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Im in my final year B.Sc (statistics) and want to press on for an M.Stats or M.Sc (statistics) programme. Whats the difference between the two programmes and which one offers better career advancement prospects?Nalini Sawant, Pune M.Sc (statistics) and m.stats are equivalent courses and both are equally job-oriented. After B.Sc (statistics), you could sign up for an M.Sc in statistics, operations research, quantitative economics or an MBA or LLB programme. You also have the option to write all-India competitive exams or the Probationary Officers exam for recruitment into public sector banks. I complete my B.Com degree in 2012 and am keen on enroling for an MBA in retail management. Which institutes offer this subject? Nikhil Patel, Mumbai Reputed institutes which offer postgrad programmes in retail management include the Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai (www.welingkar.org); K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai (http://simsr. somaiya.edu/SIMSR/); Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (www.nmims.edu); Asia Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi (www.asiapacific.edu); Birla Institute of Management Technology, New Delhi (www.bimtech.ac.in) and Future Innoversity (http://www.fhdl.in/mba.retail.html). After completing my B.Sc degree in biochemistry next year, what are my further study options? Ramesh Narayan, Chennai You could do an M.Sc in biochemistry followed by a Ph D. But youll need to average more than 55 percent in your M.Sc programme to ensure you qualify for an M.Phil/Ph D programme. Job prospects are excellent for qualified biochemistry postgraduates and doctorates. After completing my bachelor of engineering programme next year, I plan to study in the US, Canada or UK. What exams do I need to write to qualify for universities abroad? Navin Chawla, New Delhi Admission applications to universities abroad must be made a few months ahead of the academic year. Most reputed foreign universities require two-three letters of recommend-ation, academic records of the past three-four years, a statement of purpose explaining your future career goals, highlights of achievements, quality and quantity of research projects, intern-ships, work experience (if any), together with IELTS or TOEFL test scores. American and Canadian universities usually require applicants to complete 16 years of pre-university education. Some postgraduate programmes also require students to submit GRE or GMAT scores. There are plenty of books and other preparatory material available in the market for all tests. I am a chemical engineering graduate currently working in a government organisation. I want to enrol for a part-time or distance learning programme to improve my career prospects. Ashok Chatterjee, Kolkata You could consider enroling in a part-time M.Tech/ME programme offered by a local college. Contact a few reputable colleges for advice. You could also consider a part-time MBA or a distance education MBA from a reputed B-school. Im in class XII (commerce) and want to qualify as a chartered accountant (CA) while reading for my bachelors degree. Further, will my CA qualifi-cations be of any use if I want to write the IAS exam? Rita Dias, Panjim Under the chartered accountancy study system, you can register for the Common Proficiency Test (CPT) while you are…