What’s your Master plan: Europe’s leading postgraduate providers

25 Apr 2017

“As knowledge increases, wonder deepens.” – Charles Morgan

With spring creeping over our sun-swept skies, students round the world have just one thing on their minds…

Graduation.

That’s right; the season of regal robes and mandatory mortar board-tossing bears heavy down upon us, and that means the global recruitment market is about to swell with recent graduates seeking meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities.

For recruiters worldwide, this presents a goldmine of opportunities to cash in on society’s rising talent and tomorrow’s leaders. They’ll be looking for the crème dela crème of these fresh-faced potential hires, the go-getters who made their mark on campus and who’re itching to carve names for themselves in their chosen fields.

“College recruiting is a smart, predictable, scalable way to bring talent into any organization,” says Tey Scott, Director of Talent Acquisition at LinkedIn. “Smart companies know they need to invest in early-in-career talent to compete in the long-term,” he explains. “In tech in particular, getting early-in-career technical talent in the door may be the difference between being able to scale their company fast enough to deliver on product road maps or not.”

But how do you ensure that you will be the most sought-after recruitment ‘talent’? Well, the most powerful thing you can do at this point is invest in a postgraduate education.

Image courtesy of Durham University

According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 32 percent of employers claim to be bumping up education requirements when it comes to brand-new hires. On top of this, 27 percent state they are now enlisting candidates who possess a Master’s qualification for positions that previously required undergraduate-level degrees.

The response from more than 2,300 hiring and human resources managers across a wide range of private sector industries revealed that requirements have been boosted across all company levels. In fact, 61 percent of graduate employers seek ‘more educated’ candidates at the mid-skill level, while 46 percent prefer better educated candidates for even the entry-level positions, while 43 percent think the same for more powerful company roles.

“Employers told CareerBuilder that higher education not only increases an applicant’s chance of getting hired, but helps boost the chance they’ll be promoted down the road,” FastCompany writes. “Thirty-six percent of employers reported that they would be unlikely to promote someone who doesn’t have a college degree.

“That’s because employers have seen education make a positive impact across the board,” the article concludes, “from employees’ ability to produce better quality work, to productivity and the ability to boost company loyalty.”

If you’re keen to start sketching your Master plan to career success, here are 5 of Europe’s leading postgraduate education providers; Schools that are dedicated to producing the most eye-catching graduate talent…

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI – FINLAND

Image courtesy of the University of Helsinki

The University of Helsinki is proud to be considered among the world’s Top 100 universities, consistently ranking as the Nordic region’s leading multidisciplinary institution. On top of enjoying a vibrant social life in Finland’s stunning capital, students here gain a wealth of opportunities to enrich their professional future, with Helsinki’s resounding reputation for excellence taking them anywhere around the globe.

“By studying with us you will get to participate in our top-notch research during your studies,” the institution notes. “The quality and amount of research is what makes the University of Helsinki stand out from the crowd. At the University of Helsinki all teachers participate in research, and some of our best scientists are also our best teachers.”

With more than 30 Master’s programmes delivered in the English language, postgraduate education at Helsinki offers a breadth and depth of study, allowing its culturally-rich student body to thrive in a complex global market. With a unique emphasis on career planning and an expansive network of graduate employers, Helsinki’s Master’s students are given every chance to triumph in a competitive graduate field.

UPPSALA UNIVERSITY – SWEDEN

As a world-leading and research-focused institution in the heart of Europe, Uppsala University considers itself a global platform for knowledge, culture and critical debate. With a heritage that spans way back to 1477, Uppsala boasts a long-standing reputation of prestige that gives graduates a competitive edge.

With more than 50 Master’s programmes covering over 80 specialisations, students here have the chance to build on existing knowledge and expertise regardless of their field of choice. The international application period for programmes commencing autumn 2017 was open from 17 October 2016 and closed on 16 January 2017. However, a number of programmes are open for late application.

Image courtesy of Uppsala University

“You have a good working knowledge of the English language,” the institution notes. “You are willing and able to express your thoughts in both written and oral form and expect to contribute as much to educational experience of others as you expect to learn from their experiences and knowledge,” the Faculty concludes.

“Choosing where and what to study is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life…[this is] what we are looking for in a Master’s student and, if you fit this profile, why Uppsala University should be at the top of your list.”

DURHAM UNIVERSITY – UK

Set in two distinct locations in the northeast of England, Durham University is home to a diverse population of 15,000 students, including 3,000 with international roots. With an incredible 90 percent record of student satisfaction, Durham continues to attract talented students from all four corners of the globe, with its rates of student involvement consistently ranking among the UK’s best.

As a notable Russell Group institution, postgraduate students here can rest assured they are learning from the very best. With a postgrad portfolio that covers a diverse range of subjects from Anthropology, to Earth Sciences, Engineering, Music, Theology, and everything in between, Durham students hone their technical, creative and professional expertise, significantly boosting their global employment prospects as they learn from some of the most influential representatives of their respective fields.

“During your time at Durham, you’ll be taught by world-leading academics who are acknowledged as experts in their fields and who are at the forefront of developments of their subject area,” the institution states.

“This is demonstrated not only through the research and teaching that they undertake, but also by the worldwide demand for their expertise.”

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST – UK

As another integral member of the respected Russell Group, Queen’s University Belfast is known to be a global centre of teaching excellence and innovative research. Paired with its status as the ninth oldest institution in the UK higher education system, Queen’s combines an international reputation for academic excellence with a life-changing student experience and a unique creative culture.

“A postgraduate qualification from Queen’s is a dedicated learning opportunity to improve your professional life,” the faculty website notes.

Image courtesy of Queen’s University Belfast

“Become a specialist, fulfil accreditation needs, progress into management or find the tools to start your own business. Whether you wish to update your knowledge or refresh your skills you will find our courses perfect for professional development,” the institution concludes.

Throughout the Queen’s University structure, dominant research academics collaborate across disciplines and with external agencies on projects with global magnitude. The university’s institutes reveal new and exciting horizons and opportunities, allowing scholars to make crucial progress in areas of global challenge. In fact, more than 75 percent of Queens’ research activity has been deemed either internationally-excellent or world-leading, positively impacting our global society and paving the way to a brighter world.

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN (KU LEUVEN) – BELGIUM

Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is one of Europe’s oldest and most renowned university settings. Today, the institution stands as Belgium’s largest and most highly-ranked institution, known for its elite education, collaboration with business and strong international focus. Considering these factors, KU Leuven is undoubtedly a place where students know they’re in good hands.

Offering high-quality, interdisciplinary programmes and powerful research, postgraduate education at Leuven serves as a sound foundation for success in virtually every professional endeavour. Providing English-taught Master’s programmes that cover one- or two-years of comprehensive graduate study, KU Leuven promises to give students a competitive edge as they enter the graduate sphere.

“Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries,” the institution explains.

“As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of international master’s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research.”

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International