Master's degrees abroad · ElsewhereNext

ELSEWHERENEXT

Rebuilding your career

01

First we talk about where you want to get in your career.

02

We compare programs that fit this goal, country by country.

03

We walk through the process together, from the statement of purpose to the student visa.

HOW TO APPLY

Where do you apply in each country?

Application systems at a glance. Tap a country for the details on its page.

USASeparately to each programmeA master's usually takes 2 years; an MBA takes 1 to 2 years.

United KingdomDirectly to the programmeThere is no limit on applications; many programmes take 1 year.

NetherlandsStudielinkAt least 1 year (60 ECTS), up to 2 years depending on the programme.

ItalyUniversitaly pre-enrolment and the universityThe laurea magistrale takes 2 years and is 120 ECTS.

SwitzerlandDirectly to the university1.5 to 2 years, 90 to 120 ECTS.

Swedenuniversityadmissions.seProgramme length depends on the institution.

FinlandStudyinfo.fiA master's at universities takes 2 years.

EstoniaThe system the programme usesFor most programmes the deadline is in March.

CzechiaDirectly to the schoolUsually takes 1 to 3 years.

HungaryDirectly to the schoolTakes 2 to 4 semesters.

PolandThe university's admissions officeTakes 1.5 to 2 years.

LithuaniaDirectly to the universityRequires 90 to 120 ECTS.

LatviaThe chosen universityProgrammes are 120 ECTS.

JapanTo the schoolYou usually need to find a faculty supervisor first; it takes 2 years.

AustraliaDirectly to the schoolTakes 1 to 2 years.

COUNTRIES

Which countries?

USAExample fee: $21,815 per semester

CanadaExample fee: C$9,139.78 per semester

United KingdomExample fee: £29,100 per year

IrelandExample fee: €24,355 per year

NetherlandsExample fee: €24,500 per year

BelgiumExample fee: €5,700 per year

FranceExample fee: €3,950 per year

SpainExample fee: €5,044.20 in total

GermanyExample fee: €369.50 per semester

AustriaExample fee: €726.72 per semester

SwitzerlandExample fee: CHF 2,190 per semester

ItalyExample fee: €3,943.04 per year

HungaryExample fee: €2,500 per semester

PolandExample fee: €2,800 per year

CzechiaExample fee: €7,100 per year

EstoniaExample fee: €3,500 per semester

LatviaExample fee: €3,400 per year

LithuaniaExample fee: €5,000 per year

Sweden

FinlandExample fee: €12,000 per year

DenmarkExample fee: €13,000 per year

JapanExample fee: ¥535,800 per year

AustraliaExample fee: A$56,800 per year

New ZealandExample fee: NZ$42,780 per year

TIMELINE

When should you start?

A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry, by country. Official date Our suggestion

October to November 2026
Draw up the program list, note each program's own deadline and prepare for IELTS.
2 December 2026
Example: Oxford Master of Public Policy (MPP) application deadline, 12:00. At Oxford, the deadline varies by program.
December 2026 to March 2027
Applications to other universities. Complete the reference letters and your statement of purpose.
13 May 2027
Example: application deadline for the Cambridge MPhil in Materials Science and Metallurgy and the MPhil in Biological Science (Biochemistry).
18 June 2027
The last application date Imperial College London recommends for master's applicants who need a Student visa. Many programs close earlier.
July to August 2027
Receive the CAS document and apply for the Student visa. You can apply at the earliest 6 months before the course.
1 October 2027
Example: start of the two Cambridge MPhil programs above.

EXAM CORNER

Which exams?

The exams most often asked for in applications. Each school decides which exam it asks for and with what score.

IELTS AcademicBritish Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Asked for as proof of English proficiency in bachelor's and master's applications abroad.

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes (Listening 30, Reading 60, Writing 60, Speaking 11 to 14 minutes). Speaking can be on a different day.
Score: Each section and the overall score are bands from 1 to 9; 0 means the exam was not taken.
Validity: 2 years from the exam date
Where: In Türkiye, at test centers on a computer in many cities including Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. In some countries there is an option to take IELTS Online from home.

Official website

TOEFL iBTETS

Universities abroad ask for it as proof of English proficiency in bachelor's and master's applications.

Duration: About 2 hours. The time can vary slightly because the reading and listening sections are adaptive.
Score: Since 21 January 2026, each section and the total are scored from 1 to 6, in half-point steps. For two years after January 2026, an equivalent score from 0 to 120 is also given.
Validity: 2 years from the exam date
Where: On a computer at a test center or at home (TOEFL iBT Home Edition, with a live proctor).

Official website

GRE General TestETS

Some master's, business and law programs ask for it in applications.

Duration: About 1 hour 58 minutes (Analytical Writing 30 minutes, two Verbal and two Quantitative sections)
Validity: 5 years
Where: At a test center or at home; the home exam is open every day of the week, at any hour of the day.
Fee: $249 for Türkiye, excluding taxes (from 1 August 2026)

Official website

GMATGMAC

Some master's programs in business (MBA and similar) ask for it in applications.

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes and an optional 10-minute break. Three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, 45 minutes each.
Score: Total from 205 to 805; each section from 60 to 90
Validity: 5 years from the exam date
Where: At a test center or online (from home)

Official website

FIRST, FIND OUT YOUR LEVEL

A short test before you choose an exam

A 40-question online English test. We send you your estimated level within 24 hours, then we talk about which exam to prepare for and for how long.

Start the test

FIELDS OF STUDY

What do you want to study?

For 251 subjects we explain what you study, first year courses, length by country and what graduates do.

All fields of study My Place test

251subjects

199schools

1543checked programmes

26countries

OUR STUDENTS SAY

In their words

He didn't only tell me about the nice possibilities; we talked honestly about the pros and cons of each option. This is my second year in Berlin. I'd recommend building a strong network at school.

AzraUniversity of Europe for Applied Sciences, Germany

Our plan changed a few times during the application. Last minute changes at the previous school put us in a difficult spot. My wife and my 3 children are here with me, too. Berkay quickly looked at the alternatives and brought us here step by step. We have now been in Vancouver for 6 months.

MehmetUniversity of Niagara Falls Canada, Canada

Berkay has a lot of energy; our meetings were always productive. He answered questions openly, and when he didn't know something, he looked into it and came back to me. I especially appreciated that honesty.

BuseMacromedia University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Talking to Berkay was very easy; from the first meeting it felt like we had known each other for a long time. He explained the process clearly, without dragging it out. His energy is contagious.

HalimeNABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, Italy

Friendly, but serious and clear when it matters.

GamzeGISMA University of Applied Sciences, Germany

When something we had planned changed, Berkay drew up a new route right away. Instead of panic, he offers options.

BurakUniversity of Southern Denmark, Denmark

CALENDAR

Upcoming dates

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ELSEWHERENEXT FAQ

Frequently asked questions

All questions

What should our grade average be for a master's?

UCL gives the Türkiye equivalent of a 2:1 degree in the United Kingdom as 3.0 out of 4 or 75%. For programs that ask for a 2:2, UCL's Türkiye equivalent is 2.7 out of 4 or 70%. The University of Edinburgh asks for 2.8 out of 4 or 75% for a 2:1; the threshold for the same degree can vary from school to school.

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Is work experience required for an MBA?

The Oxford Saïd MBA asks for at least two years of full-time work experience and expects it to be shown on a one-page résumé. For the Cambridge Judge MBA too, at least two years of full-time experience must be completed by the date the program starts. Both schools ask for a GMAT or GRE result; Oxford expects two references, and Cambridge expects a reference from a manager.

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Does a master's take one year or two?

In the United Kingdom, many master's programs are completed in one year. In the Netherlands, at research universities the length is at least one year; in engineering, mathematics and natural sciences it is two years. In Estonia, a master's is between 60 and 120 ECTS and as a rule takes two years.

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Can we apply for a master's before the bachelor's is finished?

A student who has completed at least two thirds of the bachelor's credits can apply to the physics master's at Freie Universität Berlin. The diploma document must be submitted before the end of the first semester of the master's. UCL gives a conditional offer based on the diploma; for the start on 28 September 2026, it asked for documents to be uploaded by 11 September 2026.

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How many universities can we apply to for a master's in the United Kingdom?

There is no limit on the number for postgraduate applications; applications are generally not made through UCAS but through each university's own system. Some programs have more than one start term per year.

United Kingdom page ElsewhereCampus Ask your question on WhatsApp

JOURNEY

How do we work?

Eight steps, from the first meeting to the first week after the student arrives.

1
First meeting
We listen first. We do not talk about schools before we understand the student's interests, goals and the family's expectations.
2
Roadmap
After setting the goal, we draw the path to it. We share country, field of study and school options with you, together with why we suggest each one.
3
Budget plan
We put the paths that lead to the same goal with different budgets side by side. We make clear from the start which payment is due when.
4
Exams and documents
We build the calendar of exams the schools ask for and prepare the documents step by step.
5
Applications
We prepare the file each school asks for in full and complete the applications according to each school's own calendar. We regularly share with you which document was sent to which school and when.
6
Decision
When acceptances arrive, we put the options side by side and make the final decision together, keeping the student's goal in mind.
7
Orientation
Orientation starts with the acceptance. We prepare the student for the new city, the school culture and the first weeks. Depending on your package, visa, accommodation and travel planning are also part of this stage.
8
After arrival
The first mornings in a new city feel a little strange. At the end of the first week, we have a meeting with our student: classes, housing, new friends, suggestions.

YOUR CONSULTANT

Berkay Yılmaz

Founder

Berkay Yılmaz, the founder of Elsewhere Academics, has been doing study abroad consulting for more than 20 countries since 2022. He founded Elsewhere because he believes every student who goes abroad is a spark.

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