Studying abroad opens a world of career possibilities for Indian students. Pursuing a degree overseas adds value to your resume, gives you international exposure, and helps you in personal development. However, for more than 60% of the Indian students, who belong to a middle-class family, studying abroad remains a distant dream.
Education abroad can be expensive – tuition fees, cost of living, medical expenses, and several other factors add to your expenses. Though taking loans or applying for scholarships are among a few options, but not everyone is eligible for loans, grants, or scholarships.
Latest Update: Top 10 Countries for Indian Students to Study Abroad
Indian students have numerous options when it comes to studying abroad with some of the top universities in the world. Choosing the right country gives unique opportunities in every possible way. Be it UK, USA, Canada, Netherlands or any other country mentioned below for Indian students to study abroad, you can expect world class universities, education, research and networking opportunities. Here we are updating the latest list of top 10 countries to study abroad preferred by Indian students:
- United States of America (USA)
USA has always topped the charts when it comes to the best study abroad destination especially for Indian students. USA tops the list in terms of world’s renowned universities offering variety of programs to choose from. USA offers high quality educational system with the best of research and networking facilities. As far as cost of studying in the USA is concerned there are several scholarships and grants available for Indian students.
Best Universities to Study in USA for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 27 |
| University of Chicago | 10 |
| Harvard University | 5 |
| Stanford University | 3 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
2. Germany
Germany as a study destination abroad is quite favorable among Indian students and is a country of excellence, innovation, and the birth of new technologies. It is one primary reason for which Indian students prefer to study in Germany. Germany is known as the technological and economic powerhouse of Europe and is home to some of the best universities in the world.
Best Universities to Study in Germany for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| Technical University of Munich | 49 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | 59 |
| Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg | 65 |
| Freie Universitaet Berlin | 118 |
| RWTH Aachen University | 147 |
3. Australia
Australia is well known for its multicultural environment and quality education of course. The country attracts Indian students to these below mentioned top universities.
Best Universities to Study in Australia for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| The Australian National University | 30 |
| The University of Melbourne | 33 |
| The University of Sydney | 41 |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | 45 |
| Monash University | 57 |
4. Canada
Canada is a study abroad destination that welcomes lakhs of students every year from more than 150 countries. This study abroad destination is quite famous among Indian students providing high-quality education, multicultural diaspora, and promising career opportunities.
Best Universities to Study in Canada for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| McGill University | 31 |
| University of Toronto | 34 |
| University of British Columbia | 47 |
| University of Alberta | 110 |
| University of Waterloo | 154 |
5. France
Best Universities to Study in France for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| PSL Research University, Paris | 24 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 38 |
| Sorbonne University | 59 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 71 |
| Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 184 |
6. United Kingdom
Best Universities to Study in UK for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| University of Cambridge | 2 |
| University of Oxford | 4 |
| Imperial College London | 6 |
| UCL (University College London) | 8 |
| The University of Edinburgh | 15 |
7. Spain
Best Universities to Study in Spain for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona | 178 |
| Universitat de Barcelona | 184 |
| Universidad Autónoma de Madrid | 215 |
| Complutense University of Madrid | 226 |
| University of Navarra | 253 |
8. The Netherlands
Best Universities to Study in Netherlands for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| University of Amsterdam | 58 |
| Delft University of Technology | 61 |
| Utrecht University | 112 |
| Leiden University | 131 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | 138 |
9. Singapore
Best Universities to Study in Singapore for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| National University of Singapore | 8 |
| Nanyang Technological University | 26 |
| Singapore University of Technology & Design | 429 |
| Singapore Management University | 545 |
10. New Zealand
Best Universities to Study in New Zealand for Indian Students
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| The University of Auckland | 65 |
| University of Otago | 214 |
| University of Waikato | 235 |
| Massey University | =239 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 244 |
Considering all these things in mind, we have compiled a list of the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students. These countries offer high-quality education from the best universities, cultural diversity, globally recognized degrees, and much more at affordable prices.
1. Germany
2. Sweden
3. Mexico
4. Taiwan
5. Denmark
6. Austria
7. France
8. Belgium
9. Russia
10. Norway
1. Germany:
Over the years, Germany has become one of the popular study destinations and is known as a country where public universities offer free education. However, this is partially correct – The public German universities have waived off the tuition fee and charges a minimum application fee & other processing fees. Furthermore, even when you study in a public university in Germany, you need to take care of your living expenses – food, stationery, transportation, and more.
Covering all these expenses, still, Germany is one of the cheapest countries for education abroad, with an average expenditure of less than $8,400 per year.
2. Sweden:
Sweden, another European country, is also known for its quality education. Some of the cheapest universities in Europe are located in Sweden.
The education system in Sweden is different from India and many other Asian countries. The coursework in Swedish universities is designed to encourage a student to think independently, creatively, and critically.
Talking about the expenses, students can manage to accommodate, educate, and feed themselves on average of a minimum of $8500 per year.
3. Mexico:
Mexico is a country of interesting experiences & unique culture. The country offers high-quality education and impressive educational infrastructure, but the affordable cost of living gives Mexico a spot on the list of cheapest countries to study abroad.
Private universities are expensive than public universities. And, the tuition fees at Mexican universities depend on the course and location. However, the cost of living in Mexico is relatively low, with the average yearly cost of living around $9250 in the heart of the city and $6450 in the suburbs.
4. Taiwan:
Taiwan, an Asian country, is very affordable in studies and is a low-cost study abroad destination. The tuition fee in all the universities is affordable, and students can also get low-cost accommodation with their universities, further limiting down their expenses.
The Asian country offers more than 120 courses taught in English at over 40 universities. The country is also a popular destination for students willing to learn Mandarin.
The average cost of studying in Taiwan is $9500 per year.
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5. Denmark:
Denmark, one of the happiest nations in the world, is also a goldmine of higher education and globally recognized universities. The country is one of the safest places for students with a low crime rate. Studying in Denmark means enjoying academic brilliance and quality of life at the same time.
Dutch universities have considerably low/Zero tuition fees, and the students can manage their living expenses well under $10,200 per year.
6. Austria:
Austria has emerged as one of the friendliest and cheapest places for study abroad for Indian students. The tuition fee in the Austrian universities is affordable for international students and provides quality education. Also, the Austrian educational institutes are considered among the most affordable universities for international students.
The accommodation & transportation in Austria is considerably cheap. If managed properly, a student can manage all his expenses well under $10,000 per year.
7. France:
France is not as popular as Germany when it comes to affordable higher education, but France also gets a spot in the cheapest countries for study abroad due to its free/low-cost tuition fee, regardless of the nationality of students.
Though most of the free courses are taught in the native language, yet there are plenty of courses in English language, especially at the postgraduate level. Still, it is advised to attend preparatory schools to get comfortable with French before starting the classes.
The cost of study in France is almost free, but the cost of living is a different story, especially in the popular capital. However, if a student a plan his budget, the living cost falls around $10,430 per year.
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8. Belgium:
Belgium is considered the heart of Western Europe and is the official headquarter of European Union. Also, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is based out in the country, making it a political hub. The country is also well known for post-education career opportunities.
The programs, in the Belgium universities, are taught in English, yet students are expected to be well-versed with one language – French, German, or Dutch.
The country offers an option of part-time employment to its students, making its cost of living more affordable. According to a survey, the average cost of living in Belgium is around $10,700 per year.
9. Russia:
International students are always willing to consider Russia when they look for the cheapest countries to study abroad. The reason is simple – fairly affordable tuition cost.
Also, the education quality of Russian universities has received much appreciation from international students. Along with affordable education, you can save extra on your living expenses if you know the Russian language.
The minimum average cost of living in Russia is $11,700 per year.
10. Norway:
Almost all the Nordic countries are affordable in terms of education and thus are considered among the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students. Public universities in Norway offer free education to their students, making it a practically no-fee education country.
However, the cost of living in Norway is unfortunately high. The average living cost in Norway is a minimum of $12,000 per year.
We hope that this blog was useful to you. Further, if you are planning to study abroad in one of these countries, reach out to our expert counselors. We are partnered with more than 500+ universities across Europe & the globe and assist you in getting admission to one of the top colleges in the world. Contact us to get a free one-on-one session with our counsellors.
FAQs
Though, the university fees continue to rise in most countries, however there are many countries where students can study for a very affordable fee. Look for universities with low cost tuition fee along with other details including your eligibility etc.
Yes, studying in UK can be expensive. The undergraduate tuition fee in the UK ranges between £10,000 to £38,000. The total average cost of studying in the UK is expected around £22,200 per year.
