For thousands of Indian students, studying abroad is a huge dream. Since the job requirements in the country are becoming more dynamic and demanding, securing degrees from the most recognized universities worldwide provides a strong boost to a student’s career. This blog will guide you on study abroad programs for Indian students, scholarships, and the importance of the IELTS exam.
There are several popular destinations across the globe that are known for providing quality education, and also offer scholarship programs for a large number of international students. These include countries like the USA, Australia, Canada, UK, and Germany. There are also many countries that provide pocket-friendly study programs for Indian students without compromising on the quality of education.
Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students
The process of studying abroad also comes with the aspect of managing the funds required for the tuition fee and accommodation. Where accommodation and living costs can be managed according to self, getting a scholarship is a big thing for studying abroad. There are various scholarships to study abroad for Indian students, which are based on different types.
There are merit-based scholarships based on qualification scores, need-based scholarships based on income levels, subject-specific scholarships based on a specific subject that a student wants to pursue, and destination-specific scholarships based on the various countries offering assistance. There are also sports-based scholarships for those who achieve excellence in sports at university or national levels.
Types of Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students
For various countries across the world, there are certain important scholarships that can be availed by Indian students. The list of scholarships are given below:
1. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship for the UK
This scholarship is provided by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission for students who have chosen the English language as the medium of study. The requirements are a minimum score of 60% in Social Sciences and Arts and a minimum of 65% in subjects like Science, technology, and engineering. The scholarship covers the amount for tuition fee, air travel tickets, and living costs as well up to the specified limit.
Also Read: Masters From the UK: Best Universities in The UK and Courses
2. Chevening Scholarships- UK
This scholarship is offered by the United Kingdom Government to International students with an exceptional record, including Indian students. The scholarship provides an opportunity to study for a postgraduate program in any subject in any University in the UK. As a part of eligibility criteria, the student must hold a bachelor’s or a master’s degree beforehand and is also required to have at least 2 years of work experience.
3. Tata Scholarship for Cornell University, USA
The Tata Education and Development Trust offers this scholarship in association with Cornell University, USA, to around 20 students. The scholarship is offered for undergraduate programs in the university on a yearly basis. Tata group holds a dignified place in the Indian sector and also is closely associated with Cornell University. As eligibility criteria, the applicant must be a citizen of India who has completed his/her senior secondary education from India itself and should be under the need-based slot.
4. Felix Scholarships for the UK
The Felix scholarships are offered by the UK to those Indian students who are underprivileged and have been meritorious. The student can opt for a postgraduate degree in the degree for the subject of choice. The student must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in India and should be below 30 years of age.
5. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, USA
This scholarship is offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). It provides master’s degree programs in fields like public administration, international legal studies, arts and culture, regional planning, and a few more. As a part of the eligibility criteria, the student must have completed 4 years of education and should hold 3 years of work experience. Other skills that are assessed are communication skills, community service, leadership skills, etc.
6. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award, Canada
This particular scholarship pertains to the British Columbia University in Canada and provides for undergraduate programs for Indian students. It is a need-based scholarship and all related documents have to be submitted as proof. The tuition fee, living costs, and other related funds are covered in this program. The students are required to fulfill the needs of the program along with English language proficiency.
7. Australia Awards Scholarship
This is a fully-funded scholarship offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The scholarship is offered for students from selected universities in India and also for recent graduates from target institutions. The program covers tuition fees, costs of living, air travel tickets for return, establishment allowance, and other related funds.
Also Read: Best Universities in Australia: Where to Study in Australia for Indian Students
8. University of Melbourne Scholarships
The University of Melbourne Scholarships are offered to selected worthy students from both local and international platforms. It provides the opportunity for students to undertake research works at the University of Melbourne. The student should hold an academic achievement for the previously completed degree as a part of the eligibility criteria. The covered costs include living expenses up to $30,600 per year, health insurance, and relocation grant for international students.
Best Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Indian students account for a large number of international scholars in major universities around the world. When it comes to selecting the best country to study abroad for Indian students, the parameters that will be considered are the quality of education in the chosen university, the quality of living, the expenses of studying and staying, etc. Following are the countries which are amongst the best options to study abroad for Indian students:
1. Canada
For all international students that Canada receives each year, Indian students account for almost 15%, and it has constantly risen. Since the English language is predominantly spoken all over the country and is used as the medium of instruction in universities, there is no communication or language barrier. Canada is a highly prosperous country both in terms of social life and economy and offers a high quality of education and living.
The government of Canada has also introduced beneficial policies like providing permanent residence to highly skilled Indian students. Following are the top Universities in Canada:
- University of Alberta
- The University of British Columbia
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- York University
2. Germany
Germany has emerged as an important educational hub for Indian students due to its rich quality of courses and scholar friendly administration. In fact, international students can attain the privilege of free tuition in the German public universities, that too for courses taught in the English language. There are also several scholarship programs for meritorious and need-based students.
The education quality of German universities is renowned worldwide and they also focus on extensive research in collaboration with international bodies. Some of the important Universities in Germany are:
- Technical University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Ludwig Maximilian’s University Berlin
- University of Mannheim
3. Australia
Another welcoming country for students, Australia has a multicultural and friendly environment. It is home to one of the best Universities worldwide and also provides excellent working opportunities once education is complete. For Indian students, Australia is a good choice due to the relaxed visa application process in terms of financial aspects. The country is also one of the safest in the world, with negligible crime rates.
Students from foreign countries can work up to 20 hours after graduation and avail a post-study work visa. Some prominent Australian Universities are as follows:
- The University of Melbourne
- RMIT University
- The University of Sydney
- Monash University
- The University of Queensland
Also Read: Higher Education: How to Choose College or University in Canada?
4. USA
The American Universities are considered to be the finest in the world since they combine quality education with research and extracurricular activities. There are several unique facilities that are provided to the international students, and a majority of Indian students choose American universities for higher education each year. There are also numerous scholarship programs offered in various universities across the USA.
Job opportunities in the professional world are immense for those who pursue their education from the USA due to the renowned quality. Some prominent American universities are:
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
- The University of Chicago
- University of California, Berkeley
5. Italy
Universities in Italy are among the most accessible and affordable educational options globally. This includes both the tuition fees as well as the cost of living. It offers a rich multicultural student life and is home to world heritage sites. Popular courses in Italy include Architecture, Visual Arts, and Fashion Design. Some of the well-known universities in Italy:
- Politecnico Di Milano
- University of Padova
- University of Bologna
- University of Rome Tor Vergata
- University of Verona
Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
For Indian Students who plan to study abroad, managing the expenses is a big factor. It is true that studying in countries like the UK, USA, and Australia is not that cheap. Also, availing scholarships requires certain criteria to be met, which can not be attained by all those who dream to study abroad. But there are various countries which offer very low prices of studying and living without compromising on the quality of education.
1. Norway
Norway has exquisite natural beauty, and also offers high-quality education and living standards. Astonishingly, the tuition fees for universities are free of cost, even for international students. A meagre semester fee may have to be paid on the basis of the subject which is chosen. This fee covers student union membership, access to health care, sports facilities, and counselling. The living costs are dependent on the place which is chosen to stay in Norway.
2. Germany
Other than holding a place amongst the best countries to study for Indian students, Germany also offers one of the most affordable study programs. Like Norway, German public universities do not charge any tuition fee for graduate and postgraduate courses. A small semester fee is charged for the Master’s degree courses if the subject differs from that of the Bachelor’s degree. This fee may range from EUR 125 to EUR 1500. The cost of living is also comparatively affordable in Germany as compared to other nations.
Also Read: Can Universities in Germany Accept My IELTS Score in General Training?
3. Switzerland
The country is well known for its quality vocational courses and a diverse range of skill training. Although the number of universities is less, they stand well in the QS World Ranking and 4 universities are placed among the top 100 worldwide. Some of the top fields to study here include Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, Accounting, Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism. The costs are affordable, around CHF 500 to CHF 2000 per semester.
4. Spain
Spain is a popular choice for higher education by Indian students because of the high-quality education at a very affordable cost. The cost of living too is considered to be among the lowest in the European continent. The tuition fee in Spain ranges from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh annually. The top courses in Spain include Marketing, Finance, Arts and Humanities, Law, Economics, and Architecture.
Study Abroad for Indian Students – Role of IELTS
IELTS is the most well-known language proficiency exam for gaining admissions to various universities worldwide. IELTS is accepted as a parameter by more than 10,000 institutions and universities all around the world. It is also used to process immigration applications in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The IELTS exam is conducted in two forms, the Academic and the General Training.
IELTS Academic is to gain admissions to universities in English speaking countries for higher education programs. IELTS General Training is taken for immigrating, working, or pursuing any professional courses in English speaking countries. The IELTS exam is an important criteria to join foreign universities as proof of language proficiency.
Conclusion
This blog covered in extensive detail, the scholarship programs to study abroad for Indian students, how to get a scholarship to study abroad for Indian students, the best countries to study for Indian students, and also which countries are the cheapest to study. Other than that, the role of IELTS is also crucial to gain admissions in foreign countries. Hopefully, this information will help the Indian students wishing to study abroad more clearly in their head and to make a well-educated decision about their career.
Also Read: How Do I Know Which is More Suitable for Me IELTS or TOEFL?
English 
Hindi