As the job market in the UK becomes increasingly competitive, postgraduates are looking for an edge over the competition. According to the Higher Education Careers Service Unit, only 4 to 5 per cent of UK graduates who opt for a Master’s degree choose to do so abroad.

The European Higher Education Area enacted in March might do something to change that. The EHEA is designed to help establish a streamlined set of higher education standards across the UK and European mainland, which would make it easier for postgraduate students to move across boarders throughout Europe. Since tuition costs in mainland Europe are a fraction of comparable UK institutions, earning a Master’s abroad might be a good way to help cash-strapped graduates become more competitive.

The EHEA was initiated by the Council of Europe and will allow increased educational interaction between its 47 member countries. Increasingly students are utilising study abroad for their postgraduate work. Students are attracted to mainland universities because of the lower cost and other perks, like learning a new language. While having an international degree is not a guarantee of a job in the UK, some graduates have found that having an international background goes a long towards getting a job at an international corporation.