Top Study Abroad Consultants, Universities, Courses, Exams

Study Abroad: Check Universities, Courses, Exams, Abroad Education Consultants, Counseling

The traditional powerhouses of USA, UK, Canada, and Australia remain magnets for Indian students seeking international education. However, a new wave of destinations is attracting ambitious Indian scholars. Top universities in Germany (with affordable tuition), cutting-edge programmes in Finland, and a promising job market in the UAE are breathing new life into the study abroad industry. This surge in popularity is reflected in statistics, with the number of Indian students abroad projected to reach 2 million by 2025. Student spending is expected to keep pace, reaching a staggering US$70 billion in the same year.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard University and Stanford University continue to dominate the top study abroad colleges rankings. Affordable education, housing availability and a volatile jobs market remain pain points of the study abroad industry.

Indian students continue to register the largest footfall studying in USA with close to 268,923 Indian students having gone to the country to pursue various degrees in 2022-23. A distant second is studying in Canada with 226,450 Indian student footfalls in 2022 as per reports. 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 at the top study abroad colleges. 

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.

1. Quality Education: The primary factor that makes so many students fly abroad every year is the promise of quality education. Top study abroad colleges follow a curriculum that not only focuses on imparting theoretical knowledge but also practical training to its students bringing about overall development.   Top study abroad colleges are renowned globally and their degrees are recognized and respected everywhere.
2. Newer Courses & Research Opportunities: Indian students looking to study abroad will have the option to choose from a varied range of courses and programmes that may not be available in India. Studying abroad also provides students with better research facilities and opportunities which are lacking across Indian institutions. 
3. Networking & Career Opportunities: Top study abroad colleges provide students with an opportunity to network with a global audience and thereby provide global exposure. Candidates will also 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 their perception of work and serve as a compelling addition to their resume. Consequently, when they decide to return to India, they will find it relatively easier to secure high-paying positions.
4. Learning 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.
5. Discover Yourself: Indian students experience personal growth that begins to manifest within a few weeks of their 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. 

What to Study Abroad for International Students?

Multiple programmes 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 close 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.

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

Top Universities to Study Abroad

In this section, we are going to be talking about the top study abroad colleges.

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.

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. 

Applying to Study Abroad Universities

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:

1. 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. Also 
2. Reporting various test scores to the universities – Candidates would be required to report test scores as required by the institution. 
3. 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.
4. Arranging recommendation letters – Letters of Recommendation are a mandatory requirement and should be prepared and made accessible as requested by the institution.
5. 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. 
6. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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

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

Top Study Abroad Consultants

Applying to universities abroad can be a tricky. Candidates will not only have to get their academic transcripts, Statement of Purpose (SOPs), Letter of Recommendation (LORs) and all other relevant documents in order. But also prepare and take their English language proficiency exam. They will also have to scout for scholarships and apply for education loans (where required). In the midst of all this, it is easy to miss out on university deadlines and having to waste an entire year. So whether you are located in the North or down South, get in touch with our top study abroad consultancy institutes for free.