Top MS destinations include the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and India, each with varying admissions requirements. While specific requirements vary across universities and countries, certain eligibility criteria are universally applicable. Below is a summary of the fundamental prerequisites:
| MS Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Academic Eligibility | Candidates should possess a relevant Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. |
| Exam Scores | Candidates should present their scores in exams like GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS wherever necessary. |
| Work Experience | Candidates should have some prior work experience to be considered for admission. |
| Documents | · Online application form copy
· Photocopy of the test scores like GRE, TOEFL, TSE · A resume · Financial documents (if required) · Letters of Recommendation · Statement of purpose (SOP) |
| Age Requirements | No specification |
Eligibility Criteria listed by top MS Universities Abroad
Planning to pursue your Master of Science degree abroad? Here is some information that you need to enroll in an MS degree in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
USA
| Top Universities | QS Global Ranking
(as in 2025) |
MS Eligibility Criteria (Overall)
(Some universities may have their own score requirements) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #1
|
· Candidates should have completed a UG degree in a relevant discipline.
· Candidates have to qualify for the GRE and IELTS/TOEFL. · Academic transcripts, LoRs, and essays or statements of purpose are required. |
| Harvard University | #4 | |
| Stanford University | #6 | |
| California Institute of Technology | #10 | |
| Princeton University | #22 |
UK
| Top Universities | QS Global Ranking
(as in 2025) |
MS Eligibility Criteria (Overall)
(Some universities may have their own score requirements) |
| Imperial College London | #2 | · Candidates should have completed a UG degree in a relevant discipline.
· Some universities have the provision for their own pre-master program to prepare candidates who do not fulfill the criteria. · IELTS is required; the GRE is not mandatory for most programs for most universities. · Candidates should have a strong academic profile, including internships, papers, projects, etc. · Students require a student visa known as a Tier 4 (General) Visa. |
| University of Oxford | #3 | |
| University of Cambridge | #5 | |
| The University of Edinburgh | #27 | |
| The University of Warwick
|
#69 |
Canada
| Top Universities | QS Global Ranking
(as in 2025) |
MS Eligibility Criteria (Overall)
(Some universities may have their score requirements) |
| University of Toronto | #25 | · TOEFL and IELTS scores are needed. Top universities prefer TOEFL scores between 90-100 and IELTS scores of 7.5.
· All universities may not require a GRE. · Candidates willing to stay in Canada for more than 6 months for study purposes may require a student’s permit. · A Temporary Resident Visa is required for the duration of the course. |
| McGill University | #29 | |
| University of British Columbia | #38 | |
| University of Montreal | #159 | |
| University of Ottawa | #189 |
Australia
| Top Universities | QS Global Ranking
(as in 2025) |
MS Eligibility Criteria (Overall)
(Some universities may have their score requirements) |
| The University of Melbourne | #13 | · 3-4 year UG degree from a recognized institution.
· IELTS score is required; the GRE is not required in most universities. · Students should have a strong academic profile including projects, papers, and internships. · Candidates should apply for a student visa (Subclass 500). · Candidates should submit scanned copies of all their documents and an Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment for each application. · A GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) certificate is required to confirm the applicant’s intent to stay in Australia temporarily. |
| The University of Sydney | #18 | |
| The University of New South Wales | #19 | |
| The University of Queensland | #40 | |
| University of Technology, Sydney | #88 |
Germany
| Top Universities | QS Global Ranking
(as in 2025) |
MS Eligibility Criteria (Overall)
(Some universities may have their own score requirements) |
| Technical University of Munich | #28 | · Students should hold a bachelor’s degree in the required discipline.
· Some universities require students to have two years of work experience. · Most universities demand GRE or GMAT scores. · Tests to prove eligibility in English and German languages. |
| Heidelberg University – Germany | #84 | |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | #102 | |
| Technical University of Berlin | #147 | |
| Hamburg University of Technology | #191 |
Some Trending MS Courses to Specialize In
| Specialization | Career Opportunities |
| Artificial Intelligence | NLP Engineer, AI Consultant, Data Scientist, ML Engineering, AI Research Scientist |
| Marketing | Public Relations Specialist, Market Research Analyst, Brand Strategist, Digital Marketing Strategist, Social Media Manager |
| Data Analysis | Data Analyst, Data Analytical Manager or Director, Chief Data Officer, Data Analyst Consultant |
| Applied Science | Research Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Biotechnologist, Medical Scientist, Business and Management Analyst |
MS Entrance Examinations Abroad
Candidates have to appear for a number of standardized tests (as required by the universities) to seek admission into the MS programs in different countries.
| Test Name | Purpose | When to Take the Test | Application Fees |
| GRE | Measuring a student’s aptitude in mathematics, analytical writing, and vocabulary. | One can take the GRE test once every 21 days up to five times within one year. | GRE general test: 22,550 INR
GRE subject test: 14,500 INR
|
| IELTS | Assessing English language proficiency. | Online – All year round.
Offline – There are 48 fixed dates in a year (4 dates each month). |
17,000 INR |
| TOEFL | Assessing English language proficiency. | Exams are conducted all year round; choose a test slot 2-3 months before your earliest application deadline. | Registration fees: 16,900 INR |
Candidates willing to study in Germany have to appear for TestDaf to prove their proficiency in the German language.
The TestDaf exam is conducted in the Goethe-Institut located across various cities in India like Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and Pune. The exam fee for the paper-based exam is 110,00 € (9,806.38 INR) and that for the digital exam is 105,00 € (9,293.02 INR).
MS from Abroad vs. MS from India
| Parameter | MS from Abroad | MS from India |
| Global Networking Opportunities | Candidates get ample opportunities for international networking, global exposure, and diverse peers. | There may be limited scope for international exposure. |
| Education Quality | An MS abroad has a curriculum that offers a wide understanding of the global market. Knowledge acquired is also practical and application-based. | The education offered by the Indian course curriculum caters mainly to the Indian market. Candidates are given more theoretical knowledge. |
| Work Opportunities | When you pursue an MS from abroad, your chances of working abroad are higher | Only extraordinary students, or students who graduate from top-tier universities, get the chance to work abroad. |
Scope of MS from Abroad
Graduates with an MS from reputed institutions abroad often find opportunities with top global companies due to the international recognition of their qualifications.
Higher Employability:
An MS abroad improves job prospects with leading companies working in different fields. A few of them are stated below:
Finance companies: American Express, HSBC, Wells Fargo Bank, etc.
Pharmaceuticals: Pfizer, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Roche, etc.
IT companies: Microsoft, Google, Deloitte, TCS, Accenture, etc.
Global Job Market:
Many graduates secure roles in countries with strong economies and higher pay scales, leveraging their specialized skills and international experience.
Popular Fields:
High-demand areas include data science, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and international business management, which align with roles at top companies.
Career Growth:
Master’s degrees in STEM and management fields often lead to leadership positions, including roles like International Marketing Director and Data Science Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to study MS abroad for free?
To study MS abroad for free, candidates need to apply for scholarships and grants. There are a number of organizations that help international students with their tuition fees and cost of living.
How many years of MS in the USA?
MS in the USA is a two-year degree program. The USA is a popular choice for candidates who are willing to study MS abroad.
Is MS better in India or the USA?
Aspiring candidates often consider MS in the USA better than MS in India because of the international exposure that it gives to the candidates. Not only this, but candidates also enjoy a higher earning potential after completing their MS in the USA.
Which exam is best for MS abroad?
It is entirely at a university’s discretion which exam scores it will accept while admitting students to MS programs. Some popular exams include IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc.
Is the GRE compulsory for MS in Australia?
No, the GRE is not compulsory for a Master’s degree in Australia.
Planning to study abroad?
Get free 1-on-1 counselling with our experts
