6 Popular Study Abroad Destinations in 2024

Today’s world has become synonymous with cross-cultural communication and persistent transformation, primarily due to globalization. It holds true for the education sphere too. The education preferences of aspiring students have undergone a profound change over the past few years. They have also become vigilant with time and perform extensive research before finalizing a course, university or a country. Globalization has undoubtedly opened doors for study opportunities across the world. 

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Before you take your first step in the journey of studying abroad, there are certain factors that you must consider. These include:

1. Preferred field of study:

The foremost thing to consider is the availability of your preferred course/ area of study. Once you are clear on the course you want to pursue, you can easily search for different programs and then go on to shortlist the countries where your chosen topic is available for study.

2. Location:

Another critical factor to consider is the location. You will have to check which countries offer courses in your preferred subject. While some aspirants may have already pondered on which kind of city they wish to live in, others might be open to all the options. When deciding on a location, you can dwell upon factors such as how far it is from your home country, climate conditions, connectivity, laws, etc. 

3. Entry & Visa Requirements

Another crucial aspect is the entry requirements for a specific course/ university. It includes your academic profile, i.e., education qualification and language proficiency test scores (or any other specialized test required by the particular university), work experience (if needed), etc.
You must ensure that you have gone through the course requirements thoroughly. Aspirants are also advised to go through the checklist of the visa process and documents required in a specific country.

4. Budget:

The financial aspect is another important factor that could impact your decision. While considering the budget, aspirants generally consider just the tuition fees and accommodation charges; they often miss out on other costs such as transportation, healthcare, emergency fund, utilities, and other day-to-day expenses. So, before deciding on a country for your preferred course, do an in-depth comparative financial analysis to estimate your budget correctly.

5. Scholarships:

Your total cost of living can be minimized or compensated through scholarships. Though each country may have its own rules and regulations, scholarships are generally provided by the country’s government on merit basis or need based, considering your profile. Certain private universities might also offer their own scholarships, take entrance exams, or consider extra-curricular achievements as criteria to offer scholarships. You must extensively research the scholarships available for your preferred subject/ university.

6. Part-time work facilities:

Several countries allow international students to work while studying. Generally, 20 hours per week is allowed in many countries, but certain countries might not allow or limit the number of hours. Hence, when you choose to study abroad, the possibility of part-time work is indeed something to think about. You can also check the immigration policies of the particular country to understand its part-time job rules and post-study work visa facilities for international students.

Top Destinations for Studying Abroad in 2023

Now let’s briefly discuss the top 6 study abroad destinations preferred by the students in 2023.

1. United Kingdom

The UK is famous for its dynamic and vibrant culture & places. It is one of the few countries where you can easily find some of your favorite brands from back home, making it an easy-to-mingle place. A few universities in the UK offer waivers for English proficiency tests, but that is based on specific criteria and conditions.

The country allows international students to stay back and work for 2 years (3 years for those with PhD or doctoral qualifications). It has recently introduced the High Potential Individual visa, which allows any qualified student from eligible universities (even outside of the UK) to stay in the country and work.

The UK has also introduced a new UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, which would offer 3,000 visas annually for degree-educated Indian nationals between the ages of 18 to 30 to work for up to two years in the UK. The scheme is set to be implemented in early 2023.

Highlight: 

• According to the QS Rankings, the UK has 5 universities in the top 20 list.
• 7 Best Student Cities in the top 50 list (QS Rankings)
• The average cost of tuition: Depending upon the choice of your course, for the UG program, it can range from £21100 to £36800 and for the PG degree: £16889 – £36500

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2. Germany

Germany is a land of literature, art, food, and landscapes. Home to headquarters of the world’s leading innovative companies, it has been ranked 8th in the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2022, becoming a great place to study and intern. 

The country has the fourth-largest economy in the world with a real GDP of $3.84 trillion and a whopping 97% employment rate which is one of the highest in the world. This highlights the immense growth opportunities continuously rising in the country.

Recently, India and Germany have agreed on a mutual partnership to increase the mobility of students, researchers, and professionals. The countries strive to improve cooperation to facilitate better education facilities for students through student exchange programs and dual/ joint degrees.

The tuition fee here is free for everyone – even for international students. Thus, it is one of the most budget-friendly locations to study abroad. If you choose this country as your study abroad destination, you must have basic knowledge of the German language, as some courses here are a combination of English & German. Some universities may also require German proficiency as their eligibility criteria.

Highlight: 

• According to the QS Rankings, Germany has 6 universities in the top 150 list
• It has the 3rd most well-developed public education system in the world (as per the annual Best Countries Report conducted by the US News and World Report). 
• Average per semester fee: It can be as low as 152.30 euros and range up to 1,500+ euros per semester, depending upon the course/ university/ and the city of study.

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3. Ireland

Ireland is one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies. The country boasts stunning locations and has a rich history & culture, making it an apt destination for exploration. It is renowned for providing quality professional education, especially in technology, engineering, IT, medicine, etc. It offers post-study work visas for up to 2 years, allowing international students to stay back for work opportunities. 

According to the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2022 rankings, Ireland has been ranked as the 23rd most innovative country globally. It is emerging as the start-up capital of Europe with over 2200 startups in the country, thus, propelling significant professional opportunities.

Do you know Ireland is also the 13th happiest country in the world (according to the most recent World Happiness Report published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network)? It is also ranked 3rd in the Global Peace Index 2022. These facts shed light on the quality of life you can expect in this country.

Highlight: 

• The OECD ‘Education at a Glance’ report showed that the number of young people attending third-level education has increased immensely in Ireland. It ranked 4th out of 38 countries according to the report.
• Ireland’s one city is in the top 50 list of the Best Student Cities (QS Rankings).
• The average cost of tuition yearly is around: €14,070- €27,610+ for UG courses and €13,140 – €24,600+ for PG programs.

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4. United States

The USA is home to many high-ranked universities and has produced several Nobel laureates. It is the dream study place for numerous people across the globe. It is a land of opportunity as people from many different cultural backgrounds and beliefs study & work here. Aspiring students must remember that there are no significant test waivers in the country and the admission scores are pretty high too. 

Living in the US can be costlier than in other countries as the essential expenses, tuition fees, etc are generally higher here; the expenses may also vary from state to state.

Highlight: 

• According to the QS Rankings, the US has 9 universities in the top 20 list.
• The USA has 5 Best Student Cities in the top 50 list (QS Rankings)
• The average cost of living in the US can range from $58,479- $88,946+, depending upon the state of your residence.

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5. Canada

Canada has emerged as a popular study destination in recent years. It is primarily due to the low tuition fees, easy immigration policies, and a plethora of work opportunities. The availability of various Canadian scholarships also makes it a viable option for students. 

The country also allows its international students to work for up to 20 hours every week during their course of study. Students can also work full-time during the summer and winter breaks.

Its warm and welcoming culture encourages flexibility and provides an inclusive environment. The country has been ranked 12th in the global peace index 2022. It has also been ranked high for the quality of student life and resident safety. 

Highlight: 

• According to the QS Rankings, Canada has 3 universities in the top 50 list.
• 3 Best Student Cities in the top 50 list (QS Rankings)
• The average tuition cost yearly can range approximately between $45000 and $62,580.

 

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6. Australia 

Australia is one of the most popular upcoming study abroad destinations, offering over 22000 courses across 1100 institutions. Besides the kangaroos and koalas, it has spectacular beaches, natural landscapes, and diverse wildlife. You can also indulge in a lot of sports & physical activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, witnessing southern lights, kayaking, etc.

Australia offers numerous scholarships and grants to international students and continuously becomes a favorite spot for studying abroad. It has rolled out different laws [like the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000] to provide consistent standards and protect the interest of international students.

Highlight: 

• According to the QS Rankings, Australia has 5 universities in the top 50 list.
• 6 Best Student Cities in the top 50 list (QS Rankings)
• The average tuition fee yearly is approximately $34,960 – $53,500 for UG programs and $40,500 – $52,500 for PG study courses.

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Offbeat cities like New Zealand, France, Singapore, Holland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, etc. also have excellent globally-recognized education systems and are emerging as viable study options. 

So, if you are interested in studying abroad, wait no more and start in-depth research to choose your study destination now.

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