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Students intending to pursue a master's abroad need to know that the cost of pursuing an MS abroad is high and should create an expense list in order to handle their finances. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, over 10 lakh Indian students go abroad every year to pursue higher studies. The cost of pursuing MS abroad for Indian students can be categorized under two major headings: tuition fees and living expenses. Fees for MS abroad differ on several factors like the university the candidate gets admitted to, duration of the program, area of study, and credits in the course. Tuition fees are expensive in universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, Harvard University, and other private universities. It costs an average of USD 20,000 to USD 67,000 to study in the best MS colleges abroad.
Aspirants may choose to study in the most affordable nations, i.e., Germany, Poland, Mexico, or the Nordic nations. RWTH Aachen University, University of Bonn, University of Pisa, University of Milan, Nord University, University of Oslo, and others are among those offering free or low-cost education. In order to cut down on the expenses, students need to score well academically in order to apply for financial aid, either merit-based or need-based scholarships. Students can also seek part-time employment to finance their studies. Continue reading to find out more about the cost of pursuing an MS abroad in prestigious universities, the most affordable countries to study abroad, eligibility requirements, 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 programs 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.
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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.
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