International rankings are a starting point, not an answer. A very highly ranked university can be the wrong choice for your project, and the reverse is just as true.
Check the accreditation first
It is the one non-negotiable criterion. A programme that is not accredited in its own country will not be recognised when you come back. Higher education ministries all publish official lists.
Look at the programme, not the name
Compare the course structure, the contact hours, the share of projects and internships. Two master’s degrees with identical titles can cover very different content.
The criteria that really matter
- Graduate employment rate
- Network of partner companies and built-in internships
- Services for international students: housing, tutoring, visa
- Cohort size and how reachable the teaching staff are
Apply to several institutions
The rule we apply with our students: one ambitious application, two realistic ones, one safety choice. Admission calendars differ by country, so they have to be tracked in parallel.
If you are torn between several institutions, an adviser can compare the programmes with you and verify each accreditation.
Thinking about a project abroad?
An adviser will call you back and build your project with you, step by step.
