Explore Study Abroad Universities & Courses

Study Abroad: Check Universities, Courses, Exams, Costs, Free Counseling & Scholarships

As per data tabled by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India there are close to 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad (2022). With a renewed interest in the study abroad industry post the pandemic, the number of Indian students set to travel abroad to pursue their degrees is estimated to rise to 1.5 million at the close of 2023. 

Indian students continue to register the largest footfall studying in USA with close to 4,65,791 Indian students having gone to the country to pursue various degrees in 2022. A distant second is studying in Canada with 1,83,310 Indian student footfalls in 2022 as per the report. Business Studies (MBA), Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology, Medicine and Healthcare are some of the most popular areas of study opted by Indian students looking to study abroad.

There has been a significant rise in the number of students going abroad to pursue higher education. In 2017 close to 455,000 Indian students emigrated to study abroad. Today, the figures stand at 13,00,000. And this is only to set to rise further.

Year	Number of Indian Students studying Abroad
2017	4,56,823
2018	5,20,342
2019	5,88,931
2020	2,61,406
2021	4,45,000
2022	13,24,954

Source: MEA, Government of India (GoI)

Why Study Abroad?

While there are multiple reasons to study abroad. In this section, we are going to be talking about a few that are most appealing to study abroad.

Quality Education: Perhaps the primary factor that makes so many students fly abroad every year is the promise of quality education. Most universities abroad follow a curriculum that not only focuses on imparting theoretical knowledge but also practical training to its students bringing about overall development. Universities abroad are renowned internationally and their degrees are recognized and respected everywhere.

Career Opportunities: Candidates will get an opportunity to enhance their career prospects significantly by engaging in part-time employment during the term and securing a full-time job after completing their studies on a post-study work permit. This international work experience will profoundly alter your perception of work and serve as a compelling addition to your resume. Consequently, when you decide to return to India, you'll find it relatively easier to secure high-paying positions. Furthermore, if you aspire to advance in your career and ascend the corporate hierarchy, pursuing an international degree offers a reliable path to attaining managerial roles.

Discover Yourself: Experience personal growth that begins to manifest within a few weeks of your arrival. You will have the opportunity to interact with a diverse array of individuals from various cultural backgrounds, expanding your awareness of global cultural diversity. Your daily life will adopt a new and exhilarating dimension, and outside of the classroom, you will acquire invaluable life lessons. Your perspective will broaden, providing you with genuine global exposure.

Learn a New Language: Witness an improvement in your linguistic abilities as you reside in a location where Hindi is not the primary language. This immersion in the local language of the host country will compel you to communicate effectively, extending your proficiency beyond theoretical knowledge. Proficiency in a foreign language serves as an appealing addition to your resume, demonstrating your enhanced capacity to employ linguistic skills for more effective communication.

Financially Sound: Enhance your financial acumen by becoming proficient in budgeting foreign currency as an international student. This expertise extends beyond personal finances, influencing your choice of higher-quality education and, subsequently, the caliber of job opportunities available to you. Employers will recognize and reward your global perspective with competitive compensation packages, further contributing to your financial growth.

What to Study Abroad for International Students?

There are multiple programmes that are available for studying abroad. However, students should note that not all would qualify them for post-study work permits or part time jobs. Students are required to spend a certain number of months to be eligible for benefits.

Foundation and Pathway Programs: These academic programs in higher education serve as a bridge for students to bridge the gap between their current educational level and the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a Bachelor's or Master's degree at an international university. They are designed to enhance language proficiency and acquaint students with the educational system of a specific country. Foundation Programs typically cater to both domestic and international students.

Language Courses: Gaining proficiency in a foreign language significantly enhances a student's resume and career prospects. Therefore, it is advisable to master a new language by engaging with native speakers rather than attempting self-study at home. Moreover, many universities in the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia require international students to possess a strong command of the native language.

Certificates and Diplomas: Certificate courses and diploma programs offer concise pathways for pursuing a career or nurturing a specific passion. These programs are well-suited for students looking to acquire specific skills within a relatively short timeframe. Canada, in particular, offers a wide array of short-term courses, making it a preferred destination for Indian students pursuing such programs

Associate Degrees: Undergraduate students frequently opt for Associate Degrees, which furnish them with fundamental technical and academic knowledge essential for advancing in their chosen field of study. These programs typically span two years in duration and are predominantly offered by US universities, although they can also be found in countries like Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands.

Bachelor's Degrees: Pursuing a bachelor's degree is a common aspiration for international students studying abroad. These globally recognized undergraduate programs typically last for 3-4 years. It's important to note that the cost of pursuing a bachelor's degree at foreign universities is significantly higher compared to studying in one's home country.

Master's Degrees: Even if a student has completed a bachelor's degree in their home country, they have the opportunity to explore master's degree programs worldwide. Depending on their field of study, pursuing postgraduate studies abroad can have a profound impact on their career and personal growth. An international master's degree can result in an improved job prospects and can serve as a stepping stone for those interested in pursuing doctoral programs abroad. Furthermore, an international master's degree often carries more prestige than an international bachelor's degree.

Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.): Doctoral programs represent the pinnacle of education. Admission to Ph.D. programs is highly competitive and selective. Pursuing a Ph.D. in foreign countries can open numerous doors for students due to the esteemed nature of these programs.

Best Countries to Study Abroad

In this section, we are going to be talking about the top study-abroad countries for Indian students looking to study abroad. 

Popular Study Abroad Destinations	Number of Top Ranking Universities as per QS World Ranking 2024	Number of Indian students studying in 2022 as per GoI
United States of America (USA)	198	4,65,791
United Kingdom (UK)	90	55,465
Canada	31	1,83,310
Australia	38	1,00,009
Germany	49	34,864
Ireland	8	5,000
New Zealand	8	2,664
France	35	10,003
Singapore	4	10,000
Sweden	8	2,500
Netherlands	13	3,200
Belgium	9	766
United Arab Emirates (UAE)	11	1,64,000
Italy	42	5,897
Spain	35	1383
Finland	9	519
Hong Kong	7	815
Malaysia	28	3,331

QS World University Ranking: Every year QS Top Universities releases their QS World University Rankings based on a number of parameters. The QS World University Rankings 2024 features 1,500 institutions across 104 locations. 

Top Universities to Study Abroad

In this section, we are going to be talking about the top universities at popular study-abroad destinations.

Popular Study Abroad Destinations	Top Universities	QS Top Universities Ranking 2024
United States of America (US)	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cambridge, United States	1
	Harvard University Cambridge, United States	4
	Stanford University Stanford, United States	5
	University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Berkeley, United States	10
	University of Chicago Chicago, United States	11
United Kingdom (UK)	University of Cambridge Cambridge, United Kingdom	2
	University of Oxford Oxford, United Kingdom	3
	Imperial College London London, United Kingdom	6
	University College London (UCL) London, United Kingdom	9
	The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, United Kingdom	22
Canada	University of Toronto Toronto, Canada	21
	McGill University Montreal, Canada	30
	University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada	34
	University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada	111
	University of Waterloo Waterloo, Canada	112
Australia	The University of Melbourne Parkville, Australia	14
	The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) Sydney, Australia	19
	The University of Sydney Sydney, Australia	19
	Australian National University (ANU) Canberra, Australia	34
	Monash University Melbourne, Australia	42
Germany	Technical University of Munich Munich, Germany	37
	Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Munich, Germany	54
	Universität Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany	87
	Freie Universitaet Berlin Berlin, Germany	98
	RWTH Aachen University Aachen, Germany	106
Ireland	Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin Dublin, Ireland	81
	University College Dublin Dublin, Ireland	171
	University of Galway Galway, Ireland	289
	University College Cork Cork, Ireland	292
	University of Limerick Limerick, Ireland	426

Source: QS Top Universities

Cost of Studying Abroad

The cost of studying abroad majorly includes tuition costs, cost of living and miscellaneous costs that are incurred during the application process to the university, cost of your English language exam and your student visa fee to name a few. Let us take a look at the cost of studying abroad by country.

Popular Countries	Cost of Studying Abroad	Cost of Living in Lakhs
Cost of Studying in United States of America (US)	UG: $20,000 to $40,000 per year PG: $20,000 to $45,000 per year PhD: $28,000 to $55,000 per year	Accommodation: 6.65L Meal: 3.85L
Cost of Studying in United Kingdom (UK)	UG: £10,000 to £20,000 per year PG: £10,000 to £20,000 per year PhD: £15,000 to £24,000 per year	Accommodation: 5.60L Meal: 2.25L
Cost of Studying in Canada	UG: CAD $13,000 to $20,000 PG: CAD $17,000 to $25,000 PhD: CAD $7,000 to $15,000	Accommodation: 4.40L Meal: 2.80L
Cost of Studying in Australia	UG: $15,000 - $35,000 annually PG: $20,000 - $42,000 annually PhD: $20,000 - $42,000 annually	Accommodation: 6.80L Meal: 1.70L
Cost of Studying in Germany	Public Universities: No Tuition Fee UG Private Universities: €10,000 and €15,000 annually PG Private Universities: €10,000 and €20,000 annually	Blocked Account: €11,208 euros
Cost of Studying in Ireland	UG: NZD 6,500 to NZD 9,000 annually PG: €9,500 to €34,500 annually PhD: €9,500 to €34,500 annually	Accommodation: 3.95L
Cost of Studying in New Zealand	UG: NZD 20,500 to NZD 25,000 annually PG: NZD 19,000 to NZD 29,000 annually PhD: NZD 6,500 to NZD 9,000 annually	Accommodation: 5.50L Meal:4.35L

Source: Tuition Fee: IDP | Living Cost: Shiksha

How to Study Abroad: Step by Step Process

In this section, we are going to take a close look at the steps involved in studying abroad.

Selecting your Programme: Candidates are required to select their preferred course of study. Candidates should note that this is perhaps the most significant step as all the following steps would be based on this. Popular study abroad programmes include – engineering, computer science, information technology, business administration, medicine and health care, law, social sciences, hospitality & tourism, accounting, fashion design, robotics & artificial intelligence, and climatology & energy management to name a few. 

Choosing your university: Once you have been able to zero in on your preferred course of study. The second important step requires you to choose the best university that offers your course. There are multiple universities to choose from and your decision should be ideally based on various factors such as academic quality, infrastructure, student-teacher ratio, employment prospects post-graduation, infrastructure and tuition costs. Candidates can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counselors for assistance with university admissions on our website.

English Language Proficiency Tests & General Tests: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo continue to be popular English language proficiency exams for Indian students looking to apply to foreign universities. GRE and GMAT are popular among graduates looking to pursue MBA (business studies) and MS courses. SAT & ACT continue to be popular standard tests for candidates looking to pursue UG courses in the US. However, post-pandemic a lot of the universities have decided to go test optional. Candidates are required to check the university eligibility guidelines before going ahead with test registrations. 

IELTS International English Language Testing System	Popular in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Accepted across countries
PTE Pearson Test of English Academic	Popular in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Accepted across countries
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language	Widely accepted across the USA and Canada. Accepted across countries
SAT & ACT Scholastic Assessment Test / American College Testing	Accepted for UG courses
GMAT & GRE Graduate Management Admission Test / Graduate Record Examinations	Globally accepted for graduate programmes

Applying to Universities Abroad

The application process to universities abroad involves multiple smaller steps that culminate with the candidate receiving their university offer letter. Application to universities abroad include:

• Arranging recommendation letters – Letters of Recommendation are a mandatory requirement and should be prepared and made accessible as requested by the institution.

• Preparing Essays and Statement of Purpose - When applying to study abroad, a letter of motivation or statement of purpose is a crucial component of the application. Make sure to edit and proofread these documents for mistakes. It should be formatted correctly or in accordance with the university's criteria; don't inflate your experience or accomplishments, and be truthful in your justifications.

• Filling out the application forms - The application form is one of the most important first steps in the process of studying abroad. You have to fill it out correctly to make sure that our application is accepted. You also have to be aware of the deadlines for every step in this process. You should not wait until the last minute because then you might not have enough time to correct any mistakes or answer any questions.

• Reporting various test scores to the universities – Candidates would be required to report test scores as required by the institution. 

• University Acceptance Letter: Once the university is satisfied that you are the right fit for their programme and you qualify for the eligibility requirements of the programme. The university will extend the acceptance letter. This is a confirmation of your admission to the university and you would be then required to proceed to the next step.  

• Paying the required admission fee - The last step is to pay the admission fee so that your admission gets confirmed.

How to Apply for Student Visa

The process of applying for a student visa begins once the candidate has received his/her university offer letter. The university acceptance letter is a mandatory requirement when applying for a student study visa. 

Apply for a Student Study Visa (step-by-step)

Candidates would be required to select the visa type based on their duration of course length. And go ahead with the student visa application process.

The second step requires candidates to apply for their student visa. Candidates can apply online or offline for their study visa. Applying online for a study visa is preferable as it is more convenient and requires the candidate to upload all the relevant documents. The offline method would require the candidate to download and print the visa application form and submit the filled-in form along with documents to official representatives.

• Valid Passport: Candidates should have with them a valid passport with at least six months of validity after their course completion. The passport should also have enough blank pages for stamping purposes.

• Proof of Funds: Candidates would be required to provide proof of funds both tuition costs as well as living expenses for the entire duration of study. The visa officers have to be assured that you will be able to fund your entire stay and study and not become a liability to the country.

• Language Proficiency: Visa officers will also go through your English language scores. They should be assured that you are going there for the purpose of studying and not anything else. Knowing English will help you stay well-informed about your surroundings.

• University Acceptance Letter: As informed before, candidates will be required to prove they have been accepted by the university with their university acceptance letter. 

• Medical reports: Candidates will have to prove they are of sound health. Many countries will require students to provide a medical certificate informing them that they are physically fit and disease-free on entering the country.

Student Visa Fee

Popular Study Abroad Country	Study Visa with Cost	Processing Time with benefits
United States of America (US)	USA Study Visa: F1 Visa USD: 185 / INR: 15,400	3 – 5 weeks Part-Time Work: 20hrs/week
United Kingdom (UK)	UK Student Visa £490 / INR: 50,000	3 weeks Part-Time Work: 20hrs/week
Canada	Canada Study Visa CAD 150 / INR 9,200	32 days Part-Time Work: 20hrs/week
Australia	Student visa (subclass 500) AUD $630 / INR 34,000	17 – 32 days Part-Time Work: 20hrs/week
Germany	German Student Visa 75 € / INR 6600	4 – 12 weeks Part-Time Work: 20hrs/week
Ireland	Ireland Study Visa Single entry: 60 € / INR 5,300 Multiple entry: 100 € / INR 8810	Within 8 weeks Part-Time Work: 20hrs/week

Scholarships and Education Loans

Scholarships and financial aid being offered by universities, government organisations and private bodies, and education loans being offered by banks and non-financial institutions are major game changers in driving the study abroad industry to new horizons. Candidates can check out a list of 5,000 comprehensive study abroad scholarships across 11 countries amounting to INR 1743 crores. Candidates can also apply to India's top education loan providers through Shiksha Study Abroad, here: Apply for Education Loan

The Future

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced the UGC (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programs) Regulations, 2022. This regulatory framework promotes global cooperation with foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs), thereby enhancing educational prospects for Indian students.