I'm looking at the possibility of going to grad school in Australia. I'm looking for information from other Americans who may have done the same thing. 1. How hard was the admissions process? 2. I've been seeing that there's 2 types of masters degrees: one by coursework, one by research. Any info on that would be helpful. 3. How difficult was it adjusting to Australian life? 4. Anything else you might think is pertinent? Thanks!
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
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1 :
1&2. Would depend on what you are studying and the school you are applying to. I didn't find it any harder or much different than applications here in the US. You will need to provide some medical info though and get a student visa of course. 3. Absolutely not a problem - Australians are great!
2 :
The difference between the two types of master's degrees is as follows: 1. By coursework: you take courses and sit exams, and there may be some assignments, but no real research component. It's a bit like undergraduate work, just at a higher level - sometimes not even that. Sometimes the courses you do will in fact be undergraduate courses rehashed for the master's. Depends on the course you are considering. 2. By research: as the name implies, you do no courses at all ( unless you are missing a prerequisite for your research topic), but you have to do a literature review for your research topic and then do the research. It often prepares you for the PhD. Many go on to do that PhD, some even before completing the master's. 3. This is the most important difference: a master's by coursework is not as highly regarded as by research. It is considered more as a professional continuing education type course. If you are considering a Ph.D, you should take the master's by research. Hope this helps.
