Studying Abroad: What You Must Know?
Studying Abroad options among Indian students are increasingly becoming popular. As per the data released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, more than 7 Lakh Indian students are pursuing Studying abroad in 2019. Further, the number of students applying for study abroad visa is more than 3 Lakh now. Among Indian students, the most preferred countries to study abroad include US, Canada, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Are you also amongst those students who aspire to join a bachelor’s or master’s level course at top universities abroad? If yes, you need to know every significant detail related to studying abroad such as the top universities to study abroad, their admission cycle, living cost, visa requirements, availability of scholarships and more.
Study Abroad – Top 10 Universities in the World
According to the QS World University Ranking 2020, the following are the top 10 universities you can look up for higher studies –
University Name | Country | Popular Courses |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | United States | Engineering
Mathematics and Statistics Physical Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences |
Stanford University | United States | Engineering
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Social Sciences Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Biological and Biomedical Sciences |
Harvard University | United States | Social Sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences Mathematics History Physical Sciences |
University of Oxford | United Kingdom | Medical Science
Life Sciences Physical Sciences Social Sciences Arts and Humanities |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | United States | Engineering
Computer and Information Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Physical Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences |
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) | Switzerland | Science and Technology
Engineering Architecture Chemistry Physics |
University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | Arts and Humanities
Clinical Medicine Biological Sciences Humanities and Social Sciences Physical Sciences Technology |
University College London (UCL) | United Kingdom | Medicine
Languages Law Engineering Astrophysics History |
Imperial College London | United Kingdom | Engineering
Science Medicine Business |
University of Chicago | United States | Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
Mathematics Biology or Biomedical Sciences Political Science & Government Public Policy Analysis |
However, as per the World University Ranking 2019 announced by the Times Higher Education, the following universities are ranked among the top 10.
University Name | Country | Percentage of international students |
University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 40% |
University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 37% |
Stanford University | United States | 23% |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | 34% |
California Institute of Technology | United States | 29% |
Harvard University | United States | 26% |
Princeton University | United States | 24% |
Yale University | United States | 20% |
Imperial College London | United Kingdom | 56% |
University of Chicago | United States | 25% |
Study Abroad – Admission Cycle
Once you are sure about your preferred country to study abroad and the institutions of your choice, you need to know the admission cycle and application timelines. Further, in order to apply for admission to any university, you need to prepare its application and documents in advance. To do so, it is important that you keep track of the admission cycle of the university/universities you want to study in. We have compiled country-wise college application deadlines in our articles listed below –
- COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES IN USA
- COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES IN CANADA
- COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES IN AUSTRALIA
- COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES IN NEW ZEALAND
Studying Abroad – Visa Requirements
After you get insight of university admission timelines, you must understand the rules of visa which plays a crucial role in planning your studies abroad. Of course, there are distinctive visa requirements for each country for international students. Depending on the tenure of the course applied for, the Visa requirements may vary. The immigration authority of the respective country is responsible for processing your student visa. What are the documents required to apply for a student visa to study abroad? How many types of student visas are available? Get an answer to all these question in our articles listed below –
Studying Abroad – Living Costs
The cost of living in a foreign country is also a crucial factor that requires your attention while planning to study abroad. There are a lot of other expenses involved apart from the academic expenses. One cannot neglect the cost of accommodation, food, travelling, and other miscellaneous expenses while planning their studies abroad. While there are scholarships and educational loans available to meet your academic expenses, the living cost is a major factor when you plan your academic expenses. So, to help you plan your living expenses efficiently in different countries, we have compiled a list of country-wise articles on Studying abroad expenses. Find below:
- COST OF LIVING IN USA
- COST OF LIVING IN UK
- COST OF LIVING IN AUSTRALIA
- COST OF LIVING IN CANADA
- COST OF LIVING IN IRELAND
- COST OF LIVING IN SINGAPORE
- COST OF LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND
- COST OF LIVING IN UAE
Studying Abroad – Scholarship Opportunities
While studying abroad seems like a dream come true for students, it raises the concern of affordability for some. Of course, with so many expenses to look after, managing funds for Studying abroad seems to be a tough task to accomplish. However, to reduce your burden to some extent, various universities and organisations offer scholarship opportunities, bursaries and financial aid to cover your academic expenses. These scholarships do turn out to be a great help for many students in pursuing their aspirations. While you are planning your studies abroad, you must also look up for the available scholarship opportunities to cover some of your expenses.
Here, we have compiled the list of articles that highlight top scholarships to pursue studies in different countries.
- SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD
- TOP US SCHOLARSHIPS
- TOP UK SCHOLARSHIPS
- TOP AUSTRALIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
- TOP CANADA SCHOLARSHIPS
Studying Abroad – Key Examinations to Clear
Getting admission in a university/institution abroad is equally competitive as it is in India. The prospective students are required to qualify certain examinations to get admissions in their desired course of study. For the English language proficiency, which most of the universities essentially require, the IELTS and the TOEFL are considered the key examinations. Furthermore, there are several other internationally acclaimed examinations that a student must know while planning to study abroad. Find below the list of some prominent examination, you must be aware of –
Studying Abroad – Key Tips to Remember
Once you are aware of every minute detail related to study abroad, there are still a few things that require your attention. While planning to study abroad, you must also keep the following key tips in mind –
- Get all your paperwork done in advance (especially the Passport and the Visa) to avoid last-minute delays.
- Arrange for your flight and housing as you get an offer of a place.
- Stay updated about the currency exchange rates.
- Conduct comprehensive research on your study abroad destination to have a clear idea of its culture, people, and places.
- Make sure you are medically fit and get all your necessary check-ups/vaccinations done.
- Arrange sufficient funds or resources to fund your education and living in a foreign nation.
- Star packing your essential necessities in advance.
- Find suitable modes of communicating with your family while studying abroad.
- Visit your bank and inform them about your abroad studies to never run out of funds in the foreign land.
Studying Abroad – QnA
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions related to study abroad –
Q1. What is the best place for Studying abroad?
A. The topmost preferred study abroad destinations among Indian students are the US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. However, it is advisable to choose a destination that fits perfectly with your study requirements and other pre-requisites.
Q2. Why do students prefer to Studying abroad rather than in India?
A. Here are some of the key reasons why students prefer to study abroad –
- Excellent career opportunities
- Enhanced language skills
- Exposure to a new culture and education system
- Overall personality development
Q3. Which are the scholarships for studying abroad?
A. Various international universities and governments of different countries offer a number of scholarship opportunities for international students. Refer to the ‘Scholarship Opportunities’ section for more details.
Q4. A student wants to Study abroad, but he/she does not have enough money. What should he/she do?
A. Meeting your expenses while studying abroad is a major concern. To help you deal with the finances, there are scholarships, bursaries and education loan facilities offered by various institutions and governments of different countries.
Q5. How can a student apply for scholarships to study abroad?
A. Each scholarship to support Studying abroad education comes with its distinctive application procedure. Refer to respective scholarships to know their detailed application procedure.
We wish you all the luck for your studies abroad!