Studying abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I take graduate courses at institutions that do not have an agreement with Universidad ORT Uruguay?

  Yes. Since Universidad ORT Uruguay is Universidad ORT Uruguay officially recognized institution of higher education, graduates of its undergraduate programs may be admitted to a graduate program at any institution, without the need for specific agreements with the foreign institution.

  Most university graduates who have completed or are currently pursuing graduate studies abroad chose institutions with which we do not have agreements.

  This has happened, among other reasons, because there are many other important factors involved in the decision besides the agreements (for example, the language of instruction, the geographical location, the field of study, the focus of the graduate program, specific aspects of the chosen institution, and whether friends or family members live near the institution, among others).

• What benefits do these agreements offer me?

  These agreements facilitate collaborative activities between the institutions.

  As for students and graduates, agreements regarding graduate programs generally limit themselves to designating points of contact at the institutions to resolve any issues that may arise during the admission or student exchange process.

  In some cases, the agreements outline detailed procedures for credit transfer or tuition reductions.

  The existence of the agreement means that some form of collaboration has taken place or is currently underway, and that there is a personal connection at the other institution.

• Do these agreements guarantee me automatic admission to a graduate program?

  No. Agreements never guarantee a student’s admission to a graduate program when the chosen institution has a selective admissions process.

  Admission is based on each university's criteria and depends on each student's individual qualifications (such as their GRE and TOEFL scores, GPA, and other factors) rather than on their previous institution.

  Universidad ORT Uruguay the same criteria when admitting international students to its graduate programs.

• What criteria should I use when choosing a school for graduate studies?

  In general, you should first consider your goals and constraints (for example, your desired field of study and the leading institutions in that field; your preferred country or city, or where an international scholarship program can cover your tuition and living expenses; the languages you speak; and whether you have friends or family near the institution), and within those parameters, determine which institution and program of study are best suited to help you achieve your goals.

• Are university systems similar abroad?

  There are significant differences between university systems in different countries and in the availability of scholarships for graduate studies.

• Which organizations offer scholarships for graduate studies abroad?

  It is not possible to provide a complete list, but you should check with the following organizations: AECID (Spain), the British Council (United Kingdom), DAAD (Germany), the Fulbright Commission (United States), or the embassy of your destination country.

  In very rare cases, an outstanding student may be able to secure some form of scholarship or financial aid directly from the host university.

  In general, this is only recommended for students with an excellent GPA and a perfect command of the language of the host country.

• Will I be able to work and study for a postgraduate degree abroad at the same time?

  Most likely, you won't be able to, especially at top-tier institutions.

  Your class schedule, the workload expected of a graduate student, and the way the institution operates (such as administrative hours or the hours of the labs and libraries) won’t allow it.

  A few institutions offer short-term evening graduate programs (one year or less), but these are the exception rather than the rule.

  Legal considerations must also be taken into account: student visas typically do not allow for paid work in many countries.