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Summary of the Study Abroad Industry
The Study Abroad industry is a large, multi-layered global market that connects higher education, cross-border services (including exams, consultancy, finance, accommodation, insurance, etc.), and student mobility. It sits at the intersection of education and migration policy.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, a staggering 1.8 million Indian students are studying abroad in 2025 - making India one of the largest outbound student markets and a key driver of the Study Abroad market in India.
The global Study Abroad market is valued at around USD 230 billion with strong projected growth over the remainder of the decade. Certain factors play a critical role in driving the Study Abroad industry:
- Counselling and application services.
- Diversification of Study Abroad destinations beyond the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
- Student visa policies.
- Post-study work rules.
- Courses in demand and the job market in the destination country.
Top Universities in the World
The top universities in the world impact international student mobility. Different rankings help compare universities based on academic reputation, research impact, faculty quality, and other factors. The table given below is based on the QS Rankings 2026 and the THE Rankings 2026:
(Data Source: QS Rankings 2026 & THE Rankings 2026)
- The top three universities, according to the QS Rankings 2026, are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (#1), Imperial College London (#2), and Stanford University (#3).
- The top three universities, according to the THE Rankings 2026, are the University of Oxford (#1), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (#2), Princeton University (#3) & University of Cambridge (#3).
Top Study Abroad Destinations for Indian Students
Some of the best countries to study abroad for Indian Students include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, and Ireland, among others.
When evaluating the best countries for Indian students to study abroad, several key factors should be considered: the quality of universities, visa policies, living costs, post-study work opportunities, and long-term career prospects.
1) United States (USA)
- Why Indian Students Choose the USA: High-quality universities, strong STEM programs, and flexible career pathways make the US one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Indian students.
- Best Universities in the USA: MIT | Stanford University | Harvard University | Caltech | University of Chicago
- Cost of Studying in the USA: USD 20,000 - USD 55,000 per year
- Cost of Living in the USA: USD 1,500 - USD 2,000 per month.
- US Post-Study Work Visa - OPT and STEM OPT Duration: Optional Practical Training (OPT) is for 12 months; STEM OPT extension is for an additional 24 months (total up to 36 months for eligible STEM grads).
2) United Kingdom (UK)
- Why Indian Students Choose the UK: Shorter course duration, globally recognised degrees, and strong graduate employability make the UK one of the best countries to study abroad for Indian Students.
- Best Universities in the UK: Imperial College London | University of Oxford | University of Cambridge | UCL | King’s College London
- Cost of Studying in the UK: £10,000 - £38,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in the UK: £900 - £1,400 per month.
- UK Post-Study Work Visa - Graduate Route PSW UK Duration: 2 years for Bachelor’s/Master’s and 3 years for PhD.
3) Canada
- Why Indian Students Choose Canada: Affordable education, multicultural campuses, and a clear pathway to work opportunities make Canada a popular study abroad destination for Indian students.
- Best Universities in Canada: University of Toronto | University of British Columbia (UBC) | McGill University | University of Waterloo | Western University
- Cost of Studying in Canada: CAD 15,000 - CAD 36,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in Canada: CAD 1,500 - CAD 2,000 per month.
- Canada Post-Study Work Visa - PGWP Canada Duration: 8 months up to 3 years, depending on program length and level.
4) Singapore
- Why Indian Students Choose Singapore: World-class universities, strong industry links and proximity to India make Singapore a high-ROI and a top study abroad destination for Indian students.
- Best Universities in Singapore: National University of Singapore (NUS) | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Cost of Studying in Singapore: SGD 8,000 - SGD 60,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in Singapore: SGD 1,200 - SGD 2,000 per month.
- Singapore Post-Study Work Visa Duration: No single “PSW”; graduates typically move to Employment Pass/S Pass/Personalised Employment Pass depending on salary/role.
5) Australia
- Why Indian Students Choose Australia: Popular for its quality of life, strong employability outcomes and clear post-study work visa routes, Australia is one of the best countries for Indian students to study abroad.
- Best Universities in Australia: University of Melbourne | UNSW Sydney | University of Sydney | Australian National University (ANU) | Monash University
- Cost of Studying in Australia: AUD 20,000 - AUD 50,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in Australia: AUD 1,500 - AUD 2,500 per month.
- Australia Post-Study Work Visa - Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): 2-4 years (some changes/streams and regional allowances apply).
6) New Zealand
- Why Indian Students Choose New Zealand: Safe environment, practical learning, and stable work policies make it a strong choice for specialised programs.
- Best Universities in New Zealand: University of Auckland | University of Otago | Victoria University of Wellington | University of Canterbury
- Cost of Studying in New Zealand: NZD 22,000 - NZD 55,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in New Zealand: NZD 1,500 - NZD 2,500 per month
- NZ Post-Study Work Visa Duration: Up to 3 years, depending on qualification.
7) Germany
- Why Indian Students Choose Germany: Low or no tuition fees, strong engineering programs, and a significant demand for skilled workers make Germany a popular destination for Indian students to study abroad.
- Best Universities in Germany: Technical University of Munich (TUM) | LMU Munich | Heidelberg University | RWTH Aachen | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Cost of Studying in Germany: €0 - €3,000 tuition (public universities - most have low/no tuition).
- Cost of Living in Germany: €900 - €1,200 per month.
- Germany Post-Study Work Visa - Germany Job-Seeker Permit Duration: 18-month Germany job-seeker permit.
8) Ireland
- Why Indian Students Choose Ireland: The country's close ties with global tech companies, its English-speaking environment, and one-year master’s programs make Ireland an appealing study abroad destination for international students.
- Best Universities in Ireland: Trinity College Dublin | University College Dublin (UCD) | University of Galway | University College Cork
- Cost of Studying in Ireland: €10,000 - €25,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in Ireland: €800 - €1,300 per month.
- Ireland Post-Study Work Visa - Third Level Graduate Scheme (Stamp 1G) Duration: Typically 12 months (some master’s outcomes/renewals can extend to 2 years in practice for certain awards).
9) United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Why Indian Students Choose the UAE: Growing international campuses, lower travel costs and strong career opportunities in business and tech drive demand, making the UAE a popular study abroad destination for Indian students.
- Best Universities in the UAE: Khalifa University | University of Sharjah | United Arab Emirates University | American University of Sharjah
- Cost of Studying in the UAE: AED 40,000 - AED 90,000 per year.
- Cost of Living in the UAE: AED 3,000 - AED 5,000 per month.
- UAE Post-Study Work Visa - UAE Work Visa Pathways Duration: No standard national PSW route - graduates usually transition to employer-sponsored work visas/employment permits. Duration depends on employer-sponsored visa type (commonly 1-2 years).
10) France
- Why Indian Students Choose France: Top-quality business, arts and engineering schools, subsidised tuition at public institutions, and strong cultural exposure.
- Best Universities in France: Université PSL | Sorbonne University | École Polytechnique | Sciences Po | CentraleSupélec
- Cost of Studying in France: €3,000 - €15,000 per year at public institutions.
- Cost of Living in France: €600 - €800 per month.
- France Post-Study Work Visa - APS Visa (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) Duration: typically 12 months, which can be extended up to 24 months.
Study Abroad Value Chain
The Study Abroad value chain includes all the services and stakeholders that support a student’s journey from exploring international education options to building a career abroad. It covers information, admissions, financial support, travel, accommodation, and post-study employment.
- Awareness & Counselling: Student Counselling | University Representatives | Digital Platforms | AI-Based Guidance | Career Assessments
- Test Preparation & Applications: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Prep | GRE/GMAT/SAT Prep | SOP Writing | Essays & CV Support | LORs | Application Submission | Document Verification
- Admissions & Visa Support: Offer Letter Processing | Visa Documentation | Financial Proofs | CAS Support | Compliance Checks
- Financial Services: Education Loans | NBFC/Fintech Loan Options | International Fee Payments | Forex Cards | Remittances | Scholarship Advisory
- Pre-Departure Services: Travel Booking | Accommodation Search | Health & Travel Insurance | Pre-Departure Orientation | Cultural Preparation
- On-Arrival & Student Support: Airport Pickup | Local SIM & Banking Setup | Student Housing Support | Mentorship Networks | Academic Support
- Post-Study Pathways: Post-Study Work Visa Guidance | Job Search Assistance | Resume & Interview Support | Migration/PR Advisory | Alumni Networks
Opportunities & Challenges in Studying Abroad
Studying abroad offers students a wide range of academic options, access to global research, and exposure to diverse professional environments.
- Opportunities: Global Career Exposure | Access to Advanced Research & Facilities | Higher Earning Potential in Certain Fields | Post-Study Work Opportunities | International Internships | Global Alumni Networks | Skill Development & Cultural Learning
The challenges primarily relate to rising costs, changing visa regulations, cultural adjustment, and competition in job markets abroad. Students must also plan finances carefully and adapt to new academic and social settings.
- Challenges: High Tuition & Living Costs | Visa Uncertainty | Limited Part-Time Work in Some Countries | Cultural & Academic Adjustment | Competition for Jobs | Housing & Safety Issues | Changing Immigration Policies
Is Studying Abroad Worth It for Indian Students
Studying abroad can be highly rewarding, but the value depends on a student’s goals, finances and career plans. It offers substantial advantages - better universities, global exposure and wider job options - but also comes with higher costs and adjustment challenges.
Indian students should weigh these pros and cons carefully and make a prudent decision based on their long-term priorities.
DhruvStar Industry Insights: What it Means for the Indian Education Industry
- Growing Global Alignment: Indian universities are introducing twinning, dual-degree, and credit-transfer programs to align with global standards.
- Rise of Support Services: Test-prep, counselling and EdTech platforms are expanding as students demand reliable guidance.
- Higher Quality Expectations: Increased outbound mobility is prompting domestic institutions to enhance course design, placements, and transparency.
Sources
[1] MEA
[2] Others
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