Cost of Studying Abroad for Indian Students

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Aarushi Jain
Updated on Jun 14, 2022 04:04 PM IST

Are you planning to study abroad in countries like the USA, the UK, Canada or Germany? This article on the cost of studying abroad for Indian students will help you get familiarise with the different costs that are associated with studying abroad in different countries. 

Cost of Studying Abroad for Indian Students

The cost of studying abroad for Indian students is one of the many factors that fuel their decision of choosing the right country and the right university for their desired course. The cost of studying abroad also varies from country to country and many other factors like the city, the type and level of higher education they are choosing, the type of university, and more.

While many might believe that the cost of studying abroad only covers tuition fees, it does entail a number of other costs such as books and supplies, and accommodation costs among others. To help students first create a budget, let us understand the study abroad costs that one should not overlook.

This article will also enlighten students about the cost of studying abroad for Indian students in some of the most popular countries around the world.

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What the Cost of Studying Abroad Covers?

Before discovering the cost of studying abroad for Indian students at the top study abroad destinations, lets first examine what the cost of studying abroad actually covers for international students.

Tuition Fees

The primary cost or expense for Indian students to study abroad is the tuition fees of the programme in which they are enrolled. The tuition fees will vary depending on the level of their degree/programme, the type of university/college and the country. This also covers the universities administrative costs and other miscellaneous costs that the university may charge from international students.

Books and Supplies

Apart from the annual/semester-based tuition fees and administrative fees that the universities abroad charge, the cost of books and supplies or other course materials (as per the programme you are enrolled in) are also included in the overall cost of studying abroad for Indian students.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation while studying abroad is the second-largest and one of the most crucial costs for Indian students, after tuition fees. Many study abroad programmes include this cost in the upfront programme fees, especially if students choose to live in a homestay or dormitories with meals. Many students also choose to rent a flat outside of the city centre in order to have more flexibility. Renting a place by oneself is usually more expensive than sharing one with other students. As a result, students must determine what works best for them.

Transportation Cost

Transportation costs are also included in the cost of studying abroad for Indian students. After a student has been accepted by the institution, they will need to make travel arrangements to go from their off-campus hostel or other types of student accommodation to the university and vice versa. Furthermore, whether students are studying through the Erasmus+ programme or receiving a scholarship, they must pay for both the outward and return flights.

Health and Travel Insurance

The cost of studying abroad for Indian students also includes health and travel insurance. Depending on the length of their degree, studying abroad usually entails being away from home for one to five years. As a result, it is critical that their healthcare is covered wherever they go.

Miscellaneous Costs

Aside from the aforementioned expenses, the overall cost of studying abroad for Indian students also covers other miscellaneous costs like:

  • University application fees,

  • Visa charges,

  • Exam charges,

  • Groceries,

  • Phone/internet bills, etc.

Cost of Studying in the USA for Indian Students

Known as the land of opportunities, the USA is one of the most desirable and popular study abroad destinations for Indian students, with the largest number of its academic institutions ranking at the top of the QS World University Rankings 2022. The country has one of the best and most prestigious education systems in the world, being home to elite universities such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, and others.

STEM, Medical, Healthcare, Biology, Biomedical, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Aviation, Computer Science, AI, and other degrees are available at the diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels in the USA. The table mentioned below highlights the average cost of studying for Indian students in the USA:

Type of Expense

Average Estimated Cost (in USD)

Bachelors programmes

8,000 - 35,000

Masters programmes

30,000 - 60,000

Doctoral programmes

10,000 - 43,000

Universities Application Fees

50 - 160

Visa Application Fee

460 - 490

Yearly Cost of Living Expense

12,000 - 36,000

Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students

Canada is another well-known destination for international students looking to study abroad. This is because it is less expensive than in other countries. The country also has world-class and prominent universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, and many others. Business & Finance, Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Health & Medicine, Media & Journalism, and other subjects of study are among the most popular in Canada.

The average cost of studying in Canada for Indian students can be found by type of expense in the table below. One must, however, keep in mind that the overall cost is determined by a variety of criteria such as the type or the level, its international reach and reputation, the type of university, and the city in which the student will be residing, and so on.

Type of Expense

Average Estimated Cost (in CAD)

Bachelors programmes

5,500 - 30,000

Masters programmes

18,000 - 57,000

Doctoral programmes

5,000 - 25,000

Universities Application Fees

50 - 300

Visa Application Fee

150

Yearly Cost of Living Expense

15,000 - 20,000

Cost of Studying in the UK for Indian Students

Known as the land of angles, the UK is another popular study abroad destination for Indian students. Attracted by its English culture, old and prestigious universities, lifestyle, monumental cities, history and opportunities, the UK attracts and welcomes large numbers of international students, especially from India to study their desired courses to expand their careers.

The country is best known for its courses in different fields of study like Law, Computer Science, Design Studies, Preclinical Medicine, Sports, Management, Finance, Business Administration, Psychology, Architecture and more. Without a doubt, the country is internationally recognised as a pioneer in quality education and teaching excellence, with many of its academic institutions continuously standing at the top of world university rankings.

From a wide range of courses to streamlined immigration regulations, the United Kingdom provides a safe and dynamic cosmopolitan environment for seekers, as well as a plethora of job and research options.

The table tabulated below will help one determine the average cost of studying in the UK for Indian students:

Type of Expense

Average Estimated Cost (in GBP)

Bachelors programmes

8,000 - 25,000

Masters programmes

10,000 - 35,000

Doctoral programmes

15,000 - 30,000

Universities Application Fees

50 - 150

Visa Application Fee

372

Yearly Cost of Living Expense

12,000 - 15,000

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Cost of Studying in Australia for Indian Students

Australia is one of the most emerging countries and study abroad destinations that are attracting masses of international students from all over the world. The country is effectively attracting a large student population due to its advantageous stay back visa regulations, world-class universities, quality education and courses, career opportunities, and mode of living.

It also encourages innovation, creativity, and independent thought across its universities. The educational system is unique, demanding, enjoyable, and rewarding. Furthermore, students may expect to live, grow, and learn in a young, pleasant, and opportunity-rich country.

One of the most appealing advantages of being an international student in Australia is the possibility to work part-time while studying. Those with a student visa are automatically permitted to work in Australia. International students must seek their own jobs, but once recruited, they will acquire hands-on experience in a variety of industries.

The country is highly renowned for its courses in the field of STEM, Biomedical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Computer Science and IT, Psychology, Tourism and Hospitality Management, and many more.

The country also offers spectacular scholarships to international students to finance their studies. The table tabulated below will help our readers to examine the average cost of study in Australia for Indian students:

Type of Expense

Average Estimated Cost (in AUD)

Bachelors programmes

20,000 - 45,000

Masters programmes

22,000 - 50,000

Doctoral programmes

18000 - 42,000

Universities Application Fees

50 - 100

Visa Application Fee

630 + 470

Yearly Cost of Living Expense

18,000 - 27,000

Cost of Studying in Germany for Indian Students

Famously known as the land of poets and thinkers, Germany is also one of the most attractive and affordable study abroad destinations for international students. The country is known for its affordable cost of studying, high ranked universities, affordable cost of living, a plethora of work opportunities and quality education. Hundreds of universities in Germany provide free or very low-cost tuition programmes to international students.

The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Technical University of Munich, Humboldt University Berlin, Technical University of Berlin, Free University of Berlin and more are some of the highly ranked prestigious universities that are attracting a huge student population from abroad. Germany is the place to be if you want to study a course related to STEM, Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, Business, Aviation, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science and many more.

The main reason that young people from all over the world come to Germany is to integrate a high-quality education with a unique cultural experience. Here is a quick overview of the average cost of studying abroad for Indian students studying in Germany for higher education:

Type of Expense

Average Estimated Cost (in EUR)

Bachelors programmes

200 - 20,000

Masters programmes

3,500 - 18,000

Doctoral programmes

800 - 5,000

Universities Application Fees

15 - 50

Visa Application Fee

70

Yearly Cost of Living Expense

9600 - 12,000

Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students

One cannot deny that studying abroad can create a big hole in ones pocket while arranging all the finances to kickstart the study abroad journey. Having said that, we must also appreciate that foreign countries are also coming up with more and more scholarships to help students finance and fuel their study abroad dream.

These scholarships are a great way to attract and motivate more international students to think about studying abroad in countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and more. Having seen a detailed overview of the cost of studying abroad for Indian students in different countries, let us refer to the list of some of the most popular international scholarships that help students finance their costs of studying abroad:

International Scholarships

Country Providing the Scholarship

Eligible Study Level

Australia Award Scholarship

Australia

Bachelors and Masters

ACU Destination Australia International Scholarship

Australia

Bachelors

Australia Research Training programme (RTP) Scholarship

Australia

Masters

Scholarships by Australian Embassy

Australia

Bachelors, Masters, MBA, and PhD

British Council GREAT scholarships for Indian Students

UK

Masters

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

UK

Doctoral and Research students

Saltire Scholarships

UK

All degree levels

British Chevening Scholarships for International Scholarships

UK

Masters

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship

UK

Masters

A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

UK

Masters

Rhodes Scholarship

UK

Masters

Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships

UK

Doctoral

Inlaks Scholarships

UK

Masters

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Canada

Masters

IDRC Research Awards

Canada

Masters and Doctoral

Vanier Graduate Scholarships

Canada

All degree levels

Canadian Studies Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Canada

Doctoral

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

Canada

Doctoral

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship programme

USA

Non-degree graduate coursework and related practical experience for 10 months

Fulbright- Nehru Fellowships

USA

Masters and Doctoral

AAUW International Fellowships

USA

Masters

#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship

USA

All degree levels

DAAD WISE Scholarship programme

Germany

Masters

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

Germany

Doctoral

Heinrich Boll Scholarships

Germany

Masters and Doctoral

Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships

Germany

MBA/MIM

So this was all about the cost of studying abroad for Indian students in countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and Germany. One must also acknowledge and understand that there are numerous aspects to consider before moving abroad to study. However, once students have completed this planning, they will accept the fact that all of their efforts were worthwhile.

The experience of studying and working with individuals from all over the world, as well as learning about different cultures and ethnicities, will enrich students perspectives on life. In conclusion, obtaining a degree from another country would undoubtedly help Indian students stand out from the crowd while also bringing them closer to their career goals.

You can be the next to kickstart your study abroad journey in 2022. Get in touch with our expert counsellors via writing to us at abroad@collegedekho.com today!

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FAQs

How long does the application process take to study abroad for Indian students?

 

There is no set time period for the application process to get completed for Indian students to study abroad. It is always best to start your application process at least a year in advance to allow adequate time for your applications to be completed and for you to prepare for your time abroad. Keep in mind that the academic year begins at different times in different countries.

How can I go abroad after 12th?

To go abroad after 12th, there are a lot of factors and requirements that you need to look into. Aside from passing the 12th-grade exams, the student must also pass the entrance tests to study overseas. Standardised examinations and language skills assessments, such as the SAT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL, are available. These tests are required for obtaining a degree and fellowships overseas.

Which country is best for Indian students to study abroad?

The best countries for Indian students to study abroad are the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea and more. 
 

Which country is the cheapest to study abroad for Indian students?

Some of the prominent study abroad destinations like the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia,  though attract international students but can also create a big financial hole in their pockets. Having said that, there are some countries that offer the cheapest or most affordable quality education to international students who aspire to study abroad. These countries include Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Argentina, Taiwan, Norway, Vietnam, Belgium, Spain, Italy and more. 
 

Can an Indian study abroad for free?

No, it is quite impossible for an Indian student or any international student to study abroad in a foreign nation for free. They can surely study abroad with scholarships, fellowships, fee waivers and other mediums through which their cost of studying abroad can be lower. However, there are other miscellaneous expenditures that must be borne by students along with the cost of pursuing higher education abroad. 
 

Which country is free to study for Indian students?

Nordic countries and some of the European countries like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Germany are some prime examples of countries that are free to study for Indian students or any other international students. These countries offer excellent opportunities to international students to study for free or at a very low cost, as compared to other countries like the UK, the USA, Canada and more. 
 

Which country is No 1 study abroad destination?

There is no doubt that the country which is the No. 1 study abroad destination for Indian students is the United States of America (USA). The United States has long reigned as the most popular study abroad location in the world. The country's outstanding schools dominate worldwide university rankings, luring students with a thirst for academic achievement from all over the world.
 

How much does it cost to study in Canada?

For Indian aspirants wanting to study in Canada, it costs around anywhere in between CAD 25,000 and CAD 40,000 annually. As compared to other top study abroad destinations for Indian students, Canada is quite an affordable option for students. Having said that, the cost of studying abroad for Indian students in Canada depends on various factors like your course, university and city. 
 

How much marks are required to study abroad?

You need to have at least 60% of marks as a minimum requirement to study abroad. Having said that, a lot of universities abroad ask for higher marks for students to get enrolled in their bachelor’s or master’s programs. Aside from that, you need to meet other eligibility requirements like the English language proficiency tests, entrance exams, interviews, and more. 
 

What is the age limit to study abroad?

To study abroad alone for an extended period of time, you must be at least 13 years old. The average age restriction for high school exchange programs is 15. To study abroad at colleges and universities, you must have completed high school and be at least 18 years old. However, age restrictions differ in each country.
 

Is Australia expensive for Indian students?

With its tuition fees and subsequent graduation debt, it is indeed true that Australia has one of the most expensive education systems among Anglophone nations (primary destinations for Indian students). The Australian Government estimates that general living expenses total AUD 21,041 per year. An international student's annual budget is between AUD 20,000 to AUD 27,000 (given your living arrangements and personal choices).
 

When should I start planning my study abroad application process?

 

You should start planning your study abroad application process and associated procedures as soon as possible. This will allow you to reflect on your interests and conduct research in accordance with your personal and academic aims and aspirations. Location, course duration, costs, accommodation, and living circumstances are some of the additional factors to consider as you plan your program. Begin planning at least a year or intake in advance.

How long does the application process take to study abroad for Indian students?

There is no set time period for the application process to get completed for Indian students to study abroad. It is always best to start your application process at least a year in advance to allow adequate time for your applications to be completed and for you to prepare for your time abroad. Keep in mind that the academic year begins at different times in different countries.

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