Study abroad options beyond Canada

While Canada has long been a favoured destination for many Indian students, it is time to re-evaluate one’s options in the current circumstances.
| Photo Credit: Freepik

Though Canada is one of the top choices for Indian students who want to study abroad, the ongoing diplomatic tensions have sparked worries about possible restrictions. Recent reports indicate delays in visa processing times, stricter application reviews, and growing anxiety among students about their future in Canada. So let’s look at the other alternatives open to students.

The U.K.

A prime alternative for Indian students, the U.K. offers favourable post-study work policies. The Graduate Visa allows stay in the country for at least 2-3 years depending on the course (undergraduate, postgraduate, or other). Moreover, top British universities like Oxford, Imperial College of London, Cambridge and so on are globally recognised for academic excellence. Numerous scholarships such as the Chevening, GREAT, Commonwealth and others are available as are part-time work opportunities to help with expenses.

Australia

Known for its student-friendly environment and high-quality education, institutions such as the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, the Australian National University, Monash University, and others offer globally recognised programmes including three- and four-year Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees ranging from one to two years, and doctoral programmes. The post-study work visa ranges from two to four years, depending on the qualification. The government and universities offer various scholarships, including the Australia Awards, Australia for ASEAN, and the Australian Government Research Training Programme and regional scholarships such as scholarships in Adelaide, Canberra, and Tasmania, to attract students to study in the smaller cities.

Germany

Slowly gaining popularity as a study-abroad destination among Indian students, many German public universities offer tuition fee waivers and demand minimal administrative charges per semester. Some of the popular institutions include Ludwig Maximilian, University of Munich, Technical University of Munich, Heidelberg University, and Freie University of Berlin. The affordability of fees combined with an emphasis on STEM fields makes Germany a great choice.The 18-month job-seeker visa allows graduates to explore employment opportunities in the country.

Singapore

Asia’s premier business hub is also a great higher education destination. Institutions like the Singapore University of Technology and Design, LASALLE College of Arts, the National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, and others offer world-class education with many also having transfer programmes partnering with top universities in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. Graduates can apply for a one-year pass for job-seeking.

France

Another attractive educational destination, institutions such as the University of Paris, Sorbonne University, University of Paris-Saclay, and University of Strasbourg have strong academic reputations. One of the best features of a French public university is that the tuition fees are generally lower than in other Western countries. Additionally, many universities have started offering English-taught programmes. The French government allows for a two-year post-study work permit to allow graduates to explore career opportunities within France.

While Canada has long been a favoured destination for many Indian students, it is time to re-evaluate one’s options in the current circumstances.

The writer is Head-Higher Education and Study Abroad at Internshala.com