6 years in UX, now considering a Master's in Europe/UK. Which country makes the most sense on a tight budget?
Hi everyone, Age 28 and work as a Product/UI/UX Designer in Pakistan. I am looking at Master's programs in Europe or the UK, and I would love to hear from anyone who's studied or worked there My background: BS Computer Science — 2.39/4.0 CGPA Around 6 years of UI/UX & Product Design experience Currently working at a senior level UX in Fintech Experience with SaaS, B2B/B2C products, mobile/web, UX and design systems IELTS: 6.5 overall Married with two young children Earning 2k USD a month. (Saving 40% so it's comfortable within my country) On the hunt for a Master's in something like Product Design, UX, HCI, Interaction Design, Digital Design, or Service Design. Any of them could work for me. Honestly, it's not about the degree itself. I want the Master's to get me into the European design scene, meet the right people, and build a career there as a Product/UX Designer The biggest issue is finances. I have a family in Pakistan that I need to continue supporting, so expensive private universities aren't realistic for me. I'm primarily looking at public universities with no or very low tuition fees. I'm currently considering: 🇩🇪 Germany 🇬🇧 UK 🇪🇸 Spain 🇫🇮 Finland My main questions: Which countries would you seriously consider with my profile and financial situation? How much will my 2.39 CGPA hurt me despite having substantial industry experience and a strong portfolio? Is finding a part-time/working-student Product/UX Design job realistic for an experienced designer? Which countries offer the best balance of affordable education, design opportunities and post-study work options? Has anyone managed to study abroad while financially supporting a family back home? Would really appreciate practical advice, especially from international students or Product/UX Designers who have taken a similar route.