Study Abroad: Colleges, Courses, Exams, Fees, Scholarships, Visa & Placements

According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs, as of 2023, there are approximately 1.5 million Indian students studying abroad. This marks a significant increase from the 1.3 million students studying abroad in 2022, reflecting an 11.11% growth from CY22 to CY23. The Ministry of External Affairs also revealed that Indians are now pursuing education abroad in more than 240 countries worldwide, with the UK, US, Australia, and Canada remaining among the popular study abroad destinations. Students are also exploring educational opportunities in countries such as Uzbekistan, Philippines, Russia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

In 2023, around 850,000 Indian students were enrolled in the preferred countries, leading to a combined student expenditure of around $34 billion for the year. This money was divided equally: half was used for paying tuition fees, and the other half went towards housing and living expenses. Based on current growth rates and research analysis, this is expected to increase further, with the expenditure to study abroad reaching $70 billion by 2025. The report highlights how Indian students are dedicated to investing a significant amount of money in pursuing their academic dreams. It also emphasizes the crucial role that the study abroad scholarships play in offering financial assistance.

Why Study Abroad?

The desire to travel and study in the top universities of the world has only grown over the years. The growth of the study abroad sector can be attributed to increased awareness of foreign education and improved access to funding. As students in tier-2 and tier-3 cities became more informed about opportunities abroad, obtaining financial assistance became more accessible.;

According to the Times of India, more than 1.3 million Indian students have opted to study abroad from 2017 to 2022. There are innumerable reasons which encourage both students and their parents to opt for global education abroad. Some of them are discussed below:-

• Globally-Renowned Education:- The most significant reason for international students to study abroad is the first-class quality of education. No matter which field students decide to pursue, studying in foreign countries offers them a large number of outstanding opportunities in terms of learning, skill-building, and professional knowledge.
• Great Career Opportunities:- From a wide range of internships to working part-time, international students are exposed to unlimited opportunities and experiences which are valuable for their careers and growth. After the completion of their studies abroad, students possess a high chance of securing better and more fulfilling working opportunities.
• Cultural Exposure:- Studying abroad offers international students a lifetime opportunity to live in an entirely new country and familiarize themselves with its culture, traditions, people, lifestyles, etc.
• Discover Yourself:- For many students, studying abroad might be the first time when they will be living on their own. This could be their only chance to re-discover their interests and passions. Also, it involves a lot of responsibilities which can make them into a more independent and self-sufficient individual.
• Linguistics:- Students studying in foreign universities in countries like the USA, UK, France, Sweden, and Germany need to be fluent in their native languages. Knowing a foreign language is always an added benefit in resumes as well as in personal lives.

What to Study Abroad?

International students can decide to study abroad at any level of their education, from a few weeks long summer programs to full-fledged degree courses. Some of the most commonly-opted academic programs at universities abroad are:-

Foundation and Pathways Programs: These are the post-secondary academic programs students choose to fill the gap between the current level of their education and knowledge & skills required to pursue a bachelors or masters degree at an international university. These programs assist in language proficiency and familiarize students with the education system of a particular country. Foundation Programs generally target both domestic as well as international students.

Associate Degrees: Associate Degrees are the academic programs chosen by students at the undergraduate level. These programs provide a foundation of technical and academic knowledge necessary to go further in a particular choice of study. The duration of these programs is usually two years.

Associate degrees are most commonly offered by US universities, however, students can also find them in several other countries such as Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands.

Bachelor Degrees: Pursuing a bachelors degree is one of the most common reasons why international students study abroad. These degrees are standard programs that are recognized globally as ‘undergraduate programs’ and usually span for 3-4 years. Students are advised to consider this option when a particular program is not offered in their home country. This is as the cost of pursuing a bachelors degree is extremely high when considering foreign universities as compared to the home country. Additionally, a master's degree from international universities has better weightage as compared to a bachelors from international universities.;

Master Degrees: Even if one has completed a bachelors degree in their home country, they can always explore masters degree programs around the world. Depending on their field of study, pursuing postgraduate studies from abroad could be highly beneficial for students’ career and growth. A masters from abroad colleges will help you get a salary hike of around 29% on your previous salary. Not only does an international masters improve your job prospects it also gives you an ace if you wish to pursue doctorate courses abroad.;

Certificates and Diplomas: Certificate courses and diploma programs are short-term pathways to pursue a career or a passion. Students who are looking to gain a very specific skill within a short period of time must consider this option. There is an abundance of such short-term courses in Canada, which makes Canada the leading country to pursue short-term courses among Indian students.

Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.): Doctoral programs are considered the highest level of education. Since getting admission into Ph.D. programs is quite competitive and selective, pursuing doctoral programs from foreign countries can open various doors for students.

Language Courses: Knowing a foreign language is always an added advantage for students’ resumes and careers. Therefore, it is always a better option to master a new language by interacting with locals instead of self-teaching at home. Also, most foreign universities from the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia make it compulsory for their international students to be proficient in their native languages.

Where to Study Abroad?

After deciding the study, the next step is to figure out where. Traditionally, the USA dominates this chart with over 1 million Indian students studying in US universities. A latest report known as "Beyond Beds and Boundaries" talked about Indian students going to study abroad in other countries. In 2019, there were surprisingly more than 1 million Indian students studying abroad, and it's expected to be between 1.5 to 2 million by 2025.;

Some other best countries to study abroad are making special efforts to attract Indian students by making it easier for them to get visas. France aims to attract 20,000 Indian students by 2025. In 2019, there were already 10,000 students studying in French universities. India and Greece have agreed on a plan for cultural and educational exchange from 2022 to 2026. Greece aims to connect more with Indian academic institutions through the official "Study in Greece" platform.

The QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings highlights the countries with the world’s strongest higher education systems. The rankings tabulated below are based on four main criteria, system strength, access, flagship institution performance, and economic context.

*The number of top universities in the respective country is given as per QS World University 2024 Rankings

Best Universities Abroad for Indian students

How to Study Abroad?

The decision to study abroad may appear a bit overwhelming. However, if planned accordingly, this process can be simplified into the following steps:-

Choose a Program to Study

Before we begin, the first main step is to finalize the choice of study students want to pursue for their future. There are a lot of programs offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels in a wide variety of professional fields such as Business & Finance, Medicine, Engineering & Technology, Education, History, Literature, Visual & Performing Arts, Politics, etc. Detailed below are some of the most opted programs among Indian students studying abroad.

Choose the University/ College

After deciding which program to study, the next step is to target the prospective universities. There are a huge number of universities to study abroad and to choose from the lot can be tedious. This decision should be based on various factors like costs & expenses, academic quality, and structure, faculty, admission requirements, deadlines, post-degree career opportunities, etc.

Tests to Take to Study Abroad

There are two types of tests international students must take before starting with the application process. These are Language Proficiency Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc) and Standardized Tests (SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, etc). Different countries have different preferences for one test over another. For instance:-

• IELTS and PTE (Pearson Tests of English) exams are the most preferred language exams in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is widely accepted by the USA and Canadian universities.
• Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (CAE & CPE) are given a huge preference by British universities.
• SAT and/or ACT scores are widely accepted by countries for undergraduate programs.
• GMAT/ GRE scores are globally accepted by the universities for graduate programs.

Apply to Study Abroad

Every university has its own application process and its guidelines. For instance, many US universities accept applications via Common Application Portal whereas universities based in the United Kingdom invites applications via UCAS, admission to Canadian Universities is invited through some provincial application portals like ApplyAlberta or OUAC. Usually, there is also a non-refundable application fee to be paid.

To be considered for admission at a university, international students must submit all the necessary documents along with a completed online/ offline application. These documents play an important role in the evaluation process and the admission decision. Here’s a list of the general documents required and eligiblity to study abroad:-

• Official Transcripts of all the colleges and universities previously attended.
• Copies of the transcripts translated in the native language
• Standardized Test Scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc)
• Proof of Language Proficiency
• Letters of Recommendation/ References
• Letters of Motivation/ Statement of Purpose
• Resume/ Curriculum Vitae (Updated Version)
• Samples of Written Work
• Interview

Student Visa for Study Abroad

International students who are enrolled in qualified educational institutions in foreign countries must obtain a student visa to study abroad. A student visa is an official travel document issued by the government of a particular country. Students must have a thorough knowledge of all the aspects related to the visa application process and its requirements. Some of them are discussed below:-

When should one apply for a student visa?

The most important factor in studying abroad is to plan efficiently. International students are always advised to begin with their preparation according to the university’s deadlines. Generally, they need to wait for the confirmation letter sent from the university before they apply for a student visa. For smooth application processing without any hassle, students should apply at least 3-4 months in advance.

What type of visa is required?

Different countries have different visa requirements. For instance, students choosing to study in the U.S universities will need to obtain an F-1 Student Visa, whereas, for universities based in the United Kingdom, students must apply for TIer-4 Visa. Below are the details of how you can get a student visa to study abroad for various countries.;

How to Apply for a Student Visa?

Generally, the process of applying for a student visa begins with the university offering a letter of acceptance to the admitted international students. Every country is governed by its own immigration laws and regulations. Therefore, the visa process and its requirements may vary.

However, the general visa process applicable to all study abroad aspirants is given below:-

• Choose the Visa Type: As mentioned above, international students studying in different countries will require different types of visas. Hence, it is important to have sufficient knowledge about the type of visa which is suitable for a particular student.
• Apply: International students can apply for their visa via two methods, Online and Offline. The Online Visa Application Process is considered far more convenient and requires applicants to create a student profile and attach all the necessary forms. Applicants opting for Offline Visa Application Process need to download the application form, fill all the necessary details and submit it to the official authorities.
• Visa Application Fee: The next crucial step is to pay the required visa application fee. Students must note that this fee is non-refundable if they decide to cancel the interview appointment or their application gets rejected.
• Schedule the Visa Interview: International students are advised to schedule an interview appointment with the concerned consulate/ embassy as soon as possible. This is a cautionary step as there is a high chance that the authorities might have a high workload and the waiting time might range from days to weeks.
• Attend the Interview: The last and the final step is to appear for the interview. Students must show up on time along with all the supporting documents. The official interviewer will ask questions about students’ backgrounds, goals and achievements and students must answer the same in a well-behaved manner.

After attending the visa interview, all that is left is to wait for the application to be processed. After some time, students will be notified about the decision if their applications have been approved or rejected. It is highly recommended to make travel arrangements only after receiving the final confirmation from the visa authorities to avoid the loss of money.

What are the documents required to obtain a student visa?

Every country has its own specific list of documents international students must submit. However, there are a few documents that are generic and applicable to almost all the countries’ requirements.

• Valid Passport: This is the primary requirement of the visa process. International students must secure their passport with a minimum validity of six months after the end of their studies abroad. Also, students must ensure that they have at least two blank pages in their passports for stamping for a visa.
• Proof of Funding: Almost all countries require evidence to ensure that their prospective students are financially capable of funding their education in a particular university. The amount includes tuition fees, college expenses, living costs, room & board, electricity, transport, etc. Financial lucidity can be proved by submitting the necessary documents such as Bank Account Statements, Loan Approval/ Disbursement Letter, Scholarships Letters, Affidavit of Support, Loan Capability Certificate etc.
• Proof of Language Proficiency: Another important criterion of the visa process is to ensure that international students are well capable of communicating in the native language. For English speaking countries, students must be well-versed in the English language and submit the test scores of TOEFL, IELTS or PTE. Students opting for German universities must prove their proficiency in German language by providing TestDaF, DSH, or Goethe Certificate.
• Proof of Acceptance: While applying for a student visa, international students may be asked to submit a letter of acceptance from the university they have secured admission to.
• Medical Examination Report: Many countries such as Canada and Australia require international students to undergo a thorough medical examination and submit the reports along with other documents.

Cost of Studying Abroad for Indian students

Every parent dreams of providing their children with the best-quality education and resources in the world. As a result, many of them start planning and saving for it from the day their children are born. Unfortunately, higher education is a costly affair, especially in a foreign country.

Therefore, it is one of the most important factors to keep in mind while deciding to study abroad. Apart from tuition fees, the cost of living also plays an important role. Since these costs vary from country to country, we have provided a tabular representation of the tuition fees as well as the average cost of living of the most-coveted countries.

Study Abroad Scholarships

The enormous costs of living abroad and ever-increasing fees for international students are good enough reasons to scare anyone. Especially when there is always a common misconception among students that there are no scholarships available for international students.

However, students are duly informed that governments and universities all around the world offer an unlimited number of financial opportunities in the form of grants and scholarships. These are designed to attract the brightest minds in their country.

Few of the astounding scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government are given below:-

Watch the video below to explore fully funded scholarships to study Masters abroad!

The world of international education is rapidly expanding with millions of students coming together and creating an atmosphere of learning with a global perspective. International students are exposed to different cultures, ethnic groups, religions & languages, and enriching societies which broadens the academic experience for everyone. Find out what is your preferred choice and fly for your dreams of study internationally.

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