters in Management providers?

HSE, or Finland, are non-traditional providers of Masters in Management

programs in that they are not the most commonly sought out places for business education. “But when you take a closer look, it might make perfect sense to study business in a country like Finland,” says Mari-Anna Suurmunne, Director of International Relations at the Helsinki School of Economics.

“HSE offers eight Masters programs in English so it is quite easy to study here as a foreign student. We have about 140 partner universities all over the world and about half of the MSc students spend a semester studying abroad. Our student body is diverse – our foreign degree students represent over 50 different nationalities and each year we host about 300 exchange students from all over the world,” says Suurmunne.

HSE is strong in gender balance with

We have about 140 partner universities all over the world.

Half of MSc students spend a semester studying abroad” Mari-anna suurmunne, HSE, Finland

about one third of faculty members being women and in the student body nearly half of the students are women. HSE students speak of equality in opportunity to participate, open atmosphere, flexibility of the programs and real life examples as positive contributing factors to their studies.

What will students gain from studying a Masters in Management at HSE?

In a small country like Finland, HSE as the leading business school has close corporate connections and partnerships with the country’s leading business industries. “Nokia, together with other Finnish corporations have clearly demonstrated that a well-connected small country can provide a very fertile ground for management innovation and global success,” Suurmunne says.

Finland’s university education is free of charge, but increasingly, HSE’s Masters students are working while studying.

The courses have been adjusted to take this into account and on completion of their studies a high percentage of HSE graduates find employment right after >> graduation.

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From page 55

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Students studying abroad in Finland can discover the magic of Helsinki

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Hanken School of Economics

Finland Accreditations EQUIS, AMBA What is unique about Hanken School of Economics Masters in Management program?

Finland, and Hanken, are relatively new players in the field. Hanken was among the first institutions in Finland to introduce Masters degree programs in English in 1999.

The Masters in International Management has a unique specialization on business with activities in the Nordic/ Baltic countries and on large emerging markets such as China, India and Russia.

Strongly research focused, the program develops students’ skills to run companies that span several economic, social, geographic, institutional, cultural and linguistic boarders.

Each year, 20 new students are admitted to the Masters in International Management program.

How does Hanken School of Economics compete with other

Masters in Management providers?

“Our main competitors are perhaps not the so called traditional providers of Masters in Management, but rather the newer, more alternative, players in the field,” says Hanna Donner, Project Coordinator.

“An advantage of Hanken’s Masters in Management is that we’re outside the mainstream Anglo-Saxon field of management. This means that we are more sensitive to the context of smaller countries and a different kind of management tradition. As a destination, Finland may be perceived as more exotic, thus it is an alternative destination where high quality education is offered.”

Tuition fees are prohibited by law in Finland and there are also equal opportunities for students regardless

We have strong links to the coporate sector, including company visits and guest lectures” hanna donner, project coordinator

of financial and social background.

Admissions are completely merit based.

What will students gain from studying at Masters in Management from Hanken School of Economics?

Hanken graduates are well known for their excellent language skills. Finland is a bilingual country speaking both Finnish and Swedish, and at Hanken, classes are taught in both Swedish and English. As a medium-sized business school, Hanken can provide students with individual services and supervision, allowing greater flexibility in programs.

A semester abroad is also built into the program. Each student gets first hand international experience by studying abroad. A special scholarship is granted to all students going abroad and no tuition fee is required from the participating students.

“We have strong links to the corporate sector, including company visits and guest lectures, as well as strong international relations and active exchange with other institutions,” says Donner. “We also operate with an open door policy among staff giving students personal guidance.”

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Learning that goes the distance The development of virtual classrooms and “branch� campuses means that studying for an international degree has never been easier. By Tim Rogers

T

here was a time when studying at the graduate level internationally meant leaving home, your family and friends, as well as perhaps your work and other commitments for an extended period of time. But in the last five years or so, the delivery of Masters and, to a lesser extent PhD programs, has seen an enormous change, not only in the use of technologies and learning methodologies but also in the very location that international degrees are delivered from.

Put simply, the changes impacting on the delivery of international education programs have fundamentally altered the way in which students have the potential to access degrees taught and awarded by universities thousands of miles away with little impact on their day-to-day lives.

Depending on your motivation for international graduate study and your budget, the change in delivery modes of Masters programs in particular

allow you to choose from a variety of options that fits your own personal circumstances and ambitions. Whereas the traditional one or two-year program at the Masters level, delivered full-time and requiring both tuition fees and living expenses to be paid, has dominated international education for decades, it is entirely possible to read the same degree across a range of modes at a potentially reduced price, if not in the tuition fee you pay, then certainly in the opportunity costs you have to invest during the course of study. Prospective international students today can consider a range of distance learning options that blend new technology, distance delivered teaching, off-shore campuses, partner arrangements between local and international grad schools and parttime study to ensure that the graduate program they wish to pursue fits their very own personal situation.

Traditional distance learning

Some of the largest providers of distance learning graduate education have been established for more than 150 years.

The University of London External System, founded in 1858, has permitted students to study in their home country while pursuing Masters programs of the same quality controlled standard as would be achieved if studying full-time at institutions like University College London, King’s College or the London School of Economics. The External System model in its current form supports both independent study, with students working on their own through material designed and supplied by the responsible college within the University of London, and off-shore delivery, through arrangements with local partner institutions to provide either part-time or full-time support through regular lectures and tutorials. Both of these

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The advantages of attending a local campus while pursuing an international program are significant”

broad modes are further supported from London through an online learning environment providing discussion forums, administrative support, online seminars, audio and visual resources and other interactive activities. While steeped in history, the External System is an excellent option for students seeking an internationally recognised qualification delivered to a high academic standard through methods that are essentially convenient and flexible.

Perhaps one of the key dilemmas surrounding distance learning education and the changing delivery modes available to international graduate students is that it is very difficult to tell the difference between a good and poor quality program. Many highly reputable universities deliver Masters programs of questionable value using online or other distance learning methods not because the content lacks the academic rigour of a graduate degree, but because the program has not been specifically designed for distance delivery. Crucial in locating a distance program of the appropriate quality is a recognition that teaching methodologies and technologies have a significant impact on how well a program

|Feature

is received. For example, converting a one-year full-time international Masters program to a two-year part-time degree delivered through online technologies does not guarantee either the same study or learning experience. Students opting to stay at home and study an international qualification require an entirely different set of learning support technologies from those students able to meet a teacher face-to-face or compare notes with other students on a daily basis.

Overseas grad schools come to you

An increasing number of grad schools have adopted an entirely different approach to delivering their Masters and PhD programs to international students.

Rather than adapting their curriculum to different modes of delivery, universities are delivering their graduate programs locally, either by setting up a new, what might be termed a “branch” or “offshore” campus or in partnership with a locally established education provider, such as a university or training centre. Perhaps once considered the business of some of the lesser quality international universities, the list of institutions investing in their offshore operations now demands the attention >> 57

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From page 57 of prospective international grad students.

The UK’s University of Nottingham has established campuses in China and Malaysia, Carnegie Mellon University founded a full branch campus in Adelaide, Australia in 2006 and Johns Hopkins University has partnership operations in Nanjing, China and Bologna, Italy for the purposes of teaching programs on a more flexible basis.

The advantages of attending a local campus while pursuing an international program are significant, not least in the overall study experience throughout the qualification. While distance or flexibly delivered learning allows students to study at their own pace, they very often miss the benefits of contact with fellow students, teachers and other academic members of staff. A local campus gets around this problem by continuing to offer a genuine learning experience, with significant elements of interaction, while still offering the benefits of an international curriculum and internationally regarded teaching and research. Programs may still be offered on a full-time basis, but an increasing number are adapted to part-time or evening study, allowing locally based students to continue with their careers while gaining access to an international qualification – all without the necessary investment in accommodation or other living costs being away from home would involve.

The impact of such a partnership has been rapid, with more than 5,500 international Masters students now enrolled on Liverpool’s online programs – close to double the number of equivalent students studying full-time at the University’s campus in the UK. Tuition fees are comparable to those charged for full-time programs delivered in the UK, although the flexibility essentially to the delivery of such online Masters is also reflected on the pricing model, allowing students to pay on a “per module” or monthly basis in one of three possible currencies. The fee for the Masters in Global Consumer Marketing is currently £9,309, while the Masters in Internet Systems and Masters in Software Engineering are both £16,365.

The effect of developing dedicated Masters programs in line with a very specific delivery mode, such as the Liverpool/Laureate model, undoubtedly benefits those students wishing to study through such a mode. Student satisfaction

I chose the University of Liverpool online MSc in IT because it was flexible, letting me decide when I study” Elina Christoforou, IT MSc student

at Liverpool is already high and students graduating from these new programs are reaping the rewards in their professional lives. Elina Christoforou, a recent graduate from the Liverpool/Laureate Masters in Information Technology program, believes the flexible delivery mode had a significant impact on her success during and after her studies. “I was looking for a Masters degree related to my field of computer science that would fit into my lifestyle and provide me with additional specialist knowledge. I chose the University of Liverpool online Masters in IT because it was flexible enough to let me decide when I wanted to study. I expected the program to be interesting, high level and easy to follow and it certainly met my expectations. In fact, it played a big role in helping me get a better job.”

While the Liverpool/Laureate venture has proved to be a success with international Masters students unwilling to leave their country to study full-time overseas, the example of the University of Phoenix offers another route along which thousands of students are willing to travel to achieve their graduate study ambitions.

Founded in 1976, the University of Phoenix’s online campus is among the oldest in the education industry based on the same US-accredited curriculum used for nearly 30 years on campuses

The online revolution

Perhaps the greatest advances in distance learning graduate education have been made by universities that have sought partnership opportunities with commercial organizations, whose expertise is in a specific field, such as online environments that support distance and shared learning. An example of this kind of partnership is the UK’s University of Liverpool, who began an online education collaboration with the US education and technology company, Laureate Online Education in 1999 that has developed into a suite of nine Masters programs, solely delivered online through Laureate’s dedicated virtual classroom environment.

Academic quality is assured through both the University of Liverpool’s and the UK government’s quality assurance mechanisms and dedicated student support managers and technical support ensure that the actual experience of an online learning environment is as successful as possible.

Liverpool, UK: The Royal Liver Building (left) and the Albert Dock (right)

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More students are choosing to complete their studies at online campuses

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From page 58 throughout North America. Taught by staff from a variety of professional backgrounds, Phoenix’s Masters programs can be completed flexibly and often significantly quicker than the standard US two-year Masters model allows. They are currently amongst the most popular programs in the world, with over 250,000 students enrolled, 130,000 of whom are studying fully online. With programs covering a diverse range of academic areas, from nursing and teaching to management and technology, Phoenix’s flexibly delivered courses provide a range of study options for those students wishing to remain in their current location.

The University of Phoenix specialises in programs that are directly related to the national and international labour market, and graduate degrees such as the Masters in Management International (MMI) incorporates a methodology that is focused on a problem-based learning format that emphasises the skills that prepare students for the role managers play in defining business problems, assessing the information, considering alternatives and choosing the best solution. And such a methodology has a direct relevance to those students seeking a practical approach in an academic framework directly relevant to their

careers. Gerald Lopez, a lawyer based in Venezuela, is one such graduate of the MMI program. “The MMI is by far, the most comprehensive international business postgraduate program that I know of. By completing the MMI, I expect to be prepared to advise my clients on other important issues beyond law, like sales and marketing, supply chain, import/ export policies, country risk analysis, human resources and labour issues.”

Central to the success of the Phoenix online approach is their unique technologies. All virtual classrooms are asynchronous and thus the impact of time zone differences is reduced to a minimum. Using “newsgroup” technologies, students and faculty can be online at any point during a 24-hour period, regardless of working schedules, family commitments and travel plans. In the MMI program, like many of the other Phoenix Masters degrees, students have immediate access to their faculty contact points, who are committed to respond

The MMI is by far the most comprehensive international business postgraduate program that I know of” Gerald Lopez, MMI graduate

quickly to questions posted in the virtual classroom or sent directly to a member of teaching or tutorial staff. Other support is available through the online library and databases, enabling students to complete the majority of their academic research from a single technology platform.

Although telephone contact for some modules is also encouraged, even when students do not have access to a mobile handset or landline, the University of Phoenix offers their voice over internet protocol, Click to Talk, facilitating contact with staff for a range of academic and support purposes.

While the full-time approach of leaving home to study internationally may well offer the best option for many graduate students, it is not always the most practical. With tuition fees and living costs representing a significant investment for many, studying flexibly while remaining at home opens new options for students seeking a graduate degree. Due to the variety of study methods and modes available, from a similarly wide range of well known and some lesser known universities and grad schools, there will be a Masters or PhD program matching your exact needs. With such widespread changes in technology and teaching methodologies, international graduate study no longer demands that you need to be away from home.

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The global competition for talent: PhD careers - take your pick Despite the bleak economic picture, the outlook for PhD grads continues to look rosy. Tim Rogers discovers that more and more PhD holders are filling roles in a variety of industries far away from university campuses

W

hile the PhD qualification has traditionally led graduates to a career in academia or academic related research, demand from the private and public sectors, unrelated to universities and other institutions of higher learning, has opened up a variety of opportunities for those graduating with the highest degree.

Although the current economic turmoil is beginning to alter the potential labour market for many graduates, evidence suggests that the requirements of the new international and knowledge economies continue to ensure that PhD holders are in demand from all sectors of the market.

But who employs PhD graduates and in what areas do they tend to work?

Anecdotally, there has always been an assumption that the majority of those graduating from university and grad school with a PhD remain in an academic environment, teaching and conducting research in their respective field. However, evidence from the UK, the first of its kind, published in June 2009 indicates that a PhD degree genuinely qualifies its holder for an enormously wide range of careers, in and outside of academia. The report, “What do researchers do?” indicates that employment patterns vary enormously by subject area, with more computer science PhD graduates, for example, employed as IT professionals, while almost half of all social science PhD holders gained employment in education.

The research, conducted during the period 2003 – 2007, indicates that the

employment rates of PhD graduates are consistent, with 81% of all UKdomiciled doctoral candidates employed – a higher proportion than either those with a first or Masters degree. The sectors employing PhD graduates were also encouragingly diverse, with half employed in the education sector and the balance distributed across manufacturing, finance, business and IT, health and public administration. Over one-third of all PhD graduates were engaged in researchspecific roles across all employment sectors, while 23% worked as research staff in higher education institutions and 14% as lecturers in higher education. The example of PhD graduates in the physical sciences and engineering fields offers an insight into how various and flexible the employment opportunities are for those graduates with the doctoral qualification.

PhD graduates secure jobs in a variety of industries

Although the education sector was the largest employer of physical sciences and engineering PhD’s, with 41% of graduates absorbed in this field in 2007, a significant proportion of graduates were also employed in manufacturing, with 25% and business, finance and IT, with a further 20%. Interestingly, only 11% of doctoral graduates were likely to enter education and teaching occupations, compared with 22% of the doctoral population as a whole.

Charles Romito, is one example of an engineering PhD who has moved focus.

Graduating from the Department of Engineering at Cambridge University, in 2008 Charles secured a position as a management consultant with McKinsey and Company, moving away from the academic orientation of his subject field.

“I went straight into consulting after my doctorate and a significant draw was the fact that McKinsey actually has a specific entry point for doctoral graduates as well as a tailored training and development package – for example, recognition is given to your intellectual and problem solving abilities, but more of the vocabulary of business is taught. Most of the other employers I spoke to simply referred me to their undergraduate trainee program.” Like many PhD graduates, the core skills that Charles developed in his doctorate were the exact elements that enabled him to switch tracks. “Although there is some overlap between my research subject and my current work area, the transferable skills I developed during my doctorate have been more important.

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PhD holders are increasingly moving out of academia and into the private sector

Research indicates that a PhD degree genuinely qualifies its holder for an enormously wide range of careers”

The ability to take a large and messy problem, scope it, work out priorities, then carve it up into manageable chunks is complemented by an increased ability for self-management.”

One of the academic fields of PhD study that has been in particular demand by private sector employers in recent years is biotechnology. According to Australiabased Dr John Ballard, founding member of BioAngels, a not-for-profit association of business executives offering investment opportunities in the life sciences, the demand has been so significant that more job opportunities exist outside of the university sector in some parts of the world. “There are more people employed by the five biotechnology companies located in one suburb in South Australia than the combined employment in the biochemistry, microbiology and biotechnology departments of all three South Australian universities.” The pharmaceutical industry worldwide has enjoyed unprecedented growth,

but companies in Australia have been particularly successful, fuelling a demand for PhD graduates in related fields. The majority of employment opportunities are in the fields of discovery research, where the development of new products is critical to the production of innovative pharmaceutical cures and therapies.

“Successful PhD candidates in the biotechnology sector tend to be team players,” says Ballard. “The success of a project must always come before personal ambitions. As does the willingness to move sideways – starting in discovery research and moving to patent law, quality assurance and business development, often within a single company, often distinguishes career opportunities from those in the public sector.” Dave Alker from Pfizer Global Research and Development, the research wing of the international pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, concurs with Ballard’s positive view. “To remain a world leader in drug discovery, Pfizer needs people who have sound >> 63

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PhDs: a transportable qualification

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From page 63 scientific judgement and enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems without having a clear idea what the solution might turn out to be. We recruit people without doctorates, so a PhD isn’t the only route to developing these skills, but it may be the most stimulating and enjoyable way for some people.”

While diverse and successful employment is certainly a goal of many entering a PhD program, there is little doubt that many international students also hope that the qualification will result in a higher salary on graduation than those achieved by students with a lower degree. Although demand and reward for PhD graduates does vary by subject and employment sector, there is some evidence to support this. Professor Mark Western, from Australia’s University of Queensland, confirms that on completion of a PhD from one of the eight leading Australian universities, students attracted an average salary of US$56,000 in an online survey conducted in 2008. “The majority of PhD graduates were satisfied with their jobs and were earning salaries that they were happy with. Although there was an average salary band, there were graduates earning double that figure depending on the areas they were employed in and the specific responsibilities of their roles.” Research from Spain echoes these findings. A recent analysis of PhD graduates from the seven public universities in the Catalan region of the country, indicates that 78% of the sample, equating to 784 PhD holders, earn more than €24,000 annually, with the average earning between €30,000 and €40,000 annually. In every subject field, the salaries of PhD graduates are considerably higher than for those graduates with either a bachelors or Masters degree.

PhD holders are highly sought after in the emerging biotechnology industries

Those seeking a PhD in recent years are also increasingly aware that the qualification is among the most transportable in today’s globalised world.

While countries around the world are tightening up their immigration procedures and only offering international students the opportunity to work in the country they have studied in for short periods of time after graduation, at the PhD level, the opportunity for long-term migration is greatly increased.

Enhancements to the Australian, UK and US immigration procedures have increased the likelihood of PhD graduates securing long-term and, in some cases, permanent resident status. Skills shortages dominate many of the key developed economies with the result that highly skilled PhD graduates are both attractive and increasingly in demand by countries whose workforce lacks the expertise in key areas. In Canada alone, close to 16,000 international PhD holders have been given permanent resident status since 2001, with more than 7,600 coming from Asia, 4,200 from Europe, 1,700

from Africa and 1,000 from the USA. PhD holders born in China (3,070), India (1,200), the USA (1,010) and Iran (910) dominate the nationalities of these immigrants, many of which gained permanent migration status directly as a result of their academic qualification.

In the more traditional realm where PhD graduates are in demand, universities and grad schools seeking to secure the next generation of academic talent continue to recruit directly from the pool of graduating PhD students in every country where the system of higher education is well established. In all academic disciplines, the demand for the very best minds is as high as the level of competition is fierce. However, the current economic situation may be affecting the appointment of new academic members of staff in a number of countries.

According to the US Modern Language Association, the appointment of new PhD graduates to academic posts in the US fell 20% in 2009, while the American Political Science Association reported a fall of 14% in job advertisements this year. The

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Currently three quarters of doctoral graduates flow into non-academic occupations in Australia” Ian Chubb, Vice-chancellor, ANU

New professors are in demand

squeeze in academic opportunities in the US is certainly apparent and with such a change, the level of competition for jobs in US universities and colleges in particular is likely to increase in the coming years.

The picture, however, is somewhat different in other countries. In both Australia and Germany, the “greying” of the academic population is already resulting in a greater demand for new professors and other academic members of staff to replace those retiring in the

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coming years. The University of Trier, a German institution well known for the quality of its research in the arts and humanities, is facing the prospect of having to replace half of its entire professorial staff in the next eight years due to retirements. Professor Peter Schwenkmezger, Trier’s President, believes this presents an opportunity for universities like his. “We will seek PhD graduates and experienced academics to replace those retiring to ensure that we continue to develop our areas of strength.

One of our aims will be to appoint staff who have international experience so that we can continue our work to internationalise the curriculum and develop more programs in English.”

Professor Ian Chubb, Vice-Chancellor of The Australian National University (ANU), one of the world’s top universities according to the Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings, is also concerned with the future supply of PhD graduates and their appointment to research-intensive universities like ANU. “The Group of Eight (Australia’s leading research universities) estimate that at least one third of the annual number of Australian PhD graduates will be needed each year on average over the next decade merely to replace retirements from the academic workforce. Currently three quarters of doctoral graduates flow into non-academic occupations in Australia, so without additional output we will see either a slowdown of doctoral supply to the broader labour market or a shortfall in academic positions.” Such a position is welcome news to international PhD graduates in the coming years, as the employment package on offer from universities in Australia and in other countries, intent on recruiting high quality staff, will potentially improve.

While the prospects for PhD graduates seeking academic careers varies from country to country, the continuing growth of a globalized higher education market has had a positive impact on the appointment of new academic members of staff. Emerging universities in countries as diverse as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and those throughout Central Asia are seeking new doctoral graduates to help build their reputations. Dr Frederick Monsma, a PhD graduate from Boston College >> juggled three jobs before landing his 65

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The Middle East is a popular recruitment destination for PhD’s

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From page 65 first full-time academic role at St John’s College in New Mexico. When he learnt that most big US universities were cutting back in their hiring strategies, particularly in the arts and humanities, he was offered a job at the new American University in Iraq-Sulaimani so stopped looking for other positions. “I knew it was going to be an adventure, both in life and pedagogy,” he says. International campuses and emerging regional universities from the Middle East to Singapore and further afield are offering greater opportunities for new PhD graduates struggling to find their first rung on the academic ladder in their local area. The King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia has been aggressively recruiting for new academic staff over the last 18 months, while US offshore campuses, such as The School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Nanjing and Georgetown and Carnegie Mellon Universities in Qatar all offer new academic openings for internationally mobile and adventurous staff.

The demand for academic and other jobs requiring a PhD, however, is already

Opportunities in some of the world’s most recognisable companies continue to be available” increasing, driven by the need of countries to secure highly talented migrants to meet the changing requirements of their own knowledge economies. simplyhired. com, a specialist website for highly skilled candidates, reports a staggering 129% increase in PhD student jobs across all sectors in the period November 2007 to April 2009 and, despite the economic downturn, opportunities in some of the world’s most recognisable companies continue to be available. IBM is just one example of a company seeking to grow in the current climate, focusing on top talent to drive their business forward.

According to Sej Butler, IBM’s European Recruitment Manager, PhD recruitment is at the forefront of the company’s mind.

“We are looking for an increase in PhD hires in selective areas - mainly in our

research and development labs. Mostly these are within the specialist aspects of computer science and related topics.” But companies like IBM, however, continue to also recruit PhD graduates for a surprisingly wide variety of roles. “Some PhD candidates who are more businessfocused tend to come into our graduate program and use their extra qualification as a differentiator from other graduates who have only a first degree,” Butler says.

“In these instances there is not a salary premium, but the qualification may well give them an edge in the selection process.

This would take them to a very different career path compared to those in the labs.”

One key element in international PhD education relevant to students seeking employment in either the academic or commercial sectors is the development of programs to ensure that the skills gained by students are relevant to the labour market as a whole. Universities are responding to the needs of companies and new methods of working by making some significant changes to the way in which PhD programs are both organized and taught. Universities in Australia, Canada, France, The Netherlands and the UK >>

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Heart of the matter: PhD courses in France, as well as Australia, Canada, the UK and Netherlands are containing more taught elements

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From page 66 have introduced new taught elements to their PhD programs to ensure that the skills of students are more in line with both a rigorous academic approach as well as the need for high level graduates in a range of employment sectors. Francis Verillaud, Deputy Director of Sciences Po, a social sciences focused Grande Ecole in Paris, believes that the introduction of taught PhD’s are a response to market demands. “Both our students and those that employ them seek a range of skills and the introduction of taught PhD programs, in addition to dual degrees with partner universities and the introduction of English language Masters programs are responses to the changing demands we face as an academic institution.”

In the UK, the change in ensuring that PhD education matches the needs of a variety of sectors has been underway since 2002, with the publication of the Roberts Report. Conducted at a time of significant review in UK higher education, the Report observed that universities were “not adapting quickly enough to the

needs of industry” and by improving the compulsory training and development of transferable skills elements for all candidates enrolled on PhD programs, graduates would face better prospects in the labour market. The cornerstone of this review in the UK has been the introduction of two weeks skills training every year of the PhD study, funded by the university research funding body. The addition of this element has met with considerable comment from students and employers alike and universities are focused on ensuring this training is of the highest quality. Professor Mary Ritter, Vice Rector of Imperial College, London believes the additional training is valuable in producing researchers with a range of

Students have access to exactly what they want over a range of options related to teaching and business skills”

skills. “Our students enjoy it. We have funding for the scheme and we can repeat training programs throughout the year so students have access to exactly what they want over a range of options related to teaching and business skills.”

Although the motivation for embarking on a PhD program varies from person to person, the present reality dictates that gaining a job soon after graduation is an important aim of all students. Although evidence is mixed in some sectors, beginning a PhD now is likely to equip its holder in three, four or five years time for a dynamic labour market where advanced skills and enhanced intellectual abilities are rewarded, either through increased salary or attractive employment. With universities, industries, governments and public sector employers all prioritising the recruitment of staff with graduate qualifications, PhD holders are likely to be in demand for many years to come.

Perhaps now is the perfect time to equip yourself with the skills to enter the competition for global talent.

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Beyond the material world If your conscience is as important to you as your cash, then maybe you should consider becoming one of the growing band of social entrepreneurs. David Williams investigates

“I

don’t know anybody who is an entrepreneur who said I am going to business school to get an MBA,” challenges Dr Pamela Hartigan, Director of The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. “That would be the first in a very long line of bad business mistakes. You do not go to business school or anywhere else to learn to become an entrepreneur. You either are an entrepreneur or you are not, and, if you are, you just get on with it. People with MBAs can be incredibly valuable to entrepreneurs when, a few years down the pipeline, they need help to scale up their company. The fact is that, if you have a passion for something, you don’t have to get a degree to go out and do it.

“The same holds for social entrepreneurs. The term is a red herring.

Social entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs just the same. The only difference is that they are focussed on creating a new product or a new way of doing things that is going to benefit the world rather than their own or their shareholders’ pockets. I always say a social entrepreneur is a cross somewhere between Richard Branson of Virgin and Mother Teresa of Calcutta; it just depends where on that spectrum you fall. Social entrepreneurs have a passion and are driven to change part of the system that isn’t working for a particular group. They don’t have the time, the inclination, or necessarily the resources to go off and do a degree that gives them permission to follow that passion.

“If you are going to do a graduate degree, you should make sure it gives you some useful tools by pursuing subjects such as engineering, economics or healthcare. The best social entrepreneurs in the world are people who have focussed on a particular area. For example a disproportionate number of social entrepreneurs are engineers, perhaps because they are used to bringing their skills to bear in a very practical way until they fix the problem they are focussed on.”

The engineer entrepreneur

One such engineer is Harish Hande, who was 26 when he founded Selco India, a company selling, installing and servicing solar lights for poor Indian households.

After a decade and a half of struggle to find the right investment partners, Selco has recently received $1.4 million in equity finance from the Good Energies Foundation and other organizations.

The idea came while Hande was a graduate engineering student at the Centre for Sustainable Energy at the University of Massachusetts. While on a trip to the Dominican Republic he saw the potential for the technology to be used in his home country. “I saw these very poor people using solar lighting,” he says.

“In India, people were less poor or equally poor. And if people there were using solar, why couldn’t we?

“There were a lot of myths before we started Selco,” he says. “Poor people cannot afford technology, poor people cannot maintain technology, and you

Social entrepreneurs set out to create products which

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cannot run a commercial venture while trying to meet social objectives.”

While still a graduate student, he linked up with a charity dedicated to the promotion of solar power in developing countries. But Hande soon realised that it wasn’t just providing the lights that mattered; it was financing their purchase and servicing them when they were installed, something a company could do better than a not-for-profit. To this end, he set up Selco. As with most forms of renewable energy, the sticking point for customers was the upfront cost of installation, and it took him a long time to persuade local banks and cooperatives to create niche financial products that would allow individuals and families to borrow money to enable them to purchase the lights. “This can succeed only if you have doorstep service and doorstep financing,” he explains.

Selco has now sold lights to around 100,000 customers and, with the new

The best social entrepreneurs in the world are people who have focussed on a particular area” Dr Pamela hartigan, said business school

funding, the company anticipates being able to sell to 200,000 more in the next four years. Hande’s key lesson is this.

“Irrespective of whether you want money, you should have control of the company for the sake of the mission,” he says. “No matter how desperate you are for money, never take it from someone whose mission is not aligned with your own.”

The humanitarian

benefit the world, not just their bank balances

A different type of social entrepreneurship story is told by Sasha Chanoff, Founder and Executive Director of Mapendo International, a not-for-profit organization which identifies and resettles those refugees who are in the most extreme danger. After ten years working in the field for other humanitarian organizations, he felt he needed to return to grad school to gain the perspective and contacts necessary to set up on his own.

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From page 71 define myself as one,” he says. “But for me personally, it has been a very organic process. When I started working with refugees just out of my undergraduate liberal-arts degree, I had a very specific job in that my role was to help refugees find employment. All the time, however, I was trying to think of things I could do outside that job to help them. I would always try to tune in to the things about the people that weren’t being addressed.

Then, when I went to Africa to work, I found I was really concentrating on the most vulnerable refugees, those whose needs were not being addressed by the existing humanitarian aid structure. Up until the point I created Mapendo, I was always doing little side projects, taking on additional responsibilities or getting involved in issues that I thought needed to be solved. Mapendo has become the solution to the problems I was thinking about all that time, but I didn’t think ten years ago I would establish Mapendo specifically. I just knew I was going to establish some kind of organization at some point.”

When Chanoff felt he was ready, he decided to return to full-time education and find a program that prepared him for the challenges of setting up his own organization. He chose a Masters in Humanitarian Assistance from the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Friedman School of Nutrition, Science and Policy, a joint degree program through the Tufts Feinstein International Famine Centre.

“An MBA didn’t factor into my thinking at all,” he says. “I was attracted by the NGO management and social entrepreneurship degrees that were sprouting up at the time, and I finally decided on this program because it was one of the most cutting edge. I went in to it knowing that I wanted to create an organization so I chose my courses based on that knowledge. I took NGO management, ethics and humanitarianism, humanitarian aid in complex emergencies, nutrition in complex emergencies and forced migration. These options helped to give me a better theoretical understanding of all the hands-on humanitarian work I had done for the past decade.

“The program also gave me a sabbatical year in which to reflect and the opportunity to learn from so many

Many social entrepreneurs focus their products and services on the Third World

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people. There were the extraordinary professors, some of whom have become mentors. I got access to people who had created organizations themselves or who had led organizations such as Oxfam America, UNICEF or the Red Cross.

On top of this I had access to all the colleagues on the program who, like me, had a great deal of experience in the field.

In terms of both theory and contacts the program gave me a very significant base from which to launch an organization while simultaneously credentialising me in the appropriate way. When people look at who the founder of Mapendo is, they can be confident in the fact that it is someone with a Masters in Humanitarian Assistance.”

The third way

The third non-MBA Masters path available is to seek out programs that allow you to enter existing public-sector or third sector organizations which are active in the facilitation or financing of social entrepreneurship.

Dr. Audrey Selian has an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy and a PhD from Tufts University Fletcher School of International Affairs.

She is currently active in social investing initiatives that are focused on emerging, so-called base-of-the-pyramid markets.

“Non-MBA graduates bring a different kind of savvy to business questions,” she argues. “They have less of a tendency to stick to specific analytical models and frameworks. Indeed, non-MBA degrees can actually foster a far more ‘out of the box’ approach to conceiving of product or service ideas, although clearly the skillset of knowing your numbers is always vital to being able to attract any serious amount of funding. An interdisciplinary social-science graduate program is going to arm students with a very different perspective on how political and economic systems work. I think these graduates will often have a deeper understanding of history, diplomacy and of political cycles than a traditional MBA would attain.

Many people with my background end up working at the cusp of private-public partnerships, or at the nexus of sectors that do not otherwise ‘talk’, just by virtue of being able to use more than one kind of vocabulary.

“For example, for those working

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on developing portfolios of investee companies in a country such as India, more diverse skill-sets are vital. These portfolios tend to be comprised of small and growing businesses led by social entrepreneurs who are committed to serving and providing goods or services to marginalised communities. They are part of base-of-the-pyramid markets, and there is a good reason why even the most hardcore MBAs from the biggest institutions are struggling to crack them: you have to be commercial, but the tool kits and vernacular of an investment-banker MBA don’t always go far enough in this arena.

“That said, I should also share something many generations of Fletcher graduates have said amongst ourselves upon graduation: it’s bloody hard to find a job when you’re competing with JDs, MBAs, and even straightforward Masters in History when nobody really understands what you did in grad school.

But in the end, we do tend to end up in the far more interesting jobs. The long-

Non-MBA degrees can actually foster a far more ‘out’ of the box’ approach to conceiving of ideas” Dr Audrey Selian, LSE graduate

term pay-off is great, even if you face some difficulty upon graduation.”

These three case studies make it clear that there is not necessarily a relationship between business schools and social entrepreneurship. If you want to be a social entrepreneur, you will, like any entrepreneur, do it anyway. The three case studies show that where graduate school fits in is in the way it can enhance hard transferable skills such as engineering.

People with experience in the field such as Chanoff can then use a carefully chosen social-entrepreneurship or NGO management qualification to give them the theory, contacts and opportunity for reflection they need to bring their organization into existence or push it up to a new level.

Finally, those interested in employment within renowned public-sector or thirdsector organizations may find that even the most prestigious MBA can still strike the wrong note.

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Certificates for Internationals

Angelika Volkman, Director-English & Certificates for Internationals, University of California, Irvine

I

f you want to experience first hand what it’s like to study and work in the US – now you can. Angelika Volkman, Director-English & Certificates for Internationals, University of California, Irvine Extension explains how Certificates for Internationals can help international students in the transition from study to employment.

What are Certificates for Internationals?

A Certificate for Internationals program is a post-graduate intensive and cohesive full-time course of study that allows young international professionals to obtain a specialisation in their area of interest in a minimum amount of time, usually three months. Upon successful completion of a certificate program, the student may opt for a three-month unpaid internship in the US to gain work experience in a realworld setting.

Certificates for Internationals are offered in a variety of concentrations, from different business areas to telecommunications. Certificate programs are designed to help graduate students succeed in today’s competitive global business environment.

How do certificates differ from other qualifications?

A certificate, especially with an internship, can be used as a stepping stone for young professionals to achieve academic excellence by immersing themselves in an American higher education experience, obtaining practical business background before embarking on a Masters or MBA program. It allows professionals to enhance the value of their degree and resumé (CV) by updating their knowledge and skills in an area of interest in a short time at a US university.

Certificates are designed to help graduate students succeed in today’s competitive environment Angelika volkman, UC irvine

In addition, students have the option to extend their studies for another threemonth period (for a total of nine months) to obtain a second specialisation. This consecutive nine-month full-time study that consists of two certificate programs and a three-month internship makes students eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows students to work in a salary position anywhere in the US for a maximum of 12 months if employed in a business field, or 27 months if employed in a technical field.

Who are certificates suitable for?

A certificate course-of study is designed for recent university graduates and young working professionals who would like to concentrate in a specific area of study but do not want to, or are not yet ready to, make a long-term commitment to an advanced degree.

Certificates compliment the theoretical knowledge students have acquired in an undergraduate degree program with practical experience in dealing with business situations.

They also help students develop new skills and competencies in their field.

Certificates can serve as the optimum preparation for a graduate degree program since they provide proof that a student has successfully completed graduate-level courses at a US university. In addition, the nine-month OPT pathway, which includes two certificates and over 200 hours of work experience from an internship, may help students meet the work requirement for admission into a top MBA program.

What qualifications do you need to be able to apply?

Students will need a bachelors degree and advanced English proficiency. At UC Irvine, the qualifications for admission into a business certificate program (such as Business Administration, International Business Operations & Management, International Tourism & Hotel Management, and Marketing) include the following: • A university degree and/or substantial academic or professional experience, and • A minimum score of 197 on the CBT TOEFL, 71 on the iBT, 530 on the paper-based test; 710 on the TOEIC; or other evidence of advanced English language proficiency.

Admission into UCI’s Accelerated Certificate in Communications Systems Design Engineering also requires: • Fundamental understanding of electrical and computer engineering, information systems, computer science, telecommunications, or related technologies.

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Certificates for Internationals give students both graduate study and work experience in the US

How much do certificates cost?

Tuition fees for a certificate program range between US$6,000 – 16,500, depending on the university. At UC Irvine, tuition for a six-month course of study, which includes tuition for both a three-month Accelerated Certificate and a three-month internship, ranges between US$8,150 - 11,650.

Where can certificates lead to in terms of employment and further study?

Certificates open opportunities for professional, academic, and personal growth, giving students a competitive edge and allowing them to advance their career or studies. Certificates market candidates for the long-term, since through the six-month certificate study, they have learnt to apply theory, earned practical work experiences at both a high academic and professional level and developed an international network of possible future employers.

How well are certificates understood by employers?

Certificates demonstrate that prospective employees took the initiative to immerse themselves in a multi-cultural academic

program in the US, to further specialise and gain up-to-date knowledge about the competitive global business environment.

How much employer contact takes place?

Most of the employer contact occurs during the three-month internship, which is an option available to certificate program graduates. In a few US universities, including UC Irvine, students can choose the particular employers they want to work for. The school then assists them in the process of securing interviews.

Certificate program instructors, who are experts in their field and practicing professionals, are also potential employers.

They often recommend their students to their own professional network for internship or OPT positions.

An overview of UCI’s certificates

Business Administration: prepares students to enter an MBA program by obtaining a strong foundation in business functions and analysis. Students learn to build effective teams and to become effective managers. They will also gain a competitive edge in the global job market through an internship in a US or multi-national company.

International Business Operations and Management: students develop skills in

international marketing, management, finance, cross-cultural and business negotiations. They will be able to identify strategies, policies and norms necessary to conduct international business.

Marketing: enhances a student’s knowledge and skills in various components of marketing, including consumer research, branding, presentation skills, creativity and strategic planning.

Students will also gain practical and theoretical knowledge from instructors.

International Tourism & Hotel Management: examines the fundamentals

of global management in the tourist and hotel industry. Students learn to use marketing and branding techniques to capture/retain the hospitality client and manage customer satisfaction. They will also analyse revenues, expenses and resources to help make important decisions as well as building event and project management skills.

Communications Systems Design Engineering: students gain

comprehensive knowledge on current and emerging technologies in the design and development of communications-based networks and systems.

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Educating students about other cultures can help them be better citizens in their own

Immerse yourself in the culture Dr Michael Woolf, President of the Foundation for International Education offers advice on how to make the most of your time abroad

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hose of us involved in international education are aware that this is a curious profession in so far as we are both educators and administrators. In recent years we have made significant improvements in our administrative acumen. That said, we are also educators and, in that context, we have remained too static. We are burdened by myths and conceptions that exist unchallenged in the ether. We make exaggerated claims for what we do, such as “study abroad will change your life”, and consequently impose unrealistic burdens upon our students.

The problem for the student who believes in the inevitability of transformation is that a consumer expectation is established: the self is the consumer and abroad is the commodity to be consumed. Students going abroad for education have not bought a product guaranteed to meet their needs, nor have they bought an experience that will inevitably change their lives. Studying abroad is not a ride in Disneyland where, in return for buying an admission ticket, participants are guaranteed a thrill.

Instead, participants have gained access

to an opportunity to grow beyond their own narrow perspective and that requires a profound effort to move away from a purely “first-person” perspective. This is not a bought commodity but a learned experience: an elusive goal and a process, not a location. The purpose of education abroad is, in short, to learn to be more cosmopolitan and more conscious of international diversity and, thus, to be a better citizen. The aim is not just to travel in space across national boundaries but also across the hardest boundary of all: that which isolates us from a sense of empathy with the other.

Where is abroad?

Another problem is that the individual in the statement “study abroad changed my life” is the passive recipient of the

The purpose of education abroad is, in short, to learn to be more cosmopolitan and conscious of diversity” Dr Michael Woolf, President, FIE

envisaged life-changing process. Thus, it creates a mythical transformative space called “abroad”. The statement is entirely undiscriminating in implication as if “abroad” were one transforming location wherein the participant will gain insight simply by being there. It consequently minimises (or fails to distinguish between) some crucial matters: What do you study?; Where do you study it?; How do you study it?; What do you have to do to maximise the benefits?

At the root of this issue is the massive qualitative difference between saying “study abroad changed my life” and “I changed my life by studying abroad” in the active voice. In the first statement the speaker is passive; transformation results from an experience of another location.

On a literal level, this is misleading in that mere proximity will not ensure change of any kind given that wherever one goes one never escapes the baggage of the self. It also obscures the fact that to gain anything from any form of study, the participant needs to be an active researcher not a vessel into which experience is poured.

The second statement squarely places >> the responsibility on the learner: “I 77

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The global citizen?

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From page 77 changed my life” because I chose to study a particular subject in a given location. The participant rightly takes responsibility for their own learning.

The participant needs to maximise the impact of education abroad by being, paradoxically, both a participant and an observer. As a participant, the student takes a dynamic role within the host culture intellectually and/or practically. In practice, the imperatives might include: a) becoming an active learner through, reading, writing, listening and speaking.

The student would need to become an engaged researcher. b) going beyond the classroom to seek mechanisms through which direct interaction with the host culture can take place.

In contrast, an effective observer probably requires some of the following: a) The observer needs to acquire more than a single perspective. Participation offers a snapshot of a culture at a given point in time and space. b) The observer also needs assistance to see clearly. Many of us need glasses and students need tools. In some contexts, specific tools might be linguistic but they will also be cultural, social, political, or some combination of these.

“Study abroad changed my life” fails to recognise that transformation for any individual is less about location and more about active exploration. It is also disrespectful of home society which does not, by implication, have the same power to alter life experience. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. It is too much to expect a location (of itself ) to be transformative. The statement creates unrealistic expectations against which many other study abroad experiences are certain to fail. One of the recurrent problems in study abroad is that we exaggerate the claims for what we do and, consequently, we are burdening ourselves with definitions that, in the end, will come back to bite us.

Transformation for any individual is less about location and more about active exploration” DR Michael woolf, president, FIE

Conclusion

The problems identified here derive from a combination of over-simplification, obfuscation and exaggeration. They burden education abroad with aspirations that can rarely be met, and with notions that, at best, lack intellectual coherence and, at worst, create obscure fields of discourse. The study abroad endeavour is, ultimately, too important to allow unreasoned assertion to rest, untroubled, at the centre of unexamined rhetoric.

J. Lurie-Terrell

To maximise their education, students abroad must be both participant and observer

The concept of the ‘global citizen’ is another intrusive example. The idea is obviously an oxymoron—we are citizens of a country and we are not citizens of the globe: the “globe” is a very fractured and divided place. If we claim to educate students to be global citizens we are embedding failure in to the experience.

Rather, we should be more realistic and say that the goal of study abroad is to create better educated citizens. The idea of cosmopolitanism is a far more realistic and manageable goal: the object is to teach students something about another culture so they can be better citizens of their own.

The notion of a “global citizen” is, however, not without meaning. As a metaphor, it forefronts and prioritises the cosmopolitan over the parochial.

In that sense, it is aspirational; a moral rather than a legal condition that asserts the interdependence of humanity. On the other hand, it may also signal the development of a new privileged and empowered class: those who have access to technology and travel are this new global elite. In this context, the global citizen is a member of a new ruling class empowered by access to electricity (thus, technology), comparative wealth (thus, education and mobility), and other accoutrements of privilege. In this sense, “global citizenship” is not a moral aspiration but an economic condition.

The notion of global citizenship is a complex, contested proposition and not a condition to be achieved through the purchase of experience. On the one hand, it signals an aspirational, even utopian, view of the world. On the other, it identifies a powerful elite: a new emergent trans-national upper class from which much of the world is significantly distanced, above all, through poverty.

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

The shock of the new

moving abroad to continue your studies can be a daunting prospect.

Renatha Iussa tells you what to expect and how to cope

Moving abroad will initially be a totally disorientating experience

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oing to live abroad is an exciting experience that requires preparation. I am not talking about technical issues such as how many pairs of socks you should bring with you, I am talking about the big preparation, the one that involves you which is essential to making your experience rich and positive.

Before you go, get prepared to experience a culture shock.

Some of you may say “Culture shock?

Not for me. Where I’m going is an hour’s flight from home”. It is true that the degree of difference in one’s own and the host culture is important, but this is not the only variable. And let’s not forget that the concept of culture can also be used for an organization, institution or a group. As a result, even a simple reorganization may generate culture shock.

So, what is culture shock? Well, it’s a mix of emotions. Feelings of loss, confusion, stress, anxiety and impotence that comes from both the challenge of new cultural surroundings and from the loss of a familiar cultural environment. It can be divided into four stages:

1 The honeymoon

“Oh, this is wonderful. Let’s go there.

Amaaazing!” You are obviously excited and have an idealised view of the new culture. Anxiety and stress may be present but your general euphoria overtakes them.

Karim Sanaz, is an Iranian student from Uppsala University in Sweden.

He remembers that when he arrived in Sweden everything seemed really different from his homeland. “I actually didn’t feel any sense of belonging. To me it was more like watching a beautiful movie without being part of it.”

2 The crisis phase

“I am tired. No one understands me. I want to go home!” Could be something you would say just before you kick the closet with your bare foot. Reality is back.

This phase occurs anywhere from the first two weeks to several months. Some of these differences you found so “amaaazing” in the first place, start to really get on your nerves. You are struggling to make yourself understood by locals, you feel like a child; confused and tired.

3 The adjustment phase

You are still here. Well done.

Understanding, acceptance and adaptation is key now. In this phase you will start to face new challenges in a positive way. You will finally understand the new culture is different, you will accept it as it is and start to adapt your values, personality and behaviour to the host culture.

4 The resolution phase

“This is home guys!” You have developed your routine and the efforts you put in place in the previous stage are now imperceptible. You are stable emotionally and you feel comfortable.

Clarisse Mergen is currently studying a Masters degree in Canada. She arrived in Montreal three months ago and already feels like she’s in the resolution phase.

“I’ve learned new behaviours that are now automatic reflexes, like waste recycling.

I am also now more curious about the country’s politics and the way institutions work”.

How to deal with culture shock?

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First of all, congratulations! You’ve just passed the first step that leads to the resolution. Indeed, now you know more about culture shock, you will be able to identify it when it happens. If you feel tired, if you are emotionally sensitive, if you are critical of the culture, if you want to go home then you will know it is a normal reaction and you should not give up. Just understand, accept and adapt.

Easy to say I know. So here are some more tips for you.

Before you go, read some books about the place where you will be staying. This will help you develop more realistic expectations and will involve you even more in the project.

Cover your basic needs and ensure your security is met. Choose a safe area to live in, ensure your budget is under control, bring any medication you may need with you, as well as your earplugs if you are sensitive to noise. You can also create safety and reassurance by bringing familiar items with you.

Mergen admits: “I brought some pictures of my friends and family as well

as my teddy bear. It actually helped me feel at home at the beginning of my stay.”

Keep in touch with home by using MSN, Facebook, Skype, blogs, telephone and post - you are spoiled for choice!

It may be difficult sometimes to keep a relationship going only by email, so pick up your phone from time to time, it really makes the difference.

In times of instability, a feeling for your own culture when abroad is always comforting - speaking your own language, eating typical food, reading a newspaper from home. But be careful not to overdo these tricks as it could be a way of resisting the change.

I didn’t feel any sense of belonging. It was more like watching a beautiful movie without being part of it” Karim SANAZ, Student, Uppsala University

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Sanaz recommends that foreigners don’t spend too much time with their own community. “Try to tackle the language barrier as early as possible. It might be difficult at the beginning, but it is rewarding,” he says.

Maintain a network of people you love, you trust and who will give you confidence when you feel unsettled. If you are a fan of rugby or cinema, join a club.

This is generally a good way to meet local people in a relaxed atmosphere. If you are not a fan of anything in particular then try something new and why not, something local: beach volley in Brazil, calligraphy in China, Bollywood dance in India. And don’t forget charities and associations.

Now you should be more equipped to face culture shock if it happens. Indeed, some people don’t feel it at all, others feel it strongly. The intensity of culture shock depends on so many factors that you can’t really generalise. But at least you are aware of it. It is a real chance to get to know the outside world.

Make the most of this experience and wherever you are in the world… have fun!

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Internships Hands-on experience

Is it worth spending thousands of dollars on a graduate degree when most recruiters prefer real-world experience?

David Williams investigates how internships are becoming a crucial part of a graduate’s profile

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nternships are fast becoming an essential part of the university experience for ambitious undergraduates. In recent years, more and more companies have come to realise the benefits of including an organized internment program among their recruitment practices. Not only does it give them a chance to trial potential employees in a work situation, it also gives them access to the latest academic knowledge undergraduates bring with them. And it does both jobs very cheaply.

But with more internships around, the more other people have them, which means the cost of not having one on your CV goes up. While a graduate degree is always going to distinguish you from the rest of the world’s bachelors degree holders, when you ask employers which they would prefer, it is the internship they find more valuable.

“I would put it this way,” says Vanessa Gough, Graduate Manager for Industrial Trainees at IBM UK. “We recruit against competencies rather than skills. Things change so much that we do tend to recruit for a long-term career rather than for a specific role, and it is the people who have done an internship, rather than those who only have a graduate degree, who are able to come up with better evidence of possession of those competencies.”

Hannah Slaney, Graduate Program Manager at the UK’s mutually-owned financial and retail conglomerate The Cooperative Group, puts it even more plainly.

“A graduate degree can be an expensive

mistake to make,” she says. “I have had people come up to me on careers fairs who ask what opportunities I have for people with graduate degrees. Unfortunately I can only point them to the graduate recruitment program, which is for anyone with a bachelors degree and above.

Almost no organizations have specific postgraduate entry schemes and graduates are not paid more because they are better qualified,” says Slaney.

“If I was looking at a CV of someone who wanted to go into something specific such as HR or marketing, and their graduate degree included a relevant professional qualification, I would be reassured that they had the right academic knowledge. However, I wouldn’t know if that person was able to apply it in real life. On the other hand, if someone had relevant internship experience, I would certainly offer them an interview.”

What is an internship?

There are very few agreed rules about what actually constitutes an internship.

They can vary enormously in length from a few weeks to a year; they can be paid or unpaid (although usually the rates of pay are about midway between that of an ordinary student job and a prestigious graduate role); they can be very formalised and run through human resources or they can be an almost ad hoc arrangement organized by an operational manager; they can be taken part-time during term time or full-time during vacation. What’s more, >> some companies (but not all) will

Taking the plunge. Internships are becoming a must-have experi

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-have experience to put on your CV

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Internships can often lead to offers of work in the real world

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From page 82 accept applications from people who have already graduated from their bachelors.

At its most broad, an internship can be defined as a period of work experience which includes an educative element. In other words, an internship allows you to implement some aspect of your studies in a real-world situation. It is arguable that internships differ from work experience, although the terms are used more or less interchangeably. Work experience is often driven by an initiative from the educational institution and may include assessments that contribute to the degree; internships are driven by the recruitment needs of the employer.

“For us, the value of an internship lies in the fact that it gives us an opportunity to look at a potential full-time recruit quite early in their development,” explains Jane Clark, Head of Campus Recruitment, Europe and Asia with Barclays Capital. “It is really a ten-week interview in which we get to see them in a range of work environments, test them with real-life projects and give them an opportunity to do lots of networking.”

The classic internship in the American sense is a placement that takes place during the summer of the junior year (i.e. the third year of a four-year bachelors degree). However, as Kevin

Burns, Director, Undergraduate Career Education at the W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University points out, this traditional arrangement is changing as companies seek to identify undergraduate talent earlier.

“The difference between a part-time job and an internship is the educational component,” he says. “An internship is usually between six and fifteen weeks long, and it has traditionally been taken in the summer after the junior year. However, we are now seeing a move towards offering them to undergraduates in the summer of their sophomore (second) year. On top of this, the trend is for companies to rely more and more on internships as a means of hiring graduates. I would estimate that at least 60% of first-degree hires in major companies enter through the internship route. This is a trend that has been going for some years now as companies figure out that it makes sense to hire in this way.

It has nothing to do with the recession.

The difference between a part-time job and an internship is the educational component” Kevin burns, arizona state university

However, what I am seeing this year is more interns being hired as compared to last year, and there are more companies looking for interns than there are ones looking for full-time employees.”

Internship – what is in it for you?

The opportunity to be hired is the first advantage of the internship, particularly in a recession. Do well and your path into permanent employment with the company will certainly be smoother if and when you decide to apply for a postgraduation job. In fact, there is anecdotal evidence that companies who like an intern will almost always find a way of keeping them. “If they come in and do a fantastic job, we will definitely maintain them,” says Slaney. “In fact, one of our recent interns impressed us so much that we even kept her on, on a part-time basis when she went back to university.”

However, even if you fail to secure an offer of employment from the company you intern with, the internship remains a valuable asset on your CV. This is because what an internship gives you over any academic experience is transferable skills.

“Any valuable working experience with a competitor or from another sector is very interesting to us,” agrees Clark.

“In the end, it is not about the academics but about the transferable >>

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>>

From page 84 skills you bring to the job,” says Slaney.

“We ask if you can engage with people and creatively solve a problem. You can only build up those skills in a working environment, and an internship gives you the work experience, the industry knowledge and the political awareness you need to succeed in any organization.”

Sean Lynskey is on the second year of a BSc. in Information Management and Business Studies at the University of Loughborough in the UK. He is currently on a year-long industrial trainee internship in the sales-operations department of IBM. “My primary role is to support a sales team who are selling into our business partners who then sell IBM products down the line to their customers, so I am primarily supporting an extension of the IBM sales team,” he says. “This involves tracking the pipeline and meeting with our business partners. On top of this, I am also involved in events management.

I work with the Top Talent team to organize the education and recognition events for the top 10% of employees within my business areas.

“These are all professional skills I am learning, but, alongside this, I am also receiving education in tools such as MS Excel and in areas such as presentation skills and personal branding. The internship has made a huge difference to my personal development and has given me a lot of confidence. It is all very well sitting in a classroom and learning the theory, but it is very different going out into the real world and having face-toface sales meetings with outside business partners. Being able to develop skills and put them into practice gives you a lot of confidence and belief in your ability to handle these potentially intimidating situations in the workplace.”

Making the right choice

A third advantage to doing an internship is that it allows you to experience for yourself the reality of life in the career area or company you are interested in.

You never know, you might learn that your dream job doesn’t suit you after all.

“For the interns it is a huge advantage to get experience of a certain sector and of whether they fit into the company culture,” comments Clark.

“An internship certainly gives you

Internships can help you decide if you have chosen a career that is right for you

something valuable to put on your CV,” adds Burns. “But it is really useful for helping you discover whether you really want to be in the business you thought you did. Some studies suggest that up to a third of established professionals throughout the world regret the career choice they have made. Feedback from students who go to an internship from my school tells me this: 53% of them find that they hate the thing that they thought they were going to love for the rest of their lives. This is the real utility of getting an internship. It is better to find that out now than when you are in a full-time job and your house payment depends on your staying in that role.”

Lynskey admits this was his absolute main focus in choosing an internship with IBM. “I know I am gaining lots of transferable skills, but, in a year’s time, I am going to have to choose my career path for the mid- to long-term. Working within IBM has given me the opportunity to look at different jobs and shadow roles such as those in consultancy and finance, which are areas I might consider but actually know nothing about. This was why I went into a sales operations role originally. I wanted to get over >> the stereotypical view of sales as an

Want to apply for an internship?

If you want to add an internship to your CV how do you go about getting one?

Graduate programs on offer by major companies are well publicised, but internships don’t always have quite the same level of visibility. If you wish to gain experience at a particular organization, approach them directly. Speak with their HR department and ask about opportunities.

However, don’t narrow down your search.

There may be other companies out there which provide a better fit for your career and you can find them at www.topinternships.com. Topinternships. com is a site dedicated to undergraduate and graduate internships. It’s a free and easy way to search for internships from graduate recruiters across multiple sectors in the UK, USA and Europe. From administration to finance, engineering to equity, you’ll find a match. Topinternships.com is also the key point of information for internship and placement news, features and application advice. Find out how to make the most of your internship, the best way to tackle internship application forms, and get top tips to hone your interview technique.

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Feature|Top Grad School Guide 2010

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From page 86 aggressive cold-calling environment. The internship has taught me which areas I do and don’t want to pursue. It has narrowed the huge array of choices available in business life.”

Lynskey’s final reason for pursuing an internship is because he knows the experience will differentiate him from all those other people with business-related bachelor degrees. “A year-long internship was an optional part of my course,but I chose to do one because I know there will be lots of other graduates looking for the same jobs as me with pretty much the same background. An internship will give my CV a distinguishing feature,” he says.

Another advantage of an internship relies on the fact that it can be a lot easier to apply to. Because the company is not committing itself to hiring you into a permanent role, the selection process can often be less robust and rigorous than if you were to apply to their full-time recruitment program. An internship is offering you a chance to get in through the back door. If you have a particular career goal in mind, it may be that an internship will help you and the employer see that you might not necessarily benefit from going on the graduate program and rotating through divisions of the company.

“One difference between the internship and graduate programs is that the internship roles are very specialised, while the general management program is very varied,” says Slaney. “So, if someone had a very specific career aim, for example marketing, it might be better for us to offer him or her a junior management BAU (business as usual) role within the marketing team. This might make more sense that having him or her rotate through our graduate program into business areas that might have nothing to do with marketing.”

On the other hand, those companies that do view their internship programs as an integral part of their general talent program are likely to put their prospective interns through exactly the same series of hoops as they do their bachelors degree applicants. One company that does this is Barclays Capital.

“Our selection process is almost identical to the graduate program,” explains Clark. “It has online application, numeric and verbal reasoning tests, and assessment centre activities which

include presentations, team working and interviews with the business. What this means is that if someone is successful in getting an offer of a permanent job, no more assessment has to be done. We can be assured that people coming through both the full-time and the internship route meet the same quality standards.”

The upside of applying for an internship in a company that operates in this way is that it gives you an opportunity to go through a full, top-of-the-range application and assessment centre process without the pressure of having your future depending on the outcome.

The internship has taught me which areas I do and don’t want to pursue” Sean Lynskey, Ibm UK, intern

Companies – what is in it for them?

As long as interns have existed there have always been accusations that they are a form of cheap labour. Indeed, some interns might still feel like this when they compare their salary to that of graduate recruits only a year or two older. The employers’ view is, however, quite different.

They see internships as primarily a form of cheap recruitment.

“It’s expensive to advertise, recruit and develop a graduate and an internship helps us make sure we get it right,” explains Slaney.

“We find that as we have a year’s worth of being able to evaluate the intern against our competencies, our process for returning them as a graduate is therefore shorter and less expensive,” confirms Gough. “And because the intern has spent a year with us their decision to come back is also better informed.”

“For the company, relying on internships is a huge cost saving because

Internship roles tend to be very specialised

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

they are not making mis-hires,” according to Burns.

The other cost-saving companies gain from running internships is in the way that interns bring with them the latest knowledge from universities, and at a fraction of the cost of hiring consultants or other experts. “Undergraduates are being taught by knowledge creators so they are learning the latest thought in their field,” says Burns. “And interns bring that knowledge in very cheaply.”

“Interns are a very good resource for us,” agrees Gough. “To be frank some of our business would not survive without them because they do honest-togoodness real jobs with a great deal of responsibility.”

This is the final element that characterises the modern internship.

Far from being a form of cheap labour, it is essential to the reputation of the company that it should provide its interns with a stimulating experience,

one filled with opportunities for growth and responsibility. Photocopying and administration tasks will not do.

“We have to make sure our undergraduates have to have a good time or it has a big negative effect on our graduate recruitment,” confirms Slaney.

“It is essential to have a consistent brand message because we are fishing in the same pool as we do for our graduate recruits.”

Graduate degree versus internship

Internships appear to be the ultimate win-win for job-seekers and employers.

Interns are a good resource for us. To be frank some of our business would not survive without them” vanessa gough, graduate manager, IBm

|Feature

As well as the benefit of a salary, interns get the opportunity to be hired, to gain transferable skills, to differentiate themselves from their competitors and to find out whether the career area really suits them. The employers get an opportunity to road-test future employees while avoiding the potential costs of hiring the wrong person on to a permanent contract.

But is an internship so beneficial that it cancels out all the learning you gain from a graduate degree? In a straight choice between one and the other the employers we spoke to did seem to prefer experience over education, but they were careful to point out that the two are very different things. While an internship always seems to be beneficial, in the end the choice to do a graduate degree comes down to a careful consideration of the skills, attributes and knowledge you already possess and what the degree will add.

“It may be a cliché, but we are looking for well-rounded, well-balanced graduates, and that includes both getting a very good bachelors degree and having some relevant experience,” reflects Clark. “As to whether further study and work experience are more or less valuable to us, what I would say is that they are very different things. You need a mix of both academic achievement and real-world experience.

While any qualification you do is valuable, in order to be a well-rounded person you do need a balance of both,” she says.

“It’s easy to see the benefits of an internship,” cautions Burns. “But remember, graduate school is absolutely essential if the career path you are looking towards says graduate degree preferred or required. That is a great reason to go there.”

The final say

Lynskey says he wouldn’t necessarily not do a postgraduate degree because he had already done an internship. “I would quite happily do both if that is what I wanted to do. I haven’t decided yet, and I need to explore further.

Graduate degrees are about learning theory, whereas the internship is about gaining day-to-day professional skills.

People have different skill sets and different preferences.

I don’t think you have to choose one or the other.”

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07/08/2009 19:27:22

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|Subject Guides

Subject Guides 92 95 98 101 104 107 110 112

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International affairs Law Maths Public policy Public health Bioscience Administration Creative arts

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Subject Guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Learn the art of diplomacy Concerned about the turbulent economic and political times we are currently living through? Then a Masters in International Relations might be the right course of action for you

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ombine an interest in politics, history and economics with an insatiable appetite to find out what’s going on in the world and you could find yourself graduating with a Masters in International Relations.

Global warming, the current economic crisis, food and water shortages and the international fight against terrorism – as these global events have proved, what happens in one country can have ripple effects around the world. Such events have dominated international headlines for the past two years and in that time the popularity of international relations (IR) degrees has soared. According to the QS Global Report 2009, Masters and PhD Applicant Analysis, graduate interest in these courses has gone from less that 2% in 2006 to over 8% in 2009.

Lilli Engle, co-founder of the American University Centre of Provence (AUCP), says international affairs have taken a turn in the last couple of years. “As the world is confronted with water and oil shortages, the idea of bridging things as part of a common goal is something that more and more of us will want to be involved with.” AUCP was founded in 1992 to help American students integrate when they studied abroad. “They were wrapped in a cultural bubble which stopped them engaging, so we were helping students to connect and develop skills of integration,” Engle says. As the Centre developed, so too did its Masters in International Affairs, with a joint Certificate in NGO Management and Design. Engle’s aim at AUCP is to train students how to have a global view of the

problems facing the world, but under her guidance, they will also learn how to be sensitive to local dynamics when seeking solutions to such problems.

Kim Hutchings, Program Director of the MSc in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), sums up the wide breadth of what is learnt on the MA in International Relations. “In depth, theoretically informed knowledge and understanding of contemporary world politics and foreign policy, including the chance to specialise in knowledge of particular regions, for example AsiaPacific, Europe, Middle East, Russia; issues such as war, conflict resolution, humanitarian intervention, human rights, terrorism; and organizations like the UN, EU, NATO, WTO.” More and more universities are offering Masters degrees in IR as the demand continues to rise. Hutchings has seen a growth in applicants from China and India at LSE, as well as countries which have acceded to the EU recently, such as Bulgaria and Romania.

IE Business School in Madrid launched a new course in IR in 2008, taught in English at its urban campus in Madrid. Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo,

In terms of IR, there is a growing demand for internationally focused and trained managers” Michael Aldous, IE Business School, Spain

Director of the Masters in International Relations, says the school’s position gives it good access to the European Union.

“Spain is the ideal testing ground for the international relations student: a vast forum where cross-border issues are debated and adjudicated every day.”

Part of IE’s course is a one-week module dedicated to field work in Brussels, which includes visits to all the major EU institutions - Parliament, Council, and Commission – to study the workings of Europe’s powerhouse of decision-making and policy development. “Working in the field provides students with the opportunity to put into practice the deep knowledge and skills acquired during specific courses, dedicated to the analysis of European Union systems and procedures, and which include negotiation role play,” says Calvo-Sotelo.

Michael Aldous, IE’s Director of International Communications says there is a widespread increase in the number of specialist Masters coming onto the market. “In terms of IR, there is a growing demand for internationally focused and trained managers who can function in both public and private sectors, with a good understanding of the political and regulatory environments,” he says.

Emily Easton, Senior Program Development Officer of the Committee on International Relations (CIR) at the University of Chicago says that above all their course allows students to: “gain the ability to make novel and sophisticated arguments; compile sufficient empirical and other evidence to back these arguments up; be conscientious; work

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well under intense intellectual and time pressure; and acquire effective research strategies that can be applied in any domain where information acquisition and processing matter.”

The course at CIR is wide ranging.

“We are the most intellectually orientated program in the nation,” says Easton.

“Contrary to most Masters at policy school, we do not focus on professional training. Instead, we provide a broad knowledge of IT and the intellectual tools that enable students to quickly learn whatever they need upon exiting the program in order to perform their job.”

Easton says the program is one that students can tailor to their own needs and interests. “Only two out of nine courses are mandatory; seven are electives, allowing you to cover a wide range of topics in the one-year cycle.” CIR’s courses include IR theory; Security and International History; International Political Economy and Development; Human Rights, Environment and Law. Hutchings states that the skills learnt on an IR course at LSE are very wide-ranging. “In addition to substantive knowledge of particular areas and issues, the Masters in International Relations provides a range of skills in research, analysis, communication (written and oral) and team-working, all of which are being looked for by employers.”

International finance, management, law, policy research, journalism and academia are all areas which graduates succeed in, according to Hutchings.

When applying for an IR Masters, Easton recommends students prove they have performed well in their undergraduate education and that their interests fit those of the faculty in the program. “Within your application, present a narrative of growth in your personal statement which makes a compelling case for why you belong here, both intellectually and professionally.”

Hutchings agrees. “As well as showing that you have the appropriate qualifications, you need to prove your interest by demonstrating suitable background knowledge in the social sciences, strong analytic and communication skills and a deep interest in international politics.”

Demand for International Relations Masters degrees has risen in recent years

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MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.)

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW - CLEVELAND OHIO The Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees are a one-year, full-time program, designed to give graduates of foreign law schools an opportunity to study the United States legal system and international law and trade, and to become truly capable lawyers in the 21st centuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global economy. Our LL.M. students have access to 170 Juris Doctor (J.D.) courses, as well as courses specifically designed for the needs of LL.M. students. Our students, who have come from 60 countries, form a close-knit community and become involved in law school activities with J.D. classmates. LL.M. students benefit from individual attention and guidance in a family atmosphere. We offer three LL.M. degrees and a summer law institute.

LL.M. in United States and Global Legal Studies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Focus on United States legal research, writing, and analytical methods with a flexible curriculum to meet each individual studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career goals. Students may earn certificates of concentration in several areas of law.

LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Focus on the doctrine and policy of United States intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.

LL.M. in International Business Law â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Focus on academic analysis and practical applications of United States business law as applied to international transactions.

Summer Language and Law Institute â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Open to any foreign legal professional or international student, this intensive four-week training experience in Legal English aims to introduce students to the U.S. legal system.

For more information, contact: Adria J. Sankovic, Assistant Director Office of Foreign Graduate Legal Studies School of Law Case Western Reserve University 11075 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH, 44106-7148, USA Phone 216/368-2083, Fax 216/369-2086 e-mail: adria.sankovic@case.edu. http://www.law.case.edu

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

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The power of law Career opportunities abound for those with a graduate degree in the field of law - and not just in courtrooms

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eece Witherspoon and her pink-collared Chihuahua traded beauty pageants for law school in Legally Blonde, John Cleese studied for a Cambridge University law degree before creating Monty Python and the saviour of the western world, Barack Obama is now using his Harvard law degree to negotiate international policy. “To become a lawyer is to take part in shaping the life of a nation and its people,” says Wendy Margolis, Director of Communications for the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC).

The role of a lawyer is varied from shaping a nation’s future to the slightly more mundane, according to Margolis.

“Lawyers may deal with major courtroom cases or minor traffic disputes, complex corporate mergers or straightforward real estate transactions. Lawyers work for giant industries, small businesses, government agencies, international organizations, public interest and public policy groups, legal aid offices, and universities - or they work for themselves. They represent the impoverished and the wealthy, the helpless and the powerful.”

Justin Swinsick, Director of the LLM in International Legal Practice at IE Law School in Madrid explains the difference between undergraduate and graduate study of law. “Studying law at a graduate level has become an important step for future attorneys, especially given current market conditions. When most students leave their law faculties with a first >> degree in law, they leave with only a

Studying law at a graduate level has become an important step for future attorneys

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LSAC

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is a nonprofit corporation whose goal is to provide the highest quality admissionrelated services for legal education institutions and their applicants worldwide.

More than 200 law schools in the United States, Canada, and Australia benefit from LSAC’s services, which include the Law School Admission Test (LSAT); credential assembly services encompassing letters of recommendation, electronic applications, and domestic and international transcript processing for JD and graduate law degrees; the Candidate Referral Service (CRS); admission office systems and software; research and statistical reports; websites; testing and admission-related consultations with legal educators worldwide; and various publications, videos, and LSAT preparation tools for candidates.

Over 150,000 LSAT tests are administered each year. With the guidance and support of volunteers representing its member schools, LSAC provides a growing number of important services and programs for law schools and their applicants throughout the world. LSAC does not engage in assessing an applicant’s chances for admission to any law school; all admission decisions are made by individual law schools.

From page 95 theoretical understanding. The application and practice of the law are two facets of the profession which are not focused on during the initial study.”

Swinsick says that at the graduate level students begin to put statutes, judicial sentences, and code into context. Not only that but they also begin to envisage how the law works at a professional level rather than just a theoretical one. “Upon graduation students are much more prepared to enter the practice of law.

As such, the learning curve of a young attorney is reduced thus making him or her much more marketable.”

IE’s LLM in International Legal Practice requires students to take a wide variety of core courses to increase their knowledge of international legal and business concepts as well as their ability to apply this knowledge in solving real-life problems. Within this program, students can choose between two tracks: English or bilingual (English-Spanish). The English track combines European law with an MBA module, provides hands-on experience through an internship at a law firm or company legal department and adds the challenge of writing a 30-page LLM thesis under faculty supervision.

The bilingual track gives students a more extensive study of Spanish business law.

“We believe in a hands-on approach to legal problems, through a clinical method of active learning,” says Swinsick.

“At IE, real-life situations and decisionmaking opportunities are replicated in an academic environment in every class, enabling students to learn from their own experience.” More than 500 practical cases are covered during the program, requiring students to solve a broad range of legal issues and situations, both individually and as part of a team.

Almost 70% of IE’s International Legal Practice students come from abroad, representing countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Salvador, Singapore, Slovakia, United States and Venezuela.

Alejandro Botero from Colombia, studied at IE and is now an Associate Attorney for Sullivan & Cromwell in New York. “While regular LLM degrees are exclusively oriented towards academics, IE’s LLM is aimed at training

students for their future as practicing corporate lawyers. As a securities and corporate associate in a top New York firm, mostly involved in transactions with Latin American clients, the LLM from IE gave me a head start by giving me the necessary tools to understand how multicultural legal environments intertwine with business.”

Careers in law are varied, but as Margolis says the job opportunities of someone armed with a Masters in Law are also wide. “A law school education is a good, solid background for many professions. In fact, many teachers, business people, politicians, and writers obtained a legal education before pursuing their respective careers.”

She says that in today’s global environment, the postgraduate law degree enables lawyers to obtain an advanced degree that has global credibility, taking their careers to a new level. “A postgraduate law degree is desirable for

A law school education is a good solid background for many professions” Wendy margolis, LSAc

enhancing credentials after the first law degree; for enhancing one’s skill set for a current employer; to assist in becoming a judge or government official; or to advance as a law professor. There are several states in the US that will allow graduates with advanced degrees to sit for the bar examination for that state.”

Most of IE’s students go on to be an attorney in a law firm according to Swinsick. “A very large percentage of students pursue this track, working in firms of many different sizes and specialities. Students join firms as associates and eventually work their way up to partner, which provides them not only with more economic benefits but also greater responsibility and challenges.”

However, he agrees with Margolis that a postgraduate law degree opens many other doors as well. n

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14-07-2009 17:01:02 05/08/2009 08:36:18

Subject guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Masters in Maths – Strength in numbers The bottom line is that a flair for figures will always stand you in good stead in the job market

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an’t get enough of times tables?

Forge a career out of numbers with a Masters in Mathematics.

Study for a graduate degree in this field and you won’t just be learning about mathematics – you’ll be creating them.

Stereotypes show it’s not the coolest of subjects, and chances are, if you were the quickest in your class to work out the square root of pi, you’ve been labelled a geek at some stage in your life time. Well, now’s your chance to get even. Figures have shown that today, mathematics graduates are the most well-paid of graduate jobs. What’s more, mathematics graduates have one of the lowest levels of unemployment across the world.

A maths degree

So you like numbers, find algebra easy and you can’t remember the last time you owned a calculator – but the thought of being a mathematician for the rest of your life just doesn’t appeal. Don’t turn to management, law or medicine just yet – there are more careers out there for maths graduates than you may realise.

Students who enrol in mathematics graduate programs are in for a treat.

Alongside statistics, calculus and algorithms, classes also focus on the design of computer chips, model electric power grids, genetic engineering, and modern applications of quantum and classical field theory.

Mathematics can be combined with other graduate degrees such as biology, computer science, economics and finance or taken as a stand-alone Masters program.

Admissions requirements

Mathematics is a science-related field and is most commonly studied under a Masters of Science (MSc). Warwick University in the UK offers three different maths-related MSc degrees: a straight maths MSc, an interdisciplinary maths MSc and a financial maths MSc. Cass Business School in London offers a Masters in Financial Mathematics which gives students the necessary tools to undertake high quality research in both financial and academic institutions.

Graduate with this degree and you’ll be equipped for roles involving the

Maths graduates can find jobs in a variety of sectors. There are very few jobs that a maths graduate cannot do” development of pricing and risk management models and their testing, or for a career as a risk analyst or quantitative analyst.

Columbia University in the US offers its graduate maths degree under the Masters of Arts umbrella. Students will gain a MA with a specialisation in the Mathematics of Finance (MAFN).

Co-sponsored by the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics, this program attracts students with degrees in mathematics, physics engineering, or computer science.

Top grad schools offering Masters

courses in mathematics require prospective students to have completed their bachelors degrees with a first class or honours, and with mathematics as one of their core areas of study. This is essential to enable all students to grasp the higher level of study effectively.

In certain cases, the course eligibility criteria may be to have the prospective student study another scientific subject at the undergraduate level. An example of this would be in the case of a combined honours degree of maths and physics, where the applicant must have studied both subjects at the undergraduate level. At Columbia University, some students with backgrounds in business or economics are accepted into the program if they have a solid mathematics foundation and excellent credentials.

There is good news for those who have not fared well in their bachelors degrees as those with a third class degree or other qualification may be admitted after passing a Diploma in Mathematics. In the field of mathematics, work experience is not given too much emphasis, although a candidate having sufficient work experience does have an added advantage over one that does not. For the most part, graduate schools do not place too much emphasis on work experience since a mathematics degree is not the pathway to any single profession. Rather, it is a field of study that leaves a large number of options open.

PhD programs in mathematics are also available in a number of grad schools.

These are mostly for those wishing to

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pursue mathematics as an academic subject and make a profession as a teacher or academic. PhD programs are generally for longer periods of time, i.e. three years or more, and have separate eligibility requirements and involve a lot of research.

If you are keen on studying mathematics at the graduate level, it is best to research the different programs offered by the top graduate schools in your country, find out their eligibility requirements and then apply accordingly so you do not feel cheated.

What skills will I acquire?

Age-old mathematical concepts as well as the latest theories are all blended together and taught to the mathematical graduate. Since the course is very technical, involving a lot of figures and denominations, one thing you can be sure of when you complete the course is that your accounting will never go wrong.

A Masters degree in mathematics will provide you with the logical thought processes involved in the subject that are highly sought after. They give you the opportunity to acquire a wide range of business, science or languages skills that will help you to find the right employer.

A knack with numbers can prepare you for a range of jobsâ&#x20AC;Żand give you the selfbelief to approach a prospective employer.

The Masters programs are mostly taught courses and rarely have research modules as they are practical, and not theoretical.

The PhD courses, however, do involve a great deal of research and are more academic-oriented.

Careers

A Masters in Mathematics wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t count against you when you apply for jobs

Mathematics is one of the most versatile subjects of study available today. A maths graduate can find jobs in a variety of sectors. There are very few jobs that a maths graduate cannot do.

In spite of all these career options available, a third of all maths graduates enter business or finance. Mathematics degrees, as well as graduates, are in high demand across the world. Their versatility, logic and numerical ability are qualities that hold maths graduates in such high demand in most industries. Starting salaries can be between US$40-50,000 and specialised degrees in areas such as operational research can fetch even higher pay packets.

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Public policy: Serving your ambition

Electing to pursue a Masters of Public Policy (MPP) could lead you to the heart of policy-making. In troubled economic and environmental times an MPP could equip you with the skills to make a real difference

Types of public policy degrees

Masters of Public Policy (MPP) A Masters of Public Policy is designed for students wishing to address, lead and manage change in the public, private and non-profit sectors. “The common denominator for all students is an interest in finding solutions to the problems societies face locally, nationally, and globally,” says Kerry Pace, Assistant Dean of the Masters of Public Policy at Georgetown Public Policy Institute, US.

Masters of Public Administration (MPA)

Capitol Hill, Washington DC - the epicentre of world power

“I

n this dire economic climate, a Masters of Public Policy is beneficial now more than ever,” says Melinda van Hemert, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Services at Pepperdine University in the US. “In a public policy program that is rooted in the classic perspective, gained by thinking deeply about the historical and moral dimensions of pressing public policy issues, students determine the questions needed to make a significant contribution and implement real change.

This unique approach, coupled with a Masters in Public Policy, will undoubtedly set an individual apart as a leader ready to take on today’s challenges with the morals and ethics needed to be an asset to any

organization,” van Hemert says.

The changes which have occurred on a global scale throughout 2008 and 2009 will perhaps be the most significant that many a prospective grad student has encountered. Yet, as statistics show - from 2008 to 2009, the Georgetown Public Policy Institute saw a 19% increase in applications for the MPP program – these students are making the most of the opportunities such a climate is presenting to them.

Kerry Pace, Assistant Dean for the MPP Program at Georgetown Public Policy Institute believes the increase in numbers is a result of the Institute’s location in Washington DC, its access to policy makers and the renewed sense >>

The Masters of Public Administration encompasses philosophy, politics, economics, law, sociology and psychology.

“In order to be successful in pursuing a career in public administration, graduates need to be able to work in complex and changing environments and have a high commitment to service delivery, working across sectors and departments,” says Irene Kavallieratos, Warwick University’s MPA program manager, in the UK.

Masters of Governance and Public Policy The Masters of Governance and Public Policy offers courses relevant to contemporary issues in public policy and government - public health, public management, resource management, and governance and development. “To be successful, graduates must have superior research and analytical skills coupled with well-developed written and oral communication skills,” says Naomi Smith, of the School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland, Australia.

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Careers in Public Policy • • • • • • • • • •

Budget analyst Diplomat Foreign affairs officer Non-profit organization founder Outreach consultant Policy advisor Policy developer Political speech writer Researcher Trade Officer

MPP students are expected to display moral and ethical fortitude

>>

From page 101 of commitment to the public sector many students have felt since the election of President Barack Obama.

“Furthermore, Washington DC, once the political capital of the world, has become the world’s financial capital as well. Students are eager to study public policy at Georgetown where everything from the future of the financial and automotive industries to the future of the environment and international security are being debated and determined – both in and out of the classroom,” Pace says.

Carnegie Mellon also saw a slight increase in the number of applications to their Masters of Science in Public Policy and Management this year. Kathryn Dugan, Assistant Director of Admissions at Carnegie Mellon Heinz School of Public Policy and Management says anytime application numbers increase, there is a worry that the quality of applicants will decrease. “This was not the case at all - our overall GRE score increased by 5% for our admitted students.

We contribute the increase in application quality to the economic climate. There are more highly motivated, intelligent and dedicated people wanting to change the current state of the economy and the world through public service in both government and NGO organizations.”

A candidate will have the confident strength of moral purpose that sets them apart as true leaders” The core set of skills a public policy degree offers in policy analysis, program evaluation, implementation, management, and politics is critical to making sound decisions and policies – exactly what the world needs over the coming years. But what skills does a successful public policy candidate need?

“A candidate for the Pepperdine Masters in Public Policy program is a select individual who is passionate about becoming a skilled public policy analyst and aspires to leadership roles,” says van Hemert.

“They are prepared to have the ability to combine analytic tools with organizational talent and leverage their work through the activities of other people, focusing the skills of many defined tasks.”

Furthermore, a candidate will have the confident strength of moral purpose that sets them apart as true leaders. “They are highly motivated students with a demonstrated commitment to scholarship,

an appreciation for human values, and the desire to make a difference,” van Hemert says.

So what exactly does a Masters of Public Policy offer candidates of such high calibre and diverse characteristics? Firstly, students need to be aware of the types of Masters qualifications offered in the field of public policy. Taking a snapshot of qualifications on offer in all corners of the globe, Pepperdine University, and Georgetown University in the US are two top universities that offer the Masters of Public Policy; Carnegie Mellon, also in the US, offers a Masters of Science in Public Policy and Management; the University of Queensland in Australia offers a Masters of Governance and Public Policy; and Warwick University in the UK offers a Masters of Public Administration.

Traditionally, early public policy programs trained students to be analysts, helping to design effective government programs. Now, grad schools such as Pepperdine are committed to nurturing leaders who can use these tools to effect real change, not only in government agencies, but also in the private and nonprofit sectors.

If a world of change, leadership, and challenge appeals, then consider a Masters in Public Policy - you as a graduate could make a difference.

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TA K E T H E N E XT S T E P O N Y O U R J O U R N E Y Pepperdine University offers a two-year, full-time Master of Public Policy degree.

Specializations Offered In: American Politics Economics International Relations State and Local Policy

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Subject Guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Graduate Education in the Public Health Sciences: From Local to Global For graduate students who want to become part of the solution to providing better health for all people, the field of public health offers excitement and challenges, writes Dr Jeffery T. Johnson

S

tudents with an interest in global health, health systems management, prevention, the bench sciences, social and behavioural sciences, as well as those committed to improving the health of populations the world over, will find that public health research, public health teaching, and public health practice and service are rewarding and noble careers.

Global health concerns such as AIDS, bio-terrorism, avian bird flu, SARS, malnutrition, global warming and the recent H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic have significantly increased awareness and understanding of the critical importance of public health in our global society.

Consequently, the curiosity in pursuing a career in public health has also increased over the past decade to involve students from a range of academic disciplines from around the world. The field of global public health addresses the increasingly interdependent relationships of health and medical professionals working in a world that is becoming smaller and more interconnected. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world, public health professionals with cross-national understanding, cultural awareness, and proven skill-sets are needed to work globally. Often such work transcends beyond the boundaries of nationhood and state, as public health leaders and researchers develop methods to prevent disease, develop reforms, and promote health and well-being for all people.

At most schools of public health, there are several concentrations to choose from including biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health education and communication, health law,

industrial hygiene, international health and development, maternal and child health, nutrition, social and behavioural sciences, and toxicology. In addition, some schools of public health offer opportunities for graduate study in tropical medicine and parasitology. Public health students come from a wide array of academic backgrounds, including the biological sciences and pre-med, psychology, anthropology, economics, and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studies. Students with a strong background in the social and behavioural sciences bring valuable skill sets to disciplines such as health education and promotion, monitoring and evaluation.

Those with knowledge of the natural sciences contribute significantly in fields such as environmental health and epidemiology, while students with quantitative and organizational strengths often excel in biostatistics and health systems management.

Very often global public health programs are based on the assumption that a profound understanding of the

multi-layered and multi-disciplinary nature of public health problems is the basis for successful public health understanding and advocacy.

Many degree programs are therefore strong on interdisciplinary interaction and maintain an interdisciplinary flavour designed to equip students with the analytical and practical tools needed to understand the ways in which societal, cultural, psychological, economic and political processes affect health, illness and adequate health care delivery.

Relevant analytical tools are borrowed from a variety of disciplines such as methodology and statistics, epidemiology, sociology, social and cultural anthropology, social psychology, political science, economics and the science of management and organization. Students learn how to utilise these tools to perform sound problem analysis and to ground appropriate health care policy as well as adequate health care interventions on the results of such analysis.

Effective public health professionals also rely on a variety of practical skills that enable them to create change and implement public health policies and interventions. Students are taught how to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate and adjust programs, policies and interventions; and also how to identify, recruit, involve, commit, and guide stakeholders operating at the different levels. Men and women working in public health may often find themselves working on multiple projects simultaneously, ranging from meeting with leaders in an international organization with global

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outreach, to interacting with local people at the grassroots level—working with them in their communities and homes; in which case, an individual’s home may be an inner city housing project in New York or a hospice or drop-in centre in Kuala Lumpur. Consequently, today’s public health experts must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse circle of professionals in academia, politics, and field organizations as well as with villagers and the citizens of local and global communities around the world.

A myriad of job opportunities are available for public health professionals ranging from health administration to epidemiology, and from program management to laboratory research.

Many public health programs emphasise the development of leadership and expertise in the broad fields of research, education and service with the aim to deliver graduates who can effectively apply relevant theoretical models and concepts to public health issues and reflect upon theoretical

Public health requires professionals to understand the critical linkages between theory and practice”

|Subject Guides

Graduate students making a difference in global health…

I

Giridhara R. Babu

University of California graduate student Giridhara R. Babu (center), with fellow UCLA student far left, and Ambumani Ramadoss, past Union Health Minister of India Giridhara Babu from Bangalore Karnataka, India, is enrolled at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) studying epidemiology. Of his graduate education experience in the US, Giridhara notes, “US faculty care deeply about students and inspire us to be creative, energetic and original in the understanding of the discipline.” Upon returning to India, Giridhara plans to concentrate on “policies and programs with a primary focus on the major public health challenges affecting vulnerable populations.” For his doctoral proposal, Giridhara hopes to study noncommunicable diseases among software professionals in Bangalore. In his crosssectional study, Giridhara will examine hypertension, musculoskeletal symptoms and overall health and well-being.

and biological approach of researching disease control methods and how those methods can be combined to form efficient and effective programs and policies.

Sally says, “The Control of Infectious Disease Masters program at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will provide me with the necessary tools and skills to further my career and make significant contributions to my chosen field.

This program is notable in that it not only addresses the biological mechanisms of disease transmission, but also the impact of a social and political climate on endemics and epidemics.” After earning her Masters of Science degree, Sally plans to attend medical school to pursue an MD/PhD degree and study microbiology.

III

Lijie Wang

Fudan University School of Public Health graduate student

Dr Jeffery T Johnson is Associate Dean for Graduate Admissions and Student Affairs and Director of Undergraduate Public Health Studies at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Sally Baker, a graduate student from the US, is currently studying at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is interested in the field of communicable disease research, specifically, in the scientific

Lijie Wang from Shanghai, China, is currently working towards a Masters of Health Economics at the Fudan University School of Public Health in Shanghai. Lijie’s academic program involves the evaluation of health systems and policies, health insurance, and pharmaceutical economics.

Lijie is especially interested in health insurance systems, health economics, and the evaluation of health programs in China. She hopes to work for the Chinese government after completion of her Masters degree at Fudan. Someday, Lijie dreams of becoming a WHO officer.

For students considering applying to graduate programs in the public health sciences in the US, there are a number of helpful resources at the Association of Schools of Public Health website: www.asph.org. Of the 41 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited schools of public health, 31

participate in the centralised Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS): www.sophas.org.

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency recognised by the US Department of Education to accredit schools of public health. Finally, there

are a number of professional associations which provide excellent opportunities for networking and research collaboration such as the World Federation of Public Health Associations: www.wfpha.org, and the American Public Health Association: www.apha.org

dr Jeffery t. johnson

developments on the basis of practical experience in the field. Thus, public health is an academic as well as a practice-oriented endeavour that requires professionals to understand the critical linkages between theory and practice.

n

II

Sally Baker

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine graduate student

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|Subject Guides

A postgraduate degree in Bioscience attracts a variety of students from engineering to human resources

The appliance of Bioscience You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be a scientist to study Bioscience. Degree courses offer a range of options for students of all backgrounds

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n increasing demand for solutions to environmental and energy issues, as well as the progress of science and the growth of the bio/health industry has seen a rise in enrolments in Bioscience education.

Originally meant to encompass

scientific disciplines focusing on understanding the phenomenon of life and identifying what is unique about living beings and what makes them tick, bioscience is heavily dominated by studies related to health. In particular, the field of Bioscience focuses on the ever-

developing pharmaceutical and medical sciences, including the applications of genomics and other recent advances in biotechnology. This is in direct response to the urgency of such issues and their impact on society.

More recently, studies of ecology and 107

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Subject Guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010 sustainability are becoming the subject of growing interest for the same reason.

However, Bioscience is increasingly reaching more broadly into areas of direct impact in society such as public policy and business administration - in particular, the emergence of a whole sector of business built around leveraging the progress in biotechnology for economic and social gains.

The study of Bioscience

Bioscience encompasses a range of subjects from biophysics to botany, biomedical sciences to biotechnology, but it is at the graduate degree level where one can choose to specialise in the field of Bioscience that best suits their interests, skill set and career ambitions.

For example, at the University of Leeds in the UK, an MSc in Bioscience (Biotechnology) integrates biological sciences with biochemical engineering to provide training for the modern biotechnology industry. The program provides theoretical and practical grounding in areas such as: recombinant DNA, the ‘omic’ technologies, biopharmaceuticals, synthetic and chemical biology and bionanotechnology.

IE University in Spain offers a Masters in Biotechnology Management, an intensive, one-year long business school program. The degree focuses on management and is designed for international professionals who already have hands-on experience in industry, government or research institutions.

Candidates will also be interested in a management career in areas related to the life sciences or, as an entrepreneur, setting up their own companies.

George Washington University in the US offers Masters and PhD degrees in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. These multidisciplinary programs prepare students with a range of knowledge on subjects as diverse as cell, molecular and developmental biology, biochemistry and environmental biology.

Who studies Bioscience?

·

Scientific engineers /technicians, pharmaceutical or medical specialists seeking to undertake management positions in biotech firms.

Professionals from diverse backgrounds (financial, legal, commercial, human resources) seeking to enter the biotech

·

sector or engage biotech clients.

Entrepreneurial individuals striving to create and manage their own biotech business.

Academic institution or public sector officials needing a deep understanding of the biotech industry.

· ·

IE’s Masters in Biotechnology Management program comprises of 65% males and 35% females, with candidates from 12 nationalities having an average age of 35 years.

Michael Aldous, of IE says candidates backgrounds vary widely from legal and financial through to information management, the biological sciences and the medical profession.

“The experience students bring to the class derives from their responsibilities in positions spanning basic R&D to management in functions such as Consulting, R&D, Business Development,

Bioscience is increasingly reaching into areas of direct impact in society such as public policy” Legal Issues & Patents,” Aldous says.

“They have gained this experience in private companies (from international companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Altran consulting or smaller biotech companies) and public research institutions such as University of California – San Francisco, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (Madrid).

“Interestingly, a significant fraction of the students are entrepreneurs managing their own young biotech companies or are in family businesses.”

Bioscience skill set

With such a diverse range of experience in a Bioscience classroom, what skills are these researchers, legal and medical professionals and young entrepreneurs looking to gain?

“The Masters in Biotechnology Management is particularly targeted at, but not limited to, professionals who are looking to further their careers within the biotech industry, or who wish to start their professional development in this fascinating field,” says Aldous.

“A science/technical background is not a requirement. We look for those who demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in teams as well as those we think have leadership potential, strong academic ability, and the personal qualities and characteristics indicative of a likelihood of success in this demanding Biotechnology program.”

In return, says Aldous, IE’s Masters in Biotechnology Management will give students a unique combination of training in the core disciplines of business administration, including strategy and finance together with a focus on those areas that make the bioscience industry so special.

“Students learn how this industry manages to undertake high risk long-term projects, grounded in highly complex science, and transform the intellectual property generated into products and services that improve the quality of human life and the environment and in the process create economic value and social progress,” he says.

Career opportunities in Bioscience

Study Bioscience at the graduate level and your choice of career options are numerous. As this area of science continues to grow in importance in the economy and society, trained graduates are in demand.

If you wish to specialise after completing a graduate degree in Bioscience, you may choose the health care or medical field or a range of crosssectional disciplines such as genomics, agriculture and nutrition. There is also the opportunity to specialise in industries such as biofuels and environmental remediation.

For those of which the tradition of pure scientific research appeals, a graduate degree in Bioscience will provide the skills necessary to research areas as distinct as industrial/process biotechnology, plant breeding, drug discovery or development.

You would also have the necessary skills should you wish to pursue consulting in areas as varied as financial analysis of projects to sustainability.

If you wish to participate in global projects focusing on solving practical problems from a multidisciplinary perspective - while taking into account the economic, business and societal issues together with the science/technical backbone - look no further than a graduate degree in Bioscience.

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Organizing your talents A career in administration can be varied and rewarding

Business administration is catered for by a whole range of university courses

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f organization is your forte, post-it notes are your friends, your bookshelf is in alphabetical order and your folders all colour-coded, you may wish to consider a career in administration.

But before you say you don’t want to apply for secretarial jobs – think again. A world of administration awaits you and it may not be what you expect.

What is administration?

According to Wikipedia, in business, administration consists of the performance or management of business operations and thus the making or implementing of major decisions. Administration can be defined as the universal process of organizing people and resources efficiently so as to direct activities toward common goals and objectives.

Now, think of all the positions in a company that requires one to organize people and resources efficiently – production manager, HR assistant, events organizer, IT director, marketing executive, recruitment consultant – the list could be endless, and to be successful in

each of these positions, an employee must demonstrate, among other things, good administrative skills.

The history of administration

Arts, history, science, law, politics, engineering, mathematics – the study of such subjects has been around for hundreds of years, some may argue thousands. But what of administration?

Surely it’s a recent phenomenon found in university prospectuses?

Not necessarily. But the name doesn’t always give it away.

Search for administration on the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website and a multitude of subjects appear: administration management, corporate administration, economic policy, health studies, international business administration, land administration, public policy management and sports administration – to name but a few.

What skills do I need to study administration?

Good organizational and time management skills are useful attributes to have if you’re considering pursuing a graduate degree in administration – but such skills can be attributed to any subject of study, or career. Given the wide range of subjects under the title administration, and the long list of jobs available to those with qualifications and experience in this field, the skill set is varied.

However, there are five key functions that have become synonymous with administration, due in part to the theory of a French engineer. Born in Istanbul in 1841, Henri Fayol, became director of one of France’s largest producers of iron and steel. He was also the management theorist behind what is known today as Fayolism.

Fayolism’s five primary functions of management include: planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling. However, development of this theory has seen the five functions reduce to four: planning, organizing, leading and controlling.

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the classroom, or currently working in an educational institution and looking for the next challenge, education administration could be just the answer.

The majority of education administrators are based in either higher or further education, but there are increasing opportunities in schools and private colleges. As an education administrator you’ll be responsible for organizing and managing the institution’s administration, as well as its support systems and activities to ensure it runs effectively. Such a role could incorporate work within admissions, quality assurance, examinations, finance, careers or even human resources.

A typical working week could include anything from servicing committees to assisting with public relations activities, providing administrative support to teaching staff or coordinating exam processes. You may also be responsible for preparing reports, drafting regulations, dealing with queries, managing budgets, and organizing both social and educational events.

Arts administrator

Good organizational and time management skills are useful attributes if you’re considering administration” Careers in administration

If these four functions are strings you’ve already added to your bow, what kind of administrative career can you forge for yourself? There are positions in heritage administration, closely linked to marketing and tourism; events management, working alongside PR and marketing specialists; corporate administration, responsible for corporate management, event fundraising and sponsorship, or sports administration which incorporates sport management, law, marketing and tourism. QS topgradschool.com takes a look at a few.

Education administrator

If you’re contemplating a career in teaching but looking for variety outside of

Anyone with a love of arts will revel in the position of an arts administrator. Such a position will let you get up close to the action, planning and organizing of events run by arts and cultural organizations such as: theatres, galleries, museums, arts festivals, dance companies and local authorities.

Depending on the organization, as an arts administrator you could be responsible for marketing, booking, finance, programming, front of house management, education and sponsorship.

Larger organizations may also have management positions you can aspire to as well.

A typical working week as an arts administrator could include anything from planning and logistics of an event, dealing with publicity and media enquiries, arranging performances, contributing to arts publications and office management duties. You may also be required to manage staff.

International organizations administrator

It doesn’t matter how large or small an organization is, whether it’s public or private, new or established, they all need

|Subject Guides

administration. But an international organization, often set up for a specific purpose such as human aid and with close ties to the United Nations (UN), can provide an additional element. Not only will an international organizations administrator be involved in human resources, finance, information work and project management, they may also be responsible for ensuring all members – no matter what corner of the globe they’re in – are made aware of developments, policies, and practices within the organization they’re working in.

Most international organizations are made of a number of experts and members. Quite often language, culture and geographic location are no barrier, which adds an extra administrative dimension. Such a position is highly sought after and more often than not requires the skills of someone with work experience, rather than that of a new graduate. Foreign language skills tend to be a requirement.

Local government administrator

Looking for a position where you’ll know everything that’s going on? That’s the beauty of an administration role, particularly one in local government. An administrative role in this field will work across a range of departments so a varied work schedule is guaranteed. You’ll assist in developing policies and procedures help coordinate implementation, be responsible for contracts, quality management and communication – but on what subject, who knows? It could be anything from finance to personnel, education to social work, possibly even IT. Such a varied role also requires you to liaise with a range of different people, from the public to local councillors, administrators to department specialists.

Depending on the seniority of your role, as a local government administrator you may also be involved in committee work.

A typical working week as a local government administrator could include coordinating communication strategies, recording meeting minutes, updating the website, arranging meetings and coordinating responses to national and local consultations on specific policy areas. n

For more information on these jobs and other administration-related careers see www.prospects.ac.uk 111

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Graduate Education in the Arts Creating a career path Graduate students entertaining ideas of a career in film might want to direct their talents towards the Tisch School of the Arts in New York or to its newest campus in Singapore whose artistic director is a certain Oliver Stone

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f the thought of wearing a suit and tie to work in an office each day immediately squashes any creative thoughts you may be having, don’t despair.

There are plenty more jobs out there for you that will foster the painter, journalist, musician or filmmaker within.

Ashish Ghadiali’s dream job is to be a feature film director, so he’s studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. “It’s a great film school,” he says. “In its 40-year history it has seen through filmmakers that have gone on to change the landscape of cinema – Martin Scorcese, Ang Lee, Spike Lee, Todd Solondz, the Cohen Brothers…the list goes on.”

NYU Tisch School of the Arts fosters creativity and entrepreneurial skills and is itself leading the way. In 2007, the school opened an Asian campus in Singapore and Ashish competed for a place in its inaugural class. “Tisch’s new Singaporebased branch seemed to me a completely unique opportunity to be part of a tradition that is so well tried and tested, and at the same time, to embark on a journey that would be completely new.”

He’s not the only one embarking on a journey with NYU Tisch. So too is Academy Award winning filmmaker and alumnus, Oliver Stone, who in 2008 agreed to serve as artistic director for Tisch School of the Arts Asia. He’s frequently on campus presenting lectures on writing, directing and industry topics as well as working closely with the school’s

The arts are always fashionable

president and faculty – all of whom are working artists with respected careers in the industry. In other words, Ghadiali is learning from the best.

But what exactly is the study of creative arts? Think advertising, animation, architecture, computer arts, new media, fashion, fine art, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, television, photography, drama, music, theatre or film. Much like NYU Tisch’s filmmakers, the list goes on.

At NYU Tisch, students can earn the prestigious Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Animation and Digital Arts, Dramatic Writing or Film. “The curriculum remains solid after 70 years and the faculty has fine-tuned it so that the graduates of our program are among the highest calibre of artists in the world,” says Josh Murray, Director of Global Communications and

Celluloid dreams

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Program Development at NYU Tisch.

“We also offer students the opportunity to study in industry-standard facilities.”

The majority of NYU Tisch’s students are from the United States, but at its Asia campus, students from an additional 23 countries all study towards this prestigious degree, which, says Murray, is just as rigorous and demanding as medical or law school. The average age is 28; 55% are male, 45% are female; and applicants with work and life experience are preferred.

“There isn’t one type of candidate who applies to our school – it’s common for us to receive applications from attorneys, doctors and executives. We’re really looking for innovative thinkers but candidates have to want to be an animator, a filmmaker, or a writer more than anything else. An MFA program requires serious commitment,” Murray says.

To be successful at Tisch, students are

required to diversify their talents – they must write, edit, direct and act. They also have to understand all points-of-view and the business side of art.

Ashish has been actively engaged in the creative arts for as long as he can remember, but until going to grad school any writing or directing he was doing was either assisting on other people’s commercial projects, or working on his own material during evenings and weekends. “Film school has given me the opportunity to focus exclusively on my

Art is not going away. It’s one thing that remains consistent across generations” josh murray, nyu tisch

|Subject Guides

own creative vision, from when I wake up in the morning to when I go to sleep,” he says. “I don’t believe the MFA in terms of the piece of paper is so important for gaining work in the film industry, but the skills and experience that I will have developed during the three-year degree will be invaluable assets for a lifetime.”

Ashish acknowledges that a career in film is never going to be the most stable of paths to choose, so in the past he’s turned to teaching. “It’s a great way to reintroduce both financial and emotional stability and it’s also inspiring,” he says. Ashish’s entrepreneurial spirit is a common characteristic among graduates of NYU Tisch. The school recently surveyed their graduates to find out where their MFA took them. First jobs included producing at the BBC, writing for Fox Kids, working as a gaffer at MTV, creating websites for large companies such as Barnes & Noble and designing interactive installations at museums around the world. Others dedicated their time to writing and directing, submitting their work to festivals.

“Art is not going away,” says Murray.

“It’s one thing that remains consistent across generations. It takes on different forms and within different platforms, but art tells a story, it captures an idea or reflects a specific period in life.”

At the moment, that specific period is an international economic downturn, a time when everyone is tested, particularly artists. “We opened our campus in Asia in 2007 and enrolment has steadily increased,” Murray says. “The last year has certainly been filled with turbulent times such as the economy and changes in governments around the world, but this is really a time when some of the best stories unfold right before our students. And as artists, it is their job to take those stories and create something that can be shared.”

Ashish thinks everyone has to find their own way. “A graduate degree may not be for everyone but for me, I can say I spent a number of years pursuing my creative goals in a very individualistic way and that being part of my class at Tisch Asia has been more fun. Don’t wait for grad school to start doing what you want to do. The more you bring to the program, the more you will get out of it.”

We’ll now wait to see if NYU Tisch produces another Oliver Stone in the form of Ashish Ghadiali.

Zsolt Dreher Cristian Dior Fashion Show in Budapest

Top Grad School Guide 2010

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NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Tisch School of the Arts Asia

Oliver Stone, Artistic Director

MASTER OF FINE ARTS ANIMATION & DIGITAL ARTS DRAMATIC WRITING FILM Learn the art of storytelling with our award-winning faculty at our campus in Singapore. Train in a unique creative environment with an advanced curriculum and eminent facilities.

Students from 25 countries are enrolled at Tisch School of the Arts Asia.

Graduates earn the New York University Master of Fine Arts degree.

The American education has a unique advantage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; students recently traveled to Guyana, points in Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to complete their projects.

Faculty are working artists with strong ties to the industry.

Merit scholarships are available.

For more information, visit: www.nyu.edu/tisch/topgrad

New York University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.

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Country Guides Find out where in the world you can fulfil your academic potential with our country guides USA Canada Chile China Singapore UK France Italy Spain Switzerland Netherlands Sweden

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Picture caption style sheet picture caption style sheet picture caption style sheet.

The US has some of the highest ranked universities in the world

Country Guide: USA

Ann Graham tells you how to earn your stripes and become a star It has one of the world’s natural wonders on the west and one of the world’s architectural wonders on the East, but there’s more to the USA than the Grand Canyon and the Empire State Building.

Study in the US and you’re guaranteed an experience. There’s always something happening across the 50 states that make up the stars and stripes of this dynamic country. From California sunshine to windy Chicago, the ski slopes of Colorado to the statues and monuments of Washington DC – not only does the US have history, politics and entertainment, it has some of the world’s top universities and a plethora of graduate degrees for you to choose from.

US education

The academic year in the US lasts nine months and is divided into semesters.

The number of semesters per year varies depending on which system the university

follows, but the most common breaks the academic year into two terms, usually fall and spring. Universities express their graduate coursework requirements in terms of a specified number of credits, hours or units, instead of having a specific timescale as in many other international education systems. Each individual course is worth a certain number of credits, hours or units.

A realistic full-time course load for a graduate student is likely to be 24 semester hours, which translates to between three and four courses per term.

The structure of a US graduate degree

US universities require a statement of purpose from candidates as part of the application process”

differs from those offered, for instance, in the UK. There are no pure research degrees.

Graduate admissions and applications

If you’re contemplating pursuing graduate study in the US begin researching 18 months before you plan to enrol. Spend time researching graduate schools to ensure you find one that suits your study and career goals. Make use of rankings, such as the Times Higher – QS World University Rankings. The US has the highest number of universities in the world’s top 400, including six in the top ten of the 2008 rankings. When choosing where to apply, things to consider include location, university size, tuition fees and number of international students. The most important factor for graduate study, particularly for PhD study, is to make sure the department is a good match for your >> particular area of interest.

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It’s best to start making your pitch to US universities 18 months before you plan to enrol

>>

From page 119 Narrow down your search to between three and six universities and then start the application system. Applying to only one or two universities can be a risky strategy if an application is rejected or no funding is available.

Most universities in the US will require you to sit at least one standardised test.

Depending on your selected field of study, the following standardised tests are generally required: l The Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the most commonly required, is for applicants to humanities and arts and sciences courses. l The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is for admission to a business school program. l The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for non-native speakers of English, though this may be waived for those non-native speakers who have been educated for three years or more in English.

Find out more about these tests on pp2326.

Admissions requirements

Each university has its own admission requirements. You will need to complete application forms from your chosen graduate schools, as well as write essays, obtain recommendations, provide transcripts and take admission tests. US universities are keen to get a total picture of each applicant.

US universities also require a statement

of purpose from candidates as part of the application process. This is an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants. The goal is to write a clear, concise and persuasive statement that sincerely reflects your views and aspirations. The university and graduate department will be looking for an essay that touches on academic or research interests; the reason for wanting to pursue graduate study; strong and specific reasons for choosing that institution; career goals; how graduate study will help to achieve those goals; and relevant extracurricular experiences or personal qualities.

Check all university admissions deadlines carefully. US university deadlines are firm so you must ensure your full application pack has reached the university before the required date. This includes the non-refundable application fee, which ranges from $30 to $100 per institution. Some universities offer a rolling admissions process, which means that applications will be accepted until spaces are full, rather than a single date.

Confirm what approach the institution you’re interested in has. For more information and top tips from admissions directors see pp16-22.

International students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus when classes are in session”

Graduate scholarships and funding

US graduate education is quite tightly controlled at the departmental level, so the amount of financial aid available depends on your field of study.

For example, a student of physics, chemistry, or biology may find institutional funding more readily available than a student of humanities, social sciences or education.

There are also independent foundations and scholarship organizations that provide funding for international students wishing to study in the US, as well as personal loan schemes from both US and international sources such as banks and loan services. Additionally, international students may work for up to 20 hours per week on campus when classes are in session and full-time during university holidays. International students are also eligible for up to one calendar year of Optional Practical Training (OPT), provided that the position is directly related to their field of study.

Visas

Contrary to popular belief, obtaining a visa for graduate studies in the US should not be problematic. International students wishing to study in the US will need to provide: a visa application form, valid passport, documentation showing sufficient funds to cover living expenses and fees for the first year of study, evidence of intent to return to your country at the conclusion of the academic program in the US, proof of SEVIS fee payment, a photograph, and the visa fee.

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Country Guide: Canada

The world’s second largest country offers an array of graduate programs as wide-ranging as its culture and landscape.

Ann Graham samples the choices and the maple syrup

It’s been listed in the United Nation’s top ten best places to live since 1994, of all the G8 countries it spends the second highest percentage of its GDP on education, and makes more than 80% of the world’s maple syrup supply – why wouldn’t you consider studying in Canada?

With the sweet taste of maple syrup drizzled over warm waffles for breakfast that Masters thesis doesn’t sound so bad after all, does it? What about the appeal of Whistler’s Slopes once you’ve finished that PhD proposal? You could reward yourself for your efforts. Canada combines quality education with the great outdoors, providing you with an international graduate experience that can’t be beaten.

Canada education

Canada has 12 universities ranked in the top 200 of the world according to the 2008 Times Higher – QS World University Rankings and another eight in the top 400. Almost every university in Canada is funded by the government.

In fact, Canada offers the lowest tuition rates for foreign students compared to the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the US. This amount of investment is good news for both domestic and international students alike - it ensures a high level of education as universities must uphold, and strive towards, extremely high standards.

Consistency in quality from one school to the next is nothing short of remarkable.

Canadian universities offer a wide variety of graduate degrees in disciplines as

diverse as business, sciences, engineering, medicine and fine arts. In many cases, a Masters degree is offered with a thesis, or non-thesis option allowing students to find programs that focus on research and scholarship or those that lead to a professional career.

Graduate admission and application requirements

For research-based Masters and PhD programs in Canada, it is the norm to expect academic requirements to hover around (B+) averages. Some programs could have lower or higher standards, so it is important to check the requirements of the program that you are applying to. Many graduate programs will also expect applicants to have completed tests such as the GRE (see pp24-25).

Specific experience or completion of an undergraduate degree in the field of study in particular can often be required but not always. For professional programs or MBA options, having some work experience prior to gaining admission is often required. Completion of the thirdparty tests (GMAT, LSAT, MCAT) can also be expected.

McGill University, ranked 20 in the 2008 Times Higher – QS World University Rankings, has a two-stage process for graduate admissions. Once your application is received it is first reviewed by the academic department responsible for the program being applied to. Therefore, all supporting documents should also be sent to the

There are estimated to be up to one million moose in

Many institutions offer scholarships and awards for international students with exceptional qualifications” department. If the department wants to accept your application, they will make a recommendation to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (GPSO).

The GPSO then reviews the file and, if in agreement with the recommendation, will make you a formal offer of admission. This process, particularly the departmental level, can take time as there are many different factors to be taken into consideration.

If you’re thinking of applying to study in Canada aim to apply before 1 February for programs beginning in September.

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Ca

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Spotlight on Quebec If you’d prefer to order your breakfast of waffles in French, why not consider studying abroad in Quebec?

in

Canada

The admissions process can take as long as nine months so be sure to submit your application form as early as possible. For top tips from admissions directors see pp16-22.

Graduate scholarships and funding

Many Canadian institutions offer scholarships and awards for international students with exceptional qualifications.

For example, applicants to graduate studies at McGill University are automatically considered for a McGill International Doctoral Award (MIDAs): www.mcgill.ca/gps/fellowships/midas Students who are looking for funding from outside of their particular university should think about trying the Government of Canada: www. scholarships.gc.ca/noncanadians-en. html, as well as the Trudeau Foundation Scholarships Program: www. trudeaufoundation.ca/trudeaufoundation.

International full-time students are allowed to work on the campus without the need for an employment authorisation.

The Off-Campus Work Permits (OCWP) Program for International Students also allows eligible international students to apply for a work permit if they are registered full-time at a participating institution and maintain good academic standing. This permit entitles international students to work up to 20 hours a week during the regular academic year and fulltime during schedule breaks, anywhere in Canada: www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/ study/work-offcampus.asp Upon graduation

Canada’s open policies on immigration also offer some international students a great opportunity for permanent residency and successful careers in Canada following completion of their studies.

In east-central Canada, you’ll find a little slice of France, well, not so little – Quebec is Canada’s largest province) Quebec’s official language is French, which is spoken by over 83% of the population.

There are 14 French and three English universities in Quebec, offering graduate and postgraduate study, mainly in business, applied or social sciences. Programs are at three levels: three or four-year bachelors degrees, two-year Masters degrees and PhD programs of three or more years. The deadline for admission varies depending on the university and program level, but generally is between January and March for fall admissions.

All new programs offered by Quebec’s higher education institutes undergo quality assessment by a committee and experts in the field. Subsequently, they’re subject to periodic reviews. It is possible to complete an entire academic program in Quebec, and to gain an internationally recognised degree, but student exchanges are also popular here. Usually lasting six months to one year, student exchanges can be arranged under the bilateral agreements signed by universities in Quebec and abroad: http://echanges-etudiants.crepuq. qc.ca Agreements between the Quebec government and other countries exempt many international students from the tuition fees normally required. Such is the case for students from France, who pay the same tuition as Quebec university students. A number of bursaries are also available.

Outside of the classroom, experience the culture and climate that is Quebec.

There are nearly 400 events throughout the year from colourful carnivals to cultural celebrations, international sports competitions to film and music festivals. That will take your mind off the study for a while!

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Country Guide: Chile

Fine wines, spectacular trekking, gourmet restaurants and archaeological treasures. Ann Graham finds the attractions of studying in Chile for your graduate degree

Ranked as the world’s 37th most developed country, Chile has become Latin America’s brightest economic star - boosted by record prices for its key export, copper.

Since a troubled period between 2001 and 2003, this country of contrast has seen its population’s life expectancy rise, poverty halve since 1990 and education increase by 25% - the national literacy rate of about 94% is one of the highest in Latin America. So if you’re looking for a location to study abroad for your graduate degree, Chile is guaranteed to provide a unique experience.

Chile education

There are 25 state universities and over 50 private universities in Chile.

The University of Chile, founded in 1842, is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in the country. It’s also one of the oldest in The American Continent. The university has formed close connections with many of the world’s most advanced research centres – connections which have enabled the university to offer 186 graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines. Today, there are approximately 2,500 students studying across the 54 Masters and 32 doctoral programs at the University of Chile which was ranked 320= in the 2008 Times Higher – QS World University Rankings. It was also ranked 250 for arts and humanities, 265 for natural sciences, 178 for engineering and IT and 282 for social sciences.

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC), a private Catholic university was founded in 1888, and is another of Latin America’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institutes.

With five different campuses – four in Santiago and one regional campus in southern Chile – today UC is made up of 18 faculties offering graduate degrees across a range of subject areas including agronomy, architecture, communications, engineering, law, medicine and social sciences. In the 2008 Times Higher – QS World University Rankings, UC was ranked 241 in the world, 226 in the arts and humanities, 252 in natural sciences, 179 in engineering and IT, 225 in social sciences and 210 in life sciences and biomedicine.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, offers students a unique education in Chile’s second largest city, Valparaiso. Founded in 1928, the university has nine schools and 46 graduate academic programs with 500 graduate student enrolments. Masters programs range in subject areas from biology to mathematics, engineering to oceanography, education to public affairs management.

Over 18,000 students study at the University of Santiago de Chile, one of the nation’s largest state universities, founded in 1849. Set on a single campus in Santiago it offers 11 doctoral programs and 38 Masters degrees across seven faculties including administration and economy, medical sciences, humanities,

The colour and culture of Chile attracts many international

Santiago offers 11 doctoral programs and 38 Masters degrees across seven faculties” engineering, chemistry, biology and technology. In the 2008 Times Higher - QS World University Rankings The University of Santiago de Chile was ranked 252 in arts and humanities, 267 in engineering and IT, and 223 for life sciences and biomedicine.

Graduate admissions and applications

Some Chilean universities recognise the AP Exam. The Universidad de Chile Santiago is one of these universities which offers special admission status to students who have the AP International Diploma (or four AP exams with grades of 3 or

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students to study abroad in Latin America

higher). These students, whether Chileans or foreigners, may waive the university’s entrance exams.

Funding

The Fulbright US Student Program offers grants to students wishing to study in Chile – those conducting a thesis or dissertation research are preferred.

Students working towards a Masters degree will be considered with evidence of full-time study or a significant research project. You will need to arrive prior to, or at the beginning of March, to enrol for the full academic year. Duration of study is ten months from March through to December. Proficient spoken and written Spanish is also required.

As an applicant, you must obtain a formal letter of invitation, or affiliation prior to submitting the application, from your host institution of preference. This letter should state your enrolment in classes, access to facilities or resources, collaboration with ongoing projects, and

indicate that a host contact would be available to mentor or supervise your work on your proposed project.

Applications from candidates in science and technology are particularly welcome. Other topics of interest include astronomy, earth sciences, geology, food science, forestry, mining, oceanography, aquaculture, energy, biotechnology, environmental sciences and ecology: http://web.fulbright.cl/ Visas

For students wishing to study abroad in Chile for longer than six months, a student visa is required. For stays less than six months, only a tourist visa is needed. For a visa application you’ll have to provide a valid passport, evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay and a return or onward ticket. For student visa applications, you’ll also need: - an acceptance letter from the institute you’ll be studying at - a letter of confirmation that the school

and courses are government approved - a letter of police clearance - a doctor’s health certificate - three passport-sized photos Costs for visas to study in Chile vary, so check with your nearest Chilean embassy.

Tourist visas are valid for up to 90 days (depending on nationality); student visas are valid for up to one year. If you wish to stay on for further study you’ll need to apply for a visa extension. This can be done once you enter Chile but before your first visa expires. Unfortunately, it is illegal to work with a tourist or a student visa.

Student life

Studying abroad in Chile will be as much about your graduate degree as it will be about experiencing the culture. Family plays a major part in Chilean society so consider home stays as part of your experience. Chileans view education as a way to a better life, so your host family are likely to take an interest in your studies.

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Country Guide: China

China has a reputation as a huge exporter of graduate students, but such has been the rise in its power that the tide is starting to turn. James Donald looks at why international students are now flocking to China for their Masters and PhD studies

In 2008, China captured the hearts and attention of millions worldwide as it hosted the much talked about, highly anticipated, Beijing Olympics. But not satisfied to be out of the spotlight, China has remained a talking point since.

“China is at a unique place in our global history,” says Jason Coe, Program Director of China Study Abroad. “As we enter what many have termed the ‘Asian Century,’ China stands at the forefront, leading the region with its economic might and industrial producing prowess.

“When Jim Rogers, former partner of George Soros and one of the world’s most successful investors was asked his advice for young people, he said, ‘Move to China; learn Chinese.’

Just as English was the lingua franca of the 20th century, Mandarin Chinese may very well prove to be that of the 21st.

Regardless, an international education is incomplete without an understanding of China,” Coe says.

The latest report by the China Scholarship Council reinforces this – the number of international students in China has risen steadily over the last decade. In 2007-08 there were more than 195,000 international students in China, up from 77,000 in 2003. Graduate students numbered more than 10,000 in the most recent survey. South Korea and Japan were the top two countries of origin for the total figure, followed by the United States.

This figure is set to rise further over the coming decade.

Coe says studying in China for a postgraduate degree is one of the most affordable and essential education options.

“China boasts some of the world’s top ranked universities [11 feature in the top 100 of the 2009 QS.com Asian University Rankings], offering degrees in almost any field. Moreover, studying in China gives students a leg up on the international job market, especially in multinational companies with offices throughout Asia.”

Students considering graduate study in China may be worried that the majority of courses are taught in Mandarin Chinese, not English, although Mandarin is one of the more popular course choices for international students. “Several highly regarded schools in China offer Masters and PhD programs taught in English, such as Shanghai Normal University, the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, and Ocean University of Qingdao. Those that don’t offer courses in English have early entry Chinese training programs that prepare international students for the rigours of Chinese coursework in their degree programs,” says Coe. “We have also seen an upsurge in

The life here in China isn’t as much of a drastic change as most people expect it to be” Derek Capo, CEO, Next step china

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requests for our Business and Economics courses taught in English, as well as Business Chinese Language courses.

Our Traditional Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts courses remain popular options as well.”

Studying abroad, although a worthwhile experience, is also a costly one, but the rise in the economic power of China does not mean that the cost of living is high, according to Coe. “Despite the recent economic improvements in China, the cost of living is still quite low. It’s possible for a student to live in a large city, such as Beijing and Shanghai, for less than US$20 a day.” However, employment options for topping up the budget are limited. While on a student visa, international students are not allowed to work in China unless issued a special work permit by their employer.

Derek Capo, CEO of Next Step China, says the culture shock for students is not as great as might be imagined.

“The life here in China isn’t as much of a drastic change as most people expect it to be. There are some adjustments to be made but it isn’t a worse situation, it’s just different. Given the favourable exchange rates for certain countries, foreigners are able to live in China for cheap. You can buy a bowl of noodles for 45 cents and find a place to live for US$200 to US$300 a month in very comfortable accommodation.” Next Step China helps anyone interested in studying, travelling or doing business in China.

Capo says the Beijing Language and Cultural University is very popular for beginners who want to study Chinese.

In addition to the postgraduate courses, the university also runs a number of supplementary extracurricular classes on cultural studies. There is also the opportunity to take other courses and activities, including Chinese calligraphy and painting, Qigong and shadow boxing.

Two other world-class universities, Peking University and Tsinghua University, both of which were ranked in the 2008 Times Higher Education – QS World University Rankings (50= and 56 respectively), also offer language courses and advanced courses on China’s cultural and business environments to international students. 

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Studying in China could light the way to a brighter future

Peking University profile Founded in 1898, Peking University runs over 100 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate and PhD courses. A Masters degree at Peking University normally requires three years of study and international applicants must be under 40 years of age.

Potential students need to complete the online application form and write an 800 word personal statement - the application period runs from September to December. The annual cost for a Masters in a humanities subject is 29,000 RMB (US$4,250) and a Masters in science, 33,000 (US$4,830). There are 15 scholarships available for Masters applicants, with a value of 4,000 RMB (US$585).

Visiting students to Peking University must take a Chinese language proficiency exam after they have registered. If they don’t meet the standard for a speciality course, it is recommended they learn Chinese in the International College for Chinese Language Studies for one or two semesters.

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Modern skyscrapers make an impressive appearance on Singapore’s skyline

Country Guide: Singapore

Singapore offers a lifestyle like no other, and with a rigorous quality assurance system on all its higher education providers, you’re guaranteed a world class education, writes Ann Graham Singapore’s diverse mix of cultures, ethnicities, expats and locals means you’ll get as much of an education outside the classroom as you will if you choose to study for your graduate degree here. With its strategic location in the heart of South-East Asia, Singapore naturally lends itself to the convergence of eastern and western

influences. This unique vantage point, coupled with the strong support of its Government, means that the education system in Singapore is well poised to offer students the best of East-West education.

Singapore education

Over the years, Singapore has developed a strong public education system with

high standards in teaching and learning.

The three local public universities – the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Management University (SMU) are internationally recognised as evident in their positions in world university rankings. Both the National University of Singapore and the 129

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Country Guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010 Nanyang Technological University were ranked in the top 200 of the 2008 Times Higher – QS World University Rankings, 30= and 77 respectively, and in the top 20 of the 2009 QS.com Asian University Rankings, 10= and 14 respectively.

The Singapore Management University, which opened its doors in 2000, is modelled after the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and aims to groom outstanding business leaders and creative entrepreneurs capable of excelling in a rapidly changing and dynamic world. The government has recently announced a fourth public university will be opened in Singapore in 2011. Designed with a strong research focus, its curriculum is being developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Types of qualifications

There are three main types of graduate programs offered in Singapore, all of which are developed to challenge students: doctoral (PhD), Masters (by coursework or thesis), and the graduate diploma.

PhD: At NUS, all doctoral degrees are primarily research based. They equip students with the skills required to advance knowledge and human progress.

Doctoral degrees are typically the first choice of students who seek depth of knowledge, enjoy creative problemsolving, and who aspire to hold high level positions in their respective fields.

Masters: Masters degree programs are predominantly designed to prepare students for work within a specific profession (typically through a Masters by coursework) or to gain advanced knowledge in a specific subject area as a precursor to doctoral training (typically through a Masters by research).

Graduate diploma: The graduate diploma provides limited professional training in a specific niche. The diploma is often favoured by those students who seek additional exposure to an area of interest without wishing to commit themselves long-term to further studies.

Singapore takes its education system very seriously. Every undergraduate or graduate program has to undergo a stringent evaluation and approval by the Boards of Undergraduate Studies or Graduate Studies respectively, the University Committee on Educational Policy and the Senate. Quality assurance reviews are also carried out involving student surveys,

International Visiting Committees and International Advisory Panels and the Quality Assurance Framework for Universities set up by Singapore’s Ministry of Education. Educational programs in the professions, such as engineering, medicine and architecture, are further accredited by internationally recognised accreditation panels with broad representation from academia and the professional world.

Specialist education

A multitude of study options is available for postgraduate students, ranging from mainstream courses to the niche areas. In a bid to be industry-relevant, Singapore universities offer a myriad of speciality courses in areas such as tourism, hospitality and digital media. But they’re not offering them alone. An increasing number of overseas universities have set

Singapore universities offer a myriad of speciality courses in areas such as tourism, hospitality and digital media” up their off-shore campuses in Singapore, contributing to its reputation as the educational hub of the region.

Nanyang Technological University works with Cornell University in the United States to offer a joint Masters of Management in Hospitality (MMH).

Candidates spend six months in Singapore and six months in the US. The Singapore Management University has worked in collaboration since 2003 with the Swiss Finance Institute and Wealth Management Institute to offer a Masters of Science in Wealth Management. Most recently, in 2007, New York University Tisch School of the Arts set up a Singapore campus to offer a Masters of Fine Arts in film production.

International institutions with a presence in Singapore

· ·

University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Business) Cornell University (Hospitality) · Digipen Institute of Technology (Digital Media) Duke University (Medicine) ESSEC (Business)

· ·

· · · · · · · · · · · ·

Georgia Institute of Technology (Logistics) University of Hawaii (Hospitality) INSEAD (Business) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Engineering) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Hospitality) New York University School of Law (Law) Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Business, Construction) SP Jain Institute of Management (Business) Stanford University (Environment) Technical University of Munich (Industrial Chemistry) Tisch School of the Arts, New York University (Film) Waseda University (Business) Graduate scholarships and funding

Public education in Singapore is currently heavily subsidised, which benefits not only domestic students but international students as well. In addition, some of the tertiary institutions, both public and private, do offer scholarships, bursaries and loans. NUS offers generous scholarships to international students who wish to enrol for a PhD degree by research.

These research scholarships are awarded competitively based on merit.

The government tuition grant, which is available to all qualified candidates, is another funding opportunity for international students. However, the grant does require the student to work for three years upon graduation with a Singaporeregistered company, either in Singapore or overseas. More information can be found at: www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/asp/index.

There is a variety of part-time paid work opportunities for students who are interested in seeking employment while they study. Depending on the students’ interests and skills, the nature of work can be wide-ranging from administrative duties to customer service, sales and marketing to event coordination, software development, web design development, tutoring, research assistance or fieldwork surveys.

According to Singapore Immigration & Control Authority’s regulations, international students residing in Singapore on a student pass should not work for more than 16 hours during term time, but there is no restriction on the number of hours they can work during vacation.

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Country Guide: UK When considering where in the world to study, why should a prospective international student choose the United Kingdom? The answer is simple, says Dr Shaun Curtis

History, location and an English education system attract many students to the UK

Great Britain offers access to one of the finest higher education systems in the world. Here is a country with just 1% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population yet it undertakes 5% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scientific research and publishes 12% of cited papers. Much of this success is dependent on attracting the best students from around the world.

The UK has a long tradition of welcoming international students.

Our universities offer a wide range of innovative, high quality programs supplemented by excellent academic and welfare support. They are internationally recognised and lead to excellent employment opportunities.

Our universities also attract large numbers of students from overseas because of the continuing international demand for education in English and the

Our universities offer a wide range of innovative, high quality programsâ&#x20AC;?

Dr shaun curtis

reputation of UK universities in research and teaching. International students provide a valuable cultural mix on our university campuses and in many cases, on return to their home country, act as excellent ambassadors for our country.

Despite some fierce competition, the UK continues to punch above its weight, with only the United States attracting more international students in absolute terms. The increase in international student numbers reflects the considerable

investment - over many years - by UK universities in their international activities.

Talking to potential students, developing international collaborations and exchanges, and sending senior academics to visit countries interested in sending students to the UK, are important ways in which universities are seeking to highlight the strengths and attractiveness of our higher education system.

UK universities offer many different levels of study. For example, there are tremendous opportunities for students wishing to undertake postgraduate degrees. There are now just over 50,000 international postgraduate research students in the UK, accounting for some 42% of all postgraduate research students (the proportion in France is 35%; in the US it is 33%). This also represents about >> 15% of the total global market share 133

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Students can apply to work in the UK

London life and culture adds to the international student experience in the UK

>>

From page 133 and, per capita, makes the UK the most successful recruiting country at present.

When we ask these students why they studied here the most popular answer is the international research reputation of UK university departments.

The UK also offers a more diverse international student base than most second in the OECD, in fact. Over 70 universities in the UK have students from 100 or more countries and three universities have over 150 countries represented in their student intake.

Those international students who come to study in the UK also report high levels of satisfaction with their experience. A report for the UK Council for International Student Affairs, which surveyed nearly 5,000 international students, found that 91% of undergraduates and 85% of postgraduates

Graduates in the UK enjoy one of the highest financial returns of any other countryâ&#x20AC;? oECD

were satisfied or very satisfied with their course of study. The most commonly listed benefits included their academic experience, improving their English, becoming more independent, meeting people from all over the world and learning about the UK and other cultures.

Having completed their courses, graduates in the UK also enjoy one of the highest financial returns of any other country. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the earnings

advantage for UK graduates over persons with an upper secondary qualification is 59%, well above the OECD average. UK university graduates also have a much greater chance of finding jobs.

The opportunity for international students to build on their academic qualification with a period of work experience in the UK is also a major attraction. Students are now able to apply for Post-Study Work visa extensions, which will ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for international students for many years to come.

There are a broad range of UK universities and programs to choose from and international students can access information about these from a variety of online resources. There are also opportunities to meet representatives from UK universities at education events around the world. University staff regularly travel overseas to meet prospective students.

Information about these visits can be found on most universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; international office websites. Universities will also welcome visits by students if they are able to travel to the UK. Dr Shaun Curtis is Head of the UK Higher Education International Unit, UK. www.international.ac.uk n

A useful place to search for appropriate courses and universities is the Education UK website: www.educationuk.org n For undergraduate courses it is also useful to look at the UCAS website: www.ucas.com n British Council offices overseas also have information about studying in the UK. Information about the network of offices can be found through: www.britishcouncil.org

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Raise your sights The most inspiring postgraduate programmes in art, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts are on offer at Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading creative Colleges: Camberwell College of Arts Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design Chelsea College of Art and Design London College of Communication London College of Fashion Wimbledon College of Art Each is world famous in its own right, and all belong to University of the Arts London.

So whether your goal is a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, an MA, an MSc, or a research-based MPhil or PhD, set your sights on Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest. www.arts.ac.uk

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|Country Guides

Country Guide: France

Where better to indulge your passion for graduate study than in France.

A well-deserved reputation for teaching excellence ensures students flock to one of the cultural capitals of the world, writes Ann Graham

The Arc de Triomphe: one of many famous landmarks in Paris

F ine wine, gourmet cheese, beautiful art and world-class sophistication – it’s easy to see why France is one of Europe’s top destinations for international students. But it’s not just the French cuisine and culture that attracts students to study here. France also boasts top graduate education opportunities.

Parlez-vous français? Whether your French extends to being able to buy a pain au chocolate and café au lait or to discuss world politics, studying for a Masters or PhD degree in France is an option – many universities offer bi-lingual French/ English based Masters.

French education

France’s higher education system is made up of 87 public universities, from the Sorbonne in Paris (founded in 1179) to the new high-tech campus of

Engineering and business are the specialities of most of France’s unique and renowned Grandes Ecoles” Nice-Sophia-Antipolis. Based on the European ladder of bachelors, Masters, and PhDs, each degree is awarded on the successful completion of a specified number of semesters or years of study.

These are expressed in credits as defined by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Research is an integral function of France’s universities. More than 300 doctoral programs, in collaboration with some 1,200 research centres and

laboratories, prepare students for scholarly careers. The country’s doctoral programs have always been open to international participation - international students earn one of every three doctorates awarded by French universities.

At the core of the French degree system are a set of national diplomas that have the same value, regardless of the institution that grants them. Additionally, the Grandes Écoles are uniquely French institutions. Created in the early 19th century in parallel to the university system, these public or private freestanding institutions of higher education are extremely selective and offer education of a very high standard. Engineering and business are the specialities of most of France’s unique and renowned Grandes Écoles. Others, including some of the most famous, are devoted to public administration (the Ecole Nationale d’Administration), military sciences, postsecondary teaching and research (the Écoles Normales Supérieures), agronomy and veterinary medicine.

Specialist education

France is a first-class centre for scientific and technological innovation. It owes this standing to its research capacity and its many achievements in such fields as aerospace, transportation, electronics, telecommunications, chemistry, biotechnology, and health.

Engineering: France has 240 schools of engineering, all of which share certain common characteristics related to the recognised quality of the closely regulated, Master-level diplôme d’ingénieur that signifies advanced achievement in engineering. This national diploma enables holders to apply for admission to a doctoral program.

Business and management: According to Financial Times rankings, seven of the top ten Masters in Management programs >> 137

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There are 87 public universities to choose from in France

>>

From page 137 come from French business schools. All bring the latest management practices to bear on the changing economic environment. Many are structured around internships and international exchanges.

France’s business schools offer institutionspecific degrees (not national diplomas); 71 of the schools are recognised by the French government.

Art: France’s schools of art can be divided into two major categories: Écoles supérieures d’art and Écoles supérieures d’arts appliqués are prestigious public institutions that offer three and five-year programs leading to national diplomas at the bachelor and Masters level, respectively. There are also 20 schools of architecture which fall within the harmonised European degree system and confer advanced degrees in architecture.

Admissions requirements

The classic method of admission to one of France’s Grandes Écoles was a

Public support keeps tuition levels in France among the lowest in the world”

competitive examination after two years of preparatory courses, followed by a threeyear course of study, but this has changed to meet modern professional needs. For international students, a parallel admission process exists based on degrees and exams, with courses of study between two and five years, depending on the entry level granted by the institution.

Graduate scholarships and funding

Public support keeps tuition levels in France among the lowest in the world.

The French government supports public institutions of higher education, including the universities, thereby lowering the

cost of education to each student by approximately €10,000 per year. What’s more, no distinction is made between French and foreign students: all are beneficiaries of a generous amount of invisible financial aid. International students enjoy the same low tuition rates as French students at universities and other public institutions (€160 - €500 per year). The true cost of the education they receive is much higher (€6,000 - €15,000 year), but the difference is paid by the French government.

Various scholarships are also offered by the French government and regardless of their country of residence, or the kind of scholarship sought, candidates should contact the Cultural, Scientific and Technical Co-operation Service at the French embassy or consulate where they live well in advance of their departure.

French embassy scholarships are granted to students registered in the regular curriculum of a French higher education institution in order to obtain a diploma granted by that institution and other schemes, such as Eiffel Merit Scholarships, Eiffel Doctorate Merit Fellowships and joint doctoral programs, are also available. Full details are found at www.egide.asso.fr There is also a new entity that has been created to support students to ensure their time in France’s higher education system is a success. CampusFrance has integrated and extended the missions of Agence EduFrance and two other organizations vital to academic and scientific mobility.

CNOUS and EGIDE, now operating under the CampusFrance umbrella, also manage the French government’s scholarship programs as well as the interuniversity cooperation programs of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Student support

Campusfrance.org and CampusFrance’s local offices are the engines behind the organization’s mission of world-class student services. In CampusFrance offices around the world visitors can speak with an education specialist to gather information about study in France or to get advice about their options. Students receive personalised help in matching their goals to available programs, assembling application materials, and tracking applications through the admission process: www.campusfrance.org

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Preparing students to fight the recession through entrepreneurship

EMLYON Business School is rolling out its international programs and creating a new Master’s program, entirely in English, to be launched in September 2009.

According to Patrice Houdayer, the school’s Dean of Graduate Programs, entrepreneurship is an excellent means to fight the recession

“O

ur programs offer a distinctively entrepreneurial and international dimension,” insists Patrice Houdayer, Dean of Graduate Programs at EMLYON Business School. This ambition can be seen in the launch of its latest program, the Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP) (www. msc-entrepreneurship.com).

The GEP will kick off at the start of the school year in September 2009. This unique program is offered by the three most renowned institutes in the field of entrepreneurship on their respective continents: EMLYON Business School in Europe, Babson College in the United States and Zhejiang University in Asia.

This program targets students who wish to be trained in entrepreneurship, whether it be for company startups, international development, or development of subsidiaries, activities or concepts. Before working on an international-scale project, students will first become familiar with other economic and cultural contexts.

Students in the GEP program will build skills to boost their chances for success in an international environment, work in multicultural teams, improve their ability to convince investors, develop their leadership potential and become proficient in a variety of working environments, at both the personal and professional levels.

Students from over 60 countries

In addition to courses that support the startup and takeover of companies, EMLYON places entrepreneurship at the heart of all of its programs – from undergraduate training to continued

education – as well as its research. The multicultural campus already brings together students from more than 60 countries at its three sites in Lyon, Geneva and Shanghai.

More than 25% of the school’s 3,000 undergraduates are foreign students.

EMLYON has signed nearly 100 exchange agreements with partner business schools and universities the world over. In addition, some 40% of the school’s professors are foreign nationals.

The economic crisis has made EMLYON’s active role even more vital, and the school believes that the international sphere is the natural scope of action for its students. “Companies are focusing their strategy on Asia for their entire value chain, including research and development, namely in China and India,” Houdayer says.

Some 30% of EMLYON graduates find their first job in a foreign country.

The school aims to eventually have an undergraduate student body composed of 50% foreign nationals. It is also planning to send one entire class of the Grande Ecole program to study in Shanghai for a semester. www.em-lyon.com Facts & Figures

Over 30% non-French students, representing 60+ nationalities 115 permanent faculty members 100 foreign partners An international network of more than 400 experts and visiting faculty - Three campuses: Lyon, Geneva and Shanghai - 18,000 alumni over 95 countries Rankings and profile, page 166

Entrepreneurship gives you a range of skills

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|Profile

A range of Masters programs Global Entrepreneurship Program - 3 continents | 3 business schools | 1 focus One-year Masters of Science program in entrepreneurship, taught fully in English.

Students study on three different continents at three institutions internationally recognised as experts in the field of entrepreneurship: Babson (USA), Zhejiang University (China) & EMLYON Business School (France). www.msc-entrepreneurship.com - gep@ em-lyon.com European Masters in Management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; France | UK | Germany Two-year Masters in General Management + specialisation (finance, marketing, consulting), taught in English. Students study management from a triple perspective: provided by three European institutions: Aston Business SchoolBirmingham (UK), LMU-Munich (DE) and EMLYON Business School. www.european-master.com - emm@emlyon.com International MBA (iMBA) 12-month, full-time MBA program focused on entrepreneurship, taught in English.

In line with market demand and current management issues, the iMBA offers the career support and academic knowledge high-potential managers need to reach their career goals. www.em-lyon.com/imba - imba@em-lyon. com Masters in Luxury Management & Marketing One-year Masters of Science program specialised in luxury management and marketing provided by EML Geneva.

Students experience the specifics of the luxury industry in France, Switzerland and China, with access to a network of companies. www.eml-geneva.com - master@em-lyon. com MSc in Management A two-year graduate program taught in English and/or French. Students can tailor the program to their needs, while benefiting from career assistance and access to the business community. www.em-lyon.com/master - master@emlyon.com

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Dreamers or doers?

Bocconians.

The mission of Università Bocconi has never changed since 1902: to create a management class of excellence. As ethical and motivated as its own faculty. Renowned in the international business community for its commitment to research, Università Bocconi brings talented young people to Milan, the home of Italian business. Students will find one of the broadest selections of graduate and postgraduate courses in Europe at Università Bocconi and at SDA Bocconi School of Management. One day these men and women will be part of the Bocconian community. Dedicated people working for the good of the world. Bocconi. Empowering talent.

BACHELOR: INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE. MASTER OF SCIENCE: INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT • MARKETING MANAGEMENT • FINANCE • ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT IN ARTS, CULTURE, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT • ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SCIENCES • ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY. PHD: ECONOMICS • BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT • STATISTICS • FINANCE • INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ECONOMICS.

Master of Science

Request your welcome kit http://contact.unibocconi.it/international/ Call by Skype : unibocconi_1

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|Country Guides

The Angel with a cross on the famous Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome

Country Guide: Italy Blessed with stunning architecture, dramatic landscape and picturesque coastlines, Italy is also a distinguished seat of learning which has been luring quality students for centuries Pizza, pasta, fashion and art – will there be any time to study while in Italy? The quality of the country’s academic programs will be enough to inspire you to spend time inside the classroom as well as out.

If your education wish-list consists of studying abroad, learning another language, experiencing another culture, and gaining a world class education, then chances are one of Italy’s 94 universities, which currently offer programs across the entire range of academic disciplines, will suit you.

Italy education

Italy offers more Masters and PhD programs in English than many other European countries. So much so, that 40,000 international students head for Italy each year to enjoy one of the most

unique experiences international graduate education has to offer.

Not only will students be able to study in English, they’ll be surrounded by history at the same time. Italy has some of the oldest and most established institutions in the world: the University of Salerno was founded in the ninth century, the University of Bologna in 1088 and the University of Padova in 1222.

But don’t expect an antiquated education system. Italy’s universities have combined a distinct tradition and in some cases, a unique way of doing things, with innovation and entrepreneurialism.

Since 2004 the number of universities in Italy has greatly increased, due in part to a change in legislation, but also as a response to the increase in demand for university-level studies.

Italy offers the 3+2 degree model – a

three-year undergraduate bachelors degree and a two-year Masters degree.

All institutions offer graduate degrees in line with the requirements of the Bologna Declaration, making their programs more accessible to international students from all over the world.

Moreover, institutions like Politecnico di Milano have recognised the essential link between Masters degrees and the labour market, developing close links with businesses and industrial companies. This allows businesses to recruit those who do not need further training on the job.

Only five years ago the number of programs offered in English was limited, but the demand from international students, and Italians seeking an education in English, has seen many universities convert their taught and research degrees >> to the world’s lingua franca.

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Bocconi is looking for high-profile students, wherever they come from and our partners, companies with international networks and operations, demand graduates with a high-level academic preparation combined with the cultural and international backgrounds. The Bocconi experience is unique. Students who have been in the same classroom with 40 different nationalities develop important cross-cultural competencies.”

Graduate admissions and applications

The picturesque city of Venice is an obvious attraction of studying in Italy

The Invest Your Talent in Italy initiative, sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focuses on recruiting Indian and Turkish graduate students. Since 2006, the Italian government has provided the best candidates with a package of scholarships to attend first-class engineering, management and design courses taught in English at the country’s top universities.

Students involved in this initiative are able to experience first hand the industry and commerce of the world’s seventh largest economy. Each course includes a three to six month period of on-the-job training allowing students to gain handson familiarity with the Italian business culture. Many companies are ready to offer internships and are willing to recruit the most talented students to their Italian headquarters or branches throughout Asia.

>>

Invest your Talent in Italy

From page 143 One of the most prestigious of all Italian universities, Bocconi University, has been attracting some of the best international graduate students for many years with their distinctive blend of Masters degrees directly related to the world of work, high profile and researchactive academic members of staff and their support of international students.

With a well-developed infrastructure specifically designed for new international students that includes help with finding accommodation, visa issues and financial aid, Bocconi is one of the most popular choices for graduate studies.

Christiane Roth, Director of International Recruitment Services at the University, believes that Bocconi offers an unparalleled experience for international students. “We are fortunate with the facilities that we offer and the quality of our academic programs.

Bocconi is looking for highprofile students, wherever they come from” Christiane roth, bocconi university

Admission to Italy’s graduate programs for international students is dependent on their performance at the first-degree level. Each institution is responsible for establishing their own entry requirements, but may take into account such factors as work experience, academic specialisation and performance in admissions examinations, depending on the subject area applied to. Where graduate programs are offered in English, it is routine for Italian institutions to also require a satisfactory performance in an IELTS or TOEFL examination.

Graduate scholarships and funding

Tuition fees in Italian universities tend to be lower than in many other parts of Europe and the cost of living, even in the larger towns and cities, is more economical than in France and the UK. Many Italian institutions offer scholarships in order to make their programs as affordable as possible.

Student support

Whilst academic considerations are undoubtedly foremost in the minds of many international students considering Italy as their destination of choice, life outside the classroom is also a factor.

Famed for the quality of food and social opportunities, Italy offers a more relaxed approach to life distinct from many of its European neighbours.

Italy offers a different type of study destination from many of the more popular choices. With Masters degrees routinely offered in English and an internationally recognised system of qualification, Italy might well be your best choice for a world class graduate education.

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|Country Guides

You’re never too far away from beautiful countryside in Spain

Country Guide: Spain

Europe has long been a destination for international graduate students seeking their Masters and PhD programs but now another one is making its mark. Tim Rogers experiences the distinct culture that is Spain

“One of the major pulls of studying in Spain is its reputation as one of the more sophisticated and cultured European countries,” says Michael Aldous, Director of International Communication at IE Business School. “Although there are an increasing number of Masters programs being delivered in English, one of the biggest draws of studying in Spain is the opportunity of learning the Spanish language and emersion in the culture.

Spanish is reckoned to be the third most spoken language globally,” Aldous says.

Traditionally, Spain has often been regarded as the gateway to Latin America, with many multinational corporations operating out of Madrid and Barcelona having substantial holdings in both continents. Widely spoken in Latin America, Spanish is also the second most prevalent language in the US. Aldous says this has contributed to it being the second lingua franca of business, and the twoyear length of a Masters course in Spain

offers students a great opportunity to gain a working knowledge of the language.

“This has opened up many opportunities for international graduates from Masters programs,” he says.

Major Spanish companies such as Telefonica, Ferrovial and Santander have become global players, acquiring substantial positions outside their traditional markets in Spain and Latin America. In the case of companies like Inditex (owners of the Zara brand), innovation has been at the heart of their success. Indeed in growth industries such as renewable energies, Spanish companies such as Iberdrola are rapidly becoming

We have relationships throughout the world and students have opportunities in a range of companies” Professor Alvaro escribano,

market leaders. Spain offers an exciting and creative business environment.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a public university founded in 1989, is one university committed to developing close relationships with potential national and international employers of its graduates. The University’s Service, Planning, Guidance and Training (SOPP) section supports its 20,000 students, 3,000 of whom are studying either a Masters or PhD program, throughout the process of securing employment, from offering guidance to appropriate career opportunities to providing training courses for the development of skills relevant to the workplace. The International Practice schemes also offer students the opportunity to gain work experience through internships as part of their programs.

Professor Alvaro Escribano, Vice Chancellor of International Relations believes this is one advantage international >> graduate students have when they 147

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the academic and other requirements needed by an international student to qualify for admission and also disclose the exact weight different elements of the application material will be given. In the case of the Pompeu Fabra’s Masters in Bioinformatics, for example, the admissions decision is conducted by a panel of three academic members of staff: 50% of the decision is based on a candidates academic record, 10% on any additional academic or professional training relevant to the degree and 40% on a candidate’s personal aptitudes.

Scholarships and funding

two years in length and PhD programs a minimum of three years.

Universities charge a range of tuition fees, with some of the private institutions charging in excess of €18,000 a year in addition to the required living costs.

Many state or public institutions have much lower fees, with their costs being subsidised by either the federal or state governments. It is common for such universities to therefore charge between €2,000 and €6,000 depending on the type and content of the program. Financial aid and scholarships are commonly available for international graduate students, with schemes administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI) and the Ministry of Education and Science. Additionally, scholarships are offered to prospective graduate students from specific countries or regions of the world, such as Fundación Carolina and AlBan for students from Latin America and Fundayacucho, for students from Venezuela. Cost of living varies according to location.

Admissions requirements

Student life

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Spain is a delight for lovers of culture

>>

From page 147 come to study at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

“We have very good contacts with employers and businesses so that our students can access the right services to make their entry into employment easier.

We have relationships throughout the world and students have opportunities in a range of companies, particularly in the areas of business, finance and economics.

Large multinational companies are also interested in our students because they have studied in English but are used to an international environment from studying here in Spain.”

Spanish education

Spain plays host to some of the oldest universities in the world and the tradition of higher education provides an important factor in more international students considering Spain as a graduate study destination. Both private and state universities offer graduate programs across the full range of academic subjects. Many of these institutions have now adopted the European-wide Bologna reforms resulting in Masters degrees being between one and

Spain has more restaurants and bars per head of population than any other country in the world”

The application process for many of Spain’s taught Masters programs is similar to that operated in other European countries, with direct applications being accepted from students with an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Depending on the content and subject of the graduate degree for which a student is applying, it is routinely expected that the first degree will be in a similar academic area. Deadlines vary by university and in some cases two application dates are offered for prospective international students. Some universities, such as Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, indicate very precisely

With an enviable climate all year round there is something for everyone in this country of cosmopolitan cities, Mediterranean coastal towns and protected natural reserves, not to mention the fact that Spain has more restaurants and bars per head of population than any other country in the world. This country of colour, culture and contrast is undoubtedly one of the newer destinations for international graduate students. But with top universities offering a wide range of Masters and PhD degrees, there is no doubt that the choice for ambitious international students has got just a little more difficult.

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The next step in your career www.stepstone.nl

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IE Business School

IE Business School is one of the world’s top international business schools. A pioneer in business education, IE trains tomorrow’s leaders, shaping them with an innovative approach and acting as a catalyst for the creation of new enterprises

I

E was founded in 1973 by a group of entrepreneurs, and has quickly earned itself a reputation for innovation and quality. IE’s unique approach to further education, powered by its focus on the entrepreneurial spirit, and coupled with its dedication to the corporate world at large have turned IE into an international center of learning. With more than 80 nationalities represented on its Madrid central campus, as well as a global network of alumni, the IE experience is a truly international one.

Catering to the real needs of the corporate world, IE Business School offers a number of formats (full-time, part-time, and online) to ensure utmost flexibility in its programs.

In addition to the Business School, IE also features other schools that offer a number of graduate programs to those looking to continue their studies after university.

Master in International Management

The Master in International Management program lasts 13 months, and is held at IE’s central campus in Madrid. The objective of the program is to teach the new generation of professionals how to make important decisions and implement successful business models for global operations. This program has been specifically designed to mould future leaders facing the challenge of globalization, multicultural contexts and international business networks.

Master in Marketing Management

The Master in Marketing Management lasts for 13 months and is a full-time program conducted at IE Business School’s central-Madrid campus. Based on the acquisition of globally relevant skills and competencies that mark effective sales and marketing managers in the 21st century, it includes a residential period in Shanghai and London or Milan (depending on availability). The master is run in collaboration with Publiespaña and also enjoys the support of a large group of corporate sponsors.

Master in Telecom and Digital Business

The Master in Telecom and Digital Business, lasting 13 months, is a full-time program held on IE’s central-Madrid campus. The program is focused on the design of marketing strategies and company innovation in the era of the digital convergence of IT, media and telecom industries. It includes a residential period in Silicon Valley and is supported by key players in the global technology industry such as Accenture, Cisco, Nokia and Telefónica. The Master in Telecom and Digital Business teaches you the technical competencies required to meet the challenges of the marketplace, and fully understand the scope of technological changes.

Master in Biotechnology Management Online

The Master in Biotechnology Management is a 13-month online course

Catering the needs of the corporate world, IE Business

centred on the biotechnology and life sciences industries. The program is aimed at professionals who are unable to leave their place of residence and work for extended periods of time. Its main focus is to teach you how to turn the challenges of the biotech industry into growth opportunities and equip you with the expertise needed to succeed in this everchanging field.

Master in Digital Marketing Online

The Master in Digital Marketing is a 13-month, online program intended for those seeking to forge a career in the digital marketing industry. It can either act as a means of changing your career path from another industry, or to enhance your career opportunities if you are already working within the industry. Focusing on the tools and skills required of the successful manager within the advertising industry, the Master in Digital Marketing is designed for professionals unable to leave their places of residence and work for extended periods of time.

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IE law school Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice is a full-time program which runs for ten months with all classes held in our central campus in Madrid. The main objective of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice is to train lawyers with a global perspective, making them capable of working with international legal systems and thus add value in complex international transactions. The course teaches students to provide topquality legal advice and services with an international awareness of business issues and the highest standard of work ethics.

Executive LL.M.

School offers a number of study options to ensure flexibility in its programs

Master in Sports Management Online

The Master in Sports Management is intended for those seeking to forge a career in the sports industry. It can either act as a means of changing your career path from another industry, or to enhance your career opportunities if you are already working within the industry.

The Master in Sports Management is a 13-month program that combines three intensive face-to-face training periods (each lasting two weeks) and two online virtual learning periods in between (each lasting approximately 22 weeks).

Master in Finance

The Master in Finance is a ten-month program designed for students with an outstanding academic record. It is geared to those who have either just finished their undergraduate studies and/or have limited professional experience that they wish to expand on.

The Master in Finance at IE Business School is centered around finance and in line with the demand of the recruitment

market in the financial arena. Topics covered include macroeconomics, financial accounting, financial entrepreneurship, presentation skills and negotiation. In addition to finance courses, students will be required to undertake level I of the CFA Charter, which is a highly respected international degree within the finance sector.

Master in Advanced Finance

The Master in Advanced Finance is a 12-month program, taught entirely in English, and aimed at professionals with two to five years experience in finance or other professional fields such as engineering, law or business administration. The main purpose of the Master in Advanced Finance program is to equip participants with an in-depth knowledge of the functions of finance. The program takes a detailed and disciplined look at the tools, techniques, theoretical know-how, and practical focus that make it possible to put these functions into practice.

The IE- Northwestern Law Executive LL.M. Program is an intensive course created for experienced lawyers seeking an LL.M. from a top US law school without taking a year away from work. The course is comprised of both intensive on-campus periods in Madrid and Chicago and online coursework. The program content is based on Anglo-American common law and its application in European and international practices. Participants also study fundamental business administration subjects such as financial accounting, corporate finance, negotiation, marketing and business strategy.

IE School of Arts and Humanities Master in International Relations

Aimed at making a real difference in its field, the Master in International Relations is taught entirely in English at IEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban campus in Madrid. Its ground-breaking profile is based on Madrid´s position as a major European Union capital and reference in the Spanish-speaking world. Students are admitted to the program on the basis of an excellent academic track record and relevant international experience.

What does it take to be a consultant of international stature, a respected diplomat, a leading international civil servant, or the innovative manager of an NGO with global outreach? The IE Master in International Relations is designed to help you answer these questions and to transform your calling into a specific career plan.

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Country Guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Country Guide: Switzerland

The country with a rich heritage has some of the lowest tuition fees in Europe, thanks to its publicly funded universities, writes Ann Graham

Switzerland’s transport system will leave you no excuse not to turn up to class on time, but with the quality of teaching and graduate programs on offer, you won’t want to be late anyway.

Thinking about Switzerland conjures up a range of images (think Swiss chocolate, bank accounts, Roger Federer and Heidi), not least the magnificent mountains, the sophisticated and international cities of Zurich and Geneva or the famed high quality of life. In fact, once you start thinking about Switzerland it’s difficult to stop – so don’t! Consider it as your study abroad destination for graduate study.

Switzerland education

Known for its efficiency and quality of life, Switzerland is also home to top universities and graduate degrees. In the 2008 Times Higher – QS World University Rankings, ETH Zurich and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne both ranked in the top 50 universities in the world, 24 and 50= respectively and the University of Geneva placed 68. Overall, eight Swiss universities ranked in the world’s top 400.

Switzerland’s higher education system consists of two types of institution offering graduate programs. On the one hand there are ten universities and two federal institutes of technology, all of which are regarded as the elite institutions within the country’s education system offering masters and research programs across the full range of academic subjects. On the

other hand, there are seven Universities of Applied Sciences, all of which have been established since education reform in 1997, which brought together a range of technical and vocational colleges offering the more applied academic subjects.

Many Swiss universities offer courses in English but students do need a high level of language comprehension in German, French or Italian.

Like many other European countries, Switzerland has implemented the Bologna Declaration. As a result, the traditional local system has been replaced with standardised one or two-year Masters degrees and more formalised three to fiveyear graduate research programs.

Swiss investment in research and innovation is particularly high and coordinated at the Federal level, encouraging the very best international PhD and graduate research students to make the most of the internationally focused research groups and leading-edge research facilities.

Graduate admissions and applications

Admission to Swiss graduate programs is the responsibility of each individual academic institution and entry standards are set by academic committee based on a combination of the quality of a candidate’s undergraduate qualification, the subject for which they are applying and any standard admissions tests that are required. Unlike many European universities, it is important to remember

Snowy landscapes are one of many attractions on offer in Switz

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Country Guides

Student Profile Angela Bulgari

Masters in International Economics The Graduate Institute (HEI), Geneva

Most Swiss universities are publicly funded, making international study relatively affordable” that most Swiss institutions specify an application deadline for international students. For specific entry criteria, the websites of the individual institutions or the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) at http://www.crus. ch/engl are the best sources of information for prospective graduate students.

Students must include a staterecognised Swiss maturity certificate or equivalent foreign certificate as part of their application Graduate scholarships and funding

offer in Switzerland

One of the major factors in encouraging more and more international students to apply to Swiss institutions is the remarkably low tuition fees. Most Swiss universities are publicly funded, making international study relatively affordable.

Students are also offered exceptional value for money given the academic quality, high teaching standards and worldwide recognition of Swiss qualifications.

The Swiss Government invests a significant amount of their budget into international scholarship and fellowship schemes to encourage the best graduate students, particularly at the research level, allowing students to offset some of the high living costs they may encounter in the country. Some universities offer scholarships to international students as well. However, students must ensure they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies.

International students may work up to 15 hours per week.

“An anglo-saxon style of bachelors degree might not be enough for those with a big thirst for studying,” says Angela Bulgari. “At a Masters level, professors get involved more with your research and you feel you are treated on a more equal basis from an academic point of view,” she says.

The Moldovan student began her tertiary education at Essex University in the UK, studying for a Bachelors in Financial Economics. It was in her last year of her undergraduate degree that a friend suggested she apply for a Masters degree at HEI. “I wanted to study international affairs even before I went for my bachelors degree and this seemed like a great opportunity to diversify my study portfolio,” she says.

Three years ago, Angela graduated from HEI and is now working as a Financial Application Support Specialist for Thomson Reuters SA, a multinational company known to the greater public via its news agency Reuters. She says her Masters degree gave her the ability to have a wider view on career opportunities as well as recognising a job that is a good fit for her.

“International affairs has many sides to it and can provide you with a fascinating job..”

Studying for a Masters degree was far cheaper in Switzerland than it was in the UK. “It’s roughly 1000chf per semester or 2,000chf a year, which is around £1,000. But the costs of living in Geneva are quite high.

Try to apply for a scholarship from the Swiss authorities or your institute of study. It will make living in Switzerland a lot easier, and you’ll get to enjoy more things with some money in your pocket!”

Despite the cost, Angela still enjoyed living and studying in Switzerland – the fourth country she’s lived in. “Geneva is a great city in the summer – if you’re going to move here, move in the summer! There are many outdoor activities taking place: swimming, wake boarding, hiking, beach volleyball. It has a big ex-pat community as well, which makes it very dynamic. I’d recommend the summer Orange Cinema, the old town for cosy coffee breaks and the Paquis neighbourhood for world cuisines.”

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• Aerospace Engineering • Applied Earth Sciences • Applied Mathematics • Applied Physics • Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences • Biochemical Engineering • Biomedical Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management • Computer Engineering • Computer Science • Construction Management & Engineering

Delft University of Technology

• Design for Interaction • Economics and Management of Network Industries • Electrical Engineering • Embedded systems • Engineering & Policy Analysis • Geomatics • Industrial Ecology • Integrated Product Design • Life Science & Technology

2-year MSc programmes

• Management of Technology

Starting September 2010

• Materials Science & Engineering

• Marine Technology

• Mechanical Engineering • Media & Knowledge Engineering • Minerals and Environmental Programme • NanoScience

Taught in English

• Nanoscience and Nanotechnology • Offshore Engineering • Optics in Science and Technology • Science Education & Communication • Strategic Product Design • Sustainable Energy Technology • Systems & Control • Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis & Management • Transport, Infrastructure & Logistics

Delft, The Netherlands

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Country Guides

Riding around on bikes is part of the international student experience in Holland

Country Guide: Netherlands Expand your horizon in Holland, writes Aparajita Dutta The Netherlands is a country most commonly known for its wooden shoes, tulips, Amsterdam, Rembrandt and Van Gogh paintings. But behind these traditional perceptions of Holland there is a country with worldrenowned research and researchers in the fields of science and technology, medicine, arts and humanities, and social sciences.

Higher education institutes, recognised internationally for their wide range of English taught programs, are providing a new image of Holland.

Holland or The Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of the Netherlands itself and the six islands of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. The country’s formal name is ‘Nederland’, meaning ‘low country’, which refers to the fact that much of the land is at or below sea level. Today the Netherlands is mostly called ’Holland’, referring to the names of the two western coastal provinces, North and South Holland, which were the most developed and wealthiest part of

the country in the 17th century, playing a dominant role in the country’s history. It has a population of 16 million people; a total area of 41,528 square kilometres and Amsterdam as its capital city.

Although a small country in size, Holland has a big international presence and exposure. It is the 15th largest economy in the world. Big multinationals including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING Bank, Unilever and European headquarters of companies such as Sony, Sara Lee and Microsoft all have their base in Holland.

The Netherlands is also famous for its studies, research and innovation in the fields of medical science, technology, water management, and sustainable energy.

Although a small country in size, Holland has a big international presence and exposure”

Why study in Holland?

“Holland is a country that enjoys freedom of speech and thought,” Eko Baskoro Harimulyo (19), Indonesia; BSc in Applied Life Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences.

Holland offers more than 1,390 international study programs, of which 1,376 are taught entirely in English.

This makes Holland the frontrunner in continental Europe (see www.studyin.nl for the database of International Study Programs and Courses).

High quality of education is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. The Times Higher – QS World University Rankings lists 11 universities in Holland among the top 200 in the world. The country’s problem based learning system has also given it international acclaim.

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Country Guides|Top Grad School Guide 2010 Scholarship Programs, Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Netherlands Fellowship Programs and several scholarships provided by the Dutch higher education institutions. More information can be found at www.grantfinder.nl or at www. studyin.nl. Students should also check scholarships provided by their home country’s government.

After graduation

There is plenty to do in Holland at any hour of the day or night

>>

From page 155 directly with the professor and the Dutch teaching style helps students develop their own independent opinions and creativity in their study and research.

Tuition fees compared to other countries is reasonable in Holland. EU students pay approximately €1,600.

The tuition fee for non-EU students is generally higher.

Holland is a safe country when compared internationally. Violence and street crime is very low. People are helpful and almost everyone speaks English.

Education system

The Netherlands has two main types of higher education: research universities and universities of applied sciences.

There are 14 government funded research universities. The research universities focus on the independent academic study and research. However, many programs are specific profession oriented and graduates mostly work outside the academic world. There are about 206,000 students enrolled in research universities, (see www.vsnu.nl, The Association of Universities in the Netherlands).

The universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) are more practical oriented helping students acquire work experience through internships. There are 41 government funded universities of applied sciences, which enrol about 370,000 students, (see www.hbo-raad.nl, The

The Dutch teaching style also helps students develop their own independent opinions and creativity in their study” Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences).

A third type of higher education is the five international education institutes that offer specialised and advanced programs directed only towards international students, (see www.pie.ihe.nl, The Platform for International Education).

All research universities and universities of applied sciences offer bachelors and Masters degrees. Doctorate (PhD) degrees are only offered by research universities and take four years. Only the Institute of Social Studies (an international education institute) offers PhD programs.

Financing your studies

You can study in the Netherlands through one of the many exchange program agreements between Dutch higher education institutions and partner institutions all over the world. Information about these exchange programs are available from each university.

Students can also avail of the different scholarships provided by the Dutch government and European Union.

Some of the scholarships are Huygens

After finishing studies in Holland, students can return home or stay a little bit longer to travel through Holland and Europe. Some may wish to carry on with their studies or research while others may want to look for a job.

After completing a bachelors degree, students can choose to study for a Masters program. For those students completing their Masters degree, the PhD qualification is an option for further study.

Students who want to search for a job in Holland, can do so within a year after graduation. (For more information: www. studyin.nl or http://www.ind.nl/).

Living in Holland

Holland has a cosmopolitan lifestyle without forgetting the history and cultural traditions of the country. Students can experience the modern and high tech world alongside the cheese markets held in the traditional way even today. The contrasts are a part of the Dutch daily life and they are not in conflict.

Holland is also rich in art and architecture and home to some famous artists like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, the CoBra movement, Vermeer and architects like Jouke Post and Rem Koolhaas.

There are more than 1,000 museums to visit and theatres and musicals are also very popular among the Dutch. One can also experience the packed terraces along the many canals in the Netherlands on a bright and sunny day.

The cost of living in Holland is also modest compared to cities like New York, London, Paris and Beijing. Students spend around €700-€1,000 per month on housing, food and other expenses.

“I like the magic of the Dutch culture, Dutch people and Holland’s beautiful countryside. The best thing about the Dutch culture is that it easily accepts and integrates with the other cultures.”

Shenghua Tan (21), China, Bachelors in International Business and Management Studies, The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

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Find and compare Masters, MBA and postgraduate programs taught in English at top Dutch institutes.

Check our websites:

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Country Guides

A visit to Stockholm adds to the international student experience for those studying abroad in Sweden

Country Guide: Sweden

How did such a small country win such an international reputation for innovation and scientific advancement?

According to the European Innovation Scoreboard, Sweden is the most innovative and entrepreneurial nation in Europe, while maintaining a very high quality of life.

The same country that gave the world ABBA, Celsius and Linneaus has also given us IKEA, Volvo and Scania. The same inquisitive engineering tradition that led Alfred Nobel – immortalised by the Nobel Prize – to invent dynamite, has led to Swedish innovations such as the telephone handset, pacemaker, dialysis

machine and computer mouse. More recent entrepreneurs have given us mobile technology such as Bluetooth and internet applications such as Skype and Spotify.

Where do all these ideas come from?

Part of the secret may be the Swedish traditions of respect for the individual, coupled with the strong need for cooperation that comes with living in a sparsely populated country. While Sweden is about one-eighth the size of India, it only has nine million individuals, fewer than Delhi. Add in Sweden’s great

natural resources – timber, ore, water and hydroelectric power – and a low availability of arable land (7%), and you will understand why Swedes made a very rapid transition from a nation of small farmers to a nation of grand tinkerers, as well as international marketers.

Accessible university education

Sweden treasures and nurtures its university system – first established in the 15th century – and at the same time >> encourages enrolment from abroad.

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Swedish universities Linköping University www.liu.se

Founded in 1970, Linköping University has established itself as an innovative and modern institution in both education and research.

Faculties: Arts and Sciences; Health Sciences; Educational Sciences; Institute of Technology Location: Linköping, about two hours south of the capital city of Stockholm Students: 25 000 Faculty: 2,153

Uppsala University www.uu.se

Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is a comprehensive international research university dedicated to advancing science, scholarship, and higher education.

Faculties: Theology; Law; Arts; Languages; Social Sciences; Educational Sciences; Medicine; Pharmacy; Science and Technology Location: Uppsala, about one hour north of the capital city of Stockholm Students: 28,196 Faculty: 4,000

Karolinska Institutet www.ki.se

Founded in 1810, Karolinska Institutet is one of Europe’s largest medical universities. It is also Sweden’s largest centre for medical training and research.

Departments: Biosciences and Nutrition; Cell and Molecular Biology; Public Health Sciences; Physiology and Pharmacology; Clinical Neuroscience; Clinical Sciences; Environmental Medicine; Woman and Child Health; Laboratory Medicine; Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics; Medicine; Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics; Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology; Molecular Medicine and Surgery; Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society; Neuroscience; Odontology; OncologyPathology Location: Stockholm Students: 8,156 Faculty: 2,416

For bright international students, attending university in Sweden has never been easier.

There are currently about 31,000 foreign students studying in Sweden, or around 8% of the total student body.

The wide choice of English-language courses – aimed at both Swedes and non-Swedes – is perhaps the most obvious attraction for students shopping the world for higher education. Because of the challenges posed by the Bologna process, the ongoing educational reform across Europe, and because Swedish universities have a tradition of being responsive to student demand, Sweden has created a wide range of Masters programs in English. Sweden’s educational policy is based on the recognition that a multicultural student body is a resource for all students. So naturally there are services designed to make international students feel at home.

Sweden treasures and nurtures its university system, encouraging enrolments from abroad” Swedish Institute

For Swedes, most of whom speak fluent English, studying in English is a self-evident choice when preparing for an international career. The enthusiastic adoption of English in Sweden as the lingua franca for many of its business and academic pursuits is one reason why the country continues to top global competitiveness surveys. Many Swedish companies use English as their official working language. International students find that this prevalence of English makes adapting to their new surroundings relatively easy – and also makes it simple to find internships and job opportunities.

More than 600 graduate programs

In line with the Bologna Process, which is driving conformity in European higher education – Swedish universities have switched to a new degree structure, with both one-year and two-year Masters programs. Sweden has also adopted the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, which standardises credits and grading.

There are currently over 600 one and two-year Masters programs taught in English at Swedish universities, ranging from human rights law to environmental sciences, logistics to mechanical engineering. Around 40% are in the natural sciences, technology or engineering – fields that have been the most thoroughly anglicized globally.

A searchable up-to-date database of all available Swedish programs can be found at www.studyinsweden.se.

A question of style and structure

Since today’s job market values ambitious, innovative, perceptive team players, Swedish universities have found a way to foster these qualities through a forward-thinking culture and an informal and open climate.

There is a strong focus on group work, encouraging students to discover and develop their true strengths and talents. Many programs also offer close cooperation between academia and industry, giving students a distinct advantage when entering the job market.

Programs are structured in response to student demand. The result is an education system that is student-centric, where personal initiative and critical thought are prized. Students apply and analyse the skills taught through discussions at lectures and seminars, degree theses, case studies and group work. This requires taking an active role and contributing with opinions and ideas at lectures, seminars and in group discussions.

Studies in Sweden take place in a slightly different format than in other countries. Instead of studying several courses at once throughout an entire semester or year, students generally study just one course at a time, for a shorter period of several weeks. The Swedish semester is therefore made up of a series of shorter courses, each followed directly by an examination. The spring term of the final year of the Masters program is usually spent writing a thesis.

What about finances?

Currently, tuition fees are fully subsidized by the Swedish state, for national and international students alike. There are also scholarships available to cover living expenses, although the vast majority of foreign students in Sweden fund their living expenses themselves.

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The University of Newcastle, Australia, is a progressive international university and one of Australia’s leading research institutions. Its researchers have discovered the placental clock that determines the timing of birth, developed a viral therapy to kill cancer cells, designed mechanisms to convert pollutants into useful solid products, and revolutionised the separation of minerals and coal from wastewater.

The University’s main campus is located just outside of Newcastle city centre, about two hours drive north of Sydney. The University’s student population is just over 28,500, including some 6,000 international students from more than 80 countries studying both on and off-shore.

We are ranked in the: ■

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top 10 research universities in Australia (Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee) top 60 Asian Pacific universities (Institute of Higher Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University Rankings) top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education Supplement)

We offer postgraduate coursework programs in the following areas: Applied Finance Applied Linguistics Business Administration Educational Studies Engineering Management Engineering Science Environmental Management Human Resource Management Information Technology International Business Marketing Pharmacy Professional Accounting Social Change and Development For detailed information about the comprehensive range of study options at the University of Newcastle visit our website: www.international.newcastle.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code : 00109J

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|Institution Profiles

Institution Profiles France UK Switzerland Holland Finland Australia Italy

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Institution Profiles|Top Grad School Guide 2010

EMLYON Business School

Contact Ms Tess Lau Head of International Student Recruitment EMLYON Business School 23 Avenue Guy de Collongue 69134 ECULLY France Tel +33 (0) 4 72 18 46 63 Email lau@em-lyon.com

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Rankings “The Top 65 European Business Schools” – December 2008 Number 8: Business School in Europe

reated in 1872, EMLYON Business School stands out among the few business schools worldwide awarded three international accreditations and was ranked Number 8 in the Financial Times Top 65 European Business Schools in December 2008. Choosing to study at EMLYON Business School is choosing to study in a resolutely international environment, fully connected to today’s business world.

There is a full range of programmes offering a truly international experience for students.

Global Entrepreneurship Program 3 continents | 3 business schools | 1 focus 1-year Master of Science program specialized in entrepreneurship, taught fully in English.

Students study on 3 different continents at 3 institutions internationally recognised as experts in the field of Entrepreneurship: Babson (USA), Zhejiang University (China) & EMLYON Business School (France). www.msc-entrepreneurship.com gep@em-lyon.com European Master in Management France | UK | Germany 2-year Master in general management and specialisation (finance, marketing, consulting), taught fully in English. Students study management from a triple perspective: collectively provided by 3 European institutions: Aston Business School-Birmingham (UK), LMUMunich (DE) and EMLYON Business School. www.european-master.com emm@em-lyon.com International MBA (iMBA) The right MBA for entrepreneurial leaders 12-month, full-time MBA programme focused on entrepreneurship, taught fully in English.

Fully in line with market demand and current management issues, the iMBA offers the career support and the academic knowledge highpotential managers need to reach their career goals.

“The Top 50 European Masters in Management” - September 2008 Number 1: “Best in entrepreneurship” Number 1: “International course experience” Number 7: Masters of Science in Management www.em-lyon.com/imba imba@em-lyon.com Master in Luxury Management & Marketing Become the expert companies recruit 1-year Master of Science programme specialised in luxury management and marketing provided by EML Geneva, students experience the specifics of the luxury industry in France, Switzerland and China, and have access to a network of luxury companies. www.eml-geneva.com master@em-lyon.com MSc in Management A 2-year graduate programme taught in English and/or French, offering students the possibility to tailor the programme to their needs. It also helps them benefit by getting career assistance and access to the business community. www.em-lyon.com/master master@em-lyon.com Facts & Figures l Over 30% non-French students, representing 60+ nationalities l 115 permanent faculty members l 100 foreign partners l An international network of more than 400 experts and visiting faculty l 3 campuses: Lyon, Geneva and Shanghai l 18,000 alumni over 95 countries

Institution’s main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Accredited AACSB; accredited EQUIS by the EFMD; accredited AMBA for MBA Programmes and MSc in Management.

Percentage of graduate students 100% Range of tuition fees From €12,000 to €29,500 per year Language entry requirements Fluent English – EPT required. French is not required but there are classes to learn.

Accommodation Up to 350 students are provided with accommodation in modern facilities located on the campus. Each student has a flat equipped with a telephone, access to internet and all other normal facilities.

Price range of accommodation From €360 to €450 per month (social benefits possible for students staying more than three months.)

Modes of study Full-time Levels of study Masters Main subject areas Business, Management, Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Human Resources

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

ESC Rennes School of Business

|Institution Profiles

Contact Shu Bourgeon, Nolwenn Prie

2 rue Robert d’Arbrissel CS 76522 35065 Rennes Cedex France Tel +33 2 99 33 48 40 Fax +33 2 99 33 08 24 Email masters@esc-rennes.fr

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

SC Rennes School of Business is an elite French Management School, part of the 36 “Grandes Ecoles” business schools network in France.

These elite business schools ensure the highest quality education in France.

80% international faculty, 100% classes in English, 147 partner universities around the world, EPAS accredited (Grande Ecole Programme), Eligible EQUIS and AACS

Really international Unmatched anywhere in Europe, 80% of teachers at ESC Rennes School of Business are foreign, coming from all over the world including the US, UK, Australia, Ireland, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Poland, Tunisia, Russia and Senegal. 1/3 of the 1812 students are foreign. All programmes are taught in English.

Total number of students

International support

70%

1,812

Percentage of graduate students 40%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students

The international student office assists students and helps them find accommodation. The international student welcome team is one of 22 student organisations.

Range of tuition fees £9,496

Accommodation facilities Postgraduate programmes: The ESC Rennes School of Business offers a wide range of Masters’ programmes (duration: 18 months starting in September, entirely taught in English: l MA in International Business l MSc in International Marketing l MSc in International Finance l MSc in International Business Negotiation l MSc in Sports, Leisure & Tourism Management l MSc in Services Marketing & Management l MSc in International Accounting l MSc in International Human Resource Management.

Activities included in all programmes: l French language classes for international students; the equivalent for francophone students. l French culture classes for international students; the equivalent for francophone students. l A transversal week for all students at the beginning of second semester. l Classes in second semester for all students devoted to preparing for the Graduating Project.

l Evaluation of personal skills, CV, job interviews, enrolment letters, etc.

Scholarships The ESC Rennes School of Business offers scholarships based the academic performance of students.

400 rooms in the residence halls of universities and in private residencies in Rennes, next to ESC Rennes School of Business.

Modes of study Full-time, part-time, distance learning, locally taught, joint degrees

Research 84% of faculty is involved in research ESC Rennes School of Business specializes in three research areas: • Responsible Business • Technology and Innovation Management • Luxury Management

Accreditations A member of French “Conférence des Grandes Ecoles”, the ESC Rennes School of Business is EPAS accredited by EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development) and by the Open University in the UK. Following the recent peer review by EFMD and AACSB, the ESC Rennes School of Business is now eligible for accreditations of EQUIS and AACSB and expect to obtain both accreditations in 2010.

Language tuition facilities French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Italian Classes

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas International Business, International Finance, International Marketing, International Human Resource Management, International Negotiation, International Accounting, Sports Leisure and Tourism Management, Services, Marketing and Management

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Contact Britta Delhay

MSc Admissions Office 1, rue de la Libération 78351 Jouy en Josas, France Tel +33 1 39 67 96 95 Fax +33 1 39 67 73 05 Email msc@hec.fr Website www.hec.edu

HEC Paris Profile

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EC Paris has a long-standing reputation for the quality of its programs and the placement of its graduates.

From the beginning in 1881 HEC Paris has been a leader in France for business education.

Our successes in Europe and worldwide today are the result of 50 years of reforms designed to open up the school internationally and transform it from a business training centre to a research centre as well.

HEC’s faculty is highly dedicated to academic research and has also gained a well-established expertise in all areas of business. This ensures that the training provided is based on the latest developments in market disciplines.

Moreover, HEC Paris benefits from close links to the international Business World through companies participating in the strategic development of the Program.

Career Services & Employment l Job/internship intranet (over 5000 offers in 2008), interview workshops, résumé writing, personal coaching, conferences, alumni networking, company presentations all along the year… l Career fairs in finance, consulting, law and annual general job fair.

Placement of 2008 MSc Graduates l Over 90% of the graduates find their job within 3 months after graduation (64.5 before graduation), l Average salary: 46 951€ in France, 58 729€ outside France, Main careers: Consulting (36%), Finance/ Banking (26%), Marketing (13%), Auditing (3%), Top 10 recruiting companies in 2008: Ernst & Young, The Boston Consulting

Group, , BNP Paribas, Unibail Rodamco, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Goldman Sachs, , Procter & Gamble, Société Générale.

Strong Alumni Network 44,000 alumni represented in 113 countries.

The PhD The PhD fosters originality in thought, innovation, and the ability to conduct solid,

publishable research in all management disciplines. Scholarships and research assistant positions are available.

The 18 months MSc in Management – Grande Ecole Taught in English and/or French this is designed for students holding a Bachelor Degree in any field. The aim is to give participants the pertinent academic and practical knowledge in management for an international career.

Students may opt for a Double Degree with top universities: MIT (USA), ESADE (Spain), St Gallen (Switzerland), BOCCONI (Italy), RSM (Netherlands), GSOM (Russia), Vargas (Brazil) and Freie Universität (Germany) or for the Dual Degree CEMS MIM.

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence International recognition through FT top-rankings: Number 1 Business School in Europe since 2006; Number 1 MSc in Management in Europe since 2005; Number 5 in Executive Education Programs worldwide, 2008; Number 29 full-time MBA worldwide.

Main international achievements in innovation HEC Paris is the first Business School in France to hold the three prestigious accreditations from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS, and has recently joined the prestigious ParisTech network.

The 12 months MSc Programs, Taught in English, these are designed for students who hold a BBA and who want to acquire an expertise in a specific field of management: l International Business l Finance l Managerial & Financial Economics l Sustainable Development l Marketing

Total number of students

The 12 months Specialized Masters 13 programs, taught in French and English are designed for students at postgraduate level to acquire an expertise in a specific field of management.

Range of tuition

Scholarships l HEC Merit-based scholarships, l CROUS (European students) l Eiffel Scholarship (non-European students).

NEW : Specialized Track Certificate on top of the Master Students gain a complementary certificate from one of our new short programs:

3,600 on campus.

1,500 in MSc Programs.

Percentage of international students 37%, from 98 nationalities.

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 25%, from 62 nationalities on MSc Programs.

2009/2010: 1 year programs: €15,000 - €24,500.

2 year program, per year: €12,600 European students. €16,800 non-European students.

Accommodation facilities On campus accommodation. 120 student clubs and excellent sports facilities on a wooded 300 acre campus.

Modes of study Full-time.

Levels of study and research l Energy & Finance (Deloitte & Touche) l Real Estate (Morgan Stanley-Unibail) l Social Business (Danone) l 2009/2010: Luxury

Masters of Science, Specialized Masters, PhD.

Main subject areas Management & Business.

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Contact

Bradford University School of Management

Emma Lane

School of Management University of Bradford Bradford, West Yorkshire BD9 4JL Tel +44 (0)1274 234321 Fax +44 (0) 1274 234433 Email msc.mgt@bradford.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

ne of Europe’s leading business schools, Bradford University School of Management provides comprehensive and innovative programmes of study at undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and executive levels. With a strong focus on the “real” world of employment, its range of highlyregarded business and management courses combines a thorough grounding in management theory and practice with the chance to specialise in accounting and finance, human resource management, international business or marketing and the opportunity to study in partner institutions around the world.

We believe that no other business school offers the same diversity, combined with international excellence and local commitment.

Total number of students 450

Percentage of graduate students 30%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students

Master’s programmes Bradford University School of Management Master’s programmes are rated among the best in the world. In the Financial Times (FT) 2008 ranking of European Masters of Management programmes, we are well placed in the UK. Alumni rated the effectiveness of our careers service particularly high. Moreover, we were shown to have a high international set of students with 92 per cent (representing 78 countries) studying in a different country from that of their citizenship.

Top of the line teaching With over 300 taught postgraduate programmes, the University offers a wealth of PGT opportunities across its 21 Schools. Students benefit from world-class teaching in a cuttingedge research environment. Our degrees have been created with your future in mind, incorporating practical and theoretical elements and drawing on our strong links with relevant external organisations from a range of sectors, including business, industry, government and the voluntary sector.

One in a million We are, one of only just over 100 business schools around the world to have won the coveted EQUIS accreditation. Our MSc in Finance, Accounting and Management, MSc in International Business and Management and MSc in Management are among the relatively small number of programmes to have

|Institution Profiles

70%

Range of tuition received pre-experience master’s in general management (PEMM) accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Our MSc in Human Resource Management has accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the leading UK professional body for HR specialists. This recognises that the degree meets rigorous academic and professional standards and means that, alongside your degree studies, you can also achieve CIPD graduate membership.

£11,950 -£12,950

Location, location, location

Levels of study and research

The School is 4km from the city centre in its own delightful self-contained parkland campus. In this learning village undergraduates, MSc, MBA and doctoral students, plus practising managers on executive programmes from many of the world’s leading companies, have access to the latest learning facilities, including library, language laboratory, and many computer clusters and a wireless environment. A £12 million investment in new facilities will open in 2010. This includes a new atrium space for eating, drinking, socialising and working, plus a state-of-the-art learning and resource centre that will cement our place as one of Europe’s leading centres of business and management education.

Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Accommodation facilities The University has over 300 places in selfcatering accommodation reserved solely for postgraduate students on or close to the main campus.

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning.

Locally Taught, Joint Degrees

Main subject areas Accountancy, Agriculture, Area Studies, Architecture, Built Environment, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Computing & Information Technology, Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Education and Training, Engineering and technology, Environmental Studies, Health and Para-Medical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences Social sciences, Sport and Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality, Veterinary Science, Zoology

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Contact Jane Johnston, Clare Mackay

Student Recruitment and Admissions, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JU

The University of Edinburgh

Tel +44 (0) 131 650 9959 Fax +44 (0) 131 651 1236 Email postgrad.enquiries@ed.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

centre of academic excellence for over 400 years, and located in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, the University of Edinburgh is a world-class institution, aiming to attract the best students and staff from around the globe. With 26,000 students from over 130 countries, Edinburgh is also one of the largest UK universities, offering a vibrant and cosmopolitan environment for living and learning. The University is made up of three colleges, Humanities and Social Science, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, and Science and Engineering, and offers one of the widest subject spreads in the UK.

Edinburgh’s position as one of the world’s leading research universities has been reaffirmed by the 2008 UK RAE results and by its top 25 position in the THE-QS World University Rankings.

Total number of students 26,424

Percentage of graduate students 29%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students

Cutting-edge research Edinburgh is Scotland’s number one research university, with an international reputation for innovative and multi-disciplinary research across a wide range of expertise. Current research activities include Stem Cells & Regenerative Therapies, Renewable Energy and Intellectual Property & Technology Law. The THE-QS World University Rankings recently ranked the University in the top 25 worldwide, and the most recent UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008) placed Edinburgh 4th in the UK for research, with 63% of our research rated worldleading (4*) and internationally excellent (3*).

Last year the total value of research awards was over £200 million..

Innovative taught postgraduate programmes With over 300 taught postgraduate programmes, the University offers a wealth of PGT opportunities across its 21 Schools. Students benefit from world-class teaching in a cuttingedge research environment. Our degrees have been created with your future in mind, incorporating practical and theoretical elements and drawing on our strong links with relevant external organisations from a range of sectors, including business, industry, government and the voluntary sector.

The facilities on offer to you The University offers a range of first-class facilities, including one of the largest and most

45%

Range of tuition £3,400 - £26,700 important academic libraries in the world. We are host to national centres of excellence such as the National eScience Centre, the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World, and the Confucius Institute (which promotes the study of Chinese language and culture). More recently, the University’s Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre has been chosen to house, manage and direct a £113 million computing facility, known as HECToR (High End Computing Terascale Resource), the largest supercomputer in the UK. Another new resource, to be opened in 2010, is the new £59 million home of the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

Outside the academic field you will find outstanding facilities too, such as our 5* rated sport and exercise provision (2007 Times Good University Guide). With 62 sports clubs and a further 200 clubs and societies, there is a breathtaking choice of social activities to get involved in..

Around the town Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city and a UNESCO World Heri nationally and internationally important museums and galleries. Rich in social, cultural, learning and sporting facilities, it is not surprising that Edinburgh was again voted best place to live in the UK in 2007.

Accommodation facilities Around 1,000 residential places for new postgraduate students, in a wide range of accommodation.

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy, Agriculture, Area Studies, Architecture, Built Environment, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Computing & Information Technology, Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Health and Para-Medical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Sport and Leisure, Veterinary Science, Zoology

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Head of International Student Recruitment

Imperial College London South Kensington Campus London SW7 2AZ

Imperial College London Profile

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Tel +44 (0)20 7594 8040 Fax + 44 (0) 20 7594 8004 Email international-admissions@imperial.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

onsistently rated in the top three UK university institutions and in the top 10 worldwide, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (13,000) and staff (8,200) of the highest international quality. It was ranked 6th in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement in 2008.

Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings (October 2008) 3rd in Europe and 6th in world overall 2nd in Europe and 7th in world for technology

3rd in Europe and 11th in world for Life Science and Biomedicine 3rd in Europe and 14th in world for Natural Science

On the ball Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and the environment, underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Imperial College staff are frequently consulted by government and departmental committees at both national and international levels. They also act as members of professional bodies, advise industry, and offer informed comment to the media.

Imperial nurtures a ‘can do’ entrepreneurial culture and as a result has an enormous amount of intellectual capital. It has about 70 spin-out companies to date and is adding to this by an average of two per month.

The College has strong links with industry and a large proportion of its research funding, which is in excess of £250 million, comes from industrial partners.

Imperial College was established in 1907

by Royal Charter, bringing together the Royal College of Science, the City and Guilds College and the Royal School of Mines in London’s cultural heartland of South Kensington. Between 1988 and 2000 several London medical institutions merged with the College, which now has the largest medical school in Europe.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation Imperial Innovations, the College’s technology transfer company, floated on the London Stock Exchange raising £26 million in August 2006. Today’s market value is £188 million

Total number of students 13,000

Postgraduate studies

subjects at the forefront of scientific, engineering, business and medical research. Programmes on offer include the MSc (a mixture of taught courses and research), MRes (a research-focused Master’s designed to prepare students for doctoral study) and MBA from the Business School.

Imperial’s Graduate Schools provide transferable skills courses to help students achieve their full potential while at the College and beyond. This programme includes an award-winning residential course for all new PhD students. The Schools also organise social activities, guest lectures and research symposia and are responsible for quality assurance.

The College has strong links with industry and receives more research income from industry than any other UK university. In addition, the College receives significant research funding from private and charitable foundations.

The range of academic disciplines offered at Imperial facilitates a high level of interdisciplinary interaction and innovation between its three faculties (Engineering, Natural Sciences and Medicine), its Business School and the Humanities Programme.

Imperial College currently provides over 100 taught postgraduate courses in a wide range of

Imperial College Union provides a wide variety of activities and events ranging from clubs and societies to gigs, discos and carnivals. At South Kensington Campus there are several bars and restaurants, which are the focal point of student social life.

Percentage of graduate students 30%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 47%

Range of tuition For tuition price please visit: www.imperial.ac.uk/pgprospectus/money

Accommodation facilities Some accommodation available in halls

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships,

Student life Main subject areas Business and Management, Computing & Information Technology, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Zoology

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Contact International Office, The Registry Canterbury CT2 7NZ United Kingdom Tel +44 (0) 1227 827917 Fax +44 (0) 1227 823247 Email international-office@kent.ac.uk Website www.kent.ac.uk

University of Kent

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

he University of Kent, the UK’s European University, is one of the country’s most dynamic universities. The first institution within the county to be granted a university charter, it now has 17,000 students studying at Canterbury, Medway, Paris and Brussels and is a major educational, economic and cultural force throughout the continent.

A research-led institution with international levels of excellence. 74% of Kent’s research is grade 4 or higher and research income increased by 24% in 2006/07.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation

World leading research In the UK government’s 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), much of the University’s research was ranked as world leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. In what was the University’s best ever RAE performance, five subject areas had 30% of their research rated 4* - Drama; English; History; Law; Social Policy and Sociology. Six of its subject areas were ranked in the top ten of their disciplines nationwide – History; Metallurgy and Materials; Social Policy and Sociology; Law; French; and Statistics and Operational Research.

Number one in satisfaction The University of Kent was voted the number one uni in London and the south-east for student satisfaction, and tenth in the UK overall, in the most recent National Student Satisfaction survey.

In 2008, the University was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for the work of its Kent Law Clinic. According to a recent Sunday Times University Guides, Kent ‘can claim to be Britain’s only international university’ and is ‘in the top 20 for high starting salaries’.

For three years running, National Teaching Fellowships have been awarded to Kent academics in recognition of their work.

The University of Kent has centres of specialist education in both Brussels (international relations and law) and Paris (art, literature and culture). It awards a number of joint degrees and enjoys over 100 partnerships with international institutions.

The facilities on offer to you The international leaning of the institution adds to the cosmopolitan nature of the ‘Kent experience’, where excellence in teaching, variety in extra-curricular activities, and

Kent supports and encourages innovation and growth through the Canterbury Enterprise Hub and Network, the East Kent Inventors Club and Innov8 (a student entrepreneurial society).

Total number of students 17,000

Percentage of graduate students 19% invaluable internship/work experience are established and time spent studying at overseas partner institutions is greatly supported.

The University of Kent has access to a £3 million pound scholarship fund.

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 34%

Range of tuition fees l Beautiful and friendly, 350-acre campus overlooking the cathedral city of Canterbury l World ranked research l Teaching informed by international quality research l Specialist postgraduate school in Brussels for international studies l Excellent graduate employability record l Top 10 University in the National Student Satisfaction Survey, 2007 & 2008 and No. 1 in London and the South East l A thriving cosmopolitan community with students from over 120 different nationalities l Excellent accommodation, computing, sports, music, cultural, education and support facilities

UK/EU £3,765 Overseas £9,870 (non-laboratory), £11,990 (laboratory)

Accommodation facilities All new postgraduates are offered single en-suite rooms in the new self-catering postgraduate Virginia Woolf College,

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships

Main subject areas The international leaning of the institution adds to the specifically cosmopolitan nature of the “Kent experience,” where excellence in teaching, variety in extra curricular activities, and invaluable internship/work experience are established and time spent studying at overseas partner institutions is greatly supported.

Architecture, Business & Management, Computing & IT, Creative & Performing Arts, Economics, Environmental Studies, Health & Paramedical studies, Humanities, Languages, Law & Legal Studies, Mathematics, Politics, Psychology, Social Sciences, Tourism & Hospitality

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|Institution Profiles

Contact King’s College London

Strand London WC2R 2LS United Kingdom

King’s College London

Tel +44 (0) 207 848 7070 Fax +44 (0) 207 848 4261 Email thecompass@kcl.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

ing’s College London is one of England’s oldest and most prestigious universities: a multi-faculty research-led university college based in the heart of London with over 21,000 students, of whom more than 6,200 are postgraduates. It is ranked as one of the world’s top 25 universities.

One of the top 25 universities in the world.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation Played a major role in many advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA

A major role The College offers an intellectually rigorous environment supported by welcoming and caring traditions. King’s has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA, and it is now the largest centre for the education of doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals in Europe and home to six Medical Research Council centres.

Strength in numbers King’s location in the heart of London and its strength in law, humanities and the social sciences make it a major player in forging links between the arts, culture and universities. Also the development of public policy at national level. Its range of subjects, including physical sciences and engineering, are increasingly interrelated, notably in fields such as bioinformatics, health policy and medical humanities.

The facilities on offer to you King’s nine Schools of Study are Arts & Humanities; Biomedical & Health Sciences; the Dental Institute; Law; Medicine; the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery; Physical Sciences & Engineering; the Institute of Psychiatry, and Social Science & Public Policy.

Outside the academic field you will find outstanding facilities too, such as our 5* rated sport and exercise provision (2007 Times Good University Guide). With 62 sports clubs and a further 200 clubs and societies, there is a breathtaking choice of social activities to get involved in..

Global excellence As a graduate student at King’s, you will join a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment that enjoys a global reputation for

Total number of students 21,126

Percentage of graduate students 36% excellence in both its teaching and research.

The College has an enviable reputation for making sure our graduates are sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers and offer a range of courses to prepare graduates for employment. Our graduate programmes, facilities and continued investment in outstanding academic appointments mean that we will provide you with a unique and enriching experience.

The college offers an intellectually rigourous environment Key advances King’s College London is a member of the Russell Group, a coalition of the UK’s major researchbased universities, and is in the top group of seven UK universities for research earnings. Over the decades, King’s academics have promoted key advances in many fields, from engineering and linguistics, to medicine and philosophy.

Today, experts from King’s College London continue to enjoy worldwide acclaim through their continuing contributions to discoveries of medical, scientific, social and political significance.

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 30%

Range of tuition £9,000 - £30,000

Accommodation facilities Around 1,000 residential places for new postgraduate students, in a wide range of accommodation.

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships

Main subject areas Area Studies, Built Environment, Business and Management, Computing and Information Technology, Creative and, Performing Arts, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Health and ParaMedical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences

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Contact

Leeds Business School

Student Recruitment & Admissions Team

Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University, Room 101 - Old School Board, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3ED Tel +44 (0) 113 812 6127 Fax +44 (0) 113 812 8543 Email admissions.fblpg@leedsmet.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

eeds Business School recruits nearly half of the overseas students at the popular Leeds Metropolitan University. Students from across the world come to Leeds to study with us, especially from India, China, Norway, Thailand and Malaysia.

We welcome over 1,500 students from approximately 60 countries. Most students are taught at our brand new city centre location, the £57 Million Rose Bowl.

We have strong links and developing partnerships across the world. These include: collaborations with Turkish universities which will allow Turkish students to combine study in their home country and the UK, gaining a qualification from both universities; course delivery in Hong Kong and at Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, in mainland China; and the new MA International Communication, an innovative award developed as part of a consortium of six European universities.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation Pioneering partnerships with many countries, particularly India, Hong Kong, mainland China, Turkey, Vietnam and Africa. Our own graduation takes place in Hong Kong annually.

Total number of students 6,290

Percentage of graduate students The Rose Bowl development From September 2009, most of our students will be taught at the new Rose Bowl, Britain’s newest purpose-built business school. This exciting £57 million development in the heart of the city centre will allow students to engage more fully with the business community.

A home for over 5,000 students and 300 staff, the Rose Bowl will be a dynamic centre for learning and for making links with employers and the business community. In June 2009 it was the host venue for Leeds Business Week, with a series of seminars, conferences and workshops, providing the tools for business success.

City of Leeds Leeds has become one of the UK’s leading and most important financial, legal, banking and media centres outside of London. It is a multicultural city, with over 70 languages spoken. Other benefits include: l Leeds is located at the centre of the UK’s travel network l Leeds city train station provides a fast rail service to many UK cities l Leeds Bradford International Airport is situated just 8 miles from Leeds city centre.

There is a direct train line from Leeds to Manchester airport, a journey which takes less than one hour l Prices are significantly lower in Leeds than in

25%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students London and the south-east of England. In 2007, Leeds was voted ‘the most cost effective place to study’ by the RBS Student Living Index

60%

Range of tuition £8,000 - £10,000

Professional links We work closely in partnership with employers and professional bodies to ensure that our courses are in line with the latest developments in business and the professions.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has accredited our MBA to three of their prestigious professional awards. This is a global first for any MBA programme. Events organised with professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) provide cutting edge experience for postgraduate students.

Teaching staff Our staff boast PhDs from a variety of international institutions, bringing a truly dynamic background to our teaching provision and the student learning experience. Our professorial staff include the University ProVice-Chancellor, Professor Anne Gregory, who is a former President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Accommodation facilities A wide range of secure accommodation near to city centre campus. Visit www.leedsmet.ac.uk/accommodation for more information.

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy & Finance, Business & Management, Economics, Human Resource Management, International Business, Law & Legal Studies, Leadership & Coaching, Marketing , MBA, Public Relations and Communications

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Leeds University Business School Maurice Keyworth Building University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT Tel +44 (0) 113 343 4466 Fax +44 (0) 113 343 4465 Email masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

University of Leeds

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

anked 11th in the UK, 57th in the world’s top business schools (Financial Times 2009), Leeds University Business School is a world class institution. It is also in the UK’s top ten for research (RAE 2008), EQUIS and AMBA accredited, CIPD accredited and ESRC recognised.

Our mission is to make an exceptional impact on global business and society through excellence in research and teaching.

Total number of students 607 Masters students

Behind the scenes But it’s not just about the rankings, it’s what’s behind them. We have hundreds of world leading academics across the university who are creating new knowledge, new ideas and influencing the way business works. We are collaborating with key players, including other faculties on campus, and business heavyweights such as the Financial Times to deliver a postgraduate experience that is not only beneficial and challenging whilst you are here, but will set you up to go on to greater things.

Masters program Whether you want to study international business, management, HR, marketing, economics or finance, we’ll provide you with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to develop a rewarding career. Our Masters programs maintain our reputation for quality and for combining high academic standards with practical application in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Alongside the accumulation of hard facts and theory, we value the enhancement and development of soft skills such as effective communication and teamwork.

The university campus is located in the heart of a vibrant, cosmopolitan and student friendly city. Leeds is the UK’s top financial and legal centre after London, and attracts students from all over the world offering a wide range of shops, theatres, museums, sporting facilities, restaurants and nightlife.

Facilities Leeds University Business School benefits from l Being based in an impressive, dedicated business school building blending traditional gothic and contemporary architecture.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation l A dedicated Postgraduate Study Centre with access to wireless. l Purpose built Postgraduate IT cluster featuring networked PCs with access to internet, email, online library resources and printing facilities as well as access to PCs across campus - some available 24/7. l An integrated career development program to help you examine your options and plan for the future. l An excellent learning environment using facilities such as our Yorkshire Bank Lecture Theatre and Western Lecture Theatre, both equipped with audio-visual technology in addition to facilities across the university. l Access to facilities across the university including the internationally acclaimed university library which is one of the largest in the UK, with 2.8 million books and a wide range of special collections, databases and electronic journals. l Access to a wide variety of food. l Free copies of the Financial Times.

Student Support Services Dedicated free student support services are available to help you make the most of your time with us. These include the; l Careers Centre l Skills Centre l International Student Office l Student Advice Centre l Accommodation Office l Language Centre.

The school wins major grants and contracts each year to advance its research-based activities – research that feeds directly into the School’s taught Masters programs.

Range of tuition fees For information on tuition fees please see: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/students/fees_2009/ tuition_fees.htm

Language entry requirements (TOEFL, IELTS or other language equivalents) See: http://business.leeds.ac.uk/masters/ entry-requirements/

Language Tuition Facilities See: www.leeds.ac.uk/languages/intro.html

Accommodation facilities We guarantee accommodation for all international masters students who have been accepted onto a program.

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time

Levels of stdy and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Research Studentships

Main subject areas Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Marketing, Management

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Contact Jamie Wright

Client Services Officer London Business School, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4SA United Kingdom

London Business School

Tel +44 (0)20 7000 7573 Email mm@london.edu

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mprove your career prospects with the world’s top-ranked business school.

The Masters in Management is a groundbreaking degree programme from our leading business school. It takes just one year to complete, but it will do a whole lot more for your long-term prospects.

Designed for graduates without work experience, the Masters in Management will expand your knowledge of business issues, improve your career choices and give you a competitive edge in the crowded job market.

As a student at the world’s top-ranked business school* you will be taught by our renowned faculty, learning alongside a high calibre of internationally diverse classmates.

You will also gain access to our global network of 28,500 alumni, providing a wealth of knowledge, resources and networking opportunities.

Combine academic theory with practical application and skills London Business School created the Masters in Management in consultation with top business thinkers and graduate employers.

The programme balances rigorous academic theory with practical application to ensure that you have both the knowledge and the skills demanded by leading recruiters.

During the programme you will cover topics which are essential for business success, including accounting, strategy, financial tools, economics and marketing.

These are complemented by a careers and professional development module that runs throughout the programme.

Take advantage of global career opportunities London Business School opens doors to top recruiters and employers in London and overseas. In fact, for many of our students, London Business School is the gateway to Europe’s top companies and international banks. We have strong relationships with recruiters and top organisations regularly visit us on campus, often giving you unique employment opportunities.

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top business schools; currently ranked by Financial Times as world’s number one for MBA and Executive MBA programmes.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation

Become one of the leadership elite The Masters in Management is no ordinary masters programme. Obtaining a place should be seen as a challenge in itself – and one that will be viewed extremely favourably by prospective employers. To be accepted, you will need to demonstrate a high level of intellectual ability, and the desire and capacity to forge a career as one of the world’s leadership elite. Once on the programme, you will be surrounded by like-minded peers pushing you to perform to your highest potential.

Consistently rated a world-leader in faculty research; recognised as the UK’s number one research institution in the fields of business and management.

(RAE, 2008).

Language entry requirements TOEFL/IELTS required if undergraduate studies were not completed in English.

Language tuition facilities Optional language study available.

Total number of students 160 - 180

Have you got what it takes?

Percentage of graduate students

A recent graduate, you will have less than one year of full-time work experience and will have demonstrated your ability to learn and to outperform others. Your undergraduate degree could be from any study discipline and you may have excelled in non-academic areas such as sports or the arts, or shown your leadership potential in community activities.

The Masters in Management at London Business School is intensive but extremely rewarding. By the end of your experience, you will have broadened your career options and will hold the tools to succeed in whichever path you choose. Fast track your career with London Business School.

12%

* London Business School is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top business schools and is currently number one for our MBA and Executive MBA programmes (Financial Times, 2009).

Levels of study and research

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 12%

Range of tuition £22,450

Accommodation facilities Accommodation not provided but places are available at University of London halls of residence.

Modes of study Full-time

Masters

Main subject areas Business and Management

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Top Grad School Guide 2010

Contact

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Student Recruitment Office Houghton Street London WC2A 2AE United Kingdom Tel +44 (0) 207 955 6613 Fax +44 (0) 207 955 6001 Email stu.rec@lse.ac.uk

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t the London School of Economics you can study the social sciences in an institution with a worldwide academic reputation, while enjoying the cultural, social and recreational facilities of one of the world’s greatest capital cities. Many influences in thinking about society, economics, and politics have originated here, including the basis of the modern welfare state and the development of the free-market economics.

LSE offers a range of postgraduate qualifications including, taught Masters programs, Diplomas, MPhils, PhDs as well as opportunities for visiting research students.

Our research informs and constantly invigorates our teaching. Staff are sought out as advisors, consultants, and commentators, becoming involved in the practical impact of the subject they teach and research. Past and present members of staff act as expert advisors to political parties, the Civil Service and policy pressure groups.

Life at LSE Students who choose LSE will experience an active and varied program. The structure of our degrees emphasises the need for self study and rigorous intellectual skills where an individual student’s opinion matters.

There are many influential outside speakers at the School (national and international politicians, business leaders, industrialists and civil servants) as well as leading academics from around the world who visit to participate in teaching, to give public lectures and to pursue their own research.

The student community at LSE is one of the most internationally diverse in the world, with students from over 140 countries registered each year. This mix encourages a truly global international approach to intellectual discovery and academic life at LSE which cannot be matched elsewhere.

The character of LSE is inseparable from its location. Situated in central London, the school is located in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Only a short distance from Europe’s financial, legal and cultural centres, LSE stands at the crossroads

|Institution Profiles

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Highest UK Government social science ratings; ranked fourth in Times Higher World University Rankings for the social sciences.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation

of international debate. This is fundamental to our identity as an outward-looking institution with an active involvement in UK and world affairs. As a result it is a stimulating and cosmopolitan place to be.

LSE is the world’s leading laboratory for the social sciences, an institution where ideas are developed, analysed, evaluated and disseminated around the globe.

Total number of students 9,000

Scholarships and financial support

Percentage of graduate students

LSE makes over £9 million of need- and meritbased financial aid to its students each year.

Awards range from a contribution towards tuition fees to full coverage of all expenses. New postgraduate scholarships are set up each year and students are encouraged to look at the Financial Support section of the LSE website when making their application to find out about possible financial assistance.

55%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 65%

Range of tuition fees £6,192 - £18,048

Language tuition The LSE Language Centre teaches English plus a range of modern foreign languages.

Study in one of the most influential and internationally diverse universities in the world”

Accommodation facilities 11 LSE halls of residence – postgraduates preferred or eight University of London halls

Price range of accommodation £66 - £155 per week

Your future

Modes of study

A degree from LSE is widely recognised throughout the world. LSE has produced 29 world leaders and heads of state, 13 Nobel Prize Winners, and a host of LSE alumni who are well known nationally and internationally.

All graduates are surveyed after they leave LSE. This research continues to demonstrate the employability of LSE graduates, even within the early stages of their career. The school is heavily targeted by employers, and graduates from LSE are in great demand.

Full-Time, part-time, joint degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships,

Main subject areas Accountancy, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Economics, Humanities, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Psychology, Social Sciences

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Contact Ben Fowler

Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS

Queen Mary University of London

Tel +44 (0) 207 882 5511 Fax +44 (0) 20 7882 5588 Email askthegradteam@qmul.ac.uk

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ueen Mary is one of the largest multi-faculty colleges of the University of London and is located on attractive campuses at Mile End and Whitechapel in East London, West Smithfield at Charterhouse Square and Lincoln’s Inn Fields in Central London.

The College has over 15,000 students studying in three academic sectors: Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering and Medicine and Dentistry. Over 2000 of these are postgraduate students on masters and research programmes.

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Queen Mary, University of London was ranked 11th nationally out of 132 universities in the latest Research Assessment Exercise

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation

benefit from the Centre for Commercial Law studies new teaching faculty at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, right in the heart of legal London.

World class research

Our international strategy balances the concept of close partnership with sustainable involvement in a range of countries around the world.

Total number of students 15,000

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise confirmed Queen Mary’s position as a leading research institution. According to tables published in The Times Higher, Queen Mary was ranked 13th in the country out of 132 institutions with several departments and subjects being ranked 1st in the UK including Linguistics, Drama and Geography; the College came 2nd in Dentistry and English Language and Literature. Queen Mary was also in the top 10 for Hispanic Studies, Economics, Russian and Materials.

Student Life

Investment

International students

Over the last five years an extensive refurbishment programme of over £200 million has been invested in the campus ensuring that students enjoy world-class facilities. Recent developments include an award-winning 2000 bed Student Village on the Mile End campus and a £44 million building housing the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science in Whitechapel. A budget of £682,000 has been allocated for upgrading the College library and £5.7 million has been invested in teaching facilities over the last 4 years.

The Mile End campus is also home to outstanding academic facilities including the Victorian Queens’ Building, the modern awardwinning Lock-keeper’s cottage Graduate Centre for the Humanities and Social Sciences, The Informatics Teaching Laboratory, a striking new Learning Resource Centre and state-of-the-art laboratories. Our postgraduate law students

Queen Mary has a real cosmopolitan community with students from all over the world contributing to the academic and social life of the College. We offer a range of support services to make our international students feel at home, including a free airport collection service before the start of term and an extensive welcome programme to give students the opportunity to meet other international students and gain practical advice about living and studying in London.

Queen Mary’s Students’ Union is one of the most active in the University of London and forms an integral part of College life. The Union runs over 100 sporting and social clubs from mountaineering and politics and has 4 sports venues, which members can use for football, cricket, hockey, netball and rowing. A brand new multi million pound Health and Fitness Centre, QMotion, has recently opened which enables students to enjoy good value, high quality gym facilities on campus.

Percentage of graduate students 15%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 42%

Range of tuition £4,200 – £7,600 for home students £9,900 - £11,700 for overseas students

Accommodation facilities Accommodation is extensive and competitively priced.

Modes of study Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning, Joint degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas We offer a range of scholarships to international students to reward outstanding academic achievement. For more information on support and services for international students, please go to our international pages at: www.qmul.ac.uk/international

Business Management, Computing and Information Technology, Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Engineering and Technology, Health and paramedical studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and legal studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Zoology

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Student Recruitment Office Whiteknights P.O Box 217 Reading RG6 6AH, United Kingdom

University of Reading Profile

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he University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK’s most research-intensive universities and as one of the top 200 universities in the world. We enjoy a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise.

The quality and diversity of our research is recognised nationally and internationally, with a number of our researchers receiving awards for their work. We are home to several centres of excellence and conduct world-class research across a broad range of disciplines.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise 20 departments received a rating of 5 and above with our Archaeology, English, Italian, Meteorology and Psychology Schools gaining a 5** rating – indicating the highest international quality sustained over more than a decade.

Whiteknights Our main Whiteknights site is set in 130 hectares of beautiful parkland. This is the heart of university life and provides a special sense of community. Everything you need is here or within walking distance. Whiteknights offers: • Cutting-edge teaching and learning facilities, including 24-hour IT resources and a library containing over a million items • Extensive indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including pitches, courts, playing fields and a fully equipped sports centre • A wide choice of catered and self-catered student accommodation.

Getting involved An active social life is as much a part of university as studying or teaching. Whether you play sport, enjoy a hobby, or want to get involved in the campus community, the University of Reading has plenty to offer. You will be spoilt for choice if your idea of fun is eating out, shopping, nightclubs, or film and theatre going. Events take place virtually every night on campus and the town is a short walk or ride away. There is something for everyone and you won’t have to go far to find it.

On campus Our popular and award-winning Students’

Tel +44 (0) 118 378 6554 Fax +44(0) 118 378 8924 Email student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence We are involved with four national Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Two are exclusive to the University, two are in partnerships with other UK universities.

Total number of students 16,160 Union organises a generous calendar of events including live bands, DJs and comedy nights.

As well as bars, eating places, a games area and shops, it boasts a state-of-the-art nightclub, ‘3Sixty’. This is ranked as one of the top UK university entertainment venues. There are also over 100 clubs and societies catering for diverse interests, plus a student-run newspaper and radio station.Good University Guide). With 62 sports clubs and a further 200 clubs and societies, there is a breathtaking choice of social activities to get involved in..

Percentage of graduate students

Off campus

Accommodation facilities

Reading itself offers some of the best retail and entertainment experiences in the Thames Valley. The Oracle Centre features over 80 shops, 28 bars and restaurants and a 10-screen multiplex. Its lively waterside setting is ideal for relaxing, but there are many more meeting places close by. Other local amenities include the Concert Hall, outdoor theatre and the Madejski Stadium, home to premiership football and the London Irish rugby team.

The university provides pre and in sessional English Support Programme year for students.

International students The quality of our teaching and research, our world-class facilities and proximity to Heathrow Airport and London attract many overseas students. International students from 117 countries worldwide currently account for around 20 per cent of our total student population and bring a valuable dimension and vital energy to campus life.

We make every effort to ensure all students living away from their home country receive a warm welcome and the network of support helps them to settle into University life.

33%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 61%

Range of tuition £3,500 - £15,250

Language tuition facilities £62 - £148

Modes of study Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning, Distance Learning, Locall Taught, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy, Agriculture, Built Environment, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Computing & Information Technology, Economics, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Psychology, Social Sciences, Zoology

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Institution Profiles|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Contact UCL International Office Gower Street London WC1E 6BT United Kingdom

University College London

Tel +44 (0) 20 7679 7765 Fax +44 (0) 20 7679 3001 Email international@ucl.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

escribed by the Sunday Times as “an intellectual powerhouse with a worldclass reputation”, UCL is recognised as one of the world’s leading universities. UCL is ranked seventh in the world by the Times Higher – QS World University Rankings 2008 and is London’s leading multi-faculty research university with an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching across the academic spectrum.

The Research Assessment Exercise of 2008 confirmed UCL’s international research strength with outstanding results achieved across all eight faculties - subjects span the sciences, engineering, arts, social sciences and biomedicine. Teaching at UCL is research-led, the programs we offer reflect the latest research and are often taught by academic staff who are world-leaders in their fields. UCL has one of the best staff-student ratios in the UK.

A cosmopolitan environment As well as being dynamic and intellectually challenging, UCL is also a very cosmopolitan and international environment in which to study. Nearly 40% of our students are from outside the UK and they come from almost 140 different countries. UCL also attracts academic staff from around the globe and international staff and students are welcomed for the different perspectives and diversity they bring to teaching and learning at UCL. The university’s location on a compact site in the heart of London offers outstanding academic professional and social benefits. UCL is surrounded by the greatest concentration of libraries, museums, archives and professional bodies in Europe.

The Graduate School Over 8,000 of our students are studying at graduate level, which is one of the largest populations of graduate students at any UK university. UCL offers an extremely diverse range of graduate qualifications, from taught Master’s and shorter programs to MPhils, PhDs and specialist doctorates.

On entry, all UCL graduate students

Ranked 7th worldwide (Times Higher World University Rankings 2008). In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise UCL was rated the best research university in London.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation 20 of UCL’s staff and former students have been awarded the Nobel Prize.

Total number of students 21,126

Percentage of graduate students 40%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 45% become members of the Graduate School which offers opportunities that few UK institutions can match. The aims of the UCL Graduate School are: l To ensure that UCL continues to be at the forefront of graduate education and research l To enhance the student experience through offering the finest environment for personal and academic development.

Furthermore, the Graduate School, offers a number of Research and Masters’ scholarships to outstanding students..

Range of tuition fees

Career opportunities

Modes of study

Whatever the reasons for pursuing graduate study, the UCL Careers Service can help students to realise their full potential, and offers specialist support for graduate students. We strive to ensure that students are equipped not just with academic knowledge but with other highly valued skills. UCL graduates are extremely employable, and are targeted by world’s leading employers.

UCL offers a stimulating and richly rewarding experience for graduate students who want to study in one of the world’s leading centres of research and teaching.

Full-Time, Part-Time

£3,750 – £32,755 (please see individual course listings)

Accommodation facilities Guaranteed for first-year overseas graduate students who firmly accept their offer and meet published deadlines.

Price range of accommodation Most from £69 to £200 per week (please see www.ucl.ac.uk/residences)

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Diplomas

Main subject areas Architecture, Built Environment, Computing & Information Technology, Economics, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Linda Bongiorno

Student Recruitment Assistant St Katharine’s West 16 The Scores, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX, Scotland

University of St Andrews

Tel +44 (0) 1334 463325 Fax +44 (0) 1334 463330 Email pgrecruitment@st-andrews.ac.uk

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

t St Andrews you will find an exceptional academic tradition, stimulating student community and helpful assistance at every level, as you think about your application and final decision. St Andrews is Scotland’s oldest university, having an academic tradition reaching back almost six centuries. We are the third oldest in the Englishspeaking world after Oxford and Cambridge University.

St Andrews offers a very cosmopolitan, close-knit community as well as a strong academic tradition. Our University continues to rank highly in league tables for quality of teaching, research, and for the unique student experience that we can offer.

Total number of students Top Rankings

7,200

Voted ‘Scottish University of the Year’ for 2008-2009 by the Sunday Times, and most recently, 3rd in the UK by The Guardian and 4th in the UK by The Times, our university continues to rank highly in various league tables for the quality of our teaching, the depth of our research, and for our unique student experience.

RAE 2008 The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) rated St Andrews very highly, confirming our international reputation for academic excellence across all disciplines. We emerged from RAE 2008 ranked fourteenth in the UK and second in Scotland for the quality of our research across science and the arts, with 94% of our research activity described as internationally recognised, and 60% as world leading/internationally excellent.

Philosophy was ranked first in the UK and Physics & Astronomy, German, Film Studies, Applied Mathematics and Psychology were top in Scotland in their subject areas. Chemistry (which submitted jointly with the University of Edinburgh as EaStCHEM) and French were equal first in Scotland in their respective categories.

With 92% of our academic staff submitted for consideration, St Andrews is one of the most research intensive universities in the UK.

Our Newest Developments Many postgraduate students benefit from our new museum, which is also free to the public. MUSA, (Museum of the University of St Andrews) opened in October 2008 and

Percentage of graduate students 16%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 40% puts on public display for the first time some of the real treasures amongst the University’s collection of over 112,000 artefacts. Used for teaching purposes for our MLitt Museum and Gallery Studies, the museum has four galleries, a ‘Learning Loft’ and a viewing terrace with panoramic views over St Andrews Bay.

Range of tuition fees £1,850 - £13,300

Accommodation facilities We have approximately 750 rooms available for incoming postgraduates each year. Most postgraduates who ask for housing can be provided with it.

Tradition When you choose to study at St Andrews, you become part of a very cosmopolitan, closeknit community as well as a strong academic tradition. Our University is not a campus institution; we are integrated very closely with the town. Although some postgraduate students are only in St Andrews for a year, they are a part of both a thriving student environment and a dynamic local community.

We hope that you will apply to study here with us, and that you will find this profile a useful introduction to the postgraduate experience on offer at St Andrews. We also hope that you will visit our website and then contact us with any further questions as you go through the process of selecting your university and making an application. Feel free to ask for help with anything, at any time!

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning, Locally Taught, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Business and Management.

Communications and Media, Computing & Information Technology, Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Environmental Studies, Health and ParaMedical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Zoology

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|Institution Profiles

Contact University of St.Gallen (HSG) Dufourstrasse 50 9000 St.Gallen Switzerland

University of St.Gallen Profile

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The HSG offers the latest facilities and services to support individual and collaborative learning, including web-based communication platforms and wireless LAN. The library contains an extensive range of documents on the Economic Sciences, Law and Social Sciences.

The University provides a gym, weights rooms, football field, tennis, basketball and beach volleyball court, and a full spectrum of sports activities are offered. Its attractive location between Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps makes St.Gallen an ideal setting for all kinds of leisure activities. Furthermore, students pursue a wide range of activities in more than 90 associations and initiatives, such as the famous annual St. Gallen Symposium.

The HSG is the best business school in German-speaking Europe (FT Ranking).

Students profit from its strong ties to practice and excellent conditions in Switzerland.

The institution’s main international achievements in innovation The University of St.Gallen offers internationally oriented English-language Master’s Programs of high academic standards to students.

Total number of students degree programs with renowned partners: Sciences Po, Paris; Bocconi, Milan; ESADE, Barcelona; Fletcher School, Boston; HEC, Paris; NTU, Singapore; RSM, Rotterdam – or a CEMS Master’s in International Management.

Master’s Programs l Information, Media and Technology Management (Taught in German) l Marketing, Services and Communication Management (German) l Accounting and Finance (German) l Banking and Finance (English) l Strategy and International Management (Eng) l Economics (German) l Quantitative Economics and Finance (Eng) l International Affairs and Governance (Eng) l Law (German) l Law and Economics (German)

International orientation The University of St.Gallen sets great store by international students and faculty, as well as the international orientation of the teaching it provides. More than 34 percent of students come from 80 different nations. 48 percent of the faculty are foreign nationals, and there are always selected visiting professors from various countries. The HSG is a member of the CEMS, PIM and APSIA networks.

Students are encouraged to participate in an exchange at one of its more than 150 partner universities. Excellent students have the possibility of participating in one of the double-

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

he University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, was founded as a “Business Academy” in 1898. The HSG continues to pursue the goal of providing its more than 6000 students with a practiceoriented education, guided by an integrative view of business, economics, law and social sciences. The University of St.Gallen has constantly been ranked among the top business schools in Europe. Accreditations

by EQUIS and AACSB International underline its commitment to a holistic curriculum that meets the highest academic standards. The HSG aims to develop students in professional and personal terms by providing them with an education.

Campus & student commitment

Tel +41 (0)71 224 21 11 Fax +41 (0)71 224 28 16 Email info@unisg.ch Website www.unisg.ch

Ph.D. Program and Doctoral Programs l Economics and Finance (English) l Management (English or German) l International Affairs and Political Economy

(English or German) l Organizational Studies and Cultural Theory (English or German) l Law (English or German)

6,000

Percentage of graduate students 43%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 34%

Range of tuition £337 - £663 per semester

Accommodation facilities Students share apartments or rent small flats.

Accomodation costs £13,052 a year (all included)

Language admission requirements Certificate C2 level. For further information about language requirements please visit the website: www.admissions.unisg.ch

Modes of study Full-time

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate

Executive School of the University of St.Gallen

Main subject areas

l Full-time MBA (English) l Several Executive MBAs (English or German)

Business and Management, Economics, International Affairs, Law and Legal Studies

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Contact Student Information Desk

Wageningen University P.O. Box 9101 6700 HB Wageningen Netherlands

Wageningen University

Tel +31 317 48 48 48 Fax +31 317 48 48 84 Email study@wur.nl

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

ageningen University is a unique organization that combines academic, strategic and applied research with innovative education at BSc, MSc and PhD levels. Wageningen University is the leading international university in Life Sciences.

Students and researchers focus on a healthy living environment. The main fields we work in are health, lifestyle and livelihood, food and food production and the living environment.

Wageningen University holds a top five position in the worldwide publication index in the field of agriculture, plants, animals and environment.

Total number of students 5750 (Including PhD)

Percentage of graduate students Mission and Strategy Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) provides education and generates knowledge in the field of life sciences and natural resources. Wageningen UR aims to make a real contribution to our quality of life. To us, quality of life means both an adequate supply of healthy food and drink and the chance to live, work and play in a balanced ecosystem with a large variety of plants and animals.

International Environment Wageningen University and Research Centre is an international knowledge institution with an excellent reputation. The university attracts students from more than 100 countries. It holds a top five position in the worldwide publication index in the field of environment, agriculture, plants and animals. Wageningen University has many partners in both education and research that spans more than 70 countries. This includes double degrees, short courses, student exchange and internships.

Specialisation Food and food production Wageningen UR works on knowledge that helps us to create safe, healthy and above all tasty food.

Food that is healthy and safe for us, but also for our environment.

Wageningen UR develops more efficient production and distribution methods in which wastage of natural raw materials is minimised. Wageningen UR also incorporates the newly created knowledge into its education programmes.

50% MSc, 10% PhD

Plant and animal

Percentage of international (post) graduate students

Wageningen UR studies plants and animals in the wild as well as those that are part of sustainable fisheries and agricultural production systems.

We do this in many ways. Our researchers map genes, study interaction between plants and insects, design greenhouses and crop management systems and do research on the behaviour of pigs, chickens, cattle and also dogs.

40%

Environment and climate

Range of tuition

Wageningen UR offers a unique range of expertise when it comes to nature and green space. We do research on water, nature, forests, environment, soil, landscape, climate, recreation and many other aspects that are important for the development and management of the living environment. Depending on the situation we work at local, national or international scale.

â&#x201A;Ź 1620 EU students, â&#x201A;Ź 9250 Non-EU students

Economics and society

Levels of study and research

Socio-economic research complements the technical research done at Wageningen UR and gives it added value. We focus on agriculture, horticulture and fishery, management of rural areas, agribusiness and the production and consumption of food. Our research assists governments and businesses in their entrepreneurial choices, management of production chains, spatial planning, environmental performance, natural resource management, European agricultural policy and world trade.

Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Language entry requirements (TOEFL, IELTS or other language equivalents) Social Sciences study programmes: IELTS grade 6.5, TOEFL 580 (paper based) Other MSc study programmes: IELTS grade 6.0, TOEFL 550 (paper based)

Accommodation facilities Student apartment buildings managed by the Corporation for Social Housing.

Modes of study Full-time, Double Degrees

Main subject areas Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Architecture, Built environment, Biology, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Economics, Environmental Studies, Health and Para-Medical Studies, Humanities, Landscape, Medical Sciences, Nutrition, Plant Sciences, Physical sciences, Social Sciences, Technology, Tourism and Hospitality, Veterinary Science, Zoology

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Maaike Wachters

Recruiter PO Box 90153, Tilburg 5000 LE The Netherlands

Tilburg University

Tel +31 13 466 2211 Email study@tilburguniversity.nl Website www.tilburguniversity.nl

Data

Profile

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Number 1 in Europe in Economics research (EEA 2002 and 2003); Number 3 in Europe in Business Research (University of Texas at Dallas in 2005); Number 4 in Europe in Law (SSRN, 2005)

Language entry requirements IELTS: 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 on individual parts), TOEFL: paper based: 577; computer: 233; internet: 90; Cambridge Proficiency

Language tuition facilities Optional language study available.

Total number of students 11,326

Percentage of graduate students 30%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 46%

E

njoying the reputation as Europe’s best in Business, Economics, and Law, Tilburg University also specialises Humanities and in Social Sciences. It provides high quality education and research on a compact campus with excellent facilities.

The mission Tilburg University, founded in 1927, is a fully accredited government financed university with approximately 11,000 students. Its mission is to inspire and challenge students, faculty, staff and alumni by providing high quality, innovative and internationally oriented education and research.

Faculties The university has six faculties: l Economics and Business Administration l Law l Social and Behavioural Sciences l Humanities l TiasNimbas Business School l Catholic Theology

Research institutes

Range of tuition

In addition to these faculties, it has a number of well-established research institutes and graduate schools. Tilburg University hosts more than 750 international students from more than 60 countries.

With a network of 185 partner universities around the world, it sends approximately 350 students abroad every year.

€1565 for EU-students, €9918 for non-EU students

Around the campus

Modes of study

Tilburg University campus provides an inspiring environment for all students and staff, with an extensive technological infrastructure. Students have free access to the internet, available at any of the 750 student workstations, internet cafés, wireless areas on campus, and the Montesquieu E-learning centre. The state-ofthe-art library, considered one of the best in Europe, is equipped with everything modern technology can provide. On top of all this the university is able to accommodate for up to 1,000 students.

Full-time

Accommodation facilities Accommodation provided by the University

Price range of accomodation €300 - €350

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Research Studentships,

Main subject areas Accountancy, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Economics, Humanities, Law and Legal Studies, Social Sciences

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Institution Profiles|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Helsinki Education and Research Area Profile

F

inland is a safe and stable welfare state with a fully functioning infrastructure, education system, health care services and a vibrant cultural life. Today there are around 5.2 million Finns. Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, but English is widely spoken. With its blue-green mosaic of waterways and forests, Finland is one of Europe’s largest countries when it comes to land area. Another Finnish characteristic are the four clearly defined seasons.

Education is highly valued in Finland. The Finnish institutions of higher education are internationally oriented, and the country’s good reputation in higher education, combined with the wide range of courses offered in English attracts interest among an increasing number of international students.

A Cut Above The Rest The Helsinki metropolitan region is home to nearly 1.5 million residents, and a great place to study, work and play. The region is proud to house several top class Finnish universities and universities of applied science offering a wide range of degree programs in English.

The Helsinki region is not only a great place to study, it’s also a vibrant, culturally diverse and fun place to live. From visiting the city’s many museums to enjoying the vast natural beauty of the surrounding region to having a night out on the town at some of our cafes, restaurants and nightclubs, there’s always something to do in Helsinki.

Finnish Universities The universities in the Helsinki region are ranked amongst the best in the world and are renowned for their top-quality research and education. They also have modern study environments and efficient co-operation with industry and different types of businesses. l The Finnish Academy of Fine Arts www.kuva.fi l The Helsinki School of Economics, www.hse.fi l The Helsinki University of Technology, www.tkk.fi l University of Art and Design Helsinki, www.taik.fi

l Hanken School of Economics, www.hanken.fi l The Sibelius Academy, www.siba.fi l The Theatre Academy, www.teak.fi l University of Helsinki, www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto

Bachelor and Master Multiple selection of Bachelor and Masters degree programs in areas such as: l Accounting, economics and finance l Agriculture, forestry and environmental sciences l Art and design l Biological, biomedical & life sciences l Business, management and marketing l Humanities and social sciences l Information sciences l Natural sciences l Technology and engineering

Universities of Applied Sciences The Helsinki region’s universities of applied sciences have strong links to the surrounding community (companies, organisations, and the public sector), which facilitates efficient

co-operation and helps students to establish a bond with working life. l Arcada University of Applied Sciences, www.arcada.fi l Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, www.diak.fi l Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, www.haaga-helia.fi l HAMK University of Applied Sciences, www.hamk.fi l Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, www.metropolia.fi l HUMAK University of Applied Sciences, www.humak.fi l Lahti University of Applied Sciences, www.lamk.fi l Laurea University of Applied Sciences, www.laurea.fi These universities of applied sciences offer a diverse range of Bachelors and masters degree programs for example in the areas of: Business, Engineering, Tourism, Management, Media, Nursing, Social and Health, Sports and Leisure, Technology

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|Institution Profiles

Contact The University of New South Wales UNSW International Office Sydney NSW 2052, Australia Tel: +61 2Networks 9385 6996; Global Education + Global Email: InternationalOffice@unsw.edu.au University of New South Wales = Global Opportunities Web: www.international.unsw.edu.au

Profile

T

he University of New South Wales and English language courses. More than (UNSW) is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first international 400 degree programs are available at UNSW, university attracting outstanding ranging from undergraduate programs scholars and students from around the world.

(Bachelor degrees at pass and honours level) Its motto - Scientia Manu et Mente (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Knowledge to postgraduate coursework programs (Master

by Hand and Mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) - encapsulates the degrees, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Orientation Week at UNSW Sydney Harbour, 20 minutes from UNSW Kensington Campus Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central philosophy of balancing the UNSW Quadrangle Building Certificates) and postgraduate research practical and the scholarly. programs (Master by thesis and Doctor of Study at a Prestigious 5 Star University UNSW was established in 1949 and has Programs are offered through the �����Philosophy).

6WDII TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV ����� *UDGXDWH VWDUWLQJ VDODULHV International ����� 3RVLWLYH JUDGXDWH RXWFRPHV �����Faculties been receiving international students since of:enrolments Arts and Social Sciences; the Built ����� 5HVHDUFK JUDQWV ����� 7HDFKLQJ TXDOLW\ 1951. Today, approximately one in five students Environment; Australian School of Business; ����� $FTXLVLWLRQ RI JHQHULF VNLOOV ����� 6WXGHQW VWDII UDWLR at the University come from overseas and of Fine Arts; Engineering; Law; Medicine; �����College Research intensivity ����� 6WXGHQW VXFFHVV LQ JDLQLQJ many of our recent students are the children of and UNSW@ADFA, at the Australian �����Science &XOWXUDO GLYHUVLW\ IXOO WLPH HPSOR\PHQW UNSWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original international students.

Defence Force Academy, Canberra. Â&#x201E; 7KH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 1HZ 6RXWK :DOHV 816: LV $XVWUDOLD¡V Ă&#x20AC;UVW LQWHUQDWLRQDO XQLYHUVLW\ HQUROOLQJ VWXGHQWV UNSW is highly regarded in the international from 130 countries academic community. It consistently scores Experience Â&#x201E; 5DQNHG WK LQ WKH ZRUOG LQ WKH Times Higher Education - QSThe WorldStudent University Rankings DQG Ă&#x20AC;UVW LQ Australia highly in a range of national and international UNSW is a vibrant intellectual, research and with international recognition in photovoltaics, LQ (QJLQHHULQJ Â&#x201E; $ SURJUHVVLYH WHDFKLQJ DQG UHVHDUFK XQLYHUVLW\ RIIHULQJ RYHU GHJUHH SURJUDPV DFURVV QLQH IDFXOWLH s rankings including the following: cultural hub. It offers a modern, dynamic and solar energy, quantum computing, interactive Â&#x201E; VWDU UDWLQJV DFKLHYHG LQ NH\ SHUIRUPDQFH LQGLFDWRUV LQ WKH Australian Good Universities Guide environment l 45th in the world overall in the 2008 innovative teaching and learning cinema and HIV/Aids research.

Times Higher Education - QS Report of World with extensive social and recreational facilities.

UNSW enjoys a vibrant and cosmopolitan University Rankings The UNSW campus is a beautiful, architecturally campus life. Of the 45,000 students studying l top 100 global universities in Newsweek sophisticated place, offering an enviable at UNSW, more than 9,000 are international and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academic students from over 130 countries. The University cosmopolitan lifestyle for staff and students.

Ranking of World Universities Study and research facilities are also maintains strong links with its international www.unsw.edu.au 816: ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH $XVWUDOLD 7HO Â&#x201E; LQWHUQDWLRQDORIĂ&#x20AC;FH#XQVZ HGX DX l 1st in the world for accounting research in the comprehensive, with a library network graduate community - the UNSW exchange June 2007 edition of the international journal housing more than two million volumes program has over 170 student exchange Accounting and Finance and extensive electronic resources. There opportunities in 32 countries and there is an l 1st in Australia and 32nd in the world for the are hundreds of sport, recreational, social, extensive network throughout Asia. leading full-time MBA in the 2009 Financial political and religious clubs and societies, a Located in Sydney, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest city, Times (UK) ranking of the top 100 global vibrant cafe scene and an award-winning UNSW is close to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main business MBA programs bookshop. Student support services include hub, providing easy access to a wide range of l Consistently ranked as the leading airport reception, accommodation placement academic, cultural and social activities. All three Engineering Faculty in Australia services, orientation programs, academic UNSW campuses - Kensington, Paddington l Maximum five-star rating for eleven key and language support, banks, and health and and Canberra - provide a vibrant educational performance indicators in the 2009 Good counselling services. and communal environment. The 38 hectare Universities Guide. UNSW achieved a top score Kensington site, the main UNSW campus, in the following categories: graduate starting Accommodation is located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, salaries, positive graduate outcomes, teaching At the UNSW Kensington campus, there are approximately 20 minutes from the Central quality, student-staff ratio, student success in Business District and Sydney Harbour, and 10 seven residential colleges on campus and one gaining full time employment, staff qualifications, minutes from popular east-coast beaches such nearby. College accommodation provides international enrolments, research grants, single study/bedrooms, shared bathrooms, all as the famous Coogee Beach and Bondi Beach. acquisition of generic skills, research intensity meals and linen. UNSW also has two blocks The Kensington campus is also a 15-minute taxiand cultural diversity. of furnished, self-contained share apartments ride from Sydney International Airport.

A foundation member of the Group of Eight on and off campus, and a housing service leading research universities in Australia, UNSW which provides assistance with finding private Academic Environment is also one of only three Australian institutions rental accommodation in suburbs around the Within the nine faculties, there are 75 schools, six in the prestigious Universitas 21, a consortium of University. This accommodation is usually shared institutes and four teaching hospitals.

17 leading universities in 10 countries. UNSW is a with other students and varies considerably in UNSW offers a wide range of degree comprehensive teaching and research university style, standard and cost. programs, pre-university/foundation studies

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Institution Profiles|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Contact Christiane Roth

Ineternational Recruitment Services Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi Viale Isonzo 25 Milano 20135, italy

Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi Profile

U

niversità Bocconi is one of Europe’s leading economics and business universities. Its modern urban campus is located in the centre of Milan, the country’s commercial, financial and fashion capital, and also its most cosmopolitan city. Always a standout among Italian schools for its international outlook, Bocconi offers a range of undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs taught in English by an international faculty.

Università Bocconi aims to provide selected students - from Italy, Europe and the rest of the world - with a truly international education that leads to professional growth and superior access to the job market.

Bocconi University has a strong commitment to providing scholarships for talented international students admitted to its academic programs; Bocconi International Merit Awards include tuition fees and housing. In addition, also financial-need based scholarships are available for international students.

Hands-on experience Bocconi’s offer features flexibility, paving the way either for further studies (towards a PhD or in research) or for a high-level entry into employment, with a range of three-year undergraduate programs in Italian and in English and two-year Master of Science programs. Six of these are entirely taught in: l English l International Management l Marketing Management l Finance l Economics and Management in Arts, Culture, Media and Entertainment l Economic and Social Sciences l Economics and Management of Innovation and Technology In addition, Bocconi offers several PhD programs in English. Its attached business school SDA Bocconi offers top-ranked MBA and post-experience masters as well as executive programs.

Classes at Bocconi present up-to-date quality content and interactive methods,

supported by excellent IT and library facilities.

Lessons with highly qualified faculty and distinguished visiting professors are peppered with seminars and workshops. These involve using members of the Italian and international business community, because they inject a strong dose of practical economic reality into the course curriculum.

Internships Bocconi’s well-organized program of internship and exchange opportunities give students a chance to get hands-on experience in the country of their choice, as part of their studies.

Bocconi is a member of two important international networks, the Program of International Management (PIM) and the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS).

In addition to exchange agreements with many members of these organizations, Bocconi has bilateral accords for exchanges with about 170 leading universities. With the support of our International Relations service, nearly two thousand students participate in incoming or outgoing exchanges with Bocconi every year, further enriching their university experience through periods of study or internships.

Bocconi also offers Double Degree programs.

Graduate students have the possibility to spend the first year at Bocconi, acquiring core knowledge and skills, and to specialize in their field of interest while attending the second year at one of the foreign host institutions, selected among the most prestigious Universities in Europe and overseas.

Tel +39 (0) 258 365 930 Fax +39 (0) 258 365 822 Email graduate.services@unibocconi.it

Data

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Università Bocconi is Italy’s oldest and most distinguished economics and business university at the forefront of international teaching and research.

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation Universita’ Bocconi offers high level international graduate and Master programs taught in English.

Total number of students 13,600

Percentage of graduate students 35%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 10%

Range of tuition € 10,900 per year

Language entry requirements FCE, TOEFL, IELTS For more information see: www.unibocconi. it/masterofscienceadmission

Language tuition facilities available Bocconi has its own language centre: see website www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre

Accommodation facilities There are more than 1000 places in 5 dormitories at the university.

Scholarly Institution Università Bocconi supports its graduating students in their approach to the job market with a strong Career Services program. The University maintains an enormous network of connections with companies of all types and sizes in Italy and abroad, because it understands that when a graduate gets a good job, Bocconi has done a good job, as testified by 56,000 Bocconi alumni employed around the world.

Modes of study Full-time, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy, Business and Management, Economics, Law and Legal Studies

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|Institution Profiles

ITALY

Contact

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Postgraduate Deparment Via Carducci 28/30, 20123, Milano Italy Tel: 00 39 02 72343860 Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Fax: 00 39 02 72345202 Email: master.univaersitari@unicatt.it

Profile

Data

Profile

Institution’s main claims to international academic or nonacademic excellence We have six High Schools dedicated to University contact research, education in specific areas: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore international Master Dept relations, communication, Via Carducci 28/30 environment and development, business 20123 Milano and society, psychology, agriculture and Italy foodTel economics. +39 02 7234 3860

F

ive campuses (Milano, Brescia, PiacenzaThe greatest private Cremona, Roma university in Europe and Campobasso), 14 faculties, 44 three-year Major tracks, Five campuses (Milano, Brescia, PiacenzaCremona, Roma anddegrees, Campobasso), 14 faculties, 38 graduate level 1 four-years degree, 52over three-year major tracks, graduate level46 100 master tracks, 5342 specializations degrees, one four-year degree, over 100 master PHD and 6 Postgraduate Schools. These are the tracks, 53 specializations and five postgraduate basic numbers that characterize the Università schools.

These figures sum up the Università Cattolicadel delSacro Sacro Cuore, founded in 1921byby Cattolica Cuore, founded in 1921 Father Gemelli and legally recognized FatherAgostino Agostino Gemelli and legally recognized by the Italian state on 2nd October 1924. by the Italian state on October 2nd, 1924.

From among the universities which award From among degrees the universities award legally recognized (as withwhich all Italian legally recognized degrees (as with Italian state universities), the Università Cattolica State del Sacro Cuorethe is the most comprehensive Universities), Università Cattolica del Sacro and complete in Italy.

Our network ofand Cultural Cuore is the most comprehensive complete Development Centers extends as far as the Italian in Italy. Our network of Cultural Development islands, making our university strongly national, Centers extends as far thebeing Italianrecognized islands, in with the added bonus ofas also making our University strongly national, with the the international scientific community.

Thanksbonus to its of prestigious faculty, the Università added also being recognized in the Cattolica excelsscientific in the diverse and articulate study international community. opportunities that it offers, both in the humanities, Thanks to its prestigious faculty, the as well as the scientific fields. Through the Università Cattolica excels in the diverse and courses offered, combined with strong research articulatethe study opportunities thatpromotes it offers, both programs, university values and an interdisciplinary approach which helps students in the humanities, as well as the scientific fields. gain scientific in a responsible Through theknowledge courses offered, combinedand with autonomous fashion. strong research programs, the university values and promotes an interdisciplinary approach New whichfrontiers helps students gain scientific knowledge Our extensive research program closely collaborates in a responsible and autonomous fashion. with 16 internal colleges, 62 departments and 93 research centers. Their common goal is the New frontiers understanding and study of those topics that have proved vital to the well-being of eachclosely human Our extensive research program being: the newwith frontiers of economics, collaborates 16 internal colleges,bioethics, 62 environmental recuperation, developments in departments and 93 research centers. Their the judicial fields, family dynamics, major mass common goal the understanding and study phenomena, the isevolution of political systems, of those topics that havethe proved vital to the new horizons in medicine, technological applications and mathematics, and the well being of of physics each human being: the new most recent environmental research. frontiers ofdiscoveries economics,inbioethics, environmental Opportunities for academic development recuperation, developments thewith judicial and growth don’t by any meansinend the fields, family dynamics, majorbut mass the confirmation of degrees, are phenomena, rather continually enhanced further opportunities available evolutionthrough of political systems, new horizons toinalumni, already entrenched in applications professional of medicine, the technological careers, by keeping them in contact with almost physics and mathematics, and the most recent 42,000 enrolled Cattolica students through extra discoveries environmental research. curricular and in postgraduate activities.

Opportunities for to academic development The attention given each individual student and his/her specific interests starts and growth don’t by any means end withwith enrollment and continues throughout beyond the confirmation of degrees, but areand rather the completion of a diploma or degree. In fact, it continually enhanced through further is because of the many services offered by the opportunities to alumni, already Cattolica, such asavailable orientation activities, specialized

Data

Fax +39 02 7234 5202

TotalEmail number of students master.universitari@unicatt.it Web www.unicatt.it / www.unicatt.it 41,700 Institution’s main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

Percentage ofdedicated graduate students Six High Schools to research and education in: 63% international relations, communication, environment &

development, business & society, psychology, agriculture & food economics.

entrenched professional careers, by keeping tutoring labs in specifically designed to accompany and students during their academic path, themguide in contact with almost 42,000 enrolled internships and stages, studyextra abroad and Erasmus Cattolica students through curricular and programs both in and beyond European countries, post-graduate activities. and job placement services which help students Thea attention given to each individual select future career, that we establish a strong student and the his/her specific interests starts tie between university and the professional world. with enrollment and continues throughout and beyond the completion of a diploma or degree.

In fact, it is because of the many services offered by the Cattolica, such as orientation activities, specialized tutoring labs specifically designed to accompany and guide students during their academic path, internships and stages, study abroad and Erasmus programs both in and beyond European countries, and job-placement services which help students select a future career, that we establish a strong tie between the university and the professional world.

Percentage of international (post) Institution’s main international achievements in innovation graduate students Activities in the clinician, agricultural and industrial field 30%are at the forefront with some spin-offs starting up Total no of students

Cost42,521 of tuition fees €4,623 Percentage of graduate students 66%

Accommodation facilities Percentage of international (post)graduate students 32% Accommodation is provided in several Range ofdorms tuition fees university Undergraduate between €3,200 and €6,600 Postgraduate between €3,200 and €15,000

Price range of accommodation Language entry requirements €1,200 - €4,700 per year Courses taught in Italian B1 European common framework; courses taught in English TOEFL , IELTS Language tuition facilities Modes of study The University language centre offers courses for most Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning, important European languages and awards European Jointcertificates Degrees Accommodation facilities Welcome service for incoming students

Levels of studyfacilities and research Accommodation inside the campus Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Price range of accommodation Graduate BetweenDiplomas, €400 and €650Research per month Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications Modes of study Full-time, part-time, distance learning, locally taught, joint degrees

The university excels in the diverse and articulate study opportunities that it offers

Main subject areas Levels of study and research Business and Accountancy, Agriculture, Masters, doctorate, graduate certificates, graduate Management, Communications Media, diplomas, research studentships, advancedand professional qualifications Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Main subject Education andareas Training, Environmental Accountancy, Agriculture, Business and management, Studies, Health and Para-Medical Studies, Communications and media, Creative and performing arts, Economics, Education and Law training, Environmental Humanities, Languages, and Legal studies, Health and para-medical studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and legal studies, Mathematics, Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medicine Medical and medical sciences, Psychology, Physical sciences, Sciences, Psychology, Physical Social sciences, Sport and leisure, TourismSciences, and hospitality Veterinary science,Sport Zoologyand Leisure, Zoology Social Sciences,

189

For more information about Masters and PhD at this institution, go to www.topgradschool.com

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Institution Profiles|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Contact Maria Traino

Head of International Activities Service, Via Balbi, 5 Genova 16126 Italy

The University of Genoa Profile

T

he University of Genoa aims to give students a solid basic cultural and scientific training as well as instruments to confront their professional future with rigour and awareness. It provides concrete possibilities for integration between theory and practice as well as mobility nationally and internationally both for study activities and work experience in institutions or firms.

A collaborative approach Moreover, our university particularly heeds modern requirements for continuous qualification and further qualification for those already working. Education is conceived as a life-long process that does not end with a degree, but continues along the entire span of a personal professional life, fostering flexibility and new skills and competencies in the sectors required by society.

That is why the university aims for quality and innovation in teaching and research.

Research, in particular, has enabled the university to achieve recognised and prestigious results nationally and internationally, and to develop excellence, thus increasing the already intense activities of exchange and collaboration with international institutions, and drawing up agreements with other Italian and foreign universities and research institutes.

In relation to teaching, relationships between students and Professors have bi-directional communication and there is an open and flexible learning environment that takes account of new technological instruments (e-learning platform and access for disabled students).

Lastly, the University of Genoa, with the collaboration of other institutions, is successfully committed to improving the lot of non-residents and their living conditions. To that end, it has made significant investments in scholarships and accommodation for students in a city that is increasingly lively, dynamic and rich with cultural stimuli.

Worldwide partnerships The University of Genoa, with over 40.000 students, receives many foreign students and

Tel +39 (0) 10 209 9646 Fax +39 (0) 10 209 5605 Email traino@unige.it

researchers every academic year, thanks to almost 900 partnerships all over the world.

The existing international cooperation concerns the field of research and didactics, with many scientific bilateral and multilateral agreements and European Union projects.

The eleven Faculties offer a wide choice of I and II level Degrees, Postgraduate schools and PhD (from the field of Arts to the sector of Nanotechnologies), which provide the best knowledge to fit into the world of high professional competencies.

The University of Genoa is composed of: l 11 Faculties; l 142 I and II level degrees; l 67 PhD courses (referable to 14 Doctoral Schools); l 50 specialisation schools; l 62 I and II Level university Master courses.

Data

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence 10th place among Italian universities in the Academic Ranking of World Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Total number of students 40,782

Percentage of graduate students 16%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 9.34%

Range of tuition From â&#x201A;Ź0 to â&#x201A;Ź2620,62 for first and second cycle degrees; specific fees for Master courses.

Accommodation facilities Foreign Students Information and Accomodation Service (SASS). A free service for accommodation research.

Modes of study Full-Time, Part-Time, Distance Learning, Locally Taught, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy, Area Studies, Architecture, Built environment, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Computing & Information Technology, Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental studies, Health and Para-Medical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social sciences, Sport and Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality, Zoology

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ITALY

Top Grad School Guide 2010

|Institution Profiles

Contact Ms Mariasilvia Ciola Head of International Relations Viale Pola 12 Rome 00198 Italy

Luiss Guido Carli

Luiss Guido Carli University

L

Institution’s main claims toare planned The following programs international academic nonfor the academic year or 2009/2010: academic excellence Taught in English  Undergraduate studies:seminars held by Luiss frequently offers Bachelor ofscholars Science insuch Business Economics important as the Nobel Prize Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance Winners Robert Aumann, Reinhard Selten  Graduate studies: and Vernon Smith Master of Science in General Management (two

Data

Range of tuition fees €8,000 for English-taught Bachelor of Science €9,000 for English-taught Master of Science Research opportunities €6,000 for one-year Master

Luiss offers a range of services which allows Language tuition facilities to integrate smoothly international students Complimentary Italian course for all international into life on campus. Such facilities include a students special housingfacilities service which helps students Accommodation university residence available but housing service for to No find suitable accommodation around international students the university campus, and a special tutor Price range of accommodation supporting international students in all matters From €300 to €500 for shared room From €500 to €600 room related to the life for in single Rome.Besides its graduate and postgraduate programs Luiss Guido Carli Modes of study Full-time doctoral programs taught in Italian proposes Joint degrees or in English which give good opportunities for Levels of study and research research activities after their completion. In the Masters Doctorateprograms most of the available posts doctoral Graduate diplomas areResearch linkedstudentships to scholarships.

Advanced professional qualifications The following prgrams are planned for the academic year 2010/11: Main subject areas Business and management Communications and media Economics English taught programs Law and legal studies Undergraduate Studies: Social sciences Tourism and hospitality

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business (3 years) Specialization in: l Business Management (in partnership with l Utrecht School of Economics- The Netherlands) l Business Management l Economics and Finance

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uiss Guido Carli University is a private Italian university located close to Rome’s historic centre. The university has three University contact faculties (Economics, Law and Political Science), Ms Mariasilvia Ciola Head of International Relations plus a Business School and offers a variety of Viale Pola 12 study programs in Italian as well as an increasing Rome 00198 Italy number of English-taught courses.

Tel +39 06 8522 5489 Through its affiliation with Confindustria (the Fax +39 06 8412 954 Italian Industrialists’ Confederation), the university international@luiss.it hasEmail close ties to the industry and thus offers Web www.luiss.it/internationlisation excellent job opportunities for its graduates.

For more main thanclaims fortytoyears, since its founding Institution’s international academic or non-academic excellence in 1966, Luiss Guido Carli has played a key role in Luiss frequently offers seminars held by important Italy’ s economic development andRobert is considered scholars such as the Nobel Prize Winners Aumann, Reinhard Selten and Vernon Smith one of the best private universities of the country.

Totallast number students In the fewofyears Luiss has been adopting a 7000 process of internationalization, investing in the Percentage of graduate students creation of English-taught programs that are often 63% offered in cooperation with renowned foreign Percentage of international (post)graduate students universities such as the University of Fudan, China 76% and the Utrecht School of Economics.

Tel +39 06 8522 5489 Fax +39 06 8412 954

years) Masternumber in European Studies (one year) Total of students Master in Economics (one year) 7,000

Master in Management, Consulting and ERP (one year) Percentage of graduate students  Doctoral programs: PhD in Management 63% PhD in Economics PhD in Political Theory Percentage of international (post)  Programs offered by Luiss Business School: graduate students Aviation MBA 76% International MBA

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Graduate Studies uiss Guido Carli University is a private Italian Masteruniversity of Science in General located close toManagement Rome’s historic centre. The has three faculties Specialization in: university Finance; International (Economics, Law and Science), plus Business; Management of Political Innovation; Luxury a Business School and offers a variety of study and Fashion programs in Italian as well as an increasing number of English-taught courses.

Special Profile: Chinese - with ItalianConfindustria Double Degree Through its affiliation (the in Italian Industrialists’ Confederation), university International Management (Double the Degree with has close ties to the industry and thus offers University of Fudan, Shanghai, Prc) excellent job opportunities for its graduates.

Master of Science in Finance and Economics For more than forty years, since its founding Specialization in: Financial in 1966, Luiss Guido Carli hasEconomics played a key role in Italy’s economic development and is considered one of the best private of the country.

In the Double Degree in universities Tourism Management (DDTM) last few years Luiss has been adopting a process (agreement with Hawaii Pacific University – U.S.A) of internationalization, investing in the creation of Master of Science in International Relations English-taught programs that are often offered in cooperation with renowned foreign universities such as the University ofMasters Fudan, China and the Utrecht Post-Graduate (1 year) School of Economics, TheStudies Netherlands. l Master in European l Master in Economics

Research opportunities l Master in e- Business Management and

Luiss offers a range of services which allows Consultingstudents to integrate smoothly international into life on campus. Such facilities include a special housing service which helps students Doctoral Studies (3 years) to find suitable accommodation around the l PhD in Management university campus, and a special tutor supporting l PhD in Economics international students in all matters related to the l PhD in Political Theory life in Rome.Besides its graduate and postgraduate programs Luiss Guido Carli proposes doctoral programs in Italian or in English which give School oftaught Government good opportunities research activities after their LUISS offers a greatfor variety of Italian taught completion. In the doctoral programs most of the programs, for further information on academic available posts are linked to scholarships. programs please visit: www.luiss.edu

Taught of in Italian Range tuition fees  Undergraduate studies: €8,000 for English-taught Bachelor of Bachelor in Economia e Management Science; English-taught Master Bachelor €9,000 in Scienzefor Politiche e della Comunicazione ofScience; Graduate€6,000 Studies: for one-year Master Master in Economia (two years) Master in Relazioni Internazionali Language tuition facilities (two years) Master in Scienze di Governo e della Comunicazione Complimentary Italian course for all Pubblica (two years) international students Master in Finanza e Mercati Finanziari (one year) Master in Economia, Gestione e Marketing dei Turismi e dei Beni Culturali (one year) Accommodation facilities Master in Governo e gestione del non profit No university residence available but (one year) housing service for international students Master in Giurisprudenza (one-cycle course: five years)  Postgraduate Price range of studies: accommodation Master in Diritto d’Impresa (one year) From €300 to €500 for shared room Master in Legal Advisor and Human Resources From €500 to €600 for single room

Management (one year) Master in Diritto Immobiliare (one year) Modes ofDiritto study Master in Penale d’Impresa (one year) Master in Parlamento e Politiche Pubbliche (one Full-Time, Joint Degrees year)  Doctoral studies: Levels of study and research Diritto degli Affari Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Diplomas Diritto dell’arbitrato interno ed internazionale Research Studentships, Advanced Diritto ed Economia Diritto Pubblico Professional Qualifications Diritto tributario delle società Storia e Teoria dello sviluppo economico

Main subject areas Business and Management, Study in oneand of Italy’s top private Communications Media, Economics universities close to Sciences Rome’s Law and Legal Studies, Social historic centre Tourism and Hospitality

For more information about Masters and PhD at this institution, go to www.topgradschool.com

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Contact Simona Natali Piazza Strambi no. 1 Macerata 62100 Italy

University of Macerata

Tel +39 (0)733 2582716 Fax +39 (0)733 2583970 Email masterest@unimc.it Website www.unimc.it/masterest

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence The Master Program promotes cultural integration and combines theory with practical experience

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation Ongoing educational innovation, including case studies and working groups on international issues Total number of students 35*

Percentage of graduate students

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ounded in 1290, the University of Macerata – one of the eldest European Academies – is a State University that covers all major social and humanistic subjects: education & training, law, literature, philosophy, history, economics, finance, management studies, cultural heritage, political science, social science & communications. In 2004 there are roughly 12.000 students enrolled. The University of Macerata offers first level degree courses and specialized degree courses as well as master courses and PhD programs. The University of Macerata has historical links with Asian Universities, dating back to Padre Matteo Ricci (native of Macerata), and is strengthening already established cooperation in research and teaching. Such initiatives are promoted in cooperation with Asian Embassies in Italy, Italian regional and local institutions (Region, Province, Chamber of Commerce and individual companies) as well as the Italian commercial offices in China.

As to relationships with Asia, the University of Macerata can mention “Istituto Matteo Ricci per le Relazioni con l’Oriente” Matteo Ricci Institute is carrying out scientific and cultural activities linked to Matteo Ricci and offers informational tools and training programs to support commercial relationships between Italy and Asia.

As to research projects related to Asia, they are developed by the “Department of Studies on Economic Development” and we can mention:

97%* Public Administration supporting firms export; Improvement of logistic flows for Europe-Asia exchanges, in cooperation with the Italian Logistic Association and the Ministry of Economic development; International trade and the internationalisation strategies in India and China.

Macerata is the centre of an important European industrial district specialised in design, fashion and shoes. In the past 10 years it has developed strong relationships with China and India as to production delocalisation, with critical issues related to design and process know-how. That offered to the Department and its students a unique opportunity to work in close cooperation with firms that were investing and exporting to India and China, facing real and hot issues, related to logistics, knowledge management, business strategy and IT. University of Macerata offers a full time Master in Relationships with Eastern Countries entirely taught in English, with a very international class (35 students in the last edition: 13 from China, 5 from India, 9 from Italy, 3 from Russia, 5 from Eastern Europe) and scholarships for foreign students. An internship programme is included in the course with good job opportunities. The Master program is designed to furnish students with working knowledge of the economic, managerial and legal aspects useful for the efficient operation of institutional, industrial and trade relations with the countries of Eastern Europe, Russia, India, and China.

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 97%* * Master Relationship with Eastern Countries VII edition

Range of tuition Full tuition is € 3.000,00; scholarships for foreign students are offered.

Language entry requirements GMAT and TOEFL are recommended but not compulsory . All classes are taught in English.

Modes of study Full-time

Levels of study and research Masters

Main subject areas Business and management, Economics, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, International Economics, European Institutional Policies and Policy Tools, International Law, International Management, International Trade, Chinese Language, Italian Language (basicintermediate), Russian Language, Business Plan, International Project Management

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|Institution Profiles

Contact ITALY: Via Verri 4, 20121 Milan Italy FRANCE: 12 avenue Raymond Poincaré, 75116 Paris France UK: 30 Fashion Street, London E1 6PX UK

Profile

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stituto Marangoni was founded in 1935 in Milan. Since then, the objective has been to prepare highly skilled professionals for the fashion and design industries.

Today the objective remains the same. In more than 70 years Istituto Marangoni has played a significant role in the development of the Italian creative industry: constantly updating its courses, creating young creative talents, and providing immediate professional answers to the market necessities.

The institute has taught 3 generations of students, a total of over 35.000 professionals, and has been the ‘launch platform’ for a series of world renowned names, such as: Franco Moschino, Domenico Dolce (Dolce & Gabbana), Maurizio Pecoraro, Alessandro De Benedetti, Stefano Guerriero, Alessandra Facchinetti, Rafael Lopez and Alexsandro Palombo.

The mission of Istituto Marangoni is to create professionals for both the Design and Fashion industries by developing their technical skills and their own creativity. The Istituto offers a unique education methodology - the professionals of today teaching the professionals of tomorrow. In addition, our students have the opportunity to take part into special projects organised in association with leading fashion and design brands. Most recently our students have worked with companies including Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Diesel, Fendi, Guess?, Glamour, Elle, Vogue, Mattel, L’Oreal, among others.

Over 2.500 students from 71 countries meet at Istituto Marangoni every year bringing their own interests and sense of life, and thus creating cosmopolitan surroundings vital for raising the creative talents of the future.

Istituto Marangoni has three Campuses in the international fashion and design capitals: into

Istituto Marangoni London Campus

Istituto Marangoni

Tel +39 02 7631 6680 Fax +39 02 7600 9658 Email f.tovaglieri@istitutomarangoni.com Website www.istitutomarangoni.com

the ‘golden quadrangle’ of shopping in Milan, in Avenue Raymond Poincaré in Paris (2 steps far from the Trocadero) and in Shoreditch, the new vibrating creative district in London.

Placement Office: the Network from studies to work One of the most important activities of Istituto Marangoni has always been acting as the bridge between requests from students and offers from design and fashion companies. The Marangoni Placement Office collects every year more than 500 internships or job requests from companies and places, every year, more than 90% of its graduated students.

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Istituto Marangoni was founded in 1935 and has been the “launch platform” for world renowned names such as Franco Moschino, Domenico Dolce (Dolce&Gabbana), Maurizio Pecoraro, Alessandro De Benedetti, Alessandra Facchinetti and Alexsandro Palombo.

Main international achievements in innovation Has taught over 35.000 professionals and it offers a unique education methodology - the professionals of today teaching the professionals of tomorrow.

Total number of students 2,200

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 60%

Range of tuition Visit the site www.istitutomarangoni.com

Programmes in Milan, Paris and London Istituto Marangoni offers Three-years, One-Year and Master programmes divided into two facutlies: Fashion and Design Faculty.

Fashion Faculty: Three Basic Courses (Fashion Design, Fashion Styling, Fashion Business); Six Master Programmes (Fashion Design; Fashion Styling; Fashion Accessories; Fashion Promotion; Brand Management; Fashion Buying); One-Year Course Fashion Design; and three Summer courses of three weeks (Fashion Design; Image Consultant; Fashion Marketing).

Language entry requirements Proficiency in the local language is required for the Basic Programmes (Milan-Italian; Paris-French; London-English); Master Programmes are bilingual (local language and English translator);

Accommodation facilities Istituto Marangoni’s Accommodation Office provides assistance to students to arrange accommodation.

Levels of study and research

Design Faculty: Three Basic Courses (Product Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design); Three Master Programmes (Design Direction, Interior Design, Product Design); 1 One-Year Course (Interior Design) and three summer courses of three weeks (Interior Design, Graphic Design, Product Design).

Three Year Courses, One-Year Programmes, Master Courses, Summer Courses

Main subject areas Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Fashion Styling, Fashion Accessories, Brand Management, Fashion Buying, Fashion Promotion, Interior Design; Graphic Design, Product Design

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Institution Profiles|Top Grad School Guide 2010

Contact Michelangelo Balicco

Coordinator, International Marketing Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 20133 Milan 20133 Italy

Politecnico Di Milano

Tel +39 (0) 223999761 Fax +39 (0) 223999762 Email infostudents@polimi.it

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

he Politecnico di Milano is one of the leading Science and Technology Universities in Europe, producing engineers, architects and industrial designers through a variety of innovative specialising courses, with great attention being devoted to all sides of education.

Research-led education with high reputation for the quality of teaching. Ranked among the best technical universities in Europe by The Times.

Total number of students At the edge of knowledge First established in 1863 in Milan, in the heart of productive Italy, with more than 38,000 students enrolled it is the largest school of engineering and architecture in the country.

Its graduates include Giovanni Battista Pirelli (the founder of the rubber manufacturing company), Enrico Forlanini (inventor of helicopter and hydroplane) prominent architects and designers such as Renzo Piano and Achille Castiglioni and the writer Carlo Emilio Gadda. Giulio Natta, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963 for having invented the polypropylene, was among its eminent professors.

Studying at the Politecnico di Milano di Milano also means experiencing an academic environment that devotes great attention to research, from conceiving innovations at the edge of knowledge, to prototype applications, from technology transfer to patenting. This is particularly true for the educational program of the Alta Scuola Politecnica (ASP) a school of young talents wishing to develop their interdisciplinary capabilities for leading and promoting innovation.

Foreign students The Politecnico di Milano, historically involved in a wide network of research and education activities in collaboration with the most important international universities, has reinforced in the last years an intense internationalization activity, with the objective of increasing the number of talented foreign students in Italy.

Coherently with the European education system, Politecnico di Milano offers three main academic levels: l The BSc. - Bachelor of Science (Laurea): a three-year first degree providing general scientific contents and methods as well as

38,000

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 10%

Range of tuition fees Regular fees range from about â&#x201A;Ź800 up to â&#x201A;Ź3500 per year

Accommodation facilities specific professional skills; l The MSc. - Master of Science (Laurea Specialistica): a two-year higher degree providing high qualification in specific fields; l The PhD. - Doctoral Program (Dottorato di Ricerca): three-years of training and research activity, following the Master of Science.

On top of the full common educational offer, in order to attract foreign students Politecnico di Milano is mainly focusing its attention on some of its programs, which include the possibility of courses in English.

The Politecnico di Milano has always based its success on strong relationships with companies. Pursuing this tradition, it offers to all its students a high value career service, in order to strengthen the dialogue between companies and its students.

Student Residences,and Privately Rented Housing is available

Modes of study Full-time, part-time, distance learning, locally taught, joint degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, doctorate, graduate diplomas,

Main subject areas Architecture , Built Environment, Business and Management, Computing & Information Technology, Engineering and Technology, Design, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Physical Sciences

All information regarding admission and programs can be found online at: www.polimi.it/english. For further enquiries please contact infostudents@polimi.it (tel. +39 02 2399 9761).

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Prof. Paolo Ciambelli

Via Ponte don Melillo Fisciano 84084 Italy

University of Salerno via Ponte Don Melillo Profile

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Tel +39 089 964 151 Fax +39 089 964 057 Email pciambelli@unisa.it

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

he Research Centre NANO MATES (Research Centre for NANOMAterials and NanoTEchnology at Salerno University), established at the University of Salerno in August 2007, is a research network within the University Campus aiming at accomplishing a strong synergy between 70 staff scientists and more than 100 research associates, PhD post-doctoral students active in nanoscience and nanotechnology at the Departments of Chemical and Food Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Information Engineering, Maths and Informatics, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics.

Alta Scuola Politecnica: a school of the Politecnico which selects annually up to 150 talented students. Representative site of ONU in Torino.

Total number of students 27,000

Percentage of graduate students 33%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 34%

Research specialisation NANO_MATES has an extensive amount of scientific competences and facilities available to students. These support a cross-disciplinary approach to either the comprehension of basic mechanisms or the realisation of novel products and processes in the framework of academic and industrial collaborations.

Examples of major competences and expertise are: l NANO_MATES are synthesis and applications of carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles (interconnects, sensors, field emission, nanolubricants). l Novel polymeric and composite

polymeric nanomaterials with special electric, magnetic and optical properties (OLED, self healing, aerospace, sensoring). l Thin films and nanostructures for electronic devices. l Spin and charge pumping in nanostructures l Nanostructuring in biological systems. l Scaffold structures by supercritical fluid processes. l Reconstruction of membrane rafts to develop targeted drugs. l Drug delivery systems. l Multiscale modelling.

NANO_MATES is partner in two Research Projects, just financed by the 7th EU Framework Program: a large scale project on nanolubricants

Range of tuition fees £1437 a year

Accommodation facilities (theme NMP) and a cooperative project on sensors (theme SECURITY). These projects will give research opportunities to postdoc students from Italy and abroad.

In 2009 NANO_MATES set up an International Doctorate Course in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in cooperation with the Jacobs University of Bremen (Germany). Candidates must possess either an Italian degree (Laurea Specialistica) in Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Engineering or a “Master of Science” diploma (Magister der Wissenschaften) or equivalent outside Italy. Four positions (two with studentship), available for projects in the research topics of Nanostructured materials, Characterization techniques of nanostructures, Simulation and theory of nanosystems, Novel nanodevices, will be assigned before July 31th, 2009. PhD student will carry out their didactic and research activities part in Bremen and part at NANO_MATES. The defense of the Doctorate thesis is held in both institutions. In case of positive assessments the candidate receives the Diploma of “Dottore di Ricerca” (Philosophy Doctor) both from the University of Salerno and the Jacobs University.

Housing assistance is managed by the EDISU Piemonte. For more information visit: www.edisupiemonte.it

Modes of study Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning, Locally Taught, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy, Agriculture, Area Studies, Architecture, Built Environment Business and Management Communications and Media Computing & Information Technology Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Health and Para-Medical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences Social Sciences, Sport and Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality, Veterinary Science, Zoology

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Contact Antonio Barbero

Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 10129 Torino

Politecnico Di Torino Profile

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he Politecnico di Torino, founded in 1906 from the roots of the Technical School for Engineers of 1859, has a long-standing tradition leadership of polytechnic culture.

Therefore the Politecnico presents one of the most significant universities in Europe for Engineering and Architecture studies, strongly committed to an efficient collaboration with the industry. Currently it holds the 57th position among the top Engineering universities in the world, the 7th in Europe and the 1st in Italy (Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking 2008).

Excellence in the field The Politecnico di Torino offers excellent technology and encourages the implementation of theoretical and practical knowledge in applied research by focusing on reliable, productive processes as well as organised services and facilities.

Students graduating from the Politecnico will be well grounded in various fields of contemporary science by the end of their studies. They will also further have the ability to apply their skills in a multitasking and interdisciplinary environment.

A growing empire The Politecnico di Torino has expanded by creating a new campus: the Cittadella Politecnica. This multi-purpose research centre aims to encourage research investments for multinational industries, technology transfer to small and medium companies, social aggregation and urban upgrading. Within this scientific and industrial framework research activities characterized by cultural and academic know-how as well as innovative spirit will complement one another. General Motors and Microsoft were pioneers of this idea and established their branches within the Citadella.

Further, new study halls, canteens and sport grounds will be constructed to complete already existing facilities.

Support for international students Currently, 27,000 students are enrolled at the Politecnico and approximately 12% of them are

Tel +39 011 0908640 Fax +39 011 0908644 Email international.affairs@polito.it

Data

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence Alta Scuola Politecnica: a school of the Politecnico which selects annually up to 150 talented students (www.asp-poli.it) Representative site of ONU in Torino. Seat of G8 University Summit 2009.

Total number of students 27,000 international students coming from about 100 different countries.

In addition to regular courses held in Italian, foreign students at the Politecnico are offered a range of courses taught in English at all levels:

Percentage of graduate students 33%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 34%

Bachelor of Science - Automotive Engineering, Textile Engineering, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. There are 4 programs taught in English just for the first year: Civil Engineering, Architecture and Design, Architecture Science, History and Preservation of Architectural and Environmental Heritage.

Range of tuition ÂŁ343 - ÂŁ1496

Accommodation facilities Housing assistance is managed by the EDISU Piemonte: www.edisupiemonte.it

Master of Science - Environmental Engineering, Nanotechnologies for ICT, Computer and Communication Networks Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Communication System Engineering, Communication Engineering and Automotive Engineering

Modes of study

2nd Level Specializing Master - Automatic and Control Technologies, E-Business and ICT for Management, Navigation and Related Applications, Optical Communications and Photonic Technologies, Space Exploration and Development Systems, Wireless Systems and Related Technologies

Main subject areas

The Department of International Affairs supports foreign students with bureaucratic and organizational issues related to their studies at the Politecnico by assisting with visa procedures, residence permit applications, fiscal code releases, medical assistance and Police Headquarters registration.

Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning, Locally Taught, Joint Degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Accountancy, Agriculture, Area studies, Architecture, Built Environment, Business and Management, Communications and Media, Computing & Information technology, Creative and Performing Arts, Economics, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies, Health and ParaMedical Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and Legal Studies, Mathematics, Medicine and Medical Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences. Sport and Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality, Veterinary Science, Zoology

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|Institution Profiles

Contact Marina Tesauro

Head of the International Relations Office University of Rome “Tor Vergata” Via Orazio Raimondo 18, Rome, 00173, Italy

School of Economics University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’

Tel +39 06 7259 2556 Fax +39 06 7236605 Email relazioni.internazionali@uniroma3.it Website www.uniroma2.it

Profile

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

FOTO TONINA

Our University has many cooperation agreements with Universities and Institutions all over the world aimed to establish joint programmes, to enhance research, student and professors mobility.

R

ome is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, it was founded over 2,700 years ago. It has become a big open-air museum, since its history and art history spread from the Ancient Rome to nowadays. Students in Rome have the opportunity to study in a city that connects the past and the future in a unique way. Thousands students every year make this city always new, fresh and modern, and make it an environment very convenient for studying. The University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’ is a public University. It was established in 1981 with the goal of providing quality high education for students preparing to meet the ever-evolving needs and opportunities of the 21st century workforce. Located in the South-Eastern suburb of Rome, easily reachable by underground, the University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’ is an independent academic establishment which combines a liberal arts tradition with emphasis on career orientation in the field of Economics, Engineering, Sciences and Medicine.

The University of Rome “Tor Vergata” is one of the largest research-based institutions in Italy. It is an international centre for research and education and it is well known for the scientific studies. In the last years the activity of technology transfer and cooperation with other public and private organizations in different fields has obtained an increasingly important role. The University Hospital is located in a 600-hectares-campus, and it is considered a flagship of the University. It is well equipped with diagnostic and therapeutic vanguard structures and it has become a reference model at national and international level.

The University of “Tor Vergata” offers

six degree courses (Humanities, Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, Economics and Law).

These courses assure an educational and training content comparable to international and European systems. A good balance between the scientific and the humanistic faculties makes academic relations extremely fruitful and stimulating. It offers many extracurricular activities to broaden the students’ learning horizons (such as 75 Master courses and 65 PhD courses). With its 41.000 students, the University of Tor Vergata wishes to be distinguished as a residential university in which professors and students alike live in close contact in an environment that is stimulating for all. Thanks to its several international relations all over the world, the University of “Tor Vergata” receives many foreign students and researchers every year and it promotes international understanding, which is reflected in its curricula offerings and research.

The commitment of the University is to set a new standard in higher education. Through its student-centered approach, it provides the most positive environment for learning available anywhere. Programs are structured to allow students great flexibility in the design and direction of their own studies. The University offers tuition scholarships to high potential students, in the framework of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education programs.

We also offer many opportunities of study and research mobility in the field of bilateral agreement with foreign Universities and Institutions. Moreover, the University has a placement office which helps students and postgraduates in finding job opportunities.

Main international achievements in innovation We have many joint laboratories with foreign University and enterprises and we are coordinators of many European research projects.

Total number of students 4,000

Percentage of graduate students 30%

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 20%

Range of tuition 1,500 Euro – 5,000 Euro

Language entry requirements A good level of English Language proficiency is essential

Language tuition facilities Free Italian and English Language Courses in well equipped Laboratory for all students

Accommodation facilities University accommodation is available upon request Modes of study Full-time

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate

Main subject areas Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Sciences

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Contact Ms. Laura Paternoster Head of International Office via Verdi, 6 – III floor 38122, Trento - Italy Tel ++39 0461 883230 Fax +39 0461 883221 Email Div.Cooperazione.Internazionale

University of Trento

@unitn.it

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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence UNITN has been ranked in the 411th place in the THES Supplement 2007

Institution’s main international achievements in innovation In addition to the Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences and the Centre for Computational and Systems Biology, in 2007 was born the Centre for Integrative Biology.

Img: fototonina.com

medium-sized university, on the outskirts of Italy but in the middle of Europe: this is the University of Trento, a young and dynamic institution, which has made internationalisation one of its main priorities.

15,400 students, 600 professors, lecturers and researchers and a similar number of technical and administrative staff, five libraries (open also during the evening, with IT rooms equipped with fixed PCs and a laptops), five university canteens: these numbers speak of a university offering an ideal environment for studying and research, and services designed to cater for the needs of the individual. The university’s seven faculties offer 22 undergraduate courses, 2 unique cycle programmes, 27 two-year Master’s courses and numerous one-year Master’s. There are also 16 doctoral schools and 1 specialisation school.

An impressive array, especially for such a small university. The faculties of Economics, of Law, of Sociology, of Humanities and Philosophy, the School of International Studies and the School of Local Development are all sited in the heart of the old town of Trento. The faculties of Engineering, of Science and the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences are only few minutes by bus or train from the city centre.

Research is conducted within the 14 departments and at numerous research and study centres. Besides the most important fields handled such as ICT, environmental engineering, materials engineering, physics, international studies, transnational law, experimental economics and social studies, prestigious research centres have recently been founded including the Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) and the Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBio). The area also hosts several prestigious research centres such as the Bruno Kessler Foundation and the Edmund Mach Foundation.

The University of Trento has created a network of solid international partnerships with prestigious universities around the world and has launched original cooperation projects. It offers double degree programmes which provide students with a unique opportunity to receive two degrees in two countries after spending at least one year abroad attending courses at a foreign university.

Total number of students 7,393 (postgraduate)

Percentage of graduate students 44.5% Besides consolidated EU mobility programmes such as LLP Erasmus and LLP Leonardo da Vinci, the University coordinates, inside the EU Erasmus Mundus Programme, two Joint Master Programmes (in Informatics and in Comparative Local Development) and inside the ATLANTIS programme one Joint project in Computer Science. These programmes - along with six two-year Master’s, six doctorates and four one-year Master’s - are completely taught in English. Since 2002, the University of Trento has been the Italian site of the Italo-German University, the international institute for the promotion of inter-university cooperation between Italy and Germany.

Quality has been the priority of the University of Trento in designing its development strategy. National and international surveys in the last few years have highlighted the high quality of its international relations, teaching and research, support services (a structured Welcome Office for international students and guests) and facilities.

Through the University Guild, the University of Trento annually grants 2.500 income and merit based study bursaries. It also offers accommodation for approximately 1500 students and a number of specially equipped residences for disabled students and, through the University Sports Centre, organises courses in a variety of disciplines, from the more traditional to the more unusual ones.

Percentage of international (post) graduate students 47.8%

Range of tuition One-year Master’s: from €2,000 to €9,000; two-year Master’s up to €10,000

Accommodation facilities 1,500 accommodation: double rooms in equipped flats, or single rooms with bathroom in dormitories. www.operauni.tn.it

Modes of study Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning, Locally taught, Joint degrees

Levels of study and research Masters, Doctorate, Research Studentships, Advanced Professional Qualifications

Main subject areas Accountancy, Architecture, Built environment, Business and management, Computing & information technology, Economics, Education and training, Engineering and technology, Environmental studies, Humanities, Languages, Law and legal studies, Mathematics, Psychology, Physical sciences, Social sciences, Tourism and hospitality

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“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Loughborough University; the academic and support staff have worked extremely hard to make my experience second to none.”

Lan Gao

Business School MSc Management MSc Business Analysis and Management MSc Finance and Management MSc International Management MSc Marketing and Management Invest in your future and transform your career prospects n

Designed for non-business graduates

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Develops impressive management and business skills

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Outstanding reputation for high-calibre graduates

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One year full time (from October)

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Competitive scholarships of £1,000 available

Students on our Management courses will develop and hone outstanding career-enhancing competencies in team-building, leadership, research, presentation and communication skills, organisation and analysis, as well as see significant increases in confidence and personal effectiveness.

Times Higher

‘BEST STUDENT EXPERIENCE’

award for the third year running

Loughborough University Business School T: +44 (0)1509 223291, 228843, 228278 or 228844 F: +44 (0)1509 228052 E: msc.management@lboro.ac.uk

www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/msc/ Ref: BS/5601

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