СÓÅÊÓƵ

If you are looking for a world-class education with an opportunity to rediscover yourself, studying abroad is something you must consider. Having several life-changing experiences while building a career at a top-notch university sounds exciting, isn’t it? Here are a few more reasons why you should go ahead with the decision:

• Quality of Education: Educational experiences in foreign countries differ from those in India. There are many interesting courses to choose from, and you could pursue a combination of subjects from different or related streams. This will open doors to several career options for you in the future.

• Cultural Immersion: Studying abroad will expose you to people from various cultures globally and you will get first-hand knowledge and experience of how others live. You will always have things to learn and people to learn from.

• New life experiences: Living alone in a new country will transform you into a different person. You will learn to deal with everything yourself, from food to finances. This is truly an experience worth having.

Studying abroad is a growing trend in India and the number of students choosing to go abroad keeps increasing every subsequent year. The total number of Indian students overseas went up from 66,713 in 2000 to 3,01,406 in 2016. The number went up to 7,50,000 in 2022. As of 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs’ statistics indicate that over 15,00,000 Indian students are studying abroad.

Suggested: Benefits of Studying Abroad

Due to the long admission process where you have to keep several things in mind, deciphering the process of studying abroad can be quite confusing. Here’s a guide on how you can start the process more efficiently:

Step 1: Shortlist a country and a university

You must pick a few universities and try finding those that fit your academic profile and align with your career interests; try selecting the best university for your desired course. Selecting a country where you are willing to spend some of your life-defining years is equally important; the selection has to be done based on climate, cuisine, and other similar factors that will impact your life daily. Geopolitical situations will likely affect your visa status, so that must be kept in mind.

Step 2: Speak to a mentor or an expert

An experienced mentor will make the whole process much easier by giving you tips and telling you all the dos and don’ts of the entire process. They will make sure your efforts are applied in the right direction. Their own experience, or their experience with other students will ensure you are properly guided throughout the process.

Step 3: Planning your finances

Look into how much you will spend on the program and find ways to arrange the finances. There are public universities that provide education at a very nominal cost and there are scholarship options available at many universities to help students with the financial aspect of their education.

Step 4: Prepare for the upcoming application process

You must start preparing for the standardized tests and simultaneously, identify gaps in your CV and work on improving them. It’s important to keep track of application timelines at this stage.

It is recommended to start the application process once you are well-versed in all the information. Start the preparation as early as possible so you have ample time to work on the shortcomings in your profile.

Read more on Step-by-step guide for students wanting to study abroad

Choose your preferred international study-abroad destination before you begin applying. These are some of the most popular ones:

USA

The USA is the most popular choice for Indians looking to study abroad. In addition to being a cultural melting pot, it is home to top-10 colleges in the world that provide excellent education.

Germany

Germany is well-known for having several reasonably priced public universities that are also highly ranked worldwide. The research facilities German universities provide are worth aiming for.

UK

The UK offers the best of both modern and traditional worlds. Studying at the best universities worldwide while taking in the marvels of history is fascinating!

Australia

Besides its distinctive fauna and culture, Australia is home to excellent universities. Prepare to engage in both by enrolling in a study abroad program.

Suggested: Best countries to study abroad for Indian students

If you are looking for options regarding which course to pursue, here’s a list of the most popular courses that have good prospects:

• Masters in Business Administration (MBA): MBA is one of the most popular choices among students. Students from all educational backgrounds may opt for this course. It has diverse prospects as it offers entry into high-end finance positions like management consultancy and investment banking.

• Masters in Economics: Economics being a vast field offers several options to students in terms of career prospects. It studies all levels of the economy, including the consumption and distribution of products and services. Fields like Developmental Economics, Labor Economics, Public Economics, etc. are available for specialization.

• MS in Data Science: One of the most sought-after fields today, this is a sub-field of Computer Science that studies data and their application in real-world problems. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence are transforming the world in many ways, and a career in them is bound to be transformative.

• Masters in Management: This is one of the most popular courses where students are taught important skills like leadership and organizational skills. This prepares students to face business with improved skills and more confidence.

Read more on Study Abroad Course Guides

The QS Rankings are a reliable metric to determine how good a university is. These are some of the top study-abroad destinations in the world, across some of the most popular global destinations:

Suggested: Top 100 universities in the world

Knowing the cost of studying abroad can help a student make better financial decisions. Some estimates of the cost are given below:

How to Save Money While Studying Abroad?

Studying abroad could put you in a position where you will find yourself making important long-term financial decisions. There are ways to reduce the cost of studying abroad.

• ISIC Card: This is an internationally recognized student identity card that you can use to avail of discounts and other benefits.

• Affordable accommodations: Finding an affordable accommodation will save you a lot of money. Add a modest lifestyle to it to save even more.

• Part-time jobs: There is a widespread culture of working part-time jobs among international students in foreign countries. This will help you fund some of your expenses.

• Utilizing sales: Good discounts during various sale seasons will hugely benefit you.

Suggested: Some tips on saving money

Eligibility varies between countries and universities. They must be kept in mind while applying to them.

USA

• 3 to 4 years of a bachelor's degree in the relevant field with an average GPA of 3.0 or 65 - 70% and above.
• Proof of your English-language Proficiency test such as IELTS.
• GRE score that is 290 or above.
• Statement of Purpose.
• Two to three letters of recommendation.

UK

• An undergraduate degree.
• GMAT/GRE scores depending on your course and institution (required by only a few UK universities)
• English language proficiency tests such as IELTS score (minimum 6.5 for UK universities)

Germany

• A recognized undergraduate degree (Bachelor's) in a related field.
• Proof of language proficiency, in German or English, depends on the language instruction.
• You must clear international exams like the GRE/GMAT, and TOEFL/IELTS.

Australia

• A bachelor’s degree
• Scorecard of English Language Proficiency
• A valid passport and visa
• GRE scorecard (if applicable)
• Work experience (if applicable)

Suggested: Entrance Exams for Study Abroad Programs

The ROI of studying in India and abroad varies depending on certain factors. The fees for the in-demand degrees in foreign universities are high, but the students pursuing them are more likely to secure a high-paying job afterward. A less in-demand degree from a lower-ranked university will have a lower ROI, at least in the short term, but there will be employment opportunities in India and abroad. 

A degree from one of the top Indian universities in fields such as Engineering, MBA, and Law ensures a well-paying job, but the same degrees from lower-ranked universities and other degrees that are outside professional courses do not appeal to a lot of employers. 

A takeaway from this is that pursuing a degree from India or abroad is a decision that should be made based on the student’s interests, financial situation, and career goals.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s a comparison of the median salaries of students with bachelor's degrees in India and other countries.

Several scholarships are available to Indian students wanting to go abroad for their post-graduation degree.

• The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship: This scholarship is for outstanding Indian students who want to pursue an MS in a US university. The candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree (minimum marks 55%) equalling a US bachelor's degree. The candidate must also have more than three years of work experience. The candidate must not have completed or hold a second degree from the US. 

• National Overseas Scholarship for SC students: The candidate should be under 35 years. The candidate must be recognized as a member of one of the following: Scheduled Castes (SC)/DE notified Nomadic Tribes, Semi-Nomadic Tribes/Landless Agricultural Laborers/Traditional Artisans. The candidate must have scored 60% or more in their previous degree. The candidate’s annual income must not exceed INR 8 lakh per annum.

• Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship: The student has a uniform academic record of at least 60%, a postgraduate, and a Ph.D. in their subject of interest. The eligible subjects are a few, as mentioned. The candidate must be between the ages of 30 and 40 to avail of the fellowship. A minimum of 3 of experience in teaching at the PG or UG level is needed after the candidate completes their Ph.D.

• Chevening Scholarship: The Chevening UK government scholarship is intended for applicants with strong academic records. This scholarship allows you to join the prestigious Chevening Global Network with financial assistance. To be eligible for this scholarship, one must have good referrals, clear an interview, and score well on the English proficiency test.

Suggested: List of all scholarships for Indian students

Even though it may appear simple, applying for school overseas involves several steps. Choosing a program that best fits your abilities, completing the right paperwork, writing an SOP, and applying for a study visa are essential for your study abroad journey. You need the advice of overseas education experts at СÓÅÊÓƵ to minimize the likelihood of rejection, as any mistake at any stage could result in the application being rejected.

• Evaluation of profile: An overseas education consultant's main responsibility is to understand a student's profile, including their field of study, interests, and future objectives, before recommending programs that best fit their needs.

• University selection: With so many institutions providing an even greater choice of degrees, picking the best one might often be a difficult challenge. Here, a student-focused education specialist assists them in locating and applying to academic institutions that provide the courses they are interested in.

• Admission Processing: Students can prepare their financial documentation and fill out their admission forms accurately with the assistance of a study abroad adviser.

For Indian students, studying overseas presents a distinct set of obstacles concerning academic structure and cultural acceptance. Indian students must be aware of national customs and refrain from doing anything that could be frowned upon. Here is some advice to help you succeed and adjust to life abroad.

• Do venture outside of your comfort zone and push yourself to try new things, such as different foods, activities, pastimes, etc. There's a ton of stuff to see and do.
• Make a budget for your money. Include rent, utilities, groceries, transport costs, data fees, entertainment, study materials, etc.
• Try to become conversant in the local tongue of the new nation. The locals will recognize your efforts and frequently offer guidance to increase your language skills, even if you are not fluent.
• Make sensible use of your schedule. Allocate time for life, work, and education. Try to get the most out of your time studying in this new country.
• Remember to keep vital paperwork on hand. Organize all of your documents. Ensure your travel, financial, educational, and visa paperwork are securely stored in one location.
• Avoid comparing your study abroad experience to that of other foreign students. It will be entirely your own experience. Take notes, analyze it, and guide it as you see fit.

Now that you are informed about the top study abroad programs, it’s time to make a strategy to ensure your admission to your dream university. A smart approach to college applications can make your study-abroad dream come true at nominal expenses. With your determination, approach, and a little help from experts who have helped several students secure admissions to the best universities in the world, your study-abroad dream shall no longer be a distant one.

Want to ensure a smooth admission process right from the beginning? СÓÅÊÓƵ has helped more than 10,000 students get into top universities. Book an appointment for an Online Consultation at СÓÅÊÓƵ right now for personalized tips, strategies, and feedback from seasoned experts!