The entry requirements vary between countries and even universities. Read the prospectus of your shortlisted universities to know the requirements. If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you must prove that you have complete your secondary education and have the required grades as indicated by the university. If you are a non-native English speaker and want to study in an English-speaking country, you will need to take some prescribed English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL and get the required grades.

Carefully consider the immigration options of the country that the university that you are considering is in. This is more important when you intend staying back in the country after the completion of your course. Also, review the placement history of the university as well.

Every program has different requirements. You will have to carefully analyze the individual requirements of the universities and colleges that you might be considering.

1. Completing higher studies abroad usually ensures that you get paid more as compared to your Indian counterparts.
2. Individuals with an international outlook and global exposure are in high demand.
3. Study abroad equips you with better soft skills and academic development.

The tuition fees vary from program to program, and from university to university. The cost is also affected by the country that you select. The cost of living in that country, the visa fees that you will need to pay and other expenses during your course will determine your total cost if you want to study overseas. If you are thinking of working part-time during your course to meet your expenses, ensure you are aware of the rules regarding this in your selected university.

The cheapest way of studying abroad is by doing good research and selecting the ideal place for you. Select a country, university and course that is most suitable for your budget. Look out for scholarship options in the universities you have selected in order to reduce your costs.

While a good entrance test is an important consideration for getting a scholarship, a good score will not get you a scholarship automatically. Scour the website of your selected university to find out if they offer any scholarships. You can also find out about external scholarships such as those offered by the government. Do some research on the scholarship offered by the government in your home country as well as those offered by the government in the country you have selected. Search for funding options offered by external organizations related to your field of study. Other factors that are analyzed for the award of a scholarship include – the candidate’s academic history, financial background, statement of purpose (SOP) submitted, and extra-curricular activity record and ensure you meet the criteria to be eligible for a scholarship.

It is better to start as early as possible. Do your research to find universities and courses that match your academic goals and aspirations. When selecting universities or courses, you should follow criteria such as location, course duration, tuition costs, accommodation costs etc. Start planning at least one year in advance to get into the university of your choice.