Lesser Known Study Abroad Destination for Indian Students

The topmost destinations that come to our mind for study abroad are USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. A total of 1.3 million Indian students are pursuing higher education across the globe as of January 1, 2024. Among these, the highest number of students are in Canada, i.e. 4,27,000. However, getting a student visa and college admission to these top countries can be highly challenging. So, many Indian students are now considering some of the lesser-known study abroad destinations like Hong Kong, Japan, and Malaysia.

This Story also Contains

1. Hongkong
2. Malaysia
3. Japan

These countries offer quality and top-notch education at comparatively lower prices than many other countries. Students can experience an amalgamation of technology and deeply rooted culture in countries like Japan, and Malaysia. Read this article to know more about the lesser-known study abroad destinations for Indian students.

Hongkong

Hong Kong is one of the lesser-known destinations for Indian students. The country is easily accessible for Indian students and widely use English in their daily communications. There are many world-class institutions in Hong Kong, among which three institutes were ranked in the top 50 by QS World University Rankings, making it an appealing choice for prospective students. UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong provide a world research environment for scholars. Indian students will get to experience a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures in the country. In the academic year 2022-23, around 63,200 non-local students from over

100 countries studied post-secondary programmes in Hong Kong. The country is determined to attract international students for higher education and is constantly working in that direction. To do the same, Hong Kong has increased the quota for foreign students by 40% following the academic year 2024-25.

Some of the top fields to study in Hong Kong include Dentistry, Education, MBA, Hospitality & Tourism Management, and Performing Arts. Apart from this, many Hong Kong universities offer several joint programmes in collaboration with prestigious universities around the world.

Also read: Most affordable study abroad destinations

Cost of Living in Hong Kong for international students

The on-campus accommodation fees in Hong Kong universities can vary from HK$5,000 (about US$650) to HK$15,000 (around US$2,000) per semester. If a student chooses to live outside campus, then the accommodation cost can be anywhere from HK$8,000–15,000 a month. Other living expenses including food, transportation, and other expenses can cost around HK$30,000 to HK$50,000.

Top Universities in HongKong

• University of Hong Kong

• Chinese University of Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Malaysia

Malaysia is often considered a tourist destination, but little did people know that it is also one of the lesser known study abroad destinations for Indian students. The low cost of living and tuition fees is a major reason for Indian students to choose Malaysia as their higher education destination. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru are the major cities where students can find good universities.

A total of 4029 Indian students are pursuing their higher education in Malaysia as of 2024. An interesting reason for choosing Malaysia is that many renowned universities have opened their international branches in the country. This includes the UK’s University of Nottingham and Australia’s Monash University.

Cost of Living in Malaysia for International Students

The on-campus accommodation in Malaysia ranges from RM395 - RM750 per month, while the off-campus accommodation can vary from RM300 - RM900 per month. The cost of food entirely depends on the individual's lifestyle, however, it typically ranges from RM500 - RM700 per month. Other expenses under cost of living in Malaysia include travel, laundry and social life, which can be anywhere from RM 300 - RM 500 per month.

Top Universities in Malaysia

• Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)

• Management and Science University (MSU)

• Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TARUMT)

• MAHSA University

Japan

Japan is once again emerging as a hotspot for higher education post-pandemic. The country saw a sharp decline in the number of international students during the pandemic, however, it is now slowly getting back to the pre-pandemic numbers. According to the survey by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), as of May 2023, a total of 279,274 international students had enrolled in universities in Japan. There is a 20.8% increase in the number of foreign students in the country compared with a year earlier.

The number of private institutions in Japan is higher than that of national and public institutes. Japan is home to 86 national, 101 public, and 620 private undergraduate-level universities. The annual fee to study in Japan for the first year of admission is approximately 820,000 yen for national universities, 930,000 yen for public universities, and 1,100,000 yen for private universities. The tuition fees in Japan are cheaper than those of many universities in the US, and UK.

Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan are the buzzing tech hubs. The country is known for its innovation and robotics excellence. So students across the globe prefer Japan for engineering and technology courses. Apart from this, students are also keen to learn the Japanese language and culture through its specialized courses.

Top Universities in Japan

• University of Tokyo

• Kyoto University

• Tohoku University

• Osaka University

• Kyushu University

Cost of Living in Japan

The cost of living in Japan is lower than in many other countries. In Japan, the cost of living in Tokyo is higher than in other cities. The average cost of living in Tokyo is 50,000 yen, while in other metropolitan cities, the living cost is around 38,000 yen. It is also difficult to rent an apartment in Major cities, so students are advised to choose on-campus accommodation to save some money.

Apart from the aforementioned countries, there are so many lesser known study abroad destinations for Indian students. Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Poland, Finland are some of the study abroad destinations where a good number of Indian students are pursuing their higher education. These countries are not only easy to get into, but also the cost of living is comparatively less compared to other popular destinations.

Also check:

• Living expenses for international students

• Entrance exams to study abroad

• QS best students cities