Today more Indian students prefer to study abroad to get better educational opportunities, however when it is about shortlisting educational institutions or universities, several criteria need to be fulfilled, as students spend a significant amount of money on their studies abroad. When choosing a university abroad, the candidates need to be very careful as the right selection helps them make a better career decision and ensures their money is put to good use.

Before we discuss choosing a country for studying abroad, let us learn about the factors that need to be considered while choosing a university abroad.

The first and foremost factor that needs to be considered while choosing a university abroad is the course you want to pursue. Consider your motivation level, passion, strengths, and weaknesses before picking the course. Check out the best course curriculum based on its duration, course subjects, modules, relativity, and career opportunities. Check for the flexibility offered in the course of choosing the modules and the focus on practical studies. Also, shortlist some of the universities and courses based on your career objectives, choose courses that industry integrated or carry professional accreditations. Studying for accredited courses will increase the recognition of the course and your chances of securing a good job.

If you are confused regarding which course you plan to study, you can take the help of study abroad counselors who are highly experienced in this task. Most counsellors will have years of experience and knowledge, and will guide you in selecting the course that is most suitable for your profile and career objectives.

Though studying abroad comes with a price tag, it is absolutely worthy. Since studying abroad is a costly affair so the selection must be made carefully, and thus you must also consider the overall cost of education. Some universities might have a higher tuition fee but low living costs, on the other hand, many countries have low tuition fees but higher living costs. So it is crucial to consider both–university fee and living expenses while selecting a university abroad. Also, consider the scholarship options as many universities offer them to international students. Look for the available grants and scholarships before applying to a university overseas.

Read through the inclusions of the course, some courses may require you incur additional expenses, over and above your tuition fees.

Many countries have different language requirements and these requirements are important while fulfilling the admission process to an international university. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are the most popular English language tests accepted by most universities and colleges across the globe. Make a list of language requirements as per the universities you are planning to apply to. If you are targeting European countries where English is not the first language, Learning the native language of the country is a necessity for you to have a smooth life while studying.

Some courses in these countries may also require you to have local language expertise at a A2 or a B1 level. Proficiency in the local language can help you get rid of the language barrier and have a more promising career in the country.

While shortlisting a university abroad, you must research extensively in the prospects of the course and how it can benefit you in your career. In is important for you to evaluate the learning outcome of the course and ensure that it is in line with your career objective. Also, don’t forget to check the subject rankings and reviews of the university.

If you plan to stay in the country post completing your degree for some time, check out some of the post-study work opportunities.

When studying abroad, have a look at the immigration rules and regulations of the particular country you plan to study in. Know the available post-study work visas and part-time job offers available for international students. Some countries like the US have strict immigration policies as compared to other English-speaking countries, so do your homework in advance.

For example, US does not allow international students to work part time off campus, hence restricting their ability to manage their living expenses. Where as countries like UK, Australia & Canada allow students to work off campus as well, making it easy for them to sustain their living expenses while studying abroad.

Now let us focus on the ways and key essentials to consider while choosing the destination for studies abroad.

Selecting the country for studying abroad is not an easy task and thus it is important to make a well-researched decision and choose the right country. Many times, students get confused among popular countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. as all offer good quality education to students. Thus, we at Study Smart Overseas Education have presented a brief overview of some of the popular destinations you can consider to study abroad.

You as a student can have a look at the write-up to get assistance while choosing an international destination to study abroad.

Among many top international destinations, one of the most popular countries is Canada which has gained wider popularity among students across the globe. Pursuing a course in Canada is one of the most rewarding career options and various institutions offer different courses to both, national and international students. If you plan to study abroad, then pursuing a course in Canada can help kick-start your career.

A lot of international students plan to study in Canada to get international learning exposure. Even many colleges provide attractive scholarships to international students to lower their financial burden. Canada is also among the most reasonable countries to study.

Some of the popular courses to pursue in Canada include

• Hospitality
• Health & Medicine
• Engineering
• Information Technology (IT) & Computer Science
• Business Management
• Economics
• Nursing
• Media & Journalism, etc.

Universities like McGill University, University of Toronto, The University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, and Simon Fraser University are among the most popular choices if you want to pursue a full-time academic degree course. The majority of the renowned colleges in the nation are located in cities like British Columbia, Toronto, etc. Colleges like Humber College, George Brown, Fanshawe, Centennial are popular choices for international students.  Towards the end of 2021, there were more than 600,000 international students in Canada.

Canada is the most preferred place for vocational & diploma courses rather instead of degree programs as vocational courses provide better employment opportunities. Canada is an ideal choice for immigration as the country offers immense scope for work due to its low population density. The country provides 3 years of post study work Visa to international students, which allows them to gain valuable work experience and also have a shot at gaining residency of the country.   The most famous higher education courses in Canada for foreign students are PG diplomas in areas like Accounting, Business Development, Media & Entertainment, Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, etc.

As compared to several other countries, studying in Canada is quite affordable. International students need anywhere between C$18,000 and C$28,000 annually to cover fees for tuition and between C$11,000 to C$15,000 to cover living expenses.

This is an average idea as the fees vary based on the university and course one has opted for. The costs for housing, food and other living expenses vary based on the location.

• International candidates planning to pursue a postgraduate course in Canada must have obtained the minimum required percentage in their bachelor’s. Typically a score of 60% to 75% is required depending on the College or University. For UG students a minimum of 70% in 12th grade is required.
• IELTS is the also required, typical score required is a 6.5 Overall with no band less than 6.0
• Many universities also ask candidates to produce GMAT/GRE scores for post grad admissions. Similarly SAT is required for Under Grad courses.
• Good Quality SOPs, LORs, and CVs are also needed to support the application.

International students planning to pursue a course in Canada must refer to the following top universities:

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• University of Alberta
• University of Montreal
• University of Calgary
• University of Ottawa

USA’s hi-tech technology, world-class education system, global exposure attract a lot of international students to pursue their higher education, making it one of the most sort after destination for international students. As per the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), more than 2 lakh Indian students went to the US for higher studies last year.

The number of Indian students going to study in the USA increased by more than 10% last year in 2021. US has consistently been a destination that attracts students from all across the globe, providing a safe multi cultural environment for students.

Some of the popular courses in the USA

• Business and Management
• Engineering
• Mathematics and Computer Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Healthcare

The overall cost of living in America varies from $12,000 to $18,000 per year, which averages almost $1,000 to $1,500 each month. This includes accommodation charges, food bills, travel costs, textbooks, clothing, and entertainment costs.

The overall cost of books and study material varies from $1,240 to $1,460 per year

•   Traveling costs within the US vary from $1,060 to $1,840
•   The accommodation will cost will be between $9,330 and $13,620 per year
•   The students planning to live off-campus, have to spend anywhere between $300 and $800 a month.
•   The meal charges vary from $810 to $2,449 per annum, based on your food preferences
•   Buying clothes would be almost $500 annually.

Typical Tuition fees for US Universities vary from $25,000 to $40,000 per year depending on the course and university.

If there’s one more advantage worth noticing, it’s the fact that US universities offer financial assistance and grants to international students. These include fellowships, grants, and scholarships aiming to reduce the financial burden on students.

While each college or university has its own funding criteria for grating scholarships, there are numerous organizations in the US offering financial aid to students planning to study in the US. The amount of scholarship you can get typically depends on your SAT, GMAT or GRE Scores and your overall profile.

Documents Required to study in the USA

A few of the requirements while applying in the US include:

• A high school diploma
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
• Aptitude test scores (SAT or ACT)
• College essay
• Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
• Aptitude test scores (GRE or GMAT)
• Portfolio (for subjects like Fine Arts, Architecture, etc.)

• The demand for graduates having a professional degree has doubled over the last couple of years, so pursuing a course from one of the reputed universities can help have a thrilling career.
• Studying in the US gives a chance to students to study in one of the strongest economies in the world.
• For international students, many colleges and universities in the US offer attractive scholarships and other benefits as well, which makes their studying easier and hassle-free there.
• Students post-completing their course can begin their career by working at any of the national and international firms.
• The graduates can get a decent salary as a beginner which increases gradually with time.

The UK is one of the popular and hottest destinations among Indian students planning to study abroad. The UK education system gives students the flexibility to combine courses and subjects from specific areas of study, thereby offering customized course options based on your own needs and interest. Over the last many years, the country has witnessed a significant increase in the number of international students coming to the UK for higher studies.

The recent relaxation to their immigration policy, introduction of the 2 year post study work visa & Brexit leading to work restrictions for Europeans, has made the UK one of the most promising destination for higher education. The similarity between the education system of UK and India and the recent agreement signed between UK and India officially recognising each other’s higher education qualifications, has made UK universities more appealing for Indian Students. This Agreement will allow Indian students who graduate from British universities to apply for postgraduate & Doctorate qualifications, or embark on government careers that require university qualifications, when they return to India.

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester
• Imperial College London
• Kings College London
• University College London
• London Business School
• London School of Economics
• University of Warwick
• University of Leeds
• University of Glasgow

• International students planning to pursue a Masters Degree in UK require a score of 55% to 75% is in their Bachelors Degree. Students who are looking to apply for UG courses require 70% to 90% in their 10th &12th class.
• IELTS is the also required, typical score required is a 6.5 Overall with no band less than 6.0, however many British Universities give a waiver on IELTS to students who have good grades in English in 12th std.
• GMAT/GRE or SAT is typically not required for admissions in UK Universities.
• Good Quality SOPs, LORs, and CVs play a very important role in the application process. Also the profile of the students is looked at closely by the admissions team.

The tuition fee plays an important role in deciding on an international destination. The international student’s fees for medical courses and MBA programs are higher as compared to tuition fees for degree courses like arts and social science degrees.

Type of DegreeAverage Annual Tuition Fee in UK

Bachelors	£12,000 – £20,000
Masters	£14,000 – £30,000
Ph.D.	Up to £18,000

• The universities in the UK are amongst the top universities in the world imparting quality education to all learners.
• The graduates of the UK get a chance to work in renowned organisations across the globe.
• Most of the universities are affiliated, accredited, and recognized Universities.
• The over all cost of education in UK is cheaper when compared to countries like US, Australia etc.
• There are many renowned universities located in the UK that have state of the art infrastructure, excellent technology and lab facilities, qualified lecturers, world-class accommodation, etc.
• The colleges and universities offering various courses have state-of-the-art equipment and advanced teaching methods that make universities the most famous across the globe.
• Students studying there get ample learning opportunities to study and get practical training. There are different fields from which the student can select their specialization according to their interest.
• Students can get scholarships if they meet the minimum scholarship criteria.
• The programs there emphasize overall skill development in the specialties the student chooses.
• UK currently has relaxed their immigration policy giving very good career prospects and stat back opportunities to international students.

Do you want to study aboard in Sweden? If yes, then you must check out the option to pursue a course in Sweden as it will offer you tons of benefits. Pursuing a course in Sweden is a relatively good option among Indian students which is mainly due to excellent education and reduced college tuition fees.

The number of international applicants planning to get an international degree is increasing day by day. The country welcomes all international students in a more welcoming way. The tuition rate in Sweden varies from SEK 80,000 per year (approximately 7,915 EUR or 9,523 USD as of Feb 2021) to SEK 295,000 (or approximately 29,188 EUR or 35,117 USD as of Feb 2021), based on the type, of course, you have applied at.

Also, the living costs vary based on the location of the study as bigger cities are generally expensive as compared to smaller ones. But almost 8,568 SEK per month is the living cost which includes rent.

The universities in Sweden hold seats for international students and a list of the best universities in Sweden includes:

• Karolinska Institute
• Lund University
• Uppsala University
• Stockholm University
• University of Gothenburg
• Royal Institute of Technology
• Umea University
• Chalmers University of Technology

• Sweden’s 11 universities are among the 980 featured in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2016-2017.
• The Karolinska Institute in Sweden is the country’s highest ranked institute followed by Uppsala, Lund, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Chalmers, and other Swedish universities.
• One of the most important reasons to study in Sweden is the availability of many lowest fees colleges as compared to other European countries.
• The colleges welcome international students planning to get an international abroad.
• The cost of living expenses in Sweden is lower as compared to other European countries. But in case you plan to study in bigger cities, it is more expensive there as compared to other parts of the country.
• The majority of the colleges are approved by the WHO to grant various different degrees and programs.
• There is no need to pay any kind of donation or capitation in order to get admission to a college in Sweden.
• All classes will be taught in English so that international students can understand the course curriculum in an enhanced and accurate way.

The above information about a few countries may help you take better decision of choosing the international destination for your study program. Students from all over the world are flying to different international destinations for studying abroad.

All universities abroad welcome international students to get the best quality education. Get ready to convert your dreams into reality by doing a course of your choice.

Consult Study Smart Overseas Education today to seek guidance related to selecting the best country for your dream career.