Go beyond cut-offs, study abroad to open new doors

Over 2.9 lakh students go overseas every year for university education, which costs India a foreign exchange outflow of $15 to $20 billion per annum. Among the favourite higher education destinations among Indians are US, UK, Australia and France.

Over 2.9 lakh students go overseas every year for university education, which costs India a foreign exchange outflow of $15 to $20 billion per annum.

Among the favourite higher education destinations among Indians are US, UK, Australia and France.

An important reason for many Indians choosing to study abroad is the shortage of good institutions in India and growing competition for limited seats.

Moreover, the reservation policy in India reduces the availability of seats to general category students, weakening the prospects of a majority of students, says an Assocham report.

The US remains the top destination for students from around the world.

Click here for:

Over the past five years, the number of Indian students in France grew by 50%. This is because of various factors such as overall increase in the number of Indian students, higher education costs in the Anglo-Saxon countries, wide range of scholarships across a bouquet of academic disciplines and easier visa rules. Nearly 3,000 students studied in France in 2013.

“Indian students coming to France have access to some of the best academic institutions in the world, at very low fee. Visa rules have been made easier and students can now stay for an additional year in the country,” Arnaud Mentré, press counsellor, Embassy of France.