Planning to study abroad? Looking for the best country to study and settle down in? Check out this complete article to get exclusive and detailed information about the most recommended foreign countries to study abroad.
According to overseas education consultants and international students studying abroad, an aspirant must choose the country wisely before choosing the university or the course. If you are bewildered by the selection of the best place to study abroad in a foreign country, this article will provide helpful guidance.
Parameters to select the right country for higher education
Choosing the right foreign country for higher education is the biggest dilemma for Indian students. Here are certain factors to consider while selecting the best country.
Quality of education
Teaching methodology
Language spoken
Fee structure
Scholarship/Financial aid granted
Cost of living in the country
Accommodation facility
Cultural Accessibility
Classroom culture
Visa and other regulations
Top 10 foreign countries in the world for higher education
International students looking for the best country to course higher studies have endless options to consider. Here we have compiled a list of the most popular countries in the world to study abroad and work.
#1 Australia
% share of total higher education population- 31.3%
Most representative countries- China, India, Nepal
#3 in high-quality teaching
#7 to achieve career goals
#16 in Global Peace Index, 202
Number of international students in 2019- 4,20,501
Number of foreign students in 2020- 6,50,000
In addition to golden beaches, Kangaroos, and Koala, high-rated Australian universities and colleges add dazzle to the country.
With one of the best higher education systems on the planet, Australian universities offer numerous scholarships and job opportunities after graduation.
The average cost of living is low as compared to other English-speaking countries.
Approximate tuition fees per year- 20,000 to 45,000 AUD for Bachelor's degree and 22,000 to 50,000 AUD for Master's and Doctorate degrees.
Tuition fees at top-ranked Australian universities
Estimated tuition fees per year at-
Australian National Universities: 28,000- 48,500 AUD
University of Sydney: 36,000- 57,000 AUD
University of Queensland: 25,000- 46,000 AUD
Low-cost university in Australia
Estimated tuition fees per year-
IPAG Business School: Starts at 13,000 AUD
Flinders University: Starts at 10,350 AUD
University of Wollongong: Starts at 18,800 AUD
Victoria University: Starts at 21,800 AUD
University of New England: Starts at 19,100 AUD
Top courses to study in Australia
MBA
Engineering
Medicine
Environmental Science
Mass Communication
Accounting
Law
What is the cost of living in Australia for Indian students?
Assuming an average standard of living, an international student has to incur 1500- 2500 AUD every month for his/her living, including food, accommodation, transportation, and other expenses. Adelaide is the cheapest place in Australia whereas Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia with an average monthly expense of 2000 AUD per month.
Is Australia a safe place for Indian students?
Australia is a safe place for foreign students but it is not completely free from racism. It is ranked #16 in Global Peace Index, 2021.
#2 Canada
% share of total higher education population- 23.7%
Most representative countries- China, India, France
#4 in high-quality teaching
#6 to achieve career goals
#10 in Global Peace Index 2021
Number of international students in 2019- 4,35,415
English and French are the official languages of the country. English is widely spoken in all regions of the area.
High standard of living, social and economic development and safety factors make it the best country in the world to study and settle.
Approximate tuition fees in Canada
Program-wise estimated cost of study in Canada-
Vocational and Diploma Courses: CAD 2,000 to CAD 19,000 per year
Bachelor's Courses: CAD 1,800 to CAD 20,000 per year
Master's Courses: CAD 2,000 to CAD 18,000 per year
MBA: CAD 30,000 to CAD 40,000 per year
Ph.D.: CAD 2,000 to CAD 17,000
Scholarships in Canada
Following scholarships are available in Canada for international students-
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
York University International Student Scholarships
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at University of Toronto
Erasmus Scholarship
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
National Research Council of Canada Scholarship
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarship
Ontario Trillium Scholarship
Partnership Grams by Social Science and Humanities Research Council for Canada
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
Ritchie- Jennings Memorial Scholarship
Hani Zeini Scholarships
University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarships
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
Top-ranked universities and colleges in Canada
University of Toronto
McGill University
University of British Columbia
Université de Montréal
University of Alberta
McMaster University
University of Waterloo
Western University
Queen's University, and University of Calgary
Low-cost affordable universities in Canada
Estimated cost of education-
Memorial University of Newfoundland: 2,150 – 11,460 CAD/year
Royal Roads University: 750 – 27,600 CAD/year
University of Regina: 1,715 – 20,050 CAD/year
Athabasca University: 1,625 – 17,250 CAD/year
University of Saskatchewan: 4,110 – 24,000 CAD/year
With an outstanding quality of life to live and assured safety, Canada has a relatively higher cost of living than other countries.
Amenity-wise estimated cost per month:
Accommodation on university or college campus: $300- $625
Accommodation in a privately rented house: $700- $900
Food: $400- $500
Mobile & Internet: $50
Transportation: $100
Entertainment: $120- $160
#3 United Kingdom
% share of total higher education population- 22.3%
Most representative countries- China, India, USA
#4 in the world to experience a new culture and lifestyle.
#1 in high-quality education.
#33 in global peace index, 2021
Number of international students in 2019- 4,96,570
The UK is one of the most developed countries on the sphere and offers a wide array of globally recognized educational programs in British universities and colleges.
The list of UK universities includes most of the top-ranked universities in the world.
Scholarships and financial aids are granted by universities, NGOs, private organizations, and government institutions to needy students and meritorious students for under-developed or developing countries.
The estimated cost of study in UK universities- International students have to pay approximately US$ 14,000 – US$ 54,000 depending upon the type of program you chose.
Tuition fees at top-ranked UK universities
Average tuition fees per year-
University of Oxford: 11,000 GBP
University of Cambridge: 10,000-13,000 GBP
University College London: 11,000-16,000 GBP
Imperial College London: 11,000 GBP
London School of Economics & Political Science: 14,000-18,000 GBP
Low-Cost Cheapest UK Universities
Estimated cost of education per annum-
University of Stirling- UG course: £12,140- £14,460, PG course: £13,650- £18,970
Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, East Lothian- UG course: £12,500- £13,500
Teesside University- UG course: £11,800, MBA: £17,000
Wrexham Glyndwr University- UG course: £11,750, PG course: £12,500
University of Bedfordshire- UG course: £11,500, PG course: £12,000, MBA: £12,500
University of Cumbria- £10,500
University of Chester- UG course: £11,950, PG course: £12,000, MBA: £12,250
Top courses to study in UK
Physical and Life Science
Business Management
Fine and Applied Arts
Engineering
Social Science
What is the cost of living in UK?
Depending upon the standard of living of the student and the type of accommodation, the average living cost is $15,000- $20,000 per year. London is the most expensive place in the country.
#4 France
% share of total higher education population- 13.4%
Most representative countries- China, India, Algeria
#5 in Europe
#3 in the world to experience a new lifestyle
#8 in the world in high-quality education
#55 in Global Peace Index, 2021
Number of international students in 2019- 3,43,300
France has total listed 73 universities out of which 43 are best ranked among them.
You get better exposure to the French language- a language which is widely spoken in almost 30 countries across the globe.
The French education system is different from US education System in many ways, like after-school activities, school timing, grading system, and student-teacher relationship.
Best universities in France from QS Rankings 2022
Paris Sciences et Lettres University - PSL Research University Paris
Please note that this figure is applicable only for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Non-EU/EEA students may have to pay more fees than mentioned here.
List of low-cost French Universities
Estimated tuition fee per year -
University of Orleans: € 170 - € 601
University of Strasbourg: €184 - € 610
Grenoble INP Institute of Engineering University Grenoble Alpes: € 122 - € 470
University of Burgundy: € 170 - € 601
Scholarships in France for foreign students
Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
École Normale Supérieure International Selection
France Government Scholarship
INSEAD MBA Scholarships
Ampere Scholarships of Excellence at ENS de Lyon
MIEM Excellence Scholarship
Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation Scholarships
Emile Boutmy Scholarships at Sciences Po University
Université Paris-Saclay International Master's Scholarships
HEC Paris MBA Scholarships
Can I study English in France?
Yes. You can opt for several courses offered in French universities to attract international students. But you have to clear the language proficiency test with a good score.
What is the cost of living in France?
The average living cost in France is 216% higher than in India. Total monthly expenses for two people can be $ 2000- $ 2500 if they are living in an apartment.
#5 Germany
% share of total higher education population- 11.7%
Most representative countries- China, India, Austria
#1 in Europe
#3 in the world to achieve career goals
#5 in the world in high-quality education
#17 in Global Peace Index, 2021
Number of international students in 2019- 2,82,002
Germany offers innumerable courses and globally recognized degrees at its top-ranked universities in the world.
Germany is the only place on the land where universities charge no tuition fees. International students have to pay some administrative expenses only which cost approximately € 250 per semester.
Top Universities in Germany
Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich
Technical University of Munich
Heidelberg University
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
University of Tübingen
Humboldt University Berlin
University of Freiburg
RWTH Aachen University
University of Bonn
Freie Universität Berlin
Free universities in Germany
List of public universities which offer free education to students-
Ludwig Maximilian University
Technical University of Munich
Humboldt University Berlin
University of Heidelberg
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Technical University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
RWTH Aachen University
Top courses in Germany for international students
Highest paid degrees in Germany-
Medicine
Dentistry
Law
Engineering
Maths
Computer Science
Business
Economics
What is the cost of living in Germany?
Unlike other European countries, Germany is not an expensive country. The average cost of living is € 850- € 870 per month.
#6 USA
Most representative countries- China, India, South Korea
#2 in North America
#2 in North America
#5 in the world to experience a new lifestyle
Number of international students in 2019- 10,95,299
USA is the home of the top leading high-ranked institutions in the world like Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Princeton, and many more.
With ample career opportunities, interactive teaching methodology, jazzy campus life, and 33 out of the top 100 universities (according to the QS World Ranking 2019); the US is the most popular country for Indian students to study abroad.
AAUW International Fellowships (Non-Government scholarship)
What is the cost of living in USA?
Living cost in the US is 68% higher than in India. The average and approximate cost of living in the USA is $10,000- $18,000 for a year including accommodation, food, travel, books, clothing, and entertainment expenses.
#7 Netherlands
% share of total higher education population- 13.2%
#4 in Europe
#4 in the world to achieve career goals
#6 in the world to gain high-quality education
Dutch universities are well-known excellent education providers in the world with the ability to challenge American and British universities.
Studying graduation or post-graduation from the Netherlands widens the gateway to a brighter future.
According to QS World University Ranking 2019, there are 13 Netherlands Universities in the list of top 350 universities in the world, and 7 Netherland Universities in the list of top 150 global universities.
Approximate annual fees for graduation are 2000- 6000 EUR and 8000- 20,000 EUR for post-graduation.
Tuition fees at top-ranked Dutch universities
Estimated tuition fee per year-
Delft University of Technology: 2,143 EUR
University of Amsterdam: 2,083 EUR
Wageningen University and Research: 2,083 EUR
Erasmus University Rotterdam: 2,083- 52,000 EUR
Low-cost Dutch university for international students
Estimated tuition fee per year-
Radboud University: 2,143 EUR
University of Twente (UT): 2,083 EUR
Utrecht University: 2,143 EUR
HAN University of Applied sciences: 2,083 EUR
Netherlands Scholarships for foreign students
Holland scholarships
Orange Knowledge Program
Erasmus Mundus scholarships in the Netherlands
Leiden University Excellence scholarships
University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarships
Radboud University Scholarship Programme
Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships
Erik Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen
TU Delft Excellence Scholarships
Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)
University of Twente scholarships
VU University Amsterdam Fellowship Program
The Hague World Citizen Talent scholarships
What is the cost of living in the Netherlands?
The average monthly living cost in the country is 800- 1500 EUR which includes accommodation, food, books, transportation, and leisure activities. Amsterdam is the most expensive city in the nation with an average living cost of 10,000- 15,000 EUR per month while the living cost in Enschede is 650- 920 EUR/month.
Looking for more guidance about the best place to study abroad on a low budget? Drop your query in a comment below to get complete guidance from one of the best overseas education consultants in India.
Article by Nidhi Nidhi is a freelance content writer with 10+ years of experience. She has a great passion to write on valuable topics so as to provide precise information to her readers.
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