Top Study Abroad Consultants, Universities, Courses, Exams

Study Abroad: Explore Overseas Universities, Courses, Exams, Consultants, Scholarships & Counseling

Studying abroad is not just a means to earn a degree; it shapes the applicant's future, changes their perspectives, and opens doors to international career opportunities. At Shiksha Study Abroad, we aim to make the procedure as smooth, innovative, and doable for Indian students as possible.

With several Indian applicants increasing year over year to study abroad, the numbers are expected to grow in the coming years. In 2024, around 13,35,030 were studying abroad. As of May 2025, around 1.8 million Indian students were admitted to universities abroad. Shiksha Abroad offers comprehensive solutions, from selecting the right course and university to entrance exam preparation, scholarship assistance, and student visa processing.

If you also want to take admission abroad, check out what works with you - universities, courses and scholarships here. Seek guidance if required from our expert team and aim for new opportunities ahead in 2026!

Why Study Abroad?

With an upward trend in Indian students applying abroad, there are a few primary reasons which are behind such decisions: 

1. Access to Globally Recognised Education

89 countries globally rank for their education system. Which includes USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, China, and the Netherlands. Their programs are globally accepted and recognised.

2. Exposure to Job Market Through Part-Time Jobs

One benefit international students have while studying abroad is a part-time job. They get about 20 hours a week to gain hands-on experience. These jobs expose them to the current market trends and work culture. The best part-time jobs abroad vary by skillset and location of study/work. 

3. Free Education Countries for International Students

Studying abroad is costly, but a few countries have free education for international students. Here are countries with free education:

• Education is free in Italy’s public universities and applicants can study for free in Italy.
• German public universities offer free education, but charge a small semester fee. Check How to Study for Free in Germany
• Studying in Norway is free at its public universities.

4. Post-Study Work Options

Post-study work abroad is an additional benefit. International students can stay in their country of study to get full-time job experience. The majority of countries offer this option after graduation.

What to Study Abroad for International Students?

There is often a constant struggle to find the right program based on interests, and one usually does not know what to study abroad. In this case, applicants can either research on their own or consult counsellors for studying abroad. To answer the question of what to study abroad for international students, Indian students aiming to study abroad must first identify the study level they wish to pursue like any of the following:

1. Bachelor's Degrees
2. Master's Degrees
3. Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)
4. Foundation and Pathway Programs
5. Language Courses
6. Certificates and Diplomas
7. Associate Degrees

Once applicants decide their level of study, they can then shortlist courses for admission. Indian students can look at any of these ideally offered levels of research and then apply.

Popular Programs for Overseas Education

More than 20,000 courses offered abroad and Indian students have wider options to choose from. Here are top 5 programs popularly opted abroad:

Top Courses Abroad	Top 5 Universities
MBBS Abroad	Moscow State University Kazakh National Medical University Kyrgyz State Medical Academy Tbilisi State Medical Univ Georgian National University
MBA Abroad	Stanford University Wharton (UPenn) Harvard University MIT London Business School
MS Abroad	Technical University of Munich Northeastern University Arizona State University Embry-Riddle Aero. University San Jose State University
MEng Abroad	Cornell University University of British Columbia University of Toronto University of Arizona ECE Paris
LLM Abroad	Harvard University Oxford University Cambridge University Yale University NYU

These are some of the popular courses for Indian applicants to study abroad. Applicants can also consider other emerging courses abroad, such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Business Analytics.

Top Countries to Study Abroad

With more than 1.33 million Indian students studying abroad, there are 4-5 top countries to study abroad. As per the last data, the highest Indian students were enrolled in Canada followed by others, mentioned below:

Top Countries to Study Abroad	Total Indians Studying Abroad in 2024*
Study in Canada	427,000
Study in USA	337,630
Study in UK	185,000
Study in Australia	122,202
Study in Germany	42,997

This is not an exhaustive list of the top countries to study abroad. Russia, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia recorded over 15,000 footfalls from India. Apart from the usual top countries to study abroad, there are other options Indian students aiming to study overseas can consider.

Top 10 Universities to Study Abroad

To study abroad, Indian students can look at applying to the top 10 universities in the world. The top 10 universities to study abroad are globally recognised universities from different countries and are usually the toughest to get into. Check out the 10 globally leading universities in 2026, along with Shiksha Popularity Rankings below: 

Top 10 Universities in the World	QS - World University Ranking 2026	Shiksha Popularity Ranking
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	#1	#2
Imperial College London	#2	#4
Stanford University	#3	#1
University of Oxford	#4	#11
Harvard University	#5	#16
University of Cambridge	#6	#12
ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology	#7	#6
National University of Singapore (NUS)	#8	#17
UCL	#9	#5
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	#10	#24

For a broader range of options, Indian students abroad can also consider the world's top 100 universities. Applicants who are unable to take a call can consult with study abroad consultants or seek assistance from Shiksha study abroad counsellors.

Step-by-Step Guide to Studying Overseas 

When looking at how to study abroad from India, Indian applicants must do a thorough research and decide how to study abroad. A lot of planning goes into study abroad for indian students. To ease the process, Shiksha Study Abroad provides applicants with a step-by-step guide to plan their education abroad.

Step 1: Shortlist Preferred Courses

The first step in studying abroad is to understand what type of course interests the applicant and its prerequisites. Shortlisting a course based on interest, followed by future learning scope, is equally essential. 

Step 2: Decide on the University & Country for Studying

Once the course is decided, the prerequisites are understood, and the scope is clear, applicants can look at the countries and their universities offering that course. Ensuring that the majors or specialisations that applicants are looking at for the course they wish to pursue are also provided.

Step 3: Plan Finances

Financial planning is very important at this stage. Applicants must consider how they wish to plan their finances based on the country of application. They can consider fully funded scholarships, grants or education loans to study abroad. Additionally, Indian students seeking to study abroad can consider universities that offer need-based or merit-based financial aid. There are lots of options for funding education abroad. 

Step 4: Get in Touch with Abroad Education Consultants

While deciding to study abroad is a big step, it is equally essential to be sure about it. While applicants have particular interests at hand, they must also consult trusted and authentic education consultants abroad for expert advice.

Step 5: Begin Preparing to Apply

Applicants at this stage should be sufficiently equipped to know how and where to apply if they meet the eligibility criteria to study abroad. Additionally, they must understand the requirements for study abroad from India and begin preparing for standardised and English proficiency language tests.

Applying to Study Abroad Universities: Complete Process

Applying to universities to study abroad is no cakewalk. A lot of steps, documents, and scores are required for just one application. Before getting on to applying to study abroad at universities, let’s first understand the eligibility criteria and the requirements in the sections below: 

Eligibility Criteria to Study Abroad

Eligibility criteria for studying abroad can vary depending on study level. Each country and university has its own set of eligibility criteria that Indian students must fulfil before applying for admission. 

• UG Eligibility Criteria to Study Abroad: Applicants must have a 10+2 education and fulfil the subject requirements, plus percentage or GPA requirements, before applying. They must also have scores of either the SAT or ACT (if accepted) and English proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo.
• PG Eligibility Criteria to Study Abroad: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (fulfil GPA requirements) and have standardised test scores of either GMAT or GRE, along with English proficiency tests of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo.

Also, applicants should submit credential evaluation if applying to US universities or Canadian universities through either WES, ECE, EP or any other official evaluator. While this is a very basic breakdown, applicants must check their eligibility criteria to study abroad and ensure they fulfil them before applying.

Application Process to Study Abroad

The application process to study abroad is primarily online, but some applicants prefer to apply through study abroad consultants. Check out the complete application process for studying abroad below:

1. Log on to the official website and sign up. 
2. Undergraduate applications for admission may be submitted through Common or Coalition App. The applications will be available for a specific university department.
3. After registration, log in with the credentials and begin filling application form.
4. Submit authentic info and ensure all sections or fields are filled.
5. Submit the academic and/or personal documents in the proper format.
6. Choose the right recommenders and help them understand how to fill the LOR. 
7. Check all the details before submission.
8. Pay the required application fee online via a credit card and print the confirmation receipt. 

If applicants plan to apply through an abroad education consultant, they can check out complete information here - Applying through an agent - either paid or free consulting.

Documents Required to Study Abroad

Along with applications you may have to submit these documents:

• Transcripts or mark sheets
• Passport-sized photographs
• Statement of Purpose
• Admission essays
• Work experience proof in resume
• Letter of recommendation
• Portfolio 
• Health insurance
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Proof of funding with financial documents

Each country has a specific processing time and delivers results within its designated timeline.

How to Apply for Student Visa Abroad

Once applicants receive their letter of enrollment, they can begin their student visa application process. Apply for a student visa abroad by following these steps

• Log on to the country specific embassy website and look for student visa application option.
• Review student visa abroad requirements and then start application.
• Upload relevant documents.
• Submit student visa application with fee. 
• Based on the country of application, schedule a student visa interview if applicable.
• Applicants may have to schedule appointment for biometric submission like OFC in USA. 

Wait for student visa application to process based on timeline. If student visa application gets rejected, reapplication is possible. Check out What to Do if Student Visa Gets Rejected?

Student Visa Fee Abroad

The student visa application fee is the same whether the applicants apply independently or through study abroad consultants. Here is the country-wise student visa application fee for Indian applicants below: 

Countries Abroad	Student Visa Fees 2025
Student Visa for the USA	$185
Student Visa fee for the UK	£524
Student Visa for Canada	C$150
Student Visa for Sweden	SEK 1,500
Student Visa for Ireland	€60
Student Visa for Australia	UG: AUD 1,600 | PG: AUD 1,945
Student Visa for Singapore	S$30
Student Visa for New Zealand	NZD 750 (online) | NZD 880 + NZD 40 (offline)
Student Visa for Germany	€75
Student Visa for the Netherlands	€210
Student Visa for France	€99

The student visa fee is subject to change and may be updated without prior notice. Therefore, applicants must verify the actual student visa application fee with the current exchange rate before submitting their application. 

Scholarships and Education Loans for Overseas Education

Scholarships and financial aid offered by universities, government organisations, and private bodies, as well as education loans provided by banks and non-financial institutions, are major game changers in driving the study abroad industry to new horizons. Candidates can explore a list of 5,000 comprehensive study abroad scholarships across 11 countries, totalling INR 1,743 crores. Some of the most popular scholarships are as follows:

Overseas Graduate Scholarship:

Some of the most popular overseas graduate scholarships for Indian applicants are as follows:

• MEXT Scholarship in Japan
• Australia Awards Scholarship
• K.C. Mahindra Scholarships
• DAAD Scholarship
• Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship

Scholarship for Postgraduate Students:

Let us look at some of the most popular scholarship for postgraduate students aiming to study abroad:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Fulbright Scholarships
• Clarendon Scholarships
• GKS Scholarship is offered to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral applicants. 

Candidates can apply to India's top education loan providers through Shiksha Study Abroad. Apply for an Education Loan.

Top Study Abroad Consultants

Applying to universities abroad can be a challenging process because it is not about fulfilling the eligibility criteria, there's a lot more. Applicants must also examine for scholarships and apply for education loans. In the midst of all this, it is easy to miss out on university deadlines and waste an entire year. 

We realise that choosing to study abroad brings big questions and proper guidance to make dreams happen. So, we at Shiksha Study Abroad will provide you access to expert counselling services, real student experiences, updated admission deadlines and tools to help you make informed decisions. Whether you are located in the North or down South, contact our top abroad education consultants for free guidance at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and expect a callback from our team of experts.

If you are ready to take the first step toward studying abroad, you can start from here with Shiksha Abroad - where your global future begins!