Higher Education Abroad: The Essentials

In a statement of the Minister of External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha starred question no. 337 regarding “Indian students studying abroad” on 09.08.2017, based on information received from various missions abroad, an estimated 5.53 lac Indian students are studying abroad in 86 countries.

In 2016, while attending the international seminar in Berlin “Opening higher education: What the future might bring” that Laureate organized with OECD Center for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI), I could hear from the education experts that the future of higher education in international universities is going to be decidedly necessary to face the exponential changes in the technology.

Every other year, universities abroad see in and off an influx of eager students from all over the globe. Universities are cosmopolitan and the world belongs here. There are over one million international students studying in the United States alone. The most recent figures from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that over 4.5 million students enroll in a college located in a country where they are not citizens.

OECD research also suggests that the number of international students is rising sharply. Between 2005 and 2012, the share of students studying outside of their home country increased by 50 percent.

This hiking interest in students aspiring for pursuing higher education abroad is for the classrooms of the world-class universities, for it are not on round tables but in these very classrooms that thoughts exchange and ideas emerge and have contributed more than science and technology to the world. What happens when these classrooms go global? Ideas only double and get better. This environment of knowledge is inherent and stressed upon in every noble institution of knowledge throughout the world. Further the amount spent on research and the facilities provided are enormous. Because the belief and idea is to promote ‘thinking’, greater learning and challenging the status quo to give something to the world. Besides this, it is also to lend a platform for overall development and glorious career to each a student. It is this devotion to learning that attracts the young population from different lands and miles. The end result as seen already is new thinking, new teaching methodologies and armed graduates who are ready to take on the world. What we get are new age entrepreneurs with revolutionary ideas to bring about interesting changes to the world.

 

 

What to study and Where? The BEST University                    

Oxbridge or Stanford? Wharton or INSEAD? MIT or CALTECH ?

Choosing where to study, which university to send applications to and which course to opt are the most difficult decisions for a student and parent to make. The higher education plan should be designed in such a way that the academic, financial and visa factors of the proposed country/university are thoroughly considered.

It is apparent that each one of the Indian students studying abroad or any student for that matter has chosen a particular university or country for a reason; a reason that would sum up the academic, financial and visa aspects. Every student wants to study in a Top-Ranked university! But not all students are eligible or can afford to become a successful applicant by all means. Therefore, the very crucial question arises; what should a student invest in?

Invest in tuition fees?

Invest in academics and admission tests?

Or invest in both?

Students and parents that I interact with have always asked me the question of “Which is the BEST UNIVERSITY for me?”

The BEST University is different for one student to the other, with respect to the investment in response to the questions above. Before we analyze scope of these questions, let us take a look at some of the prestigious top-ranked universities in the world.

Top-Ranked Universities

Higher education data specialists and websites publish the world ranking of universities every year. Universities are ranked based on qualitative and quantitative indicators such as faculty strength, global research, reputation, openness, knowledge transfer, number of students, study programs and more. Interestingly, even the web presence of the universities is also taken into account. This being the case, we have published a world ranking of universities in accordance with the provisions of foremost ranking data.

We all know that Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard are always on top of the ranking list. But in the changing scenario of education and research, other less known universities also made it to the list.


  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.

MIT always secured a place in the top 5 universities in the world. It is one of the notable institute famous for its study programs in engineering technology, information systems, physics and linguistics.  26,000 active companies have been started or co-founded by living MIT Alumni. 3 million people are employed by companies started or co-founded by living MIT alumni. Famous companies founded by MIT Alums:- Intel, Texas Instruments, Bose, Koch Industries, Dropbox and more.

The acceptance rate at MIT is 8%. For every 1000 applicants, only 80 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements are very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.

  1. Stanford University, USA

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford University offers the excellence and prestige of the Harvard, Princeton, and Yale and is one of the leading research universities in the world. Its excellent study programs range from the humanities to social sciences to engineering and the sciences. Popular and competitive programs are Computer and Information Sciences, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; and Engineering. University’s acceptance rate hit an all-time low for the class of 2020, with 4.69% of applicants accepted into the university.

  1. Ivy League Institutions

The Ivy League is a group of elite universities in the US that have a long history of impressive achievements and notable alumni.

  • Harvard University (founded 1636)
  • Columbia University (founded 1754)
  • Princeton University (founded 1746)
  • Yale University (founded 1702)
  • Brown University (founded 1746)
  • Cornell University (founded 1865)
  • Dartmouth College (founded 1769)
  • University of Pennsylvania, UPenn (founded 1740)

Although the creation of the Ivy League was rooted in athletics, nowadays these schools are known for their academic prestige and famous alumni.

In order to secure a chance of admission at most of the Ivies, the student should shoot for good academic grades. The GPAs of most students who are accepted to Ivy League universities are at or close to a 4.0 (100% marks!). Apart from the GPA, the SAT score is also a determining factor.

  1. Oxford and Cambridge

Being the most prestigious and oldest universities in the UK, Oxford and Cambridge are neck and neck in the world ranking of the universities with the 6th and 5th ranks respectively. These elite universities have produced prominent scholars, scientists, writers, politicians and entrepreneurs. Both universities have well-established and reputed publishing houses (Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press) and science parks.

The Oxbridge admission process is very meticulous and back-breaking.  You will have to put yourself across as intelligent and articulate. You should showcase a very competitive score in the standardized tests, and demonstrate original thinking, fully formed arguments. Both universities provide wide range of scholarships and grants for international students.

  1. ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

ETH Zurich is a natural sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics university. The institute has produced more than 20 Nobel prizewinners, including Albert Einstein. It is known for the excellent education it provides, its pioneering fundamental research.

  1. Technical University of Munich, Germany

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of Europe’s leading universities for research with a range of disciplines, unparalleled in Germany, including engineering and natural sciences, life sciences and medicine, management and social sciences. TUM takes advantage of this breadth to create interdisciplinary structures in both research and teaching. After all, it is only through collaboration between disciplines that the great challenges of the 21st century can be overcome.

TUM focuses on the following future-oriented fields: Energy & Natural Resources, Environment & Climate, Health & Nutrition, Mobility & Infrastructure, and Information & Communications

  1. Ecolé Normale Supérieure, France

The École Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS) offers a variety of different master’s degrees and PhDs, including Sociology and statistics, Geopolitics and Neuroscience. Admission to this top notch institution is possible only through a rigorous contest called MPI contest (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science).

  1. KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is one of the top ranked universities in Europe. The different disciplines taught here are Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences & Management.

Some of the noted alumni include:

  • Gustaf Larson, co-founder of Volvo
  • Daniel Ek, KTH Great Prize for 2012, founder of Spotify
  • Alexander Ljung (founder of Soundcloud)
  • Nami Zarringhalam (co-founder Truecaller)
  • Börje Ekholm (CEO Investor AB)
  1. Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Ranked the 54th best university in the world, Delft University of Technology particularly excels in a number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) subjects:

  • Civil and structural engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Environmental studies
  • Engineering and technology
  • Architecture

Based in Delft in the Netherlands, Delft University of Technology has one of the largest campuses in the world. Extending over 161 hectares, it features restaurants, parks, cycle paths, a botanical garden, a new media center, a flight simulator and an aerodynamics and propulsion lab.

  1. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1881, Wharton claims to be the first business school in the world and second-largest behind Harvard. Wharton tops Business School rankings in part to the highest salaries for its alumni with a whooping salary ($125,000 USD average). Majority of the graduates enter into the Financial Services industry. It is one of the toughest business schools to get into with the top GMAT score (728 average).

  1. INSEAD Business School, Paris

INSEAD calls itself “Business School for the World”. INSEAD consistently finds a place among the world’s top five MBA programs by Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Forbes.

The INSEAD MBA program was placed first in the many of the university rankings. The Tsinghua-INSEAD Dual Degree Executive MBA and the Single School EMBA program have received the top ranking.

INSEAD has three campuses—one each in Fontainebleau, near Paris, France (Europe campus); Singapore (Asia campus); and Abu Dhabi, UAE (Middle-east campus). Although the admission requirements are not preset, they look for applicants with “exceptional maturity and outstanding leadership”.

Among the major recruiters are Accenture, Apple, AT Kearney, Bain, BCG, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Google, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, McKinsey, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Nissan, Samsung, Shell, and Wipro.

How to prepare?

This question takes us back to the previous notion of ‘Investment in Higher Education’; in terms of academic effort or in terms of financial investment or both. Investing time and money in higher education is an investment in human capital. The labor market or employability outcomes of higher educational attainment outweigh the initial cost of pursuing education. Better chances of employment and higher earnings are the incentives of investing time, money and effort in education.

One cannot easily get access to admission just by paying money. He has to be academically ready with the entry requisites such as standardized test scores, essays, recommendation letters and more.

Standardized Tests

Students aspiring to study at international universities have to meet the admission requirements set by the universities. Important ones are the globally accepted standardized test scores. These tests examine the linguistic or other aptitude/skill of the students.

  1. Language Tests

There are many standardized international tests for assessing the students proficiency in English, German and other languages.

 

IELTS

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s most popular English language test. More than 3 million IELTS tests are taken each year. IELTS assesses all of students’ English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how a student will use English at study atmosphere in and off the university.

There are two types of IELTS; Academic and General. Academic is for educational purposes and General is for work, immigration and such other purposes.  The duration of test is less than 3 hours.

IELTS test taker is given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces the overall band score. Test taker can score whole (5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test. Average score requird by universities is from 5.5 to 7.5

Students can register for the test and book a test date on both British Council and IDP websites. The registration fee for IELTS is INR 12,100.

TOEFL

Like IELTS, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is also a leading test system. More than 30 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English-language proficiency. The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced. Each section of TOEFL has a max score of 30; the total maximum score is 120. Most universities require TOEFL score ranging from 80-100. TOEFL test date can be booked by registering on the ETS website https://www.ets.org/toefl The registration fee is $180.

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

PTE Academic is the new computer-based test of English for study abroad and immigration.PTE Academic offers fast, flexible English testing. Candidates can schedule their test as little as twenty-four hours in advance, and typically receive their results within five business days. PTE Academic offers flexible testing locations, with test centres in over 50 countries worldwide. PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of academic programs worldwide, including prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, INSEAD and Yale University. PTE is scored between 10 to 90.

  1. Other Aptitude Tests

GRE

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) revised General Test is taken by individuals applying to various graduate and business school programs in United States and other countries. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), it is available at about 700 centers in over 160 countries.
The GRE General Test measures various skills of an aspirant. GRE test pattern 2017 evaluates a candidate’s verbal, quantitative, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. GRE Subject Test evaluates a candidate’s knowledge in specific fields such as Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics etc. The computer-based GRE can be taken once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous period of 12 months.

GRE registration fee is $205

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive test that assesses a person’s analytical writing, quantitative, verbal and reading skills for being admitted into a graduate management program, such as an MBA. It is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Over 5,900 programs offered by more than 2,100 universities and institutions use the GMAT exam as part of the selection criteria for their programs. Business schools use the test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of graduate management programs, including MBA, Master of Accountancy, and Master of Finance programs. Total GMAT Score ranges from 200 – 800. The total score is based on the verbal and quantitative scores.

The GMAT test date reservation fee is $250

SAT

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is one of two standardized college admissions tests in the US. (The other is the ACT) It’s run by the College Board, a non-profit that also administers the PSAT and the AP (Advanced Placement) program. The SAT is a standardized test meant to show schools how prepared a student is for college by measuring key skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. Because so many students take the test, it also provides schools with data about how a student compares to his/her peers globally. The SAT is a 3 hour 50 minute exam (including an optional essay which takes 50 minutes), consisting of five sections: Reading, Writing, Math (with calculator), Math (no calculator), and Essay (optional).

  1. Letter of Recommendation (LoR)

A letter of recommendation is a letter given to the student by his teacher/professor/employer highlighting his accomplishments and attitude during the course of his study or job. This letter would endorse his potentials. This should be written on the letterhead of the university or company.

  1. Statement of Purpose (SoP) or Motivation Letter

This is the determining element of a student’s application. In this letter, the student has to strongnly articulate his motivation for applying to the particular program, his strengths, academic achievements and original thoughts on how he can contribute to society.

 

What to study – Futuristic courses

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk say technology will replace so many human jobs, people will eventually have to rely on a universal basic income. Jack Ma, founder of Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba, says automation will make the next few decades “painful” for many people. Research supports their concerns. The super-fast transportation system Hyperloop One project is on the run that will revolutionalise the way people and things move from one place to the other.

But there is a silver lining. These same futurists say professionals, especially young ones who will be more affected by these changes, can stay on top of workforce changes and earn good money by learning certain skills. The key areas that are becoming the essential parts of future are Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Robotics, Sustainable and Renewable Energy, Biometrics, Informatics, Cyber Security etc…

To get a high-paying job in the future, our students have to plan their higher education with care.

 

  1. Artificial Intelligence

AI has already taken many jobs from human hands. Its unpredictable growth is pointing to the need for knowledge-readiness by the time a student graduates. Becoming one of the best-loved technologies amongst the ingenious minds across the globe, AI demands a blend of computer science, math, cognitive psychology and engineering. AI education is still in its early days. Sifting through some of the programs on Artificial Intelligence from around the world, we found that not many educational organizations are offering AI courses yet. Most universities that are offering AI courses are doing so as a specialty of elective within larger computer science masters programs.

However, some European universities have a headstart in this area and are providing dedicated masters programs in AI. Below are few popular programs in AI

  • University of Groningen – MSc in Artificial Intelligence
  • University of Sheffield – MSc Computational Intelligence and Robotics
  • University of Georgia – MS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
  • University of Amsterdam – Master’s programme in Artificial Intelligence
  • KU Leuven – Master of Artificial Intelligence
  1. Data Science & Analytics

“The world is going to be data; I think this is just the beginning of the data period.” Says Jack Ma, Chairman of Alibaba Group at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Top Google executives agree. Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google’s parent company Alphabet and Jonathan Rosenberg, adviser to CEO Larry Page, say that data analytics will become increasingly important in workplaces. Professionals who are involved with data analytics will study subjects like computer software, math, statistics, and they will work to have strong communication skills. However, a masters applicant doesn’t necessarily have to possess a bachelors in computer science or engineering.

Below are the top masters programs in Data science:

  • Master Business Intelligence and Analytics, Technische Universität Chemnitz
  • Master of Information and Data Science, University of California, Berkeley
  • Master of Business Analytics, MIT Sloan
  • Master of Science in Statistics: Data Science at Stanford University
  • Data Engineering and Analytics (M.Sc) Technische Universität Munchen
  • Data Science and Machine Learning RWTH Aachen University
  1. Cloud Computing & Cyber Security

The question of cyber security is up and alive in all organizational discussions. Striking issues like Cyber Crime (reverse engineering/malware analysis etc) and its Underground Economy, Digital Forensics, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Targeted Government Sponsored Attacks, IoT Security etc. are demanding millions of future jobs and the study programs that would prepare professionals.

Here are some universities offering these programs

  • MSC Cyber Security, Leiden University
  • MSc in Cyber Security Tallinn University Of Technology
  • MSc in Information Security & Privacy Cardiff University
  • Master in Electronic Security and Digital Forensics (MSc) Middlesex University London
  1. The FUTURE MBA

MBA or a Masters in Business Management has always been a hot course. Students struggled for better GMAT scores to get into top business schools. But in the world of changing technologies, automation and fast mobility, student has to choose the right MBA. In a new book, Rethinking the MBA: Business Education at a Crossroads, Harvard Business School’s Srikant M. Datar, David A. Garvin, and Patrick G. Cullen suggest opportunities for innovation. Datar, the Arthur Lowes Dickinson Professor of Accounting at Harvard University, is the Harvard Business School senior associate dean and director of research.

Students should invest in time and effort for becoming the competitive candidate with good GPA and GRE/GMAT score and original thinking. Automation and innovation are changing the workforce. New jobs are emerging all the time. Student has to get admitted to the best innovative business schools. Top innovative business schools in the world:

  • Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
  • INSEAD Business School, Paris
  • Harvard Business School
  • Bocconi Business School
  • London School of Business
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  1. Public Health

With the advent of technology, pollution and global warming, the public health sector is gaining importance in research and innovation. Hence it is becoming one of the high rewarding careers. Public Health courses offer students the chance to gain an in-depth understanding of the complex and varied nature of public health issues affecting people today. Public health degrees are focused on equipping students with quantitative analytical skills, while maintaining an interdisciplinary focus. The subject often overlaps with other subjects, including sociology, psychology, economics, statistics, and politics/international relation. Some universities offering Public health degrees are:

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • Harvard University
  • University of Michigan
  • Columbia University

Other hot courses

The world has become of customization and specialization. So have the study programs.

Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Technology, Textiles Engineering, Photonics & Optics, Food Technology, Agroenergetics, Space Engineering, Interaction Design and Technologies, Ethical Hacking, Medicinal Chemistry, Business Informatics, New Media Languages are few of such programs that future would demand.

Scholarships & Funding

Universities, Organizations, Family Foundations and Government offer generous amount of scholarships to the students to ease the off the tuition fee burden and to appreciate their academic excellence.

There are many types of scholarships and grants:

  1. Need based

These scholarships are given to deserving candidates who are below the set economic standards. This is calculated based on the family income, existing financial liabilities such as loans. However, the academic merit of the student is also a determining factor for a winning application.

Universities like University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago provide financial assistance to need-sensitive students to cover their tuition and maintenance costs. Università Bocconi offers need-based scholarships to international first year Bocconi Master of Science Program applicants. The awarding of the scholarship takes into consideration not only the economic conditions of the students but also their academic performances; applications required. The Bocconi Scholarship for International Students includes a full tuition waiver, worth up to € 12,700 per year.

  1. Country specific

Indian students aspiring to study abroad have many scholatships to apply for. For each a country, there are different types of scholarships.

USA

Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund – Offering female Asian students the chance to receive funding for an undergraduate business degree taken at an accredited US university.

Chicago Booth School of Business – The India Trust Fellowship and Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala Fellowship are both available for Indian students who apply to study a full-time MBA at the school.

Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowships – Offering funding to outstanding Indian students wishing to pursue study at any level within an accredited US institution. See individual scholarships for specific criteria.

S.N. Bose Scholars Student Exchange Program for Indian Students – Opportunities for Indian researchers at master’s level or higher to study a selected program in the field of science and technology at a university in the US.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian students – Scholarships for Indian students to study at Stanford Graduate School of Business on the MBA program. To be eligible students must return to India within two years of completing their studies.

Hult International Business School Global Talent Scholarship, 2018

The Leakey Foundation-Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships, 2018

Charles Bullard Forest Research Fellowship

UK

British Council GREAT scholarships for Indian Students – A selection of scholarships are offered by the British Council, to support Indian students applying to study abroad in the UK.

Cardiff Business School India Scholarships – Scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK at Cardiff Business School. Eligible candidates are those studying any taught postgraduate program.

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships – For Indian students who wish to study in the UK. Open to doctoral students, research students and visiting fellows.

Heriot Watt SML International Merit Scholarships for Indian Students – Open to Indian students at postgraduate level studying at Heriot Watt University in the UK on a taught program within the School of Management and Language.

Imperial College India Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships – Postgraduate-level funding for Indian students studying at Imperial College London, providing support for master’s or PhD studies in selected programs.

King’s College London King’s India Scholarship – King’s College London (KCL) offers one scholarship to an Indian student applying to study in the university’s India Institute.

London Metropolitan University Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship for Indians – A single, merit-based scholarship open to Indian students undertaking study at master’s level at London Metropolitan University.

Newcastle University Undergraduate India Scholarship – One undergraduate scholarship for an Indian student studying at Newcastle University in the UK within selected faculties. The university also works in partnership with the British Council’s GREAT campaign to offer three additional scholarships for Indian students.

Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) Scholarships – Open to Indian students at any degree level to study at Oxford University or the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Sir Ratan Tata Fellowships for South Asian Students at LSE – Scholarships for social science students from South Asia to study at the London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK within the LSE Asia Research Centre (ARC).

Sussex India Scholarships for Master’s Students – Opportunities to gain funding at the University of Sussex in the UK for Indian students at master’s degree level.

University of Aberdeen Sir Thomas Sutherland Scholarship – One outstanding Indian student will receive full funding for their undergraduate degree at the university, including travel and maintenance costs. Excludes applicants for medicine.

University of Dundee Rio Tinto Fully Funded Postgraduate Scholarships – Offering various postgraduate scholarships to international students studying at Scotland’s University of Dundee.

University of Edinburgh Principal’s Indian Masters Scholarships – 12 scholarships available to Indian students studying at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland at master’s level.

University of Oxford Felix Scholarships for Indian Students – Graduate-level funding opportunities for Indian students studying at the University of Oxford.

University of Sheffield – A range of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate Indian students who show strong academic potential.

University of Southampton LLM International Scholarships – International scholarships to study law at postgraduate level at the UK’s University of Southampton. Open to all students from outside of the European Union.

University of Warwick Graduate School GREAT India Scholarships – Scholarships for Indian students to study an applicable postgraduate course starting in Autumn 2016.

GERMANY

Most of the German universities do not charge tuition fee. The student has to pay a nominal semester contribution through which he can enjoy student benefits such as deductions and discounts in public transportations, museum etc.. I have met many Indian students in Berlin and Heidelberg preparing for the German Studienkollege and German language tests so that they will be admitted to free medicine or engineering Bachelors/Masters. Additionally, there are plenty of scholarships:

The European Institutes For Advanced Study (EURIAS) Fellowship Programme

DAAD Study Scholarships In Architecture, 2017-18

DAAD MSc Tropical And International Forestry Scholarship, 2018-19

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships, 2017

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degrees-European Commission, 2018

Marie Curie Zukunftskolleg Incoming Research Fellowships (ZIF-MC)

ITALY

The Italian Government awards scholarships for studying in Italy both to foreign citizens and Italian citizens resident abroad (IRE). The scholarships are offered for the following type of courses: Undergraduate University courses (renewals only); Postgraduate University courses; Master’s Degree courses (Levels I or II); Ph.D. Courses; Specialisation Schools; Research under academic supervision; Courses of Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance (AFAM).

The “Invest your Talent in Italy” program

Supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development, offers students from many countries including India. The opportunity to develop their skills and specialise through a range of Master’s and postgraduate degree courses in English, in the fields of Engineering, Advanced Technologies, Architecture, Design, Economics and Management at prestigious Italian universities. The best students will be offered scholarships, sponsored by partners and main corporate sponsors.

EDISU Piemonte Scholarships

Students including non-EU international students enrolled in a full-time Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Single Cycle Master’s degree, or PhD Degree courses at one of the Universities of Piedmont (i.e. The Politecnico of Torino, the University of Torino, the University of Eastern Piedmont) can apply for EDISU scholarships if they meet the merit and economic requirements of the competition. The scholarship amount varies depending on many conditions. Accommodation service can also be granted to non-resident students.

Bologna University Study Grants for International Students

The University of Bologna offers study grants to deserving international students who wish to register for First Cycle (Bachelors), Second Cycle (Masters) or Single Cycle Degree Programs at the University of Bologna.  Each study grant is awarded for one academic year and amounts to a total of €11,059.

University of Pavia International Scholarships for Developing Country Students

The University of Pavia (UNIPV), in order to promote international cooperation with the Developing Countries, offers scholarships to outstanding students from developing countries to study a Master’s Degree Programme taught in English at the University.  Each scholarship is worth about €8,000.

Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students

Every year, Politecnico di Milano offers a number of merit based scholarships to the most talented international candidates admitted to a Master of Science programme. Students obtaining a scholarship will have to pay only an administrative fee of about €200.  Scholarships of €5.000 to €10.000 per year may also be awarded on top of the tuition fee waiver.

Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships

The Politecnico di Torino offers scholarships to international students to attend academic programs in certain fields such as Engineering and Architecture.  The University also participates in Erasmus Mundus Programmes where scholarships are provided.

University of Padova Scholarships for All Degree Courses

The University of Padova can handle regional funds to finance low-income students, both Italian and foreign, who have a good academic record and pursuing a degree at the University.  The scholarship consists partly of money and partly of services, such as accommodation and meals at the University canteens.

Swedish Institute Study Scholarships

SWEDEN

Chalmers IPOET Scholarships

The IPOET Scholarships are open to citizens from non-EU/EEA countries who are required to pay tuition fees and who are applying to Master’s Programmes offered at Chalmers University.  The scholarship is a 75% reduction of the tuition fees.

Halmstad University Scholarships

Karlstad University Global Scholarship Progamme

Karolinska Institutet Global Master’s Scholarship

KTH Royal Institute of Technology Tuition Fee Waivers

Linnaeus University Scholarships

Linköping International Scholarships

Lund University Global Scholarship Programme

 

 

 

Study in Europe- taking the learning beyond

Europe: A student’s city

Achievements- It is no wonder then that Europe has unstoppably remained on top with consistent university rankings and a glittering record of 400 Nobel Laureates and about 45% of patent applications. She has also been station to the brightest minds and leaders behind historical marvels such as the human heart pacemaker and sustainable green technology to name just two.

Learning also asks for a broader mindset and prepping yourself for essential life skills besides an academic skill set. Lending direction and a voice to budding game-changers, your stint in Europe make your presence felt in an awaiting competitive world. Through much needed exposure in the novelty of:

  • Travel
  • Live the educational adventure.
  • Get in touch with the cosmopolitan world you live in.
  • Gain intercultural competence through diversity of language, contrast and culture that’s unique to 26 Schengen countries
  • And finally travel, because you can and at free will!

Innovativeness
Gain intellectual competence in the land that has given mankind more than life changing concepts and inventions.
From the very classrooms to opportunities of learning alongside great minds, everything here is geared towards giving the best platform to a student, to giving him a chance to sprout ideas and seek the step ahead.

Germany “The land of ideas”

If football, auto-mobiles machinery and other consumables weren’t enough, Germany has proved their prowess in one more sector i.e. the ‘a’ of all – academics particularly higher academics. If you aren’t still convinced here are the top 10 reasons why you should..

Quality over quantity

Without doubt Germany is one mighty nation with their trademark being quality above all. Wherever they  venture they ensure to leave their stamp on it and not without remarkable success. And so the saga of German quality goes to getting noticed and popular in the higher education arena.

German medical and engineering universities stand out in the big league alongside American and British heavyweights. Their research departments have been giving out to the world, inventions one after the other and not surprisingly earning the coveted Nobel Prize multiple times. It suffices to say that RWTH Aachen earned $1.3 billion in 2013 for their contributions through their projects, an amount which alone outnumbers the annual budget of some countries. Do we have to remind that a vaccine developed at Heidelberg University was found successful against uterine cancer. By the way, 3 Nobel Prizes became their’s the same year.

Universities – on the top

The stakes are high, competition – rife but German power is here to stay. German universities have been traditionally clenching top spots among the world’s best universities according  to credible ranking systems carried out by (The Times, Universitas, Qs world institute rankings etc.)

Free Education
This one comes as a huge surprise to many. This tactic actually works in their favour because an exodus of students come in from all over availing this opportunity where German universities are the only ones in Europe to offer thus.

There is big money pooled in higher studies, research and developments but they prefer to compensate it through their success i.e. keeping in mind the long term return. Therefore no price tag is attached to the quality invested and so studies are more or less free and government funded(documentation charges of 500 Euros apply per semester for most universities) not counting a number of scholarship programmes that help cover living costs.

A bucket full of scholarship layouts

It is in their agenda to sell differently and so flexing the price factor further as mentioned above academic access is made even easier with a 101 worthy scholarships to help cover miscellaneous expenses. Thus inviting brains from lands and miles they build an empire of reputation, famous names, brands and companies selling all over a globalized world. For further information on scholarships that meet your criterion, refer to our scholarships list.

Learn. Unlearn. Relearn

Learn, grow and discover in an interactive based environment that stresses on in-depth research and superlative quality. At 421 universities and diverse specialization courses be it aerospace engineering, business administration or veterinary engineering, avenues to explore lay afloat for international students. And need we mention the recognition your German certificate holds.

Worldwide recognition

Knowledge of the German tongue next to the English language is a plus on your resume as in a diploma obtained from a German university which is recognized everywhere.

No – hassle admission

Admission procedure is made easy again with our services based on direct communication with the boards of German universities

Study in English

The popular mode of instruction being English makes studies in German land a viable option for the international student diaspora.

Icing on the German cake

Germany is blessed in a location that fits right into the heart of Europe; completing its winding scroll of bounties. Moving through in and out of here: all through the European territory is easy with your residence permit. Nature too is not one to stay behind and lovingly decorates this place with aplomb. Stunning nature and exotic landscapes is all open and calling out to you.

Inching strength to strength

Germany which is considered EU’s working locomotive is expected to touch the highest living standards a few years hence, according to expert opinion. They are not one to stop and reminisce. Solidifying its position amongst the superpowers and extending her clutches to the number 1, economically and politically. Summing up, that’s a brilliant future in the making.

 

 

 

STUDENT VISA

International students planning to pursue full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral programs abroad must obtain a student visa.  Student’s course of study, nationality, duration of the study program and the type of educational institute where he got admitted determine the exact type of visa they require. You’ll need to work with educational advisers to learn the steps required to obtain the correct visa. The visa application is subject to advanced scrutiny and therefore, every document pertaining to the application should be organized with care.

Student visa application should be submitted at least one month prior to the intended date of travel (the date of travel should be before the commencement of classes). The application can be submitted at the relevant embassy, consulate or VFS centers by taking appointment. In the peak times, the appointment should be booked well in advance in order to avoid late arrival at the university.

Checklist of documents

The visa application should be submitted along with the necessary supporting documents. This checklist may vary from country to country.

  1. valid passport (issued within the last 10 years)
  2. Visa Application form & declarations duly signed

The visa application form may be downloaded from the embassy website. Some countries like Germany, have their online visa application where the student can download the filled application after entering the details.

  1. copy of passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
  2. passport pictures according to biometric specifications (This can vary from country to country)
  3. cover letter from applicant explaining the exact purpose and duration of stay
  4. letter of admission from the university
  5. proof of payment of study fees, if applicable
  6. proof of language proficiency in English and/or other languages such as German (where applicable)
  7. proof of academic qualifications, if applicable

Most of the European embassies require the academic certificates with Apostile stamp on them.

  1. proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of studies by one of the following documents:
  • Confirmation of scholarship/ stipend
  • Formal obligation letter by sponsor living in the country where the student is going to study
  • Proof of blocked account in India or a suitable Bank in the country where the student is going to study

Examples:

  1. For Germany – A blocked account with the Deutche Bank in Germany showing a minimum balance of 8640 euros
  2. For Canada SPP visa – A GIC with Novascotia or ICICI Bank in Canada with 10000 CAD
  • Proof of bank balance equivalent to the amount covering the tuition and other costs while studying abroad. This can be shown in the bank account of the student or parents.

 

  1. Travel health insurance. The conditions for this vary from country to country.

 

 

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