Countries to Study Abroad for Indians other than Canada

Canada is one of the leading destinations for international students. The cultural diversity, world-class academic performance, high-quality research programmes or institutes, diverse society, and opportunities to work or immigrate permanently after graduation attract a plentiful number of international applicants. The maximum number of international students who went to study in Canada recorded in 2022 is from India, with approximately 226,450 Indian enrolments.
Despite being the most loved country by Indian students, many of the applicants are shifting or looking for other countries rather than Canada. The Canadian government has increased living costs, GIC requirements, work permit eligibility and many more things that make life difficult for students who want to study in Canada.

This Story also Contains

1. Germany
2. USA
3. Singapore
4. Netherlands
5. Ireland

Study in Canada: Challenges faced by international students

• Living Cost: Finding sufficient housing and affordable living to pursue their studies in Canada is quite challenging due to the increase in living costs.

• Financial: The financial requirement for getting a study permit in Canada has increased to make students financially prepared for the upcoming lifestyle in the country. All the applicants who applied after January 1, 2024, fall under the new guidelines.

• Increase in GIC Amount: The amount of funds (GIC) required per year, which does not include the tuition cost, has increased by more than double the previous amount. Which will be CAD 20,635 (INR 12.83 lakhs), and the previous amount is CAD 10,000 (INR 6.22 lakhs).

• Jobs: Students face challenges in getting jobs after completing their qualifications.

• Post-Graduation Work Permit Conditions: The duration of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada has also changed from graduate to postgraduate degree programmes. Starting on February 15, 2024, students who are graduating from a master’s degree programme and fulfil all the eligibility criteria of PGWP will be permitted a 3-year post-graduation work permit to enhance Canada's potential labour market.

• Students Intake: For 2024, the intake of students is set at approximately 360,000 approved for study in Canada, which results in a huge decrease of 35% from the 2023 intake. Although students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees and elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap.

• PAL requirements as per new conditions: The majority of new post-secondary international students at the college on the undergraduate level needed to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from a province or territory together with their study permit application.

GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate). represents an account where students deposit money for their stay or living in Canada for a year and every month the students will receive money from that account to meet their living expenses. The money deposited in the GIC account is considered proof of financial funds.

There is a dramatic change in the selection of countries due to the above reasons by the students. Countries with great opportunities, excellent facilities and nearly affordable tuition costs have higher chances of being a good fit for students. Here is a list of some of the best-suited countries for Indian students to study abroad other than Canada.

• Germany

• Netherlands

• Singapore

• USA

• Ireland

Germany

Germany is one of the most searched study destinations among European countries for Indian students.

Considering the tuition cost and cost of living, Germany is the most affordable country, where almost all tuition costs are free or low, regardless of the student’s country of origin. Almost all the public universities in Germany do not require tuition fees and the university cost or additional cost is also affordable compared to other European study abroad destinations.

Universities like the Technical University of Munich, Free University of Berlin, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, University of Oslo, RWTH Aachen University and many more are the top-ranked universities with no tuition fees. This is especially beneficial for Indian students who want to study in Germany without worrying about the financial burden of tuition fees.

Students can also have other benefits of studying in Germany, like the right to stay in Germany for 18 months (1.5 years) to find work and to become financially independent after graduating from university. Getting work after study in Germany is easy and quick due to its highly reputed degree programmes.

USA

The USA is one of the best study-abroad destinations and comes as a first and foremost choice for international students. Some of the top reasons to study in the USA are their excellent approach to cutting-edge programmes, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and their best-ranked universities.

The USA offers incomparable options for academic, professional, and cultural experiences. The country is a hub of major reputed universities in the world and has a modern and advanced approach to research facilities, which will help students gain the most valuable degree and a high chance of work.

Additionally, most of the top public universities in the USA have low tuition costs and easy access.

Students are attracted to the United States because of the flexibility in course selection, vast job opportunities and career growth.

Singapore

Singapore undoubtedly stands out as one of the best countries to study abroad for Indian students. The universities in Singapore aim for technology and innovation and have an unmatched blend of academics, research facilities, and work opportunities. The cost of living in Singapore plays an integral role in the selection of a country to study abroad.

Indian students can have many benefits from studying in Singapore, including a good lifestyle, a good work package and career opportunities. Singapore is also recognised as one of the safest countries in the world. Some of the top universities in Singapore are mentioned below.

• National University of Singapore (NUS)

• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

• Singapore University of Technology & Design.

• Singapore Management University.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for its attractive world-class universities, affordable living costs, high-quality education and globally recognised research facilities, which are among the top reasons to study in the Netherlands for international students.

Additionally, universities in the Netherlands offer higher education courses in English despite being a non-English speaking country; hence, language is never a barrier as everyone speaks English as a second language.

Getting a Netherlands student visa is way easier and more convenient than in other study-abroad countries.

The universities in the Netherlands also provide various scholarships and have the most reasonable tuition fees for international as well as domestic students. A single person's estimated monthly costs in the Netherlands without rent are approximately INR 85,139 (€952.9).

Ireland

Another country that has excellent academic progress and welcomes numerous international students every year. Ireland attracts foreign students with an outstanding growth rate and high-quality research facilities.

providing the safest environment for international students who come to study in the country. The top universities in Ireland follow an excellent education system and provide better opportunities for all of their students. The tuition fee for undergraduate, postgraduate, and other degree programmes is affordable. The cost of living in Ireland is also lower for foreign candidates compared to Canada. Furthermore, the student visa in Ireland is more friendly and quick than most of the study-abroad destinations.

Ireland’s education system is recognised for its affordable education institutes, as most of the universities, especially public universities in Ireland, are funded by the Irish Government. The country offers the safest environment for international students who come to study in Ireland. The country is the home of many of the most prominent universities, including Trinity College Dublin, the University of Limerick, University College Cork and counting.