Bachelor’s vs. Master’s Abroad: What Should You Choose?

Do you aspire to study abroad but are confused about whether to go for a bachelor’s right after the 12th grade or a master’s after completing your bachelor’s in your home country? Well, this guide will highlight the perks and elements of both to make the sail smooth for you.

If you’re finding it stressful to decide, our finest study-abroad experts at Gradstar Global Education are here. We help you decide, select the university, finalize the subject, sort finances, ease your study abroad journey, and figure out post-application nitty-gritty. Enquire now!

Difference between Bachelor’s and Master’s abroad

We have differentiated between bachelor’s and master’s abroad, considering the important factors. Let’s get your study abroad journey sorted!

1. Educational objective

When deciding between a Bachelor’s and a Master’s abroad, it’s wise to consider your core education objective.
As the undergraduate degree is the first step afterhigh school it focuses on giving you foundation knowledge, with a breadth of experience in different subject areas. If you have just finished high school or are wanting to go to university for the first time a bachelor’s degree must be your go-to option.

• You’ll be required to attend more classes and pick subjects in your major.
• More pressure to decide on the major for a bachelor’s degree.

Master’s abroad
A master’s degree lets you specialise in your area of interest, making you skilled and stand out professionally. It is the journey you must embark upon if you seek the following:

• Advanced specialist skills in your field, enhancing career prospects
• Core research opportunities, projects, and dissertations in your field
• Gateway to work opportunities at higher positions

Let us, at Gradstar, recommend you a better choice based on your preference, budget, career goals, and eligibility.

2. Eligibility 

You can only pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree abroad if you meet the eligibility conditions of your desired university. We’ve covered the general eligibility criteria for both individually:
Bachelor’s abroad

• Minimum 17 years of age 
• Pass certificate of 10+2 with the required academic entry score
• English entry requirements–language proficiency test results–IELTS or TOEFL
• Satisfactory competitive exam scores–SAT, ACT, and more/li>

Master’s abroad

• English entry requirements to study abroad–satisfactory score in PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL
• Completion of bachelor’s degree–12+3 or 12+4 with an average percentage of 50% (the average percentage may differ based on your preferred university/course)
• Work experience (depending on your desired university or course)
• Specific course requirements
• Satisfactory competitive exam scores–GMAT or GRE (depending on program)

Scared that you’ll be able to meet all the study abroad universities and course eligibilities? We strictly recommend checking the eligibility of your desired university and course. Even better, rely on our finest study abroad experts at Gradstar to better identify and meet varying admission requirements.

3. Expenses and duration

he cost of studying abroad depends on various elements like course, country, and your lifestyle. However, the master’s program is considerably less expensive than an undergraduate degree because of the shorter duration.

Let’s see the cost of pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree abroad.
Bachelor’s abroad
As the undergraduate degree generally takes 3 years to complete in the UK and 4 years in the USA, the tuition fee and living expenses add up to be more than a master’s degree.

An undergraduate degree fee varies with courses, but to give you an idea:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or Commerce will cost you A$52,200 at Monash University, Australia.
• An undergraduate degree in Accounting, Business and Management, Economics, and Marketing costs £21,500 at Exeter University, UK.

Master’s abroad
The duration of a master’s degree varies as per the research scope and course. A full-time master’s is generally 1-2 years long, whereas a part-time master’s takes 2-4 years to complete.

Again, a master’s degree fee depends on your chosen course, but to give you an idea:

• For instance, a Graduate Certificate of Business course costs A$26,500 at Monash University, Australia, whereas Communication and Media studies cost A$40,600.
• At Exeter University, UK, an MSc in Business and Management costs £26,800 annually, and an MA in Media and Communication costs £22,500 annually.

To study abroad within your specific budgetary limits, trust our best study abroad experts at Gradstar, who deliver top-notch financing and foreign exchange services. And yes, you also get case-specific scholarship guidance with us. how to win a scholarship to your dream university)

4. Courses 

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees have different approaches and curricula. Let’s dive in both individually –
Bachelor’s abroad
A bachelor’s degree is a practical-focussed foundational program in your desired field. It gives international students like you a variety of courses/subjects to pick that aim to impart theoretical knowledge and practical exposure with limited research opportunities.

• For instance, the University of Arizona, USA, offers bachelor’s courses like Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science.
• At Yorkville University, Canada, you get courses like Bachelor of Interior Design and Bachelor of Creative Arts.

Master’s abroad
A master’s degree imparts more specialized and industry-specific knowledge. It is of two types–taught and research masters. Such master’s degrees often involve research, thesis, or project, so you have in-depth and holistic knowledge in your field.

• For instance, the University of Arizona, USA, offers master’s courses like MA in Art and Visual Culture Studies and Master’s of Business Administration.
• At Yorkville University Canada, you can pursue courses like Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.

Wish to decide upon a course while sorting its entry and admission requirements? We, at >Gradstar, will be beyond happy to help!

5. Career prospects

The career prospects in both bachelor’s and master’s vary widely. Let’s learn about them one by one –
Bachelor’s abroad
Bachelor’s degree sets the base in your desired field. This lacks core specialization, leading to securing basic and general positions at companies. You might need a master’s or work experience to secure a higher-level position at a decent company with attractive pay.
Master’s abroad
A master’s degree equips you with industry knowledge, making you an expert in the field even if you’re new to the industry. It offers networking opportunities with professionals and professors.

With a master’s degree, as an international student, you can capture leading management roles, research opportunities, and leadership roles at companies with lucrative packages.

Bonus: Discover how to stand out to employers with an international degree.

Wrapping Up

Being clear about the differences between Bachelor’s and Master’s abroad regarding structure, expenses, and future prospects is crucial for an international student as it helps you make an informed choice. So, keep this guide handy when deciding, as it’ll define your career and potential opportunities.

Need assistance in deciding? Our best study-abroad experts at Gradstar are here to back you up. We empower you with knowledge about the available bachelor’s and master’s course options based on your preferences, budget, academic background, and eligibility.

In addition, our services include visa assistance, accommodation support, health cover, and pre-departure support. So, let’s choose one together and kickstart your study abroad journey today. Don’t wait further; book a one-on-one session today!