1 year certificate studies (undergrad??) despite MSc degree from homecountry

[martina_30]

Hi, I am very desperate to find out whether it is realistic to apply for a study permit and also post-graduate work permit. I am 30 years old, I graduated with a MSc degree from an Austrian university (business studies, major: finance) in 2006. I worked the past 7 years and I would like to initiate a career change. Therefore I am planning to do certificate studies at Mount Royal University in Alberta. It is a one-year certificate for human resource management ...not a Masters programme. I read so much about refusals that I am really worried now. Will the immigration officer question my study plan?? --> no point of certificate studies (undergrad) if the candidate has already a degree in a related field (business but different specialisation). Does anyone think this is tricky? or even pointless? would be so grateful for any hints. thanks a lot.

 

[sikanderv]

Hi, I am very desperate to find out whether it is realistic to apply for a study permit and also post-graduate work permit. I am 30 years old, I graduated with a MSc degree from an Austrian university (business studies, major: finance) in 2006. I worked the past 7 years and I would like to initiate a career change. Therefore I am planning to do certificate studies at Mount Royal University in Alberta. It is a one-year certificate for human resource management ...not a Masters programme. I read so much about refusals that I am really worried now. Will the immigration officer question my study plan?? --> no point of certificate studies (undergrad) if the candidate has already a degree in a related field (business but different specialisation). Does anyone think this is tricky? or even pointless? would be so grateful for any hints. thanks a lot.

Martina,

Try and explain through the SOP as genuinely as possible the reason for pursuing a different specialization. Maybe you feel you have hit a dead end in your current field (Finance?). Or you just woke up one morning and realized that Finance is not your cup of team, and after a careful introspection, you probably decided that meeting and interacting with people is what you like (HR). I would suggest, do not worry about the rejections that you are hearing about on the forum. It is a known fact that approvals outnumber rejections. So think clearly and put your best foot forward. And ignore the naysayers.