Several students dream of pursuing their higher education from prestigious universities overseas in order to obtain a fruitful career. However, not everyone are able to achieve their dreams owing to the obstacles such as identifying the right course, finding a good institution, arranging finances, getting a visa, securing admission, doing well in studies and obtaining permission for staying and working in your country of choice. One should have an understanding of all the available options prior to choosing the best university, if the student is planning to go abroad for pursuing their higher education. Today let us look at the 3 most popular countries that Indian students would prefer to go for higher studies and what these countries offer in terms of education opportunities, finances & jobs.

The United States

For Indian students the US remains one of the most preferred higher education destinations. A recent Open Doors Report stated that there is a 12 percent increase in the international students’ population during the academic year 2022-2023. The report also stated that the Indian population in the US registered a record high with 268923 students in the academic year with a thirty five percent year on year growth. This increase in the number of Indian students going to USA for pursuing higher education underscores the growing trend of seeking quality education abroad.

The American academic landscape facilitates Indian students to choose from over 5000 world-class institutions & enroll in either undergraduate or doctorate programs across any discipline. The US universities witnessed a surge in the international students’ enrolment in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified associate courses as well as degrees in the field of business management & STEM.

Some of the popular courses in the US today include Computer Science & Information Technology specializations which include data science, cyber security and Artificial Intelligence.  Engineering courses such as aerospace, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering & MBA specializations in international business, finance, entrepreneurship & marketing are widely popular.  

“The USA promises higher salaries and career growth opportunities as a lot of American companies are at the forefront of innovation in a variety of sectors,” says Dirghayu Kaushik, Co-founder & CEO, Ambitio.

USA offers lucrative opportunities to students and this makes it a top study abroad destination for thirty two percent of Indian students. Most of the US universities as well as colleges facilities students to work on either one or numerous internships and this enables them to network with top companies which in turn helps in securing lucrative placement offers.

Some of the top universities in the US include Harvard University, Standford University, Massachusetts University, California Institute of Technology, Yale University, Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania and others.

The United Kingdom

Universities in the United Kingdom hold the best academic standards in the world. According to QS World Ranking 2023, 4 out of the top 10 universities across the globe are in the UK. While studying in the United Kingdom, students will understand that practical & utility-based knowledge is preferred over textbook learning and this will facilitate to acquire analytical skills, critical thinking, as well as creative ability in your chosen streams.

Courses in the UK education system are not just intensive but shorter when compared to other courses offered by universities in other countries. This means students can graduate sooner without compromising on quality. You will be able to finish either a post-graduate or graduate program in a year while it usually takes 3 years to complete any graduate program. This not only saves time but it also helps in saving a large sum of money that is spent on tuition fees and living costs. During the term time students can work part-time for up to twenty hours per week. Also, students can work full-time during their semester break and this will help them in paying their bills as well as gain industry experience in their field of study too.  

“London has a rich culture and values that attract students from all over the world, making London the top choice not only for Indian students but for students all over the world. In 2023, the UK granted 120,110 sponsored study visas to Indian students, which is a substantial increase from the previous years,” says Neha Sethi, Chief Financial Officer, Prodigy Finance.

Universities in the United Kingdom implement a combination of practical & theoretical teaching methods hence any degree from a university in the United Kingdom will add more value to your resume. Moreover, the combination of your experience, exposure and education to the business world offers a competitive edge which demonstrates the ability of functioning in any setting anywhere around the world.

Some of the top universities in the United Kingdom include Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, University of Warwick, King’s College London, University of Bristol, University of Glasgow and others.

Canada

Every year 100s of 1000s of students go to Canada to pursue their higher education from around the world. Some of the top reasons why students can choose Canada as their international education destination are owing to the high standard of living. International students can benefit from the same rights as well as freedoms which protect all Canadians and Canada ranks in third place globally for the best quality of life. Also, Canada is renowned for providing high-quality education and research opportunities. They will also possess the flexibility of transferring between various types & levels of education without running into any roadblocks that are quite common in other countries.

Students can access scholarships & work opportunities in Canada for helping them pay for their education. Also, during their studies several programs render co-op work placements or internships for obtaining hands-on experience. Most of the students from other countries are eligible for working during their studies & can obtain a post-graduate work permit post their studies. Lastly, students can obtain an excellent ROI when they leverage their internationally recognized Canadian qualifications for building their career. Your Canadian education as well as network will facilitate preparing students for their future whether they decide to stay in Canada or would want to return to their home country.

Some of the top universities in Canada include University of Toronto, McGrill University, McMaster University, University of Alberta, University of Waterloo, University of Alberta, University of Calgary and others.

International education opens several gates to numerous opportunities and this helps in adding immeasurable value to both their professional & personal journeys. The world-class education as well as research opportunities these students encounter inspires them to reach greater heights by fueling their passion for discovery & knowledge.