Top Destination Choices

The US, the UK and Australia are traditional destinations for students going abroad to study. They are still as popular

The charm for a foreign degree is not lost on any Indian student and ambitious parents too encourage their children to join a foreign university. Here we highlight the countries that have over the years remained top destinations for Indian students.

The United States
The United States of America has always attracted the best of Indian students for many years. Students of engineering and management have managed to get admissions to top colleges of the States. In fact, it is among the top choices for any student of the world. According to the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), more than one lakh Indian students were enrolled in US institutions as of 2009. The figure is 15.4 per cent of the international students on US campuses.

The facilities that American universities provide to international students are very attractive. Students get to design their own courses and the flexibility offered ensures that students utilise their full potential. Application of theoretical knowledge is the key feature of courses in American universities.  Interaction with a multi-cultural society of America helps student develop leadership skills and independent thinking apart from fostering independence and enhancing creativity and communication skills.

The United Kingdom
According to the data released by Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), this year the United Kingdom has replaced the US as the top choice of Indian students. The UK issued more than 57,000 visas in comparison to 32,000 issued by the US.

The UK has for long been the favourite destination of Indian students as is evident from the data above. The most important benefit of studying in UK is the language of instruction, which is English.  The UK’s education policies also aim at attracting foreign students.

Furthermore, universities like Oxford and Cambridge have a legacy of their own. They have developed a culture of education which is unparalleled anywhere in the world. This has been possible because of the historic presence of these universities which have built themselves across centuries.

Australia
Australian education system has something to offer to every kind of student. Brilliant students get to study in reputed universities whereas average students have the option of joining any vocational course which will in all probability provide them with a good job. This is one of the reasons for the popularity of Australian universities among Indian students.

However, vicious racist attacks on Indian students in Australia have made every parent sit back and reconsider their choice of sending their child down under.

Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong
These are the countries that are trying hard to attract foreign students. These provide quality education at relatively cheaper prices and the medium of instruction is also English. The options available here are quite attractive and need to be explored with an objective frame of mind.

Other than these, Europe too is becoming popular among Indian students as a destination choice for studying abroad. Countries like France and Germany in Europe have emerged as non-traditional choice. Even Canada is becoming a serious contender for a top position in the race to woo Indian students.

In the final analysis, it is the tuition fees and cost of living that are the deciding factors for the students. The countries that offer the maximum advantage in terms of cost and value will attract the most students.