How Study Abroad Counselling Beneficial for Students? Paid vs Free

Edited By Jembi Selva Mary. A | Updated on Dec 17, 2024 11:53 AM IST

International students benefit from study abroad counselling as they get guidance on managing the challenging process of studying abroad. The counsellor guides and advises them on selecting the right university, popular destinations, admission tips, applying for scholarships, the visa process, and adapting to life overseas.

This Story also Contains

What is Study Abroad Counselling?
Paid vs Free Study Abroad Counseling
Free Study Abroad Counseling
Top Free Study Abroad Consultants
Paid Study Abroad Counseling
Do You Need A Counsellor For Your Study Abroad Journey?
Best Study Abroad Consultants in India 2025

How Study Abroad Counselling Beneficial for Students? Paid vs Free

Typically, there are two types of counselling for study abroad: free and paid. However, free counselling might be limited in scope, and you must do much of the research independently. Paid counselling, on the other hand, offers more personalised and detailed services. Study abroad consultants can range widely in price; some charge between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000, while others may provide their services for free, especially regarding applications to specific universities.

This article explains how study abroad counselling works and breaks down the difference between paid and free counselling to help you decide which option suits your needs.

What is Study Abroad Counselling?

Students applying to universities abroad can receive professional assistance and guidance from study abroad counselors. Usually, the services include:

Choosing the right destination and university
Navigating admission requirements and deadlines.
Applying for scholarships and financial aid.
Assisting with visa and immigration processes.
Preparing for life in a new country.

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Paid vs Free Study Abroad Counseling

Whether you choose free or paid counselling depends on your needs and budget. Both have their advantages. Here is the difference between Paid vs. Free Study Abroad Counselling:

Study Abroad Counseling: Paid vs Free

Particulars	Paid Counseling	Free Counseling
Services	Detailed and personalised support	Basic information and general guidance
Cost	Usually requires a fee	No charge
Response time	Quicker response and dedicated support	May be slower due to similar resources
Assistance	Detailed and expert, suggest the university that fits your goals; step-by-step application and visa process support	Basic Guidance in selecting the university, application, and visa process
Extra support	Limited services are only provided	Include scholarship help, accommodation suggestions and post-arrival support.

Free Study Abroad Counseling

Free study abroad counselling is offered by government programs, universities and non-profit organisations at no cost. Students who require basic instruction but do not want to pay money may find it to be an excellent option. The details include information about studying abroad, such as popular destinations and how to apply. Here are advantages and disadvantages for free study abroad counselling:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Study Abroad Counseling

Advantages	Disadvantages
The most obvious benefit is free	The guidance might not be customised to your needs or academic goals
Good for students who need general advice and information	Free counselling usually doesn’t cover all aspects of studying abroad, like detailed scholarship searches or post-arrival support
Provided by government bodies or recognised organisations, making them reliable.	Since the service is free, response times may be slower, and you might have to wait longer for help.

Top Free Study Abroad Consultants

The following is a list of a select few leading education agents who provide applicants with free services.

Study Portals
IDP Education
British Council
DAAD
Education USA

Paid Study Abroad Counseling

Study abroad counselling that is paid for provides more individualised services. Private organisations or consultants offer this choice; they charge for their information and guidance. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of paid study-abroad counselling:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paid Study Abroad Counseling

Advantages	Disadvantages
You receive guidance from experienced counsellors who know everything about studying abroad.	The main disadvantage is the cost, as paid counselling services can be expensive.
The help is tailored to your goals and preferences, which increases your chances of success.	If you're just looking for basic information or on a budget, paid counselling might not be essential.
Since you’re paying for the service, you’ll often get quicker responses and more dedicated support.	Some paid counsellors may promote specific colleges or programs, particularly if they are partners with them. It's essential that the counselling is objective and honestly focused on what's best for you.

Top Paid Study Abroad Consultants

Below is a list of a select few leading international education consultants who charge applicants for their services.

Edwise International
Y-Axis
KC Education Overseas
Edusolution Overseas
Karan Gupta Consulting
SIEC India Education

Do You Need A Counsellor For Your Study Abroad Journey?

Finding universities and courses is amazing, but it also takes time and demands patience. Generally, a career is based on the university and course you choose. You are not to spend lakhs of rupees on a worthless college degree. Contacting an admissions counsellor reduces the chance of picking the incorrect college and course.

Here are the additional advantages of hiring an admission counsellor for study abroad:

Deep understanding of the study abroad process: They can answer any questions you have and guide you through each step of your application.
Find the right college and course for your needs: Even if you already have a university in mind, counsellors may suggest better options with stronger programs that align with your goals.
Helps to make clear decisions: Consider other important factors like department funding, employability rates, job recruiters, subject rankings, and living costs. They know to help you make a well-rounded decision.
Ensure you stay on track with deadlines: Whether it’s for admission applications or scholarships, they will help you manage all important dates and avoid missing anything crucial.
Expert tips to improve your application: They work with many students and know exactly how to shape your application for the best results. With their help, you’ll feel confident about the quality of your application.
Guides throughout the process: They guide you at every stage, providing support and advice to help you achieve your goal of studying at your dream university.

Best Study Abroad Consultants in India 2025

The following are the best study abroad consultants who are quite popular and have good experience in the market. However, aspirants are advised to conduct research before selecting study-abroad consultants in India based on their particular needs.

Here is a list of the top study-abroad consultants in India.

IDP Education
KC Overseas Education
Edwise International
SI UK
TC Global
Canam Consultants
Y-axis
AECC Global

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does IDP charge money for counselling?

IDP does not charge money for counselling (completely free). Many universities and colleges waive application fees if you apply through IDP. They have partnered with educational institutions in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, Ireland, and the USA.

2. How does study abroad consulting work?

The consultants assist students who intend to study abroad. They provide guidance and services to study in a foreign country, including visa applications, university selection, the admission process and related support.

3. How much do consultants charge for abroad studies?

A study abroad consultant agency's fees can range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50000 or higher. Students who are on a budget can choose free study-abroad counselling.

4. Which counselling is best for abroad studies?

The best counselling for abroad studies IDP Education, Edwise International, The Chopras (TC Global), Leverage Edu, Global Opportunities, Y-Axis, Shiksha Counsellors, and AECC Global.