Cost Of Sudying Abroad For Indian Students

Study Abroad Team 22/08/2023
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How Much Will it Cost for an Indian to Study Abroad?

It will take an Indian student a minimum of Rs 22 lakhs per year to study abroad as an Indian student. Out of this, a minimum of Rs 7 lakhs per year can be calculated for living costs. Tuition fees aboard will cost a minimum of Rs 15 lakhs per year in most countries.

In 2021-2022, Indians spent more than 5.6 billion US dollars sending their children abroad to study. This is massive by any standards. Additionally, educational agencies report an increase of 50% to 60% in the number of students who walk in through their doors, dreaming of educational opportunities abroad.

If a candidate plans to go aboard for an undergraduate program, expect tuition fees to be in the ballpark of Rs 15 lakh per annum. For postgraduate courses, there will be a minimum of Rs 25 lakhs in tuition fees for two years.

While a lot depends on which country one wishes to study in, regardless of that, one can expect to spend around Rs 32-35 lakhs per year. Study conversion rates to determine the present-day cost of getting an education in a foreign country.

Cost of Studying Abroad in the Top 8 Countries

Let’s look at the breakdown of costs for an Indian student studying abroad in the top 8 countries of the world.

United States of America


The USA is the top choice for students of Indian origin who wish to study abroad. The cost of a private university in the USA can be pretty high. Look at the best private universities in the USA and their average tuition fees.

  • Harvard University: $30,000
  • Stanford University: $40,000
  • Yale University: $33,000
  • Columbia University: $22,000

While the cost of living will vary a lot depending on where a candidate chooses to live, it should be anything between $10,000 to $30,000 per year on average. This includes the accommodation, food, and transportation costs. A student will also be asked to maintain a minimum bank balance depending on which state or city they are studying in.

United Kingdom

The last few years have seen a jump in prices for Indian students studying in the UK.  To enroll and study undergraduate courses in English universities, expect to pay at least Rs 9.2 lakhs per year as tuition fees.

For other degrees, a student can expect to pay a minimum of Rs 10.25 lakhs per year as tuition fees. If it is a medical degree one wants to get from a UK university, the course tuition fees will cost around Rs 3.25 crores.

The costs will be less if a student chooses Social Sciences or Humanities. Which city one chooses to get the degree from will also determine how much one pays. For example, if the student were to study in London, not only will they be paying more in tuition costs, but they will also be paying higher living costs.

Living Costs for Students in UK

Universities in the UK for international students require their students to maintain a certain bank balance. Student Visa requirements will require her to have at least £1,334 per month if they study in London. They need to maintain a minimum bank balance of £1,023 per month if they are doing a course outside of London.

Cost Of Sudying Abroad For Indian Students

Australia

Australia is a popular country for Indian students. To enroll in an Australian university, a student must first pay for a Study Visa. It will cost 620 AUD for a basic one, approximately Rs 34 360. The average tuition fee will be around Rs 10 lakhs per year.

Living costs for a student in Australia doing an undergraduate or postgraduate course will include accommodation, traveling, food, and health insurance. This can cost Rs 1.5 to more than Rs 3 lakhs per month.

Canada

Canada has many popular universities, and the tuition fees will be an average of Rs 19 lakhs annually. Other things that will be part of the expenses for being a student in Canada will be the IELTS fees and study permit fees. Accommodation will be between Rs 2.7 lakhs and Rs 5.4 lakhs per year.

Added to all this will be food expenses, travel costs, and health insurance.

Germany

The good news about universities in Germany is that many of the government ones are free. In total, there are 16 states in Germany, of which 11 do not charge tuition fees for public colleges. Other states have colleges that will charge a maximum of 500 Euros annually. They will be charged a semester contribution fee, including bus, administrative, and student union fees. 

If a candidate can get a seat at a private college, the tuition fees will be approximately 30,000 Euros per year. Comparatively, engineering and MA degrees cost more, while science and art courses will cost less.

The government also has many programs providing financial benefits to international students from foreign countries.

France

Compared to most other European countries, French universities cost less for Indian students who wish to study abroad. The tuition fees for a post-graduation program will range between Rs 2.5 and Rs 12 lakhs per year.

For brilliant and meritorious students, there is the chance of getting a 100% waiver on tuition fees and fully-funded scholarship programs. With 12% of students studying in France from foreign countries, it is a good option for Indian students.

The top cities in France for Indian students are Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Grenoble, etc.

Italy

Tuition fees at public and private universities in Italy are vastly different for Indian students. Suppose a student chooses a public university in Italy. In that case, they will pay between Rs 85, 000 to Rs 3.5 lakhs per year as tuition fees, whereas, in a private university, they will pay a minimum of Rs 6 lakhs which can go up to Rs 20 lakhs per year depending on the course they want. 

Apart from this, consider the accommodation costs of anything between Rs 30,000 to Rs 75,000 a month, and food and transportation will be less than Rs 25,000 a month.

Finland

Indian students have to pay a premium to study in Finland. Tuition fees can range between Rs 3.75 lakhs to Rs 1.75 crore per year. However, if one is thinking of pursuing a Ph.D. from Finland, it is free for all international students.

For living costs, student visa requirements require them to have at least 560 Euros monthly in their bank account. Living costs can be anything between 7,000 and 11,000 Euros per month for Indian students. There are scholarship programs one can avail of.

Which is the Cheapest Country to Study Abroad?

Studying abroad for undergraduate and postgraduate programs can be beneficial in many aspects, including career prospects, lifestyle, and a higher quality of education. Poland, by far, can be one of the cheapest countries in the world to study abroad for Indian students. It's low tuition fees and living costs contribute to the fact that studying there can be financially beneficial.

The accommodation costs are low in Poland, and residence halls can be taken advantage of. They can even get a rented apartment for a maximum of 150 Euros per month.

One can expect to pay a maximum of 150 Euros monthly for food. There are scholarships available for international students and many part-time jobs they can avail of to earn money.

A student will need a valid residency permit to study in Poland. As a student, they have the right to work part-time for the whole duration of their educational program.

Both private and public universities in Poland are open to Indian students. Some of the best universities in Poland for Indian students are the University of Warsaw, Warsaw University of Technology, Jagiellonian University, and more.

Which Country is Expensive for Indian Students to Study Abroad?

If a student has decided to study abroad, looking at tuition fees and living costs will help them prepare a financial map. The most expensive country for Indian students happens to be Australia. While it has average tuition fees, the living costs are high, which means the total cost of studying in Australia is around Rs 35 lakhs per year.

Other countries which make up the list of most expensive countries to study abroad for Indian students are Singapore, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.

Parents who wish to send their children to study abroad often wonder whether the result justifies the costs. A study called ‘’Value of education’’ shows that more than 50% of Indian parents who wish to send their children abroad consider the United States one of the top 3 countries with the best education. The study confirms that the higher the quality of education a country offers international students, the more expensive it usually is to study there.

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I want to study mba in usa?. What is the procedure?
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Manivannan Posted on 09/04/2024
  • Neha Answered on 09/04/2024

    To study MBA in the USA, you need to follow these steps: 1. Research and select the universities you want to apply to based on your preferences and eligibility. 2. Take the required exams such as GMAT or GRE, and TOEFL or IELTS if you are an international student. 3. Prepare a strong application package including transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and resume. 4. Apply to the universities of your choice following their application deadlines and instructions. 5. Upon acceptance, apply for a student visa and make necessary travel arrangements. Please note that the specific requirements and procedures may vary by university, so it is important to carefully review the information provided by each institution.

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