The 5 Best Countries for Indian Students to Study Abroad

As an Indian student aspiring to study abroad, figuring out which country is the right place for your higher education can be quite tricky. The best countries for Indian students to study abroad are more often the ones that offer the most benefits. Countries like the USA, UK, Germany, Canada and Australia are the most preferred study abroad destinations. However, you must ensure that the country you choose must check all your requirements. Factors like university ranking, program structure and outcome, cost of education, the standard of living, visa requirements, safety, etc., determine if the country is the ideal choice for you.

In this article, we are enlisting the five best countries for Indian students to study abroad, ranked based on their popularity and the perks that the countries offer.

Best Countries for Indian Students to Study Abroad in 2022-2023

The United States of America (USA)

The USA tops the list of best study abroad destinations. Home to some of the top 10 global universities, the United States is widely acclaimed for superior quality education and academic research work. Listed below are a few factors that influence the popularity of the USA.

International Student Population: According to Statista, about 1,095,299 international students were studying in the USA in 2019, the highest number of international students in a foreign country. Though 2020-21 saw a dip in the number, it is primarily attributed to the pandemic.

Total Number of Universities: The US has over 5000 recognised universities and affiliate colleges comprising state universities (public-funded) and private institutes. Of them, 3000 plus universities are post-secondary degree-granting institutions.

Global University Rankings: According to QS World University Rankings, 352 colleges in the US are ranked among the top universities in the world. The USA alone houses 5 of the top 10 global universities and several other Ivy League schools and world-renowned institutes.

Most Popular Fields of Study in the USA: The US universities offer excellent quality education in the following fields:

• Business Management
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Medicine & Health Sciences
• Law 
• Social Sciences
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Mathematics
• Liberal Arts
• Psychology

Tuition Fees: The cost of studies in the US is based mainly on the type of program and the field of study. 

Bachelor’s degree: Tuition fee for an undergraduate program ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 a year, depending on the course.

Master’s degree: The average fee for a postgraduate program in the US is $20,000 to $45,000 (higher for management programs and professional programs like Medicine, Law, Dentistry, etc.)

Cost of Living: The estimated cost of living for international students in the US is anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000. Monthly expenses can range from $1000 to $2000, including accommodation (rent), food and groceries, study material, travel or commuting, recreation cost, clothing and other miscellaneous expenditure. Rental price makes up a significant chunk of living expenses, based on the location. While it costs relatively less to live in a suburb, big cities are pretty expensive.

Most Prestigious Universities in the USA

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2. Stanford University
3. Harvard University
4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
5. University of California Berkeley (UCB)
6. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
7. Yale University
8. Columbia University
9. Princeton University
10. New York University (NYU)
11. University of Pennsylvania
12. University of Chicago
13. Cornell University

The United Kingdom (UK)

The British education system is highly acclaimed for world-class education and a dynamic learning environment. Top universities in the UK are some of the oldest and the best in the world.

International Student Population: A total of 605,130 international students are studying in the UK as of 2020/21, according to the data derived by Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Total Number of Universities: The UK is home to over 164 universities and higher education institutes, and the number is increasing every year.

Global University Rankings: Around 108 universities in the UK are ranked in the QS World University Rankings, with four UK universities ranked among the top 10 universities globally.

Most Popular Fields of Study in the UK: The UK universities offer a wide range of courses, of which the below are the most sought-after by international students.

• Medicine & Health Sciences
• Nursing
• Computer Sciences
• Engineering & Technology
• Business Management
• Psychology
• Law 
• Social Sciences
• Mathematics & Applied Sciences
• Media & Communication
• Liberal Arts

Tuition Fees: Students have to pay an average tuition fee of £10,000 to £35,000, based on the type of study program.

Bachelor’s degree: It costs anywhere between £7,000 to £25,000 to pursue an undergraduate program in the UK.

Master’s degree: The average tuition fee for a postgraduate program in the UK is £10,000 to $35,000 (significantly higher for medicine and management programs)

Cost of Living: The annual living expenses in the UK come to about £12,000, considering all costs, including accommodation, food, supplies, study material, travel, entertainment, utility bills, shopping and other miscellaneous expenses. The rental price can vary depending on the location of the university.

The Top 10 Universities in the UK

1. University of Oxford
2. University of Cambridge 
3. Imperial College London 
4. University College London (UCL )
5. The University of Edinburgh 
6. The University of Manchester 
7. King’s College London 
8. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 
9. The University of Warwick 
10. University of Bristol 

Canada

Canada is regarded as one of the safest countries to pursue higher education. The country houses hundreds of eminent universities and public research universities that offer excellent quality education. Canada is also ranked #1 for rendering the best quality of life.

International Student Population: Canada has the third-highest international student population, housing 642,480 students in 2019, according to IRCC.

Total Number of Universities: Canada has over 100 plus public and private universities that employ English and French as the medium of instruction.

Global University Rankings: According to QS World University Rankings, 26 Canadian universities are among the top-ranked universities in the world.

Most Popular Fields of Study in Canada: 

• Business Management
• Computer Science & Information Technology
• Engineering
• Health, Medicine & Biosciences
• Law 
• Finance & Economics 
• Social Sciences
• Hospitality
• Mathematics
• Media & Journalism

Tuition Fees: 

Bachelor’s degree: The tuition fee for an undergraduate program in Canada ranges between $10,000 to $20,000, which varies from one course to another.

Master’s degree: Tuition fee for a postgraduate program in Canada averages around $15,000 to $25,000 (relatively higher for management programs and professional courses)

Cost of Living: The average cost of living for international students in Canada ranges from $8000 to $10,000. This includes accommodation, food supplies, study material, travel expenses, leisure activities, shopping, internet and other miscellaneous costs. Living cost also depends on where you live.

The Best Universities in Canada

1. McGill University
2. University of British Columbia
3. Université de Montréal
4. University of Alberta
5. McMaster University
6. University of Waterloo
7. Western University
8. Queen’s University
9. University of Calgary

Germany

Germany is the most popular destination for education in engineering, technology and biological sciences. German universities offer outstanding quality education and industrial opportunities for students to gain practical momentum.

International Student Population: Germany houses over 400,000 international students in its public and private universities.

Total Number of Universities: Over 400 recognised universities in Germany offer more than 17,000 graduate and undergraduate programs. 

Global University Rankings: More than 63 universities in Germany are ranked in the QS World University Rankings.

Most Popular Fields of Study in Germany: 

• Engineering Studies
• Computer Science & Information Technology
• Business Management
• Biological Sciences
• Social Sciences

Tuition Fees:  In Germany, public universities do not charge any tuition fees for international students. They only charge a nominal semester fee of anywhere between 100 euros to 3000 euros a year. Private universities in Germany charge a tuition fee of anywhere between 5000 euros to 10,000 euros per year.

Cost of Living: The living expenses in Germany range between 700 to 1200 euros per month. Students must deposit 10,332 euros/year in a blocked account to cover their living expenses as per the German government mandate.

The Top 10 Public Universities in Germany

1. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
2. Humboldt University of Berlin
3. Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU)
4. RWTH Aachen University (RWTH)
5. Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)
6. University of Stuttgart
7. Technical University of Braunschweig (TU Braunschweig)
8. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
9. Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden)
10. University of Bonn

Australia

One of the most diverse nations globally, Australia is among the five best study abroad destinations in the world. Several of the top Australian universities rank among the top 50 universities, renowned for high-quality education, professional training and overall development.

International Student Population: As of 2021, more than 800,000 international students have enrolled in a wide range of study programs in Australia.

Total Number of Universities: There are around 43 recognised universities in Australia, including 37 public universities, four private universities and one international private university.

Global University Rankings: Around 15 Australian universities are ranked in QS World University Rankings as of 2021.

Most Popular Fields of Study in Australia: 

• Business Management
• Medicine & Allied Health Sciences
• Engineering
• Computer Science & Information Technology
• Architecture
• Law 
• Social Sciences
• Arts & Humanities
• Environmental Studies
• Tourism & Hospitality

Tuition Fees: 

Bachelor’s degree: The tuition fee for an undergraduate program in Australia ranges between $15,000 to $30,000 a year.

Master’s degree: The tuition fee for a postgraduate program in Australia averages around $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the field of study.

Cost of Living: International students studying in Australia need anywhere between $20,000 to $30,000 a year for overall expenses. The cost of living in Australia is relatively higher than in other countries.

Top 10 Global Universities in Australia

1. University of Melbourne
2. Australian National University
3. University of Queensland
4. Monash University
5. University of Sydney
6. University of New South Wales
7. University of Adelaide
8. The University of Western Australia
9. University of Technology Sydney
10. University of Canberra

Conclusion

Globalisation has positively influenced the education sector by integrating the international student community. More and more students are moving to different countries for enhanced academic and career prospects. Consequently, there has been a steady and steep rise in the Indian student population seeking global education. In this article, we have reviewed the five best countries for Indian students to study abroad. However, several other countries are equally competent for higher studies. New Zealand, France, China, Singapore, Ireland, and Italy are a few other countries most sought-after for global education.

Further Reading: How to Study Abroad from India: A Complete Guide