Study Abroad

Education is not limited to the physical boundaries of a state, it is a dynamic entity connecting the world via courses, universities, students, professors and researchers. Taking the path to overseas education is probably going to be the best decision of your lifetime, which will define your upcoming 30-50 years. Higher Education abroad is an experience that will add value to your personality, help you build connections, introduce you to new cultural avenues, diversify your imagination along with providing excellent career opportunities. If you are confused about whether to sign up for a study abroad or not, then this blog is definitely going to help you in making the right decision!

Why Study Abroad?

For those who are sceptical about pursuing higher education, there is a wide range of benefits you can avail of from this experience. Grabbing a degree from abroad will help you outshine the crowd as well as take you closer to your career aspirations. Below we have listed down the top benefits you can avail yourself of by studying abroad.

Quality Education

Do you aspire to get international exposure in your field of interest? Taking the decision to study abroad, you can explore diverse educational opportunities at globally acclaimed institutions. Further, international institutions emphasise imparting students not only theoretical knowledge but also immense research opportunities and practical experiences in their field of interest. You will get to learn from global faculty and industry leaders which will help you explore your field of study in a wholesome manner. 

Wide Range of Specialised & Interdisciplinary Courses 

Gone are the days when students used to opt for safer career options. Nowadays, individuals are ready to experiment with their career choices and explore multiple interests and fields. Global academic institutions offer uniquely designed programmes at different levels from diplomas to postgraduate courses. Thus, you can choose from a comprehensive list of industry-specific and research-driven programmes to study abroad. Moreover, many universities even allow students to pursue more than one course at a time. 

Want to know which study-abroad destination has the best educational system? Discover through our exclusive blog on Best Education Systems in the World!

Discover New Cultures & Make Lifelong Connections 

What can be better than exploring the world while studying? Moving to a new country for higher studies, you can immerse yourself in the once-in-lifetime experience of discovering new cultures, meeting new people and making lifelong friends! Most of the top study destinations are thriving and bustling with cosmopolitan cities where you will not only get a chance to know the native culture but also meet new people from all around the world!

Explore Global Career Opportunities 

The career opportunities available to an individual after the completion of a course determines whether the struggle of attaining the programme paid off or not. Securing a degree abroad will provide you with a plethora of career prospects at the international level. You can also explore job opportunities at internationally renowned names in your field or if you are interested in establishing a career in research, the global academic institutions also provide immense research exposure as well!

How to Get Free Education from Abroad?

Importance of Education in Life

Gain Independence 

Studying abroad is to avail a striking experience where you will learn to be independent and live on your own. Not only in professional prospects, but you will achieve extensive personal growth. You will have to manage your savings as well as make the most of your time while studying abroad and juggling all of these things, you will ultimately have a larger takeaway from the whole experience.

Make a Sound Global Network 

Another prominent feature you must know while considering studying abroad is that there are extensive networking opportunities for international students to explore their chosen industry. While international universities offer varied prospects to avail industrial exposure at a global level, you must pursue internships and training opportunities during your programme to get the most out of your study abroad experience!

Why Do Indians Prefer to Study in Foreign Countries?

When it comes to foreign students, India is second only to China. Aside from exciting research possibilities, most countries allow foreign students to stay back on visas to look for work. Exposure to multiculturalism is a significant draw, as are the other factors listed below:

• Amazing salary packages (44%)
• High-quality education (33%)
• Pursue niche courses (17%)
• Gain international experience (6%)

Which Indian States Send Most Students Abroad?

Mentioned below are the states that send the most students to study abroad according to the OI Digital institute:

• Andhra Pradesh (12%)
• Punjab (12%)
• Maharashtra (11%)
• Gujarat (8%)
• Tamil Nadu (7%)
• Karnataka (5%)

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What to Study Abroad?

There are a lot of options available when it comes to studying abroad. Not only you can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies, but also a lot of diploma and certificate courses are available for students. Mentioned below are some of the courses that you can pursue while studying abroad:

• Associate Degrees – Undergraduate students select courses leading to associate degrees. These courses give students the technical and academic information they need to advance in their chosen field of study. These classes typically last for two years. The majority of universities in the US give associate degrees, but they are also available in a number of other nations, including Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands.
• Foundation and Pathways Programs – These are the post-secondary academic programs that students select to bridge the knowledge and skill gaps between their current educational level and what is needed to seek a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a foreign university. These courses help in language acquisition and acquaint students with the local educational structure. 
• Certificate and Diploma Courses – Certificate courses and diploma programs are the quick paths that can lead to a job or a passion. This is an option for students who want to develop a very specific talent. Such short-term classes are widely available in Canada, which makes it the top destination for Indian students seeking short-term courses.  
• Language Courses – A student’s resume and job will always benefit from knowing a foreign language. Therefore, speaking with native speakers rather than learning a language on your own at home is always the best method to become fluent in it. Additionally, the majority of colleges in the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia require native language proficiency from their international students.
• Bachelor’s Degree – One of the most popular reasons for international students to study abroad is to pursue a bachelor’s degree. These degrees are common, universally acknowledged “undergraduate programs,” lasting three to four years. When a particular program is unavailable in the student’s country, they are advised to take a bachelor’s degree in a foreign university. This is because earning a bachelor’s degree at a foreign university is very expensive compared to domestic colleges. 
• Master’s Degrees – One can look into master’s degree programs all over the globe even if they have already earned a bachelor’s degree in their own country. Depending on their field of study, students may benefit greatly from pursuing postgraduate studies overseas for their career development. Your income will increase a lot if you obtain a master’s from an international university. A global master’s degree not only broadens your employment options but also provides you with an edge if you want to study for a doctorate abroad. 
• Doctoral Programs – Doctoral degrees are regarded as the pinnacle of education. Going after doctoral programs abroad can offer up many opportunities for students because admission to PhD programs is highly competitive and selective.

Best Countries to Study Abroad 

Once you have decided to study abroad, the next step is to select the right country. With many countries adopting flexible immigration policies and improving their education system to attract more and more international students, there is a wide range of striking study-abroad destinations to explore. Let’s take a look at the top countries to study abroad which you must consider:

United Kingdom (UK)

Abode to the world’s oldest universities, the UK is globally acknowledged as a pioneer in education and teaching excellence. It is amongst the choicest destinations to study abroad with many of its academic institutions consistently featuring at the top of world university rankings. From a multitude of courses to simplified immigration policies, the UK offers a safe and vibrant cosmopolitan environment along with a plethora of career prospects and research opportunities you can explore after completing your programme here!

How Many Students Apply to the UK from India?

Year	Number of Enrollments
2022	7,00,000
2021	4,44,553
2020	2,59,655

MBA in UK

United States America (USA)

Another prominent destination to study abroad is the United States of America (USA) with most-represented country overall, with 177 institutions, and also the most represented in the top 200 (58). Home to esteemed institutions like MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, and more, the country has the best education system in the world with an array of programmes at the diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Further, the versatile and flexible American education system helps to develop critical thinking skills and cross-cultural skills, and gain expertise in their field of study through theoretical as well as practical study.

How Many Students Apply to the USA from India?

Year	Number of Enrollments
2021-2022	1,99,182
2020-2021	1,67,582

Also Read: MD in the USA

Canada

Standing ahead in the league with the UK and USA, Canada is yet another choicest study abroad destination. Regarded as a student-friendly country, Canada offers top-notch education at pocket-friendly prices. In order to get aligned with their career prior to others, aspirants can Study in Canada after the 10th and can carve future career goals. Named among the G-7 countries, the Canada Education System is positioned 3rd in the Best Countries for Education by US News 2023. 2 years of PG diploma courses in Canada, Masters in Canada, and diploma courses in Canada are some prominent choices of the students.

How Many Students Apply to Canada from India?

Year	Number of Enrollments
2022	2,26,450
2021	1,02,688
2020	43,624

Australia

The Land Down Under is a hotspot of Indian students attaining remarkable education at economic prices. The Australian Education System offers more than 20,000 courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The island is an ideal destination for studying prominent programs like Engineering, Medicine, Environmental Sciences etc along with trending courses. Studying in Australia is the best option for Indian students with a bare minimum population and is globally renowned for its research contributions. The country entices a majority of study-abroad applicants with its post-study work visa.

How Many Students Apply to Australia from India?  

Year	Number of Enrollments
2022	96,000 (Until July)
2021	52,000
2020	63,264

Germany 

Filled with exciting career and academic opportunities, and the Land of Ideas offers free education through its public universities. Free education in Germany strives to cater to pragmatic individuals who are proficient in their chosen domains. With 11 of its public institutions out of 16 with zero tuition-free Germany, the country strives to deliver a global level education and hence, offers more than 14,500 Bachelor’s and Master’s Courses in Germany. The country even provides an opportunity to Study in Germany Without IELTS. 

Best Student Cities 2023

Mentioned below are the best student cities 2023 to study abroad by QS Rankings-

Rank	City	Overall Score
1	London	100
=2	Munich	95.1
=2	Seoul	95.1
4	Zurich	95
5	Melbourne	93.3
6	Berlin	93.2
7	Tokyo	92.9
8	Paris	92.4
9	Sydney	91.6
10	Edinburgh	90.6

Top Universities to Study Abroad

Selecting the right institution for your higher education is an important step in your career. Go through the below-mentioned top universities in the world as per the QS Rankings and Timer Higher Education Rankings 2023:

Top Universities in the World	QS University Rankings 2023	THE World University Rankings 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA	1	5
University of Cambridge, UK	2	=3
Stanford University, USA	3	=3
University of Oxford, UK	4	1
Harvard University, USA	5	2
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA	6	6
Imperial College London, UK	7	10
University College London, UK	8	22
ETH- Zurich- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland	9	=11
University of Chicago, US	10	13

How to Go Abroad for Studies?

While planning your journey to study abroad, you must also gear up for certain requirements for particular programmes. Mentioned below are the important aspects required to go abroad for studies:

Choose a Program to Study

Prior to starting, the first important stage is for students to decide on the course of study they want to pursue in the future. In a wide range of professional disciplines, including Business & Finance, Medicine, Engineering & Technology, Education, History, Literature, Visual & Performing Arts, Politics, etc., there are numerous programs available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels. Some of the most popular programs among Indian students studying overseas are listed below. 

Highest Paid Degrees in Germany

Choose the University/College

Targeting potential universities is the next stage after choosing a program of study. There are a ton of universities where students can study overseas, so making a decision can be difficult. Costs and expenses, academic quality and structure, faculty, admission requirements, deadlines, post-degree job possibilities, etc. should all be taken into consideration when making this choice.

Language Proficiency Tests

If you are aspiring to study abroad, especially in an English-speaking country, then you will be required to provide English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. You will have to provide these scores during the application process as well as while applying for a visa so the score requirement will differ as per the university as well as the immigration process. Further, a university might accept your application without language proficiency scores given that you take up a foundation language course at the university alongside your chosen programme. Similar to English proficiency tests, if you are opting for any other country where the official language does not correspond to the official language of your home country, then you will have to appear for their required language proficiency test for admission as well as the visa process.

Exam Name	Fees
IELTS	INR 15,900
PTE	INR 15,900
TOEFL	INR 14,242
Duolingo	INR 4,028

Check out the detailed list of these exams at our exclusive blog on English Proficiency Tests!

Standardised Exams

Apart from language proficiency exams, you might also be required to take standardized tests depending on the programme you are applying for. These tests include SAT exams for undergraduate courses, GRE for MS and MBA programmes and GMAT for MBA.

Exam Name	Fees
GRE	INR 18,863
GMAT	INR 22,800
SAT	Regional Fee – INR 4,081 Non-US Regional Fee – INR 3600

To know more about these exams, read our blog on Exams to Study Abroad!

Preparing for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS or SAT? Click here to book an online demo session with our experts!

Document Checklist

While applying for your chosen course to study abroad, it is important to make a document checklist comprising all the important application essentials you might need. Here is the document checklist you must tick off while planning to study abroad:

• Academic Transcripts: Senior secondary certificates, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree transcripts and mark sheets depending upon the course requirements
• Language proficiency score certificates
• Scorecard of standardized exams like GRE, GMAT, SAT, etc.
• Admission essays
• Statement of Purpose (SOPs)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs) if applicable.

Related Read: CAS Letter

Student Visa for Studying Abroad

Students who are enrolled in recognized foreign universities are eligible to apply for student visas, which are special endorsements added to government passports. Non-immigrant visas, such as student visas, don’t require their holders to become citizens of the nation in which they have filed. Any student who wants to pursue higher education abroad must first apply for a student visa with the relevant foreign government agency. 

When to Apply for a Student Visa?

To put it mildly, studying overseas requires careful planning. Always work backwards from the school deadlines when organizing your application and admissions process. Students must pass English eligibility exams and provide all required documentation in order for their registration to be processed easily, per university regulations. In order to avoid any last-minute rush, it is typically advised that students apply for 1-3 months in preparation. Candidates should add a few more months to their timetable if they are applying for financial aid, scholarships, or student loans because these applications take longer to complete.

Types of Student Visa

Mentioned below are the types of student visa applications required for studying abroad:

Countries	Visa
United States of America	F-1, J-1
United Kingdom	Tier 4
Canada	Canadian Study Permit
Germany	Residence Permit
Australia	Student Visa

How to Apply for Student Visa?

1. Enrol at your desired university
2. Fill out the online application form
3. Upload the supporting documents
4. Pay online
5. Submit the application
6. Print a copy of your application
7. Book an appointment with the closest embassy or consulate
8. Wait for the decision

Documents Required for Student Visa

• A passport with at least two blank pages and an expiration date of more than 180 days is required.
• Two passport-size pictures
• A photocopy of your passport is required.
• You’ll need proof of where you’ll be staying in India
• A hard copy of your online application
• A letter of acceptance from your university
• Financial proof that you have enough money to meet your living expenses in India

Cost of Studying Abroad

Regardless of the country, students will be expected to spend around Rs 30-32 lakh per year studying abroad. This would include tuition fees of Rs 15-20 lakh and living expenses of Rs 10-12 lakh.

Cost of Studying in UK

Factors	Average Cost (Pounds)	Average cost (Rupees)
Tuition Fee	11,400 per annum	9.7 lakhs per annum
Accommodation	500 to 700 per month	42,500-60,000 per month
Food, groceries	100 to 200 per month	8,500 to 17,000 per month
Transportation	30 to 40 per month	2,500 to 3,400 per month
Household Bills	40 to 50 per month	3,400 to 4,200 per month
Miscellaneous	200 to 300 per month	17,000 to 25,500 per month

Cost of Studying in Canada

Factors	Average Cost (CAD)	Average cost (Rupees)
Tuition Fees	35,000 per annum	18,84,000 per annum
Flight Expense	1,600 per flight	97,500
Study Permit Fees	200	11,000
Work Permit Fees	210	11,500
IELTS Fees	–	14,700
Accommodation	5,000 to 10,000	2.7 lakhs to 5.4 lakhs per annum
Travel Costs	80 to 110 per month	4,800 to 6,700 per month
Health Insurance	300 to 800	18,200 to 48,800 per month
Food	300 to 400	18,200 to 24,400

Cost of Studying in USA

Factors	Average Cost (USD)	Average Cost (Rupees)
Tuition Fees	50,000 per annum	40 lakh per annum
Study Visa Fees	510	40,000
Accommodation	9,800 to 11,100 per year	8 lakh to 9 lakh per year
Health Insurance	500 to 1,000 annually	27,500 to 55,000
Food	150 to 200 per month	8,200 to 11,000 per month

Cost of Studying in Australia

Factors	Average Cost (AUD)	Average Cost (Rupees)
Tuition Fees	18,000 per year	10 lakh per year
Study Visa Fees	630	34,800
Accommodation	440 to 1,100 per month	24,300 to 60,600 per month
Travel Costs	30 to 70 per month	1,650 to 3,800 per month
Health Insurance	609 to 3438	33,500 to 1.9 lakh
Food	500 to 1,000 per month	27,500 to 55,000 per month

Cost of Studying in Germany

Factors	Average Cost (Euros)	Average Cost (Rupees)
Tuition Fees	3,000 per year	2.5 lakh per year
Study Visa Fees	75	6,300
Accommodation	250 to 750 per month	21,200 to 64,000 per month
Health Insurance	105 to 111per month	9,000 to 9,400 per month
Transportation	30 to 90 per month	2,500 to 7,600 per month
Food	50 to 150 per month	4,200 to 12,800 per month

Study Abroad with Scholarships

Mentioned below are the top 10 scholarships to study abroad:

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
3. QS Leadership Scholarship
4. QS Scholarship for Academic Excellence
5. QS Undergraduate Scholarship
6. Great Wall Program
7. Clarendon Scholarships at the University of Oxford
8. Adelaide Scholarships International
9. International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia
10. Westminster Full International Scholarship

FAQs

Thus, we hope that this detailed blog assisted you in exploring the key essentials of pursuing a programme abroad! Need help with fulfilling your dream to study abroad? Well, that’s what we are here for! From helping you select the right course that fits your interests to guiding you throughout the admission process and curating impressive SOP and LORs to get you successfully shortlisted into your dream university, our Leverage Edu experts can lend you a helping hand at every step of your study abroad journey! Sign up for an e-meeting with us today and get all your queries answered!