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Can you tell me what other countries I can consider for studying after completing my master's degree besides New Zealand and Australia in Canada/Germany for a Postgraduate?

04 Sept 2026 · Answered by Pushplata Gaddmwar · 2 min read
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Beyond New Zealand and Australia, strong postgraduate options include the UK, with a 1-year master's and a 2-year Graduate Route visa, Ireland's 2-year Third Level Graduate Scheme, the Netherlands' 1-year orientation visa, France's 1-year APS, and the USA, where STEM graduates get up to 3 years of OPT.

Pushplata Gaddmwar
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If New Zealand and Australia are not your only options, your postgraduate degree can also take you to the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, or the USA, each offering a different mix of program length and post-study work rights. Your choice should follow how fast you want to finish and how long you want to stay and work afterward.

Postgraduate Countries And Their Post-Study Work Visas

CountryTypical DurationPost-Study Work VisaPrimary Advantage
United Kingdom1 year2 years (Graduate Route)Quick completion and global prestige
Ireland1 year2 years (Third Level Graduate Scheme)English-speaking EU hub for tech and pharma
Netherlands1 to 2 years1 year (Orientation Year, zoekjaar)English-taught programs, strong innovation sector
France1 to 2 years1 year (APS visa)Affordable tuition, elite business schools
United States1.5 to 2 years1 to 3 years (OPT, with STEM extension)Unmatched research funding and salaries

Matching The Country To Your Priority

  • Pick the UK or Ireland if speed and English-only living matter most to you.
  • Pick the Netherlands if you want an English-taught program inside a highly innovative economy.
  • Pick France if budget-friendly tuition and elite business schools are your priority.
  • Pick the USA if you want the longest possible post-study work runway through a STEM-designated program.

My Advice

Rank these five countries by your two must-haves, program length and post-study work duration, before you look at any single university, because that ranking alone will eliminate half your list and save you weeks of research on programs you were never going to choose anyway.

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