Studying in Europe

by Lauren Ling

Why Europe?

Well, it’s chock full of history and the birthplace of the Renaissance movement. More to the point, the education systems of several European nations date back centuries and helped shaped what we call the modern world.

Here, we highlight a few countries renowned in their respective fields. Unite d Kingdom: Prestige is Key If time and cost are important factors for you, know that a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at most UK universities take only one year, compared to two in other countries.

British qualifications are recognised worldwide, so whether you choose to return here after graduation or work elsewhere, you will be secure in the knowledge that your qualifications are recognised.

Famous For MBAs from UK business schools are worldrenowned and highly valued by employers. According to the Association of MBA’s Career Survey 2006, MBA holders in the UK earn an average £65,000 (RM403,000) per annum, and can look forward to an annual salary increase of 20 per cent.

The tim e-frame for other UK postgraduate degrees are

as follows :

• One-year courses: Postgraduate, Certificate/ Diploma, Masters.
• Two-year courses: Some Masters degrees.
• Three- to four-year courses: P h.Ds, New R oute Ph.Ds.

The core curriculum for full-time MBA programmes consists of finance, marketing, human resources, economics, accounting, management information systems, operations and quantitative methods. There are also optional subjects (electives), depending on your interests. A part-time programme is also possible and will take you two or three years.

To choose a reputable business school, look at the rankings and league tables. Ask schools to name the companies that recruit from their programmes and find out what organisations the alumni work for.

At schools where the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT ) is used, find out the average student’s score as this is an indication of the quality of the school’s MBA.

Fees/Scholarships/Sponsorships An MBA can cost from £4,000 (RM25,000) to more than £30,000 (RM186,000) per year.

The British Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students for study in the UK . It is ideal for working professionals aged 25-35 and covers a year’s tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, books and warm clothing, a return air ticket and student visa. For more information, visit www. britishcouncil.org.

Cost of living Accommodation can cost anywhere from £200 (RM1,250) to £600 (RM3,750) per month, while food and other expenses will amount to about £600 (RM3,750).

Visas You will need a visa to enter the UK as a student. If you do not intend to work or stay in the UK for more than six months, you can enter as a student visitor. For visa information, visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk.

Can I Work? Part-time or holiday work is permitted, but not for more than 20 hours a week during term time. The only exceptions are if your job is part of your studies or it has been permitted by your educational institution and leads to a qualification awarded awarded by a nationally recognised examining body.

Denmark: The Ph.D Travel Bug

The Danes are said to the happiest people in the world, so they must be doing something right! Denmark is located in the northern part of Europe called Scandinavia. Its scenic beauty and quiet way of life make it an ideal place to study in and explore. About 80 per cent of Danes speak English, with many also fluent in French, German or Spanish.

Famous For Danish universities have strong support systems for Ph.D programmes in science and research.

Ph.D Programmes The basic admission requirement for a Ph.D programme is a Masters degree or equivalent. Some institutions offer a four-year Ph.D programme to students who have completed a Bachelor’s qualification and a oneyear post-graduate study.

Fees/Scholarships/Sponsorships Ph.D tuition fees range from 10,000-16,000 euros (RM50,000-RM80,000) per year. There are also other options that’ll make your postgraduate studies less taxing financially.

Studentships: Ph.D studentships are offered by universities, research institutions, business enterprises, and public and private foundations. Employment is usually for three years. A studentship is like a scholarship, but involves summer or holiday work on a research project. It is usually awarded to research students at Ph.D level. Other terms include teaching and research assistantships.

Industrial Ph.D fellowships: These are offered through collaboration between a private enterprise and a university. The Ph.D project is research-based, with the student facilitating research co-operation between the two partners. It usually takes three years.