Feature photo by scui3asteveo. Photo above by John Althouse Cohen.
Seven amazing opportunities across the globe for those looking for a higher education.
Sometimes I wonder if my undergraduate degree, which gave me a solid foundation in the History of Science and has led to a lucrative career in international vagabonding, is worth the $10,000 of student loans I am evading by living in Oaxaca, Mexico.
I ponder this, sometimes wallowing in bitterness, as I pore over the websites of American universities in search of graduate programs that won’t leave me forever indebted and doomed to the life of a backpacker on the run.
There are very few such programs—American education is undoubtedly very good, but it is also very expensive.
So, for those of us who love the experience of delving into and becoming part of different places, doesn’t it make sense to look abroad? The world offers some excellent opportunities for graduate school that might actually leave you spare change to, say, eat, and travel.
Thus, what follows: a brief overview of seven countries where you can get a graduate degree at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the U.S.
Photo by Martin Dougiamas.
Spain
At around $2,000 a year, graduate programs in Spain are an incredible deal. The University of Barcelona ranks as one of the three best universities in Ibero-America (the other two being the UNAM of Mexico City and the University of Sao Paolo), and the University of Madrid is not far behind.
Masters degrees are diverse, going way beyond the simple categories of anthropology or sociology—how about an analysis of the history and culture of food? Or the management of cultural heritage? Why not get a degree in women, gender, and citizenship studies? And of course, there are plenty of offerings in the sciences, from an interdisciplinary analysis of water to the study of artificial intelligence and mathematics.
France
I apologize for giving way to cliché, but France, whether you love it or hate it, has an age-old association with intellectual life. Intellectuals have long been the Marilyn Monroes and Tom Cruises of France, and the quality and seriousness of French higher education reflects this cultural preference.
The Ecole Normale Superior de Paris ranks at number 28 in the list of the world’s top universities, and tuition for international graduate students is a whopping 190 Euros a year.
Photo by Riviera Kid.
Sweden
Graduate school is free. The website for Uppsala university announces this nonchalantly, as if the whole world lived in the calm socialist paradise that is Sweden.
Now, keep in mind that you’ll probably be paying about five Euros for a beer and who knows how much for any sort of classy lifestyle, but with free tuition, you can take down two Euro espressos right and left while you hit the books.
Plus, Uppsala offers a whole catalogue of Master’s programs in English, unlike other Swedish universities that require a good working knowledge of Swedish.
Germany
Yet another case in which very solid, well-ranked universities come in at around 100-500 Euros a year for tuition. You’ll have to contend with somewhat exorbitant living costs, particularly in the country’s financial centers, but by living like a good ol’ suffering grad student (think of a steady diet of comforting, hearty pasta) you should come out with a pretty good deal in the end.
German language skills are required for some schools; others, such as the University of Berlin, offer a selection of degrees in English.
Photo by mjmyap.
Singapore
Asian students flock to Singapore by the thousands to take advantage of the (relatively) cheap and high quality education. Singapore National University is ranked at number 30 in the world, and tuition stands at around $4,000 a year for international graduate students.
Potential students with interests in Asian studies can explore a range of Masters degrees, from broader studies of Asian civilization to critical analyzes of Southeast Asia or the Malay Peninsula.
For those deeply embedded in love affairs with Asia and wanting to further them in an academic setting, Singapore offers a melting pot of Asian cultures, a high quality graduate education, and ah, yes, the affordability that allows you to take a much-needed chill weekend from time to time on a Thai beach.
Mexico
With tuition around $1,000 USD a year, the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico offers a tempting alternative to rival schools just North of the border.
And with UNAM ranking as one of Latin America’s most prestigious universities (along with Argentina’s University of Buenos Aires) you are really, let’s say, getting what you do not have to pay for: a top-quality graduate degree.
For those interested in Latin American studies and history, the program recently initiated here is one of the best in the world. And if Mexico City seems to you like an experience in pure chaos, try Puebla, Monterrey, or one of the CIESAS research institutes located throughout the country, all of which offer quality graduate degrees at prices comparable to that of UNAM.
Photo by DanieVDM.
South Africa
The country in and of itself is an education, and provides a seething, transforming, highly charged backdrop to academic study.
Universities have taken advantage of the country’s post-apartheid opening up to promote academic and personal freedom, as well as the study of many disciplines banned or marginalized in the past. Cape Town and Johannesburg contain the most well recognized universities, each of which charges around $4,000 a year in tuition for international graduate students.
Add to this the fact that the cost of living in South Africa affords grad students a much greater degree of luxury than they would experience in Europe or the U.S., and voila, you have the tantalizing prospect of plowing away at a doctorate without having to survive on heaping bowls of spaghetti.
Keep in mind this list is only the beginning. Start doing research online: the aptly named International Graduate Schools website has plenty of listings of specific schools and programs, but in my opinion the Top Grad School site is even better, with rankings, statistics, and programs listed for most major schools in dozens of countries.
Good luck, and may you save as much as you learn!
COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
Still aren’t convinced that study abroad is right for you? Read Tanya Brothen’s article, Study Abroad: What Are You Waiting For?”.
Have you done grad work abroad? Share your experiences and insights below!
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97 Comments... join the discussion!
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International grad school is on my radar for 2010–thanks for the ideas and resources.
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Do these schools offer programs in English? Singapore would right?
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Thanks for the tip, Eva–I think the past four years have steered me more in the direction of anthropology, so that's where I'm headed whenever I work out the massive ambiguities I feel about grad school. I checked the University of Toronto site when I was researching this article and it seemed like tuition came in around $18,000 Canadian dollars, which to me seemed like a ton! Is that true, or did I miss something? Also, do you have any recommendations vis-a-vis anthropology programs in your native land? And I thought I read that you did a Master's in England–how did you like that? How, if you don't mind my asking, did you get funding? I have now realized what I probably should have intuited oh, eight years ago…that any sort of loan is definitely not going to get paid off via scrabble and freelance writing in Mexico. Hmmm.
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South Africa, Sweden, Germany, and Singapore definitely have programs in English. I know the University of Berlin and Uppsala University in Sweden have a series of Master's in English.
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I can vouch for Uppsala, I have a friend who did his Masters there! (In English!)
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Hey Sarah, Yeah, $18,000 is steeper than I had expected! (Though the only Masters I've ever researched in the States recommended we budget $45,000-50,000 for a 10-month program, including living expenses. So I suppose that's my point of comparison!?) As far as Canadian anthro programs go, U of T is always a safe bet (it's pretty much the best at everything, except sports) but University of British Columbia I believe also has a bunch of anthropology programs, some specifically geared towards the Aboriginal history of the Pacific North West. Also lots of Asia-specific programs there, I think. And re: UK, I was going to mention it actually! Again, not cheap, but cheapER for Americans. As a Canadian I probably didn't save any money by going there (though it was nice to do it in one year instead of two — the 12 month MA is still rare here) but the program was exactly what I wanted. A one-year MA tuition runs about 8000 pounds for non-EU students — or about 16,000 USD these days, I guess. Steep? Sure. But for an Ivy League-caliber school? Suddenly looks like a bargain, right? I didn't manage any funding myself (because of the strict regulation of fees for British students, overseas students are viewed as a cash cow, so funding for us is rare) and paid for it through a mixture of loans, savings, and some money my grandparents left me.
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Also, for anyone thinking about Canadian schools, you should know tuition is provincially regulated and varies accordingly! Ontario has been pretty thoroughly de-regulated but (I believe) Quebec and Newfoundland are two examples of provinces where fees are still being kept in check. English-language schools in Quebec include Bishop, Concordia and McGill.
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Yes, France! I studied there this past spring. Unfortunately for me, it was through my US university so I paid our lovely tuition prices. But otherwise truly an economical place to study. One thing to keep in mind when going overseas: you might not have access to the same high level of services and access to technology and information as you're used to getting in the US. We pay ridiculous prices, but our libraries are well stocked, our computers are numerous and up to date, and our student services are pretty darn good. The library in Paris was shamefully inadequate and I found that it hampered my ability to get info for my thesis. And don't even get me started on student services. But I'd do it all over again in a second. I mean, it was Paris!
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You forgot The Netherlands. As I have recently been looking for colleges, many of these countries came into question, but The Netherlands stood out the most! They have excellent Bachelor and Master programs, check them out!
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Well, I lived in Turkey for 20 years and Universities (Public – though private colleges are known as inadequate) are free. I think student pay a $200 fee for extracurricular activities and medical care and even with that the government gives scholarships to everyone in need. I don't know if anyone has any idea on Turkish Universities but if you are interested check out METU, Hacettepe and Bilkent (Middle East Technical University being the best). Plus almost all their programs are in English. Great list though.
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I went to Germany for my M.A. degree, partly because it did seem to be a better value than US schools, but anyone going should be prepared for the dramatic difference in the educational systems between the countries. My entire program was taught in German, which was fine, but the teaching styles, expectations, and program structure were so dramatically different (and not necessarily forward-thinking, at least from a US point of view) that in the end, I wish I would have stayed in the States (or gone to Canada). The experience is absolutely worth it and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but anyone looking to go abroad would be well advised not to just go for the bargain price; make sure it's a fit for you in all the ways a grad school needs to fit!
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Socialist commie nations are able to provide more affordable education than our so-called free society can. Next thing you know these commie bastards are going to have more jobs and opportunities. I'm so glad I'm not in any of those countries…i'd rather be unemployed and in student loan debt in my own instead.
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Denmark has free graduate school as well. Furthermore, the state pays us 900 euros a month for up to six years when we study. A third of the 900 euros is, however, an optional study loan. Roskilde University, Copenhagen University and a few others have extensive programmes in English (and are well respected universities).
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if you look into funding you can go do a Canadian MSc for about $3000 / yr – science departments actually pay you to be smart – not sure about social science depts. also I hear Ireland has free school too
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Wait so free education and job oppertunites are a bad thing? And as a swede I can guarantee we ar not living under some totalitarian "commie bastard"(as you so nicely put it) goverment, in fact our last election put one of our most rightwing parties in charge. I'd rather get stamped as a commie and have free education and job opportunities then live in a country that might force me to personal bankrupcy if I get sick. Apoligies in advance for spellingerrors.
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You better hurry if you are interested in studying in Sweden – if the current government has its way, starting next school year non-EU students will have to pay tuition. Oh, and depending on what you studied abroad, you need to also prepare yourself to have your degree evaluated back in the US when you apply for certain jobs.
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"Socialist commie nations are able to provide more affordable education than our so-called free society can." Evidently. None of the countries listed qualify as "socialist commie" nations by any accepted definition of the term. Emily, if you hate the rest of the world so much, I'd be curious to know what drew you to a travel site? (No sarcasm – I'm genuinely wondering?)
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Really good point–also, something I possibly should have mentioned is the research issues one could face studying abroad. Especially studying somewhere like Germany without much working German knowledge. Even if the program is in English, I wonder if one would run into some issues trying to find lots of English language resources. And I remember that when I studied in France I was a little dismayed by the resources as well. On the other hand, though, a lot of U.S grad students are paying for some fairly ridiculous excesses–super-modern dorms and luxurious gyms, sports teams, libraries with hundreds of computers….I remember tuition was raised every year at Madison for such things.
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Thanks for the info–any specific university you'd recommend? And are some programs in English?
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Hey Jackie– This is definitely something that would worry me going abroad. I remember being in full-blown culture shock the first semester in France, as most classes were simply scribbling notes for three hours while the professor went on and on. Exams were basically essays regurgitating what the professor had said. That said, I'd think that master's or doctorate programs might allow for a little more freedom…what program were you in? Was it in the humanities or the sciences? What did you like/dislike most about it?
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Yes, but foreigners on student visas don't qualify for that money. You need to be a Danish resident with a PERMANENT residency stamp to be eligible for the "study" money. Same as in Sweden.
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I totally agree with that assessment: we pay for some ridiculous excesses. My undergrad univeristy had a climbing wall for goodness' sake! And you wouldn't believe the new cafeteria they built. Totally not necessary. I'd like to see something between the French and US systems. Not so extravagant but with good, solid resources for students. For now, they're both on the extreme ends of the spectrum.
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This is probably not the right place to post this, as it's not experience abroad, but I attend a university in the U.S. for around $2000 a year in fees, and am paid around $15k a year as a teaching / research assistant (Physics). Grad school in the U.S. is affordable, if you look for a school and department that are willing to support. Though this is probably more a function of the subject you are studying than anything else.
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Add Romania to the list; 3 semesters of Masters (at a state university) cost 450 euros (excluding the dissertation tax which was another 75 euros)
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I spent a very long time researching where to do my graduate studies, and price was not the only concern. I also looked into faculty experience, quality of the university and programmes, and how many students would be working alongside me. As an American, I decided to take a programme through several universities, getting a joint master degree through the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany for a total of €2000 per year (a fraction of the $42,000 at Stanford and the £25,000 at Imperial College London) not including my living expenses. However, I had opportunities for full scholarships or assistantships had I have gone to a school instead of a traveling programme, reminding me that I chose this option for my experience, not the money. No amount of money can show the value of a 2 year (at least) experience abroad, the people you meet, and the opportunities that arise from it.
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Uppsala university is drawing my attention. I'll definitely look into it come senior year.
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One thing to bear in mind if you're considering Barcelona is that the official language there is Catalan. Whilst some of the courses may be offered in Spanish, the University of Barcelona's website makes it clear that you would need at least a working knowledge of Catalan to study there.
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** History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, England ** Not a mention yet of the History and Philosophy of Science Department at Cambridge. Depending on the College you pick, you should be able to get subsidized housing (a flat) as a post-graduate student. While you might not be admitted directly to a PhD program — probably into a M.Phil. program with its attendant exams at the end of one year, the cost would surely be lower than attending a pricey US program. The PhD program grants you total freedom to get on with your research — no lectures, no exams, no prelims — that is, no stupid permission-to-proceed nonsense like in the US Unlike this country, you are NOT at the mercy of your supervisor! Nor do you have to be a TA! Write the dissertation, submit it, it gets get read by two examiners neither of whom is your supervisor! One examiner is internal to Cambridge; the other is external. If they agree on the merit of your work, you get the degree. The older (and one would hope more mature) you are, the more you'll value the faith placed in you. So, if you haven’t moved from being a student to being a researcher, Cambridge (or Oxford) might not be the best PhD path without doing an M.Phil. to demonstrate your “street creds.” bipolar2 PhD History of Science, Cambridge (1981) PhD Philosophy, Virginia (1975)
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Sarah, I couldn't agree more! I did my master's at the University of Munich and it was like I'd been cast back into a different century; it was suddenly all about memorization and regurgitation, which was likely the worst part (either that, or the never-ending administrative hoops to jump through). However, you bring up an excellent point that it makes a difference whether you're in the humanities or the sciences (I was in a linguistics program), which likely means very different program and teaching dynamics. The best part was how many doors the experience opened for me. I've now been in Europe, although now in Switzerland, for nearly 8 years, and am a professional German-English translator. By the way, this was an excellent article and a much-needed discussion point in the Internet – thanks for bringing this up!
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You're right, Eric, it's definitely a function of what you're studying. I think the Humanities are the most competitive at the moment, and the hardest to get funding for. I also think it's a lot easier to get funding for a PhD than for a Masters. I am thinking of applying to several anthropology PhD programs in the U.S, but I'll only be able to go on the condition that I get a T.A position and a full waiver of my tuition. Supposedly, if a school really wants you in its PhD program, it should be helping you to find funding or directly offering it to you. The Masters, though, are where it hurts. And if for some reason your funding runs out in either a Masters or a PhD program (there aren't enough available T.A ships, you don't get a fellowship, etc), you're looking at exorbitant tuition rates.
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I agree that the experience is crucial, and perhaps irrationally I'm factoring in location as one of the most important factors in choosing a school. However, as I'm now dealing with these ridiculous loans from undergrad (and, compared to other U.S students, mine aren't that bad!) I have to argue that price is almost as important as experience. Especially if one loves living and traveling abroad, and doesn't have really fixed career goals…the last thing I want is to feel tied down and obligated to take a dull, grinding job to pay off debts. I'm now scared of leaving school again and feeling like, well, that was a great experience, but now I'm tied to the system for the next however-many years to pay my dues. I'm not THAT tied at the moment–I can make measly payments in pesos–but there is always that nagging voice worried about loans in the back of my head.
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Good grief. Obviously they don't teach "sarcasm" in Sweden, or wherever it is you're from, Eva. I actually used to live in France and in Canada. I wish the US was more like that, because here I have no health insurance and my bf is hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from student loans. If I get into an accident, I'm financially screwed. I'd give anything to be able to go to grad school for free. Or at least have it be affordable.
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Yes, they have complete courses in English. I can't recommend anything yet (since I'm only in the process of applying), but definitely look into Maastricht University, Utrecht University, Breda Hogeskol, Saxion and inHolland.
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Oh, sorry Emily! That was such a bang-on perfect impression of the hundreds of scary ignorant comments I see on the web every day… I assumed it was real!!
I'm from Canada, by the way.
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Tanya- GREAT point about resources. I began working on a PhD in Puerto Rico and found that the libraries, in particular, were poorly stocked in comparison with the university libraries at my alma maters in the US. In fact, one of the branches of the "state" university didn't even have a library when I lived there. This should definitely be a factor to consider when exploring grad school options abroad. Maybe Sarah will write a follow up about how to choose a grad school abroad now that we have some incredible options from which to choose!
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you should notice that the UofT anthro graduate program also says that tuition costs are funded for you.
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I studied at inHolland when it was the hogeschool Holland. I got my undergrad there in an English business program. I think that this was during the time that they were just starting to explore international studies programs. They did not have a lot of materials in English, however during each year, more and more resources became available. so it may be wise to see how long each school as had an English speaking component to it. Good luck, studying in Holland was a lot of fun.
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I am so glad I came upon this article!! What better excuse to travel than dirt-cheap grad school? Awesome, thanks so much!
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No Eva no need to be sorry. My comment was really out of line, even if I was trying to make a point about the massive amt of ignorance that goes on in my own country.
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It sounds like you've had a very interesting array of educational experiences. Would you mind sharing more specifics on the international schools and programs you attended or considered attending? After coming back from studying in Prague last spring I've been on an extensive hunt for grad school opportunities abroad and am close to exhausting all of the resources I've found online. Any information would be very much appreciated.
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I've been fascinated by the prospect of living and studying in Eastern and Central Europe since studying in Prague. Do you have any specific information on schools or programs in Romania? Any info would be greatly appreciated!
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its free in norway too, btw.
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Interesting article, and a great resource for those who want to learn more, but aren't sure where their road will take them career wise. There is a trade off for cheaper studies if you plan on becoming an academic. While the countries you mentioned have highly ranked programs for their regions, graduate degrees (especially masters degrees) from abroad don't hold as much weight as those from US schools (Canadian schools are arguably comparable, depending on the program. U of T and UBC have great programs for history and philosophy of science). Being a first year masters student in the field of history and philosophy of science myself, I have met several people with masters degrees from abroad that were admitted only at the masters level in the States. If your goal is a PhD or to become an academic, US schools are probably the way to go. Depending on the size department, PhD students usually receive some financial aid and/or have tuition waived in return for assistantships. Then again, if you aren't sure what you want to be when you grow up (who really does right?) studying abroad is an excellent idea. It will also look good on your resume, especially if you master the local language.
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School isn't free anywhere. You just want someone else to pay the costs. If you duck out on your loans, then you are a thief.
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I've done my Master's at Aurel Vlaicu University in Arad (where I live) and chose the one wt plenty of courses in English. I also defended my dissertation in English. I would be able to help you more. Do you use twitter? If so follow me @axxyutza and we can exchange email adds and whatnot. Plenty other Univ offer programs in English as well.
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Referring to South Africa: “The country in and of itself is an education…” Whilst that may make grammatical sense it is an aweful use of the English language. I think whoever wrote this was definately over-charged for their university experience.
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This is another satirical comment, right?
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Also, don't forget that most universities offer intensive language courses for foreign students to get them up to par on their skills so that they may attend regular classes. For example, when I studied in France, I had a Chilean friend who knew nothing about the French language. Yet, within in a couple months he was fully conversational. Of course, a lot rests with the student. One must be willing to make the effort to learn the language and to speak at every opportunity. Shouldn't be too hard considering you'd be surrounded by it.
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I've heard the university of cluj is a good one
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