TNN | Posted June 24, 2013 12:08 AM
Looking for opportunities to study for Master’s or doctoral degrees in science and technology? Students have a range of options to choose from if they target universities abroad. The option to
US is a popular choice, primarily because it offers a wider selection of fields of study, more specialisation areas, a proactive curriculum and more scholarships and other forms of financial aid.
The US has larger number of universities teaching science subjects, which Indian students aspire for. For instance, a computer science or engineering graduate may wish to look at artificial intelligence or robotics as a major field of study, while a pharmacy student may seek to specialise in pharmacognosy or pharmacokinetics.
Study options in astrophysics, aerospace engineering, cosmology, virology, gerontology, epidemiology, and immunology are among popular choices in the US. Often American universities offer integrated Master’s-PhD combined degree programmes that ensure seamless entry and quick completion of the highest degree objective for the Indian student.
US universities need applicants to take the
Three-year Bachelor degrees are considered on par with four-year American undergraduate degrees if they are earned from NAAC grade ‘A’ universities in India, and the student has secured a second division at least. Some good universities to study science include
Several countries in the European Union boast of good universities that teach sciences at the Master’s level and beyond. For instance, polymer science, marine biology, wireless communication and naval architecture are interesting options available in universities in Denmark and Sweden. Structural engineering is researched in Dutch universities, while biological sciences in its entire and varied domain is researched and taught at an exemplary level in Germany and France. Italian universities teach transportation design and automotive engineering at a superior level of technical and aesthetic performance. The
Scholarships are not as plentiful but some scholarships, like Erasmus Mundus for non-EU citizens, are available to Indian students. Living expenses are higher than that in North America. However, the renewable residence permit, valid for all Schengen states, is generally available to students within six months of their arrival in any EU country. Some reputed universities for study of science in EU are
Institutions in the UK like
Ireland,too, has a strong focus on science and institutes provide a variety of courses from BSc in Equine Science to MSc in Cognitive Science.
Singapore, being closer home is a viable choice for higher education. The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University offer postgraduate programmes in science stream. Selection is stringent as many Singaporeans are high achievers and prefer to study in their own country. Scholarships are few but research grants are available for those who qualify.
Australia is offering research positions in biological sciences and students with prior research
experience or published research papers may apply. University of Melbourne is strong in research. Food science, nutrition & dairy technology are popular fields.