Before applying for admission in abroad universities, you may be in search for Top Study Abroad Destinations for Indian students. Get here detailed information about Top New-Age and Emerging Study Abroad Destinations for Indian students.
When it comes to study abroad, there are many destinations to choose from. At times choosing the right study abroad country becomes very confusing owing to lot of factors such as studying costs, entry requirements, job opportunities after course completion, having friend/relative in a particular country etc.
Choosing the Right Study Abroad Destination
Well while choosing the right abroad education destination, the following factors should be kept on mind –
- Teaching quality and research infrastructure (facilities and funding)
- Flexible study programs – e.g. BA (Double Major) in Economics & Computer Science, BEng in Electronic and Computer Science, MS in Biotechnology with Business, MSc in Data Mining & Business Intelligence, or MS Engineering-Management (these kind of options might not be available everywhere)
- Cost-effective study (free education, scholarships and financial aids)
- Practical-oriented courses (intensive course-work, group studies, internships and placement years during studies)
- Language of study (for Indian students English taught programs are always preferable) and multicultural environment
- International exposure and Cultural Intelligence – overall better career development and scopes
- Job prospects after finishing the course
Recommended Reading: How to Choose the Right Course, University and Country to Study Abroad
For ages, Indian students have been quite inclined to the traditional study abroad destinations like US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It was only few years back that Indian students started thinking of new age destinations like Germany, Singapore, Ireland, Korea, France etc. Now-a-days, students have also started to look beyond the new-age destinations, because new-age destinations of yesterday are becoming the traditional destinations of today – and it is good thing. So, basically Germany, Ireland and Singapore are now as traditional as UK, USA, Canada or Australia.
Why New-Age & Emerging Study Abroad Destinations
It is not like that US, UK or other traditional destinations are deteriorating in education standards or career prospects. But, new age destinations are providing much more flexible study programs and that also at cheaper costs; and the career opportunities are also excellent. The main reasons for choosing new-age and emerging destinations are:
- The modern generation is getting more open-minded, and it is a human tendency to explore new opportunities and new destinations
- Countries like UK, Australia, Canada and US are getting stricter with study visa and work visa rules
- New and emerging destinations are putting a lot of effort to attract international and Indian students by being more open-minded and offering courses in English language
- Increasing costs of education in traditional study abroad destinations, and other macro-economic factors
- New-age and emerging destinations are providing specialized courses and thus creating a niche for themselves unlike the traditional destinations
Top Emerging Study Abroad Destinations
Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is situated in the mainland Europe. In the recent years Holland has become an attractive destination for students from all over the world.
Dutch education is famous for its high quality education, practical learning, and ground-breaking research. The Dutch society is extremely multicultural, vibrant, open minded, and friendly. Holland has been a pioneer in the fields of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and international business. English is widely spoken by Dutch people; foreigners hardly face any trouble if they don’t speak English.
The fact that 13 Dutch universities rank within top 250 in the world, is a huge achievement considering the size of the country. Dutch Universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in English. Holland is a small country, but with limitless opportunities. Besides academic infrastructure and research, Dutch universities put a lot of emphasis on learning support at a personal basis. The unique feature is that a Dutch degree makes students potential entrepreneurs, and very useful to have a successful career anywhere in the world. There is a reason for calling Holland – the Startup Hub of the World.
The education system is very interactive and focuses on problem-based learning. Universities are very active in encouraging combining work experience with studies; and students need to do work placement or internship in order to complete their degrees – Undergraduate or Postgraduate. The tuition fees of Dutch universities are on the expensive side. But, the Government and Universities offer several scholarship opportunities, including full tuition fee scholarships.
After studies, international students can stay in Holland for a year to look for a job under a Search year permit. Alternatively, foreign students can also move to other countries (in or outside Europe). Many international recruitment agencies prefer hiring Dutch graduates.
Popular Study Programs
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Physics
- Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Bio-Medical Sciences
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Business Management
Top Universities
- Leiden University
- Utrecht University
- University of Amsterdam
- University of Groningen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Delft University of Technology
- Wageningen University and Research Center
- Maastricht University
- Radboud University Nijmegen
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- VU University Amsterdam
- University of Twente
- Tilburg University
Sweden
Sweden – the home of Nobel Prize; is absolutely exemplary in terms of research and innovation. Sweden is very popular among Indian students, and is also one of the most beautiful countries in the world. In Sweden, students are encouraged to think independently, constructively and rationally, and are pushed to put up their own thoughts. The educational system is quite non-hierarchical and informal. Students enjoy an open relationship with the faculty members through interactive learning.
Sweden has a got a strong reputation for academic excellence; and the Swedish Universities are very brilliant for catering the needs of international job market. The Swedish education not only generates knowledge, but applies that knowledge towards value creation and making real difference in human lives. Scholarships (partial and full tuition fee waivers) are available for foreign students at the Masters level. The Masters courses include intense team-work and internships. Doctorate (PhD) degrees from Sweden are incredibly prestigious all around the globe. The education policy and culture in Sweden are very international and foreign students are considered as great assets in the country.
The Swedish society is very open, and believes in equality and diversity. Sweden is a non-English speaking country, but foreign students hardly find any difficulty with that. Swedish people (Swedes) speak good English – inside and outside the university campus. Many Swedish companies use English as the official language as well. More importantly, a Swedish degree you give you a competitive edge and impetus for a global career.
Popular Study Programs
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies, Renewable & Sustainable (Green) Energy, Agriculture, Ecology, Social Anthropology
- Natural Sciences (Physics and Chemistry)
- Medical and Biological Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Economics, Finance and Business Studies
Top Universities
- Uppsala University
- Lund University
- Karolinska Institute (Medical University)
- Stockholm University
- University of Gothenburg
- Umea University
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Linkoping University
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Lulea University of Technology
- Dalarna University
- Linnaeus University
- Halmstad University
- Malardalen University
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Top B-Schools
- Stockholm School of Economics
- Stockholm Business School (Stockholm University)
- University of Gothenburg School of Business, Economics and Law
- Uppsala University Department of Business Studies
- Lund University School of Economics & Management
- Jonkoping International Business School
Finland
Finland – the Student’s Paradise is famous for excellent education systems and Free Education. Finland is a very student friendly country, and is well known for natural beauty and the midnight sun.
Majority of Finnish degrees are being taught in English and that also without any tuition fees. The scholarships and stipends for Doctoral students are very generous as well. The universities take lot of initiatives in order to help the international students to get settled and feel comfortable. Learning and teaching in Finland are very interactive and the students are always pushed to solve problems on their own. The studies are very real-life based, rather than just classroom-based; students usually get 6 – 18 months of internship during their studies.
Finland is a globally leading country in the field of information technology, bioinformatics and clinical research, and the Finnish economy is among the strongest in Europe, owing to strong technology sector and entrepreneurship-driven environment. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is the leading centre of the world in the field of ethical assessment and guidelines for clinical research.
Popular Study Programs
- Information Technology and Communication
- Environmental Science
- Bio-Technology and Clinical Sciences
- Architecture
- Arts and Design
Top Universities
- University of Helsinki
- Aalto University (including School of Business and School of Economics)
- University of Oulu
- University of Turku
- University of Tampere
- University of Eastern Finland
- Helsinki University of Technology
- University of Jyvaskyla
- Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki
Poland
Poland has been seeing an increasing number of international students including students from India. Poland has got some of the most prestigious and oldest universities in Europe, and attracts a lot of students even from USA and UK.
Poland offers a wide range of courses that international students can undertake at very low tuition fees. Besides, the living costs are extremely cheap as well in comparison to other European cities. Poland is an active member of the Bologna process and the European Credit Transfer Systems (ECTS). Hence, Polish degrees are recognized all over Europe, and globally as well.
Popular Study Programs
- Information Technology
- Business and Management studies
- Biological and Chemical Sciences
- Engineering
- Arts and Media
Top Universities
- University of Warsaw
- University of Wroclaw
- Wroclaw University of Technology
- Jagiellonian University
- Warsaw University of Technology
- University of Lodz
- Medical University of Warsaw
- AGH University of Science and Technology
- University of Silesia
- Lublin University of Technology
UAE
People of more than 120 nationalities live in the UAE, making the country a true melting-pot of cosmopolitanism, of which Abu Dhabi City is the capital. It is no accident that both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been consistently ranked as the two best cities to live in within the Middle East. Hundreds of kilometers of pristine beaches, dozens of islands and year-round sunshine are a good start.
UAE is moving from an oil-based economy to one driven by innovation and knowledge, the emirate has invited internationally recognized educational institutions to contribute to the growth of the next generation, and to support the nation’s economic development.
All universities have a modern infrastructure that can be compared to any International University across the globe. Tuition Fee & Living Expenses are very economical when compared to other western universities. Most of the Universities are branches of parent universities from UK, USA, Australia, Europe and Asia. Several Indian, UK and US universities have got their off-shore campuses in UAE – Manchester Business School, London Business School, Michigan State University Dubai (MSU Dubai), Middlesex University Dubai campus, the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, S P Jain School of Global Management, Murdoch University Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Hult International Business School, American University in Dubai (AUD), the American College of Dubai, and many more.
Popular Study Programs:
- International Business and Management Studies
- Engineering – Petroleum, Oil & Gas, Civil, Mechanical etc.
- Construction Management
- Marketing Management
Switzerland
Switzerland is a higher education powerhouse with a considerable number of international students. International students make up around 40% of the total student strength in Switzerland. Quite a few Swiss schools feature in the World Top 200 rankings as well. Switzerland has got a strong economy, and is one of the wealthiest and most productive countries in the world.
The top industries are banking & finance, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, hospitality-leisure & tourism, and instrumentation engineering. Switzerland is specially known for providing quality education and training in hospitality management, business management, science and engineering. Graduate programs related to life and medical sciences are also top-notch. The job prospects in Switzerland and abroad are excellent for graduates. The country offers courses at low fees for international students. Additionally, there are a lot of scholarships (government and university sponsored) available for international students.
Switzerland is home to some world famous brands like Nestle, Novartis, Roche, Credit Suisse, Swatch, Rado, Rolex, Lonza, Logitech. Switzerland is tourists’ paradise, and displays scenic mountain ranges, forests, lakes, landscapes and vineyards. Besides, delicious cuisine, milk and chocolates; four national languages, being a tax heaven, efficient connectivity with other parts of Europe and international community – all these make Switzerland a very attractive destination for international students.
Popular Study Programs
- MBA
- International Business, Strategic Management, Banking, Finance and Insurance
- Life & Medical Sciences
- Food Technology
- Hotel, Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management
Top Institutes for Science
- ETH Zurich
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- University of Zurich
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Bern
- University of Basel
- University of St. Gallen
Top B-Schools
- IMD Business School
- St. Gallen School of Management
- HEC Lausanne
- HEC Geneva
- ETH Zurich
- IUG
Top Schools for Hotel/Hospitality/Tourism Management
- Lausanne Hotel School
- Les Roches
- IMI University Centre Switzerland
- BHMS
- SHMS
- Glion Institute
Off-Beat & Specialized Study Abroad Destinations
Austria
Austria is one of the strongest and most influential educational centers in Central Europe. Austrian education is very competitive, and provides excellent study and career opportunities to foreign students. Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is the home to University of Vienna (one of Europe’s oldest, established in 1365). Austria is a popular study destination for Psychology, Life Sciences, Music, and Political Science. You could also undertake Postgraduate studies (including PhD) in Medical/Bio-Medical Research at some of the most prestigious places like University of Vienna or CeMM.
Belgium
Belgium is one of the finest centers in Europe for high quality education and research in the fields of Architecture, Food Science and Biomedical Sciences. Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union (EU), and the EU headquarter is based in Brussels (Belgium’s Capital). Some of the reputed institutes are University of Ghent, KU Leuven, and University of Antwerp – all are within World Top 200.
Denmark
There are lot of opportunities for higher studies and research for foreign students in Denmark. The academic programs are very international, and a majority of courses are conducted in English. A majority of population speaks good English. The standard of living is extremely high; and the level of social and financial security is very good. The top Danish universities within World 200 are University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark, Aarhus University. Master courses on Architecture, Business Studies, and Game Programming & Development are quite reputed. If you are interested in the research areas of Protein Therapeutics, Molecular Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Neuroscience, Drug Delivery, Drug Design & Discovery, then Denmark will be an ideal destination for you. The visa rules are quite lenient (e.g. no high fund requirements), option for job-search visa after studies and permanent residency as well.
Estonia
Estonia is another Scandinavian country, situated in the Northern Europe. People who use Skype should know about Estonia (Skype software was developed by three Estonians). The Estonian universities offer a wide range of study programs that are recognized globally. The advantages of studying in Estonia are – quality education at low costs, various scholarship schemes, strong innovative and entrepreneurial culture, and experiencing a picturesque country. It is one of the most enjoyable and among the best value-for-money study abroad destinations. Some of the top and popular universities are University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology.
Italy
Italy attracts a lot of foreign students every year. The education is very cost effective. Students can choose a lot of subjects like engineering, business, life science, fashion designing. MBA aspirants can look up to SDA Bocconi School of Management, and MISB Bocconi; and University of Bologna, University of Milan, University of Pisa, Polytechnic University of Milan for technical (engineering, architecture, bio-medicine), fashion and business studies. Few popular Italian brands – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana (D&G), Armani, Prada, Versace, Benetton. The tuition fee structures are also very low for international students.
Norway
Just like other Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark and Finland), Norway also offers a unique student experience. The education is world and class, and it is FREE (not tuition fees). The support for research and innovation is excellent, and the quality of lifestyle is also very high. The reputation on the universities are very good, and four Norwegian universities rank among the Top 500 in the world as well. Being a Nordic country as well, you can also experience the midnight sun here. Norway is also a very beautiful country, and you can combine your studies with exciting outdoor activities. You can study around 200 Master’s programs that are entirely taught in English. However, there are very few Bachelor programs being taught in English. Some of the top universities in Norway are University of Oslo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Bergen, University of Stavanger, University of Tromso (UIT – The Arctic University of Norway). Popular programs are Energy Management, Biomedical Science, Earth & Environmental Sciences etc.
Spain
Spain is one of the exciting places in Europe. It is much more than just a holiday destination. Spain has got quite a few world-class institutes. Top B-Schools like IE Business School, IESE, Esade for pursuing MBA; and excellent biomedical research institutes like IRB Barcelona, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), IIBB Barcelona, ICMAB, CRESIB Barcelona for doing PhD. Hence, earning a Spanish degree will present lot of exciting international career opportunities. Spain also hosts some of the top and prestigious universities for Economics – University of Barcelona and Charles III University of Madrid (UC3M).
