Degree first, job next

Dear Sir,

I want to pursue an MBBS degree in Russia. What is your opinion of Stavropol State Medical University? Could you suggest names of other universities in Russia?

Laxmikanth Wali

Dear Laxmikanth,

Over the last few years, Russia has opened up its education sector to foreign students in a big way, medical education in particular. Keep in mind that there will be a lot of re-orientation and adjustment involved if you try to work in India after the course. The main attraction of a degree in Russia is its cost of education, which is comparatively low. Tuition fees a year comes close to 1.5 to 2 lakh rupees on an average. Duration of a basic medical degree, (MD) which is equivalent to an MBBS in India, is six years. With this degree, you are eligible to appear for a screen test conducted by the National Board of Examinations, on behalf of the Medical Council of India (MCI), to register with the council. The other known universities in Russia are Volgograd State, Kursk State and Kazan State Medical universities. For further information, visit: www.educationrussia.org, [e-mail] and [e-mail], www.rcsc.org.in

Dear Sir,

I have been working as a system engineer for a multi-national company for two years. I completed my engineering degree in 2007. I am interested in studying computer networking in the UK and I hope to join a college by September 2011. Kindly recommend the names of universities that offer this course. Should I give the IELTS test? What are the job opportunities in the UK?

Satish Kumar

Dear Satish Kumar,

To study in the UK, you HAVE to give the IELTS test (www.ielts.org, www.britishcouncil.org) to show your proficiency in English. Some of the top universities in the UK include: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University College of London, Kings College of London, Universities of Bristol, Warwick, Nottingham, Glasgow, Southampton, etc. Admission solely depends on the criteria fixed by the specific university. You can check these details out under each of these websites: www.educationuk-in.org, www.ucas.ac.uk. At present, the job market is very unpredictable in the UK, but the situation could improve over the next few years.

Dear Sir,

I completed a Bachelor’s degree in law in 2002, with 59%. Would it be a good idea to follow it up with a Master’s degree in law from the UK? What are the requisites?

Arathi

Dear Arathi,

You have not indicated what you have been doing for the past 8 years, after completing your degree. It may not have much relevance with regard to your Master’s programme but will influence your admission process. Your qualification is equal to a higher second class honours degree in the UK. All you have to do is prepare for the IELTS (www.ielts.com) and aim for a score of at least 6.5.
Be sure of your specialisation — human rights law, international law, international business law, commercial tax law, environment law, IT/ telecom law, criminal justice law, medical & healthcare law, medical ethics law, shipping law, media law, sports law, intellectual property rights law, society law, real estate property & conveyancing law, energy & environmental law. Law schools in the UK include university of London, Kings College, City College and the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow, Nottingham, Warwick, Aberdeen, etc.

Dear Sir,

I am pursuing my engineering degree in Information Science and have an aggregate of 55%. I want to do Master’s in web programming in the UK. What are my chances of getting admitted to a good university for web programming? Could you also suggest the names of a few colleges that offer the course in the UK?

Namratha

Dear Namratha,

Admission to a Master’s programme in the UK is highly competitive and requires high academic scores. Although you have a good score, in a competitive academic scenario in the UK, you may have to strive harder to be admitted to a well-known college. Since you are in your final year of engineering, work hard to improve your performance. Supplement it with good recommendation letters from your professors and a powerful statement of purpose (SOP). Some of the top universities in UK that offer this course include the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University College of London, Kings College of London, universities of Bristol, Warwick, Nottingham, Glasgow, Southampton, etc. Admission solely depends on the criteria fixed by the specific university. You can check the criteria in the university website or the educational websites: www.educationuk-in.org, www.ucas.ac.uk. At present, the job market is very unpredictable in the UK, but the situation could improve over the next few years.

The author is the Director of Banjara Academy. Send your queries to: Studying Abroad, DH Education, Deccan Herald, # 75,MG Road, Bangalore-560001, or email us at: [e-mail]