Each year, millions of students move to go abroad to pursue higher education from recognized universities all over the world. In this process, managing the funds is a crucial aspect, which can be eased through various scholarships. Read along to find out in detail how to apply and get scholarships to study abroad for Indian students.
Along with the scholarships, this blog will guide you about the best countries to study abroad for quality education and also which countries are the cheapest to study abroad. These will be the countries that offer academic courses and living expenses at relatively much lower costs than mainstream countries, without compromising on the quality of education.
Types of Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students
There are several scholarship programs to study abroad for Indian students that are based on different criteria as given below:
- Merit basis scholarships for students with excellent academic records or achievements in extracurricular activities
- Destination specific scholarships based on the particular country, and what provisions are available by the government or other bodies in that country
- Student specific scholarships for those who qualify on the basis of gender, race, religion, family history, or a medical condition
- Need-based scholarships for those who come from a financially weaker background
- Sports or athletic scholarships for those students who have represented their institution in any sport at a high level
Also Read: Best Universities in the UK for Masters: Things to Know About Masters in The UK For Indian Students
Which are the Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students?
Following is a compiled list of the few best countries along with major universities to study abroad for Indian students:
1 USA
The universities in America are recognized to be the best in the world, due to their extensive academic courses backed by research and co-curricular activities. The USA offers a vast range of options, each one great in quality, and the student has the option to explore any field which he wishes to, without any fear. It is even common practice to switch certain universities through the transfer of academic credits. There is no hard and fast educational rule, and courses are provided with flexibility.
Some important universities and colleges in the USA:
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- The University of Chicago
- University of California
2 Germany
Germany is a country rich in culture and heritage and the administration is very extremely friendly to international students. Germany stands among the topmost choices for Indian students for higher education because of the quality of education and the diversity of courses. Important courses include Natural sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Law, and Economics. Following are the important universities in Germany:
- RWTH Aachen
- TU Chemnitz
- Freie Universitat Berlin
- TU Munchen
- University of Staggart
3 Canada
Indian students form a big majority of international scholars in Canada each year. Due to excellent social and economic quality, and a plethora of topmost universities, Canada is a great choice to study abroad for Indian students. The cost of studying and living is also relatively affordable in Canada. Also, the recent relaxations in Visa applications and study permits make it extremely convenient for students to apply. Few of the important Canadian universities include:
- The University of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- McGill University
- University of Toronto
- York University
4 Australia
Out of 43 universities and colleges in Australia, six are placed among the top 100. Australia is a great destination to study for Indian students, due to the high quality of education, the unique cultural diversity, easy access to student visas, and great work opportunities. Australian universities provide majors in most fields due to the vast course range and specialization in subjects. Below are some of the important colleges and universities in Australia:
- The University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- University of Queensland
- RMIT University
- The University of Sydney
Also Read: MBA in Australia for Indian Students: How to Apply For an MBA in Australia?
5 United Kingdom
The UK is home to one of the most reputed institutions in the world and is known for producing the most employable graduates in the world. With more than 390 universities, 50,000 courses, and more than 25 subject areas, the students can explore a rich educational experience. Other than that, courses in the UK are relatively shorter, which may help students in planning the ahead career choices well. This also means that the living costs will be reduced. Some well-known universities in the UK include:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University of Manchester
- King’s College London
- University of Leeds
What are the Options in Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students?
1 Scholarships in the USA
The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships are offered by the United States-Indian Education Foundation (USIEF) for students wishing to pursue masters or research from any American university. The student will be required to have an education equivalent to that of a bachelor’s in the US, which is 4 years, and a work experience of 3 years as the eligibility criteria. The scholarship covers tuition fees, air travel, books, and a living stipend.
Another important scholarship is the Tata Scholarship exclusively for Cornell University, USA. The Tata group provides this scholarship to Indian students due to its association and tie-up with Cornell University, Ratan Tata being the trustee. The scholarship is offered on a need-basis, the students must be a citizen of India who has completed senior secondary education from India itself.
2 Scholarships in the UK
The Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarships are offered by Newcastle University in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Students who are offered admission by the university can avail of this scholarship on a merit basis for partial aid in the tuition fees annually. Chevening Scholarship is another program offered for the postgraduate programs for students who have completed their bachelor’s degree and have 2 years of work experience.
The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships are offered by the Commonwealth Commission for Indian students applying to masters’ and research programs. The students are required to have scored 60% in Social Sciences and Humanities and 65% in Engineering, Technology, and Science. The MHRD in India conducts interviews for the same.
3 Scholarships in Canada
The UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award is offered by the University of British Columbia for those applying for undergraduate courses. It is a merit-based award for academic excellence, and for achievements in sports, performing arts, debate etc. For Indian students, the existing institution of study nominates the candidate for the same. The scholarship is offered on the basis of financial need and covers the tuition fee as well as the costs of living.
Also Read: MBA in The UK For Indian Students: A Comprehensive Guide About MBA in London
4 Scholarships in Australia
The Australia Awards Scholarship is offered for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The scholarship is a fully-funded program that chooses students from selected institutions in India or recent graduates from the target institutions. The program covers tuition fees, costs of living, return travel tickets, establishment allowances, and any other related costs.
University of Melbourne Scholarships are offered by the university to students on a merit basis. The program provides research activities to be undertaken at the University of Melbourne. The student is required to submit all documents and evidence of previously completed education. The program will cover $30,000 for living expenses per year on a pro-rata basis and will include health care and relocation.
Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
There are several countries around the world that offer educational courses at the cheapest prices and sometimes even for free! Countries like Norway and some colleges in Germany offer educational courses absolutely free of cost. The living costs may differ on the basis of the location chosen for staying. Switzerland and Denmark also offer quality education at a very low amount of annual tuition fees.
Indian students looking for the cheapest countries to study abroad have multiple other country options like Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Poland. These countries offer specialized and well-reputed courses with strong employability.
IELTS Exam to Study Abroad for Indian Students
The IELTS exam is one of the most popular language proficiency tests that are conducted for studying, working, or migrating to English speaking countries. The exam score determines the institute or location which will be allotted to a candidate. The main aim of the IELTS exam is to assess the candidate’s aptitude for the language to be able to study, work, or live in an applied country.
The IELTS exam is conducted in two forms, IELTS Academic, and IELTS General Training. The former is for academic purposes and admissions to universities for higher education whereas the latter is for working or migrating. The IELTS exam is conducted by organizations like The British Council and IDP for entries to more than 10,000 institutes worldwide.
Conclusion
After reading this blog, you can ponder on how to get and apply for a scholarship to study abroad for Indian students, and what are the different available options. There are many countries that offer student-friendly administrations and are very welcoming for Indian students. This blog also covered information on the cheapest countries to study abroad and what is the significance of IELTS to study abroad. For more information on studying abroad, click here.
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