Which Is The Best Country For Study? Exploring The Best Countries To Study Abroad

Universities 3,401 Views Updated On Dec 26, 2024 2:08 AM IST
Best Countries For Study

Are you interested in knowing which country is best for study abroad? The Student Helpline overseas education experts have shortlisted the 8 top countries to study abroad in 2025 based on an online survey of 98,227 students representing (studying and working abroad) 142+ countries. Check out our approach of shortlisting best country to study abroad for Indian students, if you want to know more about how this rating was created.

List of Best Countries To Study Abroad for Indian Students (Updated List 2025)

  1. United States of America
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Australia
  4. Canada
  5. Germany
  6. Netherlands
  7. New Zealand
  8. Singapore

Methodology To Shortlist The Best Place To Study Abroad

To determine which is the best country to study abroad for Indian students, we examined 98,227 students from 142+ different nations. Following are the primary factors that were chosen because of their major influence on student choices::

  • Number of Indian students enrolled: For cultural comfort
  • Acceptance rates: For admission chances
  • Cost of living and studying: For financial and budget planning
  • QS World University Rankings: To gain quality of education and global reputation
  • Top Universities: For career opportunities
  • Immigration policies: In regard to post- study work opportunities and residency options
  • Lucrative scholarships: To reduce financial strain

Moreover, secondary parameters such as popular courses, best cities to study, and graduate employability rankings were also taken into account to provide an overview. To give clear and useful advice for choosing the best countries to study abroad, each parameter regardless of their category was given major consideration.

Know In Detail About The Best Country To Study Abroad For Indian Students From The List Of Eight!

Comprehensive Analysis of Best Countries To Study Abroad

Ready to discover the 8 top countries to study abroad? The best countries to study in the world for studying abroad in 2025 are listed here by The Student Helpline overseas education consultants!

1. United States Of America

The United States of America is arguably the best country to study abroad for Indian students. With over 1 million international students in the US with India and China being the major contributors, over 200,000 Indian students have enrolled in the universities in the US in the past years.

Every year the government of the US spends around 700 Billion USD on its education, showcasing the lowest unemployment rate of 3.7%. But what makes the US the best country in the world to study is its diverse student environment and high-paying post-study work opportunities.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In USA 269,000 Indian students
Acceptance Rate of Indian Students 89.1%
Cost of Studying in USA (Annually) INR 21L to 38L per year (USD 25,000 to 45,000 per year)
Cost of Living in USA (Monthly) INR 8L to 12L per month (USD 10,000 to 15,000)
QS World University Rankings 197 ranked institutions
Immigration Policies Flexibility of Student Visa Rules (F1, OPT) Long-term Residency Options Challenging
High-Paying Scholarships Fulbright Foreign Student Program Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Graduate Employability Ranking 91.7%
Best Cities To Study in USA
  • Boston
  • New York
  • San Francisco

Table 1: Overview of primary parameters to study in USA for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, EducationUSA.gov)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Study Abroad Colleges in USA For Indian Students

Here's a list of top USA universities for Indian students based on QS World University Rankings for 2025:

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Ranked 1st globally.
  2. Harvard University - Ranked 4th globally.
  3. Stanford University - Ranked 6th globally.
  4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Ranked 10th globally.
  5. University of Pennsylvania - Ranked 12th globally.

In-Demand Courses to Study in USA And Their Tuition Fees

Listed below are the trending courses to study in USA:

  1. Bachelors in Computer Science (INR 34 L to INR 51 L per year).
  2. Masters in Data Science & Analytics (INR 17.8 L to INR 63.7 L per year).
  3. Masters in Business Administration (MBA) (INR 51 L to INR 68 L per year).
  4. Bachelors in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical) (INR 34 L to INR 59.5 L per year).
  5. MBBS (INR 42.4 L to INR 59.4 L per year)

Check out the best universities for MBA in USA!

2. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom ranked #1 in Europe is the best country to study abroad in all of Europe. The only country in the world where the majority of the top-ranking universities have shown the lowest acceptance rates over the years, the UK is one of the most competitive places to study abroad.

Although surviving in the UK is tough, it adds so much value to a student's overall personality. The competitive nature of the UK and the country extensive support to international students make it the second-best country to study abroad.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In UK (in 2024-25) 185,000 Indian students
Acceptance Rate of Indian Students 77.2%
Cost of Studying in UK (Annually) INR 10.7 L to 33.8 L (£12,000 to £38,000)
Cost of Living in UK (Monthly) INR 90 K to 1.18 L (£1,023 to £1,334)
QS World University Rankings 90 institutions ranked
Immigration Policies Graduate Route to study, work and stay for two years
High-Paying Scholarships Commonwealth Masters Scholarships Rhodes Scholarship
Graduate Employability Ranking 88.4%
Best Cities To Study in UK
  • London
  • Edinburgh
  • Manchester

Table 2: Overview of primary parameters to study in UK for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, British Council)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in UK For Indian Students

Here's a list of top UK universities for Indian students based on QS World University Rankings for 2025:

  1. Imperial College London - Ranked 2nd globally.
  2. University of Oxford - Ranked 3rd globally.
  3. University of Cambridge - Ranked 5th globally.
  4. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - Ranked 56th globally.
  5. University College London (UCL) - Ranked 22nd globally.

List Of Easiest Courses to Study in UK For Students And Their Tuition Fees

Listed below are the easiest courses for Indian students 2025 to study in UK:

  1. Masters in Computer Science (INR 15L to 34L per year)
  2. MBA in UK ( INR 22.5L to 52.5 per year)
  3. Bachelors/Masters in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence ( INR 16.5L -34L per year)
  4. Masters of Legislative Laws (INR 15L - 30 Lper year)
  5. Masters in Psychology ( INR 13.5L- 26L per year)

Learn more about post-study work opportunities after studying in UK!

3. Australia

Last year Australia hosted 600,000 international students with a major crowd coming from China and India. 7 of the Australian universities are included under the top 100 universities globally. Some of the best courses to study in the world are taught at Australian universities.

Australia is more affordable as compared to the UK and the USA. However, it's Graduate Employability Index of Australia is comparatively lower as compared to other countries to study abroad because of which it is ranked on 3rd place on our list.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In Australia (in 2024-25) 135,301 students
Acceptance Rate of Indian Students 73%
Cost of Studying in Australia INR 15L-37L per year (AUD 20K to 50K per year)
Cost of Living in Australia (Monthly) INR 1 L to 2L ($1,500 to $2,500)
QS World University Rankings 30+ ranked institutions
Immigration Policies Streamlined student visa process (acceptance rate of 85% to 95%)
High-Paying Scholarships Australia Awards Scholarships Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards
Graduate Employability Ranking 81.3%
Best Cities To Study in Australia
  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Perth

Table 3: Overview of primary parameters to study in Australia for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, Department of Education.gov.au)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in Australia For Indian Students

Based on the QS World University Rankings for 2025, the top five Australian universities are:

  1. University of Melbourne (Ranked 13th globally)
  2. University of Sydney (Ranked 18th globally)
  3. University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) (Ranked 19th globally)
  4. Australian National University (Ranked 30th globally)
  5. Monash University (Ranked 37th globally)

List Of Courses to Study in Australia For Students And Their Tuition Fees

Listed below are the trending courses in Australia for Indian students 2025 to study in Australia:

  1. Nursing (INR 15L to 38L per year)
  2. Masters in Business Administration ( INR 5L to 52.5 per year)
  3. Masters in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence ( INR 20L -44L per year)
  4. Masters in Mechanical Engineering (INR 12L - 46Lper year)
  5. Food And Nutrition ( INR 12L- 36L per year)

4. Canada

Canada is one of the most preferred and the best places to study abroad for Indian students, since it provides a Post-Graduation Work Permit to students which allows them to stay and work in Canada for 3 years.

The courses offered in Canada are affordable and with lower crime rates, and a high standard of living Canada is one of those study abroad countries that offers the best learning experience to students.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In Canada (in 2024-25) 135,301 students
Acceptance Rate 73%
Cost of Studying in Canada INR 15L-37L per year (CAD 20K to 50K per year)
Cost of Living in Canada (Monthly) INR 1 L to 2L (CAD 1,500 to 2,500)
QS World University Rankings 30+ ranked institutions
Immigration Policies Streamlined student visa process (acceptance rate of 85% to 95%)
High-Paying Scholarships To Study In Canada Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) University of Waterloo International Master's and Doctoral Awards
Graduate Employability Ranking 81.3%
Best Cities To Study in Canada
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • Quebec

Table 4: Overview of primary parameters to study in Canada for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, EduCanada.org)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in Canada For Indian Students

Based on the QS World University Rankings for 2025, the top five Canadian universities are:

  1. University of Toronto (Ranked 25th globally)
  2. McGill University (Ranked 29th globally)
  3. University of British Columbia (UBC) (Ranked 38th globally)
  4. University of Alberta (Ranked 96th globally)
  5. University of Waterloo (Ranked 115th globally)

List Of Short-Term Courses to Study in Canada For Students And Their Tuition Fees

Here are five short-term courses for Indian students in Canada for 2025:

  1. Post-Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics (8 months to 1 year)
  2. Digital Marketing (6 months to 1 year)
  3. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (3-6 months)
  4. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification (4 weeks to 6 months)
  5. Web Development and Coding Bootcamp (2-8 months)

5. Germany

Germany offers some of the best courses to study abroad in the world to students who are interested in research. The entire German nation is well known for providing the best research and innovation centric learning curriculum. The number of foreign students in Germany has grown by 55.7% in just ten years, from 2013-14 to 2023-2024.

Talking about tuition fees, Germany is a paradise for students who wish to spend less money since the average tuition fees in Germany is much lower as compared to other countries to study abroad.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In Germany (in 2024-25) 49,483 students
Acceptance Rate 82%
Cost of Studying in Germany INR 8L-26L per year (€10K to €35K per year)
Cost of Living in Germany For A Student (Monthly) INR 88K (€992) approx.
QS World University Rankings 45+ ranked institutions
Immigration Policies EU Blue Card (Graduates can apply for an 18-month residence permit )
High-Paying Scholarships DAAD Scholarships Deutschlandstipendium
Graduate Employability Ranking 76.2%
Best Cities To Study in Germany
  • Munich
  • Berlin
  • Frankfurt

Table 5: Overview of primary parameters to study in Germany for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, Studying in Germany.org)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in Germany For Indian Students

Based on the QS World University Rankings for 2025, the top five German universities are:

  1. Technical University of Munich (TUM) (Ranked 50th globally)
  2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) (Ranked 64th globally)
  3. Heidelberg University (Ranked 66th globally)
  4. Humboldt University of Berlin (Ranked 117th globally)
  5. University of Mannheim (Ranked 151-200 globally)

Top PhD Courses to Study in Germany

List of top five PhD courses for Indian students in Germany for 2025:

  1. PhD in Computer Science (INR 2 Lakh to INR 5 Lakh per year)
  2. PhD in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc.) (INR 2 Lakh to INR 4 Lakh per year)
  3. PhD in Medicine/Health Sciences (INR 3 Lakh to INR 6 Lakh per year)
  4. PhD in Business Administration (DBA) (INR 5 Lakh to INR 10 Lakh per year)
  5. PhD in Physics (INR 2 Lakh to INR 4 Lakh per year)

6. Netherlands

The number of students getting enrolled in Dutch universities has been increasing over the years, since the Netherlands is one of the safest country to study abroad and provides the most peaceful learning environment to international students.

The highly affordable courses, good quality higher education practices and the peace and quiet that the Netherlands has to offer makes it one of the best places to study abroad for Indian students.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In Netherlands (in 2024-25) 4,506 students
Acceptance Rate 90%
Cost of Studying in Netherlands INR 5L to 13L per year (€6,000 to €15,000 per year)
Cost of Living in Netherlands For A Student (Monthly) INR 72K to 108K (€800 to €1,200)
QS World University Rankings 13+ ranked institutions
Immigration Policies Dutch student visa (MVV) Students can work up to 16 hours/week
High-Paying Scholarships Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS): Holland Scholarship Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES)
Graduate Employability Ranking 71.2%
Best Cities To Study in Netherlands
  • Utrecht
  • Amsterdam
  • Rotterdam

Table 6: Overview of primary parameters to study in the Netherlands for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, Study in NL)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in the Netherlands For Indian Students

Based on the QS World University Rankings for 2025, the top three Netherland universities are:

  1. Delft University (Ranked #49)
  2. University of Amsterdam (Ranked #55)
  3. Utrecht University (Ranked #105)

Best Master Courses to Study in Netherlands

List of top Masters courses for Indian students in the Netherlands for 2025:

  1. Masters in Engineering: INR 9L to 16L per year
  2. Masters in Business Administration (MBA): INR 13.5L to 31.5L per year
  3. Masters in Computer Science & IT: INR 10L to 16L per year
  4. Masters in International Relations: INR 9L to 16L per year
  5. Masters in Environmental Science: INR 7.2L to 13.5 per year
  6. Masters in Finance & Economics: INR 10.8L to 18L per year

What is the acceptance rate of Delft University Netherlands? Click here to gain insights on the best university in the Netherlands!

7. New Zealand

Offering over 8000 specialized courses to students, New Zealand has strongly become one of the most preferred country to study abroad for Indian students over the years. New Zealand is regarded as one of the best country to study masters in Business Administration.

The post-study work opportunities, bulk of study resources, the scholarships on offer and the student lifestyle of New Zealand is the reason why we have listed this country among the top 10 countries to study abroad.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In New Zealand (in 2024-25) 45,706 students
Acceptance Rate For Indians 64.1%
Cost of Studying in New Zealand INR 11L-16L (NZD 22K to 32K per year)
Cost of Living in New Zealand For A Student (Monthly) INR 13L-18.5L (NZD 26K to 37K per month)
QS World University Rankings 8 universities
Immigration Policies Pathway Student Visa (PSV) for 3-8 years
High-Paying Scholarships Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
Graduate Employability Ranking 68.9%
Best Cities To Study in New Zealand
  • Auckland
  • Massey
  • Canterbury

Table 7: Overview of primary parameters to study in New Zealand for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in the New Zealand For Indian Students

Based on the QS World University Rankings for 2025, the top three New Zealand universities are:

  1. University of Auckland (Ranked #65)
  2. University of Otago (Ranked #214)
  3. University of Waikato (Ranked #235)
  4. Massey University (Ranked #457th)
  5. University of Canterbury (Ranked #460th)
  6. Victoria University of Wellington (Ranked #546th)

Top Courses in New Zealand For Indians

List of top courses for Indian students in New Zealand for 2025:

  1. MBA in New Zealand (Masters in Business Administration): INR 18L - 25L
  2. Masters in Computer Science & IT: INR 16L - 22L
  3. Bachelors/Masters in Engineering: INR 15L - 23L
  4. Masters in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: INR 17L - 24L
  5. Masters in Environmental Science: INR 12L - 20L
  6. Bachelors/Masters in Health Sciences: INR 16L - 22L

Learn More About Study In New Zealand With The Best Overseas Education Consultants!

8. Singapore

Singapore consists of two of the most elite study-abroad universities which are mentioned among the top 15 world universities. Still, Singapore is last on our best country to study abroad for Indian students list because Singapore is one of the most expensive study-abroad destinations.

Parameters Overview
No. of Indian Students Studying In Singapore (in 2024-25) 82,342 students
Acceptance Rate For Indians 5-10%
Cost of Studying in Singapore INR 32L- 90L per year (SGD 20K to 50K per year)
Cost of Living in Singapore For A Student (Monthly) INR 72K- 1.5L per month (SGD 12K to 25K per month)
QS World University Rankings 4 universities
Immigration Policies A valid visa*/long-term pass (with a validity of a minimum 1 month)
High-Paying Scholarships In Singapore Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) GIIS Singapore Global Citizen Scholarship SIA Youth Scholarship
Graduate Employability Ranking 66.5%
Best Cities To Study in Singapore
  • Bukit Timah
  • Serangoon
  • River Valley

Table 8: Overview of primary parameters to study in Singapore for Indian students.
(Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, Ministry of External Affairs India, MOE.gov.sg)

Note: All the statistical data will vary based on individual choice of university, programme and needs.

Top Universities in Singapore For Indian Students

Based on the QS World University Rankings for 2025, the top four Singapore universities are:

  1. National University of Singapore (Ranked #8)
  2. Nanyang Technological University (Ranked #15)
  3. Singapore Management University (Ranked #369)
  4. Singapore University of Technology and Design (Ranked #424)

Top Courses to Study in Singapore After 12th

List of top courses to study in Singapore after 12th with fees:

S.No. Courses To Study In SIngapore After 12th For Indians Tuition Fees (In INR)
#1 Bachelor in Arts and Social Sciences INR 15,65,413
#2 Bachelors In Medicine INR 72,87,268
#3 Bachelors In Law INR 19,97,360
#4 Bachelor in Media Studies INR 19,97,360
#5 Bachelor in Computer Science INR 19,97,360
#6 Bachelor in Architecture and Design INR 20,50,896

Table 9: Tuition fees of top courses to study in Singapore

Connect Now To Plan Your Financial Budget For Studying In Top Universities In Singapore!

The Countries For Study Abroad That Missed The Cut

Now that you know which country is best for Indian students to study abroad, let us now talk about the countries that missed our list of 8 top countries to study abroad.

List of other countries to study abroad for Indian students:

  1. Ireland
  2. France
  3. Dubai
  4. Switzerland
  5. China
  6. South Korea

The major reason why these study abroad countries didn't make our top countries to study abroad list is that some of these countries might cause some problems to students. For instance:

  • To survive in France, students must learn at least basic French language in order to communicate.
  • Temperatures in study abroad countries like Switzerland, Dubai and Irelands might cause problems for students.
  • China and South Korea are completely different civilizations, students might find it difficult to adjust and blend in.

Which Is The Best Country To Study Abroad? Verdict

The best place to study abroad for Indian students for 2025 is USA followed by UK, and Australia. The sole reason behind this evaluation of the best country for Indian students to study and settle abroad is the fact that the USA offers the best learning environment to students, is home to the top ranking universities in the world, and has the best graduate employability rate as compared to other study abroad destinations.

Rising two points from our best country for international students to study and work list, USA has regained its top spot, overtaking UK and Australia. If you wish to apply to the best universities to study abroad in USA, or for that matter if you wish to apply to any of the countries mentioned in the list? Feel free to connect with The Student Helpline study abroad consultants.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The Best Country To Study Abroad

Which Countries Offers the Best Job Prospects After Graduation?

USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Germany are the best countries to study abroad for international students that offers the best job prospects after graduation. These study abroad destinations provide the best post study work visas to its students.

Which Is the Safest Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students?

Canada, Netherlands and New Zealand are the safest country to study abroad for Indian students. These study abroad countries have stable governments, have low crime rates, are student-friendly and have excellent healthcare system.

Which Country Has the Most Number of Top Ranking Universities?

USA is the only country to study abroad which has the most number of the top ranking universities. For example MIT (ranked #1), Harvard (ranked #4) and Stanford (ranked #6) are some of the top ranking US universities.

Which Country Has the Highest Numbers of International Students?

USA has the most number of international students with over 1 Million international students enrolled in the past years. Moreover, study abroad countries like the UK, Canada, Australia and China also receive the most number of study abroad applications every year.

Which Is the Easiest Country to Study Abroad?

Germany is the easiest country to study abroad for international students since tuition fees of the public universities in Germany are very low as compared to other places to study abroad.

Which Study Abroad Countries Offer the Best Scholarships for Indian Students?

USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the countries for study abroad that offer the best study abroad scholarships for Indian students. Learn more about the study abroad scholarships for Indian students with The Student Helpline consultants.

Which Is the Best Country to Study Masters in Business Administration?

New Zealand is the best country to study masters in Business Administration. Be it full-time MBA. Part-time MBA, Global MBA, Specialized MBA or 1-year MBA, students will find all types of MBA courses in New Zealand.

What Are the Best Study Abroad Cities in 2025 for Indian Students?

List of the best study abroad cities for Indian students in 2025:

  1. London
  2. Tokyo
  3. Seoul
  4. Munich
  5. Melbourne

To learn more about the top study abroad colleges in the above-mentioned cities, contact The Student Helpline.

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About the Author
Rahul Kumar
Written by Rahul Kumar Rahul Kumar Study Abroad Expert

Rahul Kumar is a dynamic and seasoned writer, currently serving as a Study Abroad Expert at The Student Helpline. Specializing in crafting comprehensive study materials for international standardized exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, PTE, and SAT, he brings over five years of experience to his role. Rahul’s passion lies in guiding students through the complexities of exam preparation and the study abroad journey. His insightful articles provide students with valuable information on exam processes, college admissions, top universities, course selection, and more—empowering them to succeed in their academic goals abroad.