Summary
- Global study also means exposure to global industries where students stand a chance to work with companies on an international level, which means gaining access to diverse career opportunities, developing cross-cultural professional skills, and building a global network that can enhance employability and career growth across borders.
- As we enter into a new era of technological advancements, students are now realizing the importance of studying in an environment that provides them with global exposure.
- In the United Kingdom, the undergraduate fees range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, and the postgraduate programs can cost anywhere between £11,000 and £32,000 annually.
Top Emerging Countries Indian Students Prefer For Their Studies Abroad
Did you know that over 1.2 million Indian students traveled abroad for higher education in 2023, with projections suggesting this number could rise to between 1.5 and 2 million by 2025?
It’s clear that more and more Indian students are seeking international education. But where are they going? In this blog post, we’ll uncover the top emerging countries that are becoming increasingly popular among Indian students.
Before we present our list of top emerging countries, let’s first understand why Indian students are increasingly choosing to study abroad.
Why study abroad?
Indian students, when deciding the appropriate country to study, have to weigh between cost, security, variety, and the quality of the universities that support their ambitions.
Today, the focus has moved from traditional choices such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia to countries like Germany, France, Ireland, Japan, and Turkey.
They are becoming increasingly popular among Indian students for all the right reasons, such as affordable education and favorable visa policies.
Across tech-enabled campuses in Europe and innovative multicultural centers in Asia, the possibilities are more interesting than ever.
Here’s why students, particularly from India, are increasingly choosing to pursue their education overseas:
1. Global Education for a Hyperconnected World
As we enter into a new era of technological advancements, students are now realizing the importance of studying in an environment that provides them with global exposure. Many companies today demand students with impeccable communication skills and personalities, which can only be possible if they are groomed in diverse communities.
2. Opportunities in Major Global Industries
Global study also means exposure to global industries where students stand a chance to work with companies on an international level, which means gaining access to diverse career opportunities, developing cross-cultural professional skills, and building a global network that can enhance employability and career growth across borders.
3. Access to Specialized and Future-Ready Courses
So many Indian universities are yet to offer programs in emerging technologies like blockchain, space technology, sustainable engineering, and advanced healthcare systems. This is not the case in developing countries; hence, many students aspire to study these courses abroad.
Courses to study abroad
As of 2025, several courses within several disciplines are gaining recognition among Indian students. These courses have multiple job openings every year, along with good career prospects for the coming years. Some of the courses out of the top courses are:
| Course name | Top countries offering these courses |
| Data Science and Analytics | USA and Germany |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Canada and UK |
| Environmental Science and Sustainability | Australia and Netherlands |
| Business Administration and Management | USA and France |
| Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences | Ireland and Singapore |
Cost of living abroad
The cost of living varies significantly across countries and cities. But you must first understand these expenses as they are crucial for budgeting your study abroad journey. Here’s an overview of monthly living costs in popular study destinations:
| Country name | Monthly expenses |
| Germany | €700 to €1,200 per month, covering accommodation, food, transportation, and leisure activities. |
| Canada | CAD 1,000 to CAD 1,500 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle choices. |
| Australia | AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,500 per month, with variations between urban and regional areas. |
| France | €1,200 to €2,400 per month, with Paris being on the higher end of the spectrum |
| Malaysia | MYR 1,200 to MYR 1,800 per month, making it one of the more affordable options. |
Cost of studying abroad
An average masters from abroad can cost you somewhere between 10 to 30 Lakhs minimum. However, it highly depends on the kind of university you’re in and what its ranking is. In the section below, we will discuss the cost of studying in the following places in more detail:
United States
The United States is an expensive place to study in. According to the IDP IELTS, undergraduate programs range from $20,000 to $50,000 per year, while postgraduate programs can cost between $25,000 and $60,000 annually. It also differs when it comes to public or private universities.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the undergraduate fees range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, and the postgraduate programs can cost anywhere between £11,000 and £32,000 annually.
Germany
The public universities generally charge minimal semester fees ranging from €100 to €350 per semester. Most public universities do not charge tuition for undergraduate programs. Meanwhile, private tuition fees can range from €5,000 to €20,000 annually, depending on the program.
Australia
The tuition fee for Undergraduate Programs ranges from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year. The costs for undergraduate programs range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year, while postgraduate courses can cost between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 annually.
Ireland
Undergraduate fees range from €9,000 to €25,000 per year, with postgraduate programs costing between €9,000 and €35,000 annually.
Top destinations to study abroad for Indian students
By 2025, students will be looking as far as they traditionally have from states such as the USA and the UK for their study destinations – countries with high education standards, low cost of living, and good employment prospects.
Here are the top 10 emerging destinations that Indian students are increasingly choosing:
1. Ireland
Ireland is a popular and fast-growing global technology hub. It caters to a multitude of students who are advanced in management, business information technology, finance, and essential business areas.
The universities in Ireland are renowned for their academic excellence and offer global exposure to the students. The government’s stay-back visa options add to its appeal.
Some of the top universities in Ireland are Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway. They are popular for courses like Data Science, Cloud Computing, Business Analytics, and Finance.
2. Japan
Japan is on the frontier when it comes to technology-based programs and research-based engineering in automotive and applied sciences. The best part is the universities in Japan facilitate the practical implementation of learning in hardware technology and electronics, which is a great destination for students from electrical and electronics backgrounds.
Tokyo, in Japan, is considered the second-best city in the world, according to the QS ranking for 2025. The leading university in Japan is the University of Tokyo, which is excellent in fields such as Mechanical Engineering, Data Science, and Renewable Energy.
3. South Korea
As a country innovator in technology, South Korea is well suited for those who wish to study robotics, engineering, and gaming. Its vibrant culture is another attraction.
The best universities in South Korea are Seoul National University and KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology). They are, in fact, widely used in Computer Science, Robotics, or Media Studies courses.
4. Germany
Germany is in the top tier for offering courses in cutting-edge technologies. Famous for its high-quality compliance checks and strongest method of quality checking, Germany will leave you striving for perfection in your chosen field.
It has multiple manufacturing and supply chain-related industries and deals with environmental sciences. So, in Germany, you’ll focus on both sustainability and technology. Its multicultural environment is a big advantage.
The top Universities in Germany are the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, and Leiden University.
5. Canada
Canada continues to thrive as a favorite for Indian students, with its high quality of life, welcoming immigration policies, and globally ranked institutions. Canada is popularly known for its courses in business and entrepreneurship. Moreover, students who prefer to study business move to Canada for better opportunities.
The top universities are the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University. Some of the popular courses offered are Computer Science, Engineering, and Healthcare Management in these universities.
6. France
France is growing in popularity for its top-notch business schools and opportunities in arts, culture, and technology. It’s also relatively affordable compared to other European destinations. With universities like HEC Paris, Sorbonne University, and École Polytechnique, students have exposure to world-class faculty in Business Management, Fashion Design.
7. Poland
Poland offers affordable education and living costs. It’s becoming a hotspot for engineering, business, and medical programs. Hence, many students are moving to Poland to have a stabilized mode of study and lower living costs.
The place also offers amazing opportunities in Medicine, IT, and International Business. Some of the top universities include the University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University, and Warsaw University of Technology.
8. Singapore
Singapore’s strategic location in Asia and focus on technology and innovation make it a hub for students in STEM fields. They are great for students from engineering backgrounds who want to get a high-level education that is under budget.
Some of the top universities include National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. They offer popular courses like AI, Business Analytics, and Financial Engineering.
Not sure how to choose the best school to study in the USA?
So we have enlisted many options when it comes to choosing the right country that is still emerging, offering opportunities to students along with employment and visa flexibilities.
Having said that, there are still many options that can make you feel overwhelmed and cause decision fatigue. It is in such a scenario that you can rely on a tool like GradRight’s university-search platform to do the groundwork for you.
So, what is GradRight’s university-search platform?
GradRight is an AI-powered tool that is designed to help you find an ideal university and program to study abroad based on your academic and financial preferences. Here’s how you can get started with GradRight.
- Start by filling in your personal information like your name, age, and date of birth, along with preferences like your selected place to study, what program you’d like to pursue, location, etc.
- Then, the AI-assisted platform will match your interests and goals with a list of universities.
- Once you select the preferred course or a university in a specific location, you can also contact the university admission representative.
- You can also seek professional assistance from a GradRight expert, who will guide you every step of the way.
With GradRight, go straight from chaos to clarity without anything blocking your way.
You are just one step away from choosing your best country with GradRight. Register and find out your best universities for study abroad.
FAQs
1. Which countries do Indian students prefer to study abroad?
Indian students mostly prefer to study in countries that offer high-quality education, post-study work opportunities, and a welcoming environment. Some of the popular destinations for students from India are the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK.
2. Which foreign country has the most Indian students?
As of 2025, Canada has become the leading destination with the highest number of Indian students due to its immigration pathways, affordability, and high employability rates post-graduation. The USA also remains a strong contender, especially for Indian students in STEM fields.
3. Which is the cheapest country for Indian students to study in?
Some of the cheapest countries that offer affordable education for Indian students are Germany, Poland, Malaysia, and Norway.
4. Which country is best for study with low fees?
Some of the countries with the lowest costs for students are Mexico, Italy, Thailand, France, and the Netherlands. They are the cheapest because of their low tuition fees, lower cost of living, and low rent prices.
5. How much is the cost of living in Ireland?
The cost of living in Ireland is approximately €400 to €850 per month for accommodation, with additional costs for utilities and living expenses. The total cost of living can vary widely depending on the city and the type of accommodation chosen.
