I was a lost soul in a sea of numbers and equations during my first degree. I had overestimated my inclination towards equations and suddenly developed an averse reaction to numbers too late, and so for three years while heated debates went on about derivations and integrations, my mind wandered and my eyes glazed over.

BY EMILIA IDRIS

The results of my first degree were, to say the least, sobering. I took on internships and extra activities to back up my resume and eventually landed a job writing speeches and answering complaints. It was all right but not exactly the kind of job for the restless.

An escape route? A Masters degree abroad! An opportunity to start over, the chance to travel, the little push I need to open the right doors. And so I did the research, consulted friends, talked to tutors and lecturers, surfed, wrote countless applications, went and returned.

Since then a lot of friends have come forth to ask what the decision entails and what a Masters degree translates into. The postgraduate degree has become one of the main paths one considers at some point after leaving university these days.

WHAT IS A MASTERS DEGREE?

There are different types of postgraduate Masters courses depending on areas of specialisation. Generally they fall into the following categories:

TAUGHT MASTERS - You normally need to have a good undergraduate degree but not necessarily be in the same subject in which case, some universities may require you to take pre-requisite courses. There is a fixed curriculum and usually an exam at the end. Teaching involves a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials. In British and Australian universities, students typically need to produce a written dissertation at the end of the course (often an essay between 10,000 and 20,000 words).

RESEARCH MASTERS – At the end of the course, you have to produce an original study known as a thesis (an essay between 30,000 and 40,000 words). Students work largely on their own, but are guided by a supervisor.

MPHIL OR MASTERS OF PHILOSOPHY – This is a supervised research course in a specific subject. The most able students can choose to continue studying to obtain a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), which requires the student to continue their research for a number of years. Both MPhil and PhD require the completion of a thesis, and may require the student to attend a spoken interview (known either as a viva voce or a viva) at the end, in which he or she will have to defend and explain the thesis to a panel of academics.

TO MASTER OR NOT TO MASTER?

Jo Teo, a 29-year-old auditor, decided to pursue a Masters degree in Australia simply because she wanted a break after a few years from work. She was lucky as her employer allowed her to take unpaid leave to take her Masters and even increased her pay upon her return. But this is not always how the story goes.

Before you apply, think carefully about what you intend to do after your course. If the main reason you are considering doing a postgraduate course is to improve your career prospects, reconsider. Obtaining a postgraduate qualification does not necessarily make it easier to get a job, a promotion or higher pay unless you are applying for a technical position which makes direct use of what you have been studying.

Most employers are wary of candidates with a general Masters degrees and would not consider them any more qualified as those without. This is because the candidate is unlikely to make direct use of their research in their jobs. Most companies’ concern with candidates with higher degrees are that they are too academic and not sufficiently practical, they are not used to working to tight deadlines and they may be unhappy applying themselves to simple but important tasks.

The best way to check if the program you are contemplating will be relevant is to ask potential employers. Take journalism for instance. When I first approached an editor of a local newspaper to ask about the prospects of a Masters in Journalism, his response was unequivocal.

He advised that a Masters qualification in Journalism will not get you any further than the next inexperienced aspiring journalist waiting in line. Incidentally, a week later I met up with a Jenny who had gone to City University in London to do a Masters in Journalism. She said the experience was wonderful and that she learnt a lot. But upon returning to Singapore the closest to journalism she got was writing brochures.

If your reason for doing a Masters is to work towards being an academic, then its best to start your research now. The academic circle in Singapore is small and competitive. Most are scholars to begin with. A life dedicated to research and study is a commitment to sacrifice. Talk to university academics. Ask the university’s Careers Service for information about academic jobs, look out for advertisements in relevant journals or speakers at related conferences, search the internet for commercial references to your specialisation and find out which companies fund research in your subject. It is not worth taking the plunge without knowing if there is a value for your degree.

Postgraduate study may not be a good idea if the real reason is because your family wants you to do it, or because you haven’t put much thought or effort into looking for a job. Some good reasons to consider postgraduate study are because you enjoy your subject and want to spend more time studying it, or because you want to broaden your knowledge taking on a new area or because you want to follow a career which requires specialized knowledge.

WHICH WAY TO GO?

Once you have a clear idea of what you would like to study, you have to decide where to head to. Generally there is no hard and fast rule as to which university or country is recognised in Singapore for a good Masters degree. There are of course league tables which tells you of the universities most famed for certain subjects but essentially the final decision rests with your prospective employer.

To some like Jo and me, taking a Masters degree abroad was an opportunity to travel and experience life elsewhere especially since we had gone to a local university for undergraduate studies. But thinking beyond local shores also provides you with more choices. Most overseas universities do not look too strictly at the grades of your first degree.Top universities might still take on less than perfect grades if you can convince them of your interest and potential for the particular subject.

Obviously, there are also financial considerations to take into account. Overseas study is costly and the amount can vary enormously from institution to institution. Field of study, geography and cost will help you narrow your selection.

HOW TO APPLY?

Applications to postgraduate courses are usually administered by the universities. Most institutions have web pages that contain a wealth of information and instructions on how to submit an application for admission, including special instructions for international students. If you cannot find information for international students on a web page, contact the university and ask.

As part of the application procedure, you may be asked to provide a course transcript. This is a report from your university about the subjects, dates and grades of the courses you have taken. You will also probably be asked for statements from at least two academic references, that is, people who have supervised your university work. For some courses, a referee from a workplace may be acceptable. Your best bet is to find someone with expertise in your area of interest. They are a wealth of insight and information.

If you are taking a research course, you will need to write a research proposal. In this proposal, you outline the research topic you are suggesting, your research method, and the sources of information that you intend to use.

You might also be asked to submit a supporting statement, outlining the reasons why you wish to take the course and why you think you are a suitable candidate. This is your chance to convince the university that you are a deserving candidate. There are plenty of resources on the web giving advice on how to write good supporting statements. Try to make yours stand out from the rest.

Most universities in the United States require applicants to take what are known as ‘standardized tests’ designed to measure students’ aptitude for further study. The most common of these is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The most sought after Graduate programmes in the US however, are those offered by Graduate Schools of Business. These normally require candidates to sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Entrance to top MBA programs is extremely competitive and these tests are often the important deciding factor. For example, the prestigious Dartmouth College accepts only 10% of all applicants from all over the world. As an international applicant, the odds are stacked against you, as there is often a limit to how many students they accept from any one country. Coming from our tiny island often means you will be only student representing Singapore. As it can take some time to complete the application process, the earlier you begin the better it is for you. Start your search at least 12 months in advance.

FINDING FUNDING

SELF/FAMILY – This is, of course, ideal as you would not have to be burdened by bonds, debts and interest rates. However, overseas studies can be costly and you should think carefully about your reasons for taking on studies abroad if you are planning on using up your savings for the purpose of taking on an extra, ‘optional’ degree.

SCHOLARSHIPS/BURSARIES – Look at all possible avenues. Check with your current or potential companies if they are willing to sponsor your studies. Find out about organisations which are involved in research in your area of specialisation. For example, if you are thinking of taking a Masters course in Media, the Media Development Authority offers a Media Education Scheme. Ask your university department if there are any scholarships for which you can apply. Most universities offer scholarships to outstanding students to study at their universities bond-free. Check related journals for advertised funding opportunities.

LOANS – Local banks do not generally offer study loans. However, there are corporations who do offer loans with an interest rate and under stipulated conditions. Always make sure that you understand what interest payments are required, when you need to repay the loan, and what will happen if you cannot repay the loan on time. Be very careful about loan companies, as some may charge high interest rates and put a lot of pressure on you if you cannot pay.

PART-TIME WORK – For most people who take a fulltime postgraduate course, finding a part-time job may be a good way to earn extra cash. However, in most countries, students are allowed no more than 20 hours of part-time work a week and often only on campus. You may also want to ask the university if there are any opportunities to work for example, as a researcher’s assistant or giving tutorials to undergraduate students.

THE EXPERIENCE

In all, those who have gone abroad to take their Masters abroad swear by the experience. Sri, 27 who found a scholarship to study Speech and Language Pathology in McQuarrie University in Australia says that it was an excellent opportunity to meet people and make friends from across the world.

Lee, who went to Cambridge University to study Statistics says, ‘Go for it, for a totally different experience.’

Jo, however advices those who are going self-funded, to choose a place which offers value for your money. It is not always necessary to go for the top schools which often are very costly and competitive. A lot of the time, it makes more sense to select a reputable school that not only provide you with an excellent education but also afford you the experience of living in a foreign country.

As for me, I too had a ball of a time in the UK and met others like me from all across the world. I opted for a taught Masters course that was practical and intensive. It worked out well and I even received a commendation for it. Whilst employers did not flock to me upon my return, I am at least more confident about my abilities having accomplished tasks abroad that I never thought I was capable of before.

For those thinking about doing a Masters degree abroad, I would say go for it! It broadens the mind in every possible way. Do your research and be prepared for the demands of the application process as well as the reality of life as an international student.

SOME USEFUL WEBSITES

www.studyabroad.com
www.intstudy.com/studying_abroad.html
www.studyoverseas.com
www.agrino.org/mcc/uniguide
www.acu.ac.uk
www.studyguideaustralia.com/university_australia.asp
www.studentmoney.org