QS Best Student Cities ranking: 118^th

Founded in 1854, this stunning green city is new to the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, entering the table in 118^th place. With the backdrop of the gorgeous Zailiysky Alatau mountain, situated in the south-eastern part of Kazakhstan, Almaty is the perfect place for students looking for a picturesque city to study in.

Almaty has five world leading universities included within it, all featuring in the most recent QS World University Rankings®. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University ranks the highest of all Kazakhstan’s universities in 207^th place worldwide.

In the Best Student Cities ranking, Almaty scores highest for the ‘employer activity’ indicator, reflecting the excellent reputation of degrees obtained from Almaty’s universities.

With its name literally translating from Kazakh as “grown with apple trees”, Almaty was initially known for its apple trade, and even today Almaty is a major industrial center, with one third of its output still coming from the food industry.

It therefore shouldn’t surprise you that Almaty has a wide range of different culinary options available, and there are restaurants and cafes on every corner! In the city you can find any style or type of food that you crave, from Indian to Russian.

If you fancy a taste of the traditional Kazakh cuisine, head over to one of the local restaurants and try the popular dish, ‘beshbarmak’ (a mix of boiled meat, noodles and soup) Alternatively, pick up a tasty kabab on Kirov Street and soak in the culture of the city while you eat. Either way, if you’re a foodie, Almaty is the perfect place for you!

After lectures you can go for a hike in the gorgeous natural areas surrounding Almaty. With routes for beginners, as well as for more experienced hikers, students with any level of experience can enjoy the stunning backdrop of the city.

In the winter the mountains convert to glorious ski slopes – a perfect opportunity to rent some ski equipment and whizz down those slopes, heading into the city for a bit of après ski in one of the many bars in the area.

If skiing isn’t for you, Almaty has many other attractions, including a zoo, several stadiums (which host a variety of concerts and sport games throughout the year) and botanical gardens, meaning you’ll always be able to find something exciting to do.

Have you studied in Almaty? Share your experience.

Internationally ranked universities in Almaty

More about Almaty

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 120th

Although Minsk may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of studying abroad, as the capital of Belarus, it has a lot to offer.  Situated on the Syishlach and Niamiha rivers, this picturesque city is the financial, commercial and transportation hub of the Republic of Belarus. With this in mind, it is easy to see why the city achieves its highest ranking in the employer activity indicator, ranking 84th overall worldwide, suggesting that Minsk graduates are highly sought after by employers. 

Minsk has two universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings®; Belarus State University and Belarusian National Technical University. Belarus State University is a leading innovative, educational and scientific institution with a strong focus on research, located in the center of the city.

Belarusian National Technical University is one of the leading technical universities in Belarus, which according to their website provides students with a combination of “classical university traditions with modern approaches and technologies”, giving students a well-rounded approach to their education.

Bustling with museums and restaurants, there is plenty to do when studying is done for the day. Marvel at the impressive architecture dotted around the city and try the traditional local cuisine or opt for a more westernized meal, with Italian and French restaurants becoming increasingly popular throughout the city. There are plenty of museums available for those interested in Minsk’s rich history as a former communist country to explore, as well as art galleries for those interested in the city’s more creative elements.

Is Minsk the city for you? Tell us why.

Internationally ranked universities in Minsk

More about Minsk

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

Sponsored by University College Cork

Universities are taking it upon themselves to ensure the crossover between education and employment is as smooth and viable as possible, especially when it comes to the humanities and the arts. Although employment in these industries is active, they’re also becoming increasingly competitive to get into. 

So, what’s next for humanities graduates, and what are universities doing to help tackle this particular issue? Fortunately, through the innovation of a ‘Connected Curriculum’ at the University College Cork, the arts and humanities are receiving heavy attention.

Located in a city which prides itself on its enthusiasm for art and culture and is home to the Glucksman (UCC’s award-winning on campus gallery), we spoke with Dr Mary Kelly, Lecturer in Contemporary Art History, Theory and Gallery Studies at University College Cork. She talked to us about the new MA in Global Gallery Studies, and how it aims to enhance students’ employability prospects.

So, what is the MA in Global Gallery Studies? And what can students expect to learn?

“The MA in Global Gallery Studies curriculum was developed and is run by expert practitioners in collaboration with national and international industry.

“Students engage with various theoretical modules including an introduction to global gallery studies, art history for curators and digital arts and humanities, as well as practice-based modules including cutting-edge learning experiences with the Glucksman, fieldwork in international galleries and a project-led internship with a prominent fine art gallery in Ireland or internationally.

“The MA has a specialization in global art and gallery studies with a genuine global emphasis. The taught and applied interdisciplinary elements of the MA not only engage with Irish, European and American gallery practices, but also focus on recent state-of-the-art gallery spaces and practices in non-western countries.

“We explore the term ‘global’ both theoretically and geographically. Through these lenses, we pursue a deep investigation of art, art institutions, and various gallery practices from around the world.”

What was the motivation behind creating this new MA?

“At the heart of the MA is a profound belief that, in order to foster well-rounded graduates who are work-ready and globally aware, we must work side-by-side with industry.

“The MA is designed to prepare students for their future careers in the gallery industry—combining academic learning with professional and field-based practice in order to develop deep knowledge about the sector.

“We also facilitate valuable networking opportunities for our students with industry both nationally and internationally.”

What is a typical fieldwork experience on the MA in Global Gallery Studies?

“In January 2017 and February 2018, I led 26 History of Art students from UCC to the United Arab Emirates for the purpose of conducting fieldwork in important art and cultural institutions.

“Exhibition viewings, artist and curatorial talks, and seminars delivered by leading scholars, gallery directors, art collectors and policy makers in the field were central to the learning experience.

“Galleries in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah acted as key spaces for teaching and learning where the students were pushed beyond their educational and cultural comfort zones and tasked with locating the ‘borders’ of understanding between the local and global in modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art and gallery practices.

“This valuable international group fieldwork experience is part of a fully funded formal module on the MA in Global Gallery Studies where we travel to a different country each year.”

In what ways does the MA in Global Gallery Studies respond to the demands of a competitive employment market?

“Our approach nurtures an employable graduate who utilizes the academic knowledge gained in order to produce a meaningful, real-life project in collaboration with industry via their internship.

“Our students also have the opportunity to not only learn in the classroom environment, but also to visit important international galleries, build new networks, and learn state-of-the-art knowledge from leading international galleries and cultural experts.

“Furthermore, over 90 percent of most fine art collections are held in storage. Therefore, employers in the sector are seeking gallery professionals with skills in digital arts and humanities for the purpose of developing internal digitization projects. Training in digital arts and humanities is also included in the MA in Global Gallery Studies curriculum.”

What particular skills and knowledge will students be able to take with them into the workplace?

“Students will have an advanced ability to understand and write about visual material as well as complex issues in the gallery space.

“They will possess an understanding of professional practice, select legal frameworks and ethical standards in gallery practices.

“All students will have experience in the gallery space, and, depending on their internship, this might include curation support, educational support, research and more. Their transferable skills include innovative creativity; research and analytical skills; written and verbal skills; experience in project and time management as well as team collaboration; presentation skills; problem solving, and enhanced interpersonal skills and independent thinking.”

How does this MA prepare students for their future careers?

“We move our students beyond the lecture theater in order to teach them what it is like to be a professional in the gallery sector, and how to be a professional in the gallery sector.

“Exposing students to active projects through their internships and fieldwork, as well as object-based teaching and learning and innovative assessment techniques enhances the student’s transferable skills and subject knowledge.”

What you can do next

Possible careers awaiting you include everything from curation, archive digitization (gallery website content creation, maintenance and development, including social media integration) and global outreach, to gallery consultancy or specializing and working as an artist advisor.

With the right experience, skills and qualifications, it’s absolutely possible to find a career that’s perfectly suited for you and your interests.

To find out more about the MA in Global Gallery Studies, please contact Dr Mary Kelly, Program Director via email: mary.kelly@ucc.ie

Lead image: History of Art Students from UCC at Sharjah Art Museum, UAE, January 2017. Artwork: Kaz Shirane, Light Origami, 2015. Photo: Barry Pierce.

As told to Jenny Scott Russell – Local Leo

The idea of studying in Australia can seem pretty daunting. It’s on the other side of the world and it’s a huge country, so there are a lot of unknowns. But in 2016, my friend Grace decided to give it a go, relocating to Perth to study Economics and Politics at the University of Western Australia. She was gone for six months and when she returned, I remember thinking two things. The first was ‘wow, her tan is amazing’ and the second, slightly more relevant thought being ‘I wonder what she wished she’d known before studying in Australia’.

A few years down the line and I have had the opportunity to interview Grace with the aim of gathering advice for people soon to study abroad in Australia. So, here are 14 things to know before studying in Australia…

1. There’s a *lot* of space

The first major difference I noticed when arriving in Australia is that there’s a lot of space, as it’s such a big country! I recommend going on as many trips as possible to explore as much as you can as there is so much to see. The roads are wide and buildings are built out, not up, and generally it feels like there are a lot less people.

2. University life feels very relaxed

In Australia university is structured very differently, there’s far less contact time with lecturers. There’s also a lot of flexibility around module choices and retaking exams so university felt quite relaxed in comparison to the UK. The culture around resitting exams and it not being a negative thing meant I performed better and felt less pressure.  

3. It’s easy to make friends

You have a different mindset when studying abroad so everyone seems more open to making friends. I went into student halls and they had a very strong community aspect which made making friends there easy. Halls were full of Australians and international students which was great, although I did find it a bit harder to make course friends, since everyone’s doing such a mixture of modules.

4. There aren’t actually that many bugs

Australia isn’t scary and there aren’t actually that many bugs. I saw a couple of snakes but nothing else and I didn’t find myself thinking about the poisonous animals at all. Obviously don’t approach massive, scary looking spiders though! It’s a day to day thing there and very few people get bitten. They have procedures in place for when it does happen but statistically it’s super unlikely.

5. Time flies when you’re having fun

Time flies, and I know it’s not specific to Australia but I wish I’d thought about it and done as much as I could with every second. You get so comfortable moving to another country and how life can change so quickly that you can forget to make the most of it.

6. People drink boxed wine

I wish I’d known that students drink boxed wine, just so I could prepare myself. Also, buy spirts at the airport! I highly recommend that, since alcohol is expensive in Australia.

7. Australia is pricey

Australia is more expensive than the UK unless you’ve come from London, then it’s pretty similar. It really depends on where you live though, as it does in any country. Rent prices are flexible but IGA, which is the most common supermarket out there, is quite expensive. Especially fruit. I just didn’t eat berries or grapes while studying abroad! Consider saving up some extra funds before you go because even though you don’t pay Australian university fees, you also don’t get a lot of extra funding from your university at home.

8. You do actually have to do some work

The university experience I had in Australia was quite comparable to the UK in terms of workload. It was more coursework based though, and they also have midterms so the grading is split up more. Their system is good because by not leaving all the exams to the end of the year, the pressure is spread out and you perform better. A risk of studying abroad is that people think it’s a break or holiday. But it is actually studying and you have to be careful not to be led astray. Be productive and have a balance between work and play.

9. The nightlife is great

Going out in Australia is amazing. I was based in Perth but also visited Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and they all had good going out scenes. Rather than clubs there were more bars and house parties are far more common. There were a few clubs in Perth but we rarely went to them. The culture is different surrounding going out. Everything starts earlier but they still drink a lot, like in the UK.

10. The time difference makes you miss home

It’s really dependent on your experience in Australia and who you are as a person, but I found that the time difference made me miss home because it makes it hard to communicate with friends and family. I would often get up early to talk to my parents. That’s what makes you feel like you’re so far away. You can’t nip back for the weekend like you could in Europe. I also missed M&S food and having access to things I was used to, friends and habits I had at home which weren’t the same in Australia.

11. The west coast is less populated than the east

Perth isn’t the most popular city in Australia with international students but it’s in a very beautiful area and I’m happy I got to see it. The east coast is more populated than the west which is great. If you study in Perth like I did, make sure you see Melbourne and Sydney at some point too. You’ll have to fly though, as they’re very far apart!

12. Australia does have a few cons

I loved my experience in Australia but there were a few cons, such as the time difference from the UK and not having to learn a new language. I also found Australia wasn’t very multicultural which was a con for me.

13. One semester is long enough but you’ll want to stay longer

Six months or one semester is enough time to really experience Australia, get used to it and travel. And that’s the most important part, having time to explore. Try to allocate time either side of your semester to see more of the country. I’d like to have been there longer and had friends who stayed for a whole year, but my university only offered six months abroad.

14. You’ll leave with amazing memories

Traveling in a campervan through the outback, cliff jumping into the sea, trying and failing miserable to surf… I have so many amazing, really distinct memories from Australia. I highly recommend going and had the best studying experience there. It’s such a cool place to explore. When you’re deciding on where you want to go on exchange, think about what you want to get out of it. Australia is a great opportunity to become independent and be in a completely different environment.

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