Alternate popular study abroad destinations for Indians other than US, UK and Canada in 2025

Until a decade ago, some of the most popular places to study abroad for Indian students used to be US, UK, Canada, and Australia. In Asia, students choose Japan, China, and Singapore. However, with time, some alternative popular study abroad destinations have made it to this list. There are several reasons behind this shift.

Are you planning to pursue higher studies from foreign universities? Then, you must know these countries to be able to choose the best place to study. In this article, we will talk about some non-conventional countries for studying abroad that are stealing the limelight these days. We will also discuss why international students are turning away from the top 10 study abroad destinations.

How To Choose A Study Abroad Destination?

Studying abroad is a dream come true for many students. However, there are certain considerations to take into account. The classic options like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia continue to dominate the study abroad landscape, but some new countries are also emerging and gaining traction.

This is due to several reasons, such as affordability, diverse cultural experiences for international students, and a welcoming environment and post-study options. It is important to research well before deciding where to study.

Following are some points that you must consider before deciding where you want to study:

• Identify the course you want to study: List down your interests and strengths. Research extensively on the course that you wish to do, its modules, and duration in the country that you want to study. Also, research the job prospects in that country after graduation.

• Understand the scope of your course: Find out whether the chosen course has any scope in the country or not. Check how strong the study abroad destination is in your industry base. For instance, if you want to be a civil engineer, then New Zealand is the best place for you. For healthcare, students prefer to study in Ireland.

• Check if the educational structure suits you: Different destinations have different educational requirements. Research the teaching pedagogy and see if it aligns with your course.

• Check eligibility, cost, intake, and employment opportunities: Go through the entry requirements and see if you fulfil them. Check the overall cost that you will incur in that particular country and choose the intake that you want admission in. Don’t forget to check the employment opportunities in the country after doing the course.

• Check visa requirements and policies: Remember to understand the visa requirements for the country you are interested in. Each country has different immigration policies and visa processing fees.

5 Alternative Study Abroad Destinations For International Students

Going abroad to study is a fascinating journey; however, a lot of students have to let go of this journey due to financial constraints. Indeed, the experience is expensive, but there are some coolest places to study abroad that are very affordable and offer excellent academic and research opportunities to international students.

These are:

Germany

The growing popularity of Germany among international students has made it one of the top study abroad destinations. The main reason why students want to study in Germany is because there are so many cheapest universities in Germany that offer low or no tuition fees to international students. Also, as per a survey by DAAD, over 90% of the German universities have been witnessing a stable and growing student enrollment every year.

Also read:

Cost of living in Germany

The cost of living depends on various factors, such as lifestyle and accommodation option chosen. Here’s a general breakdown of the cost of living for international students in Germany:

Note: This might vary depending on the location and accommodation chosen.

Top universities in Germany

Germany is home to reputed universities known for their brilliant academic programs and research contributions. Here are some of the top universities in Germany:

Popular courses and fees in Germany

German universities offer a wide range of courses. Public universities do not charge tuition fees for undergraduate programs; however, students need to pay the administrative fees. Here’s a cost breakdown of the top courses to study in Germany:

Average job salaries in Germany

Below is an average annual salary in Germany for different professions:

Italy

The cost of living in Italy is 40% less than the traditional study abroad destinations. Some of the oldest universities are located here. The top universities in Italy are known for their academic prestige, cultural immersion, and affordability.

Cost of living in Italy

Note: This might vary depending on the location and accommodation chosen.

Top universities in Italy

Italy is home to reputed universities known for affordable academic programs. Here are some of the top universities in Italy:

Popular courses and fees in Italy

Italian universities offer a wide range of courses. Here are some of the top courses to study in Italy and their fees:

Average job salaries in Italy

Below is an average annual salary in Italy for different professions:

Ireland

Ireland is one of the alternative popular study abroad destinations that has a strong international strategy to attract more students. The country also has the highest proportion of Indian students in the EU.

Cost of living in Ireland

Note: Rent prices are higher in major cities like Dublin.

Top universities in Ireland

Here are some of the top universities in Ireland:

Popular courses and fees in Ireland

Here are some of the top courses to study in Italy and their fees:

Note: Tuition fees can vary depending on the university and specific program.

Average job salaries in Ireland

Below is an average annual salary in Ireland for different professions:

Netherlands

International students want to study in Netherlands because it offers high-quality education, English-taught programs, affordable tuition fees, and excellent career prospects.

Cost of living in Netherlands

Note: Rent prices are higher in major cities like Amsterdam.

Top universities in Netherlands

Here are some of the top universities in Netherlands:

Popular courses and fees in Netherlands

Here are some of the top courses to study in Netherlands and their fees:

Note: Tuition fees can vary depending on the university and specific program.

Average job salaries in Netherlands

Below is an average annual salary in Netherlands for different professions:

Singapore

Students study in Singapore because the education is affordable, multicultural student society, work-after-study in Singapore visa options, and safety.

Cost of living in Singapore

Note: Rent prices are higher in central areas like Orchard Road and Marina Bay.

Top universities in Singapore

Here are some of the top universities in Singapore:

Popular courses and fees in Singapore

Here are some of the top courses to study in Singapore and their fees:

Note: Tuition fees can vary depending on the university and specific program.

Average job salaries in Singapore

Below is an average annual salary in Singapore for different professions: