Best Countries for Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is not only a great way to add additional academic skills to your profile, but even Indian companies also give preference to a degree from a reputed international university in comparison to an Indian degree. It is one of the best ways to learn about other cultures and explore new places. It can help you develop many skills that will be useful for your future career. Go through the article and explore the best countries to study abroad, budget for studying abroad, and countries offering post-study work opportunities.

Better infrastructure, quality education and focus on research are some of the main factors that draw students to study abroad. However, before coming to this decision every student analyses the countries where they want to go and which cater to their needs perfectly. In order to find out the best countries to study abroad, we will analyze them on the basis of various parameters and find the best country where you can pursue your higher studies.

Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students

Which country is best for study?: In this section, we are going to identify the parameters that draw Indian students to countries abroad for higher education.  

Countries with the Best Education System

The following points will provide an overview of the countries with the best education system in the world. Besides the below-mentioned countries, it is important for the students to research other educational systems as well:

1) USA: With numerous world-class universities and research-oriented learning, the US is considered to have a well-established higher education system. Higher education is a major asset of the US. It has world-class universities and research-oriented learning, which makes it one of the strongest countries in the field. Unlike many other countries, higher education is less expensive in the US because there are more affordable options such as community colleges and state schools. Their focused approach an­­d preference for innovation make them one of the most sought-after countries to study and work abroad. Apart from this, their high living standards also attract the largest number of international students every year. Read: The Country with Best Education System

2) UK: Apart from the US, the UK has the most reputed global institutions in the world. The UK is considered to be the birthplace of higher education and has been a leader in higher education for centuries. With 43 world-class universities, the country has the most reputed institutions in the world. The ranking of universities nationally places Oxford University at number one, followed by Cambridge and UCL. Reputed institutions like Cambridge and Oxford and high-quality living make it one of the best countries to study abroad. Cambridge in England is one of the world's most prestigious institutions. The university has been at the forefront of innovation for centuries and was ranked as the top university in the world by QS World University Rankings. Reputed UK universities are considered to produce the most employable graduates globally. According to ‘The Global University Employability Ranking 2022’, companies around the world prefer graduates from prominent UK universities such as the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, etc.

3) Canada: With educational institutes of global repute, affordable quality education, and post-study work opportunities, today Canada is the most preferred destination of the international students’ community.

4) Others: Apart from the above-mentioned countries, Germany and Australia come to the top when it comes to the best education system. With almost no tuition fee and state-of-the-art universities, Germany is the hot-favourite destination for students who want to study abroad. Also, vast and beautiful, Australia has made this list. The top 37 Australian universities got a place in the ‘Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2023’.

Acceptance of Foreign Students

One of the foremost concerns of students who wish to study abroad is the change of place. They always have this dilemma of getting accepted in an altogether different environment, with different cultures, traditions, and customs. Although they try to get accustomed to their culture still getting accepted is a big thing for them.

Countries like the US which is the land of immigrants are considered as friendly for foreigners. It already has a sizeable proportion of different communities from across the globe. So, one cannot feel alone in a foreign country. Apart from this, it is also called the land of opportunities. Because of their vast economy, students get plenty of opportunities after completing their studies. Although countries like Australia, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand have similar ethnical cultures and also offer an array of study opportunities, students are still apprehensive about countries like the UK and Australia. Due to recent incidents related to racism, students have become sceptical about Australia. Although their authorities have clarified that they are against any kind of such hatred and have also signified it through their friendly immigration policies.

The UK is becoming a less desirable study-abroad destination. The events of Brexit, in combination with anti-immigrant sentiment, as well as the more expensive pound have made studying and travelling in the UK less appealing for students. Apart from this, the UK’s home office’s exclusion of India from the list of countries that are not required to undergo tough visa applications has further narrowed the negative outlook for this region. Also, countries like France which are considered as top study destinations are not preferred by students who want to go to English-speaking nations as it is a non-English speaking country.

Budget for Studying Abroad

This is one of the most crucial factors in selecting the country. The price of living in a country is one of the most important factors when thinking about moving to a new place. The cost of living varies greatly from country to country, so it is important to consider this when planning your relocation. Students with budget constraints always look for Germany as their topmost priority, however, it is not that easy to get into any of their public universities as the competition is stiff. In addition to this, Nordic countries are considered affordable study destinations for international students. Countries like Norway and Poland are free for everyone irrespective of their nationality.

With English as one of their medium of teaching and a high-quality lifestyle, Norway can be a preferred destination for pursuing higher education. Students need to pay for some of the specialized courses only. However, annual living costs in Norway can be high with approximately NOK 128,887.

Poland is an affordable European destination for studying abroad. It is the sixth most populous country in the European Union and has a low cost of living. For example, average monthly costs (rent, food, transportation) in Poland are quite affordable. Students who can speak the Polish language need to give an entrance exam in order to pursue their higher studies for free. Living costs are also on the lower side at approximately €330 to €430 per month.

Other countries such as Canada and the US have relatively higher annual living costs that reach almost CAD 19,000 and US$ 14,000 respectively.

Best Countries to Study Abroad with Post-study Work Opportunities

Which country is best for study?: Students who go to study abroad always look for getting international work exposure. This also helps them in recovering a major part of their overall studying cost. Various countries are making changes to their immigration policies and making strict rules for foreigners. However, despite this, skilled professionals and qualified students will make sure to benefit through post-study work opportunities.

1) UK: Generally, people have a perception that there are no more work opportunities in the UK for international students. However, the truth is that the opportunities are still there but the rules have become more stringent now. If you have pursued a bachelor’s or a post-graduation degree, then the validity of the UK Graduate visa will be for two years. If you have pursued a PhD or other doctoral qualification, then the validity of a Graduate visa will be for three years.

2) USA: Now we come to the most popular international study abroad destination i.e. USA. Here, international students can stay and work for 12 months after completing their studies. Further, for students who go for STEM education, this duration is 24 months. The sheer size of the US economy makes it the most preferred destination for skilled professionals worldwide. Indians are the largest beneficiary of the H1B Visas, more than 60% of these visas are issued to the Indian community.

3) Canada: The duration of PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) in Canada depends on the course and the duration of that course. If the duration of the course is between 8 months and 2 years, PGWP will be of the same duration as the duration of the course. If the course is 2 years or more, PGWP may be of 3 years. Your course must be of at least 8 months for you to be eligible for a PGWP.

Now that the students are aware of different aspects of various study-abroad destinations, they may take an informed decision and decide for themselves the best country for studying abroad. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.