Study in USA
Universities inviting applications | Get expert guidance
Students planning to study masters abroad must consider the cost of studying MS abroad and make an expense checklist to manage their finances. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, every year, more than 10 lakh Indian students move abroad to pursue higher studies. The cost of studying MS abroad for Indian students can be divided into two broad categories, tuition expenses, and living expenses.
Tuition fees for MS abroad vary on various factors including the university chosen by the candidate, programme duration, course of study, and course credits. The cost of tuition is high in universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, Harvard University, and other private universities. The average cost of studying in top MS colleges abroad is between USD 20,000 to USD 67,000.
Candidates can opt for the cheapest country to study for Indian students such as Germany, Poland, Mexico, or Nordic countries. Some of the universities that offer free or affordable tuition include RWTH Aachen University, University of Bonn, University of Pisa, University of Milan, Nord University, University of Oslo, and more.
To reduce the financial burden, students must have high academic scores to apply for financial aid, which is either merit or need-based scholarships. Applicants can also look for part-time jobs to support their education. Read on to learn more about the cost of studying MS abroad in top universities, the cheapest countries to study abroad, eligibility criteria, scholarships, and more.
Every year, numerous students plan to pursue their master's degrees overseas. Below is a list of the top 10 colleges ranked by QS 2025 that provide the best MS programmes abroad.
University | MS Abroad Fees |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USD 29,875 |
Starts from EUR 40,000 | |
University of Oxford | EUR 15,000 - EUR 55,000 |
USD 43,000 - USD 50,000 | |
EUR 25,000 - EUR 67,000 | |
USD 35,000 - USD 55,000 | |
ETH Zurich | CHF 730 per semester |
SGD 48,000 | |
EUR 19,000 - EUR 72,000 | |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | USD 52,000 - USD 61,000 |
There are several countries abroad that offer education at lower cost of tuition and the living expenses in that country are affordable as well. According to QS, the following is a list of the cheapest countries for Indian students based on living expenses.
Country | Living costs |
Norway | NOK 139,680 per year. |
Taiwan | TWD 88,000 per year. |
Germany | EUR 1,200 per month |
France | EUR 900 to EUR 2,200 per month |
Mexico | USD 9,250 |
India | USD 4,600 a year. |
Argentina | USD 5,000 |
Poland | EUR 6,600 per year |
Malaysia | MYR 14,400 per year |
South Africa | R 120,000 per year |
Many universities in Germany, Norway, Finland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Iceland provide low-cost or free education in public institutions. However, students have to manage the cost of living expenditures, which are significantly greater than those in India. Students have to budget their expenses carefully before seeking admission to universities to study abroad for free.
Country | Universities |
Germany | |
Italy |
|
Nordic Countries |
|
All international students interested in pursuing a career in engineering, medicine, business, finance, healthcare, or management can apply for MS courses abroad. Numerous course prerequisites must be met before applying to MS colleges abroad. Eligibility for MS in Abroad for Indian Students is listed below.
All Indian students must have completed a bachelor's degree (three to four years) with a high GPA in the relevant discipline or equivalent.
Candidates must have 0 to 2 years of work experience.
Students are required to prove English language proficiency by submitting valid IELTS / TOEFL scores.
Some universities may also demand French or German language proficiency.
Applicants must have valid, standardised GMAT or GRE results.
They must meet the university's other course requirements.
Candidates wishing to pursue higher study in MS colleges abroad must submit proof of standardised exam scores and English proficiency scores, as listed below:
GRE: Applicants wishing to pursue a master's degree in science, arts, education, engineering, or another discipline at the world's top universities must have valid GRE scores.
GMAT: Candidates seeking higher education in the fields of business or management must take the GMAT exam.
IELTS / TOEFL / PTE: Students from non-English speaking countries are required to take these exams to demonstrate English language proficiency.
All international students must have enough financial resources to cover the cost of studying MS abroad, which varies by country, university, and the course chosen by an individual. Aside from tuition fees, students must also cover the cost of living expenses, which include housing, food, transportation, utilities, books and supplies, and other expenditures. The cost of studying MS abroad in different countries is listed below.
Country | Cost in Rs |
Rs 6 to 50 lakhs | |
Rs 12 to Rs 20 lakhs | |
Rs 12 to 30 lakhs per year | |
Rs 12 to 30 lakhs per year | |
Rs 9 to 43 lakhs. | |
Rs 16 to 20 Lakhs |
Tuition costs are quite high in various countries throughout the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and France. Thus, students can apply for merit or need-based scholarships to reduce their financial burden. Some of the MS scholarships available in different countries are listed here:
Country | Scholarships |
USA |
|
UK |
|
Australia |
|
Switzerland |
|
Spain | GSE Scholarships |
Canada |
|
Netherlands |
|
Italy |
|
Hungary |
|
Ireland | NUI Galway International Student Scholarships |
France |
|
Germany |
|
All Indian students planning to study MS abroad can take guidance from the following strategies that can help them manage their living costs in the country.
Different universities in the world have different tuition fees, and hence the cost of living also differs depending on the location of the university. Students looking for an MS degree with affordable tuition fees can look for public universities to study overseas.
Applicants must have high academic scores to be considered eligible for MS scholarships abroad to reduce their education costs.
Students can search for part-time jobs to cover their living expenses in the country.
Candidates must make a detailed list of all the living expenses abroad, including rent, food, transport, and others to reduce unnecessary expenditures while living in the country.
Also Read:
Germany is the cheapest country to pursue a master’s degree abroad. Public universities in Germany offer education almost free for both domestic and international students. Tuition fees at private universities are also quite affordable for international students. However, students are required to manage their living expenses, as the cost of living in Germany is high for Indian students.
Yes, you can study overseas for 5 lakhs, particularly in countries with cheaper tuition and living costs. These countries include Germany, Mexico, and Eastern European countries. Apart from these, students can also apply for merit or need-based scholarships and look for part-time employment to cover the cost of their education. One must make a thorough budget plan to manage their expenses and funds while studying abroad.
Canada is not generally regarded as an affordable study-abroad destination when compared to other countries, but it provides a balance of high-quality education and affordable tuition. Tuition fees and living expenses differ by region and university. The availability of Scholarships and job opportunities can help international students cover their living and educational costs.
The overall cost of studying MS in USA is approximately Rs 6 to 50 lakhs, which only includes tuition and admission fees. The cost of living in USA is around Rs 1,67,000 per month which covers housing, food, transportation, utilities, and other living expenses. Candidates are advised to research thoroughly and plan their finances before moving to study abroad.
Select test center appointment | Scores valid for 5 Years | Multiple Attempts | Round 1 Applications Closing Soon
Accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide
Register now for PTE & Unlock 10% OFF : Use promo code: 'C360SPL10'. Limited Period Offer!
Apply for GRE® Test now & save 10% with ApplyShop Gift Card | World's most used Admission Test for Graduate & Professional Schools
Explore Universities, Courses & Subjects | Work while study
Apply for upcoming intake & plan your journey