Are you torn between pursuing your master’s degree abroad or in Uganda? This is the article for you.
The latest Open Doors 2024 Report shows that the number of international students in United States colleges has soared to 1.1 million for the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a 7% increase from 2022. Interestingly, Uganda is increasingly becoming a major sender of international students abroad, especially to the U.S. Last year, the number of Ugandan students in the U.S. spiked to 1,303, reflecting a rise of 19.8%.
However, while some people are attracted to foreign universities for prestige, others prefer local universities for comfort and practicality.
Now, let’s go through the pros and cons of each option to help you weigh and make an informed decision. First, here are a few reasons to consider pursuing your master’s degree abroad.
Opting for a master’s degree abroad can be a life-changing experience, full of benefits that go far beyond academics. Many students have found that studying abroad has led to unexpected opportunities, including forming lifelong partnerships or even landing jobs.
For instance in a 2008 article by New Vision, Dr. Ezra Suruma, the former Ugandan Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development shares that after earning his PhD in economics from the University of Connecticut in 1976, he did not return to Uganda right away. Instead, he stayed in the U.S. and took a teaching job in Florida until 1979.
Secondly, studying abroad gives you exposure to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking that employers need in today’s competitive global job market. That is why universities are becoming more international, creating partnerships with institutions around the world and exchange programs to expose students to cultures that are diverse. For instance, Uganda Christian University sent off eight students for an exchange semester under the Erasmus+ program on January 31, 2024. Four of the students studying Business will be heading to Sapienza University in Italy.
Furthermore, a degree from abroad can considerably lift your career opportunities, mostly for competitive fields such as business, engineering, and technology.
The World Economic Forum puts it this way: A recent study on the impact of mobility in Europe found that students who study abroad, particularly Erasmus students, have a significantly higher chance of employment after graduation. On average, Erasmus students are more likely to secure a job than 70% of their peers who did not study abroad.
Therefore, a degree from abroad might mean numerous lucrative job offers and the possibility of higher salary potential. This is why most Ugandans today aim to pursue their postgraduate studies abroad.
I believe that what opened mega career doors for Dr. Ezra Suruma, the former Ugandan Minister of Finance, was his Master’s degree in economics from Fordham University and his PhD. These qualifications led him to become the Director of Research at the Bank of Uganda, Chairman and Managing Director of Uganda Commercial Bank, Director of Economic Affairs for the National Resistance Movement, and Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, among others.
Also, when looking at universities abroad, it is important to go beyond the overall rankings into the institution’s subject-specific reputation. Look at how reputable is the university in your discipline. What industry connections does it have that will get you work as soon as possible? Every field, be it art and design, law, or even specialized courses like automotive engineering, has varying levels of institutions in terms of recognition.
For example, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, in the U.S. is known to produce some of the best engineers in the world. If you are passionate about engineering and are able to graduate from a very highly rated university such as MIT, then your degree will be very instrumental in securing employment for you. An employer will prefer you over another candidate when he finds out that you graduated from a well-rated university in your area of speciality.
Although studying in a foreign country fosters invaluable personal growth and makes one more attractive to potential employers, it has its hurdles, too.
The first reality is the financial burden that comes with it. So, before you head to a foreign country, it is important to understand the financial aspects of studying there because the fees tend to be higher for international students. Do not only look at the tuition fees but the living costs as well in terms of housing, food, health insurance, and transportation among others.
For example, according to a report by RG International published on January 21, 2025, the cost to study in the USA for international students ranges between $20,000 and $ 60,000 per year depending on the university.
While some universities offer partial scholarships to foreign students, many people still cannot afford the remaining tuition. Hamilton Mutebi, a teaching assistant at UCU, said that he was offered a partial scholarship by a university in China but still had to pay $25,000. Considering this, he opted to give up the scholarship and pursue his Master’s degree in Uganda which cost him less than $3,250 for the entire program.
On the other hand, the process of getting a student visa might prove to be very cumbersome due to the delays that come with it.
However, while studying abroad has its benefits, pursuing a master’s in Uganda has several advantages too.
First is affordability, education at the local level is much cheaper. Most master’s degrees in Uganda cost about not more than $3,250 for the entire study.
Secondly, Uganda offers an opportunity for learning that can be directly applied to local contexts and industry needs. Since research is an important part of a Master’s program, this means that upon completion, your skills will be highly relevant.
Also, studying in your country means you can take care of family and work commitments more easily. Staying close to home allows you to maintain your current lifestyle while pursuing your educational goals.
So there you have it. Choosing between going abroad for your master’s degree and doing it in Uganda is very personal and depends on your career aspirations, financial ability, and life circumstances.
By Irene Best Nyapendi
