Top 5 Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2026

Studying abroad is considered to be a rewarding experience among Indian students. In that case, picking a best country for studying abroad can bring multiple benefits such as a high ROI and income. Studing in the best country abroad also makes you eligible for the global job market.

Studying abroad is way different than studying in India. While academics in India are majorly about thesis, research papers and all things theoretical knowledge, studying abroad comes with simulation and practising everything you read practically. Even Indian companies give preference to a degree from a reputed international university. Studying at top universities in world under experienced professors can help you develop many skills that will be useful for your future career. 

Before choosing to study abroad every student analyses countries where they want to go. To find out best country for studying abroad. Go through article and explore best countries to study abroad. Budget for studying abroad and countries offering post study work opportunities.

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• Expensive Cities for Students to Study Abroad
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Which are the Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students?

Which country is best for studying abroad? A study destination, where you can get quality education, better job opportunities and an impressive ROI is considered as the best country. Apart from this, there are some other deciding factors like favourable living conditions and standard of lifestyle. Currently, more than 13 lakh students are studying abroad. This number is expected to increase in the upcoming year. USA, UK, Australia, Germany and Canada are the top countries to study abroad for Indian students. 

Below, we have mentioned a list of top countries where most Indian students are studying in 2024. This data is released by the Ministry of External Affairs India

What makes these countries top the list of Best Study Destinations?

Here are the details about the 5 most popular study destinations in the world for Indian students. They choose to study in these countries due to reputed universities, affordable education, opportunities to learn and job opportunities. Let's understand why these countries are popular and the best country for studying abroad.

1) United States of America

Almost every student who wants to study abroad chooses the USA as their preferred study destination. Numerous world-class universities and research-oriented learning are the major reasons to choose to study in universities of the USA. Currently, 3,37,630 Indian students are studying in USA. Pick the list of top 10 universities in the world, 5 of them are in the USA. 

2) Canada

Canada has become the top destination for Indian students studying abroad, with nearly one-third of all Indian students pursuing higher education in Canadian universities. 4,27,000 Indian students are enrolled in different courses offered by universities of Canada. With educational institutes of global repute, affordable quality education, and post-study work opportunities. The reputation of the Canadian education system is one of the best in the world.

3) United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has some of the best universities worldwide. Four out of the top 10 universities are located in the UK. 185,000 Indian students are enrolled in a wide range of programs across various fields offered by universities in the UK. The value of degrees from UK universities is highly recognised across the world. There is a huge Indian population living in the UK, which will give you a homely feeling. Students can work part-time to cover their living expenses.

Related Read: Oxford vs Harvard: Which is better?

4) Australia

Australian education system is one of the best education systems in the world. With world-class universities and exceptional research opportunities, Australia offers post-study work visas to international students allowing them to gain work experience in the country after completing their studies. The cost of living in Australia is less in comparison to the UK and the USA but more expensive than India. The crime rate in Australian cities is low, making it a safe study destination.

5) Germany

Germany is the best study destination for you. With almost no tuition fees and state-of-the-art universities, Germany is favourite destination for Indian students who want to study abroad. Germany boasts some of the world's top universities including private and public. In German Public Universities, you only need to pay an administrative fee and no need to pay any tuition fees.  A German degree is highly valued globally, leading to enhanced job opportunities both within Germany and internationally.

Which are the Popular Courses to Study Abroad?

List of popular courses to study abroad is given below.

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Machine Learning and Data Analytics
• MBA
• Law
• Medicine
• Finance

What is Eligibility Criteria to Study in Best Countries?

The admission requirement for studying in one of the top study destinations is more or less the same. However, the study visa rules for international students may vary from country to country. Other than this, University may ask for other eligibility to fulfill. Here we have mentioned some basic admission requirements that you need to fulfil:

• Good academic grades
• Good scores in any standardized  exam like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, CAEL, SAT, GMAT, GRE, and ACT
• Letter of recommendation (LOR) 
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) 
• Latest resume
• Admission Essays

Which are the Best Scholarships to Study Abroad?

The government, private institutions and even some universities offer merit based scholarships. Here are some scholarships for Indian students-

• MEXT Scholarship Japan
• Chevening Scholarship, UK
• DAAD Scholarships, Germany
• Australia Awards Scholarships
• GKS Scholarship, South Korea

Post-Study Work Visa of Top Countries

There are multiple benefits to getting a post-study work visa for an international student. Indian students indeed prioritize countries that provide extended post-graduation work opportunities. USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia are among the top destinations for studying and working abroad.

A post-study work (PSW) visa offers students to gain practical experience in a globalised work environment. It also provides opportunities to earn income, which can help the student to cover the tuition expenses. Furthermore, it enhances employability and competitiveness in the job market across the world.

Various countries are making changes to their immigration policies and imposing strict rules for foreigners. However, despite this, skilled professionals and qualified students will make sure to benefit from post-study work opportunities.

Post Study Work Visa USA

The most popular international study abroad destination i.e. USA. Here, international students can stay and work for 12 months after completing their studies. It is not the maximum duration of USA PSW visa. Further, for students who go for STEM education, this duration is 24 months. Indians are the largest beneficiaries of the H1B Visas, more than 60% of these visas are issued to the Indian community.

Post Study Work Visa UK

What are the rules for post-study work visa in UK? It is important to understand the current regulations for the UK's post-study work visa, officially known as the Graduate visa. Generally, people have a perception that it is tough to get 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 postgraduate 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.

PSWP Canada

The duration of the Canadian PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) 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.

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Now that the students are aware of different aspects of various study-abroad destinations, they may make 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.